Ricardo Longoria, Jr. Acknowledges Lincoln Park Transfer Is Actually A "Sale"

From the editor:  Very simply stated, the City Commission does not have the authority to sell a public park without holding an election first.  The verbal gymnastics used by the city to obscure the nature of the Lincoln Park transaction is not clever at all, simply juvenile.

A conveyance that involves an exchange of money is a sale just as a transfer with remuneration is a sale. Actually, in Ricardo Longoria's longwinded explanation below, he twice uses the word "sale" to describe the Lincoln Park transaction and uses the word "sell" once.  The binder containing supporting documents for the 11/4/14 City Commission meeting describes the transaction as a sale.  

The municipal code is designed to protect taxpayers from an inept mayor and city commission squandering their assets.  As they say, you can't fix stupid.  Tony Martinez would sell the Statue of Liberty to please Juliet Garcia.

Below is a soliloquy from Commissioner Longoria detailing his take on the Lincoln Park matter and the town hall meeting held Thursday to discuss it:


"Lincoln Park: The following is my stance on the proposed sale of the Lincoln Park Property on Tuesday’s Brownsville City Commission Meeting. I feel that although the University would like to have a proposal for their regents’ November meeting for a proposed sale, that the people of this community have a right to be heard and its elected officials need to listen to what they have to say. Thursday’s Public Hearing posed some very serious questions and concerns. At times I was speechless because some of the questions/concerns hit close to home and shed a light as to what my responsibilities are to this community and yet others disillusioned me because of how disrespectful people can be."

ED:  Rick has been very slow to listen to his constituents, although Valley Interfaith with a substantial block of voters seems to have caught his eye.  Contrary to Rick's cry about disrespect, it did not emanate from the audience, but from the City Commission panel.  Rick, Rose and John were all observed "texting" during my comments to feign their lack of interest.  After DA Luis Saenz impassioned speech, Rose Gowen's lips were easily read; "fucking dumbass!"

"Former Mayor Pat Ahumada brought up some serious points at Thursday’s Hearing and handed me his land appraisal of the property. For those that don’t know Pat Ahumada is one of Brownsville’s best land appraisers; like him or hate him the guy knows his business. He further certified it and stamped it with his credentials (an action that any professional person must take when he or she is placing their reputation in their skill on the line). Ahumada goes on to assess the replacement value of the Lincoln Park Property at $11,000,000. It took me this long to write this piece because I was reading Pat’s Appraisal Report and seeking an independent opinion and translation from an unbiased appraiser of terminology and assessments that I am not educated on; his conclusion of Pat Ahumada’s Appraisal 'certifiable.'" 

Ed:  This sale has been on the table for two years. Why hasn't the City Commission asked for an appraisal?  What is it about protecting city assets you cannot grasp?

"This is the job of a city commissioner to go out and find the facts and vote based on them. Our citizens came in a unified front to speak and they were heard by the members of the Brownsville City Commission that were present. Is the sale the correct thing to do? It depends on how you look at it."

ED:  The citizens are overwhelmingly against the sale.  Of course, IBC Bank President Fred Rusteberg gave his usual Imagine Brownsville/United Brownsville speech. Chamber of Commerce President Maria C. Hall spoke in platitudes and Abraham Galonsky wishes he had a few more Casa de Nylon's to sell to Tony.  The actual citizens, not set to profit from the city's shady deals, were diametrically opposed to losing their park.

"People must not be quick to judge and understand that having the University of Texas RGV in our community does bring in millions of dollars into our local economy. It needs to expand and properties such as Lincoln Park would be ideal for its expansion."

ED:  That's just plain dumb, Rick.  The UT/City of Brownsville financial relationship has been horribly one-sided in UT's favor.  Brownsville taxpayers are stuck with a BILLION dollar debt as a result of Juliet Garcia's spendthrift ways and UT's lack of financial participation in this overwhelmingly Hispanic community.  Don't give us that bull shit about UT's economic impact!  

"Do people use Lincoln Park as much as they claim to? My father walks at Lincoln Park on a daily basis and knows the people that use it; after 9 a.m. it’s a parking lot for students that didn’t pay for a parking permit. East Brownsville Little League uses the park during its season as does the new softball traveling teams." 

OMG.  Now, Rick is implying Brownsville citizens don't really use the park.  Yes, UT students park for free, but whose fault is that?

"Moving a quarter mile will not affect their charter (a fact already verified by our management office); yet people continue to argue that point."

OK, Rick.  The East Little League directors are wrong.  You're right.  Of course, Lincoln Park may not even be in District 1, right Rick?

"In the end I look forward to seeing the progress that PUB has promised me on odor control for the South Wastewater Treatment facility and its guarantee that the odor will go away." 

ED:  We all do Rick, so Southmost residents won't have to smell the shitty smell they've endured for 25 years.  Actually, the only way to guarantee Little Leaguers won't breath in shit vapor rounding third base is to keep the park where it is.

"There are two things that can and will happen at Tuesday’s meeting when I vote to maintain the Lincoln Park Facility in its current location: 1. If the vote passes to sell for 6.5 million dollars to the University System; the Brownsville City Commission will the decide the fate of the park and where it will be located. 2. The park remains as is and the fate of the Universities Future lies in the hands of those that might have taken insult to these actions." 

ED:  You're forgetting the obvious third option: Allow the citizens to vote on selling the park as the municipal code specifies.  Don't get melodramatic on us.  No one has insulted UT.  They've made off handsomely in Brownsville.  The insult is that, after all the resources built with taxpayer dollars now utilized by UT, they are not satisfied and greedily want to cannabalize a precious city park.

"Either way I remain true to my commitment to true, honest service to those that I represent. I am not writing this piece for public praise; simply to state the facts and give you my stance and vote. Too many ill-informed people have taken to writing all over social media as to where we all stand and go further on to add insult and hateful comments. Please remember that we are public servants and our job is to listen to the wishes of the people, but that does not give you the right to insult and lash distasteful comments towards our person; because in the end we are all the same."

ED:  We are "the same," Rick?  No!  While you've been afraid to speak out on behalf of Southmost, many of us have been doing your job for you.  If Lincoln Park is saved, it will be in spite of Rick Longoria, not because of him.

"If you would like to attend the Brownsville City Commission Meeting on Tuesday it will take place at 6:00 p.m. on the second floor of Brownsville City Hall 1001 E. Elizabeth Street. Thank You!

Yours in Service,

Ricardo Longoria, Jr."