The Fantasy of "Believe in Brownsville" to the Reality of "Wholly At the Mayor's Discretion"

Mayor Tony Martinez, Charro Days 2013

When Harlingen native Tony Martinez decided to run for Mayor of the City of Brownsville he reached outside Cameron County to an Austin firm known as M.A.P.(Message, Audience, Presentation, Inc.), headed by James Aldrete to run his campaign.

The advertising firm's website describes its specialty as "communicating with the Hispanic and African-American electorates," and shares with us its approach to Hispanic voters:  

"The biggest challenge in communicating with Hispanics is not one of language only, but one of tone and approach. We have to recognize that those we most need to turnout are more apolitical and at an economic level that can often make politics and voting seem like a luxury. . . . . Spanish in Texas is for the most part an oral tradition, among a community that has low-educational(sic) achievement levels. While Spanish print has made a comeback, it is important to keep it at a grade level that ensures the widest comprehension. . . . .empowerment and educational component: No one likes to be embarrassed, and considering the low level of information most Hispanics have on political processes, basic information on how to participate is critical in overcoming issues of insecurity, fear and doubt."

If you're Hispanic, I apologize for having you read the condescending bull shit above, but the comments provide insight into the mayor's thinking as he again selected the James Aldrete firm to run his "State of the City" event this past spring, while using Brownsville firms to cater and make table centerpieces, perhaps indicating that his "belief in Brownsville" has an intellectual limitation.

Banning the Broadcast of Public Comment

Brownsville TV on Channel 12 broadcasts staged political events, ribbon cuttings, interviews happy cyclists during Cyclopedia, satisfied customers at the Farmer's Market.  It also televises the broadcast of City Commission meetings including comments and questions by the mayor or city commissioners.

The only citizens who are banned, blocked, stymied, stifled and censored are those who choose to offer an opinion during the so-called Public Comment section of the City Commission meeting.  Before those taxpayers utter a single word, the audio on Brownsville TV is cut off, reverting to acoustic guitar and the camera is fixed on a sign announcing:  "Public Comment Period in Progress."  It is the ultimate "Fuck you!" to inclusive democracy, free speech and open, transparent government.

City Attorney Mark Sossi

In fairness, the ban of the broadcast of public comment originated during the Pat Ahumada administration.  Some have alleged that a comment making reference to a judgement against City Attorney Mark Sossi by his previous employer, the Willette & Guerra Law Firm, for $167,363 of stolen funds, adding the fact that the city was now throwing legal work to Willette & Guerra to help Sossi pay off the debt, triggered Sossi to push Ahumada to block the broadcast of Public Comment.(For more info on Sossi's I.R.S. lien, Texas Workforce judgement and malpractice suits simply type "Sossi" in this blog's search feature in the upper left corner.)

No one expected Martinez, who had been elected because he was not Ahumada, to continue this anti-democratic practice.  After all, wasn't the Democratic Party the affiliation of Kennedy and Clinton, officials who thrived on the give-and-take of citizen or media comments and interaction? Yet, shortly after Martinez took office, despite citizen speakers, one after the other, encouraging a lifting of the ban, the Mayor finally spoke on the ban:  'I'd like to continue doing things the way the previous administration did them. It's been working pretty good so far. I don't want to change that.'  Damn!  And we thought we had elected a mayor who "Believed in Brownsville.!"

