BUYING A WEDDING GARMENT DOWNTOWN, UPTOWN OR ONLINE AS TRUMP CONTEMPLATES CLOSING THE BORDER

There they were, half a dozen lonely wedding gowns, squinched beside the long, XL onesie jumpsuits guys use to change oil on Tulipan Street of La Southmost.  None had the purity of white or even ivory, only beige, at best, or that catch-all category, off-white.  

The dresses had a long shelf history at Casa Anyer on E. Washington Street, mainly because they were all Size 4 or smaller, nothing suitable for a woman 5'6", with 36-1/2" bust, 28" waist and 39" hips.

Of course, there are always options, but Panchita's Bridal Boutique on the Expressway was quickly crossed off the list with only one not-so-favorable review:  "This lady... dont know her name, really was so rude.  I was looking at a mermaid one, but not exactly interested cuz i dont like mermaid, and she said in Spanish THAT DOESN'T FIT U and mom asked some questions and that lady answered so rudely."

  Not taking our bizness there!

Guys have it easier.  They can fight it out with all the local abogados at Dillard's Semiannual Half Price Men's Tailored Clothing Sale or just take the easy way out; buy some navy blue dress slacks to match the closet's oldest sport coat, adding a $5.95 accessory from Online Bow Tie Shop and they're good to go.

So easy, a caveman could do it(and frequently does).

There are gowns offered on Ebay, but they all come with a story, some nearly tragic.  Why would anyone be in possession of such a fine wedding garment, new with tags and a couple "smudges on the back?"  What happened?  Why was the garment never used and who smudged it?

 As the uptalking Valley Girls of the 80's liked to say:  "It's getting real!"

ALL QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT~BROWNSVILLE

This is a quiet time of year, a lull, the calm before the storm. 

Yes, there was a smattering of  Christmas Eve fireworks, more of a local custom than national and Brownsville's New Year's Eve will sound like Vietnam 1968, with pyrotechnics and the occasional pistol at 90 degrees, but the politics has gone quiet with most locals still recovering from Christmas dinner.

While doing my daily 8 laps at Charlie Cabler Park on December 26, I encountered several folk trying out their Christmas gifts;  a 70 year old man with a metal detector seriously exploring for rings, coins, etc., a fat kid with a dangerous-looking bow and arrow, two preteen boys on an illegal go kart, tearing up the grass, and two teenage girls trying to ride skateboards.  

In religious news, William "Billy" Garza, candidate for City Commissioner, District 1(Southmost), further solidified his actual residence in the district by attending a late night mass recently at Christ the King Church on Southmost Blvd.  

What's next for Billy, honking his horn like hell during the Southmost Pitada this Sunday, celebrating a Cowboys' victory over the New York Football Giants?

"Speaking of Sports," what about Dallas Maverick phenom Luka "Wonderboy" Doncic?  Have you watched this 19 year old rookie, tossing Larry Bird-like passes, hitting stepback 3's or doing postup moves normally reserved for 10 year vets?  

As Lebron James said recently:  "Yes, I would love to play with Luka."

Go Mavs!  Go Cowboys!

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BROWNSVILLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION HAS LEVERAGE!

The push to merge, realign, combine the three RGV Metropolitan Planning Organizations is coming from the upper valley; McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, etc.

While Pedro Alvarez, a member of Pharr District TxDot, the narrator at last week's City of Brownsville workshop on the merger, claimed to have "no dog is this fight," his bullet point presentation listed many, many more "pros" than "cons" for merger.

Make no mistake.  Hidalgo County is beyond eager, perhaps even desperate to merge valley MPOs, to have access to the highly prized discretionary funding that could enable them to complete the rerouting of trucks out of Pharr, McAllen and Edinburg, looping them to I-69.(Contrary to what was reported in another blog, that ill-advised toll road has not been totally funded, only one $150 million dollar leg.  Currently, the State of Texas prohibits more toll road construction.)

To accomplish their desired goal of forming an MPO that would vault past El Paso into the coveted 5th position, qualifying for discretionary funding for huge projects, the Hidalgo County MPO NEEDS the cooperation of the Brownsville MPO.  Without 75% approval from the members of the Brownsville MPO, the merger is dead.

