LYSIA H. BOWLING, BROWNSVILLE CITY ATTORNEY FINALIST

Lysia H. Bowling,  Candidate for City Attorney of Brownsville, currently City Attorney for Pensacola, Florida, formerly the City Attorney for Harlingen and San Angelo, TX
(Full story later this evening)

MORE SHENANIGANS AT BISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES~WHAT'S UP, OTIS?

From the editor:  It was a "heads-up" that might better have been kept under wraps until the conspiracy fully developed and was subsequently uncovered.

But, since BISD Trustee, Place 2 candidate Erasmo Castro has already shared the incident on his Brownsville Cheezmeh site, we are publishing as well.

Reportedly a certain Mr. Trevino hand delivered a packet for the upcoming October 2, 2018 BISD school board meeting to each BISD board member.(Orlando Trevino, a resident of the La Posada neighborhood of Southmost, the uncle of BISD candidate Otis Powers, Jr. and a political operative, is thought to be the "Mr. Trevino" mentioned.)

Within the agenda packet was a sealed letter addressed to the board member that purportedly contained damaging or negative information on Castro.

Below is the message received by Castro this morning from an unidentifed, current board member.    

We have no idea who placed the sealed envelope of dirt on Castro inside the BISD packet.  Was it Mr. Trevino, possibly Otis Powers, Jr.'s uncle, Orlando?  That would not be a good move, especially if orchestrated by candidate Powers.

Or, was the sealed envelope placed within the packed by a BISD employee?  That might be even more serious, while not violating the so-called Hatch Act, possibly breaking some state law about practicing politics while on the district payroll and during district time.

Another interesting twist.  Should District Attorney Luis V. Saenz decide his office should investigate or prosecute this matter, he would likely need to recuse himself, since, earlier this month, he endorsed Erasmo Castro in the BISD Trustee, Place 2 race.

What say you, Herman Otis Powers, Jr.?  After allegedly threatening Castro at a recent campaign forum, was this dirty little deed your handiwork?  Did you involve your political operative uncle, or, worse yet, your BISD-employed wife, in this clandestine affair?

COACH JOE DEFENDS HIS RECORD OF SERVICE AT BISD TRUSTEE CANDIDATE FORUM

BISD Trustee Joe Rodriguez

Octogenarian BISD trustee Joe Rodriguez is, among current trustee candidates, the one most closely identified with the current state of the school district. 

Repeatedly, during Wednesday's B.E.S.T. campaign forum at the public library, Rodriguez stated that the school sytem was better off financially, security-wise and educationally than ever before.

"We've never had scores this high," stated Coach Joe.

On issues like the $1.4 million scoreboard and expensive turf for the football field, issues where Rodriguez and Superintendent Zendejas seemed locked into one vendor, Rodriguez got feisty, even pounding the table with his water bottle:  

"The scoreboard will pay for itself in four years, but I guess that's not good enough.

And, you want these kids to play football without turf?  Without turf, they'd be playing football on bare ground.  Football and sports keeps kids in school."

On his own tenure as trustee:  

"I'm proud of my service.  People don't see us staying till 2 or 2:30 in the morning at meetings.  

On why BISD is losing hundreds of students annually to charter schools, Rodriguez blamed the current Secretary of Education, without naming Secretary DeVos:

"Everyone knows the president appointed someone who favors charter schools.  

We have 7000 employees, half of them cleaning up schools or in maintenance."

With respect to Brownsville teachers being charged a monthly premium for insurance, Rodriguez stated:

"Do you realize every year we have to add $10-14 million to the budget for insurance?  It's about balancing the budget.

What company would keep 200 over staff?  It's very sad to have to answer these things."

Perhaps Rodriguez's oddest response had to do with the hiring of 21 security officers for BISD and what would be needed to retain them:

"I have a connection to Santa Fe, New Mexico and the 8 killed there in a shooting.  I let Jim Kilroy and his wife stay in my house 30 days while they looked for his son, Mark Kilroy.  Mark was found cut into many pieces in Matamoros."

BISD CANDIDATE OTIS POWERS, JR. SHARES HIS VERSION OF CASTRO INCIDENT ON EL RRUN RRUN BLOG

Erasmo Castro, Otis Powers, Jr.

It was not entirely unexpected that BISD candidate Herman Otis Powers, Jr. would have a different version of the incident reported in this blog as occurring at Wednesday's  B.E.S.T. campaign forum, held at the Brownsville Public Library.

Here's an excerpt from our report, detailing the interaction between Powers and Castro:

"I'll take you outside and beat the shit out of you!" threatened former BISD trustee Herman Otis Powers, Jr. to Erasmo Castro at a BISD Candidate Forum held at the Brownsville Public Library Wednesday evening.

"He just threatened me!  He just threatened me on live videotape!" Castro responded. 

The upset seemed to have been building during the forum, especially when Castro repeatedly brought up letters requesting donations as large as $7,500 from vendors sent out by both Powers and his sister-in-law, BISD trustee, Dr. Sylvia Atkinson.

Castro hinted that such vendors, especially insurance vendors, don't give money "for free" and the results impact the students, teachers and education within BISD. 

Respected local blogger Juan Montoya of El Rrun Rrun, presents a different version of events, likely Otis's version, in his blog article today.  Note the blog's description of the event:

Powers, of course, denies it, saying that after Castro made numerous insinuations of him influence-peddling and back-dating contracts of BISD employees he had had enough and told Castro that "if he wanted to take the gloves off, we could."

Actually, there's not a world of difference between:  "I'll take you outside and beat the shit out of you" and "if he wanted to take the gloves off we could."

Both versions are an invitation to violence initiated by the volatile Powers.  This attempt to intimidate, added to Power's track record of fraud, while previously serving on the BISD board, disqualify him from serving again.  

Actually, Powers has already accomplished what he set out to do years ago with his "service" to Brownsville, with three close relatives placed in positions at BISD with salaries said to be in excess of $100,000 annually.

REALTORS, TEACHERS UNION HOLD FORUMS FOR BISD CANDIDATES

From the editor:  With an obvious lack of coordination, two BISD trustee campaign forums were held in Brownsville, on the same street, on the same day, exactly one hour apart.  

All of the candidates were invited to the first forum, sponsored by the Brownsville Board of Realtors, but half had to leave, well before it was over, to attend a forum sponsored by Brownsville Educators Stand Together, a local teachers union.(The B.E.S.T. forum only dealt with candidates for places 4 and 2.)

BROWNSVILLE/S.P.I BOARD OF REALTORS FORUM

Like he has many times before, the Board of Realtor's Larry Jokl presided over the group's campaign forum Wednesday with typical sarcasm, military discipline and fairness.

"We have the best timer in the business," he joked, telling an older gentleman seated at a front table to "show them your one minute sign."

This forum, held at the realtor's headquarters on Central Boulevard, was for BISD trustee candidates.  All but one or two made it.

With half of the candidates, along with this reporter, leaving well before the event was over, our report is incomplete, but we will share some observations from our notes.

Place 4 candidate Dr. Prisci Roca-Tipton, a bit nervous as a public speaker, has an incredible resume.  Born into a shrimping family, she's worked in carpentry, fiber glass and, at the age of 18, became president of her dad's shrimping company, handling payroll and contracts.  She's spent 17 years as an educator.

Two questions were asked of all the candidates.  One question dealt with the advisability of closing older schools, the other with whether to use public or private funds for a performing arts center.

Place 2 candidate Erasmo Castro favored closing older schools "to save maintenance," also saying that BISD need to "up our game" to compete with charter schools.  

Place 2 candidate Carlos Elizondo

Carlos Elizondo, coming in late in hospital scrubs, misunderstood the question about funding for the performing arts center.

"Private is not giving us $30.000,000 to fix air conditioning," he stated.

Randy Gonzalez, place 4 candidate, recommended tearing down older properties or selling them, building new schools.  

Gonzalez said teachers should be told they're "doing a good job" to sustain morale.

Place 2 candidate Herman Otis Powers, Jr. described himself as a "numbers man," who "allows teachers to teach," complaining that charter schools have an unfair advantage being able to "pick and choose students," while BISD has to educate "everyone."

"Why can't we do the same thing?" he asked.

Drue Brown, retired as BISD Public Information Director, but, also with many years as an English teacher, described BISD, with its $500 million annual budget as the financial equivalent to a "Fortune 500" company.

