RUMBLE IN THE SOUTHMOST JUNGLE~ROMAN AND MICHAEL TANGLE!

From the editor: The email exchange below between Michael Rodriguez, candidate for City Commissioner, District 1 and former candidate for the same, Roman Perez, caught my eye.  

The conversation, developed on Jerry McHale's Facebook page initially seemed blog worthy as a reprint as it touches on issues of the credibility of candidates for office in Brownsville's most identified region, District 1, Southmost, but I resisted reprinting it because of the challenges of putting a Facebook format on Google.

Yet, when my fiancee Ana, from the Philippines, talked so excitedly about reading this exchange, I decided to publish:   

SANCTUS, MARTYRS OF FAITH EXHIBITION AT BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART WEDNESDAY AT 6:00 PM

Claudia Henry, Erasmo Castro, Miguel Roberts at the Erasmo Castro Whine and Cheez Podcast Sunday

From the editor:  Miguel Roberts, photojournalist/artist employed  by the Brownsville Herald and model Claudia Marcela Henry have collaborated on an exhibition of Christian saints to be shown at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art January 9 through February 28, 2019.

An opening reception for the exhibit will take place Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the museum at 660 E. Ringgold Street in Brownsville.

Admission is free.

HEEEEE'SSSSSSSSSSS BACK!!!!! PAT AHUMADA PICKS UP PACKET FOR CITY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2

The Brownsville Observer has just learned that former Mayor Pat Ahumada picked up a candidate packet today for City Commissioner, District 2, a position currently held by Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa.

While merely picking up such a packet does not equate with actually declaring for the office, it does indicate that serious consideration is being given to running for that office.

OUR MEETING WITH CARLOS GUERRERO, CANDIDATE FOR CITY COMMISSION AT LARGE "A"

Carlos Guerrero, Candidate for City Commission At-Large A

With the decision by Cesar De Leon not to seek reelection, two candidates have emerged for City Commissioner At Large "A," John Cowen and Carlos Guerrero.

We sat down with Mr. Guerrero yesterday at Mi Pueblito Restaurant on Pablo Kisel Blvd. in Brownsville, getting a sense of why he's running for office and specific needs he can identify in Brownsville.

"I've actually been thinking about this for three years," stated Guerrero.

"My purpose in running is to help make it easier for small businesses to get started in Brownsville.  Many are still experiencing long delays and resistance in starting a business, while I hear of others who get totally approved in a week or so," continued the candidate.

"Are you talking about compradrismo?" I asked.

"Exactly.  It's the buddy system.  And, I'm not saying that the business getting approved so quickly is a good thing.  Who knows if they have safety issues, fire hazards or electrical or plumbing problems when they get passed that easily?" explained Carlos.

"Are you familiar with the proposed merger of the three valley Metropolitan Planning Organizations?" I asked Guerrero.

"I've been looking at that.  I don't think Brownsville should agree to merge unless they've locked down and exact percentage of funding," offered Carlos.

Guerrero feels the current city commission has difficulty with consensus building and wastes time "looking for dirt on each other."

"I'm willing to talk.  Let's find out what's important to the other commissioners and I will tell you what I think is important," he added.



   

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ, CANDIDATE FOR CITY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1, NAMES TREASURER!

Michael Rodriguez with Campaign Treasurer,
 Erasmo Castro

MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION, 2019

No I would not give no false hope

On this strange and mournful day

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

Oh, little darling of mine, I care for the life of me

Remember a sadder day, that now they say let be

Just don't recount on me in the course of a lifetime run

Over and over again

No I would not give no false hope

On this strange and mournful day

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

Oh, little darling of mine, I just can't believe it's so

Though it seems strange to say, I never been laid so low

Such a mysterious way and the course of a lifetime runs

Over and over again

No I would not give no false hope

On this strange and mournful day

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

But the mother and child reunion

Is only a motion away

"Mother and Child Reunion"

Paul Simon, c. 1971

My mom will be 95 in March.  We're 24 years apart, a fact I'm reminded of as I copy documents to submit for fiancee' Ana's immigration.