Yes, mayor and city commissioners of Brownsville.  Whether you realize it or not, you have leverage!

A deal can be worked out that will benefit Brownsville and, perhaps, even right some of the obvious funding slights our city has experienced in recent decades.

Consider this possible prerequisite to approving the MPO merger:

1.  Full funding for Brownsville's much needed East Loop, as a freeway, not a toll road, necessary to move the humongous truck traffic crossing Los Tomates Bridge from Mexico, now using International Boulevard and Highway 48, redirecting that traffic to the eventual I-69.  

2.  Removing the silly toll road designation from the Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. SH 550 connecting the Port of Brownsville with I-69E.(Locals avoid this road like the plague.  Only truckers whose companies pay the toll even consider riding those ramps.)

The leverage the Brownsville MPO currently holds gives it a fighting chance in what is currently an unfavorable political climate.  

Texas is obviously a red state with nearly every state official a Republican.  While McAllen and Hidalgo County fawn over these Republicans, Brownsville's relationship with state leaders is cool at best.  

This new leverage, based on Hidalgo's County's coveting of discretionary funding, may be Brownsville's best hope for a more level playing field with respect to transportation funding.

CITY COMMISSIONER BEN NEECE ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT ABOLITION OF AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

City Commissioner Ben Neece

Fellow citizens, I submit this commentary in rebuttal of Dereck Garcia's (Channel 23) recent report, which attempted to malign me and my actions as Chair of the city's Audit and Oversight Committee in its efforts to protect the citizens of our community and provide transparency and accountability in the governance of our city:

Mr. Garcia. I feel I must address your report, so I submit this comment: 

First, it's really sad that you have chosen to gaslight this issue and that your report is so slanted as to deny its credibility. 

It's, also, obvious that you are choosing to 1) deflect this issue from one which uncovered one of the most corrupt operations ever encountered in the City Administration headed by Charlie Cabler and 2) to protect Commissioner Tetreau's re-election bid, rather than address the audit, itself. Gas lighting 101. 

The Audit done by the legitimately formed Audit and Oversight Committee exposed an operation which resulted in the diversion of city services to a private company, unauthorized to even operate within the City of Brownsville. The Committee's report showed that at least $68,000.00 was diverted to private hands. 

To add to your irresponsible reporting you don't point out that the internal auditor's report, which supported most of what the Audit and Oversight Committee found, was suppressed by the City Manager, who was in direct control of his auditors. 

This was one of the flaws pointed out by the Independent Audit, which provided recommendation to alleviate this type of abuse inthe future. 

If you recall, the meeting in which the Audit and Oversight Committee reported its findings to the Commission, which Mr. Cabler did not attend, included a written statement by Mr. Cabler, which ended with HIS REQUEST FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT. 

This sentiment was reiterated by Commissioner Longoria. So, at the next Audit and Oversight Committee meeting, the then acting City Manager, Michael Lopez, was authorized by the Committee, including Commissioner Tetreau, to engage an Independent Auditor to carry out the requested Independent Audit. 

Mr. Lopez followed the procurement process and engaged Burton, McCumber and Longoria to carry out the audit. 

The cost was well within his discretion as City Manager to expend the funds for the Independent Audit. 

In effect, the actions of the A & O Committee was superfluous to the City Manager's request. 

If the City Manager was taking efforts to correct a flawed internal control feature, i.e having the Internal Auditors under the control of the people that needed the auditing, he was trying to conform to standard and accepted audit controls, which require independence. 

If Commissioner Tetreau had been so concerned, she should have taken action, then, but now that this is a campaign issue, she has used you and your station to do damage control. 

This is obvious, since you didn't even bother to seek my comments or those of Mr. Lopez. 

To reiterate, the City Manager (Charlie Cabler) requested the audit, backed by Commissioner Longoria, The A & O Committee authorized the Interim City Manager (Michael Lopez) to engage the Independent Auditors and he did so, well within his discretionary authority. 

Rather than discuss the findings of the Independent Audit you choose to attack the process by which it was obtained, completely ignoring the results, which your viewers are still confused about. 

