ROY DE LOS SANTOS AND JESSICA PUENTE-BRADSHAW ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS PRIOR TO JUNE 19 RUNOFF

 

Roy de los Santos

Voters never know for certain how candidates will perform once in office, but interviews and campaign forums, if attended, shed some light on a candidate's sensitivity or viewpoint on certain issues.

The goal is to elect candidates who will actually perform for the citizenry, not a timid Joel Munguia, combative Charlie Atkinson or someone who becomes a "no-show" at city meetings.

Jessica Puente-Bradshaw

With the above in mind, let's contrast or compare the viewpoints expressed by Roy de los Santos and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw, candidates for City Commissioner District 3.

Barton:  With respect to Mexican Nationals or Central Americans and their children who cross the border illegally, how should these be dealt with?

De los Santos:  When it comes to those here who are not citizens, I think there are a couple of categories. We have those seeking asylum, and those who are likely just here illegally. I believe anyone who wants to come to the US has an obligation to do so in compliance with the law. I think there should be consideration given to children who were brought here illegally at a young age and were likely unaware of their status until they were older, so I agree with DACA. All efforts to discourage illegal immigration are on the table, and when it comes to asylum seekers, we need strict screening/vetting to ensure we’re not bringing in criminals, and testing against disease to ensure they will not pose a risk to US citizens if the federal government is going to require that they be released in the US for a future court date. The system as it applies to refugees and asylum seekers is far from perfect today and needs serious attention from our federal elected officials.

Puente-Bradshaw: The original D.R.E.A.M. Act failed to be approved by either party. It was poorly written with too many loopholes. It allowed, not only "Johnny" to get citizenship, but, in certain cases, to bring with him father, mother, brothers, sisters, aunt, uncle, etc. Why not simply work to qualify for citizenship as so many have done in the past? I'm not even opposed to private sector companies qualifying individuals or bringing those who qualify to the attention of the federal agency and doing so for a fee. I believe private enterprise can sometimes do a better job than the bureaucracy."

Barton: Do you recognize same sex marriages?

De los Santos: While local governments have no authority in this area, I recognize and fully support same sex marriage. Marriage used to be a religious institution, and even precedes modern Christianity. However, once the government began to license it, extend tax benefits for it, and grant automatic rights and privileges for it, then it is no longer solely a religious institution, it is now a civil institution and as such the 14th amendment, ensuring equal protection of the laws, applies. Whom a person chooses as their spouse, to hold all the rights and privileges that go with it, should not be limited based on the sex of the individual.

Puente-Bradshaw: I believe marriage to be a spiritual union between a man and a woman. That doesn't preclude same sex couples from entering into a civil union. That's the approach I would take. All the issues you mention like medical decisions, inheritance, etc. can be handled by a civil union and a contractual agreement without changing the definition of marriage.

Barton: Do you feel GBIC's main emphasis should be to lure large corporations into the area or to accelerate the growth of already-existing local businesses?

De los Santos: I think the primary focus of GBIC should be economic development which includes raising the average income in the area. There is or should not be any limit to whether the business is coming from out of town or is a local business. Any efforts which create higher paying jobs should be the focus of GBIC .

BROWNSVILLE POLICE USE DRONES TO RESCUE FLAG FROM POWER LINE

Juan Montoya posted another photo of this,
 but Ana captured this pic on our afternoon
 downtown walk; three police drones rescuing
an American flag.

 

VOTERS IN BROWNSVILLE ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

 

Spot-tailed earless lizard

If you live in Brownsville's Third District and will actually vote in the runoff election, choosing between Roy de los Santos and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw for your City Commissioner for the next four years, you're rarer than a spot-tailed earless lizard, a regular on the Endangered Species List that is occasionally observed in Texas.

You see, only 4.7% of Brownsville's registered voters actually voted in the May 1 municipal election.  Our friend, Laura Miniel, who's already won two national scientific research stipends, has just entered a contest to analyze the reasons for low voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley, particularly among 18 year olds, a controlled study of the effect and influence of interventions.  