Former City Commissioner
Melissa Zamora

Later, but still during the mayor's first year on the job, City Commissioner Melissa Zamora placed an item on the agenda to restore the broadcast during Public Comment.  Here is an excerpt from our August 12, 2011 report on that meeting:  "Melissa Hernandez-Zamora seemed dumbstruck when City Attorney Sossi stood up to give opposition testimony concerning the broadcast of public comment item she had placed on the agenda. It was obvious that Commissioner Zamora had not been advised of the behind-the-scenes manipulation by Mayor Martinez and his eager cohort Sossi. Sossi, after all, had the most to lose from public comment broadcast since it was comments about his questionable ethics that triggered the ban in the first place. As Zamora got her bearings, Martinez waved Sossi the "go ahead". Sossi made no attempt in his feeble, highschoolish power point to express a legal opinion. There was no mention of free speech, the first amendment, the constitution or even the phony liability issues he has pretended previously. Those might have been worthy legal issues. Instead he expressed only viewpoints, unscientific at best, but most likely simply wrong. With a straight face he used a pie chart to illustrate the greater "diversity" of commenters since the ban, not even having the honesty to acknowledge that many of those new participants were speaking out against the anti-democratic ban. He also railed against grandstanding as he grandstanded."

Mayor Ventures into Speculative Real Estate Deals with Taxpayer Dollars

La Casa del Nylon, an aging retail building on the
market for two decades, but sold to the city in a deal
negotiated by Tony's law partner, Horacio Barrera, for a
mere $2,300,000.  Some estimate this is triple the value.

The Mayor's oath of office implies that he will be a faithful steward or caretaker of the city's assets, including monies, properties and, if you will, human capital or workforce.  For example, he would not be allowed to take $3 or $4 million dollars of city funds to Las Vegas to use on the gaming tables even if he fashioned himself a gambler and thought he could double the taxpayer's money.

Yet, Mayor Martinez did almost exactly that, purchasing numerous older buildings in or near downtown Brownsville with zero explanation to the taxpayers as to why he was committing their hard-earned tax dollars as well as their children's for the next two decades to these speculative real estate purchases.

Included in these never-explained purchases are a rest home on Madison Street for $195,101, a warehouse on Ringgold for $100,000, two tiny downtown restaurants for $83,000, leasing the home next the Cueto Building for 3 years, $90,000, the Old National Armory for $431,200, Casa del Nylon for $2,300,000 and the San Fernando Building for $315,000.

Nurith Galonsky

Most suspect in these deals is the one unethically negotiated by Tony's law partner Horacio Barrerra with Tony's friend, Abraham Galonsky, La Casa del Nylon.  That property had been on the market for nearly two decades.  The unsold merchandise, still new, but from the 80's, was considered "vintage."  The negotiated purchase price was a totally confounding $2,300,000 with similar buildings leasing for $1.00 per square foot or less. Shortly after the sale, Abraham Galonsky's daughter, Nurith was named to the P.U.B. Advisory Board, totally out of the blue.

Despite all these purchases, when the mayor coveted a personal office downtown, he leased, at the city's expense, yet another location, 1101-A E. Washington St. as his personal office.  The remodeling, leasing was done at city expense, although the invoice for an $8,000 interactive TV screen remains unpaid, likely because of our Public Information Request.  Please consider that the city has empty office space at City Plaza.(Remember when the Mayor tried to lease space at $1.00 per year to Congressman Filemon Vela until local bloggers caught wind of the scheme.)  The city also has an entirely unoccupied floor at Market Square.  But as the song goes:  "What Lola wants, Lola gets."(For you out-of-towners, Lola's Bakeshop is one of Tony's local enterprises.)

Tony's "State of the City" Event, Paid for by Taxpayers, Who Were Charged $50.00 to Attend

Mimicking the President's State of the Union address, many big city mayors give their own "State of the City" speech.  Mayor Martinez was intoxicated with the idea and called the Austin advertising group, M.A.P., founded by James Aldrete, to organize the event.  When a Brownsville Herald questioned the event being organized by a non-Brownsville firm, the Mayor was quoted:

"He said that since the money for the State of the City event was privately raised, he saw no issue with spending the money with the same consultant firm that helped him win his office, explaining that based on practices he has observed in other areas, the event is typically planned wholly at the mayor’s discretion."

