Evidently, after city crews labored night and day for several weeks with as many as four City of Brownsville trucks parked out front, installing a new commercial glass picture window, a unisex bathroom and hanging three different City of Brownsville maps, the mayor has changed his mind.
Two weeks before the new sign went up, when I noticed City Planning Director Ramiro Gonzalez meeting with what I later learned were historic preservation types from out of town, it occurred to me that the mayor might be having second thoughts about using that space as his downtown office. Perhaps, I got a bit of misinformation and utilizing this space for the BDRIC was the plan all along. Maybe. But, I don't think so. Please notice the highlighted wording from one of the Public Information Requests sent back by City Secretary Estela Von Hatten:
Mr. Barton:
In response to your public information request, here is the information that I received from our Finance Dept.
I would like to know the cost of the lease, when it started and if it is being paid by the City of Brownsville. Was this an original lease or an assumed lease?
The lease started October 8, 2013 and will terminate October 7, 2014. The cost of the lease is $500 a month.
What is the total cost of refurbishing the property?
The amount of expenditures paid to date is $3,505.91.
Was there a purchase of an interactive television and, if so, how much did it cost?
There is a purchase order issued in the amount of $7,247 for a display system. Please note invoice has not been paid as of today.
Also, who furnished the office and at what cost, if any, to the city?
The mayor furnished the office except for some stackable chairs that the city had available.
First of all, notice that the mayor furnished the office at 1101-A at his expense. He would not have felt compelled to do that if he was not intending on using that leased space as his downtown office. As for the $7,247 interactive TV display screen not being paid for by the city, that is in response to our Public Information Request asking who paid for it.(Someone reported to me two weeks ago that they saw workmen transporting what appeared to be a very large flat screen from 1101-A E. Washington down 11th Street to a different location.)
Of historical interest are the schematic, architectural drawings for the properties dating from 1895 to the present displayed on the windows.
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| Three adjoining properties on E. 11th being remodeled for mayor's central office and Brownsville Police Department mini-station |
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When the bloggers start commenting about 'Da Mayor's frivolous spending; it seems that he manipulates the information but will never just say, its my new office. How many people will occupy that building. My guess is that those who are United Brownsville will have a place, but not regular citizens. He has already eliminated them from participating at City Commission meetings. How much will Tony eventually cost this city???
ReplyDeleteLook, just grab 10 of your friends and haul them out on election day and figuratively shoot Rose Gowen in the head. It won't solve everything, but it may keep it down to a dull roar.
ReplyDelete