ODDS & ENDS: BISD Mexican Barbacoa, Brownsville Motorcycle Cop, Tetreau's Offer, Johnny Football

BISD's Mexican Barbacoa Spin Defies Logic

With all due respect to the family of the young man recently deceased, much of BISD's explanation of the spoiled meat incident makes no sense.

The school district's press release claims: "This meat product was raised and purchased in the United States from a USDA approved vendor but was processed in Mexico according to USDA guidelines and under the supervision of a USDA inspector."

Since the product was processed in Gomez Palacio, Durango, for the above statement to be true, the "USDA approved" meat, if purchased in Brownsville, must travel 823.4 miles round trip in refrigerated trucks to get from supplier to processor and back to BISD.  I doubt even the loony-tune, awkwardly-assigned BISD administrators are that stupid.  The press release was obviously designed to cover administration ass.

Brownsville's Aggressive Motorcycle Cops

Traveling west on FM 802, Ruben Torres, I noticed a black motorcycle, traveling toward me, whip into the middle turn lane. Without warning, the cyclist, a Brownsville policeman, cut in front of me.  Had I not slammed on my breaks, I would have surely hit him.

After cutting in front of me, the cop flashed his lights and stopped a vehicle a few hundred yards ahead of me.  Another citation for the motorcycle cop's quiver, but a near accident.  

Commissioner Tetreau Offers Casa del Nylon 

In a Facebook discussion with Michelle, the co-owner of B.A.M., Brownsville Artists and Musicians, Commissioner Jessica Tetreau joined in, mentioning La Casa del Nylon, a building purchased by the city commission in 2012 for $2.3 million, thrice its value.

"You know, the Casa nylon would make an awesome venue for your concerts...," stated the commissioner.

Michelle was concerned the building's rent might be a bit over B.A.M.'s budget:  

"At 2.3 million versus 50k for the purchases, we can only imagine the stark differences in rent costs. We're catering to clients that are seeking out curated musical experiences. That leaves little in our budget for a huge building. Unless you can get it for us at the same price lol"

Tetreau continued:  "It's a multi million dollar building just sitting there... Maybe you could look at it."

Michelle:  "We're not rich. If the city is willing on giving us a break we're down to move"

Tetreau:  "Honestly, you seem like the kind of person and group that could help that building and make it a win for the arts and music community. Let me know if you'd like a tour."

Actually, La Casa del Nylon was one of 13 buildings purchased by Tony Martinez and the city commissioners in 2012, all still sitting idle, save 2 with superficial usage.  The double whammy to the taxpayers is that all the buildings are now off the tax rolls, meaning citizens must make up for the shortfall.  Meanwhile, the buildings deteriorate, unused.

Jerry Jones Dodges Bullet in Johnny Football 

Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager, Jerry Jones, toyed with the idea of drafting Johnny Manziel, star quarterback of the Texas A&M Aggies.  Certainly, Manziel would have sold tickets, creating a fan buzz for the franchise.

Jerry's decision to pass on Manziel looks pretty sound now, with the Cleveland Browns signee dealing with substance abuse and  charges by his ex-girlfriend.

John Feit Arrested for 56 Year Old Murder of Irene Garza

REPOST

  http://www.krgv.com/story/31181905/arrest-made-in-56-year-old-murder-case

From the editor:  Both Anderson Cooper of ABC News, and now CBS' News program 48 Hours have chronicled the 1960 murder case of McAllen schoolteacher Irene Garza.  

It is obvious that District Attorney Rene Guerra has manipulated grand jury proceedings to prevent an indictment of the only suspect in 1960 and now, former Catholic priest John Feit.  

The arrogant Guerra recently told the victim's family that there will be an indictment "when pigs fly."  Actually, the only pig who should fly is Rene Guerra.  Hidalgo County voters should remove the 32 year incumbent from office this election. Below is a reprint of our article publishe June 3, 2013:

Monday, June 3, 2013

District Attorney Rene Guerra

With Cameron County's outgoing District Attorney Armando Villalobos convicted on 7 of 9 criminal counts, his Hidalgo County counterpart Rene Guerra is having his integrity questioned from a very different angle. The arrogant Guerra is blocking, stifling, carefully controlling the pursuit of justice, despite numerous breaking events in the 1960 McAllen murder of Irene Garza.