What the mayor said about the event being privately funded is simply not true. The Brownsville Navigation District donated $1,500. Isn't the navigational district supported by tax dollars? Now, the $8,500.00 given by the Public Utilities Board are technically not taxpayer dollars, but aren't they ratepayer dollars? Where does the Brownsville Economic Development Council get its money? They gave $1,500.00. The Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville gave $500.00. Does Tony consider that private money? The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation donated $1,500.00, clearly from the 4B diversion of yes, you guessed it, sales tax collected in Brownsville. The University of Texas at Brownsville gave $1,500.00, then $500.00 more. There's no P.U.F. oil money in that baby. It's all funded by tuition and tax. The shadowy, nontransparent, fake governmental entity, United Brownsville, that is totally funded by 8 other taxpayer entities, gave $3,000. Oh, I just noticed, the BCDC gave yet another $150.00. Add the $500 from the Brownsville Tourist Bureau and that's $19,150 of PUBLIC, taxpayer, ratepayer, tuition-payer money, not private.

Carlos Marin, Ambiotec Engineering 

Yes, there were corporate sponsors.   N.O. Simmons Homes, LTD, $1,500.00, Gomez, Mendez, Saenz, Inc., $1,500.00, Falcon International Bank, $500.00, Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, $500.00, LNV, Inc., $500.00, Carlos Marin's Ambiotec, $1,500.00, Terracon, $500.00, Well's Fargo, $500.00, Capital One Bank, $100.00, Frost Bank, $500.00, Nexus Real Estate, $500.00, Portage Plastic, $500.00, La Carcel, LTD, $3,000.00, Lone Star National Bank, $1,500.00, Tenaska, Inc., $500.00, I.B.C. Bank, $3,000, Gonzalez Engineering, $500.00. H.E.B., $3,000.00, Republic Services, $500.00.  

A few high rollers bought tickets: Alejandro Coronado, a realtor, bought two tickets for $100.00 as did Bruny Saucedo, the owner of the Zocalo Bar and Grill. Outgoing District Clerk, Aurora De La Garza bought a ticket for herself for $50,00 as did County Treasurer Joe Rivera and County Sheriff Omar Lucio, Larry Putegnat and Peter Ellis. The individual singly purchasing the most tickets was Alexander Stillman, who bought 10 tickets for $500.00. Oh, also. Rose Timmer bought a $50.00 ticket and William PC Hudson bought 5 for $250.00.   B.I.S.D. bought one ticket for $50. Livingway Family Church, Inc. bought two tickets, possibly for the pastor and his wife. KRGV-TV News bought 4 tickets for $200.00. The Consulado de Mexico spent $100.00 for two tickets as did Capital One Bank.

The records do not reflect any ordinary citizens from West Brownsville or Southmost hiring a babysitter and purchasing two tickets for $100 to attend the event.  Tony did not have them in mind planning the event.

The Top Priority of My Administration:  "A New Ethics Code"

Back on April 19, 2011 at the UTB/TSC Mayor Candidates Forum, Tony Martinez clearly identified the drafting of a new ethics code as the "top priority" of a Martinez administration. Since Tony said so little of substance during the campaign, I jotted that down. Assuming a strong work ethic coupled with a desire to get our city functioning efficiently and ethically, some of us fully expected Tony to be a man of his word. Literally dozens of model city ethics codes exist on the internet and from other sources that could be tweaked to fit our city. Certainly other Texas cities have codes that could be tailored for Brownsville. In August of 2011, City Attorney Mark Sossi was handpicked by Mayor Martinez to initiate the process. Sossi reported to the commission 7/19/11 concerning the research, thought process and focus so far which amounted essentially to having read the San Antonio and Dallas codes, a 20 minute effort at best. Later in that meeting Mayor Martinez expressed his desire to be included in the committee to draft the code. My recollection is that City Manager Charlie Cabler would be included in that committee along with a commissioner or two."

Since Sossi's report on July 19, 2011, another additional 2-1/2 years have passed. Remember once a final draft of an ethics code is submitted and approved, language in the City Charter has to also be changed to allow for penalties for violations of the code. Brownsville's last ethics code expired in 2006.

