Valley Interfaith Accountability Session Sheds Light on Candidates' LNG Position

Co-Chairs Kevin Collins, O.M.I., Sonia Pizana

Local candidates were put on a short leash at the Valley Interfaith Accountability Session in the metal building behind the St. Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Church Monday night. They could only answer six questions "yes" or "no" and fill out their allotted two minutes with explanations for their positions.

All of the candidates initially said "yes" to $150,000 for lighting in the colonias, $350,000 to extend VIDA outside Brownsville city limits, flooding solutions, economic development and $700,000 to bring ambulance service to rural areas of the county.  Tax abatements for LNG companies was the issue of separation.

Bea Rosenbaum, a candidate for County Commissioner, Precinct 1, made it clear that she is out of step with Laguna Vista, Port Isabel and South Padre Island with respect to huge financial incentives offered to LNG companies: "We have to take each individual company at the time," she stated, not committing to making the multi-billion dollar companies pay their fare share of taxes in Cameron County.

To no one's surprise, Sofia Benavides, the precinct 1 incumbent, nearly copied Rosembaum's response.   

Joseph Cantu, Candidate for Precinct 1

Another precinct 1 candidate, Joseph Cantu, gave background on all six issues before presenting his unequivocal opposition, not only to tax abatements for LNG, but to the LNG industry itself slewing plants from the Port of Brownsville to Port Isabel:  "I worked in the petrochemical industry.  It's not a clean industry, but hazardous to our environment and community."

County Judge candidate Elizabeth Garza, did not get to elaborate on her LNG position in her two minutes.

"They keep saying that natural gas is a clean burning fuel, but the process of converting natural gas to a liquid is not a clean process.  I oppose the tax abatements and  I oppose LNG for our region, heavily dependent on tourism and a clean environment."