IS THIS WHERE SOME OF PUB'S 35% UTILITY RATE INCREASE IS GOING?

Nurith Galonsky

Last Sunday, during the Whine and Cheez podcast, the never-built Tenaska Power Plant came up.

Responding to our question about the 800 megawatt powerplant, Tenaska, that was never built despite an overall 35% utility rate increase, PUB Board member Nurith Galonsky gave this explanation:

"As far as I know, the money raised was not just for Tenaska, but for infrastructure, waste water, etc.  Even if the plant is never built, we have a need for more energy.  Of course, this is an issue I inherited, but if the money collected for Tenaska is more than what is needed, perhaps there could be some refund."

In December 2017 the D. Wilson Construction Company was awarded a contract to construct a new service yard for BPUB.  The winning bid was $16,864,000.00. 

Recently, PUB put out a news release announcing the construction to begin in early 2019 and completed by fall on the new service yard.

Is this where part of our 35% utility rate increase is going? 

Artist's Conception of Service Yard

BPUB's press release:
ERO Architects Modernizing the Brownsville Public Utility Board’s Facilities

ERO Architects announces the commencement of construction for the new Brownsville Public Utility Board’s modernized Service Yard project. The new campus is situated on an 18-acre site located on FM511, near the Port of Brownsville. ERO Architects is also nearing completion of design for the new Brownsville Public Utility Board’s Administrative Annex Building. The new building will be located adjacent to the existing Brownsville PUB Administration Building, located on Robinhood Drive.

OTIS POWERS ANNOUNCES NEW CUBS FACILITY ON FACEBOOK

From the editor:  Otis Powers just posted this success story on Facebook:

I am happy to announce that the Cubs Organization will be opening up it's own training facility equipped with indoor cages and it's own baseball field. 

When I started this organization nearly 3 years my goal was for one day to have our very own place to train our athletes. That day is finally here. 

I am beyond blessed to have been surrounded by great coaches, amazing athletes, and extremely supportive and committed parents.

The parents, coaches, and athletes have made my dreams a reality. 

Thank you all.

Otis Powers

BOBBY WIGHTMAN-CERVANTES CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF "WHINE AND CHEEZ" PODCAST

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

Saint James, Chapter 3, Verse 10

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes
with "Two Pieces of Shit"

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes, Brownsville's mercurial blogger, who, some say, spews out daily a wild mixture of hypochondria, paranoia and, occasionally, a few factoids hidden between misspelled words inside ungrammatical sentences, is at it again.

Those of us who know "The Bobster," recognize his "two faces," one personable, almost charming, the other vindictive, frothing with unrighteous indignation, almost always getting his facts wrong.  

Memory is a tricky thing, even when short term.  Witnesses to the same event sometimes see things very differently and recall them differently.  

Suffice to say, some witnesses lose credibility over time and are no longer considered reliable.

It is in that vein that I view Bobby's article published today in the Brownsville Voice, calling Erasmo Castro and me "pieces of shits."(Actually, Bobby, the correct usage would have been "pieces of shit.")

One part of Bobby's report is correct.  I did tactfully ask for him to appear on the Whine and Cheez podcast, along with bloggers Jerry McHale and Juan Montoya.  He agreed to appear, but "only with McHale, not Montoya."

I do not recall making any agreement about not posting comments on my blog mentioning him or critical of him.  I typically allow critical comments if they don't appear libelous.(Bobby mentions being a bit under the influence of Maker's Mark when I approached, but I noticed no such impairment.)  

Let's consider Bobby's juvenile threat to withdraw support to any politicos appearing on the podcast logically.

Unless Erasmo and I suddenly became pieces of human excrement on January 29, 2019, Bobby should retroactively withdraw support from ALL of the candidates who've already appeared on the podcast.  Surely, we didn't degrade to this foul state just today!

That list would include Ben Neece, Trey Mendez, Philip Cowen, Michael Rodriguez, Nurith Galonsky, William Garza, Carlos Cascos among others.

RIO GRANDE GUARDIAN~TUNNEL DISCOVERED NEXT TO BORDER WALL IN HIDALGO

by Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian

HIDALGO, RGV – Border Patrol’s Marine division has found another tunnel built to go under the Border Wall, this time in Hidalgo, Texas.

The tunnel, measuring 60 feet in length, had been dug on the embankment of the Rio Grande close to a border wall constructed ten years ago.

Had it not been discovered it would have gone under the Border Wall on land owned by Texas Fish & Wildlife, just 2,000 feet downriver from Hidalgo Water Improvement District No. 3’s pump station.