My personal theory, many times repeated, but seldom acknowledged, is that many new drivers licensees do not want to answer "no" to the question:  "Do you also want to register to vote?"  So, they register for the right they never intend to exercise.  

Voter enhancement groups, like UTRGV's Center for Civic Engagement, Vacqueros Vote the RGV's It Takes One have been totally impotent increasing voter turnout among college-age registered voters.  Several years ago, we walked across the UTRGV campus toward the Gran Salon for a UTRGV-sponsored campaign forum.  Along the way, we kept asking students for directions to the candidate forum.  None knew anything about it.  UTGRV had not even used student emails to inform students about the forum.  

It's obvious, from voter turnout, that Brownsville's high schools and colleges do a pitiful job in educating students about their responsibility to vote.

Now, for the tiny minority of Brownsville's Third District, we will now use quotes to compare the views of City Commission candidates Roy de los Santos and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw.

 

BLOGGERS IN CATFIGHT OVER PEDRO CARDENAS

Jim Barton, front left. Juan Montoya, front middle, Jerry McHale back right

:

Bloggers Juan Montoya and Jerry McHale are in a bit of a catfight.  Nothing serious.  They will remain friends.

Yet, to grasp the dynamics of the row, please understand that Juan Montoya writes for money.  That's not a criticism, but the fact that he's made a living in journalism outside the mainstream media is impressive in itself, but whenever I read an article from El Rrun Run, I ask myself:  "Who paid Juan to write this?" and answering that question usually puts thing in perspective.

So, when McHale recently criticized young Pedro Cardenas, now in a runoff with City Commissioner Ben Neece for District 4,  Montoya, reading negative copy on someone who has likely paid him to write supportively, defended his client by insinuating that McHale was simply a chronic masturbator, aroused by the youthful, vigorous Cardenas.

McHale, in one of his better recent pieces on the McHale Report, turned the tables back on Montoya and Cardenas, threatening the candidate with a brilliant parody of Michelle Obama, saying:  "When they go low, we go lower."

Actually, Pedro Cardenas, who I've observed to be a very pleasant, respectful young man, is not served well by using gutter tactics against Neece or those who write in his support.  

Pedro would have accomplished more by attending the four campaign forums he missed and articulating how he could do a better job serving the citizens of District 4 than Ben Neece.

Cardenas does deserve credit for contributing to the economy of Cameron County by purchasing enough campaign signs to flood District 4 and beyond.  Cardenas campaign signs are even observed in the Sunrise Mall area, well outside District 4.

We'll be waiting for him at any campaign forums that take place before the runoff to dutifully record why he's running for office and why he should replace Commissioner Neece.

  

BROWNSVILLE MAYOR WINS AWARD WHILE TAMAULIPAS GOVERNOR FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES

Mayor Trey Mendez

Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez was among 19 honored yesterday as "rising leaders" by a group that calls itself NewDEAL(Developing Exceptional American Leaders). 

Perusal of the website revealed that NewDEAL is a "national network of rising state and local leaders who are pro-growth progressives.  The first option on the NewDEAL website is to make a contribution from $10 to $5,000.  

This spring's award winners include the mayors of Dallas, San Antonio and Brownsville, a former mayor of Houston, a school board member in Houston and a former council member in San Antonio.

So, now we have an award winning NewDEAL mayor in an "All-America" city, an award Brownsville won in 2014.

Gov. Garcia Cabeza de Vaca

Meanwhile, just across the river in State of Tamaulipas, Governor  Javier Garcia Cabeza de Vaca, is being charged by the Attorney General of Mexico with criminal cartel connections, money laundering and the massacre of dozens of Central American migrants earlier this year. 

