Brownsville Metro Advisory Board Says "Good-Bye" to Board Chairman Daniel Lenz and Board Member Roman Perez

Daniel Lenz Makes a Point at Brownsville
Metro Advisory Board Meeting 1/28/15

Brownsville Metro Advisory Board Chairman Daniel Lenz announced his resignation from the board Wednesday night. Lenz, with 41 years experience in all phases of the bus industry, including 6 years on the Brownsville Metro Advisory Board, 4 years as chairman, stated:

"This is the best board I've ever served on and I've served on many boards.  My phone number will not change.  I will help in any way I can behind the scenes to improve bus service in this city.  Just call me."

Lenz, who sent his resignation letter to the City Commission January 27, will begin work for Thomas Bus Gulf Coast on Monday as New Bus Sales Representative for the south Texas region.

Roman Perez

Also resigning Wednesday, was Roman Perez with 4-1/2 years service on the board. Perez cited his campaign for City Commissioner, District 1, his professorship at the Harlingen outlet of Wayland University and his lay ministry at Christ the King Catholic Church in Southmost as making continued service on the board impossible.

Brownsville Metro Director Norma Zamora

Four agenda points in Wednesday's meeting were tabled simply because Brownsville Metro Director Norma Zamora did not make the effort.  Two Brownsville Metro employees, Transit Planner, Monica Tellam and Grant Writer/Outreach Manager Jonathan Mendoza were to be presented to the board, but Zamora forgot to invite them to the meeting.

Zamora also whiffed on the "Brownsville Metro Maintenance Quarterly Report for October through December," the "Ridership Statistics by Route" and the "New Freedom Sidewalk Enhancement Project Report." She excused herself by citing the press of "the holidays."

Brownsville Metro Assistant Director, the beleaguered Andrew Munoz, who seems to do the bulk of the work at Brownsville Metro, was ready with the "Update on the Parking Garage Project."

The project is 5-1/2 weeks behind because of intermittent rains delaying concrete on the first level. Rain will not effect floors 2, 3 and 4.  Brownsville Metro employees will be the garage's first priority with the general public rate per hour yet to be determined.  The project should be completed by mid-May.

(Photos by Nena Barton)