City Manager Charlie Cabler,
"Bannergate" CEO David McCarthy

With Mayor Martinez recently ramming speculative real estate deals purchased with taxpayer dollars from cronies at above market rates through the City Commission, using his law partner as negotiator, it's little wonder Tony has lost interest in an ethics code. He and slacker City Attorney Sossi both had connections to "Bannergate", a scam to dun local businessmen into purchasing packages of city banners costing up to $4,000 to "support Brownsville." City government is in dire need of an ethics code and ethics.

Formulating an ethics code is not rocket science. Martinez and Sossi have not come forward with a new code because they are simply unethical.


Giving UTB the Moon, While Treating TSC Like A Stepchild

As mentioned at the outset, protecting the city's assets is the mayor's job.  Texas Southmost College, founded in 1926, is a considerable part of those assets with Brownsville taxpayers on the hook for $200,000,000 in bond over the next two decades.

The University of Texas at Brownsville is part of the extraordinarily wealthy University of Texas system, funded only partially by the oil and other revenues from 2,000,000 acres of West Texas land.

Logically, which educational entity should have the Mayor of Brownsville's allegiance and commitment?  Would you believe, that at every turn, Martinez has been willing to give the farm to UTB while slighting, stonewalling and hardballing TSC?

Don't believe because it's written here.  Juan Montoya of the El Rrun Rrun blog writes:

 Martinez has already overseen the donation of some 70 ares to the third-largest endowment university in the United States to lure it to stay downtown next to the TSC campus. And as negotiators for both sides barter and horse-trade properties and facilities, a 10.2-acre tract that the city had promised the college(TSC) turned out to be non-transferable because of a provision in a transfer deed under which the transferred property reverts to the grantor is the deed condition is violated. . . . . . . 'The bottom line is that the mayor gave 70 acres away to the UT System for nothing, and then he didn't tell the TSC board anything about transferring control of the three properties to the city in return for the 10.2- acre tract," said the source. "He pulled the rug from under the community. While he's giving away the farm to the UT System, he is taking about $1 million away from the local taxpayers."

Who knows what Tony Martinez believes in.  He does not believe in the best interests of Brownsville taxpayers, Texas Southmost College or ethical, transparent government.  He does not "Believe in Brownsville."



   

BISD Teacher Sarah Prock Responds to Dagoberto's Charges That the Poor Are Not Hungry~Simply Obese and Lazy!

From the editor:  

Local orator Dagoberto Barrera, admired by some locals because of his spunk, but merely tolerated by the thoughtful, has another rant published in the December 12th Brownsville Herald under "OTHER VIEWS."  After describing "170,000 veterans" as "on the dole," Barrera turns his attention to the school lunch program:  "The welfare rolls are increasing because these so-called 'poor'--many from Mexico(Matamoros)--reside here.  These children who were receiving school lunches; where are there parents?  Probably still asleep, figuring the rest of us hard-working Americans will foot the lunch programs.

The so-called 'poor' are not to blame; it's the lazy parents who are still asleep after a night out with their compadres and friends, drinking while the Barreras, frugal citizens, will foot the bill for these 'abandoned' schoolchildren."

BISD Teacher Sarah Prock responds to Barrera's claims in a letter posted in "YOUR VOICES" in the Brownsville Herald:

Editor:

As a longtime educator, I was taken aback by the sanctimonious tone of Mr. Dagoberto Barrera with regard to children who receive school lunches. His inquiry as to where the parents are and then his own quick response, castigating these parents as lazy and unproductive, left me speechless.

What makes our country the best, what makes Americans stand apart, is how we constantly strive to imrove the educational opportunities of our children.  

I am a taxpayer myself, living here in one of the poorest counties in the United States, but, unlike Mr. Barrera, I am proud of what those taxes are doing.  

Ensuring that our children have a warm and nutritious breakfast and lunch every day affords them the stamina they need to achieve their best in school.  

These nutritional assistance programs are well run and efficient.  When I come to school every morning at Oliveira Middle School to teach my eighth-graders the wonders of reading, it is encouraging to see that these young faces, smiling and chatting with friends, are enjoying a balanced meal that will help them face the academic challenges of the day.  