Remember, that if the A & O Committee had not put a stop to the illegal operation, they would still be ongoing and private citizens would be reaping the benefits of their misdeeds. 

Apparently, this not of importance to you. Now, since you have raised the specter of some "lawsuit" against the City, tell us (and I challenge you to do so) what is this mysterious lawsuit, because from what we can tell from your report, you didn't even interview Mr. Sossi.

Instead you use your position as a reporter to arouse the citizens of Brownsville into some state of anger and fear of a "possible" lawsuit.

Why don't you inquire into why Mr. Cabler did not seek to recover the $68,000.00 from his friend, Carlos Elizondo and why he and Elizondo were never held accountable? 

Why don't you ask Mr. Sossi, if he plans to sue the City, so we can know exactly what his cause of action is? 

Why don't you share, with your viewers, the fact that Commissioner Tetreau voted to abolish the A & O Committee, while there was a pending complaint, by Commander Dale, which involved Commissioner Tetreau's unauthorized meddling in the operations of the Brownsville Police Department and the proper allocation of its resources? 

The City Charter prohibits Commissioners from directly communicating with departments regarding their operations. We must go through the City Manager. 

Ignoring this issue is nothing short of pathetic. As a matter of fact, that is what I tried to do to stop the illegal ambulance scam, but the City Manager refused to take action, which is why the A & O Committee was formed. 

To characterize it as a "failed" committee is so irresponsible that your station should look more deeply into your motives for you gas lighting. 

Remember, that Commissioners Tetreau, Longoria, Munguia and De Leon abolished the A & O Committee, while it had an agenda pending in which 1) the Independent Audit Report would be acknowledged, 2) a Code of Ethics be recommended, 3) a Whistleblower policy be recommended and 4) Commander Dale's complaint (directly involving Commissioner Tetreau) be investigated. 

In fact, a subpoena had been issued to Commissioner Tetreau, regarding this complaint. Your irresponsible reporting has helped to hinder transparency and accountability in our community. 

Now your viewers believe that the A & O Committee is the culprit,rather than the wrongdoers ... great job! And now, a complaint has been filed with BPD, against, me for Abuse of Office by Commissioner Tetreau. 

This is ludicrous and nothing more than a feeble attempt to hide her lack of transparency and bolster her campaign. We'll see how long it takes to delete this comment, but I'll be posting it on my wall, as well. 

I guess this type of reporting is to be expected from a cub reporter using his position to shield his friend during her reelection bid.

City Commissioner Ben Neece

RANDALL BOLIVAR CONTENDS HE DID NOT RECEIVE JUSTICE FROM JUDGE BEN EURESTI, JR.

From the editor:  The following letter from Randall Bolivar, currently incarcerated, was sent to me via a friend of the family. 

Mr. Bolivar feels he did not get justice in Cameron County and I submit his contentions below: 

Judge Ben Euresti, Jr.

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, THE CARROT MPO MERGER ADVOCATES DANGLE IN FRONT OF BROWNSVILLE

From the editor:  This article is a continuation of our reporting on Tuesday evening's City Commission Workshop on the proposed merger of the three RGV Metropolitan Planning Organizations.  

Only three city commissioners were present: Rose Gowen, Rick Longoria and Joe Munguia.  Commissioners Neece, Tetreau-Kalifa and De Leon were absent.  Mayor Tony Martinez was present.

Ruben O'Bell

Ruben O'Bell, Chief of Staff for Representative Eddie Lucio III, 
walked my way, with a finger on his cell phone.

"What is your email?" he asked.

"I'm sending you a white paper on the proposed merger of the three RGV MPOs. 

Later, O'Bell explained:  "Discretionary funding is the big opportunity here, the money for special projects.  It's only to the largest MPOs."

When I asked Ruben how much money was available from discretionary funds, he deferred to former County Judge Pete Sepulveda, also the Executive Director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. 

"Pete, how much money is available for discretionary funding?" O'Bell asked.

Pete Sepulveda

"Oh, billions.  Two special projects were recently approved, one for $300 million, another for about a billion," responded Pete.