Brown recommended "repurposing" older buildings as had been done "with Cummins Junior High," but doing so only with "community input."

THE B.E.S.T. CAMPAIGN FORUM AT CENTRAL LIBRARY

For over two hours candidates for BISD trustee, places 2 and 4, were asked prepared questions by moderator Daniel Perez. 

We've reported an unfortunate taint on the forum by threats issued by Herman Otis Powers, Jr. against Erasmo Castro.  

A subsequent article will deal with details from the B.E.S.T. forum.

OTIS POWERS, JR. THREATENS ERASMO CASTRO AT BISD CANDIDATE FORUM

Erasmo Castro, Herman Otis Powers, Jr.
Candidates for BISD Trustee, Place 2

"I'll take you outside and beat the shit out of you!" threatened former BISD trustee Herman Otis Powers, Jr. to Erasmo Castro at a BISD Candidate Forum held at the Brownsville Public Library Wednesday evening.

"He just threatened me!  He just threatened me on live videotape!" Castro responded.  

Mr. Powers had seemed to chafe much of the evening as Castro repeatedly called attention to letters sent to vendors recently by Mr. Powers and his sister-in-law, Dr. Sylvia Atkinson, asking for contributions as large as $7,500 to create a board majority.  

Atkinson is currently a BISD board member, holding Place 7, while Mr. Powers is a former board member, now seeking Place 2.

"Those contributions, especially those from insurance vendors, do not come freely," Castro reiterated several times during the forum.

"They are most assuredly paid back and that money comes from funds needed for the education of Brownsville's children, including those with special needs."

Released court documents from the 2010 Tony Juarez vs. BISD trial, show that Otis Powers had admittedly been involved in the fraudulent practice of "backdating" contracts and a conspiracy to oust former Superintendent Hector Gonzalez.

The forum was sponsored by B.E.S.T., an acronym for Brownsville Educators Stand Together, a teacher's union.

REPUBLICAN PRECINCT CHAIR ANNA AGUILAR-PUENTE WEIGHS IN ON CAMERON COUNTY POLITICAL STRUGGLES

From the editor:  We submit this statement from Cameron County Republican Precinct Chair, Anna Aguilar-Puente, for your consideration, without commentary:

Anna Aguilar-Puente

In a city run primarily by Democrats, it's quite easy for the people of Brownsville to lose sight of what's important. They have been taught that Democrats are "good" and Republicans are "bad". 




Assumptions that every conservative idolizes our POTUS Donald Trump's behavior are as ludicrous as saying every Democrat condones the behavior of Bill Clinton's scandal with Monica Lewinsky, along with the others who made claims against him.

One thing I have learned in life, is there are friends and foes. The same can be said in politics. This is something both the Honorable Morgan Graham and Carlos Cascos, have consistently said; "There are GOOD people on both sides. Vote for the person, NOT the party." 

These words coming from conservative leaders and candidates should speak volumes. It's them telling the public "We're here to prove ourselves to YOU." 

Has the same been said by the Democratic Party? Do their candidates state the same? Very few people will and it's saddening, not only for me, but for the candidates who work hard to convince people they're ready to serve our county.

It's a tough road ahead for any conservative. We are the minorities in this city and always misjudged. But I will gladly and wholeheartedly join candidates in their struggle regardless of their odds every single time. I do it for those who have a proven track record such as Constable Pete Delgadillo and former Constable Roel Cavazos who are prime examples of conservative INTEGRITY.

I also partake in the uphill battle for my brethren who desperately look to our elected leaders in their time of need. Politicians must be reminded that we the people put them there to serve our city and its residents. 

Some stop serving their constituents because they feel they owe nothing to anyone after being elected. That's so far from the truth. Every single vote is grounds for being listened to and not just heard. 

More importantly, we must hold them accountable for their lack of service and/or leadership to our community. How many Mary Tiptons have to pass away on the side of the road before investigators take families seriously? How many more honorably discharged veterans such as the case of Randall Bolivar, need to be wrongly accused due to elected officials purposely overlooking evidence before someone does their sworn in duty to uphold the law?  

13th Court of Appeals candidates Ernie Alseda, Jaime Tijerina, Nora Longoria, Dori Contreras, Gina Benavides and others from both sides, how will you know they'll do the right thing or toss innocent people to the side? 