The money paid to help our youth have a better chance to prepare for a successful future is not just yur earnings, Mr. Barrera, but those of other people who have a kinder and more gentle outlook on life.  Perhaps, in this season of giving, it is time for you to rethink your priorities.  A little less of the Bah humbug Mr. Scrooge attitude, perhaps.

Sarah Prock

Brownsville

Laura Betancourt's Holiday Extravaganza at La Cantera, December 19, 2013

Lali, Laura Betancourt

Eavesdropping on the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation's Board Meeting 12/19/2013

Differentiating the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation from other "advisory" or suggestion city boards are the substantial monies received from Brownsville taxpayers, $4,176,233.24 in fiscal 2013.(These funds come from 4B sales tax revenue, 1/4 cent on each taxable dollar spent in the City of Brownsville.)

The board is a blend of appointed non-salaried members and salaried city staff with Rachel Flores, the Executive Director of the BCIC, but Dr. Rose M.Z. Gowen, the board chairman.

Actually, it was Flores who recently acknowledged receipt of our Public Information Request about how monies were dispersed during fiscal 2013, but also, the balance brought forward from 2012 and the balance on hand at the end of the fiscal year:

Dear Mr. Barton,

We have received your information request from the City Secretary. We will begin collecting the information and will send it to you in a timely fashion. Thank you for your interest in our organization and have a Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Rachel

While waiting for the result of that request, we had an opportunity to sit in on the December 19, 2013 BCIC Board meeting held in the City Commission chambers at 12:00 PM.  Ms. Flores was most gracious, providing us with a packet including the meeting agenda, but with numbered tabs to locate handouts for each agenda item.  Once the meeting was underway, Vice-Chair Jude Benavides wondered if were able to hear the comments adequately.  We were invited to move our chairs closer to the board table.  

Agenda item #5, "Consideration and ACTION on the Watermelon Festival" illustrated the way the board can operate.  Evidently, $10,000 had been earmarked for a feasibility study on creating a watermelon festival in Brownsville. Since two other cities, Alamo and Edinburg, had already planned for and initiated similar festivals, those were monitored carefully as a model for Brownsville's festival.  

The Alamo festival was considered too small of a scale for Brownsville with minimal vendor participation.  It was noted, that the Edinburg model, while similar to what Brownsville had in mind, was still not profitable.  Some consideration had been given to including a watermelon aspect with the July 4 activities at the Sports Park, but that was found to be outside the growing season for watermelons. 

The board decided to curtail plans for a watermelon festival.  The $9,600 remaining from the feasibility study was made available for other projects.  

A sheet showing financials for the BCIC Board 11/02/2013 to 12/19/2013 showed that the board had spent $35,425 for the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art's "King Tut Sculpture Project," $8,000 to the City of Brownsville to promote the "Brownsville Metro Bus Ridership Campaign," $75,849,92 as a payment #7 for the Belden Trail and an additional $15,405,56 to Edward Abstract and Title to purchase the property at 325 W. Fronton St. for "Belden Trail Garden #3." 

Under "MISC" on the financial report was $25,000 given to United Brownsville for "annual dues."  The word "dues" used in this context is bothersome since the annual contribution to United Brownsville is voluntary, not obligatory, but the informal, unofficial organization is becoming so deeply entrenched this City of Brownsville views this as a financial obligation, which it certainly is not as we explained in a recent MMB article:

The United Brownsville Coordinating Board carries itself as if supervising the City of Brownsville, Cameron County, the Port of Brownsville, BISD and the public utilities. They plan for Brownsville, presume to speak on its behalf, take credit for projects in the city, integrate actual city officials into their board, but its all a scam. The leadership triumvirate, IBC Bank President Fred Rusteberg, outgoing UTB President Juliet Garcia and a loquacious UTB official, Irv Downing, have not been elected, appointed, anointed or have the birthright to any standing in the governance of Brownsville or Cameron County. There is no mention of a United Brownsville Coordinating Board in the city charter.(Although the UB website lists their address as 1301 E. Madison St. their nonprofit registration with the State of Texas, updated December 13, 2013, uses 1001 E. Elizabeth St., the address of the Brownsville City Commission.)

