ANOTHER CRUISE SHIP PROPOSAL FOR SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

by Alfredo Cuadros, KVEO

BROWNSVILLE, TX – A massive project in the works to bring in more tourists to South Padre Island

First proposed by the city’s former mayor, a plan was drafted to increase low visitor during SPI’s offseason. As a result, former Mayor Dennis Stahl, along with support from the city’s convention and visitors bureau, sought to bring in the cruise line industry to bring in more tourists from the end of Summer till March.  They identified that at least four companies were interested in what South Padre had to offer and would be a perfect fit as the industry has high tourist counts in November and December.
City officials determined that Cameron County’s Isla Blanca park was the ideal spot for a new port of call.
The plan and negotiations were handed off to Cameron County in early 2019.
This week we speak with County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. He tells us the project is currently undergoing evaluation.
“We think it’s something that is still looking into and worth investigating,” says Trevino. “That’s kind of where we’re at right now. We’re still seeing and evaluating information.”
The judge tells the project has not been brought up commissioner’s court. He also believes that funding options will be necessary to make this project a reality.
“We’ve heard different estimates. anywhere from 30 to 75 million dollars. We don’t have that type of resource to focus on this type of project. So that’s why we would need a public private partnership,” says Trevino.
Currently the project remains without a time frame.

COWBOYS OWNER JERRY JONES REFUSES TO GIVE THANKS FOR JASON GARRETT

"WALK WITH A DOC" TOUR OF LAGUNA ATASCOSA WILDLIFE REFUGE

Ana, grandson Jack and I joined Dr. Bradley Nordyke(black shirt and hat) and his wife for a "Walk with a Doc" tour of the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge.  Karen Ceballos(with the camera around her neck) was tour guide.

We've invited Dr. Nordyke for next Sunday's(December 1, 2019) edition of the "Whine with Cheez" podcast to be live streamed from 1401 E. Washington Street in downtown Brownville at 1:30 PM.

IS GBIC REALLY CONSIDERING ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL PARK?

New GBIC Board

After watching the GBIC Board for years being unduly influenced by the unscrupulous Jason Hilts, it's refreshing the see an alert, active, studious board now in place.

New board members like Dennis Sanchez, Graham Sevier-Schultz, Jason Wolfe and Sandra Duran are not afraid to question, while Board Chairman Esteban Guerra provides steady leadership.

Pedro Cardenas's absenteeism remains an issue.

At last night's meeting, there was some talk about converting a large plot of land near FM 511 into an industrial park.

Surely, the board is aware the City of Brownsville taxpayers funded an industrial park nine years ago that's never been utilized.  We wrote this some time back:

"The North Brownsville Industrial Park, $4.2 million spent, 11 sites with full utilities, last saw action at its ribbon-cutting in 2011.

Knowledgeable truckers utilize the space as a free overnight parking stop when coming in or out of Brownsville."

"DE JA VU ALL OVER AGAIN" WITH GBIC AND MASTER PLANS

Brownsville Observer Editor with Robin McCaffrey of

Needham-McCaffrey & Associates in 2013

Much like a Stripes parking lot covered with worthless lottery tickets, Brownsville has been littered with the debris of extraordinarily expensive surveys, master plans, industrial corridor plans, etc., paid for by the city's hardworking taxpayers, but never implemented.

Many still recall the 2009 Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan, purchased at a cost of $900,000, utilizing over $1,000,000 in city labor, now gathering dust on city shelves, never implemented.

Then came the 2013 plan for the Port of Brownsville and the industrial corridor sold to the city by Robin McCaffrey of Needham, McCaffrey & Associates at a cost of $454,592.08.

Here is what we wrote at the time about that plan:

"Robin McCaffrey of Needham-McCaffrey & Associates, Inc. moderated the third leg of a slide show presentation to the GBIC on October 31, outlining an overall plan for a 22,000 acre industrial corridor including the Port of Brownsville. Earlier, the Port of Brownsville and Public Utilities Board heard the same proposal.

"The plan organizes the Port of Brownsville and the surrounding area south of the port and east of the Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport. Specific areas are segmented for heavy industry, light industry and organized according to power and water usage. Simply lining up industry along the ship channel is discouraged, but companies with similar energy and/or infrastructure needs are organized perpendicular to the channel."

A couple years later, GBIC actually rejected a $180,000 addendum to the industrial corridor plan to fine tune it, when Jacobs Engineering was the "only" firm to respond to the RFP and insisted that the inexperienced Oscar Garcia, Jr. be assigned as Project Manager.