State lawmakers visiting the Rio Grande Valley might have had a chance to see the tunnel last Friday but Border Patrol advised them not to complete a planned visit to the water district due to the presence of drug cartel members on the other side of the Rio Grande brandishing rifles and dressed in camouflage.

The tunnel is set to be blown up with dynamite within the next week or two.

Asked if he was impressed by the ingenuity of the tunnel diggers, Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 general manager Othal Brand, Jr., said: “I am astounded. That is some impressive work, it is not easy work building a tunnel like that.”

“The cliff they dug through is a soft sand. The diggers push a piece of pipe into the earth and as they do they remove the sand. As they do that they keep pushing the pipe in. Once they get far enough in they erect these 4x4s and plywood on each side and the top.”

Asked where the tunnel would have led to, Brand said: “It was going under the Border Wall. On the other side of the entrance to our premises is a small shopping mall and to the left of that is a sports rental place. It was going straight to the sports rental business. Our suspicion is they were going to come up in one of these rental units and store their stuff there and just pick it up when they want. They were deep enough to go under that wall without any problem.”

Brand said he was called by Border Patrol to see if his men could collapse the tunnel but Brand said an explosion company was needed. Such a company, from Bandera, Texas, is coming down soon.

“My men climbed down and looked at it. It needs dynamite to blow it. I would like to praise the Marine division of Border Patrol. Boots on the ground would not have seen it. Helicopters would not have found it. Drones, sensors, would never have found it. You could only see it from the river. They looked at the cliff and found it. It was all covered up with bamboo and brush. It looked kind of dry, which alerted them to it.”

CONGRESSMAN VELA'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT COURTHOUSE FEB 4

FIRST FRIDAY~MUSIC, ART, FOOD, DRINK, DOWNTOWN BROWNSVILLE, FEB 1, 2019 6 PM-10 PM

"PLEASE, DON'T EMBARRASS ME UNCLE RALPH!"

"YES, WE HAD A GOOD TIME AT TASTE OF LA FRONTERA!"

COWEN AND GUERRERO GET A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION

John Cowen, Jr.

Two otherwise likable candidates for City Commissioner At Large "A" were disappointing in their public speaking performances at their respective meet and greets.

John Cowen, Jr., a Notre Dame University graduate, magna cum laude(good grades), following a long-winded introduction from his Uncle Ralph Cowen, essentially pulled out a sheet of notebook paper from his back pocket, read one side, flipped it over and read us the other side.

Young Cowen's words were rendered inaudible by Cobblehead's acoustics and background noise.  There was no audience contact, passion or oratory skills, but something more resembling a grade school book report, reluctantly and sheepishly presented.

Carlos Guerrero, also running for City Commissioner At Large "A," fared no better.  At Mi Pueblito Restaurant, a week after Cowen's meet and greet, Guerrero stood up in front of friends and supporters, uttered an opening sentence, then got stage fright, forgetting his words.  The forgiving crowd, recognizing Carlos' predicament, applauded, as if to say:  "It's OK.  It happens to the best of us."

Both men have an opportunity for redemption as they are scheduled to make a joint appearance on the Whine and Cheez podcast at Angelita's Casa de Cafe on February 17.  Ismael Hernandez, an attorney sharing an office with State Representative Alex Dominguez, has also been invited.

Why does it matter if a city commissioner candidate has public speaking skills?  

Well, is it likely one could publicly argue points on an agenda at a city commission meeting or be persuasive enough to create consensus or deal with constituents when they have great difficulty giving a 5 minute speech in front of relatives, friends and supporters?

We look forward to seeing John and Carlos February 17, hopefully along with Ismael Hernandez.  

Brownsville will be watching. 

CONFIDENT LONGORIA SKIPS THE PODCAST~WILLIAM GARZA FALTERS, GALONSKY SHINES!

Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr. 

Rick, that is, City Commmissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr.,  smiles from ear to ear thinking about his three opponents in the District 1 City Commissioner race.

"This will be a breeze!" he must think to himself with only William Garza, Nurith Galonsky and Michael Rodriguez standing in the way of his fifth term as city commissioner.

Certainly, Longoria felt no urgency to appear on Erasmo Castro's Whine and Cheez podcast held each Sunday at 1:30 PM at Angelita's Casa de Cafe, instead sending this explanatory email:

Ricardo Longoria <ricardo@cob.us>
Wed 1/23/2019 12:54 PM

Jim Barton,

Please accept this email denying your request to appear as a guest on your show. Mr. Castro serves as a member of the Browns

 ville ISD School Board and is technically one of my bosses. I do not wish to engage Mr. Castro in any way as it may hinder my employment with BISD. When he was a private citizen and or candidate I would offer suggestions and comments, but as one of my "Bosses," I would rather not take part in such a forum. Many thanks!!