John B. Feit

The story, of course, is not new, but has been firmed up over 53 years with new revelations, admissions, independent corroboration of statements, etc. The latest expose' by Anderson Cooper, The Beauty and the Priest, aired three times in the last 24 hours, brings many of the details already out there in The Best Crime Writing of 2006. One research article lists severalBrownsville Herald stories by Emma Perez-Trevino in its bibliography.

The story, related as succinctly as I'm able:

Irene Garza, a 25 year old former Miss South Texas and school teacher did not return from her weekly visit to the Sacred Heart Church in McAllen. The last person to see her alive, the 27 year old Reverend John B. Feit, chose to hear her confession in the rectory. While Garza's car remained in the church parking lot, her body was found four days after Easter just three miles away in an irrigation canal with a slide viewer belonging to the young priest and a candelabra from the church nearby. Police theorized at the time that the two heavy objects had been used in an attempt to keep Garza's body at the bottom with the cord of the slide viewer around her neck.

24 days before the Garza murder, Reverend Feit had been arrested, charged with the attempted rape of another young woman, Maria America Guerra, in an Edinburg church where Feit was "helping out." Ms. Guerra had noticed a man with horned rim glasses stalking her as she washed up in an outside bathroom at her home. Later, at the church, Feit, wearing horn rims, attacked her, only turning her loose when she bit his finger, drawing blood. Feit eventually plead no lo contendre to aggravated assault, paying a $500 fine. 
Several suspects to the murder submitted to lie detector tests including Feit. All, except Feit, passed. Of course such tests are not admissible evidence. Fifty years later, McAllen police, the Texas Rangers and other enforcement agencies believe Feit is the murderer.

So did Father Joseph O'Brien, the McAllen parish priest at the time of the murder. He admitted years later that he knew Feit murdered Irene Garza, but he was instructed to transfer Feit to the New Melleray Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa, where Feit attempted to attack a woman getting out of her car. Feit was transferred again to theOur Lady of Assumption Abbey in Ava, Missouri. There a monk named Dale Tacheny, but known as "Father Emmanuel," was told to take charge of the former McAllen priest: "The abbot called me in and said, 'There is a priest who murdered a woman in the guest house. He wants to become a monk. We are instructed to take him in.' "

When the Texas Rangers attempted to reopen the case in 2002, they ran into a stone wall in Hidalgo District Attorney Rene Guerra. Guerra discounted the testimony of Father Joseph O'Brien, who he described as 

Irene Garza

"senile." Guerra also brassily declared that the statements made by former monk Dale Tacheny(Father Emmanuel) had been "fed" him by Texas Ranger Rudy Jaramillo.(George Sadler, San Antonio homicide detective states that Tacheny gave him the same information months before he told Jaramillo.)

District Attorney Rene Guerra finally gave in to pressure from the public and the family of Irene Garza to seek justice in the case, but he had a devilish, fuck-you ace up his sleeve. A grand jury was called in 2004 and convened for 15 days. Waiting to testify were Father Joseph O'Brien, former monk Dale Tacheny, Texas Ranger Rudy Jaramillo and others. But the only witness called by the reluctant District Attorney was a lady who testified for the defense in Feit's earlier trial years ago.

Who knows what Guerra is thinking or what motivates him? Is he protecting the Church, Feit or some sort of coverup? He claims that, after 30 years in office, he is not seeking re-election. If he backs off of that promise, hopefully the voters of Hidalgo County will put him out to pasture for fumbling the biggest criminal case in McAllen, Hidalgo County history.

B.A.M. Wants Reassurance from the City of Brownsville About Reopening As A Music Venue

Subhumans, Potato Pirates and Equinox

From the editor: When Assistant Fire Marshal Raymond Harris shut down B.A.M.'s live music event January 5, based on an anonymous complaint, the group's leaders began organizing fund raisers for necessary monies to bring the building into compliance with fire and city codes.  

The group has raised $4,000 so far, but as the update below indicates they want assurances from the city that once they make the necessary improvements, they will be allowed function as a downtown music venue.  

Since the City of Brownsville actually owns the building B.A.M. currently occupies, they are hopeful the necessary work on the front entrance will be funded by the city.

