Charles "Charlie" Cabler, Not Exactly City Manager, But Worth Every Penny of $220,000 As City Enabler

Charlie Cabler

A couple bloggers, breaking the story that the traditional, handy Brownsville Public Library was being removed as an early voting location, along with the Southmost Public Library, displayed prominently in their story, the mug of City Manager Charlie Cabler, as if the decision was Charlie's.

Rose and Tony, A Few Years Ago,
Before Father Time Took Its Toll

The implication was, that this was a devious move, with the inertia coming from Mayor Tony Martinez and Commissioner Rose Gowen, who are pushing the candidacy of the unqualified Evelyn Cantu for TSC Trustee Place 3, who is running against Dr. Tony Zavaleta.

While I don't know Mr. Cabler personally, I've observed him for a number of years.  He doesn't initiate directives, orders.  He follows them.

At the October 2014 Town Hall Meeting about the proposed sale of Lincoln Park to the University of Texas, Charlie Cabler was setting up the microphone for public comment.  Initially, he was situating the mike to face four city commissioners plus UTB's Irv Downing, as if the taxpayers would be facing some sort of tribunal or parole board.  

When I suggested to Charlie that his microphone placement would mean that public commenters would be giving their backs to the 300-400 attendees at the Tony Gonzalez gym, he quickly turned it around.  But, when Commissioner Rick Longoria yelled to the City Manager:  "Charlie, Jim isn't running this meeting.  I am!" he turned the mike back around.  See what I mean.

Cabler, an ex-cop, frequently falls back into training at town halls and city events, taking position, leaning against a back wall, with the entrance in full view, a security guard stance.  But, if you approach him with a question about the event, he defers to the city commissioner or administrator running the show.  Like Schultz from the Hogan's Heroes TV show:  "I see nothing.  I know nothing!"

I don't believe City Manager Charlie Cabler came up with the idea to take the Central Public Library and the Southmost Library out of the lineup of early voting stations.  Charlie doesn't give orders. He follows them.

With this backdrop, as an enabler, not as a manager, the city commission recently gave Cabler an instant salary increase(raise) of $50,000, raising his salary to $220,000, $70,000 more than the salary of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

To Silo or Not to Silo~Is That The Question? A Quick Glance at United Brownsville and Its Latest Wingman Mike Hernandez III

United Brownsville Lead Tri-Chair Irv Downing

Academics, motivational speakers, even rappers, come up with catch phrases that stretch the language into new places and illustrate a point of view they want to exalt or preach against.

Irv Downing, the newly installed President of United Brownsville, after accepting the baton from Fred Rusteberg, and during his pep talk to the newly constituted UB coordinating board May 18, cautioned repeatedly "not to work in silos," but, instead, to work "collaboratively," while thinking "regionally."

Since "working in silos" was a new phrase to us, we went to BusinessDictionary.com to see what the reference site had this to say about "silo mentality," finding this definition: A mind-set present in some companies when certain departments or sectors do not wish to share information with others in the same company. This type of mentality will reduce the efficiency of the overall operation, reduce morale, and may contribute to the demise of a productive company culture.

Mike Hernandez III(Photo by
Brownsville Herald's Miguel Roberts)

Talk about serendipity, but Mike Hernandez III, not an academic, motivational speaker or a known rapper, but a car salesman, was quoted in the Brownsville Herald's puff piece Sunday to the effect that "the local government entities, for example, seem to work in silos."  Can we assume our favorite auto trader has been rubbing elbows with the more loquacious of United Brownsville like Irv Downing and his camera-shy bud, Carlos Marin?

Yet, as we go back into recent history, United Brownsville's Binational Economic Development Zone Summit  2013, or Bined, held at UTB/TSCs  Gran Salon December 6, 2013, was not as inclusive as it might have seemed, actually more silo-driven.

One bank, Fred Rusterberg's IBC, and one engineering firm, Carlos Marin's Ambiotec, represented their respective industries at the event. While the mayors of Brownsville, Harlingen and Matamoros, were on prominent display, Cameron County officials, like County Judge Cascos, were conspicuously not there, and we were later told, not invited.

