PUB, Desal, and the Rolled Up Newspaper

After writing the title, I am almost at a loss for what else to say. They have got to know by now what I have already written on the subject, yet "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!" really needs to get stenciled across the water towers.

There have been no significant engineering changes since I first wrote about it.

Do they think that Rick Perry will come running with fists full of cash because he wants to buy the Valley vote from Kay Baily? Having dreams is one thing, but living your delusions is yet another.

The only thing I can possibly believe is that they think the public is too stupid to understand what I have been saying. Learn from your bedtime stories; it took only one small boy to notice the Emperor was naked, and I am a lot older with a lot more experience in spotting naked Emperors.

"Of course I know. It is my business to know." -The Merovingian

A little late for April 1st, sadly

Phantom project highlighted in city bond rating
Housing permits boosted by commercial projects
BY EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

While the city continues to experience a slump in new housing construction, it stands to benefit in taxable gains from a 20,000-unit residential development set to break ground, according to a bond rating report released March 28.
However, city officials explained that no such development has been planned.
“A large 20,000-unit residential development is poised to break ground in West Brownsville providing large taxable gains over its projected five-year buildout period,” according to Fitch Inc., a bond-rating firm.


Well, someone in the city is lying again! Oh, there will be backpeddling, "clairifications", what-have-you but the fact remains that like the Grinch in the story, "He thought up a lie and he thought it up quick.", flashes across the forefront of my mind.

Why didn't they just say, "City is breaking ground on a 2.5 Billion dollar residential development."? Because there is no sane person that would believe that.

How about,"City expects an extra 300 residential building permits per month for the next 5 years straight."? Because that is patently silly, too. Our most killer single month ever for housing starts was in 2006 with 119.

Who are we going to put in all these houses? How much phantom commercial development will be needed to support all this phantom residential expansion? Maybe we could then actually get that phantom Macy's to put in next to the Sports Park (you saw that comming, didn't you?)

Is there someone in our city standing in a corn field hearing an airy voice out of
nowhere saying, "If you hype it, they will come."?

If our financial picture regarding bond ratings is so great, why this? Why risk the city looking like a used car salesman in a plaid jacket with a striped tie? Let us never forget the perenial question,"Who stands to gain?".

Someone made up a whole bunch of supporting doo-doo for this "mistatement" of a "development" that isn't there.

"Of course I know. It is my business to know." -The Merovingian

Development surrounding the Sports Park

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how many things seem to be bundled with, or adjunct to the Sports Park? When politicos play their little shell games with millions of our dollars, they are always looking for another shell to hide the pea under. Lately, the Sport Park is taking on the look of one of those shells. By the time it is fininshed, we will have no idea exactly how much money was directly spent on the building and how much was used in other areas that on their own, have nothing to do with the Sports Park.

Distractions, like "Annex the Port", which are part and parcel of the shell game may have worked in the past, but there is a whole new generation of investigators out there whose work is not edited for column inches. These investigators are not hampered by layers of editoral oversight and deadlines. This new generation can take off on a whim and look at something in detail, because it is curious and strange without concern that something else is not being covered. These investigators are you and I and our medium of exposition is the Internet.

I've always maintained that if it could smell, it already does. The shell game the City is playing with Sports Park related (at least in their minds) expenditures and obligations could smell, ergo.......


"Of course I know. It is my business to know." -The Merovingian

Making a difference, one sign at a time.

In a previous posting, there was a large campaign sign from a long ago election. It has since been removed, as you can see.

Maybe all we need to do is send the Code Enforcement people out with a cheap digital camera and just post it all up on a website?

Somehow, I just don't feel that would do it.

"Of course I know. It is my business to know." -The Merovingian

Identity Crisis at WalMart

Oh no! What do I do now? I thought we had this all worked out and then BAM! I turned down an aisle at WalMart and saw two sections of food: A single section marked Hispanic Food and a double section marked Latino Food.

