Contentious City Commission Meeting Becomes "Must See TV!"

Gunfight in Downtown Brownsville by Ben & Tony

The normally staid Brownsville City Commission meeting erupted into one of Reynosa's nightly firefights for the October 17 meeting.

Commissioner Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa lamented that her vote was not counted during the October 3 meeting when the commission considered a new appointment to the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, an entity controlling approximately $5 million annually in taxpayer dollars earmarked for economic development.

Commissioner Tetreau-Kalifa

"I want my vote recognized," Tetreau-Kalifa stated.

"I represent a lot of people and somebody lost their appointment to a board because my vote wasn't counted," she continued.

Mayor Tony countered quickly, interrupting Ben Neece("I agree with you Ben)stating that he'd watched the tape of the October 3 meeting, along with Assistant City Manager Micheal Lopez and City Secretary Griselda Rosas, and that the tape unequivocally showed that Commissioner Tetreau-Kalifa did not vote.

Next Neece held up a copy of the sworn affidavit Tetreau-Kalifa had given the City Secretary, persuading her to change the vote totals for Item 7 of the October 3 meeting, the vote to replace a GBIC board member.

"Do you want me to take this to the Chief of Police?" Ben bellowed.

Tetreau-Kalifa reiterated that she simply wanted to be allowed to vote for a GBIC board member.

"That vote will be taking place shortly," Neece responded, referring to reconsideration of the tabled item on that meeting's agenda.

Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr.

Next, Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, at first recognized by the chair, Mayor Martinez, started to speak, with his gaze directed at Commissioner Neece.  Neece would have none of that.

"Commissioner, direct your remarks to the chair," stated Neece.

Martinez interjected:  "We're not having this!" closing the discussion.

"Point of order," Longoria responded.

Martinez threatened to have Longoria removed by police.

"No sir," Longoria responded several times, drawing a drink from his water bottle.

Of course, by Robert's Rules of Order, Longoria had the floor.  Mayor Martinez was totally out of line to stifle, stymie and squelch his comments, but, as we know, the mayor is no parliamentarian.

Purchasing Director Robert C. Luna

The night's contention was not over as the incredibly inept Robert C. Luna, the city's purchasing director was scheduled to introduce agenda items 17 and 18, resolutions to allow the city to "negotiate" with two out of area purchasing programs, rubberstamping an already negotiated agreement to buy a $178,000 bucket truck for the Parks Department.

It quickly got contentious between Commissioner Neece and Luna.  Neece was concerned the large ticket item had not been put out for bids locally and that Luna had already negotiated a bid with a purchasing program BEFORE a resolution was approved by the city commission allowing such.

"Do I have a motion to table?" asked Mayor Martinez.

The night's fighting was over. . . . almost.