Yet, this was a regionally-focused industrial, manufacturing, import-export seminar that tried to compare the region to San Diego-Tijuana.  How could it be justified to invite only certain city officials, not county, and only those connected with United Brownsville? 

Yes, the Gran Salon was filled that day with little silos of ambitious folk with close ties to United Brownsville and the powerful elite, who almost never want to share information or anything else with anyone not in their silo. 

Local Wise Man Sounds A Warning~Beware of False Prophets!

OP 10.33 Philanthropist, Political Advocate, Car Salesman Mike Hernandez III Caricature by Nena

Mike Hernandez III Tells Brownsville Herald He's Not a "Kingmaker"

Mike Hernandez III, (Photo by Miguel Roberts,
Brownsville Herald)

The puff piece on Mike Hernandez III, written by Reporter Steve Clark, published in Sunday's Brownsville Herald, focuses on the car dealer's "philanthropy," but also deals with criticism Hernandez has faced locally.

The Brownsville Herald states:  "OP10.33 also has a political action committee. Hernandez said he has no interest in being a “kingmaker” but won’t shy away from backing local candidates for elected office if he thinks it will move things forward. His backing of Raul Villanueva and Ed Rivera in their challenges, respectively, to Ralph Cowen and Sergio “Tito” Lopez on the Brownsville Navigation District Board did not pay off."

What Mike Hernandez III did not say, nor did Steve Clark report is that OP 10.33 actually backed FIVE candidates in the recent local elections, losing all five races.  Yes, they backed losers Ed Rivera and Raul Villanueva in the Brownsville Navigation District elections, but also backed losers Daniel Pizana, Tony Juarez and Beatriz Hockaday in the Texas Southmost College races.  In all, Hernandez spent $140,000 to influence these elections, losing every single time.

Carlos Marin, at Recent Meeting of United Brownsville
(Photo by Nena Barton)

Local voters seemed to take notice of the attempted outside manipulation of their elections and, for once, pushed back hard.  Perhaps, this had something to do with local bloggers almost unanimously exposing the attempted manipulation, but, another factor was the fact that Hernandez aligned himself with Carlos Marin of Ambiotec, Inc., an individual recognized for two decades as trying to control local elections and city boards for his own personal benefit.  

It was Marin that penned the Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan, selling it to the City of Brownsville for $900,000.  The plan, never implemented, sits on city shelves like an out-of-date comic book, its pages yellowing.  

Mike Hernandez III says his interest in Brownsville and Cameron County is purely philanthropic.  As the Brownsville Herald reported:

“I don’t have a dog in this hunt,” he said. “I’m not down here to make money. I make my money in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and in Austin — in the major markets, not down here.” 

Carlos Marin, Car Salesman Mike Hernandez III Make One Last Push to Avoid Going 0-6 in BND, TSC Races

Evelyn Cantu, Controlled by the Not-So-Dynamic Duo,
Carlos Marin and Dallas Car Salesman Mike Hernandez III

Evelyn Cantu has no business running for TSC Trustee, Place 3, considering she has zero experience at the community college level, except that North Texas Car Dealer Mike Hernandez III, have made it their business to financially sponsor 6 candidates in the Brownsville Navigation District and Texas Southmost College races.  So far, they are 0-5, with the voters, rejecting outside influence and insider influence peddling and soundly rejecting Ed Rivera and Raul Villanueva for BND positions and Beatriz Hockaday,  Daniel Pizana and Tony Juarez for places on the TSC Board of Trustees.

Loser Mike Hernandez III

Hernandez III and Marin have their beady, greedy little eyes focused on mega-buck development at the Port of Brownsville, the FM 550 industrial corridor and the necessary job training for that development. Having key people in place at the Port of Brownsville and Texas Southmost College gives them the leg up, the unequal playing field needed to gain control.  