There is no recognition in her face for any of my words, even reciting the names of her children draws no response.  But, something I said makes her laugh and I'm reminded that I could always make her laugh.

Lori, 58, Deena, 52

I doubt anyone on Earth knows my mom's early history as well as I do, not my mom, not even my two baby sisters, now 58 and 52, who seem almost from a different generation, the last to leave home.

Like me, my mom was advanced to a higher grade during elementary school, but, with nothing else to do in 1940 at age 16 and a slightly younger sister still in school, she stayed an additional post-graduate year at Black Diamond High School.  So much for finishing early!

Futilely, I try to show mom a picture of Ana, but I can't get her to even look at my cell phone, let alone focus.

I know better, but I still mention my son, her grandson and his son, her great-grandson, Jack.  

I kiss her goodbye and make my way to the door.  My attempt to push the door open activates a buzzer and a nurse's aide quickly puts in a code to let me out.

As I'm nearing West Brownsville to check on the next generation, my son and grandson pass by me in their red pickup, waving and smiling.  Wow!  Four generations in just a few minutes!

And when I die 

and when I'm dead, dead and gone, 

There'll be one child born and 

a world to carry on, to carry on

I'm not scared of dying 

and I don't really care

If it's peace you find in dying, 

well, then let the time be near

If it's peace you find in dying, 

when dying time is here, 

Just bundle up my coffin cause 

it's cold way down there,

I hear that's it's cold way down there,

yeah, crazy cold way down there

And when I die and when I'm gone, 

There'll be one child born and 

a world to carry on, to carry on

My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell

Swear there ain't no heaven and pray there ain't no hell, 

But I'll never know by living, only my dying will tell, 

Only my dying will tell, yeah, only my dying will tell

And when I die and when I'm gone, 

There'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on

Give me my freedom for as long as I be

All I ask of living is to have no chains on me 

All I ask of living is to have no chains on me, 

And all I ask of dying is to go naturally, only want to go naturally

Don't want to go by the devil, don't want to go by the demon, 

Don't want to go by Satan, don't want to die uneasy,

Just let me go naturally

And when I die and when I'm gone, 

There'll be one child born, there'll be one child born

When I die, there'll be one child born

When I die, there'll be one child born

When I die, there'll be one child born

When I die, there'll be one child born

"And When I Die"

Laura Nyro, performed by 

Blood, Sweat and Tears

c. 1969

BUYING A WEDDING GARMENT DOWNTOWN, UPTOWN OR ONLINE AS TRUMP CONTEMPLATES CLOSING THE BORDER

There they were, half a dozen lonely wedding gowns, squinched beside the long, XL onesie jumpsuits guys use to change oil on Tulipan Street of La Southmost.  None had the purity of white or even ivory, only beige, at best, or that catch-all category, off-white.  

The dresses had a long shelf history at Casa Anyer on E. Washington Street, mainly because they were all Size 4 or smaller, nothing suitable for a woman 5'6", with 36-1/2" bust, 28" waist and 39" hips.

Of course, there are always options, but Panchita's Bridal Boutique on the Expressway was quickly crossed off the list with only one not-so-favorable review:  "This lady... dont know her name, really was so rude.  I was looking at a mermaid one, but not exactly interested cuz i dont like mermaid, and she said in Spanish THAT DOESN'T FIT U and mom asked some questions and that lady answered so rudely."

  Not taking our bizness there!

Guys have it easier.  They can fight it out with all the local abogados at Dillard's Semiannual Half Price Men's Tailored Clothing Sale or just take the easy way out; buy some navy blue dress slacks to match the closet's oldest sport coat, adding a $5.95 accessory from Online Bow Tie Shop and they're good to go.

So easy, a caveman could do it(and frequently does).

There are gowns offered on Ebay, but they all come with a story, some nearly tragic.  Why would anyone be in possession of such a fine wedding garment, new with tags and a couple "smudges on the back?"  What happened?  Why was the garment never used and who smudged it?