So, please understand our skepticism when, at last night's GBIC Board meeting, yet another "master plan" for the industrial corridor was proposed.

Brownsville has been there, done that and has the cancelled checks to show for it and nothing else.

GBIC BOARD HEARS PRESENTATION BY ECONOMIC GURU

Matt Raszczak of Rio South Texas Economic Council

The new kids at GBIC seemed mesmerized at yesterday's meeting by snake oil saleman Matt Raszczak, an admitted "one man band" for something called the Rio South Texas Economic Council, an entity formed in 2014 to combat the image of "border violence in the RGV."(The company lists an address of 901 Laurel Avenue in McAllen.)

Raszczak's power point started with the slogan "Two Countries, One Region," but the next slide showed which counties from Europe contribute most heavily to the U.S. economy.  The speaker made no attempt to connect either concept to Brownsville.

But, it's a good gig for Raszczak, who claims membership of 20 municipal entities, said to each pay an annual membership stipend of $17,500.(He still lists Harlingen EDC as a member, although they pulled out in 2017.)

To show his good stewardship of the solicited funds, Raszczak told the GBIC Board that he had receipts last year for $199,847.26.

Raszczak stops short of saying he actually brings business to the RGV, only claiming to put out the good word for us.  His work takes him to trade shows all over the world where he claims to meet with prospective companies "where they actually operate." 

"I seldom go to Mexico," Raszcak states, "as I don't want to step on the toes of members who are already pursuing opportunities there."

Cleverly, local officials are given leadership positions.  City Commissioner Debbie Portillo, for example, was given a leadership role in 2014 about the same time that Eduardo Campirano, Director of the Port of Brownsville, was named Executive Director.

Year after year these operatives create a niche for themselves and then sell it to groups like our own GBIC, desperately eager for economic development.

GBIC  Board

CIVIL SERVICE HEARING COMMENCES TODAY FOR FORMER FIRE CHIEF CARLOS ELIZONDO

Former Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo with

Attorney Eddie Lucio

What will likely be a lengthy Civil Service Hearing for former Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo began today at 8:30 AM in Brownsville Metro's second floor board room.

A panel of three, led by retired firefighter Ben Nunez, Sr., is hearing the case with Elizondo represented by attorney Eddie Lucio.

Attorney Ricardo Navarro, who's frequently represented the City of Brownsville over the years in these arbitration cases, opened by stating that Elizondo's recent "not guilty" verdict in a criminal trial, concerning some of the issues to be considered in this hearing, will have no bearing on the civil matter.

"I don't care about the criminal case," Navarro stated.

More than once Navarro declared:  "This is not about Mr. Elizondo becoming fire chief again.  This panel does not have that authority."

Attorney Ricardo Navarro, Ben Nunez, Sr.

Navarro claimed that, after Elizondo's suspension without pay October 17, 2017, Elizondo accessed a Brownsville Fire Department computer with critical emergency information 48 times, then failed to respond to a query from the city as to why he was accessing that computer while on suspension.

Another issue, to be considered in the hearing, is the diversion of 911 calls to a private ambulance service, alleged to be partially owned by Elizondo.

Attorney Navarro promised to play an 8 minute recorded statement from Charlie Cabler he claims will demonstrate that Cabler, the City Manager at the time the 911 calls were being diverted, "didn't approve" the diversions. 

Nine witnesses, shown above, were sworn in, although Navarro reserved the right to call in more witnesses, as needed, in the hearing.

"THE TRUTH ABOUT LNG!" NOVEMBER 21, 6PM, PORT ISABEL EVENT CENTER

IS HARRY MCNAIR UP TO THE CHALLENGE OR WILL EGO AND ARROGANCE GET IN THE WAY?

Harry McNair

During my thirty years in Arkansas, I crossed paths with a few true Southern gentlemen, typically soft-spoken, never flaunting their holdings, gracious to a fault.

Former City Commissioner Harry McNair, likely approaching the age of maturity, is now presented with a wonderful opportunity to display a similar dignified, classy mindset on December 3.

That evening the Brownsville City Commission will consider restoring the name of a street in historic downtown Brownsville to its designation for the last 150 years, East Fronton Street.

McNair, now well aware that over 75% of the street's property owners want the street's original name restored, can also atone for his remarks published in the Brownsville Herald November 5, 2019, comments that made him look silly and small:

“Fronton means nothing … You’re Hispanic, what does Fronton mean to you?” McNair asked.

Continuing on how there is no official information on why the street was really named “Fronton” and what it actually means, McNair said what has made the street historic are the businesses that have been located in that same street for almost 100 years.

