Commenters Cite Cronyism, Compadrismo, Nepotism As Reasons Brownsvillle Languishes in Mediocrity~Will Tony Martinez Push for the Hiring of Juliet's Son as City Manager?

Oscar Garcia, Jr.

Our recent story about Tony Martinez' plan to replace City Manager Charlie Cabler with Juliet Garcia's son Oscar and push Financial Officer, Deputy City Manager Pete Gonzalez into retirement drew several reader comments.

This commenter was not impressed with Oscar's skill set and the nepotism they noted in the city:

"Oscar Garcia Jr. knows nothing about being a city manager, urban planning or policy development; but he will be a puppet for Tony Martinez and United Brownsville. Lil' Oscar is a feature of local corruption not often mentioned...."nepotism". Nepotism is rampant in this community. It is amazing that Juliet's family has found jobs from Tony Martinez...in his restaurant, now at the city. Familiar business...Eduardo Campriano looked to Juliet to hire his daughter at UTB. They are as bad as Aurora de la Garza, whose kids are hired all over the county....even Lil' Joey who got a reprieve from fraud from Judge "Disable" Limas. Then there is Ernie Hernandez and his daughter and his brother in law. Nepotism is a big part of our corruption. Actually I thought Ben Reyna would be Queen Juliet's candidate for city manager....but she would throw Ben Under the bus in favor of Lil' Oscar."

Mayor Tony Martinez

Another commenter worries about Tony hiring "flunkies" to do his bidding and the privatization of city departments:

"It's really no secret around the hallowed city halls that our great and good mayor--Tony Martinez--wants Gonzalez out. It's another not-so-well-kept secret that our good mayor--Tony Martinez--wants to privatize many city departments. Ramiro Gonzalez is simply Martinez's flunky and chief lick spittle. Ben Medina was largely incompetent and was fired; Robert (not Richard) Luna at the purchasing department got caught manipulating some potential accounts and was placed on the back burner. Hence, he does not make purchasing presentations any more. Our mayor--Tony Martinez--and his flunky-in-chief Rose Gowen are dangerous to the people and to the taxpayers of Brownsville. Now it is reported that this dynamic duo wants to peddle BPUB. Does anyone for a moment believe that if this utility is, in fact, sold that our rates will go down? Ha! Nothing is safe from these folks who believe that they know what's best for us all. OH, in the matter of possible privatization, our mayor--Tony Martinez--was asked about the future of present city employees who could be displaced. "Oh," he said, "they'll be alright."

Yet another reader sees "nepotism" and Mayor Tony's "autocratic" style as bringing the city down:

"Mayor Martinez continues to practice the autocratic management style of his Queen, Julieta Garcia, which she learned from the Kardenas Klan. It simply means that you allow no one to work for you who doesn't agree with you or who gives a picture different from that you desire. Pete Gonzalez will not play the mayor's game and so he is subject to outcast. Juliet did this many times over the last 20 years....pink slip for those who don't agree with her. It is only fitting that Mayor Martinez wants to give a job to Julieta's son......Julieta's daughter already works for Tony at his Palm Blvd restaurant. Aren't those kids smart enough to get a job without their mama's help. Obviously, Oscar Jr. is being "kept" by Rose Zavaletta Gowen at his current job. It is time to get rid of the Kardenas Klan management style, Juliet Garcia's desire to be Queen of the Valley. What a bunch of elitists we have running things down here....always taking advantage of the very people they are supposed to serve."

City Manager Charlie Cabler

Supposedly, City Manager Charlie Cabler's job has been on the line for over a year.  Mean Mister Brownsville addressed the pursuit of a replacement with this observation on August 5, 2012:

"The appeal of hiring an actual City Manager is that of getting a professional skill set tailored to fostering efficient growth, wise use of resources, procuring available federal or state resources and skilled labor relations. A quasi-challenged city the size of Brownsville might reasonably expect candidates for the position to have credentials consistent with other cities of the same stature and size; a masters degree in public administration, experience in grant writing, public policy, non-profit management and labor relations, perhaps even prior experience as a management analyst. A nationwide search of candidates could include successful managers of slightly smaller cities or others wanting to make a parallel move."