Leftover Crack

Nationally known punk rock band Leftover Crack was scheduled to perform January 5, but was forced to move their act to Chapa's Bar on 14th Street when shut down by the Assistant Fire Marshal.  


BAM update:

We've had the place measured. We can go forward with sprinkler system , including an additional toilet, but are cautiously slowing the process until we get confirmation from the city that they will update the front facade of the building, the biggest component to us reopening. 

The front is key to having a safe entry/exit. The City of Brownsville owns the building, so we look to them. We've been promised since October it would happen and have been waiting ever since. The downtown coordinator and fire marshall are on the same page, but now we must wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to notice us. I've reached out to our district 4 commissioner, at large commissioners and mayor at this point. We don't want to fail you guys. We recognize we provide a vital creative component to downtown Brownsville, the valley and STX and will fight hard to make this happen. 

Michelle, Co-Owner of B.A.M.

If you know Commissioners Villarreal, De Leon, Gowen or Mayor Martinez, please let them know how much you miss us.

My name is Michelle, co-owner of Brownville Artists and Musicians, located at 1045 E. Washington St. Our operation is a favorite of the valley and has been recognized by a front cover feature for Festiva Magazine, a Friday magazine special offered by the Monitor, and more recently by The Brownsville Herald for our Wednesday Bizarre Bazaar popup shop. The Brownsville Economic Development Council and Texas Music Office have also recognized our efforts as a positive contributor to the community. My reason for contacting you is because we are at a critical point that requires the City of Brownsville, the owner of our building, to act. We are poised to make improvements to the interior with a sprinkler system and additional bathroom. Unfortunately, we must also rely of the city to expedite the front facade of the building, a task.... approved since last October. Nothing has been done and we are reaching out to you, our elected representative... to give some insight why we are not getting the help we were promised. We feel what we bring to the table is unique and cannot be replicated by anyone. We have laid out the creative infrastructure necessary to help redefine what downtown Brownsville can be, but we really need your help at the moment.

We had projected the reopening of music related events by March, but we don't want to put $4000+ in work if the front won't get repaired like was promised. Thanks for your time.

Will the City Manager and the City Commission Allow the Taxpayers to Be Heard?

"The taxpayers should not be heard"

The absolute arrogance of Brownsville's mayor and city commissioners to have only their words aired on the public broadcast of city commission meetings and preserved in City of Brownsville videos, while blocking the public comment of the taxpayers, continues to astound many is this city of 200,000. Even more befuddling is that the City of Brownsville continues this practice despite the fact that the passing of House Bill 283 last June meant that, effective January 1, 2016, excluding public comment from the City of Brownsville video is illegal in the state of Texas.

A letter received from the Texas Attorney General's Office, signed by Assistant Attorney General Neal Falgoust of the Education and Enforcement Division, assigning our complaint an ID number, details paths to enforcement.  Of course, the city can simply choose to obey the law or wait for enforcement.

"Sweepstakes" winner in
country's poorest city

City Manager Charlie Cabler, who oversees the broadcast and videotaping of city commission meetings, recently defied the odds by winning the equivalent of the Publisher's Clearing House "$5,000 per Week for Life Sweepstakes" by having his salary increased to $220,000 annually. $220 grand+$650 monthly car allowance+cell phone allowance+health benefits+retirement easily exceeds $5,000 per week.(By the way, the odds of winning the PCH Sweepstakes are 1 in 2.15 billion.)  Cabler, paid so handsomely to run the city, could simply make certain the City of Brownsville videos comply with the law.

Melissa Zamora-Landin

Any one of the city commissioners could place on the agenda the restoration of the broadcast of public comment.  At least the citizenry would then clearly see in a city commission vote who wants their voices to remain silenced. The last city commissioner courageous enough to do that, Melissa Zamora, was instantly blindsided by the tandem of Mayor Martinez and City Attorney Mark Sossi when she tried to introduce the agenda item. Here is this blog's report on that incident from August 2011:

Conspired with the mayor to block the
broadcast of public comment in 2011

"Melissa Hernandez-Zamora seemed dumbstruck when City Attorney Sossi stood up to give opposition testimony concerning the broadcast of public comment item she had placed on the agenda. It was obvious that Commissioner Zamora had not been advised of the behind-the-scenes manipulation by Mayor Martinez and his eager cohort Sossi. Sossi, after all, had the most to lose from public comment broadcast since it was comments about his questionable ethics that triggered the ban in the first place. As Zamora got her bearings, Martinez waved Sossi the "go ahead". Sossi made no attempt in his feeble, highschoolish power point to express a legal opinion. There was no mention of free speech, the first amendment, the constitution or even the phony liability issues he has pretended previously. Those might have been worthy legal issues. Instead he expressed only viewpoints, unscientific at best, but most likely simply wrong. With a straight face he used a pie chart to illustrate the greater "diversity" of commenters since the ban, not even having the honesty to acknowledge that many of those new participants were speaking out against the anti-democratic ban. He also railed against grandstanding as he grandstanded."

Texas Attorney General's Office Recognizes Our Complaint Against the City of Brownsville

City Commission meetings in Brownsville, Texas are televised live on public access Channel 12 with the video available a few days later on the City of Brownsville website.  The golden, wisdom-laden words of the mayor and city commissioners are aired for the community live and preserved in perpetuity on the video.  At the precise moment that a taxpayer steps up to the podium during so-called "Public Comment," the sound on the broadcast shifts to elevator music and an amateurish "Public Comment" graphic is panned by the camera until the much disrespected, but hardworking taxpayers finish their foolish drivel.  Citizens who sign up for and speak during public comment are not included in the City Commission broadcast or subsequent video despite public comment being on the agenda.  

Caricature by Nena

Such woeful contempt for the citizenry, defying the principles of participatory democracy, has served elitist Mayor Tony Martinez and his to-this-point inept city commissioners well as dumbass purchases like the exorbitantly overpriced La Casa del Nylon for $2,300,000 have slipped through without taxpayer review or input. If any governmental entity needs citizen scrutiny and guidance, it is the City of Brownsville City Commission under the unethical "leadership" of Tony Martinez.

Texas House Bill 283, which became law in June 2015 to be effective January 1, 2016, mandates that cities with a population exceeding 50,000 include a complete video of their city commission meetings online. Illegally, the City of Brownsville has not complied with this new law by continuing to exclude the Public Comment portion of the meeting from the video.  When we shared our concern that the City of Brownsville was not in compliance with Texas law in a call to the Attorney General's office, a staff lawyer agreed with us that the entire public city commission MUST be included in the video to comply with the new law. Our conversation with the AG staff resulted in a letter sent to Attorney General Ken Paxton, forwarded to City Manager Charlie Cabler, Mayor Tony Martinez and the city commissioners.  

Attorney General Ken Paxton
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548

Dear General Paxton,
We are respectfully requesting enforcement of HB 283 with respect to City Of Brownsville City Commission meetings. As we explained to an attorney in your Open Government Division, the City of Brownsville omits one critical portion of City Commission meeting in their online video, that is Public Comment. The attorney agreed that all of the meeting available to the general public should be included in the video as required by Texas law.

The agenda of the January 5, 2016 City Commission meeting shows Public Comment as Agenda Item #11, but the video released several days later on the City of Brownsville website omits this item.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Respectfully yours,

Jim Barton

Today we received a response from the Texas AG office assigning our complaint a case number. An opportunity to discuss the options mentioned in the letter was extended by Assistant Attorney General Neal Falgoust.  

  

Borderland Beat Reports 8 Deaths in Matamoros Violence

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Eight people including 13 Y.O girl killed in string of shootouts in Tamaulipas

Posted by DD Republished from InformadorMx

A 13 year old child was killed Sunday  in a series of shootouts between gunmen and security forces that caused panic in the border city of Matamoros and resulted in the death of 7 presumed criminals as well as the little girl.  Authorities say she was at a crowded shopping mall with her parents when she was hit by a bullet fired by one of the suspects.  

"Unfortunately an underage girl, oblivious to the facts, was wounded by a bullet projectile fired by one of the criminals," the official coordination group said in a statement Tamaulipas , which integrates the security forces deployed in the region Northeast from Mexico.

She died while receiving medical attention.

 Clashes erupted in different parts of Matamoros, one of the most dangerous cities in Tamaulipas and stronghold of the Gulf Cartel.