You don't. It's trial and error on our part. If they are not looking out for our children, families, our friends and neighbors, they need to be replaced.

As voters we cannot assume one side will do more than the other. Keep yourself informed on the judgments and their decisions on all elected officials. Unify and stand up against those who do our community harm. 

I am a conservative by choice, but I am a living breathing AMERICAN soul first, by God's good grace. I believe people should be helped, if they aren't able to help themselves. People should also be given a fair trial. 

If not, it should most definitely be caught at the 13th Court of Appeals. If they fail, they should NOT be there. 

As voters, we deserve the very best representation regardless of how we vote. Always remember that how we vote determines the fate of our friends and neighbors. 

Who would you rather have presiding in court? Carlos Cascos or Eddie Treviño? Who would you trust if Mary Tipton was your wife or Randall Bolivar was your son? Which would you have judging the fate of your son at the 13th Court of Appeals? Alseda, Tijerina, Contreras, Benavides or Longoria?

Duardo Paz-Martinez asked for my views on conservative politics. I deferred him to the Honorable Morgan Graham because she is not only more suitable, but better qualified to answer any and all questions pertaining to the party and its candidates. 

If there's one thing I admire about Morgan, besides fighting tooth and nail to get our local candidates funding, it's her rare ability to empower others. She leads by example and always encourages each one of us to be vocal in what we believe in. 

Truth be told, no one can lead the party the way she can. I could never do all that she has done and make it look that easy. Leading takes a certain skill and ability that few people are born with or taught from a very young age, just as her father did with her. 

Leading the party is a tough cross to bear, and only she has managed to look beautiful doing it. While she leads our party and its members, I take on the role of seeing what our community needs and choose the right candidates that better suit the needs of my precinct as does every other precinct chair. 

My main priority has always been the citizens of my community. I fight hard for those who have no voice and those in need. Together, as one, we try and find a solution to the problem if there is one. If not, we continue looking, again, as one. 

I trust and respect Morgan Graham and all her decisions. If everything I've said makes me "lowly" so be it. I'll take that term and wear it proudly. If you know me, truly know me, heart, soul, and everything in between, you know I'm the one you want fighting for you.

Respectfully Yours,

Anna Aguilar-Puente (Precinct 82)

TVEA ENDORSES ERASMO CASTRO FOR BISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PLACE 2

"Texas Valley Educators' Association and its Election Committee, is proud to endorce Erasmo Castro for Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees, Position 2."

EDDIE TREVINO, JR. FUNDRAISER AT COBBLEHEADS OCTOBER 4

A TINY SLICE OF LIFE FROM NENA AND JIM. . . . . . HAS IT COME TO THIS, JIM?

Origin of Petit Jean River on Petit Jean Mountain

Nena and I ended up in Danville, Arkansas in 1970.  Long story.

Danville was a quaint little town of 1,200 on the banks of the Petit Jean River, a small stream that descended from Petit Jean Mountain, the home of then Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, a super rich guy who pretended to raise Santa Gertrudis cattle on his mountain top ranch.  

Our main friends in Danville were Leroy and Bernice Dennis.  Bernice worked at the Danville Grill, a place where your coffee cup never dipped below the halfway point and waitresses called you "Sugar" or "Honey."

Leroy was the quintessential good ol' Arkansas boy, who hunted, fished, could fix anything or build anything, but humbly would not admit to any actual skill.(I found this trait common among Arkansas folk.)

Nena and I, 1972
Yes, I've always worn
flip flops.

In 1972 Nena and I made our only visit to the Danville Theater to see the the Concert for Bangladesh, filmed in Madison Square Garden, arranged by George Harrison, who played along with Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston and others. Surprisingly for a country town, the theater was packed.

Nena was eight months pregnant with our son, known locally as Diego Lee Rot.

George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh Movie

During the movie, Nena experienced the most vigorous kicking by our unborn son, nothing like it before that time or after.  

Years later, Diego totally wore out our copy of "All Things Must Pass," George Harrison's three record set released after the breakup of the Beatles, playing it in his bedroom without our knowing.  I'm not saying it, but had he not liked that music even before birth?

