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| Gowen signs her email letter to taxpayers: "Ugh!, Rose" Why does she find communication with ordinary people so disdainful? |
Our July 3 article displaying email communication concerning the $400,000 E. 6th Street project received numerous responses, many concerned with the disrespectful, actually "bitchy" attitude of our City Commissioner At Large B, Rose Gowen, in communicating with a number of solid, longtime citizens and business owners of Brownsville.
Gowen was inexplicably surly, condescending and churlish in her word choice to constituents who did not agree with her that the project to narrow E. 6th Street from three lanes to two was a good idea.
Our readers who've commented so far have described Gowen's attitude as "arrogant," "rude," "drunk with power," and "ugly."
Since we so rarely get opportunities like this, to see how elected officials really feel about themselves and their constituents it might be constructive to examine some of Gowen's words in the context they were written.
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"Alot(sic) of things I do are hard. . . . . I am not complaining. . . . . . But seriously, this project has made it to the top 3 hardest since elected. Ugh, Rose."
"Ugh" is not a word generally used to close a letter. "Sincerely" or "thanks" are more common.
Ugh implies "disgust or horror" according to Merriam Webster, or "to show you are annoyed." Why would enlisting support or building consensus for a project be so distasteful, disgusting or horrifying? Is it because Commissioner Gowen is so accustomed to getting her way without questioning or alternate viewpoints? Is that why this project was among the "top 3 hardest" for her? Democracy is an unwieldy, chaotic form of government. Being a tyrant or dictator is easy.
Gowen's response to a letter from Jaime Parra is also revealing. Parra respectfully says he does not think the 6th Street project is a good idea. He says nothing about voting or not voting for Gowen the next time around. Notice Gowen's response:
"You can vote for whomever you want next time......but you know who I came from and if you have any remaining respect for my father I would ask that you give me the respect of listening to what I have to say."
What the hell? How does Gowen's father, a former football coach at St. Joseph's factor in? What about respect for the constituent who Gowen is allegedly working for in city government? What about actually listening to a citizen once in your storybook life? Gowen betrays not only a thin skin, not open to second guessing by anyone, but, as a commenter implied, some serious "father issues." Gowen's response here is just beyond strange.
Interestingly, this particular response was signed Rose M Zavaletta Gowen, MD, City Commissioner at Large "B", whereas other comments were simply signed "Rose."
Here's another interesting word choice by Gowen in describing public concerns about the 6th Street project:
"There is much hype being built around this 2 block stretch of a single road in the city and I encourage everyone to actually hear the presentation and data this evening."
Here Gowen simply uses the wrong word. Hype is defined as: "to promote or publicize (a product or idea) intensively, often exaggerating its importance or benefits."
In this situation it is actually the city, not the citizens who are hyping the project. As we demonstrated in our July 3 article, it is their claims about the minimal affect of closing one lane of traffic on a main city artery that are not factual.
She also states the project affects only "a two block area of a single road in the city," an obvious attempt to downplay the concerns over traffic flow. What she neglects to say is that E. 6th Street is one of two main arteries linking heavy trucks to the warehouses on E. St. Francis and E. Fronton.
This small sampling of responses to constituents is very revealing with respect to Commissioner Gowen's approach to city government and her view of those she professes to serve. Her skill set does not include humility or consensus building. One of our commenters described Gowen's bimonthly performance at City Commission meetings as "quiet." We now have a clearer picture of the real Rose Gowen.
The Zavaletas had earned the public rejection with their arrogant, aristocratic, self inflated egos, bunch of elites wannabes.
ReplyDeleteThat is do true 7:29
DeleteThat is not true, I know some to be humble and sincere. Dr. Joe to me was a man of integrity and a straight shooter who cared about Brownsville and wanted what was best for our city. I take issue with bashing his name and legacy. Your distaste is with Commissioner Gowen, please focus on her without blasting all with the same blanket. Dr. Gowen's father was also a good down to earth person, as was Zeke and others I have known.
ReplyDeleteCrack is whack! ^^^^
DeleteI saw and heard Dr. Z treat both women in full labor and nurses with the utmost DISrespect and foul language I have ever heard.
DeleteHe lied to me about my condition
just so he could schedule an
unnecessary surgery and wouldnot let me see my medical records. He conducted himself with an air of superiority with his peers as well as everyone else and
behaved inappropriately with his
patients and staff. You are a man,
what would you know about the real Dr.Z. I believe that the person he
was in his last year's of practice
was not the man who started his
practice here inBrownsville. May
he rest in peace.
BARF!
DeleteDr. Z was a racist ASSHOLE! The only time he associated with his people was when he was looking for votes. Dr. Z looked down on those not as fortunate as himself. Looks like Dr Gowen is the same.
DeletePat, how would you feel if Dr. Z OR ANY DOCTOR FOR THAT MATTER YELLED AT YOUR FAMILY MEMBER WHEN SHE WAS IN LABOR.? DO REALLY FEEL THAT IS APPROPRIATE? HE OPENLY CALLED NURSES NAMES AND MADE THEm CRY RIGHT THEre AT THE NURSES' STATION. Everyone could hear. HE WAS AN
DeleteASSHOLE!
Pat, how would you feel if next time you're on the john birthing a mud baby the ghost of Dr. Z started yelling at you? That is how my 11 year old mother felt when she was giving birth to my baby brother. All Zavalettas are ASSHOLES and we need to recall Rosie Rata!