Clashes erupted in different parts of Matamoros, one of the most dangerous cities in Tamaulipas and stronghold of the Gulf Cartel. - See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2016/641988/6/muere-una-nina-durante-un-enfrentamiento-en-matamoros.htm&usg=ALkJrhhHGSaQ_djmxxtTm4iIAPbW40hVOw#sthash.IJGp4maO.dpuf

The violence started Sunday afternoon when state police spotted a white SUV with Texas plates speeding and attempted a traffic stop.  The occupants of the SUV opened fire on the authorities and the police returned the fire.  Three suspects were killed.  No police were injured.
VIDEO ON NEXT PAGE

Officials from the coordination group said police seized three rifles, 23 magazines, 120 rounds of ammunition, body armor and packages with marijuana from the SUV.

That unleashed a series of chases and shootouts elsewhere in the city, as suspected criminals blocked roads with buses and other large vehicles to try to impede the movement of police and soldiers.

In the second incident, other state agents were "attacked by  armed men who were traveling in two SUVs.  To repel the attack the police shot dead 3 suspects.   More weapons were seized.

A group of suspects fled from there to the mall. Military defense secretary sent support to the police in that operation and at the mall another firefight broke out with the Mexican soldiers and the suspects  and the girl and another gunman was shot dead..

"Unfortunately an underage girl, oblivious to the facts, was wounded by a bullet projectile fired by one of the criminals," the official coordination group said in a statement Tamaulipas , which integrates the security forces deployed in the region Northeast from Mexico.
- See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2016/641988/6/muere-una-nina-durante-un-enfrentamiento-en-matamoros.htm&usg=ALkJrhhHGSaQ_djmxxtTm4iIAPbW40hVOw#sthash.IJGp4maO.dpuf

Trey Mendez for Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees

Another Epic Failure by the BEDC and City of Brownsville with Economic Development

McAllen's Produce Terminal Market with 5 buildings
totaling 294,000 square feet.  200 trucks pass through
the terminal daily to with perishable goods

Starting in the late 50's the new interstate system diverted traffic and potential customers from many businesses along two-lane black top highways.  While Route 66 reinvented itself as a nostalgic tourist area, other highways and their businesses found themselves "off the main path" and dried up economically.  

The City of Brownsville and the so-called Brownsville Economic Development Council intentionally and suicidally CHOSE to be "off the beaten path" of economic growth and development by ignoring the opportunities associated with the newly built Mazatlan-Matamoros Superhighway first proposed in 2007 by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and completed this past year.

Brownsville and the BEDC had 9 years to salivate, prepare and promote the tremendous opportunity to handle their fair share of the transport of fruits and vegetables from the State of Sinaloa, described as "Mexico's breadbasket," with 70-80% of the country's produce grown there.  

"We tried and tried to interest the BEDC into supporting the much needed refrigerated warehouses that are necessary for those transporting fruits and vegetables into the United States.  We explained that the refrigeration cycle could not be broken without suffering loss of shelf life while the produce was inspected.  The BEDC just showed zero interest," explained a staffer with the previous county judge.

One of 60 tunnels on the new Mazatlan-Matamoros
Superhighway

Nogales, Pharr and McAllen have not had their heads up their asses like the City of Brownsville and the BEDC.  Pharr has had its produce storage facilities for 14 year and is expanding to accommodate the expected new traffic and, of course, McAllen has its 294,000 square foot facility pictured above.

By 2020 fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico to the U.S. are expected to increase 73% compared to 2012.  The Rio Grande Valley is expected to receive 60% of that traffic to run up Interstate 69.

Brownsville will not be involved or benefit from this there-for-the-taking business.  That may be one of the reasons that the proposed state-of-the-art truck stop by United Fuel at Paredes Line Road and FM 511 was never built.  I called United Fuel in Salt Lake City, asking why they did not follow through on their plans to construct the facility.

"I honestly do not know," a United Fuel representative told me over the phone.  "I was part of the delegation that went to your area.  It seemed like a very good situation.  May I get back to you on this?"  The company official never got back with me as promised.  Perhaps, United Fuel had learned that the bulk of the superhighway traffic would not be going through Veteran's Bridge at Los Tomates due to non-support from the City of Brownsville.