In the mid-eighties, Nena, Diego and I were the ONLY patrons in a Jacksonville, Arkansas theater to watch Paul McCartney's flop of a film, "Give My Regards to Broadstreet."

Yes, three fish out of water citizens of the world in an Arkansas theater giving our regards to our ex-Beatle friend and mentor!

CASCOS'S RECORD OF FISCAL MANAGEMENT MAKES HIM THE CHOICE FOR COUNTY JUDGE

Carlos Cascos

The phrase "county judge" is an antiquated designation.  The office is not so much that of judge as of a manager, protecting and expanding the county's resources and infrastructure.  

While each salaried county commissioner advocates for the needs of their precinct, those needs have to be balanced against the overall needs of the county, thus the county judge.

If, as they say, the best predictor of future performance is past actions, Cascos, the accountant by trade, should continue his careful monitoring of county funds.

Something Cascos has always opposed is raises for public officials, who knew the salary of the position they sought, but seek a raise in salary after their election.

Recently, this principle was tested at the state level.  Notice Cascos remarks on Facebook:

"At the State Republican Executive Committee meeting in Austin today, the recently elected Republican State Party Chair, James Dickey is seeking exactly this....advocating & posturing himself to be paid a salary in the neighborhood of $150,000 per year. 

This is not only wrong, it is obscene. This position is not a paid position & hasn't been in the past. Had he made it part of his platform when he was running this past summer, the outcome of his election may have been different."

In 2015 Nena and I attended a Salary Grievance Committee Hearing at the Dancy Court House.  

Justice of the Peace Sally Gonzalez was asking for a $9,132 raise, while Constable Abel Gomez wanted $7,314 and Sheriff Omar Lucio was seeking a $25,000 increase in salary.

Sheriff Lucio, Sally Gonzalez
om 2015

Sheriff Lucio, who was sitting next to Nena and I, seemed visibly annoyed that, before the committee voted, Cascos asked to meet with them in Executive Session.

"None of these raises will be approved.  Cascos, right now, is telling them to vote "no!" Lucio whispered. 

When the committee came back into chambers, they voted 8-1 against all three raises.  Lucio shrugged his shoulders, giving me an "I told you so!" look.

So, while Cameron County Republican underlings have done some goofball stuff in recent times,  none of those shenanigans have been tied to Cascos.  

Taxpayers interested in protecting and managing county assets in a frugal, cost-efficient way, may wish to consider Carlos Cascos's record of fiscal management when they go to the polls in November.

BREAKING NEWS: VALADEZ YIELDS TO WIGHTMAN'S DEMAND FOR MEETING AS THE BLOGGER SETS THE VENUE

Chris Valadez, Heading to
Harlingen for a Meeting
with the Bobster?

Carlos Cascos's longtime operative, Chris Valadez, extends the Cameron County Republicans recent extraordinary bendover for eccentric blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes as the mentally quick, former administrative aide evidently plans collusion with the Bobster in the northern or eastern reaches of Cameron County sometime soon. . .

Mr. Wightman announced the heretofore clandestine meetup yesterday on his blog, the BROWNSVILLE VOICE:

"Some added information. Even Cris Valadez agreed to meet with me in Harlingen for lunch. I never meet with people for information or stories in Brownsville, maybe save once. We meet either in Harlingen or SPI. So ad(sic) this to your story. Not only will people meet with me, but they will meet my demand we meet in Harlingen or SPI."

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes

In caving in to Mr. Wightman's "demands," not only for a meeting, but a meeting location of the blogger's own choosing, Valadez violates a longstanding local Republican rule, the so-called "11th Commandment," that "Nothing good comes from talking to Bobby Wightman-Cervantes."

The BROWNSVILLE VOICE, described by Wightman as the city's only "unbought" blog, continues to uncover "con artists, hypocrites, liars and racists" among local politicos, coining the phrase "verifiable lies."

Brownsville's Bloggers
with Valadez in 2012

Recently Mr. Wightman revealed that, in 2012, then County Judge Carlos Cascos gave the blogger a "private audience" to protect him from being "tainted" by association with the city's other three bloggers during a forum to discuss alleged irregularities with a former election administrator.

Wightman now refers to those complaints as "defamation." 

