Sally Arroyo for Mayor --- Sally is the strongest candidate by far and will win hands down. No question

She is one of the few trustworthy people on the entire Commission.

At-Large - Anthony Troiani will dominate the competition as long as he gets out there, De Leon and William Garza are already dead in the water.
Sandra Garcia... who?
Senorita | 02.01.07 - 4:07 pm | #

Finally!!!!!! It’s about time Davis!!!

Wow where to start. First of all why do so many people want to be a part of the circus that was the city commission this year?

District 1
Mr. Longoria;
I like the man. He seems intelligent and takes things very seriously. He’s approachable but has been “partisan” on some issues that seemed like no brainers to me. The only thing that bothers me about Mr. Longoria is the appearance of a alliance with Mr. Atkinson.

District 2
Mr. Atkinson…someone please… Please… PLEASE run against this loose cannon. He is and always will be nothing but trouble. He never seems to know what the hell is going on and argues as if his next meal depended on it. Didn’t he get arrested for eating to many WhataBurgers? Sydney disregard this plea for candidates.

Mayor
Ernie Hernandez
The man likes to get right up against that line for some reason. But, he has never done anything “wrong” that’s a fact. If he had his very loud detractors would have made him pay for it long ago. I have met and seen Mr. Hernandez in action on several occasions. The man is always well prepared and passionate about city affairs. In my opinion he would be the best Mayor this city has seen in several years.

Sally Arroyo (rumored)
What the $%*& is she thinking???? I just don’t get this at all. This must be just a rumor. Everyone and their mom is lining up to run against her and she wants to run for mayor? Does she even live here? Has she ever seen herself try to run a meeting on TV? Sally, save your money and buy season tickets to watch the Spurs or something. I know you can’t be sure about a rumor but what was your source on this one Davis?

Henry Gonzalez
Come on man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert Sanchez (rumored)
I know some of you won’t like this……but I really hope he decides to run.

At Large A
Ernesto De Leon
Come on Man!!!!!!! I’ve met him 100 times, I’ve had lunch with the man and had what I thought was an in depth conversation about old time politics, yet every time I see him he introduces himself to me!!!! Hang it up my friend.

William Garza
Wasn’t he arrested for running around naked? Let’s give him credit for producing one hell of an athlete but having Wannis money doesn’t a candidate make. I think he would do the community more good on the sidelines helping bring a sports arena to Brownsville.

Anthony Troioni (rumored)
Don’t know so much about him but I do know he’s another attorney and I think he’s looking for an entry into the world of politics for an eventual judgeship. That didn’t work out so well for Mayor Trevino. I will hold out on an opinion about this one until I know more about him. To be continued.

Sandra Garcia (rumored)
Hmm. This one is very interesting. Attractive, intelligent professional. HOWEVER….she is rumored to be a part of that insurgent faction that is very dangerous to this community. I can’t help or endorse anyone with ties to that group.


At Large B
Roy de los Santos Jr.
I have only seen Mr. de los Santos in action once on TV when he went before the city commission recently. He comes from a good family and his father has done a respectable job on the water port board. I respect the fact that the elder didn’t allow peter to run rough shot for very long. I look forward to seeing what this de los Santos can do.

Leo Garza
Sorry don’t know the man so I will reserve my opinion for a little while.

Any way you slice it, this election will be lots of fun.
Another stupid voiter | 02.01.07 - 7:29 pm | #

I will start with Longoria. I think he is a good commissioner. For the most part he is prepared for the issues and he really cares about the people. I don't always agree with him but he votes his what's on his mind. I don't like his association to Atkinson but....

Atkinson....well.... I know it's been less than a year but I think it's time for a change.

On the mayors race.... I think it comes down to Hernandez and Arroyo. I know Hernandez is running because he really wants to be mayor and he cares about this city. Arroyo is running because she is being coerced into running by several individuals. You have to be running for the right reasons to be successful at this position. I think Arroyo should think about that.

On the At-Large A spot I feel it comes down to Garza and Troiani. It should be a close one.

At Large B... I don't know....
Voter | 02.02.07 - 8:56 am | #

Anyone else surprised to see the lack of opponents (so far) for the two Single-Member Districts that are up this May?

Hard to believe no one else has yet stepped up in District 2, especially since last year's race at that spot generated a paltry 1,250 votes. Opportunity is ripe for the picking there, IMHO.
Chris | Homepage | 02.02.07 - 11:03 am | #

What does senorita mean by "She (Sally) is one of the few trustworthy people on the entire Commission."? Is she insinuating that most of the rest of the commission are not trustworthy?

Obviously Longoria and Atkinson will slide right in considering no one wants to jump in to those races.

It seems that Robert Sanchez has moved out of the way for Ahumada to run against Ernie for the mayor’s spot. Henry Gonzalez???? Please!!!!!

Everyone in the know will vote for the most qualified candidate. Of all those that have either announced or are rumored to be interested, Ernie Hernandez is by far the best candidate. Everyone knows he is the one that gets things done on that commission. Like him or not, if you want the city to move forward and prosper, Ernie Hernandez is the way to go.

For the at large A spot…..who knows? I’ll weigh in on that one later when I get to know some of these new guys. Dos anyone have any real info on these people?

