𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 "𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘'𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗫 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘" 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗔𝗫 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗥/𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗔

             

Where the work is done

A group of us met and followed Tax Assessor/Collector Eddie Garcia and his wife single file, forming a giant centipede, following them through a labyrinth of office cubicles that comprise what Garcia referred to as the "Tax Office of the People." 

Honestly, we were met with smiling faces at every brief stop, all department employees dressed in Charro Days garb.

"Did you mandate Charro Days dress for your staff or was this voluntary?" I asked Mr. Garcia.

"No, I encouraged it, but would never mandate it.  This is how they wanted to dress for work," responded Garcia.

At first, one office led to the next, but then, there was a left turn, a right turn, then two left turns and we marched past a long row of desks that face the lobby, where payments are collected, and eventually we were back in the lobby of the old Wells-Fargo Bank turned into city offices.

Garcia is proud of his staff, proud of their efficiency and the happiness they display, saying that's the tone he's tried to set for his office.

As I walked through the lobby, a mariachi band played with the tax assessor/collector joining as lead vocalist.  

Not only was this a festive, happy occasion, but one very distinct to Brownsville.

                             

The after-party in the lobby