“People told me (Fronton) is a game in Spain, other people said it is short for Frontera and one of the latest ones I’ve heard it’s in English ‘Front-on’ it fronts on something. So, it has no meaning, it has no ties to anything historic. Fronton Street is not historic, what is historic are the companies, the businesses and what occurred on the street. We can relate to that because my forefathers came here and started a business in 1920,” McNair said.

“So, all these newbies, the newcomers, they’re going by ‘I’ve lived here 10 years, 20 years, 15 years and I get all that, change is hard for people to accept.”

How gracious it would be now for McNair to simply recognize the will of the people and humbly accept the restoration of E. Fronton Street!  

Harry may not get such an opportunity again.

SARA STAPLETON-BARRERA EVENT TODAY AT PAWS AT EL PATIO

DOMINGUEZ SHARES VIEW ON LNG DURING MEET AND GREET

Representative Alex Dominguez

Thursday night at Venezzia the Venue Alex Dominguez enumerated the accomplishments of his first term in Austin; 34 bills introduced, the only rookie named Democratic Whip, even besting Hidalgo County in getting new facilities.

Dominguez faces primary opposition from Amber Medina, an attorney supported by the Cyndi/Gilbert Hinojosa faction of the local Democratic Party, but, based on turnout for their respective meet & greets, the incumbent may have considerably more support.

Commissioner Galonsky

Dominguez was introduced by Administrative Assistant Zeke Silva and City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky, who said the two had been friends before either held public office.

Galonsky spoke from the heart, without notes.


As the event wound down, Dominguez motioned to a couple of chairs in the back and I expressed my concerns the LNG projects planned at the Port of Brownsville.

"I can visualize in twenty years or so our region being left with a Super Cleanup after the LNG companies make huge short term profits and then depart," I told Dominguez.

"I'm worried about that too!" responded the representative.

Dominguez mentioned that he was carefully observing the public response to Cheniere LNG, currently being constructed in Corpus Christi.

"Another thing.  These huge multibillion dollar companies getting hundreds of millions of dollars in tax abatements is just absurd, leaving the tax burden to the residents," I added. (When Dominguez was on the Cameron County Commissioners Court, he voted FOR a $373,100,000 tax abatement for Rio Grande LNG.)

"Of course, the Governor is pushing for every well that can be drilled to be drilled and for all the LNG companies,"  Dominguez stated.

"He wants to be re-elected."

ALEX DOMINGUEZ RE-ELECTION KICK-OFF TONIGHT!

CAMERON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR ASSERTS CCDW NOT "PART OF THE PARTY"

For the last decade or so I've visited meetings of both major political parties in Cameron County and been treated graciously, even though most know I'm not a true believer in either.

My first experience ever in being treated as persona non grata, unwanted, yes, unwelcome, came two Saturdays ago in a meeting of the Cameron County Democratic Women at a back table at Rudy's Bar-B-Q.

Five older ladies, led by Teresa Saldivar, were engaged in planning some sort of event.  Saldivar offered to make a salad and mentioned some things about chair and venue rental.  

My two companions, Laura Miniel and Ana Barton, were asked to introduce themselves.  

I was ignored, but stood up and explained anyway that I was "Jim Barton, the editor of the Brownsville Observer, covering government and politics in Cameron County."

It was at that point that one of the ladies explained that this was a women's group and men were not welcome.

Interim group leader, Teresa Saldivar, said the group not only did not invite men to their meetings, but only supported female candidates.

None of this seemed congruent with the Democratic Party I'd observed since reading about the candidacy of Adlai Stevenson II for president in the Weekly Reader in second grade.

Just today, Cameron County Democratic Chair Jared Hockema sent some clarification, indicating that the group designating itself the Cameron County Democratic Women was not a legitimate part of either the Texas Democratic Party or the Cameron County Democratic Party and that the values this group espouses represent neither.

We repost Mr. Hockema's message below:

A DAY IN THE LIFE~ EMERGENCY ROOM, TOM STEYER 2020, WHINE WITH CHEEZ PODCAST

Last night my next door neighbor at Sunset Palms RV Park showed up at my door, wanting to be transported to the Emergency Room.  I don't know why he didn't just call an ambulance, but Ana and I took him to Valley Baptist on Central Blvd. and are monitoring his situation.

He later called me back, calling me his "best friend in life ever," a terrible indictment of his contacts at worst, but likely just a huge exaggeration.

As you may know; Laura Miniel, Ana and I are involved in the Tom Steyer 2020 Campaign.  This morning I got this query from the campaign:

Jim,

Tom will be one of the few candidates participating in South Carolina’s 2019 Presidential Forum on Environmental Justice this Friday — and he wants to know what you have to say!