So, while there are 12 funding categories available to fund projects for individual MPOs, I'm told that most increases in funding are modest.  The real prize, the proverbial dangled carrot that encourages the formation of a much larger merged MPO is that discretionary funds are dispersed only to the big boys.

The white paper I received from O'Bell was a bit dated, published in 2014, but it contained similar figures to what was presented in the workshop, indicating that if all all three RGV MPOs merge, the unified RGV MPO now vaults into 5th place in size of Texas MPOs, jumping ahead of El Paso.

Also discussed at the workshop was the various "models" used to merge smaller MPOs into one unified MPO, principly two concepts, the "Florida model" and the "Dallas-Fort Worth model."

When Pedro Alvarez, the pro-merger narrator for the workshop, a member of TxDot, Pharr District, stated that the various models for merging MPOs had been thoroughly presented, Eddy Hernandez raised his hand.

Eddie Hernandez

"I've been on the Brownsville MPO Policy Board for 15 years.  We've heard no presentations about what type of model a merger would follow.  I feel like I'm voting on a pre-nup without reading it first," stated Hernandez.

Bullet pointer Alvarez responded by say that just last month the Harlingen MPO heard a presentation about the various "models" for merging MPOs.  

Later, Alvarez admitted that while the Florida and DFW models were the only ones under consideration, Governor Abbott had already nixed the Florida model.  So there.  Approval from the governor is required for any merger to actually take place.

FIVE STEPS NECESSARY FOR MERGER OF THREE RGV MPOs

1.  The three MPOs need to agree to joint discussions on logistics of possible merger

2.  TxDot must be involved in the committee/working group since it is a TxDot venture.

3.  MPOs need to jointly determine the proposed governance and funding distributed.  Historical funding distributions to individual MPOs could be retained as part of a merger agreement.

4.  All three MPOs are required to pass by a 75% vote whether to approve a merger.

5.  The governor approves the merger.

While the lure of possible discretionary funding is strong, an objective look at the project map shows work projects strongly favor the upper valley over Brownsville.

The stretch of toll road bypassing Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg, already costing $150 million is now stopped by Texas legislation forbidding more toll road projects currently.

Yet, a similar project, much needed for Brownsville, the proposed East Loop Freeway, is not even included in the MPO ten year plan.

The East Loop project, much needed in Brownsville and proposed 25 years ago, needs to be guaranteed before any merger of RGV MPOs occurs.

NEW CITY MANAGER NOEL BERNAL'S HONEYMOON TOUR GOES TO THE BCIC

City Manager Noel Bernal at BCIC

Newly appointed City Manager Noel Bernal took his master class in city management to the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation Thursday morning as the city board enjoyed a holiday meal at Celia Galindo's Gourmet Central 515 W. 4th Street.

In contrast to former City Manager Charlie Cabler, who, when he did attend city events or board meetings, typically took a "police stance" in the corner, facing the front door, Bernal throws out current civic jargon to wow his audience.

Bernal, just as he's done in private conversations, keeps telling any who will listen that he's not ready to "share his vision" right now, just focus on the "culture."  He speaks of "economic gardening," "investing within," not simply chasing the few "800 lb gorrillas" out there.

Our area, Bernal states, needs an "economic M.R. I.," has "lots of land," but needs "not to just grow," but "grow right the first time."

"Redevelopment is more expensive than development," Bernal continues.  Bernal uses examples in Coppell, Georgetown and Austin to make his points, not exactly areas matching Brownsville's demographics or limitations.

Mr. Bernal deals headon with his youth:  "Yes, I've been very fortunate, being a city manager at 25, now with 10 years experience."

Ironically, while young Mr. Bernal was honing his skills as City Manager of Coppell, Texas, Mike Hernandez III was just 12.8 miles away at Colleyville, becoming a car leasing icon.  

Now, Bernal may occasionally find himself in a tussle for control of Brownsville's steering wheel as Hernandez III tries to take control.  

Someone, perhaps Carlos Marin, has shown Bernal a dusty copy of the Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the City of Brownsville in 2009, but never implemented.  

