|
Cafe Brownsville |
|
Come on Chris |
|
Shouldn't real estate items be discussed in executive session? I cannot comprehend why the City Commission would discuss the potential purchase of property in public. Although Commissioner Atkinson should have known better as BCIC chairman, the items were placed on the agenda for discussion and action for everyone to elaborate on. |
|
They did discuss it in executive session but they had to vote on it in public which resulted in PUBLIC oppossition by some citizens who spoke against it. With all the debt that is being incurred for the Sports Park, the Commission felt they had to justify the loan and the purchase to the citizens. They made their case--perhaps a bit too enthusiastically-- to reassure us that the money was not going down the drain, that it was good investment. If they had succeeded in purchasing it and then something went wrong, we would be complaining that there is no transperancy and that they use executive sesssion to cut deals. We can't have it both ways. |
|
What's the deal here, folks? Let's have some constructive dialog on this. |
|
I definitely understand the need for transparency, which is why items discussed in executive session are voted on in public. However, the process shouldn't allow for open discussion where there's potential for executive session discussion to be leaked. |
|
"They did discuss it in executive session..." |
|
PAtricia is right. There were commissioners who had concerns about the purchase of this land. The Herald blasted it in the paper. Ruiz went up there along with Barrera to blast it. Troiani and Garza questioned it so I thought if I didn't reassure the public, the commission would of voted not to offer the loan to BCIC. The commission didn't meet in executive regarding this land because the city wasn't purchasing it. BCIC met in executive to discuss the buying of this land. We approved it there and bought it there. THe city was just approving the 3.2 million dollar loan. If they would have not approved it, we would of still bought it. We just wanted the low rate of the bonds that the city has. Real estate is discussed in executive but the city wasnt buying this land, BCIC was. Comm. Troiani didnt feel right purchasing this land so he was not in favor of it and went public with his feelings and that it is right. It was also my right to defend the purchase of this land. He voted against it on BCIC and voted against giving the loan on the commission side. It is hard to do business when so many people fight any investments that is good for the city. No matter what people say, I will still do what I feel is right to enhance the economic development of this city. Other land will become available. One one deal doesn't go through, three more show up so Im not worried that we can be at the table with another piece of land. |
|
"We approved it there and bought it there." |
|
A special dedication to Commissioner Atkinson. |
|
Delina Barrera, our director, advised us that earnest money was put down on the land. She said the owner agreed to sell. We had a contract signed but the owner had up to 72 hours after the selling of this land to come back and refuse the deal and the owner did just that. We got the o.k. the Monday morning of our BCIC meeting where we approved it. The next day on Tuesday we asked the city for the loan. The next day after that the owner declined selling us the property. The pros to this is that we didn't borrow the money and we didn't have to inherit debt. The owner of the property wants to research his possibilities and has every right to do it. His opportunity might pass him by and he will lose out. Any other individual who buys this land will have to fork out millions to open up old Alice Rd. because it is a dead end and unless they work incentives like the city, they won't be able to open that street up. It is raw land that only benefits the city. And by the way, the city owns land up north of hwy 77 that I just found out that we can develop. No matter how many strikes I get, I wont give up trying to spark development. Get your popcorn ready because the city is working on other deals that will put us on the map. And by the way, if you look at the meeting again Cris, our financial advisor spoke of the possible retail companies before I did. I dont mind you slamming me but get it right. Your obcession with me is freaking me out. Do you need a hug or something? |
|
By the way Chris, what did we lose? No taxpayer money was lost. We got our earnest money back. One of these days you'll realize that I would never put personal interest in front of the people's interest. I did it as a union leader and I do it now. I'm not like your friends Eddie or Ernie. They cheated the citizens by using their elected positions to financially benefit themselves. They should of been servants instead of serving themselves. Your hatred for me is real, and my friends and I have said some ugly comments to you as well but you started it. I guess you can figure that I wont let down either if you keep attacking me. The ball is in your court. Its your move next. |
|
Does El Pendejete have anyone help with his thought process before he writes or speaks publically? I agree with CD here. If any land was bought, where's the contract? And if any new land does become available, will GTC open his mouth prematurely again? |
|
Commissioner, |
|
What backlash Melissa? The few that subcribe to this webpage do not speak for the citizens of Brownsville. I explained to you over the phone what exactly happened. Please dont try to keep this issue going when I spent time with you to give you the insight on what happened. If you didn't understand my view then I will explain it to you again but jesus, I thought you were smarter than that. |
|
Commissioner, |
|
DAMN!!!! Don't play with Melissa Mr. Atkinson. She don't play. |
|
"Please, Commissioner, do not play coy with me." |
Commenting by HaloScan |