Los Indios Free Trade Bridge

In late November the Rio Grande Guardian revealed that Cameron County, San Benito, Harlingen and La Joya had taken the plunge to build produce refrigeration warehouses to facilitate commercial traffic through Los Indios Bridge. Once again, short-sightedness of Brownsville officials sabotages the opportunities for economic development.   

New Brownsville Blogger Finds Hints of Racism at Brownsville Historical Museum

From the editor:  Juan Fidencio Trevino, the publisher of the Brownsville Bright, a blog recently joining the local blogosphere, has uncovered what he feels are hints of racism at the Brownsville Historical Museum.  We repost his recent article below, which can be found at jtrevbtx.blogspot.com:  

A Bias Set in Stone

Meet Craig Stone. Since June of 2013, he has been the Program and Education Coordinator at the Brownsville Historical Museum (1 and 2), an institution dedicated to "preserve, educate, and promote the history, heritage, and cultural arts of Brownsville exhibitions." However, I am disappointed to inform you that Mr. Stone is also an active member of the 6th Brigade in the Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, meaning that he holds a view on the American Civil War that does not coincide with historical facts.

This does not sound like a man who should be considered a reliable educator or museum coordinator, but maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's take a look at the evidence.

I recommend you read my last few articles on the festering Confederate presence in Brownsville. In the first, I present the history surrounding the Civil War and the short-lived rebellion that was the Confederate States of America, with historical quotes from relevant figures and documents, while the second points out the injustice our museum committed by promoting the glorification of the confederate movement but disregarding Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, a man whose words and actions were used to liberate rather than oppress, the day after.

Long story short: Northerners grew concerned with the South's reliance on African-Americans for slave labor. The South became defensive. Physical conflict. The South decided to form their own nation so they could do as they pleased, keeping slaves. The North denied their secession, defeated the South, and outlawed slavery, paving the way for racial equality. The 1902 SCV Constitution states that the group's purpose is "to instill into [their] descendants a proper veneration for the spirit and the glory of [their] fathers, and bring them into association with our Confederation." In reality, they attempt to justify lingering bits of racist memorabilia as cherishable historical pieces of nostalgic and educational value, and they are very defensive about their stuff.

On December 19th, 2015, Brownsville citizen, Antonio Castillo, started a petition to remove the Jefferson Davis Memorial, a physical manifestation of outdated bigotry on public display, from Washington Park. Two days later, Stone shared a counterpetition on his Facebook page, urging people to oppose its removal.

His cause is supported by James Mills, Vice President of Brownsville Historical Association's Board of Directors, who told The Brownsville Herald "we have a lot of dark history in the past" and that "we can reinterpret it today but it doesn't change the past." He thinks "it is important that it stays there in Washington Park." This statement shows that Mills either does not understand that there's a difference between acknowledging and glorifying these dark times or simply does not respect people of a different color.

Also speaking for the memorial is Eugene Fernandez, Old City Cemetery Coordinator, who very passionately expressed how he would defend it from "these bandy-legged upstarts." I don't know what he means either, but that "scratching and scraping" he mentioned sounds like a physical threat.

Favoring a twisted version of history over fact undermines Stone's credibility as an educator and museum coordinator. Glorifying those who fought for the right to oppress others strips him of any respectability as a human being. His activity on social media is consistent in showing his southern pride, even going so far as spreading revival propaganda!

He is as much a representative of Confederate racism and stubbornness as the Jefferson Davis memorial, and, in order for Brownsville to progress, they must both be removed from their current positions as soon as possible.

- Juan Fidencio Treviño II

THE PARABLE OF THE HEARTLESS DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE "UNRIGHTEOUS" DISTRICT JUDGE

From the editor:  Hopefully, my well-deserved reputation as a backsliding agnostic will not be sullied by quoting the historical Jesus.  I submit Saint Luke, Chapter 18, verses 2-8:

2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither

Author of 2,000 Year Old Parable

feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Luke, reportedly himself a medical doctor, includes the parable above in his 2000 year old letter to Theophilus, a man seemingly no one can identify.  The letter is now included as one of the so-called "gospel" accounts of Jesus life, ancestry and ministry.