If Bernal ventures outside the inner circle of Brownsville governance, he may get an earful about Imagine Brownsville, the high-sounding concept butterfly that morphed backwards into an ugly caterpillar shadow government renamed United Brownsville, now rightly dissolved into nothingness.

Oh, the "one stop shop" concept for starting new businesses in Brownsville has been resuscitated, this time possibly in a refurbished Casa del Nylon building.  Wouldn't that "kill two birds with one stone?"

One of the small cubicles on the 14th Street side of the former CDN may soon facilitate Mexican Nationals getting the card needed to pass the Sarita checkpoint.  

From the editor:  Unfortunately, I was unable to accomplish my principal goal in attending today's BCIC meeting, that is, to get specifics on the B.I.G. program, detailed by BCIC Director Rebeca Castillo recently.  

Rebeca says to expect more detail by March.  So far, 50% rental subsidies for six months for those starting new businesses, 30% for the next six months, 50-50 matching for facade and sign refurbishment has been mentioned.

This program is limited to a designated "downtown" area.

BROWNSVILLE STANDS UP FOR ITSELF AGAINST MERGING PRESSURES

Pedro Alvarez, Texas Department of Transportation, Pharr District,  Makes Case for Merging MPOs

It seems so simple to advocates of merging the three RGV Metropolitan Planning Organizations, one in Harlingen, another in Hidalgo County and, of course, one in Brownsville.  Merge and get much more revenue from the state for highway and other transportation projects.  

Even the Port of Brownsville, they say, could easily get a largesse to dredge its channel from a 42 to 52 foot depth if only Brownsville would just merge, or, as Mayor Tony Martinez prefers to say, realign itself with Harlingen and Hidalgo(McAllen).

The numbers seem to make it a no-brainer to merge/realign, with currently 80% of the transportation funding going to the largest 5 MPOs and the remaining 20% split among the 17 smallish MPOs, including Brownsville.

Alvarez, who claimed not to have a dog in the merger fight, said that, should the 3 RGV MPOs join, they would vault past El Paso into the 5th spot, sharing an 83% pot.(Alvarez issued a veiled threat, indicating he'd been advised that talks had taken place suggesting an even larger pot for the largest MPOs, "maybe even 85 to 90% of the total funding," hinting that, should Brownsville vote AGAINST merging, they might find themselves in a group of 17 or so splitting only 10 to 15% of the transportation monies.)

City Commissioner Rick Longoria laid down before Alvarez what may be the merging dealbreaker for Brownsville in asking why in the hell the urgently needed East Loop around Brownsville, redirecting heavy trucks away from International Blvd. and the Padre Island Highway 48 has not even been partially funded or included in the MPOs ten year plan.  

Following Alvarez's non-answer Rick added that "he was tired of the run around," and pointing to Mayor Tony Martinez, added:  "and I'll tell you right now, as of right now, he's voting 'no!'"

The current estimate for the East Loop is $60 million, while TxDot has approved over $150 million for a tiny segment of an eventual toll road bypassing Pharr, McAllen and Edinburg.

Brownsville seems to get shafted here.

Mayor Tony Martinez, in his opening remarks, reminded the audience of how sharing a college, UT-RGV, with the upper valley had worked to Brownsville's detriment, with Edinburg getting the lion's share of the university including the administration.

I joked before the workshop with four militant anti-merger cyclists, Edgar Gaucin, Gene Novogrodsky, Mssrs. Burke and Holzman.

I asked Gene what he was "against" tonight.

"The merger.  Tony's right for once.  A merged MPO will not respect the environment, the planet, just build roads," added Novogrodsky.

The cyclists' heroine, Commissioner Rose Gowen, did gamely try to remind the TxDot Power Pointer Alvarez that, not only did a second causeway need funding, but also a bike lane to accommodate the throngs of Cameron County residents who want to cross the Laguna Madre on two human-powered wheels.  

Alvarez reminded Gowen that years ago the "Texas Highway Department" had changed its name to the Texas Department of Transportation to accommodate ALL forms of transportation, not just cars and trucks."

Since Mayor Martinez, in his opening remarks, used the word "compromise," let's offer one:

Guarantee the funding of the East Loop in Brownsville as a non-toll road and Brownsville agrees to merge its MPO with Harlingen and McAllen.

