TWO JESSICAS AND A NURITH-MICHAEL TIE FOR MOST QUALIFIED TO BE COMMISSIONERS

Jerry McHale

You've doubtless read and chuckled with the Trumplike insults my friend and blogging compadre Jerry McHale has hurled at the two Jessicas and one Carlos Guerrero, vying for  slots in one of Brownsville's most interesting city commission races in years.

I admit to laughing.  You probably laugh, too, but we know what its all about.  You write a check to the editor of the McHale Report or you take the hits.

It appears that at least three candidates, two Jessicas and a Carlos, are not getting the message.

Describing Jessica Puente-Bradshaw, a candidate for City Commissioner At Large "A," McHale uses words and phrases like "has-been, evil, a Trump trollop, a wilting beauty."  

Ouch! (It's noteworthy that Nurith Galonsky, currently a candidate for City Commissioner, District 1, but with a comparable skill set, almost identical age and physical appearance to Jessica Puente-Bradshaw, but a member of Team Jerry, gets nothing but high praise.  Perhaps, Puente-Bradshaw should pick up the phone and place an ad in the McHale Report!  LOL!)

Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa, an eight year incumbent commissioner, has taken even harder hits from Jerry, having gotten crossways with a couple of his cronies on the commission, plus exhibited a certain exuberance on social media that doesn't always sit well with geriatrics.

Jerry characterizes Tetreau as "a bird brain, a disgrace to the human race," while referring to her husband, Art Kalifa, as "Art the Fart."

Newcomer Carlos Guerrero, a candidate for City Commission At Large "A," may also have left his checkbook in his back pocket, being Jerry-orized as one of "los Juniors," that is, coming from Matamoros families to "take over Brownsville," but also as "vapid, vacuous."

Of course, this is all bull shit.  I know it.  You know it.  Jerry knows it.  These folks simply did not "pay to play."

Let's take a more objective look at the three city commission races.(We'll analyze the mayoral field another time.)

CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 1

William "Billy" Garza:  A total non-factor with 10 losing races since his one term on the commission ended in '91.  Garza actually disqualified himself by admitting on the Whine and Cheez podcast that he doesn't live in the district, but none of the other candidates even care.  They want William on the ballot just as North Carolina and Duke want Sisters of the Poor U. on their basketball schedule.

Ricardo Longoria, Jr.:  The 16 year incumbent, the prohibitive favorite, who, while doing very little for the district, has glad-handed and deejayed himself into a community standing with name recognition.  He's done little campaigning, so far, blown off podcast appearances, relying on previous supporters, coupled with Roman Perez delivering his former backers to Rick.

Michael Rodriguez:  A young business and family man, who, like Nurith Galonsky, could tie up Big Rick in a runoff.  Michael is a Southmost homeboy, deeply involved in community projects, energetic and committed.  He's outworking Longoria in the campaign and, would likely do so as the commissioner.

Nurith Galonsky:  Like Rodriguez, this lady could actually be a very good commissioner.  She took a courageous stance while on the GBIC board, losing her position for it, but did not seem to be that sympathetic to the ratepayer's struggles with the 35% electric rate increase by the BPUB, a board she currently sits on.

Galonsky seems to actually enjoy campaigning, not coming across as "daddy's little rich girl."

CITY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2

Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa:  8 year incumbent, the likely frontrunner, has kept herself constantly visible in the district, responded to requests for basic services, sidewalks, brush pickup, a traffic light on Austin Road.  Yes, her Commissioner's Report can be self-serving and long-winded, but she's actually grown into the position.

Caty Presas-Garcia:  Former BISD Trustee, energetic, assertive, but will have a definite learning curve as a commissioner just as Tetreau did.  Presas-Garcia knows that "District 2 includes Highway 48, the airport and residential."  She talks like the realtor she is.  While Dr. Tony Zavaleta's endorsement got my attention, I've listened carefully for substance without seeing much.

Pat Ahumada:  Extremely knowledgeable and, just as he says, "accessible."  Yet, Ahumada absolutely disqualified himself for public service in 2008 when, as mayor, he deposited a $26,139 check intended for a vendor into his account before flying to Tampico to "represent Brownsville."  No, he was not convicted, but that's not relevant to his performance.  It was one of two things; theft or incompetence.  I'm sorry for his devoted fan base, including the two Montanaro kids, but Pat disqualified himself long ago.

CITY COMMISSIONER AT LARGE "A"

Jessica Puente-Bradshaw, Ismael Hinojosa, Carlos Guerrero, John Cowen:  I'm lumping these four together as if in a classroom setting:  three soft-spoken, almost timid young men and one assertive, highly-motivated young woman.  

As if a teacher, I can visualize Jessica Puente-Bradshaw raising her hand to answer every question, doing extra credit work, polishing an apple for the teacher.

She brought power point charts of the city budget to the last Whine and Cheez podcast for heaven sakes, accompanied by her husband and family, not some know-it-all guru.

Cowen, Hinojosa and Guerrero are all really nice guys, but they're all in the John Villarreal, Joe Munguia mold.  Based on what I've observed in their respective campaigns, once on the commission, they will simply occupy a seat and say little.  We've already seen that, done that. .