Borderland Beat, the amazingly forthright and graphic border news source, describes the State of Tamaulipas as "a private fiefdom of predatory elite composed of corrupted politicians and public officials who have abused public and private resources to amass hundreds of millions of dollars in personal profit."

Cabeza de Vaca, not declared guilty and still in power, will likely suffer a similar fate to other Mexican officials; Tomas Yarrington, Eugenio Hernandez Flores, Humberto Moreira, Cesar Duarte, Robert Saldoval and Javier Duarte, according to the Beat.

 

OLD DOWNTOWN H.E.B. BUILDING SOUGHT TO VACCINATE MATAMOROS RESIDENTS

News that Dr. Fauci may recommend reopening the land ports of entry on the U.S. Mexico caught the attention of former broadcaster Ron Whitlock.

Whitlock was quoted in the Rio Grande Guardian:  "I am absolutely amazed, given that we've seen such a roadblock at the nation's capitol for so long that the No. 1 man for infectious diseases, is siding with this iniative."

According to the Guardian, Whitlock approached and received approval from the owners of the old H.E.B. store in downtown Brownsville about using that building to vaccinate residents of Matamoros.

"Half of them have relatives in Brownsville,"  Whitlock stated.

SPACEX ROCKET LANDING SUCCESSFUL ON 5TH TRY!

 

GULF CARTEL MEMBER ON PAYROLL OF CITY OF MATAMOROS

 

(April 9) Borderland Beat. Evaristo Cruz Sanchez ('El Vaquero'), a Gulf Cartel faction boss that was recently arrested in Nuevo Leon, was on the payroll system of the municipal government of Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

The alleged drug kingpin received a gross monthly salary of MXN$10,000 (about US$500) as an assigned member of the Municipal Public Security Secretariat under Matamoros mayor Mario López Hernández ('La Borrega').

According to the National Transparency Platform, 'El Vaquero' was incorporated into the municipal government with the position of municipal watchman since January 1, 2018. With this position, 'El Vaquero' had an official public security identification card.

A source consulted by Borderland Beat confirmed that the municipal watchman position was created in the administration of Tomas Yarrington Ruvalcaba, former Governor of Tamaulipas who recently pleaded guilty to money laundering in a US courtroom.

El Vaquero was arrested by the Mexican Army in Salinas Victoria, a municipality of the Monterrey metropolitan area, earlier this week. He was arrested with an individual who was a former Zetas member and was actively working for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Sources in Tamaulipas consulted by Borderland Beat told us that El Vaquero was planning to meet with members of the CJNG in San Luis Potosi prior to his arrest.

On several occasions, El Vaquero used taxi drivers and bus drivers to block streets in Matamoros to prevent authorities from capturing him. They claimed to be holding a peaceful protest, but unnamed U.S. officials stated that the protesters were organized by El Vaquero after Tamaulipas Governor Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca ordered Mexico's drug task force to crack down on cartel violence in the area.

El Vaquero was initially a member of the Matamoros faction Los Ciclones, but he had a fall out with the group and sided with Jose Alfredo Cardenas Martinez ('El Contador') and created another faction, Los Espartanos. El Vaquero's group was mostly active outside of Tamaulipas, particularly in San Luis Potosi and the State of Mexico.

Citizen journalists in Tamaulipas informed this week that there is a successor to El Vaquero.

Among the names withdrawn from the cartel's successor hat is Oscar Antonio Lopez Sandoval ('La Droga' and/or 'Ciclon 89'). Sources say he is the Gulf Cartel plaza boss in Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas, a small Mexican border town that is a popular medical tourism destination for Texas residents.

Another possible successor is Gerardo Meade Benavides ('La Perra'), a close associate of El Vaquero. He was arrested last year, but a source consulted by Borderland Beat confirmed that he was released and returned to Matamoros.

A CLOSER LOOK AT BEN NEECE/PEDRO CARDENAS RACE IN DISTRICT 4

 

For those undecided on how to vote in the soon-to-be scheduled runoff for city commissioner in District 4 between incumbent Ben Neece and challenger Pedro Cardenas,  we've gathered the available evidence and statements to compare the two.