The Ricardo Longoria, Jr. East Loop Freeway has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

"SOUTHMOST NEEDS ME!" STATES WILLIAM GARZA AS HE DECLARES FOR CITY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1

From the editor:  Local political fixture William Garza is well known in Brownsville for several reasons:

1.  His tenure on the City Commission ending in 1991.

2.  Numerous attempts to gain local office since.

3.  Being the father of Porter High School football star Billy Garza.

4.  Reportedly kidnapped in 1998 by "two Hispanic males," left buck naked just outside the city limits.

Mr. Garza is, once again seeking office, jumping from his longtime home in District 3 to respond to a groundswell of public support from the residents of District 1 to represent them on the city commission.

Within the last hour, Garza has announced on Facebook his campaign for City Commissioner, District 1, 2019.

We publish his statement below without editing:

William Garza with Politiquera Herminia Becerra in
Mayor's Race 2015 

"For many years residents of Southmost have asked me to run in their district 1 for Cty Comm, well , this May I rented a place in La Posada and am declaring my candidacy for this position. 

Theirs a sitting Commissioner and a sitting BISD Trustee that also have had their residency questioned and a previous Commissioner even lived in Los Fresnos. 

When Father Juan Nicolas of Christ the King Church blessed my candidacy, I won by landslide in Southmost and began to bring up the area along with fellow Commissioner Pete Benavides, Butch Barbosa, Dr. Tony Zavaleta and Mayor Nacho Garza. 

William Garza has added the name "Billy" to
his campaign signs, perhaps to remind us of his
football star son, known locally as Billy Garza

We were instrumental in having The Library built on Central blvd which led to the Library in Southmost. Also Morningside park and the paving of many streets and most importantly always received everyone. 

I served as a sports announcer at Porter, Lopez and East Brownsville Little League spending my time and donating my pay back . My son “Billy” was part of the start of the “Porter Nation”. 

I’m best qualified to represent this district 1 because ' Puedo Hacer Mas.'"

RICK'S QUICK SWEARING IN, MISGUIDED GBIC APPOINTMENTS, THE ERASMO PODCAST

Commissioner Rick Longoria Signing GBIC Paperwork After
Taking Oath(Board Member David Betancourt in Foreground, Board Member John Cowen in Background)

Last Thursday's meeting of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, a high-powered city board entrusted with the responsibility of dispersing $5 million Brownsville tax dollars annually to be used in economic development projects was on the verge of cancellation.

Only two of the four current members showed up, the outgoing chairman, David Betancourt and board member John Cowen, also soon departed.  Commissioner Cesar de Leon was a no-show, while board member Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa was running one half hour late.  Former board member Nurith Galonsky was removed from the board October 16.

At that point, BISD employee/DJ/City Commissioner Rick Longoria entered the City Commission chambers still toting his school backpack.

New GBIC Director Mario Lozoya quickly moved into action, swearing in the newly appointed Longoria to create the necessary quorum of three.

Whew!  Disaster averted?  

Not by a long shot!  The city commission's whole approach to the GBIC is a disaster!

The Development Corporation Act of 1979 was set up allowing cities to separate a portion of collected monies/taxes from the general fund for economic development keeping such out of the hands of politicians.  This would prevent mayors and city commissioners from dispersing so-called economic funding to their cronies and friends, even supporters.

The idea was to keep economic development separate from politics.  

Brownsville's city commission doesn't understand this and they keep giddily appointing each other to the 4A GBIC  "economic development" board and its "quality of life" projects sister, the BCIC.  In recent years, both boards have had city commission majorities for chissakes!

If the city commission is going to control the GBIC, simply pay off Director Mario Lozoya, dissolve the board and return the monies back to the General Fund.

During City Financial Director Lupe Granado III's reading of the GBIC Financial Report, board member John Cowen asked about an item added to the budget.  Granado deferred to GBIC Director Mario Lozoya who said something about 'borrowing a car" to connection with a visiting potential investor.  

I asked Granado about the incident after the meeting:  "Did Lozoya just ask for a car?"