 As the uptalking Valley Girls of the 80's liked to say:  "It's getting real!"

ALL QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT~BROWNSVILLE

This is a quiet time of year, a lull, the calm before the storm. 

Yes, there was a smattering of  Christmas Eve fireworks, more of a local custom than national and Brownsville's New Year's Eve will sound like Vietnam 1968, with pyrotechnics and the occasional pistol at 90 degrees, but the politics has gone quiet with most locals still recovering from Christmas dinner.

While doing my daily 8 laps at Charlie Cabler Park on December 26, I encountered several folk trying out their Christmas gifts;  a 70 year old man with a metal detector seriously exploring for rings, coins, etc., a fat kid with a dangerous-looking bow and arrow, two preteen boys on an illegal go kart, tearing up the grass, and two teenage girls trying to ride skateboards.  

In religious news, William "Billy" Garza, candidate for City Commissioner, District 1(Southmost), further solidified his actual residence in the district by attending a late night mass recently at Christ the King Church on Southmost Blvd.  

What's next for Billy, honking his horn like hell during the Southmost Pitada this Sunday, celebrating a Cowboys' victory over the New York Football Giants?

"Speaking of Sports," what about Dallas Maverick phenom Luka "Wonderboy" Doncic?  Have you watched this 19 year old rookie, tossing Larry Bird-like passes, hitting stepback 3's or doing postup moves normally reserved for 10 year vets?  

As Lebron James said recently:  "Yes, I would love to play with Luka."

Go Mavs!  Go Cowboys!

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BROWNSVILLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION HAS LEVERAGE!

The push to merge, realign, combine the three RGV Metropolitan Planning Organizations is coming from the upper valley; McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, etc.

While Pedro Alvarez, a member of Pharr District TxDot, the narrator at last week's City of Brownsville workshop on the merger, claimed to have "no dog is this fight," his bullet point presentation listed many, many more "pros" than "cons" for merger.

Make no mistake.  Hidalgo County is beyond eager, perhaps even desperate to merge valley MPOs, to have access to the highly prized discretionary funding that could enable them to complete the rerouting of trucks out of Pharr, McAllen and Edinburg, looping them to I-69.(Contrary to what was reported in another blog, that ill-advised toll road has not been totally funded, only one $150 million dollar leg.  Currently, the State of Texas prohibits more toll road construction.)

To accomplish their desired goal of forming an MPO that would vault past El Paso into the coveted 5th position, qualifying for discretionary funding for huge projects, the Hidalgo County MPO NEEDS the cooperation of the Brownsville MPO.  Without 75% approval from the members of the Brownsville MPO, the merger is dead.

Yes, mayor and city commissioners of Brownsville.  Whether you realize it or not, you have leverage!

A deal can be worked out that will benefit Brownsville and, perhaps, even right some of the obvious funding slights our city has experienced in recent decades.

Consider this possible prerequisite to approving the MPO merger:

1.  Full funding for Brownsville's much needed East Loop, as a freeway, not a toll road, necessary to move the humongous truck traffic crossing Los Tomates Bridge from Mexico, now using International Boulevard and Highway 48, redirecting that traffic to the eventual I-69.  

2.  Removing the silly toll road designation from the Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. SH 550 connecting the Port of Brownsville with I-69E.(Locals avoid this road like the plague.  Only truckers whose companies pay the toll even consider riding those ramps.)

The leverage the Brownsville MPO currently holds gives it a fighting chance in what is currently an unfavorable political climate.  

Texas is obviously a red state with nearly every state official a Republican.  While McAllen and Hidalgo County fawn over these Republicans, Brownsville's relationship with state leaders is cool at best.  

This new leverage, based on Hidalgo's County's coveting of discretionary funding, may be Brownsville's best hope for a more level playing field with respect to transportation funding.