William Garza

Two of Rick's opponents did participate in Sunday's podcast, William Garza and Nurith Galonsky.

Since his one term on the city commission ended in 1991, William Garza has run for public office ten times, losing each race.  

Not particularly keen on introspection, William trudges on, perhaps not even aware that his incredible explanation for being discovered by police totally nude in 1998 at the corner of Minnesota Avenue and South Padre Island Highway lacks credibility.

So does his silly notion, carefully outlined on Sunday's livestream, that he could live with his wife at 212 Ebony in District 3, but claim the address of a relative at 654 Hortencia to run for City Commissioner in District 1.

It doesn't work that way William.  That sort of reasoning makes a joke of the whole process as anyone in town could simply claim the address of a friend or relative to run for any district they chose.   

William Garza, Erasmo Castro, Jim Barton, Nurith Galonsky
at the Whine and Cheez Podcast at Angelita's Casa de Cafe

Much more formidable an opponent for the incumbent Longoria is Nurith Galonsky currently serving on the Brownsville Public Utilities Board with a stint on the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation.

After listening to William Garza lace his speech with Spanish phrases, Galonsky cut loose a sentence or two of native speaker quality espanol, followed up by a cognizant discussion of District 1 issues.

First-time candidate Michael Rodriguez, also running for City Commissioner, District 1, has previously shared his platform on the podcast.  

PODCAST SET FOR 1:30 PM FROM ANGELITA'S CASA DE CAFE!

Erasmo Castro's Whine with Cheez podcast will be livestreamed as usual from Angelita's Casa de Cafe on Boca Chica Blvd. at 1:30 PM.  

Today's guests are William Garza and Nurith Galonsky, both candidates for City Commissioner, District 1.  The incumbent, Ricardo Longoria, Jr. was approached about appearing, but declined.  Michael Rodriguez, also running for the position, has already appeared on the show.

Viewers can tune in live by connecting on Erasmo Castro or Jim Barton's Facebook page and submit questions or observations using the comment feature. 

EXCITING GUESTS LINED UP FOR "WHINE AND CHEEZ" PODCAST AT ANGELITA'S CASA DE CAFE

Former Police Chief Orlando Rodriguez Set for 2/3/19 Show

Erasmo Castro's Whine and Cheez podcast has become a great vehicle for politicians and citizens to share their views with an increasingly large internet audience.

UPCOMING SHOWS

January 27, 2019

District 1 City Commissioner Candidates Nurith Galonsky and William Garza.  Ricardo Longoria, Jr. was also invited, but declined.

February 3, 2019

Former Brownsville Police Chief Orlando Rodriguez

February 10, 2019

Blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes, Blogger Jerry McHale(invited)

February 17, 2019

City Commissioner At Large "A" Candidates

John Cowen

Carlos Guerrero

Ismael Hernandez(invited)

TREY MENDEZ COMMANDS OVERFLOW CROWD AT COBBLEHEADS FOR CAMPAIGN KICKOFF!

Trey Mendez

After a heartfelt, but straightforward introduction by TSC Board Chairman Adela Garza, mayoral candidate Trey Mendez told what seemed to be the largest crowd ever at Cobbleheads Bar and Grill Thursday night about his drive to "make Brownsville what it should be, the crown jewel of the Rio Grande Valley."

The contrasts between Mendez and his likely two opponents, the already declared former city manager, Charlie Cabler, and, most likely, the incumbent, Tony Martinez, are readily apparent.

The easily approachable Mendez has not only executed a successful business plan downtown, as well as several remodels of historic buildings, but has carefully nurtured our community college back to financial, enrollment and academic health.

Trey, Comparing his Stature with
Blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes

If you view the large settlement a jury awarded to former TSC President Lily Tercero as a blot on Trey's record, consider that it's under appeal and many who've followed this process carefully agree with the termination.

Trey's declared opponent, Charlie Cabler, a City of Brownsville employee/administrator for 39 years, is, by all accounts, a good ol'boy, benefiting from and enabling the city's longheld compadrismo tradition.  Many feel Cabler had an opportunity to lift the city and failed.

Incumbent Martinez, described by one city commissioner as an "evil genius," has worked the system to his own advantage for 8 years, never feeling as if he owes taxpayers an explanation for any of his backdoor moves.  His original theme, "Believe in Brownsville," now has a hollow ring.

