AH, ALL THAT WINNING...BUT BY TRONALD DUMP AND BROOD, NOT BY YOU

 

SORRY, GUS. NO ACTION (NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH) ON $$$$ "SETTLEMENT" FROM COB TAXPAYERS! WILL BUREAUCRATS WHO USED PUBLIC ASSETS ILLEGALLY GO UNPUNISHED?

(Ed.'s Note: We won't know how the voting broke down in the City of Brownsville Commission on Tuesday's executive session on Gus de Leon's $ 1 million claim that city Public Works crews had "damaged" his family's property by performing road improvements on the private property, but the commissioners apparently didn't think his claim held water and didn't offer him a money settlement, thereby calling his bluff on his filing a lawsuit against the city taxpayers he represents.

At about 9:30 p.m., they emerged from executive session and "took no action" on the agenda item calling for the city to make him a possible settlement offer.

Lonely Gus awaits decision from fellow city commission members on settlement offer

The land, 10.5 acres located south of the Sam Perl and Mexico Blvds. intersection, is valued by the Cameron County Appraisal District at $250,000. However, it has been offered in local real estate listings offered at $825,000 with no takers since 2018.

DeLeon said he "discovered" the alleged "dumping" taking place last May 4, filed a police complaint two days later, and then said the city unexplainably kept the crews on the property spreading asphalt millings on the entrance and road for another three days.

News coverage of the controversy included statements by De Leon such as: (Valley Central) "A land survey commissioned by the family estimates more than 17,500 square feet of asphalt millings were placed on the property...(KRGV) 'This is probably .94 acres, almost one acre of millings that were thrown on here and about five inches deep,'" De Leon said.

A local contractor commented on this blog that the materials, machinery and labor spent on the site would equal more than $50,000 on the local market, well above the $2,500 amount considered a felony theft under Texas law. 

Just last week, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security took possession of the property under a lease with the De Leon family starting on Thursday, July16 and heavy equipment and cement trucks were seen entering and exiting through the improved entrance and the road leading to the construction of the Border Wall. 

 
The executive session was the first order of business on the commission agenda today and drew a large crowd, the majority of whom were voicing their displeasure of the commissioner's demand for public money. This was in apparent contradiction to his vote against the inclusion of a an amendment to the city charter earlier this month that will let voters in November decide whether to give him and his colleagues raises.

Earlier this month, the city commission approved sending the proposed charter change to voters in November. If approved their pay could nearly double.

The mayor's compensation is currently set at $40,000 a year, while city commissioners receive $25,000. The mayor's pay would increase to $62,500, and commissioners would see their pay double to $50,000.

De Leon was the only commissioner to vote against the inclusion of the salary amendment on the city charter election in November. Guess he had his eyes set on the brighter brass ring of a $1 million settlement (later lowered to between $700,000-$900,000, and lower, etc.,) over what he called "dumping" of asphalt millings on a road on his private property which he had leased to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

Up to now, no one is saying who approved the use of city materials, machinery and personnel to work on the road improvements, or if de Leon played a personal role in it. There is no indication whether the city attorney Will Treviño or City Manager Alan Gard will conduct an investigation and question Public Works Director Maribel Guerrero to see whether she ordered the crews to the commissioner's property and at whose direction.

The department would seem to fall under the purview of Deputy City Manager Doroteo Garcia, but there is no indication whether he was involved in the decision-making process in the city administration that resulted in sending materials, machinery and the crews there. 

For now, however, he will not pass, and will not collect $1 million, or any other sum. 

Will we see him file a lawsuit against the city, as he threatened? And will the city administration under CM Gard take steps to clear up the matter of who is responsible for the theft of public property and not sweep the matter under the carpet of asphalt millings and refer it to the proper law enforcement authorities?)

GMB (Frankie Olivo) Podcast

TODAY'S THE DAY: SETTLE WITH DE LEON FOR $100,000S, OR DEFEND CITY TAXPAYERS AND CALL HIS LAWSUIT BLUFF

 "Regardless of anyone's opinion of Commissioner (Gus) De Leon, the central issue should be accountability and transparency. If taxpayer money is being used to settle this matter, the public deserves a complete explanation of the facts, the legal basis for any payment, and the evidence supporting the amount.