Hernandez III, used to closing sales, not watching the customer walk away, and Marin, a behind-the-scenes influence in Brownsville politics for two decades, are pulling out all the proverbial stops to place at least one person on the TSC Board of Trustees who will pander to their interests.  

Carlos Marin,  Not Totally Avoiding the Camera

Marin, always elusive, has recently turned camera shy, turning his face from a photographer at a public meeting and running, when he recognized a political operative in line at Whataburger.

Marin's and Hernandez's last standing candidate is Evelyn Cantu, running against Dr. Tony Zavaleta, a man with 40 years of TSC experience, reportedly not a totally likeable guy, but, nonetheless, not a puppet.

So far, Brownsville voters have totally rejected the monetary influence and other pressures of Mike Hernandez III and Carlos Marin.  It's now time to pitch a shutout, yes boys, 0-6. 

Addendum:  City Commissioner Jessica Tetreau disagrees with the thrust of the article above.  We add her Facebook comment below: 

"Jim, that is completely untrue and fabricated. Evelyn is an independent thinker and not entangled in any conspiracy or organizations. She brings her firsthand experience as an educator and has worked with children and teens firsthand for many years... This is what motivates her to contribute to the TSC board.   

 Evelyn has never even met Mike Hernandez, and I think it's really sad (he) would make false statements about her character."·  

Mike Hernandez III's OP 10.33, After Failing to Influence Brownsville Navigation District and Texas Southmost College Elections, Salutes Carlos Marin and Raul Villanueva

Op10.33

Marin, As Fred Rusteberg Departs United Brownsville

"We have total confidence and trust in Dr. Marin. He has volunteered much of his time to help design strategies that will help create good paying jobs for a community who wants them. We feel very fortunate to have him on our team.

It's important to keep in mind that Mr. Villanueva went from a complete political unknown to garnering 45% of the total vote in a matter of a few weeks against a very strong incumbent. We will have much more time to plan in future elections when we feel we should get involved. We applaud Raul and other newcomers to local politics and encourage others to join them because we are just getting started with our overall initiatives.

Thank you all for your comments."

Hasse's Write-In Candidate Forum Set for Brownsville Public Library June 16 @ 6:30 PM

From the Editor:  Tad Hasse is going through Herculean efforts to allow the voters to select the next County Tax Assessor, rather than permit the Cameron County Commissioners Court to pick one of their political cronies for the job, should Tony Yzaguirre receive the most votes, then be convicted.  

He's announced the first of his write-in candidate forums to be held at the Brownsville Public Library.

The tax assessor job has garnered considerable interest with rumors of a possible run by a former County Judge candidate, a former County Clerk candidate, a young military man and possibly the Brownsville Cheezmeh guru himself, surfacing so far.

Relative Heroes and Cowards in the Rio Grande and Other Valleys~Repost from October 2011

The words heroism and cowardice are antonyms, opposites, yet can be applied to the very same person, depending on your perspective and point of view. 

When Muhammad Ali registered as a conscientious objector because of his opposition to the Viet Nam War, some viewed his actions as heroic because he stood up for his beliefs without regard to the consequences. 

Others called him a coward for not fighting for his country, although they probably did not say that to his face. "I ain't got no quarrel with no Viet Cong," he said at the time.

Every war has those who oppose it for conscientous reasons and are willing to face the consequences of their stance. It's difficult to call them cowards if they're willing to accept death or imprisonment for not renouncing their beliefs. In essence, they may be doing almost the same thing as the soldier on the battlefield, just choosing a different battlefield.

History may or may not reveal who was correct, who was partially correct or who did what for what reasons.
The young men and women who do not make it home safely from whatever war effort is currently pursued deserve the same recognition as heroes, persons of courage and honor. They did not choose the venue but fulfilled their obligation for the right reasons. 

Governments frequently use misinformation, disinformation or no information to steer and motivate. Dr. Henry Kissinger lied about Viet Nam. Some misinformation went out about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. None of that taints the courage of those who served or those who chose not to serve as long as they upheld their individual consciences.