At large B … I would have to give the nod to De Lo Santos just based on name recognition. I like what his father has done out at the port.
Papa Pitufo | 02.02.07 - 6:48 pm | #

Oh Papa I'm ashamed for you.

What a short memory! Hernandez gets anything done?? LOL

Just look at the impact fee fiasco from a few months ago. Developers make a hefty profit by selling their properties. Building them, however, is expensive. Wouldn't it be nice if developers used large campaign contributions and other "incentives" to persuade certain individuals on the Commission make EVERYONE ELSE pay for their business expense, by raising PUB rates for all of us, while they reap the profits?

When the Commission voted (the first time), Richard Longoria, Sally Arroyo, Edward Camarillo and Eddie Trevino voted to help us, the average people of Brownsville, by making developers pay their OWN damn development costs. It would have been a measly 2,000 dollars for the developers to shell out, instead of raising PUB rates for everyone in Brownsville.

BUT THE SELL-OUTS ARE:
Ernie Hernandez and Carlos Cisneros who wanted YOU to pay out of YOUR own pocket with higher PUB rates. Shame on them.

So it seemed that the forces of good had triumphed. But then it happened, MORE PEOPLE SOLD OUT....

The vote was rescinded!

"Mayor Eddie Treviño, Edward Camarillo, Carlos Cisneros and Ernie Hernandez voted to rescind the impact fee


AGAIN, Sally Arroyo, Richard Longoria, and Charlie Atkinson voted to make the developers pay their own damn development costs. But they were only three votes.

So there you have it. Sally Arroyo and Richard Longoria voted twice to help YOU, the average person, and keep PUB rates low.

Eddie Trevino and Edward Camarillo flip flopped and fell on their faces badly. Edward Camarillo proudly wrote a coward's epilogue to the entire fiasco here:

Camarillo Attempts to Explain

...in summary, don't you just LOVE the part where he explains why he voted to use your utility bills to pay for the developer's impact fees "My political opponents will tell you that my decision is based on campaign contributions and my ties to the real estate developers in the city." That's just funny.

ERNIE HERNANDEZ WAS A SHAMELESS SELL-OUT BOTH TIMES. And you want to vote for him? LOL. Though I don't know whether to laugh or cry, honestly.

Arroyo and Longoria voted honorably, with integrity and consideration for the working people of Brownsville, both times. Under extreme pressure from the developers. If you ever wanted to know who will crack under pressure and who will stand up for what they believe, that was a deal-breaker. And Arroyo and Longoria were the only two. Atkinson in his own goofy world decided to hold out during the first vote for an unreasonable amount - 3,000+, which is noble, yet completely ineffective. Watch the meeting videos.

Its a shame that Trevino and Camarillo have no spine and voted against their own votes a week later. But, that's exactly why he failed as Mayor and is not running again.
Political Politiquera | 02.03.07 - 12:18 am | #

Oh no Politica is one of those “the Sky is Falling” sheep. It’s real easy to listen to the sheep herders because they make the most noise. So because the sheep herders said that the impact fees were the root of all evil, sally decided that was the way to go. No time to study the situation. No time for original thought. No time to make sure that the increase was fair and didn’t hurt the small home builder. She just wanted to make sure to have it recorded that she voted to screw the developer….the big guy and help the rate payer even though there was never any proof that current rates were affected by the impact fees. It was all just propaganda at a high volume spread by the sheep herders.

Watch out everyone the sky is falling.
Papa Pitufo | 02.03.07 - 12:34 pm | #

I am curious Political Politiquera; why was $3,000 unreasonable to you but $2,000 was not??? Do you have data that shows one amount is more reasonable than the other?

Anybody who watches the city commission meetings, as you claim to do, knows this issue got politicized. No one who has taken even one economics course would feel it is a good idea to raise any cost for a good/service by 750% all at one time. Imagine if your $5 combo at Wataburger went up 750%. Wataburger would be out of business in one day.

If this issue wouldn't have been politicized there would have been a gradual increase in the impact fee over the next 5 years.

Mrs. Politiquera, Longoria, Atkinson and Arroyo's vote on this politicized issue was not to help me, rather it was to hurt others on the commission. They knew they were up for election this May and they put themselves above doing what made sense.

My respect to Trevino, Cisneros, Hernandez and Camarillo for not caving. I only wish the entire commission would revisit this issue and vote for a gradual increase over time. The increase is needed but a gradual approach just makes sense.
Trail Mix | 02.03.07 - 12:54 pm | #

SALLY ARROYO???!!!!!! Where did that come from? Are you serious? Is this a real possibility? What is she thinking???

She is by far the most ineffective commissioner and has no credibility what so ever. Most of the time she seems confused and uninformed to say the least, what makes her think she can lead this city?

Last year, Sally Arroyo, a sitting city commissioner, stood at Hudson Elementary waving a sign for a candidate running for district judge. The candidate she was supporting wasn't even from Brownsville and was running against someone from Brownsville. And now she wants to be Mayor???!!!

FYI, the candidate she supported in that race, the one from Harlingen; he lost!!! So will Sally if she decides to run for Mayor of Brownsville.
Yoda | 02.03.07 - 2:40 pm | #

Anyone who has taken basic economics knows that you subtract costs from returns to get your profit margin and then set the price accordingly. And of course, that you don't pass the burden of your own damn development costs onto random strangers in one of the poorest ares in Texas and expect the people who have been elected to represent them to consent. (Unless you plan to offer large campaign contributions, which Camarillo freely admits he received. As did Trevino, if you look at his filed contribution report. And Hernandez! This is a shocking coincidence.)