Are they saying that "People prefer Latino, two to one!", like a commercial for toothpaste? Was there a convention where there was a party split, and nobody told me? I am asking a lot of questions, because the wierdness of what I was seeing hit me like a ton of bricks. I found myself wondering how long some people sat around at corporate headquarters discussing this, and exactly what were they discussing that made this Twilight Zone shelf labeling become reality. Are there indeed certain foods that should be avoided if you consider youself Latino, and conversely Hispanic? Are the shelf stock contents determined by two different departments? Did absolutely no one point out the incredible oddness of this, somewhere along the way?

Trying to get my mind around this whole thing is like figuring out a wrestling takedown hold on a six foot ball of jello.

Pssst...El Rocinante is back up

Like the sign says....

Should We Simply Sell UTB/TSC ?

I heard the idea today. Offer The whole kit and caboodle to a university system that would agree to:

1) Assume the existing debts.
2) Quickly wean off property taxes
3) Immediately establish a School of Law
4) Kick in $50 Million

Admittedly, I gave it no serious thought as of yet, but I would like some viewpoints to work from.

More interesting mail....

I wasn't sure if I was to include the sender's name, so I erred on the side of anonymity. If attribution is desired, I will correct that.

You may be aware that UTB is expecting a visit from SACS in a couple of weeks. SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. They will be auditing UTB to determine if UTB should stay an accredited institution of "higher education".

Needless to say, the powers that be are scrambling at UTB to cover the traces of their incompetence.

They seem to be succeeding in some areas. However, how are they going to cover the fact that they have not been keeping minutes of the meetings (except for the last couple of months when they started the cover up) of the Provost Council, Deans Council, Business Affairs Division director's weekly meetings, or the Executive Council meetings (can we all say "Juliet Garcia"?), to name a few, for YEARS, as is required by law? No minutes? Then no one can be held responsible for the stupidity and waste of funds that is rampant on campus and no records of the decisions made.

There will be more to come if you want more items. All of this is easy to check via open records requests. Request some, and watch Rosemary Martinez and J.V.G. start scrambling!

Hope you check your email. I'd put it on your blog, but don't know how.

Just thought that "it is your business to know"

Law day

My name is Briana Bassler and I'm working with a group of local lawyers, including my boss Judge Felix Recio, to organize a big Community-Wide event for Law Day on May 1, 2008. The City of Brownsville has agreed to cosponsor along with the Cameron County Bar Association and they have provided us with use of the Events Center. We have no budget, as it's an all volunteer group just trying to do some good for Brownsville people, and so we really depend on word of mouth and any free press we can get to publicize the event. The organization is called Community Law School, and we hosted a session on Elder Law last week at the Brownsville Public Library that we're repeating this month in Harlingen. We're hoping for monthly informational events on different legal issues people here commonly face. The May 1 event is focusing on Immigration Law and Individual Rights in Criminal Law, and we've got some great lawyers who've volunteered to speak.

I'd appreciate any mention of the event on your blog. I know a lot of Brownsvillians read the local blogs, and I figured I'd try to use that medium to spread the word. I'm attaching the press release I sent out to mainstream media for your information. Thanks for any help!

Sincerely,


Briana J. Bassler
Law Clerk to the Honorable Felix Recio
United States Courthouse
600 E. Harrison St., #203
Brownsville, Texas 78520
TEL: (956) 548-2701
FAX: (956) 548-2630

I goofed and forgot to include the attachment

For Immediate Release
For more information,
contact Briana Bassler
956-548- 2701

Second-Annual Community Law School Law Day Event Set for May 1
Local lawyers to give free legal talks to Brownsville residents