Since Neece has a long record of public service, first as municipal judge and, more recently, as a city commissioner, summarizing his performance is not difficult.

Pedro Cardenas, however, has not held public office, although he briefly served on the GBIC Board,  with his service was marked by chronic absenteeism.  His name was actually on the GBIC agenda for removal before the entire board was disbanded by the city commission in December.

Cardenas also missed all four of the public forums where citizens can question and observe the relative skill set and knowledge of the candidates.

So, with respect to Cardenas, all we have is a note he wrote me, sharing what he feels he offers the voters:

"Mr. Barton,

The reality is that all candidates generally want the same thing: a thriving and well run city that provides basic services in a cost effective and reliable manner; public employees and elected officials that are public servants above all else and treat all of our citizens with respect; a clean environment with parks and recreational opportunities including a vibrant downtown; more good paying jobs for our hardworking people; low taxes, and a positive can-do spirit that welcomes and supports employers and employees alike.

On this I believe we can all agree. But what distinguishes us is how we prioritize our goals and what means we use to reach them. 

The incumbent and I differ on how we intend to reach our goals. I believe in respectful dialogue and healthy compromise in order to work with all members of the commission towards common goals.

I believe I will make a better commissioner for two important reasons. First, I will prioritize focusing on three critical and basic needs for our community in a non-self serving way: good jobs, low taxes  and well maintained cost effective roads, drainage and electricity services. And second, I will work to unite, not divide our community and to expand our collaboration not only to other entities in Brownsville but throughout the region.

I am fully committed to serving our community as City Commissioner. If the citizens of district 4 entrust me with their vote and support, I pledge to work tirelessly for them. My priorities have always been God, my family, and my work; if given the opportunity, the needs of my constituents will be amongst them.

Thank you for the opportunity to reach your followers.

Pedro Cardenas"

With respect to Ben Neece, he has a extensive history of public service, 32 years as a municipal judge, followed by one term as city commissioner.  

As District 4 includes downtown Brownsville, much of Neece's effort has been directed there.  Neece pushed for increased lighting, cameras and a downtown police substation.

Neece is also proud of his contribution to simplifying and revising Brownsville's antiquated housing codes and reorganizing the city's Planning Department.

Along with others on the BCIC Board, Neece helped create the B.I.G. Grant, giving downtown business owners assistance with store fronts and signage.

The commissioner worked hard to help create a permanent Oversight and Audit Committee and also helped restore the expired Ethics Committee.

Neece has also been heavily involved in the Ozanam Homeless Shelter, providing relief for the homeless including those downtown.

A DIFFERENT VIEW OF ELON MUSK, BROWNSVILLE AND SPACEX

Much of Brownsville seems enamored with Elon Musk, CEO/owner of SpaceX, who recently offered to gift Brownsville $30 million without much specificity.

It's easy to forget that Musk was given millions of dollars in incentives to build his rocket-launching facility adjacent to Boca Chica Beach.  He promised hundreds of jobs and when they didn't materialize, he renegotiated the original agreement, scaling down his job creation agreement, yet failed  to fulfill the new agreement.

His promise to close Boca Chica to public access "a couple days a month" turned out, also, to be a lie.

Now, he's slowly forcing out longtime residents of Boca Chica Village, with County Judge Eddie Trevino at his side, saying that eminent domain or forcibly taking properties is "probably a distinct possibility."

Musk wants to replace Boca Chica Village with Starbase, his own town with high end accommodations and personal profit.

As for the risks to locals his enterprise creates, Musk arrogantly states:  "We've got a lot of land with nobody around.  So, if it blows up, it's cool."

Some of our city officials have been in love with Elon Musk from Day 1, fawning over his poetic promise:  "From thence to Mars and hence the Stars."  