I wish I could get all of Brownsville to pay for my business costs too. Maybe we could have a vote where I ask all of Brownsville to pay for my car's gas and my heating bills too. But, I have morals. And so I would not ask a family who is struggling to pay their own bills just to survive, to also pick up the tab for my business. Why should they?

However, lots of people happily do it! Giving up some of your own money to pay for someone else's development costs is known on the NY Stock Exchange as INVESTING in that company. And when you give your own money to help another company make a profit, you are entitled to a SHARE or percentage of that profit. Its called a DIVIDEND. Dividends may be paid out in cash, or in the form of partial ownership.

Are you proposing that for every dollar that is taken from city-wide PUB fees including my own - to pay for a local developer's private business venture - a city-wide profit-sharing program is set up so I get a check in the mail when the property is sold? I hope so. Because if you are saying that my family and I must pay for a private business's own production costs, for no share of the profit -- that is LAUGHABLE AND DISGUSTING. I would not invest in Microsoft for zero return, I would not invest in Google for zero return, I would not invest in Pfizer Co. biotech stocks for zero return, and I SURE AS HELL am not going to invest in Brownsville Developer's Properties Co. for ZERO RETURN. They are making a profit, using my money to offset their costs, and I want my share.

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that it will be successful. I'm thinking right now of some properties on the northside. Its known as a failed risk venture. Or in simpler terms, flushing public money down the toilet.

Trevino and Camarillo did cave. Not surprisingly, this fiasco was the final nail in Trevino's coffin. 3,000 was not unreasonable. If I recall correctly $3000 is the figure proposed by a research study as a FAIR and CURRENT impact fee. But politically it was impossible. As evidenced by Hernandez' blatant selling-out and Trevino's turncoat flip flopping even at 2,000. I've long wondered, if Atkinson had agreed and been a fifth vote on the $2,000 impact fee, if strength in numbers would have given Trevino the strength of conviction, to discourage his subsequent and politically fatal flip flop.

I'm actually fascinated by free market economics. So please continue.
Political Politiquera | 02.03.07 - 2:48 pm | #

mayor candidates: to me, it seems nobody is qualified at this point to run for mayor... ahumada quit back in 1994.. what is he thinking at this point. it will be a waste of time, energey and money for him..

as for hernandez he has let the people down for supporting the impact fees. what a shame... gonzalez is the one that had instituted the insurance and benefits to the city commissioners when he was mayor...

somebody needs to emerge in this capacity for mayor..

as for de los santos, good luck.. that is all i can say...

it will be a low voter turnout as well. the politicians are in it for themselves....
anonymous | 02.03.07 - 4:45 pm | #

I’m sure Ms. Arroyo is a good person, but she is a non presence on the current commission. Why would she even think about running for Mayor?

Politiquera and Senorita can bring up every incendiary issue that came before the commission for as long as she has been a commissioner. Arroyo has never been a player. Talk about flip flopping. No one can ever figure out what she’ll do how she’ll vote or if she’ll be in town for any given meeting.

Let’s be honest here, she isn’t mayor material. Furthermore she lost the huge female vote when she campaigned against Brownsville’s own Janet Leal for District Judge.

Let’s get real and move on here. This race will come down to Hernandez and Gonzalez. Why would Henry want back in the game? He should be sitting back and enjoying himself at his age.
Another Stupid Voter | 02.03.07 - 9:10 pm | #

Mrs. Politiquera, I hope you are not a candidate for our City Commission. If you are please let us know now so we can avoid potential disaster.

The fact that you think you got ZERO RETURN on your INVESTMENT is what is laughable. When is the last time you went bowling, or to the bigger mall, or to one of the many new restaurants, new stores, new parks, new museums, drove on a new road, etc. Your DIVIDEND has been a better quality of life for you and your family.
Trail Mix | 02.04.07 - 8:40 am | #

Welcome Back Chris...

I'm hoping some more folks come out for these races. Somewhere, somehow, someone else has to step up...i'm holding out for someone a bit more "super"...kind of like a superman or superwoman.

If we want progress and innovation, then we need new blood. Some of these folks, will simply hash up the same old fights...
Wonderwoman | 02.04.07 - 11:27 am | #

In my opinion, anyone brave enough to put themselves out there in this day and age is SUPER. Yes even Robert Sanchez.

I do believe that there are many good people out there that don’t jump in the political life because it gets so nasty and personal. As the old saying goes; “if you want to know who your real father is, run for office”. Well, today it’s even worse than that. So I say that all the candidates that have announced and will announce are SUPER in my book.
Papa Pitufo | 02.04.07 - 2:57 pm | #

Thank God for anthony Troiani! I was beginning to worry about that spot on the commission. I am glad to see that we now have a good candidate running for that at-large spot.
trey | 02.05.07 - 8:32 am | #

If they put the whole lot in a sack and let them cut each others throats then the one that is left should run for Mayor,
Elliot Ness | 02.05.07 - 8:52 am | #

The last mayoral race everyone wanted a fresh face with new ideas and we got Eddie Trevino. Name one project he started or nurtured the last four years. His attitude and arrogance was his downfall.Fresh blood and a possible superstar is all pie in the sky. Hebry has had his chance. Sally has never put an item on the agenda the four years she has been there. Ask yourself why are so many people ready to challenge her for her spot. She is weak and totally indecisive. I am voting for Ernie. At least he always takes a stand on issues. Watch the meetings, Sally never has anything to contribute. The only person that wrote in about Sally being the best Brownsville must be her daughter. Nobody else thinks so.
Mr. B
mr. B | 02.05.07 - 10:08 am | #

The way I see it, Ernie Hernandez is the only viable candidate who has a chance of being a productive mayor. He has successfully run his business, why not give him a chance with the City ?