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Law Day, the Community Law School will host a community-wide learning event at 6 p.m. on May 1, 2008 at the Brownsville Events Center. The goal of the event is to provide Brownsville residents with free legal information on two important legal topics.
The Law Day installment of Community Law School will focus on Immigration Law and Individual Rights in Criminal Law. The presentations on the two topics will be followed by a question-and-answer session from a panel of moderators.
Law Day is a historic occasion that began fifty years ago when President Eisenhower proclaimed “a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law.” The inspiration for this first-ever Law Day was directly related to the Cold War and aimed to contrast the United States’ reliance on the rule of law with the Soviet Union’s rule by force. Yet Community Law School believes that now more than ever our community continues to have a deep interest in a government based on fair, publicized, broadly understood and stable laws and a strong and accessible legal process.
Community Law School is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting these same principles, and has partnered with the Cameron County Bar Association and the City of Brownsville to celebrate Law Day 2008. Community Law School’s mission extends beyond Law Day to year-round monthly educational events for the community. The organization has already hosted events in March and April covering elder law in 2008. Plans for events in June and July are underway.
Community Law School believes that an informed citizenry results in more efficient and accountable government and business communities. Cameron County residents are invited to participate and learn about two areas of law that commonly affect the lives of many in the community.
The schedule for the May 1 event is listed below:

5:30 – 6:00 Registration
6:00 – 6:15 Welcome and Introduction
6:15 – 7:00 Criminal Law and Individual Rights
7:00 – 7:45 Immigration Law
7:45 – 8:15 Questions from Panel

Regarding the April Fools Posts

I do hope everyone had a good time. It was a bit surprising that I was the only one doing it, but there is always next year. If anybody out here felt slighted or disappointed that they were not included in the jest, reply here or pop me an email. I'll do a custom piece, just for you and post it. Presidential candidates are not excluded from this offer, so if any of 'yall running want people to see (or think, in some cases)that you have a lighter side, request it! I will perform the task with due diligence. Other than that, all you folks that seem to feel that either the public owes you a living and/or allegence, just keep doing what you're doing. I might not wait till April 1st rolls around again.

"Of course I know. It is my business to know." -The Merovingian

I get interesting mail

Canada & America
Needs A Leader Like This

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law
were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia ,
as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head
off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims
on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies
monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.
Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying
about whether we are offending some individual or their
culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have
experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority
of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries
of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men
and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese,
Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.
Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society .
Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some
Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because
Christian men and women, on Christian principles,
founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.
It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls
of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you
consider another part of the world as your new home,
because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why.
All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony
and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE,
and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.
But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping
about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our
Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one
other great Australian freedom,


'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'


'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force
you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the
country YOU accepted.'


Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves,
American and Canadian citizens will find the
backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

Port Stolen !!!

In a bold noontime robbery, the entire Port of Brownsville was stolen today. There were no witnesses to the daring event. Workers returning from lunch were stunned to find their places of employement gone. Catching up with Port of Brownsville employees in what used to be the parking lot, we received this reaction: "Where are we supposed to clock in? They took everything! Even the office supplies, and I still have kids in school!" The Port Commissioners who could be reached for comment demanded an immediate investigation. Also gone in the heist was Amfels, a major employer in the area. Representatives of the company were milling about on Highway 48 had this to say,"有正式版的吗？最好有一个正式版的。" George Gavito, the self-styled Supreme Jefe of All Things Security could not be found for comment. Cameron County Sherrif Omar Lucio complained that he does not have the resources to properly investigate the theft. A cursory search of the offices of local politicians yielded no leads."It is long gone to Mexico by now, like everything else.", commented a waiting truck driver.The search continues.

City Beat

By GARY LONG/The Brownsville Herald

It was learned today that Bill Young of the City of Brownsville is under consideration for a Pulitzer Prize for his voluminous press releases from the City. He could not be found for comment. In further city news, Larry Brown.

Public Works received word today that there is actually a street in Brownsville that is not in need of immediate maintenance. When shown photos of the street, Director of Public Works Director, Santana Torres had this to say, “This is the first time I’ve seen this, of course we will send out a crew right away.” He took the opportunity to discuss his department’s needs during the coming year. “Something came up at the Sports Park, where we need to pave an unplanned extension to get to the dumpsters.” When asked what this would cost, he replied, “We are asking the commission to add another $4.2 million to the bond issue to cover the cost of the 20 foot extension.”