An independent appraisal, a clear timeline of events, and documentation showing who authorized the work and why would go a long way toward restoring public confidence. Personal attacks and name-calling don't answer those questions. The focus should remain on ensuring that any decision is based on verified facts, sound legal advice, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars..." Anonymous Commenter

By Juan Montoya 

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

After we published our posts on the ongoing controversy regarding the demand by District 3 city commissioner Gus de Leon to get a money settlement (which started at $1 million, then $700,000 to $900,000, etc...) for city Engineering and Public Works crews spreading (he called it illegal dumping) of asphalt millings on a road on his family's 10.5-acre property next to the old bridge, we received the comment above.

He is threatening to sue the city taxpayers he represents if he is not paid Big Bucks for the "damage" done on the property by city Public Works crews using city equipment and road materials to make improvements on a road inside his property.

News coverage of the controversy included statements by De Leon such as: (Valley Central) "A land survey commissioned by the family estimates more than 17,500 square feet of asphalt millings were placed on the property...(KRGV) 'This is probably .94 acres, almost one acre of millings that were thrown on here and about five inches deep,'" De Leon said.

(Interestingly, the Cameron County Appraisal District places the taxable value of the property at $250,000 and  the family has been offering it for $825,000 in local real estate listing since 2018 without any takers.)

De Leon's assertions to news media, in turn, elicited a comment from another reader who said he calculated a ballpark guesstimate based on De Leon's comments. They point out that the road in question was not built by the city, but rather that the entrance and parts of it were improved by the spread of the millings with city equipment and trucks and crews from the entrance on Mexico Blvd,. to the extreme southern end of the property where the Department of Homeland Security has started to build sections of the Border Wall starting last Thursday.

According to security now controlling access to the property, the DHS took control of the property based on a lease agreement with the de Leon family which started this past Thursday. Interestingly, the asphalt millings were spread (dumped, according to de Leon), at the entrance, and along the road and ended near the section where the Border Wall is being constructed. 

A commenter stated that the costs are estimates of what contractors could expect to pay on the local market. 

 

Estimated Fair-Market Cost of Asphalt Millings Road Project
Purpose: The following is a general contractor-style estimate of the fair-market value to furnish, haul, spread, and compact asphalt millings for approximately one acre at an average depth of five inches. 

*This is an estimate of what a private contractor could reasonably charge, not necessarily what the City actually paid.

Assumptions

 Approximately one acre of roadway covered with asphalt millings.

 Average thickness of approximately 5 inches.

 Approximately 38 truckloads of 20 cubic yards each.

 Estimate represents fair-market contractor pricing, including equipment, labor, and

mobilization.

The city commission considered a settlement offer during their July 7 meeting, but were unable to reach consensus and delayed the decision until their meeting today, July 21.

Meanwhile, the finger pointing has started as residents ask who ordered the crews, machinery, and materials to the site. They stayed for almost a week delivering and spreading the asphalt millings on the private road inside the property. De Leon said he had filed a complaint to the police May 6, two days after he "discovered" the crews working n the road and let them continue there for another two or three days.

"Someone in authority had to issue the city crews orders. Who was it? Was it the Office of the City Manager, through Deputy City Manager Doroteo Garcia, formerly Director of Engineering and Public Works,  or the current Director of EPW Maribel Guerrero (right). Or will they throw Asst. EPW director Carlos Lastra under the bus? 

Guerrero, by the way, has no engineering degree, but specialized in public relations before she was appointed as assistant EPW director under Garcia and when he was promoted to Deputy CM, director of the department. As director with authority to order work crews, has she been interviewed? Did she clear it with her ex-boss? What role did she play? The buck stops there."

And was the "dumping," or city-paid road improvements, part of the plan to get it in shape for DHS to move heavy equipment and low-boys that carried them requiring a good entrance and roadway that could accommodate that traffic? (See graphic above of photo taken yesterday, Monday, July 20.)

If there was an "unwritten" verbal agreement to send the crews in the property and make the road improvements, the city commissioners paying De Leon one red cent in taxpayers' money before ascertaining who was involved would be tantamount to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the public. At what point does this become a felony (value over $2,500) and someone like the Cameron County District Attorney's Office has to step in? 

Texas Criminal Code

Abuse of Official Capacity (Texas Penal Code § 39.02): A public servant intentionally misuses government property, services, personnel, or funds. If the value involved is high enough, this offense can be a felony.
Official Oppression (Texas Penal Code § 39.03): A public servant intentionally subjects another to unlawful treatment or denies a legal right while acting under color of office. This is generally a misdemeanor, not a felony.

Tampering with a Governmental Record (Texas Penal Code § 37.10): If someone knowingly created false work orders, invoices, inspection reports, or other government records to conceal what occurred, this can be a felony.
Theft (Texas Penal Code § 31.03): If government materials, labor, or equipment were intentionally diverted for private benefit, prosecutors could examine whether the facts support a theft charge. Whether it is a felony depends on the value involved and the circumstances.

