Monday, December 28, 2015

Should Estela Chavez-Vasquez Be Rewarded with a Judgeship After Voting to Give Away Lincoln Park?

Estela Chavez-Vasquez
A public official caught embezzling $100,000 in taxpayer funds would undoubtedly lose their office, face imprisonment and fines.

Former City Commissioner Estela Chavez-Vasquez, along with the mayor and two other commissioners damaged the city far worse than such a theoretical embezzler. The four agreed to sell a city asset, Lincoln Park, for millions of dollars BELOW its market value. The $6.5 million low ball offer from the ultra-rich University of Texas System is roughly half the lowest current appraisal of the park. With land across the street from the park being offered for $410,000 per acre, the land alone of the 48 acre park may well be worth $20,000,000, not to mention the two ballfields, amphitheater, two nature trails, basketball courts, garden center, barbecue area and parking. Transferring a taxpayer asset for millions less than actual value creates a catastrophic loss for the hardworking taxpayers of Brownsville and is inexcusable.

Now Chavez-Vasquez is asking for support in her campaign for Judge at Cameron County Court at Law #5.  Should the taxpayers knowingly support someone who has not protected their interests in the past?

Commissioner Estela Chavez-Vasquez knew very well she was selling Lincoln Park well below market value. She has a calculator and can figure out how many millions her vote cost the taxpayers. Three years ago she took an oath to protect taxpayer assets. She has clearly violated that oath. She should NEVER hold public office again. She has abused the trust we placed in her.

Actually, Chavez-Vasquez may have been the swing vote on the matter, making her more culpable. She is also aware that the voters are overwhelmingly opposed to the sale as evidenced by their comments at the town hall meeting. That may be the very reason she chose not to attend the town hall meeting. Clearly, she did not represent the taxpayers' interests which simply underscores her unfitness for public office.

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