Are we ready for a new bridge? Plans are underway for a new bridge that connects the three existing bridges together at their centers. Denise Blanchard, Chief of Staff for Solomon Ortiz said, “Similar expenditures in Corpus Christi have proved successful.”

The City Engineering Department is looking for a new mascot. There is presently serious negotiation for the right to use the South Park character, Towlie and his signature line “I don’t know what is going on. Wanna get high? The public comment period runs through June 12th.

The Finance Department is running out of checks. “This could bring things to a standstill.”, remarked a clerk in that office. City Manager, Charlie Cabler has been aware of the growing problem. “We plan to fix this problem by having a study done by Ambiotec.” When asked how Ambiotec was chosen, Cabler replied, “Their name came up at a luncheon sponsored by Gilberto Hinojosa and Eddie Treviño.” The process is expected to take about two years.

Brownsville police arrested a man today for fondling a barely underage girl and giving her beer, bought on a stolen credit card. When questioned about his activities, he explained that he was simply “Paying his dues.”, as he has plans to soon run for public office.

Midday News

By Kevin Sieff/The Brownsville Herald

In a move that surprised the world of science, our own City Commissioner, Carlos Cisneros, has received a nomination for a Nobel Prize in Physics. He was recognized for his ground-breaking work in the area of “Localized Exception to the Pauli exclusion principle” in layman’s terms his work proves that under special circumstances, an object can be in two places at the same time. Video tape evidence of the event, along with written supporting documentation provided by County Commissioner John Wood were submitted to the Nobel Prize Committee by an anonymous source.

Negotiations continue today between Homeland Security and Dr. Juliette Garcia and her TSC board over border wall issues. Dr. Garcia, supported by a resolution co-authored by board chairman Chester Gonzalez and secretary Eduardo Campirano, is expected to offer a working compromise in which Homeland Security will be allowed to build a wall around Joe Lee Rubio.

At today’s City Commission meeting, Commissioner Anthony P. Troiani motioned for a resolution recognizing Ann Arbor Day and offered arguments for its immediate adoption. When The Mayor asked if there was any further discussion, Commissioner Troiani asked to be recognised and offered compelling arguments against the proposal. The item failed 4-3 with Troiani casting the deciding vote. “I feel good about it and stand by my decision to waste no more of the people’s time when we have important issues to discuss.”, said Troiani.

Later in the meeting, Commissioner Ricardo Longoria submitted for first reading, an ordinance titled “Establishing Specifications for Tacos” This landmark ordinance, if passed will secure the Commissioners place in history, among the company of great statesman like Patrick Henry, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln. “It is what the people voted me here to do, and it was a long time coming”, said a teary eyed Longoria after the motion passed 5-1 with THE MAYOR abstaining.

In the final order of business, Commissioner Charlie Atkinson started a dialog about encouraging local fast-food restaurants to sell beer at the drive through window. “It would sure save a lot of time”, Atkinson said often during the discussion. No action was taken.

During the unusually smooth Commission meeting, THE MAYOR had a speaking mouth dog aid him during the meeting, as he was afflicted with laryngitis and could barely whisper. When asked if the condition were serious, Toby the dog “Arf!’ed” twice and waged his tail. Our thoughts and prayers are with THE MAYOR at this time.