HOW SBOE CANDIDATE TAD HASSE VIEWS CAMERON COUNTY DEMOCRATS!

From the editor:  With the Cameron County Republican base somewhere around 35-38%, it's obvious that County Judge candidate Carlos Cascos NEEDS crossover Democratic votes to win.

That is why, last week, Cascos himself shared, on Facebook, images of "Beto" signs standing next to his own signs in several Brownsville yards.

Cascos hopes against hope, that those planning on voting for Beto will also vote for him, but he doesn't want a humongous turnout for Beto, resulting into a disastrous "blue wave."

SBOE candidate Tad Hasse is in a very different position.  SBOE District 2, is a thin, gerrymandered district that slides past Corpus Christi up into northern rural counties, some nearly 100% Republican.  

Hasse, with most of those northern counties solidly behind him, needs to get just close to the actual Republican base in Cameron County to win.  

Perhaps, that explains some of Tad's flippant, dismissive comments about Democrats.  

Tad does not respect Democrats, considering himself and his fellow Republicans to be intellectually superior and Democrats "slow and stupid."

It's comments like the ones below that gave me pause after once endorsing Hasse for SBOE.  

Regarding nearly half the electorate as simply "stupid," does not bode well for being on the State Board of Education, making decisions affecting the children of those categorized as "slow and stupid" by Hasse.

MEET BROWNSVILLE'S NEWEST "ODD COUPLE," CASCOS & BOBBY! HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Merriam Webster defines the phrase "odd couple" as: "two people with a special connection or relationship who are very different from each other."

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes

In view of the above definition, perhaps no one ever suspected that blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes and former County Judge, Carlos Cascos, two distinctly different people, might yet have a sort of special connection, not limited to their vision for the RGV region, but, also in terms of style and teamwork.

Would we be entirely out of line in referring to them as an "odd couple?"

Three Brownsville Bloggers in 2012, along with Carlos Cascos' Administrative Assistant, Chris Valadez.  From left to right:  Jerry McHale, Juan Montoya, Chris Valadez, Jim Barton

Wightman actually hinted as much recently when he described an event in 2012, when Brownsville's bloggers were summoned to the office of County Judge Cascos to discuss grievances and complaints against then Election  Administrator, Roger Ortiz.

Wightman claims that Cascos gave him the honor of a "private audience" to discuss what the lesser bloggers were to discuss later in a group forum.

Notice Wightman's description:  

"Jim I remain to have an open door with elected officials in every office in Cameron County and Brownsville. You do not. 

When Cascos asked to speak with the bloggers over the endless defamation against Roger Ortis I was not there with you, McHale and Montoya, because Cascos afforded me a private audience so I did not have to taint myself by being in your presence."

County Judge and Election Chairman
Carlos Cascos at 2012 Meeting

Interesting that Wightman believes he was being protected by Cascos from being sullied by being in the mere presence of other bloggers.  It's as if Wightman had a private audience with the Holy Father, while the lesser bloggers met with local, subordinate clerics of lesser rank.

In terms of communication from the former county judge, there may also be some inequity.  Notice the relevant part of a recent message from Carlos Cascos to Wightman:  

Good day Bobby,
In response to a post by Jim Barton, you & I have had no conversations regarding any topic, except for our brief discussion at my event regarding my vision for our county.

Of course, there was no such post by me, claiming that Wightman and Cascos had conferred after the Spazgate Extravaganza August 30.  

In an open letter, I challenged Cascos or any of his aides to find such a comment by me, but none has been produced and Cascos has been silent.

Carlos did however offer an extremely gracious well-wish to Mr. Wightman, with regard to his pending surgery, sent to the BROWNSVILLE VOICE comment section:

carlos cascos said... Wishing u a quick recovery....godspeed
September 21, 2018 at 11:38 PM

We wish the same for Bobby, and no one should have to endure the excruciating pain he describes in great detail in the BROWNSVILLE VOICE.

Yet, what Cascos brief message to Wightman does show is that his communication options of email, Facebook inboxing and Google blogger commenting are still in working order. 

In other words, he could have explained his claim about me, had he chosen to do so. He remained silent intentionally. Carlos and Bobby, along with many in Edinburg, McAllen, etc. have a vision of a coordinated regional RGV entity that may eventually include the consolidation of the valley's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations. 

