"GIVE 'EM HELL, JIM!" SAYS DEPARTING MAYOR MARTINEZ, 17 PICS AT SWEARING IN

Mayor Trey Mendez

 with Constituents

As outgoing Mayor Tony Martinez walked toward the city commission chambers for the last time, he spoke directly into my ear:  "Give 'em Hell, Jim," an odd comment by someone who always maintained he never read the blogs.

Anticipating a large crowd for the swearing in of a new mayor and two new city commissioners, designated the Holy Trinity by this blog, E. 10th Street next to City Hall was barricaded and, oddly, all but the first two rows of the audience seating in the second floor chambers had been removed, seemingly to provide "family seating"  for the newly-installed members.(Relatively new City Manager Noel Bernal, accustomed to working in smaller towns, may underestimate Brownsville's potential for attendance when motived.  He's actually scheduled several city workshops in his office, only to have several dozen citizens lined up in the hallway outside, forcing the spectacle to move to chambers so all could see and hear.)

When a professionally dressed young couple was asked to assess the atmosphere in the packed chambers, the woman didn't hesitate:  "I think it's a rejuvenation," she responded, indicating that those present seemed happy with the results of the city election and hopeful for the future.

Commissioner Nurith Galonsky

Newly sworn-in City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky, speaking emotionally from notes on her tablet, had a long list of people to thank in English and Spanish, starting with her dad,  Abraham Galonsky.



"My dad was the only one in my family who supported me at first.  At 77 years of age, he was out there every day, putting up signs, then, after the election, taking them down, and, of course, giving me advice.  He's still giving me advice," stated the commissioner with a chuckle.

Outgoing Mayor Martinez, after receiving a plaque from Commissioner Rose Gowen for his eight year stint as mayor, described his principal accomplishment as "bringing the noise level down" in city government, perhaps a reference to the tumultuous sessions characterizing his predecessor, Pat Ahumada.

Rick Longoria said he found it hard to describe his sixteen years as city commissioner in just a few minutes, but said this evening belonged to the newly elected.

"When your mother dies during a campaign, everything just seems to go downhill," Longoria lamented, promising to keep active in the city working for the Knights of Columbus.

John Cowen, elected with largest plurality in the city races, read a prepared statement, saying he would emphasize economic development.

City Secretary Griselda Rosas announced a 10-15 minute interlude before the consideration of the regular agenda.  We will share some of the issues presented at that meeting in our next report.