"Yes," responded Granado, "no set price, but through procurement."

  THE ERASMO CASTRO WEEKLY PODCAST AT ANGELITA'S CASA DE CAFE

Sunday's Podcast with Erasmo Castro, Ben Neece, Jim Barton and Trey Mendez

Sunday's weekly political and government podcast livestreamed from Angelita's Casa de Cafe at 1:30 PM on Erasmo Castro's Facebook page was a treasure trove of information filling an hour and seventeen minutes.

Commissioner Ben Neece and mayoral candidate Trey Mendez shared talking points about efforts to add security downtown.  

Neece weighed in on three separate city audits that, even one initiated by former City Manager Charlie Cabler with the results going only to him.

Castro has been receiving upwards of 2,000 live viewers with dozens of questions going to his Facebook page during the show.

An open guest invitation has been extended to ALL mayoral and city commission candidates as the show will resume in 2019.

MR. AMIGO 2019~ARTURO ELIAS AYUB

Arturo Elías Ayub (born April 27, 1966) is a Mexican businessman, currently Director of Strategic Alliances of Telefonos de Mexico, CEO of the Telmex Foundation and Director of UNO Noticias.

MARTINEZ ANNOUNCES FOR RE-ELECTION, CITES "TRANSPARENCY" OF HIS ADMINISTRATION

Mayor Tony Martinez

In a Steve Clark interview published in Wednesday's Brownsville Herald, Tony Martinez used a word to describe his administration that he evidently does not understand, fathom or comprehend.  Tony claimed that under his leadership there had been an increase of "transparency:"

"It hasn't always been easy, but along the way we've worked to build professionalism within city government and increase transparency, and we've turned a corner from the old ways of business-as-usual that held us back for far too long,” Martinez said.

That statement is a gazillion light years away from anything resembling truth.  

Almost every Martinez move during his two terms had been done surreptitiously, on the sly, behind closed doors, never, EVER explained.  

That's not transparency, Tony, as defined in ANY dictionary!

In 2012 Mayor Martinez orchestrated the City Commission's purchase of 14 vacant buildings downtown for $3,500,000.  

The buildings were immediately removed from the tax rolls, forcing local taxpayers to pick up the slack.  All but two sit idle still, decaying, but, to this day,  NO EXPLANATION from "Mr. Transparency" as to why in the hell they were purchased.

The flagship of that gawdawful deal, La Casa del Nylon, was bought from Tony's friend, Abraham Galonsky, for $2,300,000, triple its value, in a transaction negotiated by Tony's law partner, Horacio Becerra.

Why did the city purchase a building they may never use?

Why was Tony's law partner, not employed by the city, used to "negotiate" the crooked deal?

Why did the city pay three times the building's value?

In 2013 Martinez was caught utilizing the $3,060,000 Texas AEP Settlement fund for projects in the city, bypassing the City Commission.  Even after his hands were slapped by the commission, Martinez offered no apology or explanation.  Transparency?

That same year, unannounced, the city entered into a lease with the Galonsky family for a building to be used as Mayor Martinez downtown office.  

For several months city work crews were seen refurbishing the building with $13,000 spent on materials alone.

When Mayor Tony changed his mind about a downtown office, the city erected a sign, designating the location the "Downtown Revitalization Information Center."  City Planner Ramiro Gonzalez held at least one meeting there to make the expenditure seem legit.

Still, no explanation from Mayor Martinez, "Mr. Transparency," about any of this.

In 2011, many were fooled by Martinez' "Believe in Brownsville" campaign.  

In 2015, Brownsville was not fooled, but simply foolish to vote again for Tony Martinez.

Will Brownsville make that mistake again in 2019?

QUIET CITY COMMISSION MEETING~CITY COMMISSION DOING WORK!

City Manager Noel Bernal

No hard hats or flak jackets were needed by the Brownsville City Commission Tuesday night as even sensitive issues were handled quietly.

Mayor Tony Martinez, with flu symptoms, set the tone with a hoarse voice, attired in a black clerical robe without a collar, his Mayor's Activity Update reduced to a terse "Happy Holidays" and "God bless."