In my view, the young men and women who put their lives on the line for whatever assignment given them by their country are heroes as are those who conscientiously objected. The cowards are those leaders whose fear of the truth and disrespect of our judgment motivated them to lie to us.

Mike Hernandez III Reportedly Set to Throw Money at Evelyn Cantu in Race Against Tony Zavaleta for TSC Trustee, Place 3

Brownsville Observer Editor, Wife at Recent Event

I have lived almost 48 years with a woman more qualified than me in every way.  Obviously, the leadership skill set of women has been recognized  in countries throughout the world. Golda Meir, as Prime Minister of Israel, Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister of Great Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany have proven women to be, if not superior, at least equal to men in leadership skills.  In November, the United States will likely elect its first female president.

Yet, in Cameron County and possibly the entire Rio Grande Valley, there is a tangible commodity, described by blogger Bobby Wightman-Cervantes as the "blind Hispanic woman vote." Occasionally, it seems, an Hispanic woman gets elected with no apparent qualifications, simply riding her Hispanic surname and gender to victory.

Estela Chavez-Vasquez

That occurred recently with the election of Estela Chavez-Vasquez as County Court of Law #5 Judge.  Estela, a lawyer, who makes her money by serving as an ad litem in foster care cases before a family court judge, reportedly has NEVER tried an actual case and has ZERO knowledge of how to run a courtroom.  We are told she is taking classes to close that qualification gap.  Cameron County, yes, I know you hate for me to say it, but the "poorest county in the United States," cannot afford to have a student judge or judge trainee. We have serious issues that need to be addressed by qualified folk.  

Evelyn Cantu, Posing with Sylvia Garza-Perez

This brings us to the recently reported rumor that Mike Hernandez III of OP 10.33 intends to add $10,000 to the Evelyn Cantu campaign for TSC Trustee, Place 3 against Dr. Tony Zavaleta.

Cantu, who has zero experience working for a community college, is running against a man, Dr. Zavaleta, with 40 years service at Texas Southmost College.  Mike Hernandez III, a financially successful Dallas car salesman, is throwing money at Cantu because he craves control of TSC, local job training efforts and development of the Port of Brownsville and FM 550 industrial corridor.  

Mike Hernandez III, Pigeon-Toed at Historic El Jardin 

In the recently concluded Democratic primaries Mike Hernandez III tossed $140,000 supporting the losing carcasses of Ed Rivera, Raul Villanueva in Brownsville Navigation District races and Tony Juarez, Beatriz Hockaday and Daniel Pizana in TSC campaigns.  Mike Hernandez III threw his money down one proverbial rat hole after another. It was as if he had invested his fortune in the Ford Pinto.

Throwing good money after bad, Hernandez, desperate to win something, is reportedly financially backing the unqualified Evelyn Cantu for TSC trustee. Hopefully, Brownsville and Cameron County will continue to reject seamy used car salesman influence on their elections.

Dr. Tony Zavaleta Wants to Continue Serving Texas Southmost College

Dr. Tony Zavaleta

Dr. Tony Zavaleta is not the most docile, subservient, glad-handing candidate for TSC Trustee, Place 3, simply the most qualified.  Forty years of service to Texas Southmost College in various capacities makes Zavaleta a "no-brainer" in his run-off contest versus Evelyn Cantu, an inexperienced lady with nicely photoshopped campaign signs around town, who has never served a community college in any capacity.

Carlos Marin, his wife Elena and Mary Rose Cardenas have contributed to the Evelyn Cantu campaign.  Vote for Evelyn if you want their greedy tentacles controlling TSC.

Trustees Trey Mendez, Adela Garza and Ruben Herrera hope Zavaleta gets the nod.  They understand he's not a "go-along to get-along" type guy, but know that, with the TSC nursing program on life support, a much needed tweaking in job skill training in Cameron County, the need is for experienced leadership, not a newbie candidate monetarily supported by the region's most notorious predators.

How the Indicted Tax Assessor Tony Yzaguirre Can Keep Kicking Our Ass!