CITY COMMISSIONER BEN NEECE ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT ABOLITION OF AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

City Commissioner Ben Neece

Fellow citizens, I submit this commentary in rebuttal of Dereck Garcia's (Channel 23) recent report, which attempted to malign me and my actions as Chair of the city's Audit and Oversight Committee in its efforts to protect the citizens of our community and provide transparency and accountability in the governance of our city:

Mr. Garcia. I feel I must address your report, so I submit this comment: 

First, it's really sad that you have chosen to gaslight this issue and that your report is so slanted as to deny its credibility. 

It's, also, obvious that you are choosing to 1) deflect this issue from one which uncovered one of the most corrupt operations ever encountered in the City Administration headed by Charlie Cabler and 2) to protect Commissioner Tetreau's re-election bid, rather than address the audit, itself. Gas lighting 101. 

The Audit done by the legitimately formed Audit and Oversight Committee exposed an operation which resulted in the diversion of city services to a private company, unauthorized to even operate within the City of Brownsville. The Committee's report showed that at least $68,000.00 was diverted to private hands. 

To add to your irresponsible reporting you don't point out that the internal auditor's report, which supported most of what the Audit and Oversight Committee found, was suppressed by the City Manager, who was in direct control of his auditors. 

This was one of the flaws pointed out by the Independent Audit, which provided recommendation to alleviate this type of abuse inthe future. 

If you recall, the meeting in which the Audit and Oversight Committee reported its findings to the Commission, which Mr. Cabler did not attend, included a written statement by Mr. Cabler, which ended with HIS REQUEST FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT. 

This sentiment was reiterated by Commissioner Longoria. So, at the next Audit and Oversight Committee meeting, the then acting City Manager, Michael Lopez, was authorized by the Committee, including Commissioner Tetreau, to engage an Independent Auditor to carry out the requested Independent Audit. 

Mr. Lopez followed the procurement process and engaged Burton, McCumber and Longoria to carry out the audit. 

The cost was well within his discretion as City Manager to expend the funds for the Independent Audit. 

In effect, the actions of the A & O Committee was superfluous to the City Manager's request. 

If the City Manager was taking efforts to correct a flawed internal control feature, i.e having the Internal Auditors under the control of the people that needed the auditing, he was trying to conform to standard and accepted audit controls, which require independence. 

If Commissioner Tetreau had been so concerned, she should have taken action, then, but now that this is a campaign issue, she has used you and your station to do damage control. 

This is obvious, since you didn't even bother to seek my comments or those of Mr. Lopez. 

To reiterate, the City Manager (Charlie Cabler) requested the audit, backed by Commissioner Longoria, The A & O Committee authorized the Interim City Manager (Michael Lopez) to engage the Independent Auditors and he did so, well within his discretionary authority. 

Rather than discuss the findings of the Independent Audit you choose to attack the process by which it was obtained, completely ignoring the results, which your viewers are still confused about. 

Remember, that if the A & O Committee had not put a stop to the illegal operation, they would still be ongoing and private citizens would be reaping the benefits of their misdeeds. 

Apparently, this not of importance to you. Now, since you have raised the specter of some "lawsuit" against the City, tell us (and I challenge you to do so) what is this mysterious lawsuit, because from what we can tell from your report, you didn't even interview Mr. Sossi.

Instead you use your position as a reporter to arouse the citizens of Brownsville into some state of anger and fear of a "possible" lawsuit.

Why don't you inquire into why Mr. Cabler did not seek to recover the $68,000.00 from his friend, Carlos Elizondo and why he and Elizondo were never held accountable? 

Why don't you ask Mr. Sossi, if he plans to sue the City, so we can know exactly what his cause of action is? 

Why don't you share, with your viewers, the fact that Commissioner Tetreau voted to abolish the A & O Committee, while there was a pending complaint, by Commander Dale, which involved Commissioner Tetreau's unauthorized meddling in the operations of the Brownsville Police Department and the proper allocation of its resources? 

The City Charter prohibits Commissioners from directly communicating with departments regarding their operations. We must go through the City Manager. 