We know now that the other candidates cant be effective as mayor. Where’s Sally? No one can ever find her as she spends all her time in San Antonio. Henry? His time as come and gone. Impact fees…what are those?

Pat and Robert …please. Neither of those guys has any credibility whatsoever. Pat will pull out if he gets mad. He is hot tempered and can’t or won’t work with others. Robert is even worse. Free shrimp will only buy so many votes.

I say give Ernie a chance. He is pro growth and pro business which is what the City needs now.
I Garcias | 02.05.07 - 10:38 am | #

LOL me run for office? Why would I ruin my good name by doing something like that. I'm happy to sit in the peanut gallery.

Though some of you make the baby Jesus cry!

Let's be honest, who could possibly consider Ernie Hernandez a viable candidate? He is a snake and will lie to your face. He can't stop either, he's a compulsive liar out of habit. Is there anyone in Brownsville he hasn't burned? One time he came to our homeowners community meeting, shook my hand and backstabbed all of us within 4 hours. Its funny that anyone even pretends to take him seriously. If its true that Jeff Millar is doing his campaign, even Millar can't save his image, Ernie is way past the expiration date. Pro-business? LOL he definitely promotes his vending machine business to the city. Illegally. Truly a man of integrity. You will have to persuade me that I should enjoy being lied to again, plus deception and fraud, then I will vote for Ernie. As for the other candidates, Henry Gonzalez is old news, and Pat Ahumada gives me the heebie-jeebies. It's too bad that Eddie Trevino isn't running again, he really did fight the good fight overall, but this last episode was just unbelievable. Below him, really.
Political Politiquera | 02.05.07 - 3:08 pm | #

Sorry, but I stick by my guns... In my book, Ernie is THE only viable mayoral candidate to announce so far. I agree with you that Henrys' time has come and gone.. Pat and Robert and Sally Garcia.. ....well, that bunch isnt even worthy of comment are they? Look, I admit that Sally Arroyo is a nice lady, but during her entire tenure as City Comissioner, she never proposed a single initiatve that meant anything. She sits in the City meetings and doesnt know what is going on. I hear she spends most of her time in San Antonio. Sally isnt going to suddely become productive just because she gets elected as Mayor. No one I talk to thinks she has a chance of getting elected. I admit Ernie has had his controversies, but he is the best candidate of this bunch by far.
I Garcias | 02.05.07 - 4:18 pm | #

Why do you even pretend that anyone takes Ernie Hernandez seriously? His campaign isn't worth commenting about except for the fact that he's the laughingstock of Brownsville.

Have you even watched the meetings on TV? Before he resigned. Ernie Hernandez sat there with beads of sweat running down his forehead, his eyes furtively darting from side to side, likely because he was having difficulty keeping track of all the contradictory promises he'd made to people beforehand, then suddenly blurts stuff out that makes no sense. Hernandez disgusts people and makes Nixon seem honest. What small group of people are you talking to? The people at his tshirt shop? LOL

The one worthwhile initiative Ernie Hernandez ever proposed was resigning from office, so he could keep collecting money from his illegal businesses running at the city without the feds getting involved. He's a backstabbing snake, and I am not saying that from hearsay or from watching him on TV, even though it's evident there too. It's absolutely true. He lied to MY face WHILE SHAKING MY HAND, and to my neighbors, and not a single one has forgotten it. They still bring it up whenever we get around to talking politics.

Hernandez is old news, everyone already knows he's a liar and a proven loser who's run for mayor twice and lost twice. He'll get the politiqueras and a few developers to vote for him, as usual, but his own reputation, which is somewhere near the bottom of the gutter, will bring him down the same way he lost to Eddie Trevino, and to Henry Gonzalez before that. It's pitiful yet entertaining. I think they call that a tragic comedy? Ernie Hernandez is a tragic comedy.
Political Politiquera | 02.05.07 - 6:30 pm | #

Oh, I see. Sally's strategy is to tear into Hernandez through name calling. We could make fun of Sally's facial characteristics too but we wont' stoop to that level. Lets talk about the issues. What has Sally done as commissioner. What actions has she initiated. What about her tenure as comissioner makes us think she deserves to be mayor. I am thinking about backing Ernie because he is an active city commissioner who has initiated and led. If you think Sally can win just by calling Ernie a sleaze you are mistaken.
i garcias | 02.05.07 - 7:22 pm | #

Wow “liar, loser, snake, illegal business” ????? Politiquera is really passionate about making Ernie sound as bad as she possibly can, could she be a scorned high school sweet heart? Could that be Sally Arroyo hiding behind that name?

Why all the nastiness? I thought we were to keep things clean Mr. Davis????? So can I just write that I witnessed Sally steal a lollipop from a baby? Can I write that she stole money from my Aunt who was 93 years old? Can I write that one day she told me the sky was green but then I found out it was really blue??? Come on now Politiquera, at least pretend to be a regular citizen with no relation to Arroyo.
Papa Pitufo | 02.05.07 - 7:46 pm | #

John Shergold????!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH everyone run for the hills.
Yoda | 02.05.07 - 7:56 pm | #

Brownsville will never change, how sad.
Sad Brownsvillian | 02.05.07 - 9:00 pm | #

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE RUN AGAINST CHARLIE ATKINSON ???.....THE GUY COULD BE DEFEATED BY A STALE PUMPKIN.
I Garcias | 02.05.07 - 10:45 pm | #

On a positive note...Rick Longoria has done a great job representing his district and hopefully will run unopposed.
I Garcias | 02.05.07 - 10:48 pm | #

"Rick Longoria... hopefully will run unopposed."

Negatory.

Some honest competition would be good for him; not to mention good for us. Let him prove he's viable, once more, in a decent race.
Chris | Homepage | 02.06.07 - 4:18 am | #

"William Garza
Wasn’t he arrested for running around naked?"

Hmm.
Seems vaguely familiar.
--
Chris | Homepage | 02.06.07 - 4:54 am | #

Ok, I will agree with you there. The electorate is never served by unopposed races so Rick should have to prove his viability like everyone else. What does everyone here think about the At Large "B" race. I have been hearing good things about De Los Santos. I want to hear more from that candidate.
i garcias | 02.06.07 - 10:02 am | #

Sally Arroyo for Mayor, are you kidding?? The woman is clueless.I watch the meetings and I have NEVER heard her open her mouth. Name one thing that Sally has ever brought before the Commission...and i don't mean participated in the vote..because sure the woman is going to vote..she has to... but what item has she ever put on the agenda herself? Some may want to give her credit for the Southmost Library, but those who know the facts know that the property was bought and the project was conceived before she was even a commissioner! Rick Longoria deserves a heck of a lot more credit than Sally does. We need our next Mayor to be a leader...not a follower, and Sally has NEVER demonstrated any leadership skills when it comes to important city issues...
Vanguard | 02.06.07 - 6:23 pm | #

Just wait, the elections are only beginning to heat up. Papa did you forget the Cisneros/Sanchez race already? Though I am sorry if I come across as a bit antagonistic in my analyses. I'll try to be fair and balanced, just like FOX news.

Ernie Hernandez. He lied to my face. What "issues" are left to discuss? Now that he is running for office, those insignificant little voters he felt he could lie to with impunity will exact our pound of flesh. The other candidates - Henry Gonzalez seems to be yesterday's news. A credible candidate? He will have to overcome the perception that he is yesterday's news to begin with. He also all but disappeared off the map, and must regain a lot of his former support. Pat Ahumada will be an interesting one. He seems to have had something of a comeback at PUB. If it were just Ahumada and Hernandez, I'd vote Ahumada, only because, as I've mentioned many times, I've been lied to by Hernandez and can't bring myself to vote for a liar. Ever. When Eddie Trevino first ran for mayor it was like a breath of fresh air - none of these guys are inspiring or capturing the public imagination the way Eddie did. I don't hear any genuine enthusiasm for any of them. Which is why it is Arroyo by default, in addition to the fact that whenever she has been in the news I generally agreed with her decisions. I am also very close to the Church, and the impact fee movement was in large part due to a lot of hard work by Father Frank and others who were trying to help the average taxpaying person keep their PUB rates from going up. But moving on:

John Shergold should run for At Large B. He will have a real battle against Anthony Troiani, who is also close to the Church, and stands a better chance against Garza and De Los Santos. Why take the hard road when the easy one is there? Shergold and Troiani are both lawyers. Trying to split the Brownsville lawyers and forcing them to choose between Troiani or Shergold for contributions/ endorsement will work to both their detriment.

Others in the race - the rumored Ms. Garcia, a chiropractor. No one seems to recognize her name. DeLeon is a former commissioner but lost to Edward Camarillo, who was a newcomer at the time. If DeLeon couldn't even hold his district seat against an unknown opponent (outside the University, where Camarillo built quite a following), how does he expect to beat these popular up and comers citywide? William Garza - why run for office and remind everyone of his naked streaking tendencies? Running a campaign as a laughingstock is surely a losing strategy. I don't see the logic in it.

It's too early to tell between De los Santos and Garza. I suspect someone else will jump into this race. It will probably be Shergold, but who knows...

I am also mystified as to why no one has announced against Atkinson. He is relatively new. One would think he would be easy pickings. I am shocked he has been left unopposed for this long.
Political Politiquera | 02.06.07 - 7:17 pm | #

It seems like there are just a few new faces running at this point. I agree that a lot of races and issues in the city have been politicized in the past. I really do hope candidates bring in more ideas on how to get Brownsville going and less mudslinging.
Miguel | 02.06.07 - 8:13 pm | #

Arroyo by default??? Are you freakin kidding me????? He lied to me….. he lied to me. What was this lie he told you? Was it something he intended to do but wasn’t able to in the end?

Politics is a hard life. You will only be able to please half the people half of the time and none of the people most of the time. People like the Politiquera who just don’t get it will never understand the life. But…….he lied to me he lied to me. About what I wonder?
A stupid voter | 02.06.07 - 9:23 pm | #

Cris, Don't be such a suck ass. I don't know you but it seems by the comments that you make that you are full of shit. I feel sorry for you.
Charles Atkinson

P.S. THis will be my only comment because your integrity is compromised.
Charles Atkinson | 02.07.07 - 3:35 am | #

Yeah, I agree......no one is going to win anything by default..that is really wishful thinking...jeeze, political poliquera..you must be a relative...Anyway, lets talk about the record. What measures have Ernie, Henry, Sally introduced? Im not going to talk about the other candidates because I dont need a massage or free shrimp..... running naked...hahahahaha
UTB student | 02.07.07 - 9:32 am | #

Hey, is Anthony Troiani a tenant of Sally? If true, that looks like she put him up to run. Can anyone confirm this and whether or not he would be independent if both were elected? On the other hand, he is brighter than De Leon and most assuredly looks better naked than Willie Garza...ha ha !!!
Dr. Evil | 02.07.07 - 3:17 pm | #

oh, geez...Here comes two more politicos who are "close to the church"...you two and George Bush. Lets leave religion out of it...I think the saying is "all that go to Church are not Saints".
Mother Angelica | 02.07.07 - 3:25 pm | #

Atkinson Race.. two questions.

Why would Charlie Atkinson accept administrative suspension from his day job for a City Comission gig that does not pay?

Who wants to elect a City Comissioner who may have to step down mid term to keep his day job?
Splainitome | 02.07.07 - 3:40 pm | #

Please allow me to right a wrong. It was I that posed the question “William Garza
Wasn’t he arrested for running around naked?” Allow me to clear things up.
Mr. Garza was in fact car jacked and made to strip down by his abductors when they let him go. His car was in fact pulled over later on near the sarita check point full of unidentified men. So…he was never arrested for running around naked. I hope that clears things up for all you concerned citizens. If you doubt my story please feel free to look search the Brownsville Herald archives.
A Stupid Voter | 02.07.07 - 9:43 pm | #

Well, I guess when your caught running around naked, you have to give the police a reason. Was there anyone arrested for this heinous act...funny, I have not heard that happening to anyone else in brownsville....lets get real
Dr. Evil | 02.07.07 - 10:17 pm | #

Now Now Dr. Evil...don't be so damn...evil. His car WAS pulled over close to the sarita check point full of men who ran when pulled over so take it for what it's worth.
A Stupid Voter | 02.08.07 - 9:54 pm | #

Oh, I am sooo sorry, it is all perfectly clear to me now... he was in a car with a bunch of men naked... I get it.... (evil laugh)
Dr. Evil | 02.09.07 - 9:04 pm | #

Henry Gonzalez officially announced his candidacy for mayor, declaring that he will serve without compensation or benefits. Was'nt Henry the Mayor when the present insurance benefits and car allowance for City Comissioners were established or set at their present levels ? If so, isnt it a little hypocrital for him to be saying this now?
Big Dog | 02.12.07 - 9:08 am | #

I still haven't heard of a better mayoral candidate than Ernie Hernandez. I have read this column and El Rocinante ...and of course the Brownsville Herald.
Hernandez looks like the most pro business of the candidates. He would also be a strong mayor...unlike some of the other candidates.
Red Barron | 02.13.07 - 4:23 pm | #

“Appointing Robert Sanchez to the Public Utilities Board and giving Taylorcraft a second chance.” -- Rick Longoria on two mistakes he's made during his first term as a City Commissioner.
NextGeneration | 02.14.07 - 7:21 pm | #

“Appointing Robert Sanchez to the Public Utilities Board and giving Taylorcraft a second chance.” -- Rick Longoria on two mistakes he's made during his first term as a City Commissioner.

Yep. Count me as one of the impressed that he came out and said that.

Chris | Homepage | 02.15.07 - 9:20 am | #

I have a new respect for Mr. Longoria. I simply can't believe he would come out and say something like that so publicly. Big..HUGE balls. He has my support.
Papa Pitufo | 02.15.07 - 8:22 pm | #

I appreciate Comissioner Longorias' comments about Sanchez..I find them hilarious. But arent they a little late? Why didnt Rick take a stand against Robert back when Robert was running for office ? Dont get me wrong, I am delighted that Rick finally took a stand against that windbag ..but BIG NUTS would have involved making the statement two years ago! BIG NUTS was Carlos Cisneros taking on Sanchez and giving him a public political A@# whipping in 2005. I cant help but think that Ricks' comments could have really helped Carlos two years ago when it matterd. Were was Rick at that time? Sanchez lunacy was well known then. Now, two years later, Rick wants to crow over Sanchez bones. I say that Big Balls is being there for the fight...not jumping onboard after you know the victor. Ricks' biggest mistake was not just putting Sanchez on the PUB Board. Nobody knew the guy was a nut back then. Ricks biggest mistake was not standing up to SAnchez two years ago when it mattered. Only Cisneros, Trevino and Herndandez did that. Rick does have an opportunity now to show us he has learned something.... The City has another windbag who is just as destructive as Sanchez. His name is Charlie Atkinson. Destruction runs in the family. Sylvia Atkinson almost singlehandedly destroyed the Los Fresos School District. Charlie is such a loudmouth, cven Otis isnt crazy about him. If Rick wants to show some real courage, he should encourage someone to run in the District Two race. Rick, show some real balls by being on the right side of a fight from the beginning and do something good for the city instead of just worrying about reelection.
IMA HOG | 02.16.07 - 11:26 am | #

Anybody out there know of someone in District 2 with the guts to run?