BCIC SELECTS NEW OFFICERS, BUT ALSO VIOLATES SPIRIT OF TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT

While the Texas Open Meetings Act mandates that citizens be allowed to attend city commission meetings, workshops and city board meetings, the benefit of such attendance is negated if those meetings are not audible and those same citizens leave the meeting with nothing of substance about the detailed workings of local government.

That is essentially the situation attending the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation meeting at noon today in the City of Brownsville City Commission chambers.  The meeting was inaudible, thus not, in reality, "open to the public."

As the only audience member not there to ask for money, I had little leverage to ask that board members utilize the black metallic objects positioned in front of them like some sort of weird table decor.

Considering the chamber's weak sound system, a meeting participant has to treat that device like their favorite ice cream cone, positioning it close to their lips.  IF A BOARD MEMBER CANNOT HEAR HIS OR HEAR VOICE CLEARLY OVER THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, THE AUDIENCE CANNOT HEAR YOU EITHER.

Only BCIC board member Omar Hernandez consistently utilized the microphone.  Commissioner and board member Ben Neece never got within a foot of his mic.  Member Felicia Fruia-Edge made casual asides to members on each side of her, but was totally oblivious to the audio system.

Marco Ochoa, after his selection as board chair, initially made an effort to speak into the microphone, then, as the meeting progressed, forgot about it.

Still, I gleaned a few points:  A resignation letter by outgoing BCIC Director Rebeca Castillo was posted on the video monitor and that resignation was accepted by unanimous vote.

In a secret 4-3 ballot, BCIC Outreach Director Josh Mejia was selected as Interim Director over Cory Pena.

A stated $15,000 request for repairs to the museum's fire alarm system that had been falsely-triggered, threatening the museum's collection, became a total request of $25,848 including recharging an empty cylinder and maintenance of the Cheetah Fire Alarm System.  Deyanira Ramirez, Interim BMFA Director, presented the request.(Adding sales tax, the request became $27,980.46.)

As I left the meeting, Tara Putegnat, Executive Director of the Brownsville Historical Association, was asking that $180,000 already allocated be repurposed or changed in scope from landscaping to air conditioning and fire suppression. 

TREY MENDEZ MEET AND GREET TONIGHT AT COBBLEHEADS! 5:30 PM TO 8:00 PM

WIGHTMAN, NEECE AGREE: RENE DE COSS SHOULD NOT HAVE BOTH JOBS!

From the editor: Not unlike the rarity of a total eclipse of the sun, two Brownsville luminaries, City Commissioner Ben Neece and blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes, seldom see exactly eye to eye.

Yet, with respect to the issue of Rene DeCoss serving as attorney for both the City of Brownsville AND the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, Wightman and Neece agree.

We raised the issue in yesterday's Brownsville Observer:

"We keep repeating that the entire point of creating 4A funding for economic development is to keep that exercise away from politics.  That is why we don't need city commissioners serving on the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation,but also we don't need the City Attorney serving as the legal representative for BOTH the City of Brownsville AND the GBIC.  It's such an obvious conflict of interest.

That is the same gig Mark Sossi had and now, foolishly, those two assignments have been bestowed upon Rene De Coss.  Yes, now De Coss can pocket $5,000 per month from the GBIC, just as his predecessor did, but it's a bad idea."

Here is Neece's take on the matter:


Ben Neece January 23, 2019 at 10:31 PM

Now this should be noted by everyone. One of the biggest complaints against our former city attorney was conflicts of interest. In particular, that he was attorney for both GBIC and the City of Brownsville. Now you have these clowns doing the same thing by appointing our COB city attorney as the GBIC attorney. What exactly did Luis Hernandez do to be "terminated?" Enquiring minds should want to know. This is all that is wrong with Brownsville. Do we care anymore about ethics? How can a city attorney, who serves on an economic development corporation not have a conflict of interest, when dealing with city issues, e.g. CDCB vs. GBIC? What is heard in executive session for one entity cannot be disclosed to the other entity. How do you get around this? The elections are coming. Vote for people who will hold ethics foremost. Not like these clowns who serve their own interests, or even worse, the interests of special interest groups. Inform yourself. Be the force that determines who governs you. Register to vote, which I can do for you, and vote for ethical candidates. Don't be governed by amateurs.  

Now, Mr. Wightman's view:

BobbyWC January 23, 2019 at 4:55 PM


Sorry for the typing but I was having real bad tremors. On Rene Coss under the rules of Professional Conduct he cannot be the attorney for the city and GBIC. There is an inherent conflict of interest. Who does he side with The city of GBIC when they are in conflict.