Ignoring this issue is nothing short of pathetic. As a matter of fact, that is what I tried to do to stop the illegal ambulance scam, but the City Manager refused to take action, which is why the A & O Committee was formed. 

To characterize it as a "failed" committee is so irresponsible that your station should look more deeply into your motives for you gas lighting. 

Remember, that Commissioners Tetreau, Longoria, Munguia and De Leon abolished the A & O Committee, while it had an agenda pending in which 1) the Independent Audit Report would be acknowledged, 2) a Code of Ethics be recommended, 3) a Whistleblower policy be recommended and 4) Commander Dale's complaint (directly involving Commissioner Tetreau) be investigated. 

In fact, a subpoena had been issued to Commissioner Tetreau, regarding this complaint. Your irresponsible reporting has helped to hinder transparency and accountability in our community. 

Now your viewers believe that the A & O Committee is the culprit,rather than the wrongdoers ... great job! And now, a complaint has been filed with BPD, against, me for Abuse of Office by Commissioner Tetreau. 

This is ludicrous and nothing more than a feeble attempt to hide her lack of transparency and bolster her campaign. We'll see how long it takes to delete this comment, but I'll be posting it on my wall, as well. 

I guess this type of reporting is to be expected from a cub reporter using his position to shield his friend during her reelection bid.

City Commissioner Ben Neece

RANDALL BOLIVAR CONTENDS HE DID NOT RECEIVE JUSTICE FROM JUDGE BEN EURESTI, JR.

From the editor:  The following letter from Randall Bolivar, currently incarcerated, was sent to me via a friend of the family. 

Mr. Bolivar feels he did not get justice in Cameron County and I submit his contentions below: 

Judge Ben Euresti, Jr.

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, THE CARROT MPO MERGER ADVOCATES DANGLE IN FRONT OF BROWNSVILLE

From the editor:  This article is a continuation of our reporting on Tuesday evening's City Commission Workshop on the proposed merger of the three RGV Metropolitan Planning Organizations.  

Only three city commissioners were present: Rose Gowen, Rick Longoria and Joe Munguia.  Commissioners Neece, Tetreau-Kalifa and De Leon were absent.  Mayor Tony Martinez was present.

Ruben O'Bell

Ruben O'Bell, Chief of Staff for Representative Eddie Lucio III, 
walked my way, with a finger on his cell phone.

"What is your email?" he asked.

"I'm sending you a white paper on the proposed merger of the three RGV MPOs. 

Later, O'Bell explained:  "Discretionary funding is the big opportunity here, the money for special projects.  It's only to the largest MPOs."

When I asked Ruben how much money was available from discretionary funds, he deferred to former County Judge Pete Sepulveda, also the Executive Director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. 

"Pete, how much money is available for discretionary funding?" O'Bell asked.

Pete Sepulveda

"Oh, billions.  Two special projects were recently approved, one for $300 million, another for about a billion," responded Pete.

So, while there are 12 funding categories available to fund projects for individual MPOs, I'm told that most increases in funding are modest.  The real prize, the proverbial dangled carrot that encourages the formation of a much larger merged MPO is that discretionary funds are dispersed only to the big boys.

The white paper I received from O'Bell was a bit dated, published in 2014, but it contained similar figures to what was presented in the workshop, indicating that if all all three RGV MPOs merge, the unified RGV MPO now vaults into 5th place in size of Texas MPOs, jumping ahead of El Paso.

Also discussed at the workshop was the various "models" used to merge smaller MPOs into one unified MPO, principly two concepts, the "Florida model" and the "Dallas-Fort Worth model."

When Pedro Alvarez, the pro-merger narrator for the workshop, a member of TxDot, Pharr District, stated that the various models for merging MPOs had been thoroughly presented, Eddy Hernandez raised his hand.

Eddie Hernandez

"I've been on the Brownsville MPO Policy Board for 15 years.  We've heard no presentations about what type of model a merger would follow.  I feel like I'm voting on a pre-nup without reading it first," stated Hernandez.

