By Juan Montoya
Don't look now. but the Big Money is going to be funneled in from outside Brownsville to take over the board of the Brownsville Independent School District.
Confidential sources tell us that the biggest beneficiary of the money to come in under the Valley Political Action Committee will be nine other than former BISD trustee and Athletic Director Joe Rodriguez. An indirect beneficiary is trustee Cesar Lopez, who was appointed last August to the board to replace Christina Saavedra.
Where is this money coming from and why?
Our sources tell us that Rodriguez is agreeable to help award the wind-damage insurance contract to a firm associated with Steve Mostyn, a Houston personal injury lawyer specializing in hurricane lawsuits. Mostyn is said to have become extremely wealthy off the losses of others in the wake of damaging storms.
Campaign reports indicate that Mostyn's money has been funneled to candidates and causes that help his law firm.
Those in the know say that the linchpin in the arrangement is BISD legal counsel Baltazar Salazar, who is the go-between to funnel the money to candidates who will protect his position with the district at $240,000 a year.
One of the firms that has benefited most when Salazar took over the position last April 2013 was none other than the law firm of Colvin, Chaney, Saenz and Rodriguez. Tony Rodriguez, one of the partners in that law firm, is Coach Joe Rodriguez's son.
Since Salazar took over as the BISD's legal counsel, he has hired the law firm to defend the board's majority, himself, and the district administration from to the tune of $193,000 and counting.
The other firm, Williams, Birnberg and Anderson is assisting Colvin, Chaney, Saenz and Rodriguez with the same lawsuit because Salazar decided that "two pairs of eyes are better than one." They have also gotten a piece of the BISD's legal pie to the tune of $192,759.
With all this money to be made defending the district, it's litte wonder that these firms will court the candidates they deem to be favorable to keep the gravy train going.
A prominent guest at a recent campaign function was "Coach" Rodriguez. The office also houses the law firm of Mayor Tony Martinez.
Don't look now. but the Big Money is going to be funneled in from outside Brownsville to take over the board of the Brownsville Independent School District.
Confidential sources tell us that the biggest beneficiary of the money to come in under the Valley Political Action Committee will be nine other than former BISD trustee and Athletic Director Joe Rodriguez. An indirect beneficiary is trustee Cesar Lopez, who was appointed last August to the board to replace Christina Saavedra.
Where is this money coming from and why?
Our sources tell us that Rodriguez is agreeable to help award the wind-damage insurance contract to a firm associated with Steve Mostyn, a Houston personal injury lawyer specializing in hurricane lawsuits. Mostyn is said to have become extremely wealthy off the losses of others in the wake of damaging storms.
Campaign reports indicate that Mostyn's money has been funneled to candidates and causes that help his law firm.
Those in the know say that the linchpin in the arrangement is BISD legal counsel Baltazar Salazar, who is the go-between to funnel the money to candidates who will protect his position with the district at $240,000 a year.
One of the firms that has benefited most when Salazar took over the position last April 2013 was none other than the law firm of Colvin, Chaney, Saenz and Rodriguez. Tony Rodriguez, one of the partners in that law firm, is Coach Joe Rodriguez's son.
Since Salazar took over as the BISD's legal counsel, he has hired the law firm to defend the board's majority, himself, and the district administration from to the tune of $193,000 and counting. The other firm, Williams, Birnberg and Anderson is assisting Colvin, Chaney, Saenz and Rodriguez with the same lawsuit because Salazar decided that "two pairs of eyes are better than one." They have also gotten a piece of the BISD's legal pie to the tune of $192,759.
With all this money to be made defending the district, it's litte wonder that these firms will court the candidates they deem to be favorable to keep the gravy train going.
A prominent guest at a recent campaign function was "Coach" Rodriguez. The office also houses the law firm of Mayor Tony Martinez.
Texans for Public Education, Texas Forward Committee, and the Valley Political Action Committee were all established by Mostyn in 2010 to allow him to contribute to individual candidates without voters knowing directly that the money was coming from him.
These guys are definitely in the Big Leagues of campaign contributions and king making, as is evidenced in the graph tracking Mostyn's contributions to various candidates and causes.
We have also learned that Mostyn's money was used to hire Miguel "Mike" Carrera, of Carrera Communications, to orchestrate the takeover. Carrera, a McAllen consultant who is listed on most political campaign expense reports in Hidalgo County races has managed numerous Valley campaigns.
Joe Rodriguez's opponents in his race are Shriley Bowman and Mary Rey. Rey was said to have been encouraged to jump in that race to split the female vote.
Lopez is running against Lucy Longoria, Juan Pacheco, and Roland Guerra.
In the other race, Carlos Elizondo is facing Robert Rodriguez.
Valley Political Action Committee is ubiquitously housed at the UPS Store on Price Road. The Texas Ethics Commission lists the principal at the Valley PAC as Jonathon David Gins at 1474 W. Price Rd., Ste. 7, Box 426. The TEC lists its starting date as June 25, 2010.
With all these pieces in place, local residents would do well to scrutinize the campaign expense reports of the candidates to see who gets money from where. The BISD's $500-plus million budget is a lucrative one for vendors and providers. Legal firms compete fiercely for its business as do vendors of everything from insurance of all types to computers, food, athletic equipment and school supplies.
