More on Erin and Yolanda but Including Raul in the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2-2 Race

Raul Lopez, a bailbondsman with 25 years experience is running for this position as a Republican, according to the Brownsville Herald.  There may eventually be at least one more Democrat running in addition to Begum and Garcia.  No candidate will be ignored.  If permitted to do so, any other candidate's announcement will be documented and covered just as we covered Erin H. Garcia's and Yolanda Begum's announcements.
     I'm also adding videos of Ms. Begum's speech as well as that of her son Alex, introducing her.  I can't add these to a Facebook note, but will include them in the Mean Mister Brownsville version.  We've tried to do this for all of the candidates so that you can make judgements based on what they actually said, not relying solely on commentary.  Frequently, candidates for justice of the peace state that they will be a "full-time" justice.  Ms. Begum has promised this.  The job does pay a substantial salary, until recently including a car allowance.  If Mr. Lopez is still a practicing bondsman, it will be interesting to see if he plans to continue his bail bond activity during his tenure as a justice.  Likewise for Erin H. Garcia.  Will she step away from her law practice to serve the community full-time as a justice?  It's not really just the time contraints.  Can anyone see possible conflicts of interest for someone serving as a bail bondsman or a lawyer AND justice of the peace?
     Let me add a few more comments about the Yolanda Begum Fundraiser.  Someone at my table observed that Alex Begum might make an effective Democratic Party Chairperson for Cameron County.  It's long past time to make a change in that position.  Gilberto Hinojosa is synonymous with back door deals, corruption and tampering with elections.  Is that the appropriate face for the party?  Interestingly, Alex Begum's speech Thursday night at his mother's fundraiser was themed about the history of the Democratic party and its survival.  Was that a thinly veiled feeler for the party chairmanship?
     My last article focused on whether or not Ms. Begum could defeat Ms. Hernandez-Garcia.  It is my belief that the Hernandez family have used public service as a vehicle to enrich themselves.  Once in office, they survey the scene to ascertain what services are needed and regularly used by the city or county and how they can get a piece of that lucrative pie.  Wrecker service, printing, vending and other services have been used by the Hernandez family to put city and county monies into their pocket.  It doesn't matter which family member the ownership is shifted to.  The Hernandez family is living essentially off our community.  This election could, at least, nip that in the bud with respect to the NEXT generation of Hernandez's.
     Let me use a far-fetched and ridiculous illustration or analogy.  Mayor Tony Martinez owns Spanky's Burgers.  How would you feel if Spanky's Burgers became the exclusive caterer for the nourishment at City Commission meetings, city staff meetings and other city functions?  What if Tony shifted ownership to his wife, saying he had nothing to do with the enterprise.  It was his wife's thing and she went through a bidding process.  Would you be less enraged?  Of course, Tony is not that stupid.  I'm just trying to illustrate the situation.
     Lastly, some brief thoughts on the qualifications of the two Democratic candidates.  Ms. Garcia has a law degree.  That has to be an advantage in serving as Justice of the Peace.  The courses Ms. Begum has taken in anger management, truancy prevention and shopliifting show her desire to get up to speed in the areas of service needed, but do not measure up to a law degree.  Ms. Begum is 61 and has managed several businesses and raised a family.  Erin is 32 and is in the process.  Ms. Begum gets the life experience edge.  The overriding issue to me still is using public office for personal enrichment.  Ms. Begum promises to not do that.  Ms. Garcia has a track record of doing just that.
      Here are the videos taken at the Begum fundraiser: