It's only been five months since Harlingen attorney Gustavo Ruiz was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of Pct. 4 Cameron County commissioner Dan Sanchez after the former commissioner ran for the county judge's seat and lost to former City of Brownsville Mayor Eddie Treviño.
Ruiz was appointed to replace Sanchez after he emerged victorious in the primary against Basilio "Chino" Sanchez March 1. He was appointed to Sanchez's seat on March 18 by County Judge Pete Sepulveda.
And the newby on the commissioners court has started to aggressively push for a new county warehouse for his precinct, even though county commissioners about two months ago rejected the proposals from consultants and engineers that they invest $1 million per county precinct for new warehouses for their Road and Bridge and Public Works crews.
This didn't deter Ruiz from having county administrator David Garcia include an executive session item in the special meeting agenda Aug. 16 to consider for possible action the purchase of real estate closer to Harlingen for his precinct's warehouse which is now at 201 N. T St.
No county officials would divulge or comment what went on in executive session but things have a way of leaking from that sieve-like bureaucracy to establish this much.
Apparently, when the subject was brought up as an item in executive session, Pct. 3 commissioner David Garza was miffed that Ruiz had even brought up the subject of buying land for a new warehouse in his precinct after the commissioners had rejected the cost of merely renovating the existing precincts facilities.
"No one had ever said the precinct needed a new warehouse," said a Pct. 4 resident. "But there has been talk of renovating the old one. Maybe he thinks it's too far from his house and office and wanted a closer site."
Then, once it was explained that the land Ruiz was recommending for the new site of his precinct's warehouse, things really hit the fan.
Apparently, the new commissioner had his eye on property that belongs to the Bence Estate.
The Bence family has had extensive real-estate holdings and the late Leon Bence founded and operated the Bence Nursery Farms and was a real-estate developer. He died in 2010.
As far as anyone acquainted with the issue knows, the Bences were not even aware that Ruiz was trying to get the commissioners court to approve the purchase of the property.
What makes the issue somewhat political is that Sheila Garcia-Bence, wife of attorney Travis Bence, son of the late Leon Bence, won the Democratic primary for the new County Court-at-Law #4. She faces no opposition in the November general election.
For Ruiz to have Garcia place the item for consideration in executive session and possibly buying the property for his new warehouse is considered by many as a rookie mistake from a politician trying to impress his constituents with his political prowess. For others, it also shows that he does not understand that there is a process that is set in place when acquiring real estate.
"In the first place, no one has ever talked of replacing the Pct. 4 warehouse, much less to relocate it or purchase property to build a new one," said a source acquainted with the issue. "For Ruiz to get the county administrator to place it on the executive session agenda for possible action just shows how green he is. No wonder commissioner Garza exploded. It's just bad form."
Ruiz, court observers say, has shown a penchant for keeping his views close to his vest, and those attending commissioners court meetings often have a hard time hearing his statements because he often forget to turn on his microphone when he speaks on the court.
Perhaps, they say, it is a trait carried over form his job advising clients as a veterans advocate at the 444th District Veterans Court presided over by Judge David Sanchez.
"He's got his secretive bent that puzzles people when they first meet him," said a local lawyer. "Maybe it's a carryover from his years in the military."
The issue of the proposed property acquisition was tabled in the last meeting of the commissioners court and is listed on the executive session agenda set for the commissioners' consideration next Tuesday.
3 comments:
What about the property; is it priced to make it attractive, is it in a good location and would it better serve the district. You don't mention this kind of information. If we admonished every elected official or administrator for taking care of their friends and political cronies....we could admonish them all. Taking care of friends is a way to win elections....and I would assert that all county elected officials are guilty. The best example that I can think of at this moment is the purchase of the Casa de Nylon by the city to benefit Queen Julieta Garcia and her friends. That $2.3 million was spent as a political favor. Let's give the young U.S. Marine, Ruiz, the support he will need and hope he listens to the people, not just his Party cronies.
Many years ago a major political figure had bought land on the river. He then pushed for a new bridge to be built on the land he had bought.I was in the grand jury room, when out of the mouth of a juor came, "I think he made a good deal wish I can do that one day." If taking care of friends is a way to win elections, I agree, just don't do it with my money, they may not be my friend. Gus Ruiz, did listen to Harlingen voters, then resigned to run for higher office, didn't make it. Ruiz gets himself a Pct. 4 position, then thinks he needs to spend money to prove his worth,but it is our worth he spends.
THE Warehouse's belongs to public works not the commissioners only thing they have assistant and secretary they your workers.judge pete Sepulveda he knows about it,Commissioners the only people you represntit the citizens of Cameron County.
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