Newsday Wrapup

José Borjón/ The Brownsville Herald
Brownsville,Texas - Today, James Dannenbaum resigned in shame as trustee for the University of Texas System when the proverbial camel collapsed.”It was just one chinga-chinga road project too many”, reported an engineer from his office. Replacing Dannenbaum on the UT System board will be Raul Besteiro, a very popular figure from Brownsville. “This posthumous recognition of Mr. B’s devotion to The University of Texas is long overdue. I believe that his popularity will really pull the system together. He will be a tremendous asset.”, the governor said at a press conference announcing his decision. At the same time Governor Perry unveiled a new policy of appointing dead people to boards over which he has authority whenever possible. “The dead are an overlooked asset to the people of the State and can do more to help their communities than simply voting once or twice a year.” Later, in explaining his position to a receptive Austin press corps, “Dead people are rarely involved in new scandals, so by appointing more dead people, we are working to clean up the image of government. I hope to be able to appoint Paul Burka very, very soon” When asked about their reaction, an aide that preferred not to be named said, “The Governor’s position is simply a logical extension of the popular practice of appointing or electing a surviving spouse, regardless of their qualifications.” The offices of Brownsville’s state representatives were contacted for their reaction to the Governor’s latest initiative. Paul Cowen from Sen. Eddie Lucio’s office had this response. “Of course the Senator backs anything that the Governor wants, or any other Republican, for that matter.” When asked about the effect this policy will have on the people of Brownsville, he responded, “With all the advantages, I’ll bet that sometimes the Senator wishes he were dead, too.” Tony Gray fielded the questions for State Representative Rene Oliveira, ”Rene has always been a man of the people, and this move by the Governor will be great for TXU” He (Gray) explained that Mr. Oliveira had “just sat down to lunch a couple of hours ago and would not be available for some time”.

In news related to Dannenbaum’s resignation, Louis Jones turned himself in to the D.A’s office, confessing to his part in the disappearance of the bond money at the Port of Brownsville. “I figured that I could cut a better deal this way. If they (the D.A’s office) did as much as look at the way my name was everywhere, all over this thing, I could have faced some serious trouble.” In a routine plea arrangement, Jones will be given 60 days to travel to foreign countries in an attempt to recover the funds.

There are big shakeups on the horizon at BISD. In what was thought to be a routine report from a high dollar consulting firm, the board learned in a presentation what the word “nepotism” really meant. A long time member of the board was heard saying,” I am shocked! All this time I thought it was some kind of unpleasant social disease, like herpes.” He went on to further say, “I thought all those questions about family were like the ones at the doctor’s office about diabetes and heart trouble. How is anybody going to work at BISD, now?” At the same meeting, the board heard testimony that BISD is a dropout factory. In response to this, the board voted unanimously to hire a team of production engineers and started a new magnet program. “With these new engineers, we should be able to double, or possibly triple production!” In response to the news that a new factory was coming to town, BEDC pledged millions of dollars to the project and an agreement that “long term utilities would be at a low, fixed rate and there would be no impact fees from PUB.” Payroll matching funds were part of the package for every new person hired to work at the factory. BEDC will acquire the property, an estimated 232 acres located next to the Sports Park that is under construction. When asked about the potential conflict with City plans to acquire that same property, Jason Hilts said, “It is a free country and competition is good for the economy. The property should go to whoever is willing to pay the most for it.”

Also, it was discovered today that Brownsville Herald Reporter Emma Perez-Treviño is resigning and moving back to Eagle Pass to pursue her life-long ambition of cooking for the Kickapoo Indian Tribe. We wish her well. Herald editor Rachel Benavidez let us know that a replacement writer had already been selected, and that writer is Dr. Jerry McHale-Sculley. “We want to promise our readers that we will maintain the same style and quality of unbiased reporting that has come to be expected from us. We at the Herald have every confidence that Jerry provides that quality.”

A developing story at PUB is the consultant’s report on impact fees that clearly shows that the amounts being charged are insufficient to justify the expense of collecting and recording these fees. The staff recommendation was that a new administrative office be created to oversee cutting expenses in this area by aggressively investigating and stopping the collection of any of these fees by any department at PUB. “We always strive to provide the best service at the lowest possible price to the citizens of Brownsville”, said John Brusiak, CEO of this latest cost saving measure. The department will also require a support staff of five or six, in order to handle the workload. Human resources recommended that affirmative action compliance clearly calls for more employment of women and presented a PowerPoint showing the optimal age for applicants for these positions to be women between the ages of 18 and 32. “It is our hope that this department will be a training ground for new talent that will transfer to other departments with the experience needed by the time they are 33.”