The funding for United Brownsville embarrassingly comes entirely from 8 taxpayer or ratepayer entities, none of which have the intestinal fortitude to question the $25,000 expenditure for a fake administrative board that only has as much power as given by naive public officials. 8 X $25,000=$200,000. That is United Brownsville's operating budget, but no where near what individual players hope to siphon off from local projects steered their way by the unauthorized, elitist board. The nontransparent, unaccountable board recently used City Finance Director Pete Gonzalez to issue a totally bogus "financial report:"(http://meanmisterbrownsville.blogspot.com/2013/11/guidestar-invalidates-united.html)

Cameron County Court At Law #2 Judge Laura Betancourt Unopposed for Thir...

Attorney Marlene Dougherty Shares Law on Registering Aliens to Vote

By Marlene Dougherty

Attorney Marlene Dougherty

Voter registration cards state in various terms that by signing a person is stating that they are a US Citizen. Pursuant to 18 USC § 911, “Whoever falsely and willfully represents himself to be a citizen of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”

Many politiqueras have registered aliens to vote, perhaps believing that it was lawful, however given section 911 and the signature line of the registration form I don’t see how anyone could think it was lawful. The politiqueras did not consider all aspects of the law while engaging in those acts. The Federal criminal law allows for the vote of an alien in a local election, if certain elements are met, but an alien may not vote in national elections, 18 USC § 611. 

Where the unwary voter runs awry is with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is stricter than the criminal code. Pursuant to 8 USC § 1182 (a)(10)(D)[INA § 212(a)(10)(D)] “Any alien who has voted in violation of any Federal, State, or local constitutional provision, statute, ordinance, or regulation is inadmissible. If the person is already a lawful permanent resident (LPR) they may be placed in removal proceedings and charged with 8 USC § 1227 (a)(6)(A)[INA § 237(a)(6)(A)], which states “Any alien who has voted in violation of any Federal, State, or local constitutional provision, statute, ordinance, or regulation is deportable.” 

Even if a person could somehow wiggle their way around the criminal code, the expense of defending oneself in removal proceedings is no small cost, financially or emotionally. Politiqueras probably already know what they are doing is unlawful; otherwise, they would have no reason not to be forthcoming about their acts. Do not let the vulnerable be exploited. People who immigrate to this country, lawfully, or otherwise may easily fall prey to people with some semblance of authority who offer to help them. The demise should be on the politiqueras, historically it has not been. Here’s hoping for that to change!

El Rrun Rrun Reports Enrique Escobedo Killed by Gunshot Wound

KGBT Action News 4 Photo

Newly Upgraded Portway Acres Park Dedicated After Facelift

Upgrading Portway Acres Park on Austin Road has been on the mind of District 2 Commissioner Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa since block-walking the area in 2011, seeing kids making a game of kicking garbage in the park. The commissioner, working with the Parks Department, City Manager Charlie Cabler and Planning Director Ramiro Gonzalez has orchestrated a dramatic facelift for the playground. An electronically controlled water geyser creates a cooling off area for those hot summer days, while the eastern end of the park has a gated dog run, larger than those in some New York City parks.

The elliptical soft surface track is perfect for walkers, joggers or bike riders. A posted wooden map shows the projected bike trails eventually connecting the park to schools, other parks and even downtown.  Polished concrete picnic tables, decorative concrete trash receptacles and solar lighting throughout are first time amenities to a Brownsville park.

A solid, unpainted heavy iron sign, looking like a Henry Moore Sculpture, with the name "Portway Acres Park" cut out using a high pressure water saw, identifies the park.  The cut out metal letters were not wasted but set into a concrete pathway at the entrance.  