DeleteHype? Let me tell you about Hype! Su Clinica gives out Dept of Ag. food vouchers that are used at the Farmer's market to buy food at inflated prices and the vendors redeem them at full face value. Hype? That whole Farmer's market exists on the crest of a wave of hype! If it so great, how come we have to pour cash resources from tax dollars into it just to keep it going?
ReplyDeletePinches ladrones!
DeleteUgh! While you are at it let's be totally honest for a minute. The only reason this butch bicycle loving' beast was elected was because she fooled the public by using the reputation and name of her husband Mr. Gowan. He is a very intelligent and kind gentleman and she knew that if she told the public she was a Zavaletta she would never have won. This lunatic loser lady messed with the wrong families and good for you for exposing this wretched wicked witch! How dare she insult Reba McNair! Reba has done more for Brownsville than Rose "Ugh Gowan ever has. As a matter of fact, Reba should RUN FOR MAYOR!
ReplyDeleteYou had us all the way until that last sentence. Other than that, you're on the mark.
DeleteReba and Rose are two peas in a pod.
DeleteSpeaking of The Brownsville Farmers Market, this is the biggest joke on the city. No one goes there except the few who don't care to get ripped off by their inflated prices. The stuff that passes there as organic should be investigated. Most people here go to the Flea Market or even HEB for veggies. The individuals that run that organization have never cared one iota about the city who has gone out of their way to fund them. They have refused to participate with the real Market Square and Earthfest organizers when asked to participate for extended hours. Who wants this elitist group that is not really from this area and is more of a nomadic group that also goes to Harlingen and SPI? About the only ones who show up to this expensive trap are the tourists who want the free biking and nutrition brochures. It has become more of a tourist attraction than a real farmers market. What a joke! Double UGH!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous July 6, 2014 at 7:43 AM
ReplyDeleteDr. Zavaletta was my mom's doctor for about a year back in the mid 1970's. He was perfect for a "coach" because all I saw him do was yell at his nursing staff and some of his patients. I was about 11 years old back then and I remember telling my mom that I didnt like that man because why did he have to be mean to everybody? My mom ended up changing doctors (the best decision she ever made). I DONT KNOW this lady (Rose Gowen), but for a comissioner at large (and NOT A PRECINCT comissioner) she sure gets away with a great deal of things that she is actually "butting into" other comissioners territory, but I guess the other comissioners dont mind but the constituents DO MIND.
All I can say is that none of us are perfect. The gentlemen I knew as Dr. Joe Zavaletta, was one that had integrity and cared about Brownsville. Your experience may have been different, but to me he was a good man, as was Gus, Zeke and Peter Z, who tried to do the right thing in politics and was crucified for challenging the status quo. We can all find fault in others and not look at ourselves, but I chose to look for the good in Dr. Joe. I may not agree, with Commissioner Gowen. I too believe she has been pushing a personal agenda, starting with the Farmers Market, but the voters reelected her and now people are whining. Instead, people should get involved by seeking office and vote, which is too much to ask for in Brownsville. People prefer to whine. Low voter turn out favors the elite who are organized and use the data accumulate through United Brownsville to elect who they want and promote their agenda, while the grassroots whine and bicker. We allow them to exist and have power by being divided and we pay the price. Stop and think how much United Brownsville has taken control of city government and our entire city, thanks to Charlie Atkinson, Leo Garza, Rick Longoria and all those who were thrown a bone to stay quiet. Now, the whining and it is very challenging to pull in the reins when you have people like Carlos Marin as the puppeteer. He is not dumb! He knew what he was doing...
ReplyDeleteUgh. LULZ!
DeleteBarton, does it bother you that with a single email Gowen was able to get a lot of supporters to come out to the meeting while you can blog story after story and you accomplish nothing? You support candidates tirelessly and they never win. You are ineffective but still manage to impress those idiot candidates into paying you to endorse them and your stupid readership who is incapable of forming an opinion of their own and who don't even vote. Oh sort of like your previous cult, Cheezmeh. Gowen can run a hundred more times and she will keep on getting re-elected. And next time Begum decides to run, use the money she pays you to fix Nena's eyes. They are obviously growing further and further apart. She can't even sketch a simple portrait.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 5:58 AM,
DeleteYour rambling, illogical comment warrants no point by point response. That would be futile.
Rose Gowen could benefit from some soul searching as to how she treats and responds to people. While I've moved away from supporting candidates, I never accepted money from them.
As for Nena's eyes, she has only one. Her art is not what it once was, but she still can capture the mindset and spirit.
Shut up, Rose.
DeleteAnonymous @ 7-7 5:58am Hello Rose. Nena's eyes are none of your business, but of course we can blame your bedside manner- or lack thereof- that everyone always whispers about. How does a lady who is such an advocate of zumba and bike riding never loose any weight? Now thats what you call accomplishing NOTHING! Pinche gordiflona fea!
DeleteThe Imagine Brownsville Data Base collected with taxpayers money is being used against you all and your efforts to oppose the elite agenda. Imagine Brownsville has used all of the taxpayers resources, including monies collected to undermine the democratic process of elections and have taken over government. Why run for office, when you have a defacto form of government that has the governing entities at their beck and call. All the personal, all the studies, all the plans have become Imagine Brownsville, AKA United Brownsville without them investing one penny. Incompetence and lack of vision is hard to tolerate when we elect people who grovel for recognition and to be part of the flow. They are so indifferent to the dynamics regarding those with an agenda to enrich themselves, because they throw them bones. LOL!
ReplyDeleteRose has the Zavaleta deamenor.....always seems like she doesn't listen or doesn't care....because she knows best. Another example of a "non-leader".....just another self serving Zavaleta.
ReplyDelete