Will the Big Money behind Baltazar Salazar and Joe Rodriguez decide the outcome of this year's elections? If Salazar manages to keep a majority on the board, expect the goodies to continue flowing his way and to his friends.
These guys are definitely in the Big Leagues of campaign contributions and king making, as is evidenced in the graph tracking Mostyn's contributions to various candidates and causes.
We have also learned that Mostyn's money was used to hire Miguel "Mike" Carrera, of Carrera Communications, to orchestrate the takeover. Carrera, a McAllen consultant who is listed on most political campaign expense reports in Hidalgo County races has managed numerous Valley campaigns.
Joe Rodriguez's opponents in his race are Shriley Bowman and Mary Rey. Rey was said to have been encouraged to jump in that race to split the female vote.
Lopez is running against Lucy Longoria, Juan Pacheco, and Roland Guerra.
In the other race, Carlos Elizondo is facing Robert Rodriguez.
Valley Political Action Committee is ubiquitously housed at the UPS Store on Price Road. The Texas Ethics Commission lists the principal at the Valley PAC as Jonathon David Gins at 1474 W. Price Rd., Ste. 7, Box 426. The TEC lists its starting date as June 25, 2010.
With all these pieces in place, local residents would do well to scrutinize the campaign expense reports of the candidates to see who gets money from where. The BISD's $500-plus million budget is a lucrative one for vendors and providers. Legal firms compete fiercely for its business as do vendors of everything from insurance of all types to computers, food, athletic equipment and school supplies.
Will the Big Money behind Baltazar Salazar and Joe Rodriguez decide the outcome of this year's elections? If Salazar manages to keep a majority on the board, expect the goodies to continue flowing his way and to his friends.
25 comments:
But Coach Joe won a football game once.
You are such a fictional story teller. Now you have illustrations. You are such a low life my friend. Poisoning our city with your lies!
Coach Joe is the only Coach in South Texas who is in 4 Hall of Fames. Why don't you say why the firms were hired. To defend against your LUCY who is trying to take away over 2 Million$'s from our kids.
How can you live with yourself with such lies. Oh We'll
Do people "channeling" this money know that maybe, just maybe people that vote DONT LIKE AND WONT VOTE for this man?
I know I would NOT VOTE for this man even if they offered to pay me for it, and know several people in Brownsville that will vote but NOT for him.
Its true. All true
Ah, Money , it soothens my palms . It is the joy and ecstasy of all politicians. This includes Da Mayor .
Joe is a thief and that's why he wants in at BISD. He ripped off when athletic director. The only reason he wasn't indicted? Armando Villalobos office was investigating. Need I say more!
Ain't no different than what Lucy and Cata did in the past.
Welcome to the American "Democracy", legalized bribery in action. At least the PRI is obvious and upfront.
Why so critical? This is just another example of Cameron County politics. Why wouldn't Tony Rodriguez (whose firm bills a quinto of one million per year) want his own Dad on the board to continue the gravy train? That's only logical and $ane.
According to whom, to you? Opinions vary about this blog; you sound resentful at seeing true has come to light. No matter what your opinion is readers do care about facts...
Minerva keeps blaming Lucy and Caty taking money from the students, how much money have they received? She's so stupid to realize she's the one taking from the students paying $192,000+ to each law firm and $600,000+ on Salazar and the other law firms?
So who's taking money from the students, Minerva?? You are such a two face back stabbing witch.
The mere fact Cesar Lopez was associated with Escobedo should tell you what kind of person he is. Think twice before you vote for him, he's bad news. When he worked in purchasing he used to push his vendor friends on us and still is....
i have never been paid to vote. Most all of my votes have resulted in "duds" winning. Hell, if I can get paid to vote and my vote elects another "dud", at least I'll be ahead.
Is Joe Rod willing and ready to give up all his cookie jars he had his hands in with BISD?
Such as BSC Bill Guthrie's, Alamo Insurance etc. Oh, and his son law firm who is representing the board.
And, most IMPORTANTLY, the lawsuit Joe and his son have against BISD???
WHAT YOU SAY TO THAT GUYS? Especially you Minerva Pena and Patrick Hammes?
Hellooooooooooo!!
4:01pm It's clear you can...oh well
Pee Wee No Vale Wee Wee. Vote NO to Coach Joe
PEE WEE NO VALE WEE WEE
who are the best persons to vote for BISD board?
please list them !
Who voted to pay over 3 million dollars to Hector Gonzalez, Antonio Juarez, and Art Rendon? Who?
CataLina Presas-Garcia, Luci Longoria, Christina Saavedra, and Enrique Escobedo. .... Hellooo
El Bean Ayala ese del information center, es barrio, he would be a good candidate for the Board, el sabe lidiar con people like that, although he's not that smart but ingenious, basta ver comotieneapendehados a Danny Loft and the rest of his board
Vote for Saddam. !
You tokin about Otis Powerless ?
Jis tokin 'bout el ayala ese del information office, con su moustache grown for Charro Days pretending to look like Saddam
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