Park Director Chris Patterson and Planning Director Ramiro Gonzalez expect the facelift of historic Washington Park downtown to be completed before Charro Days.  

Brownsville's park system is perhaps one of the few things state-of-the-art in the city.  Oliveira Park with its accomodations to special needs children is like no other in the state.  

Dedication of Portway Acres Park~Planning Director Ramiro Gonzalez, City...

Juan Montoya of "El Rrun Rrun" Organizes Search Party for Democratic Vice-Chairman Carlos Masso

Carlos Masso,
A Victim of Foul Play?

The first 24 hours can be critical in missing person cases.  Leads can grow cold fast.  If the missing individual has necessary, prescribed medications or psychological issues, that adds a certain urgency to the search.  In the case of Carlos Masso, police operatives would likely view him as an adult who simply may not want to be found. In any event, according to blogger Montoya, Masso was last seen with former Cameron County Democratic Chairperson Sylvia Perez-Garza.

If Masso is still with Sylvia, he could be in La Feria or the far reaches of Cameron County working for the Democratic Party.  A commenter to this blog provided this clue when the question of why Sylvia Garza-Perez was missing from party meetings came up:

"What part of very busy do you not understand ? There are a lot democrats all over Cameron County not just in the City of Brownsville . Sylvia makes herself available to all the citizens of the county from La Feria all the way down to her hometown Brownsville and every city and town in between . New Chairwomen Medina and Sylvia get along just fine it's time for all Cameron County Democrats to unite and stand together . ** SGP 4 CC Clerk 2014 **"

So, perhaps we do not understand that being "busy" means Democrat politicos like Masso and Garza-Perez can simply not make the time to attend the monthly party meeting.  That explanation would probably satisfy a pre-schooler or someone who didn't understand the recent history of county party operatives.  Here is a brief excerpt from a previous MMB story:

"Please remember that in a sneaky, unpublicized meeting of the local party September 7, 2013, the installation of Carlos Masso as County Chair was orchestrated. The sequence of events included then Vice-Chair, Doroteo Garcia, husband of Erin H. Garcia, resigning and replaced by Masso, then Chairperson Sylvia-Garza-Perez announcing automatic resignation due to declaring for public office. That series of events opened the door for Masso to be declared County Chair at that meeting."

Sylvia Garza-Perez

But, after Sylvia Garza-Perez was seemingly successful in passing the baton of chairmanship to Masso, Democratic Party rules raised their ugly head, providing for this transition of power to be declared null and void.  The September 7th meeting was declared illegal and in a make-up meeting held October 11th elected Amber Medina Chairman and Masso Vice-Chairman.

Quickly following the election of a new County Chairperson came the Meet and Greet for gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis at the Cameron County Texas Democratic Women headquarters on Boca Chica.  Contrary to Montoya's report, Masso did make the event.  He just did not make it inside the building formerly occupied by Betty's Tortas.  While Amber Medina, William Skaggs and Teresa Saldivar arrived early to arrange and rearrange the 50 folding chairs and do the event's heavy lifting, Masso, still butthurt from not being the county chair, arrived on time, but too late to get into the building as more people showed up for the event than visited Betty's Tortas in a month.

As we exited the event after Ms. Davis speech, we visited with members of B.U.C. and others out front who simply could not get in.  Carlos Masso, dapper in a black sport coat, stood just outside our conversation.  He picked up on our puzzled facial expression upon noticing that he was not part of the action inside and looked down sheepishly.  So, while he may not be a willing participant in the party's resurgence under Medina, at least he's been found and the Amber Alert can be cancelled.

Rock N Roll Hall of Famers~Knights in Satan's Service. . . lol

Taking That Nip Out of the Wintry Air As Jason Hilts Pumps Sunshine into the City of Brownsville

When Nena says she's "freezing," I grab the remote of the electric radiation heater and click the "temp" button until the wires behind the metal grate start to glow orange, kicking on the internal fan.  In only a moment or two, the indoor temperature climbs into the mid-seventies and shivering and teeth-chattering stop.