 For now, the two Brownsville men seem to have a good relationship. How long will it last? As we wrote earlier this month: 

"Many local politicos, including Melissa Zamora, Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa and others have learned the hard way, reading flattering words in Bobby's blog one day, then feeling a piercing of cold steel between their shoulder blades the next."

BLOWING OFF THE CRUZ-BETO DEBATE FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF FINNSNOW

FinnSnow, Vlogger Extraordinaire

Tony Martinez's 1848 Barbecue on Palm Boulevard is likely filling up about now for Brownsville's version of Ali-Frazier, a verbal tussle 'tween lying Ted and the Anglo named Beto. 

My plan was to take a pic of the crowd, then one of the livestream screen, then scoot, but I became mesmerized by the latest YouTube episode of FinnSnow, the tall, athletic Icelander who captures the essence of the Philippines with extraordinary drone photography and humorous interaction with locals, always accompanied by a beautiful filipina.

Today's episode initiated two hours outside Cebu City, down the beautifully blue Bojo River on its twisted run through tropical jungle down to the sea.

They are riding down river on kayak-shaped boats with balancing poles mounted on front and back.

The Philippines is actually the 20th country Finn has videotaped in the last five years and I have no idea whether he's studied movie making or simply learned on the fly, but his stuff seems superbly edited.

My first exposure to the FinnSnow vlog, the coral reef video shot with Miss Scuba International, Sherlyn Doloriel, was incredible.  Sherlyn also won the swimsuit competition in Miss Philippines 2016.  

I was hoping to see more of Sherlyn, but Finn moved on after a few vlogs together.

Last month, Finn went back to Iceland for the funeral of his mother.  Evidently, Finn's dad told him not to vlog about that, but, as he said on the video, a tearful eulogy to his mom:  "I going against you on this one, Dad!"

TRIP UPDATE:  DEPARTING NOVEMBER 6, RETURNING DECEMBER 1

As they say;  "There's no fool like an old fool," and I've made some tactical errors in interacting with people from the Philippines online, raising expectations.

I've agreed to meet only two, Lyn, the last week of my vacation and Bienna, the day after I arrive in Cebu.  Obviously, no commitments have been made either way.  It's just a matter of seeing if we're compatible.

Having similar viewpoints or interests is not important to me.  I couldn't care less about being involved with someone who thinks or looks like me.  How is that even remotely interesting? 

Lyn brought up the matter of lost wages as she's using an unpaid Leave of Absence to meet me that last week.  She claims to work 9 or 10 hour days, but I know she's in her office longer than that, reconciling the payroll for the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati, a suburb of Manila.  Besides, she commutes daily from Guiguinto, 44.5 kilometers north, a 1.1 hour bus trip. 

Her pay is 512 Philippine pesos per day or $9.48.  That's per day, not per hour.  I'm fine with reimbursing her for that.  It's nothing,  It doesn't make her a paid escort, just makes certain her mom and son, whom she supports, have something to eat while she's gone.(After I agreed to make up for the lost wages, Lyn said she would not accept it, was not a "gold digger,"etc.  Anyway)

Bienna, who prefers to be called Bien, describes herself as a "simple girl," doing the laundry for neighbors and housekeeping in the city of Tacloban.

Daily, Bienna sends me a note, telling me to drive safely, get my rest and not forget to eat.  

When I tell her I'm a fat pig and could go a long time without eating, she says:  "Why do you always talk like that?"

I've sent Bien a plane ticket, actually an itinerary to travel to Cebu.  I will have to pick her up at the airport on Mactan Island the day after I arrive in Cebu City.  The airport is only 10 kilometers from the Castle Peak Hotel, normally a 27 minute cab ride, but, at 6:00 PM, when Bien's plane arrives, the trip reportedly takes 3 hours because of heavy traffic on the two bridges between the island and Cebu City.

Both ladies speak three languages fluently:  Bienna speaks Tagalog, Cebuano and English, while Lyn speaks Tagalog, Bicolano and English.