District Attorney Luis Saenz

Were Jesus to come a second time and base this parable on Cameron County, he might include, not only an "unrighteous" judge, but a heartless district attorney, not inclined to protect the innocent, only those offering favors and enrichment, a phony, who is all show, no substance, namely Luis V. Saenz.

Isabel Munoz Garcia, seeking justice for
her mother's death for 17 years

The widow in Jesus teaching illustration would be replaced by a grieving daughter, Isabel Munoz Garcia, who 17 years ago lost her mother, Maria Fidela Garza, who was hit by a vehicle driven by Sandra Blanco at the intersection of Jackson and 13th Street in Brownsville.  Mrs Garza and her two grandchildren were described in the Brownsville Herald article as "dragged under the Dodge Ram" and "mangled under the vehicle."

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes of the Brownsville Voice published the details of this case, essentially describing a defendant, Sandra Blanco, who skipped bail and was "on the lam" for 15 years.  A key detail is that Blanco's attorney of record was Luis V. Saenz, who, once regaining the District Attorney office orchestrated the stifling, squelching and stymieing of Blanco's prosecution, using staff member Pete Gilman as a manipulated pawn.  Gilman, under the guidance of Blanco's lawyer of record, now District Attorney Luis Saenz, steered matters into a mere sentence of probation for a defendent involved in a vehicular accident causing death who subsequently jumped bail.

Judge Ben Euresti, Jr.

District Court Judge Ben Euresti, with an opportunity to bring justice to the family, simply sat on his ample derriere, thus linking him to the "unrighteous judge" who didn't "fear God" in Jesus' parable. Unlike that parabolic judge, however, Euresti was never moved by the "bother" of this grieving daughter to grant her justice, never even acknowledging the court letter she submitted to him:

"Dear Judge Uresti,

On or about March 4th, 2013 I called the District Attorney’s Office to follow up on reference below cases:

99-CR-00000701 Aggravated Assault
99-CR-00000702 Aggravated Assault & Injury to Child
99-CR-00000703 Aggravated Assault & Injury to Child

During my conversation with a staff employee of the crime victims advocate it was communicated to me that the District Attorney’s office under the direction of Luis Saenz had filed a motion to dismiss cases mentioned under “Prosecutors Discretion”. At this time Honorable Judge Uresti, I am requesting that the court rule in my favor and deny the motion to dismiss these cases due to the fact that my mom died due to injuries caused as a result of the accident. Furthermore the defense attorney for the defendant, “Sandra De la Luz Blanco,” in the above mentioned cases was Attorney Luis Saenz who is now the Cameron County District Attorney. I find this to to be a gross conflict of interest.

On March the 8th, 2013, I met with Assistant District Attorney Pete Gilman trying to convince him not to dismiss the cases. The meeting was fruitless and ADA Gilman advised me that there was nothing I could do as you (Judge Uresti) had already dismissed the cases and it would not be assigned to a special prosecutor. I explained to Mr. Gilman that I had informed your office about the conflict of interest and that I was given a verbal agreement that your court would hold on to the signing of the motion until the outcome of my meeting with the District Attorney’s office. ADA Gillman said it was too late as you had already signed motion and that this woman would no longer be in the warrant system.

I immediately went over to your court to question your court had signed the motion to dismiss without my knowledge and was deeply shaken thinking how your court could have done something like this when I was given a verbal agreement that the court would wait. Once again, I was not given an honest response by Mr. Gillman when he stated that you had already signed motion to dismiss.

I have since then contacted the FBI and filed an investigation. The public of this community and the nation must find out what is happening and how the “Victims” of Cameron County are now being further “victimized” by our own District Attorney’s office. "

We Welcome "Brownsville Bright" to the Blogosphere

Today we received this inbox note from Juan Fidencio Trevino, the publisher a a new blog, Brownsille Bright.  We welcome Juan to the blogosphere:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Barton. 

Juan Fidencio Trevion

As possibly the newest local Brownsville blogger, I wanted to thank you for being a part of the reason why I became interested in this field. The way you use your voice to inform people is inspiring, and I hope to emulate that effectiveness in Brownsville Bright. Consider me a friendly face. I hope we can both be positive influences to our city."

Juan Fidencio Trevino

Diego Lee Rot for Cameron County Sheriff~35 Years Experience with the Law