Those hollow words come from someone with a history of making promises and not keeping them.

CITY COMMISSION BRAZENLY VIOLATES SPIRIT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROVISION

 

Several years ago, the State of Texas created 4-A, then later the 4-B fund provision, allowing cities to separate monies from the city's general fund to be controlled by a panel of citizens.  The intention was to keep economic development and quality of life projects SEPARATE from local politics.

I admit to being out of the loop lately, recovering from triple bypass surgery, but I was totally shocked today to learn that the City of Brownsville foolishly and misguidedly is in absolute violation.

The Brownsville City Commission has fired the entire GBIC Board and replaced the with a "board" consisting of the mayor and several commissioners.  I kid you not!  Beyond dumb!  I can't believe our commission is this ignorant of the purpose of 4A and 4B.

If the commission is too lazy to find good citizens to serve on the GBIC board, I can nominate several.

CARDENAS SUPPORTED BY TWO BLASTS FROM THE PAST IN DISTRICT 4 RACE

 

Young Pedro Cardenas, a graduate of Saint Joseph Academy and Tecnologico de Monterrey, covered District 4 and beyond with campaign signs, while incumbent Ben Neece's only sign seemed to be the one in front of his downtown apartment at 1305 E. Washington. Tecnologico de Monterrey, filled District 4 and beyond with campaign signs in stark contrast to his Neece will now take the as-yet-unscheduled runoff seriously.

In April we chanced upon an arranged meeting at "Captain Bob's Seafood Restaurant" between Cardenas and former District 4 candidate Letty Garzoria Perez.

Before they moved to a private table for negotiations, with Cardenas listening respectfully, Ms. Garzoria could be heard telling Cardenas she could deliver a "block of 600 voters."  That's interesting since Letty polled 350 votes in her last outing for District 4 in 2013.

Another blast from the past with keen interest is Brownsville kingmaker Carlos Marin, said to be backing Pedro Cardenas in the District 4 race.  It will be interesting to see if Marin's name shows up on Campaign Finance Reports for Cardenas.  

NEECE, CARDENAS TO FACE IN RUNOFF FOR DISTRICT 4

 

City Commissioner Ben Neece

The May 1 city election resulted in Pedro Cardenas and Commissioner Ben Neece qualifying for a runoff in District 4, finishing with 40% and 35% of the vote respectively.  Joe Valdez, with 14%, and Beto Velez, garnering 11% of the votes, gained a little name recognition for next time.

Voters will have to decide if Cardenas, chronically absent while serving on the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and missing all three candidate forums before the election, will actually have time to serve the city as a commissioner despite is duties as owner of Mi Pueblito Restaurant.

Cardenas told us that, while he and Neece may have similar goals for the city, his style differs greatly:

"The incumbent and I differ on how we intend to reach our goals. I believe in respectful dialogue and healthy compromise in order to work with all members of the commission towards common goals."

Cardenas' comment above likely refers to an unsavory online exchange between Neece and Brownsville restaurateur Bob Sanchez published in Juan Montoya's El Rrun Rrun blog.

Neece, elected in 2017 with a promise to get to the bottom of the 35% increase in electricity rates for a never-built power plant, states on his Facebook page:  

"There are those who claim we aren't doing anything about Tenaska, but I assure you we are. We are conducting an audit, which, according to the information I received recently, is about 65% complete. It's not an easy undertaking, unlike the audit of the Brownsville Emergency Medical Services in 2017, which was PAPITAS, and resulted in a just and proper outcome and the end to certain corrupt practices being undertaken at EMS. The work would have continued had Commissioner Tetreau (who was under investigation by the A & O Committee) not abolished the Audit and Oversight Committee. Luckily we had the votes to re-establish the A & O Committee and, now it is working diligently on getting to the bottom of Tenaska."

Proposition 8, favored by Neece, making the Audit and Oversight Committee a permanent part of city structure, was approved in Saturday's election.