Bobby WC

A FEW THINGS I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT IF I WAS REALLY A BLOGGER!

Ana During Christmas Eve Visit "To Bukidnon Province"
to Tell Her Father about "Us"

I've been fortunate to have two wonderful, strong women in my life, first Nena for 49+ years and now, Ana. 

While U.S. immigration has slowed somewhat in the last two years, we've carefully filed our I-129f and are hopeful.  

If declined, we have options.  I could easily live out my life in the Philippines, creating a new niche for myself, but the preference for both of us is creating a partnership here in the U.S.

Ana will fit in seamlessly if given that opportunity.

Ricardo Longoria, Jr.

I ran into Ricardo Longoria, Sr. at the Taste of La Frontera event.  Nice man.  We didn't talk about Rick, Jr's health, but I empathize.  My own son, just 46, is in a similar situation,  a weird realization for a father to absorb.

Meanwhile, the City Commission continues the idiotic practice of holding "the public is welcome" workshops in the tiny quarters of the City Manager's conference room with 5 or 6 spectator chairs!  Do these dumbasses not realize how non-inclusive that looks?  The damn microphones do not even work.  Mayor Martinez HAS to be smarter than that!  

City Manager Noel Bernal

Speaking of the City Manager, is anyone else getting impatient with Noel Bernal's "first 100 days of "creating a culture" of inter-departmental cooperation before one iota of his "vision" for the city is implemented?  

Brownsville needs newly appointed hotshots, making ten times the region's average salary, to hit the ground running.  Please, Noel!  Make new business permits easier now and pontificate later!(Hopefully, this very nice young man will soon realize this city needs results, not mere contemplation.)

City Attorney Rene De Coss

We keep repeating that the entire point of creating 4A funding for economic development is to keep that exercise away from politics.  That is why we don't need city commissioners serving on the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, but also we don't need the City Attorney serving as the legal representative for BOTH the City of Brownsville AND the GBIC.  It's such an obvious conflict of interest.

That is the same gig Mark Sossi had and now, foolishly, those two assignments have been bestowed upon Rene De Coss.  Yes, now De Coss can pocket $5,000 per month from the GBIC, just as his predecessor did, but it's a bad idea.  

De Coss has done some real work, though.  He's already read through the city's expired Code of Ethics, giving recommendations for improvement to the commission.  That's more work in two weeks than Sossi did on the ethics code in half a decade or so.

BROWNSVILLE'S POWERFUL YOUNG MEN!

City Attorney Rene De Coss, GBIC Director Mario Losoya, Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., Steve Guerra, Port of Brownsville, GBIC, Pedro Cardenas, GBIC

CARLOS GUERRERO MEET AND GREET TONIGHT AT MI PUEBLITO RESTAURANT!

TASTE OF LA FRONTERA 2019 PICTURE GALLERY

THE BROWNSVILLE OBSERVER ANTICIPATES A "TASTE OF LA FRONTERA"

IS ANGELITA'S CASA DE CAFE BECOMING BROWNSVILLE'S POLITICAL HANGOUT?

Group Picture After Whine and Cheez Podcast Sunday at 
Angelita's Casa de Cafe

There are places, legendary places in Washington, D.C., like the notorious Le Diplomante brasserie, where it is said "you might not see a Clinton, but will find a John Boehner," places where politicos hang.

El Hueso de Fraile, downtown on Elizabeth Street is such a place, featuring live music, poetry reading and coffee, but Angelita's Casa de Cafe on Boca Chica exudes that same vibe.

Owners Martin and Angelita Leal greet everyone who opens their bistro's door with "Welcome home!" even while a Whine and Cheez podcast is being livestreamed on Sunday.

An eclectic mix on young people, retired school teachers and activists wander in for black coffee, art, a latte, cupcake or even a gingerbread man or just to listen in along the fringes of the podcast.

BTW, city commissioner candidate Nurith Galonsky is set for next Sunday's show at 1:30 PM with one of her opponents, William Garza mulling over his participation.

Mr. Garza expressed the concern last night that "your partner is biased," referencing Erasmo Castro, but he may still show up.

This past Sunday, former City Manager Charlie Cabler, a mayoral candidate and Michael Rodriguez, running for District 1 City Commissioner, gave us some lively commentary.

CARLOS GUERRERO, CANDIDATE FOR CITY COMMISSIONER AT LARGE "A" MEET AND GREET WEDNESDAY