I told them I speak English and pig Latin.  Neither found that funny.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY LUIS V. SAENZ ENDORSES ERASMO CASTRO FOR BISD TRUSTEE, PLACE 2

WITNESSING HISTORY AT JARRA'S SPORTS BAR ON HIGHWAY 48

Cleveland Brown's Rookie Quarterback, Baker Mayfield

This is not a claim of divine providence, synchronicity, or even being "guided by the Holy Spirit."

It was just dumb luck.

For the third or fourth annoying time, in recent weeks, I passed through the Church's Chicken drive-thru, only to be told they have no "spicy" product available.  It is now fried only "on demand," since I'm the only person in Brownsville who likes chicken "spicy."

I moved on, passing several fast food places on Hwy 48, then performed an illegal u-turn as I noticed a bunch of cars in front of Jarra's Sports Bar.  My scientific research links a full parking lot with "doing something right."

I went inside, seating myself at a round table for one that had one table leg on the dance floor.  I repositioned the table, making it sit straight, sat down and declined the menu from my server.

"I just want two tacos de bistec, con todo, and a Budweiser," I told her.

I tried not to stare at the amorous couple to my right, seated at a long bar style table.  The lady was halfway through a large drink I recognized as a "Royal Fuck," with yet another "Royal Fuck" at the ready.  The man, dressed in a soccer jersey, was drinking 20 ounce beer.  Their male server was extremely attentive, offering more beverage before they'd barely started on what they had.

Looking up at one of the four large TV screens, I recognized the Cleveland Browns uniform, then noticed they were playing the Jets.  A subtitle indicated Cleveland had not won a regular season game since late in 2016.

Cleveland was behind at that point, but this Number 6 was hitting receivers like a Brownie version of the Packers' Aaron Rodgers.

"Entered the game in the second quarter" flashed across the screen in reference to Number 6 taking over at quarterback.  I made out the name "Mayfield" on the back of his uniform.

The guys actually sitting at the bar were squealing with delight at every successful Cleveland play.  It was as if the kinetic energy generated within Jarra's was willing the Browns to victory.

Late in the game, when Jets QB Sam Darnold muffed a forward lateral, lover boy on my right released a blood curdling whoop that literally shook the bar.  We accidentally made eye contact and exchanged wide grins.  

I paid my bill with my debit card, violating one of Nena's rules to always carry cash.  Without my glasses, I really couldn't make out the bill.  Squinting, I wrote in a $2.00 tip. . . LOL

Once home, I checked my bank balance.  It showed a charge of $4.87 to Jarra's Sports Bar. I was not charged for my tip.  Not bad for two Budweisers, two tacos and one hell of a classic football game.

I'll be back.  

BROWNSVILLE ENDS LONG HOT SUMMER WITH ERASMOFEST

From the editor:  Under the architecturally-unique Law Office of Ignacio Martinez, Erasmo Castro, candidate for BISD Trustee, Place 2, ended Brownsville's typically hot summer with a taco, tequila, charro beans and red wine event.

If any engine in Brownsville needs an overhaul, it's the BISD Board of Trustees, with several cylinders burning oil and dark black spoke coming out of the exhaust.

Even if District Attorney Luis V. Saenz muffs the case, Carlos Elizondo has not been a good boy.  Yes, innocent until proven guilty, but eleven fricken indictments is not a good optic.

Coach Joe has made enough money that he finally can finally retire.  Hopefully Brownsville voters will see that he does.

Sylvia Atkinson, not up for re-election, nevertheless, sent out a letter requesting high-end sponsorships to give her control of the board.  BISD candidates Drue Brown and Priscie Roca-Tipton hitched their wagons to the Atkinson train.

Former BISD Trustee Otis Powers, Jr., once again a candidate, should be rejected based on his practice of back-dating contracts alone.  We don't need any more of that shit at BISD.

Sniffing BISD's $550,000,000 annual budget is too tempting for people like Pat Lehmann, Carlos Quintanilla and Coach Joe!  Is there a safe alternative?

The loquacious Erasmo Castro, if elected, should shake up the BISD board and gawddammit, it needs a good shaking.

Yet, if Erasmo, after the election, turns in a Coach Joe, Carlos Elizondo, Otis Powers or even a Sylvia Atkinson, Brownsville voters need to terminate his ass after one term.  

But, just maybe, Erasmo is worth a try.

Ten Feet Overhead Band Playing at Erasmo Event