Bullet pointer Alvarez responded by say that just last month the Harlingen MPO heard a presentation about the various "models" for merging MPOs.  

Later, Alvarez admitted that while the Florida and DFW models were the only ones under consideration, Governor Abbott had already nixed the Florida model.  So there.  Approval from the governor is required for any merger to actually take place.

FIVE STEPS NECESSARY FOR MERGER OF THREE RGV MPOs

1.  The three MPOs need to agree to joint discussions on logistics of possible merger

2.  TxDot must be involved in the committee/working group since it is a TxDot venture.

3.  MPOs need to jointly determine the proposed governance and funding distributed.  Historical funding distributions to individual MPOs could be retained as part of a merger agreement.

4.  All three MPOs are required to pass by a 75% vote whether to approve a merger.

5.  The governor approves the merger.

While the lure of possible discretionary funding is strong, an objective look at the project map shows work projects strongly favor the upper valley over Brownsville.

The stretch of toll road bypassing Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg, already costing $150 million is now stopped by Texas legislation forbidding more toll road projects currently.

Yet, a similar project, much needed for Brownsville, the proposed East Loop Freeway, is not even included in the MPO ten year plan.

The East Loop project, much needed in Brownsville and proposed 25 years ago, needs to be guaranteed before any merger of RGV MPOs occurs.

NEW CITY MANAGER NOEL BERNAL'S HONEYMOON TOUR GOES TO THE BCIC

City Manager Noel Bernal at BCIC

Newly appointed City Manager Noel Bernal took his master class in city management to the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation Thursday morning as the city board enjoyed a holiday meal at Celia Galindo's Gourmet Central 515 W. 4th Street.

In contrast to former City Manager Charlie Cabler, who, when he did attend city events or board meetings, typically took a "police stance" in the corner, facing the front door, Bernal throws out current civic jargon to wow his audience.

Bernal, just as he's done in private conversations, keeps telling any who will listen that he's not ready to "share his vision" right now, just focus on the "culture."  He speaks of "economic gardening," "investing within," not simply chasing the few "800 lb gorrillas" out there.

Our area, Bernal states, needs an "economic M.R. I.," has "lots of land," but needs "not to just grow," but "grow right the first time."

"Redevelopment is more expensive than development," Bernal continues.  Bernal uses examples in Coppell, Georgetown and Austin to make his points, not exactly areas matching Brownsville's demographics or limitations.

Mr. Bernal deals headon with his youth:  "Yes, I've been very fortunate, being a city manager at 25, now with 10 years experience."

Ironically, while young Mr. Bernal was honing his skills as City Manager of Coppell, Texas, Mike Hernandez III was just 12.8 miles away at Colleyville, becoming a car leasing icon.  

Now, Bernal may occasionally find himself in a tussle for control of Brownsville's steering wheel as Hernandez III tries to take control.  

Someone, perhaps Carlos Marin, has shown Bernal a dusty copy of the Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the City of Brownsville in 2009, but never implemented.  

If Bernal ventures outside the inner circle of Brownsville governance, he may get an earful about Imagine Brownsville, the high-sounding concept butterfly that morphed backwards into an ugly caterpillar shadow government renamed United Brownsville, now rightly dissolved into nothingness.

Oh, the "one stop shop" concept for starting new businesses in Brownsville has been resuscitated, this time possibly in a refurbished Casa del Nylon building.  Wouldn't that "kill two birds with one stone?"

One of the small cubicles on the 14th Street side of the former CDN may soon facilitate Mexican Nationals getting the card needed to pass the Sarita checkpoint.  

From the editor:  Unfortunately, I was unable to accomplish my principal goal in attending today's BCIC meeting, that is, to get specifics on the B.I.G. program, detailed by BCIC Director Rebeca Castillo recently.  

Rebeca says to expect more detail by March.  So far, 50% rental subsidies for six months for those starting new businesses, 30% for the next six months, 50-50 matching for facade and sign refurbishment has been mentioned.

This program is limited to a designated "downtown" area.