The link above is a map of the district. Click the map to zoom in so you can see the streets in that district.

I can not stand watching Atkinson anymore. He is out of control. This guy was wearing a football jersey at the last meeting. This isn't high school any more. Sorry Charlie but we need serious people on the city commission.
Non-District 2 Voter | 02.17.07 - 6:19 am | #

Has anyone checked out Hernandez's campaign website? It's feels more like an insider site to recruit campaign volunteers. There are no ideas or concrete plans stated there. I emailed him through his site to bring this up and have gotten no response. While the use of the internet in political campaigns has exploded elsewhere, in Brownsville, for the most part, we have to depend on sound bites and newspaper quotes to piece together candidates' platforms. Sometimes, though, their platforms are as deep and detailed as these same sound bites and quotes. With increased access to the internet here and the low cost of having a simple site for a few months, this should be a given. No fancy graphics needed, just old fashioned text delineating a platform would be great.

Another thing that bothered me was the Mexican flag on his site. I love our culture and heritage, especially around Charro Days, but this is an American election for mayor of an American city. There is no place for a Mexican flag in this election. I believe Matamoros is also having an election for mayor this year so maybe he got confused. Or, like an eager college graduate looking for his first job, he figured the more places he applies to, the better the chances he'll get one of the mayoral offices.

I hopes he adds more substance to his site and the other candidates follow with having their own.
Patricia A. | 02.22.07 - 11:01 pm | #

It seems that my webmaster has not forwarded my e-mails to me on a timely manner.I do apologize for this. The reason for the Mexican flag was to be able to get our message out in both english and spanish. I do not mean to offend anyone by using the Mexican flag. Not everyone is bilingual or bicultural and we have many supporters that only speak and read spanish.
As for the platform, it has taken some time to come up with a real issue based platform. My opponents will talk about all that happened before and try to take credit for it. I want to talk about traffic congestion and how to come up with long term solutions.We are currently paving 7 to 8 miles of streets per year. the problem is that developers are building 15 to 20 miles of streets per year. We need a rlong term solution paving program in place. My other opponents will talk about conflict within the City and how if elected they will make it all better.I want to find real solutions to fiber optics connections for the entire City and how the next generation of companies to come knocking on our doors needs this infrastructure to compete in a global economy and bring great jobs to our City. My opponents will talk about now that they are the Mayor they can make a difference but where were they all these years when they sat on the Cty Commission. I want to discuss how to incorporate UTB/TSC programs to help our City with long term planning, forcasting and grant writing. These resources are available to us at no cost to the City and we just need to ask for help.Going forward, all entities must meet regularly to promote proper growth and planning. One prime example would to require all new neighborhood developers to set aside land for schools. This would certainly help BISD and all of our tax dollars go further. More money could go into teacher salaries and educating our kids rather than paying high prices for land The bussing issue would be solved for neighborhood schools which would also mean less traffic and congestion. One simple idea and look at all the problems we just solved.
My webmaster has assured me that our e-mail will arrive in a timely manner and our platform will be on rhe webpage by Monday.I look forward to all the debates about all the issues facing our City.
I look forward to hearing about anya nd all comments and concerns anyone may have. MY e-mail is ernie5430@aol.com and my cell is 956-459-6025
Ernie
ernie | 02.23.07 - 6:06 pm | #

Wow...those comments about Ernie are nitpickie...must be Sallys daughter ranting about Ernie again. Just to be fair, took a look at Ernies website which I hadnt done. No, there is no platform, but there is a long list of qualifications. Spanish speakers can click the mexican flag to get a Spanish language version of the site. So whats wrong with that? Would a spanish flag have been more appropriate? Sounds to me like the candidate is being considerate. Maybe Patricia A. is a member of the minutemen who has come to south texas to build a wall between here in Mexico. It's the border Patricia A...get over it.
Ima Hog | 02.23.07 - 6:39 pm | #

Many websites have a Spanish section and they label them "En Espanol" and that's just fine. The Mexican flag, however, is a national symbol and shouldn't be used on an American election site. Now if I use Ima Hog's logic, since he came out vigorously to defend Ernie, I am going to assume that he must his son. Anyways, I don't regret posting my comment since it got the candidate to be more responsive. I look forward to reading the different ideas he has in more detail. I also hope this pressures the other candidates to come up with concrete ideas of their own, detailed for us to read and compare.
Patricia A. | 02.23.07 - 9:51 pm | #

Longoria, a word of advice stop your alliance with Atkinson. He's a loose canon with nothing intelligent to say. Atkinson, give it up. We need someone to run against him!! Troiani will win this election, Garza and the other guy are old news with old ideas. Troiani is an intelligent man with a vision for Brownsville.
Wally | 02.24.07 - 12:16 pm | #

Ahh Patricia…you disappoint me. You were dead on about Mr. Ahumada and I agreed with almost everything you said. I was impressed with your articulation and intuition.