Tell Tom what's important to you about the climate crisis and environmental justice, whether it’s your own personal story or a question about Tom’s plan.

Across the country, vulnerable and marginalized communities — frequently communities of color — are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Tom is looking forward to having the opportunity to discuss these issues of inequity with his fellow Democratic candidates and leaders on the frontlines of the climate crisis. And you can tune in to watch him tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time/3:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the livestream at [democracynow.org]democracynow.org.

Looking forward to your questions,

Tom 2020

I've never been a big fan of those huge avocados that grow around here, but Ana made a smoothie shake yesterday with ice and condensed milk that was out of this world.  Wow!

BTW, the Whine with Cheez podcast will live stream this Sunday from Captain Bob's new Osteronia Mocambo, 2451 Pablo Kisel, Ste D1 at 1:30 PM.

Guests will be Justice of the Peace Candidate Fred Arias, blogger Jerry McHale and Robert Sanchez.

CAN THE CAMERON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN TAKE A LESSON FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT?

Viola Liuzzo

Over 50 years ago Michigan housewife Viola Liuzzao, a white woman, drove many, many miles to walk in the famous civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

She never made it back to Michigan, being one of the few white women killed in the fight for equal rights for Black Americans.

Joan Baez, Bob Dylan

Many whites, including two of my heroes at the time, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, both 22, one white, one Hispanic, joined those protests, making a difference.

On August 1963, Bob, Joan and other folk singers of that era sang songs of freedom and protest in front of a quarter of a million folks gathered at the Washington Monument.

Baez at Washington Monument 1963

My point is that whites were not shut out of the movement simply because they were white.  Hell, two months after the March on Washington, a corrupt southern Democrat, President Lyndon Johnson, addressed a joint session of congress calling for the passage of the Civil Rights Act that became law in 1964.

That is why I expressed myself about Cameron County Democratic Women banning men from attending their meetings and declaring they would only support female candidates for office.

It's short-sighted, growth-stifling and counterproductive.  The history of the Civil Rights Movement proves inclusiveness works.

In a fit of self-protective caterwauling, interim CCDW chair Teresa Saldivar called everything I wrote about the meeting "a lie."

"That's what I get for being nice to his new bride.  She brought a snake attached to her hip."

Local Democratic operative Yoli Speece comforted Saldivar:  

"Remember one thing.  All of those bloggers are male and show that to us every time they blog.  It is never designed to present women positively unless you are a psycho bitch like Jessica Puente Bradshaw who want to repeal the 19th amendment."

After spending some time with these hard-nosed, claws-extended infighters, I'm not certain they even respect women, but I do know they have much to learn about inclusiveness.

SEVEN DOUBLE SIGNERS CAUSE E. FRONTON STREET NAME RESTORATION DELAY

Juan Rene Hernandez and Dad

Juan Rene Hernandez and his dad, proud residents of 430 E. Fronton Street, did everything asked of them at the August 7, 2019 City Commission meeting to petition for the restoration of their home street back to its historic name.

They called on all 82 E. Fronton Street property owners, asking for signatures, mailing requests to those who'd moved away by certified letter, signature requested.  They were successful in obtaining signatures from the necessary 75% of homeowners to overturn the City Commission's poorly-thought-out decision to rename the portion of E. Fronton from Palm Boulevard to Sam Perl Drive as McNair Family Drive.

The fly in the ointment was a campaign by the McNair family that resulted in seven of those who signed Hernandez's petition also signing McNair's, so now City Attorney Rene DeCoss wants the confusion cleared up and the City Commission reluctantly tabled the item for the time being.

"While there is no provision for a petition rebuttal, we have to make certain the intent of these signees," commented City Commissioner Ben Neece.

"I want all of you to know that everyone up here(all the commissioners and the mayor) are behind your effort," City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky told E. Fronton residents at the meeting.

One young man did speak up about intimidation by the McNair family, although, to be honest, he did not seem like someone who would be easily frightened.

Family patriarch Harry McNair came off as a blithering idiot with baseless comments, published in the Brownsville Herald, pontificating about the origin of the word Fronton.  

Attorney Michele Sanchez, paid by someone, made some irrelevant arguments, implying that each lot, not each owner, should count for one vote, claiming "that's how it's done in Greenville."

Mayor Trey Mendez, also an attorney, responded that whatever Greenville does is not relevant in Brownsville.   

Nevertheless, Mendez, who admits the city has totally botched this name change, wants everything done correctly this time.

"Haste makes waste is what my dad always told me," Mendez stated.