Indicted Tony Yzaguirre

Blindly voting for the indicted, corrupt, traitor to Cameron County, Tony Yzaguirre, for Cameron County Tax Assessor, will take the decision out of the voter's hands, yielding the power to the Cameron County Commissioners Court.  If the indicted Yzaguirre is convicted, the commissioners name the replacement.

If you believe that Brownsville voters are too smart, too informed to darken the circle for the indicted Yzaguirre, consider that 11,528 dumbasses did just that in the March 2016 primary election.

Reports are swirling that some Cameron County Commissioners have a plot, a plan to fill the tax assessor spot, should Yzaguirre be convicted. Recent news reports that Yzaguirre and others had close ties with the Gulf Cartel in a money laundering scheme add to the severity of charges against the tax assessor.

County Treasurer David Betancourt

Current County Treasurer David Betancourt has been seeking a raise for years.  Certain County Commissioners want to give him that raise by slipping into the more lucrative County Tax Assessor position should Yzaguirre be elected, but then convicted.  Do you see the plan?

All it would take is for NO write-in candidate to surpass Yzaguirre in votes.  The more candidates choose to run as write-ins, the greater the certainty of Yzaguirre's election and then, following a conviction, the County Commissioners Court can select good ol' boy David Betancourt.

Commissioner Villarreal, Your Next County Treasurer?

There is more. Twice elected City Commissioner and tortilla maker John Villarreal has been mentioned as a possibility to fill the shoes of Betancourt as County Treasurer, a position that some counties don't even bother to fill.

If you're comfortable with the above plan, vote for Yzaguirre once again or allow your vote to be split by an assortment of write-in candidates for County Tax Assessor.

Tad's Plan to Ensure Voters, Not Politicos, Pick Next County Tax Assessor

Tony Yzaguirre

From the editor: Rumors abound that deals are being made so a political crony of certain County Commissioners will end up appointed as County Tax Assessor.  Political advocate Tad Hasse has a plan that will put that decision back into the hands of the taxpayers, voters. We publish Tad's plan below:

My name is Tad Hasse. In November, Tony Yzaquirre’s name will be on the ballot. The *ONLY* name on the ballot for Tax Assessor/Collector. If he cannot take office due to a conviction by then, or has to leave because of a conviction, the Commissioner Court *APPOINTS* his two year replacement. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of their “APPOINTMENTS”! Some people have declared they will run as a write-in. Fine! Love it! BUT! There can be only ONE. Multiple people running simply split the vote and the Commissioner’s Court appoints (YET AGAIN!) So….(the part you were waiting for)

I will be holding a series of forums and straw polls to determine ONE and ONLY ONE thing: Who is the STRONGEST? I don’t care what your plans for the office are; YOU HAVE TO WIN IT FIRST. I am not inviting all the people who are planning to run write in for that position I AM DEMANDING that you show up! The people who are willing to write in your name DESERVE to know that you are the one with the best shot at WINNING. Anything else is just personal vanity. People are always going on about cleaning up corruption….*sigh*. This is OUR CHANCE! OUR VOICE! OUR VOTE!

I plan to have a series of 4 in Cameron County: Brownsville, Harlingen, La Feria, and Port Isabel. Details as to time and place will be announced. This isn’t a “party” thing, it is a people thing. Join me to find out who the STRONGEST candidate is to go forth for our write-in vote, to carry our voice, to tell these clowns “YA, BASTA!” because WE CHOOSE!

If you want to help, I can use it. If you are OP1033, then get thee behind me Satan, as I will take a dim view of attempts to hijack this cause. (I was going to say “There will be blood”, but that might have been misinterpreted by some PC, bottle sucking, nincompoop)

Well, I am sure you read enough to get the idea. Some of the people who have expressed interest in running are my friends. I already told them what I had planned and that I won’t play favorites. Kissing my butt will do no good, as the NUMBERS will tell the story to themselves and everyone. I ask everyone who participates to get behind the ONE who is the strongest, to show you were in it for the right reasons. If not, you are likely going to cook any political goose you might have had illusions of having. I can be reached at tad.hasse at gmail.com