Then I read what you wrote about Mr. Hernandez’s website. At first I was upset as it is obvious that I support Mr. Hernandez 100%. But then I realized that it was a good thing….all you or should I say the Arroyo camp could come up with was an attack on a web site because it had the Mexican flag up in a corner. That makes me very happy. That proves that the Arroyo camp has nothing but nitpicky little poo poo to use against Ernie. Next it will be hearsay and rumor. It’s a shame that your camp has decided to attack instead of debate the issues. I guess that would be a lost cause.

Let’s see, how can I defend using the Mexican flag on a website used to promote someone running for mayor in A BORDER CITY AND WHO MUST DEAL WITH A SISTER CITY IN MEXICO???!!!! Hmm…You’re right Patricia, let’s find Ernie and hang him from his toes in the town square. Then maybe we can run him out of town so Ms. Arroyo can play mayor and move statues around like a decorator.
PaPa Pitufo | 02.25.07 - 2:28 am | #

At the past city commission meeting history was made. It was a joint meeting between the city, the county, the port, RMA, and other boards. This has never been done as was announced during that meeting.

Where was Sally Arroyo? I noticed she was not there representing our city.

Charlie, that was a nice suit. I'm sure it had pockets that you could have put your shades in. You looked like a fool wearing your shades on top of your head. I felt like I was watching a student government meeting whenever they put you on camera.
Trail Mix | 02.25.07 - 8:39 am | #

PapaPitufo said: "I do believe that there are many good people out there that don’t jump in the political life because it gets so nasty and personal."

Papa Pitufo, if you knew how politically unconnected I am, you'd laugh and probably wouldn't find me worthy of a response. The only people who do what I say are under 10 and the only strings I pull are threads from worn out, low-quality, Made in China t-shirts from Walmart.

I will stick to my comment about the Mexican flag being a national symbol. I should know, I was raised in Matamoros. However, if you are eligible to vote you are either an American citizen or a naturalized citizen who passed an English test. For those who became citizens without needing to learn English, "En Espanol" is still more appropriate because not all of them are from Mexico. Anyways, we can agree to disagree on this.

I do, however, take issue with you suggesting that I must be from Arroyo's camp since I critized Ernie's website. Labeling everyone who makes a comment you don't like as an Arroyo supporter, lurking in the shadows of the blogasphere ready to pounce and attack Ernie, has an Atkinsonian feel to it. Based on your previous comments that I quoted at the beginning, I would think you'd refrain from making those kinds of assumptions.

Now, if you have already made up your mind as to who you're going to vote for, good for you. I haven't. I want to read and hear more from the candidates. First, I want to know if they even understand the issues and then I want to know their concrete plans to address them.
Patricia A. | 02.26.07 - 12:57 am | #

"Atkinsonian".

Now that's a word.

Chris Davis | Homepage | 02.26.07 - 8:45 am | #

I felt the same way Mr. Davis. And she claims to be politically unconnected. Methinks thou doest protest too much but I really liked the reference to 10 year olds and Wal-Mart shirts.
PaPa Pitufo | 02.26.07 - 12:01 pm | #

Politics sucks!!! Noone has a straight answer, everything is askewed and evreyone has an agenda. Since I moved back to Brownsville, it seems every election consits of crap, poop, caca or shit. It's always a tough choice between which one you want to be up to your elbows in. In the end, the elected official gets what they want and and the voters are all screwed. (These are very general statements because they can be applied to almost any situation concerning elections in Brownsville)
Everyone has great rhetoric and can easily point the finger at everyone else for as long as it takes to get their paycheck. It kind of makes you wonder why you should vote at all.... wait, then the media will complain about poor voter turnout....oops, screwed again.

P.S. Yes, I do vote, yes, I do have an education, and yes, I do work.
A Nobody Who Elected You | 03.06.07 - 2:30 am | #

Wow....calm down Nobody. Play the game or leave the field.
Yoda | 03.06.07 - 9:33 pm | #

http://thumbsnap.com/v/jZVeKts2.png

Did anybody see William Garza's ad. I think he is overreaching a little.

Does a city commissioner have a say over property taxes and veteran facilities?

Brownsville TV News Channel: no need for a news channel, just a credible, reliable and PROFESSIONAL daily news show on our community channel, not a Bill Young update. Also, we need to go back to the original intent of Public Access Television and make some air time and equipment available for the public to create programming.

Convention Center/Arena: I love the idea of this but Heywood Sanders, a San Antonio professor, has written a lot against the practice of cities spending millions of dollars building convention centers will little or no economic return. Everyone should read up on his arguments. I'm not opposed to looking into it, I just don't want this issue to be fasttracked into a bond election without a lot research.

Professional baseball park/Amusement park: I'm intrigued enough to just wait for more details with an open mind.

Lower utility rates/equip police, firemen, EMS/Street, Lights, Drainage/ Historic Preservation/more airline services/promote business: these are things most candidates will pledge but the question is how are they going to pay for it.

Public forum workshops: we could always use more of that in this city.

Downtown riverwalk/business office in Monterrey: Huh?

I can't think how we could do all these things without a huge bond election. Well, at least he provided concrete ideas and not just some version of the 'I'm a family man that will do the right thing for Brownsville'. I hope the other candidates start sharing their ideas.
Patricia A. | 03.13.07 - 9:18 pm | #