Yes, we have quorum. No, we don't have quorum. Do we have quorum? Yes, you have quorum, and no, you don't have quorum? But do we have quorum, or don't we? You did have quorum, but now you don't. But we do have quorum now, right? Ok, you have quorum.

So which is it, and if it was unclear, why continue the meeting?

Yes, "ladies and gentlemen," these are political games. The chess pieces are the taxpayers of Brownsville.
Melissa Zamora | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 7:45 pm | #

A few more observations:

-Mayor Ahumada kept trying to make motions on items not listed on the agenda, but Dr. Z was quick to bring that to the mayor's attention. Regardless, the mayor was persistent and said his motion "died for a lack of a second." The motion should not have been made to begin with if it didn't pertain to an agenda item. Dr. Z's frustration was very apparent.

-On the agenda item pertaining to "meter tampering." Cris Valadez should have recused himself from the discussion due to conflict of interest.

-Who's the chairman? Mayor Ahumada or Robert Sanchez? (Yes, I know it's Robert, but it sure didn't seem that way)

-Mayor Ahumada said they're pushing a desal plant, and that they'd require the approval/support of the governor. I find it interesting that a huge contributor to the Governor Perry's campaign is Dannenbaum Engineering Corp. DEC works desal projects.
Melissa Zamora | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 8:19 pm | #

We aren't the chess pieces, we are the people paying for the board, and the refreshments. the beer and cigars.. the chess pieces are the pub employees. we just pay for everything.
nacho guaracho | 10.22.07 - 9:29 pm | #

I understand that 'recess' and 'adjournment' are two different things, but if they said that they were going to recess 'til the following day and some, if not all, of the visiting public left thinking there would be no meeting, wouldn't starting the meeting 30 min later violate, at least, the spirit of the Open Meetings Act. Public notice of time and date is given, the public shows up, board chair announces publicly there will be no meeting until the following day, the public (who may or may not have participated in public comments) leaves, and the meeting is held 30 mins later. Even if they had rescheduled the meeting, wouldn't they have to do it at a date that allows for notice and not just the following day?

It seems to me that even after Manny Vesquez joins the board, there were enough irregularities during this meeting for Villarreal, Guerra, and Vasquez to seek to legally void any action taken.

At least Sanchez didn't do something as grossly inappropriate as standing up to proclaim he had a thousand dollars cash in his pocket ready to set an example and pay for his BPUB-issued cell phone, and freak out even Mayor Ahumada. Oh, wait, he did that in the previous meeting.
Patricia A. | 10.23.07 - 2:42 pm | #

I know Robert Sanchez and I cannot believe that he would allow Ahumada to run rough shot over these meetings. Mr. Sanchez I'm surprised with you and amazed that you would allow the "Honorable" mayor to treat you the way he does with such disrespect. QUE PASO???!!!
thezipper | 10.23.07 - 4:25 pm | #

"I know Robert Sanchez and I cannot believe that he would allow Ahumada to run rough shot (sic) over these meetings."

You don't know Robert Sanchez, then.

Chris Davis | Homepage | 10.23.07 - 4:30 pm | #

I stand corrected.
thezipper | 10.23.07 - 7:51 pm | #

So when does Chris Valadez term of office expire anyway? I thought he was appointed on October 7th and that Vasquez was both appointed and sworn in at the time of the October 18th, Meeting. Sounds to me like if they are wrong about this, they didnt have a quorum, because there were only three legit commissioners after Villareal and Guerra walked out. Sounds to me like we have an illegal meeting after all.
Vick | 10.23.07 - 9:58 pm | #

The real question is "who is this St. Francis of Uh-Sicily?" The saint who was chosen to take care of the dogs and cats?
nacho guaracho | 10.23.07 - 11:35 pm | #

YO! Patricia A. was right.
Remember the game of "Simon Says?"

The Chairman called a recess until tomorrow, then banged the hammer.

Anything done after that point was simply noise. Let us add, did the board meet the next day? No.
The Merovingian | Homepage | 10.26.07 - 11:00 am | #

Thats right the meeting was recessed until the following day. That means the public was tricked into not showing up at the meeting which occurred 30 minutes later when Valadez showed up. It sounds to me like that there are violations of the TOMA all over the place. Sounds like they have some huge problems here.
Vick | 10.27.07 - 12:15 pm | #

I left BPUB a while back. But if I hadn't left BPUB then, I would have left right after this meeting out of shame of the Mayor, the Capt, the Dr., and the Waterboy.

Again, Robert Sanchez=Buffoon

Really. "Uh-Sicily?"

Also, the Capt doesn't need to toot his own horn about the trees he's planted. He has $1000 cash lying around to pay for a cell phone. Not all citizens have that kind of spending money for trees. If he shows up in a sling next time, we'll know he threw out his shoulder patting himself on the back.

It's laughable that the Capt publically reprimanded Bruciak for not informing the Board about the meter tampering scandal. If the board members are going to tamper with their meters, let them inform each other.

As for the Waterboy not having his picture on the wall, maybe they can put up a poster, with his picture, that says, "Wanted, for theft of electric services." Also, didn't the Waterboy's wife sign the police report? Didn't she tell him about it? Will the capt please verbally reprimand the PD for not telling the Board?

The embarrassment. Glad I don't work there anymore.
Former BPUB employee | 10.27.07 - 1:28 pm | #

I can't believe that Mr. Robert Sanchez is just a puppet for Mayor Ahumada. This guys would say they were good. Look at Valadez and his actions. Look at Zavalettas intentions. All BAD!!!! Camarillo,Cisneros, Longoria and Trioni are fighting for the people and what is right. We will Keep them forever. I was an Ahumada supporter, what a mistake, but My family and I will vote the right way this time. Cisneros and Trioni!!!!
Anonymous | 11.02.07 - 12:42 am | #