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| City Manager Charlie Cabler with Community Showcase CEO David McCarthy |
The award, according to Community Showcase CEO David McCarthy, would "show the city of Brownsville's economic vitality and the support of the business community."
With a contract letter in hand from the City of Brownsville, clearly indicating the award would be at "no cost to the city," McCarthy and a buxom companion, identified as Itza Pena, began visiting Brownsville businessmen to sell banner packages ranging from $600 to $4,000. It was emphasized that the meager $600 package was only for "churches and non-profits. Upstanding businessmen, who "supported Tony" were expected to cough up four grand.
Variations of this scam are legendary, including upfront money to make your five year old a Hollywood star or get your invention patented and in production. "Flattery", whether directed at individuals or cities, according to the late actress Mae West, "will get you everywhere."
Note this comment to the Fayetteville Observer:
"It would be interesting to know how many folks who have moved to Fayetteville recently did so because of the previous designation as an All-American city. Seems to me that the city could use that money for something more worthwhile."
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| Health Director Arturo Rodriguez(in background) |
The All-American City designation is like being in the "Who's Who in College" book. The benefit is psychological, appealing to municipalities with low self-esteem. What if for $39.95, a city can be listed in the book, "Great American Cities," and you get a copy of the book?
Here's the scary part for Brownsville's hardworking, overburdened taxpayers. According to Brownsville Herald reporter Ty Johnson:
"City officials will head to Colorado this June to make their case for Brownsville to be named a member of the 2014 All-America City class now that the National Civic League has identified 25 finalists for the award."
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| Packing their bags and ski wear for Denver? |
We will be keeping an eye on travel requests made to the City of Brownsville. Oh, by the way, is there an award for conserving and protecting taxpayer assets? I didn't think so.
Jim I want to thank you for your focus on how the taxpayers taxes are being squandered by derelict incompetent city leaders. I'm of the opinion as to why this is happening is because the majority @ city hall (leeches),HAVE NEVER WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. These idiots have never earn their keep by REAL WORK and we the taxpayers get compensated base of what we PRODUCE TO HELP GENERATE A PROFIT FOR OUR EMPLOYERS &/or BUSINESSES AND LIVE WITHIN THE MEANS YOU EARN. Just to know these public employees misspent our hard earn money turns my stomach. BTW this is the essences what gave birth to the movement of TAX ENOUGH ALREADY=T.E.A (Party). You have restore hope, people in Brownsville do care what our evil politicians are doing and we will prevail.
ReplyDeleteJim, you're like well-fed Don Quixote with a pony tail. What's the alternative - go bury your head in the caliche? Cities do this all the time. That is how the boulder is pushed up the hill. It may roll back down, but you have to keep pushing. Browntown is not Olmito. Isolationist, are we? That's a losing proposition. Dare to be better.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I enjoy your usually clever digs, "cities do this all the time" is beyond lame. Do you understand the difference between an excuse and a reason?
Delete"Isolationist", you better believe it. Try reading the history of Brownsville. It's entire existence is based on isolation. Take a look at a map. This is why the place will never develop or attain real growth other than spillover from Matamoros. The port is a Mexican Port, the few viable businesses left in town run on exports to Mexico, local consumption and consumer spending is entirely based on government handouts and government jobs. Witness the towns not on the border that dot extreme South Texas. Other than Corpus Christi, which is a special case because of oil/gas, they are all the size of Olmito. Our leading industry is a BISD with 50,000 students, more than double the average number of students for a city this size. However, we did just add over a 100 new, well paying jobs, BORDER PATROL!!!
DeleteHere is what real growth looks like, just up the coast. http://gcaptain.com/eagle-ford-exports-spurs-corpus-christi-port-construction-boom/
DeleteYes, I agree. A museum, a statue, a playhouse, a walking trail, a sailing pond, a pro-bicycle effort - all signs of advancing civilization, and civilization costs money. Barton, you've become a crazy anti-City dude. What is that you want, Peoria, IIlinois? Local governments waste money right and left, but that's the cost of progress. U start bitching about everything and you may as well go live in Rio Bravo, Mexico. Lighten up. Take a shot of whiskey. You're blowing it.
DeleteAren't all American cities an "All America City", SMH. Geez, do we need to spend thousands of dollars to have a flicker of recognition that means nothing and brings us nothing. By the way, if we win the All America City, just have them send it to us by mail. I'm sick of seeing city officials squandering our hard earned tax dollars on lavish trips.
ReplyDeleteLavish? What the Hell does anyone living in Browntown know about lavish? U should check on what other cities are doing to make themselves more livable and something to admire. Taquerias ain't doing it, bro.
DeleteI have never traveled to a city because of "All American City" recognition. Its all self promotion and for the "poorest city" in the US to spend money and energy on this is like an alcoholic saying, "No, I don't drink". These city officials seem to believe we will be "less poor" by having this designation and that the pride of being an "All American City" will lessen the social stigma we already have. Or, maybe there is an idea that being an "All American City" will make us less of a "Mexican ejido".....
ReplyDeleteThe highest beef prices in almost three decades have arrived just before the start of grilling season, causing sticker shock for both consumers and restaurant owners — and relief isn't likely anytime soon. A dwindling number of cattle and growing export demand from countries such as China and Japan have caused the average retail cost of fresh beef to climb to $5.28 a pound in February, up almost a quarter from January and the highest price since 1987. Everything that's produced is being consumed, said Kevin Good, an analyst at CattleFax, a Colorado-based information group. And prices likely will stay high for a couple of years as cattle producers start to rebuild their herds amid big questions about whether the Southwest and parts of the Midwest will see enough rain to replenish pastures. Meanwhile, quick trips to the grocery store could drag on a little longer as shoppers search for cuts that won't break the budgets. Patrons at one market in Lubbock seemed resigned to the high prices, but not happy. "I quit buying steaks a while ago when the price went up," said 59-year-old La Feria resident Lenny Marroquin, who works at Pep Boys. He says he limits red meat purchases to hamburger, opting for chicken, pork and fish instead. Fellow resident Terry Obregon says she buys chicken and eggs now.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was happening the last time I went to HEB to get my T-bones.
DeleteWe need to make sure Bean Ayala is a member of our delegation. He can wow them with a few songs, a few jokes and win the hearts and minds of the judges. Yep, with Bean in the mix, how can we lose? Just think, if 1,000 bikers use the bike trail today how many thousands more will come from all over, bicycles strapped to their cars, just so they can send a post card home saying, "Hey, mom, I biked in an All-America city." Sort of sends a tingle down your leg, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhether you agree with Jim or not he deserves tons of credit- more than all the other bloggers put together when it comes to watching out for our community. All the others are too politically involved to care about the average Joe. What appears to be like constant complaining to some is that the honest truth on what is going on is too hard to swallow by a few. You have to understand that Jim sheds a lot of light on money squandering and abuse by our elected officials. What say you is so bad about that? How many times has Jim exposed the truth that no one else has - not our newspaper, not our so called community leaders. What is wrong in trying to get Brownsville out of the shithole it is in. We do not need pessimists like all this anons who attack but don't contribute one iota towards our city's imporvement. Thanks to you Jim, keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete"All American" award is just a way for Denver to bring in Hundreds of Thousands of money into the City of Denver Colorado. They bring in money to downtown Denver Hotels, Restaurants, etc. The funny thing is that other Cities fall for this farce. Why else do you think they make so many Cities finalists? For more Cities to come in and spend their money in Denver, Colorado. Wake Up People.
ReplyDelete