My neighbors on one side are from Ontario, those on the other side from Saskatchewan, both Canadian provinces where real, not pretend cold prevails.  The "Newfies," Ivan and Carol from Newfoundland-Labrador, normally stay two lots down, but are spending this winter in Merida, Mexico.  These deserving ones, having spent their adult lives scraping the ice off their windshields, then driving to work with hands frozen to the steering wheel for at least a dozen miles before their heaters/defrosters kicked in, have earned the adjective "Winter' attached to their temporary "Texan." Still, the reality of a mild Brownsville cold spell has to be dealt with straight-forwardly.

"No, Don, I don't think you can get a refund for December.  A cold spell like we've endured the last two weeks is considered 'an act of God,' " I explained.  For the umpteenth time, I offered my Miami/Brownsville comparison:  "Yes, we have nearly an identical latitude to Miami(actually Brownsville is 25.93 L, Miami is 25.79) and an almost identical annual mean temperature, but we are hotter in the summer and colder in the winter, so the yearly average is deceiving."  Of course, the real numbers sending thousands of Canadians and U.S. midwestern retirees to the RGV are in the cost of living, Miami is twice as expensive as South Texas for a winter stay.

Sunshine is pumped on a monthly basis by Jason Hilts, Director/CEO of the Brownsville Economic Development Council, the most loquacious player at GBIC meetings. Hilts routinely rattles off companies seriously considering Brownsville, and throws out numbers impressive enough to make the most cynical Brownsville unbeliever want to go out and get baptized with GBIC holy water.   Here is our May 24, 2013 observation on Hilts: 
"When Administrator Jason Hilts appears before the GBIC board, his mission is two-fold; tantalize the board with their favorite buzzwords indicating economic growth, increased revenue AND reassure the members that his tireless efforts on the city's behalf justify his six figure income and lavish travel. Hilts is a salesman and those in sales are always aware of the need to "sell themselves."

One company will provide "300 jobs immediately" but eventually need 600 full-time employees. Another firm will add "1300 jobs over 8 years." "100 machinists at $20,00 per hour" has a nice ring in this impoverished community. While the company's name may be somewhat obscure, we all learn the particulars, however overstated. Just to illustrate, think SpaceX. Even young Debbie Portillo is repeating the line "1000 jobs at a minimum of $55,000" although Elon Musk says nothing close to that in official company projections."

Jason Hilts

Of course, there is the Finnish Foundry(Hilts pronounces the word as "foundary") considering Brownsville to turn scrap into steel at the Port of Brownsville and send it to Monterrey, making Brownsville the "Pittsburgh of South Texas."  Actually, there is already a "Pittsburgh of Mexico;" Monclova, Coahuila, a city we chose not to enter 15 years ago as it seemed covered in a black cloud of pollution.

Perhaps, Hilts is on target and Brownsville will enter the steel industry two centuries late, but, then if Hilts spoke the truth, every Brownsville resident would have 3 jobs paying $15 or $20 dollars per hour.

Two City of Brownsville Boards Receive $8 Million in Tax Dollars During Fiscal 2013

From the editor:  Mr. Tom Malone, a supervisor in the Tax Allocation Section of the Texas Comptroller's Office has responded to our request concerning 4A and 4B tax money dispersal for the City of Brownsville.  As you know the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation each get 1/4 cent of tax revenue generated in the City of Brownsville.  The amount they split during fiscal 2013(10/12 to 9/13) was $8,352,466.47, each entity receiving $4,176,233.24.

Jason Hilts, GBIC

Dr. Rose Gowen,
Chairperson, BCIC

The BCIC, chaired by Dr. Rose Gowen, received $4,176,233,24 to spend on "quality of life" issues, like bike trails, management of the sports park, etc.

The GBIC, whose prime mover is Brownsville Economic Development Director, Jason Hilts received $4,176,233.24 during fiscal 2013 to be used to attract new business to the city.