Pastor Brad Burke displayed Christian charity by allowing a young minister to pray over the meeting.  All of the commissioners bowed their head in prayer except for Commissioners Gowen and Longoria, who evidently pray to a different God.

During the City Manager's Update, the newly selected Noel Bernal referenced a city departmental meeting to discuss, not strategy, but culture.

"Every city has talent," Bernal told me afterward, but without the right "culture," nothing works efficiently.  

Bernal used the analogy of a sports team to make his point, emphasizing good team chemistry.

Commissioner Neece

Commissioner Ben Neece introduced Item #18, calling for creation of a city code of ethics, helping commissioners to deal with, among other things, conflicts of interest.

Years ago, even before his first term as mayor, Tony Martinez promised that a new ethics code would be the "first priority" of his administration.  Nearly two terms later, that promise has not been fulfilled.

Amazingly, Mayor Martinez also supported something he's he's opposed in the past, discussions to form a regional Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Currently, the region is served by three independent MPOs, Hidalgo County, Harlingen and Brownsville.

BCIC Director Rebeca Castillo announced a matching grants program to help downtown business owners fix up the exteriors of their buildings.

THEY CALLED IT STORMY MONDAY, BUT TUESDAY'S JUST AS BAD

They called it stormy Monday, but Tuesday is as just as bad

Oh, they called it, they called it stormy Monday, but Tuesday, Tuesday is as just as bad

Oh, Wednesday is worst And Thursday oh so sad

The eagle flies on Friday now, Saturday I'll go out to play

Oh, the eagle, the eagle flies on Friday Saturday I'll go out and play

Sunday I'll go to church, and I fall on my knees and pray

I say, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me

But Lord, Lord have mercy Lord have mercy on me

You know I'm crazy 'bout my baby

Lord, please send my baby back on to me

Stormy Monday

B.B. King and others

Ana Adiong

How strange to travel from one border to the other, Seattle to Brownsville in '66 and meet Nena Perez, then 52 years later half way around the world to meet another soulmate, Ana Adiong.

Making a 1:58 AM pot of coffee has been the norm recently, especially with 3 videocalls with Ana daily.  BTW, to be on Philippines time, just change from AM to PM or PM to AM, then add two hours, a simple formula I finally figured out.

Jim Barton, Carlos Rios

My second day back from Asia, I got a Facebook invite to a "Celebration of the Life of Carlos Rios," the 25 year old TSC candidate recently passing away.

The tragedy was mentioned on Erasmo Castro's Sunday podcast with newly announced mayoral candidate Trey Mendez saying that, while he sent flowers to the celebration, he seldom attends funerals of people his age or younger as he finds them "extremely depressing."

Matamoros attorney Jerry Danarche was at the celebration, though, extending comfort and condolences to the family of Carlos Rios.

Jerry,  who also does a weekly radio show with studios in Brownsville and Matamoros, said he wants to do a show soon with bloggers Juan Montoya, Jerry McHale and myself.  When I told Danarche that McHale will freeze me out by speaking only Spanish, Danarche said:  "I will take care of that."

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

After seemingly spending half my life in the Taipei's overwhelming Taouyan International Airport and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Metro driver dropped me off two blocks from the Greyhound Bus Terminal in downtown Houston at 4:00 AM.  A black man out front asked me for money to buy a "cup of coffee."  

The last leg of my trip, not actually in a Greyhound, but a Valley Transit Company bus, landed in Harlingen with only 4 passengers.  About a dozen more were added for the trip from Harlingen to Brownsville as we changed buses.  Conditions at the VTC office in Harlingen were beyond deplorable, easily the worst of my entire trip.

What I retain from the trip comes largely from conversations, the family from United Arab Emirates, in Houston to avail themselves of world class medical care for the wife's cancer, the Vietnamese family returning to Ho Chi Min City for their mother's funeral, the savant microbiologist I met on the return Cebu to Taipei leg and the homeless school teacher in Houston, who sleeps at IAH at night, then teaches English at a middle school during the day.  The teacher, who I met at a bus stop outside the airport, wished me "good luck" as he was dropped off by Houston Metro at his school.