Conspiracy (Texas Penal Code § 15.02): If two or more people agreed to commit a felony and took an overt act toward it, conspiracy charges could be considered.

Today, at 5 p.m., this hot-potato issue comes before the city commission in an agenda item in executive session. It is the first item at the start of the meeting to be discussed and action taken in executive session. Will they cave in to his litigation threats and "settle" with de Leon for the "damage" to his property? Or will they perform their due diligence and represent the taxpayers who elected them to look out for their interests? 

STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE....MOON LANDING FROM A MIGRANT CAMP

 

(Ed,'s Note: Those longtime readers of this blog probably read this story here a few years ago. But before you start ragging on me, please consider that some of our more recent seven readers may not have had the pleasure. Humor me on this. I was only 15.)  

By Juan Montoya

To the migrant workers picking cherries at the Lester Southwell farm between Omena and Peshawbestown, Michigan, July 20, 1969 – now 57 years ago yesterday – it was just another muggy day made bearable only by the cool breezes blowing over the chilly, clear, blue  waters of Omena Bay across Michigan Highway 22 from their labor camp.

They were picking black cherries after they had gotten done with the napoleons (light red) sweets, and toward the end of the season in August, would move on to the tarts, or sour cherries favored by pie makers all over the world.

Today was special.

Not only were they picking their favorite cherries, large lumpy syrupy blacks, but the kids and teenagers in the camp had rigged a black and white television they had bought at one of those garage sales that seemed to sprout each Friday and Saturday along the Suttons Bay to Traverse City route where local residents knew migrants passed on their weekend runs for food and other household necessities.

The kids had pitched in and paid $10 for the black-and-white set and rigged it with aluminum foil and wire clothes hangers to acquire a somewhat discernible image from nearby television broadcasters, most notably the Traverse City CBS affiliate Channel 9-10.

The kids would watch cartoons and sitcoms during the day when the teens and adults were out in the orchards with their ladders and pails, and in the evenings the young adults watched the prime-time sit-com shows. By maneuvering the wire hangers and the aluminum wrapped around them, they could get a fairly good image.

But today, July 20, they knew that man was set to land on the moon. That night, the moon waxed near three-quarters and reflected off the clear waters of Omena Bay as it merged with Grand Traverse Bay to the south. The night was clear and cool, hovering in the 60s. Down south in the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico where they were from, it was 80 degrees at night. As the kids gathered closer to the set Walter Cronkite was narrating the play-by-play as the astronauts made ready their descent toward the lunar surface. 

They were all enthralled at the prospect of a man landing on the moon. It would have been even more relevant to them then if they had known the Neil Armstrong, the first man who landed on the moon, knew something about field work having grown up in a farm in Wapokaneta, Ohio, south of the Michigan-Ohio state line below Lima, where they would travel next to pick tomatoes.

When the first frosts singed the edges of the tomato leaf and sleet arrived in early to mid-October, they'd return to Brownsville, in the Valley.

Outside, in the grassy parking area of the labor camp, the adult males stood in a small circle around their cars parked in front of their respective cabins and talked adult talk about how much their families picked today, what was coming tomorrow, and where they would travel at the end of the cherry season when the sour cherry trees in the orchard had been plucked clean. These were the days before the tree-shaking automatic machines replaced agricultural labor. It had been a profitable year.

Then Cronkite and CBS switched to the NASA transmission from the lunar surface as Neil Armstrong (just a white blurry, bouncing image on the set against the darkness of space), pronounced his famous words, "One small  step for man,..." Cronkite had to cut in and translate the staticky slurs pronounced some 250,000 miles away and finish the sentence..."one giant leap for mankind."

The kids burst out in shouts and screams and ran out of the small cabin in celebration to the amazement of the adults gathered in front of the camp.

"Que tienen?" asked one of the adults.

"La luna!" they shouted jumping and pointed at it. "El hombre is on the moon!"

The men looked up at the three-quarter moon, bright and distant in the sky.

To some of them, who had never finished elementary school and some who had spent their entire lives without getting a chance to get near one, their claims must have seemed ludicrous.

"Tan locos," they said turning back to subjects that really mattered.

MOMENT TO MAKE A BRAID OF REEDS AND CORDS AND LEATHER...

By Joseph Fasano

For Our Children Who Will Learn How Inhumanity Happened in Our Time

Because we stopped demanding our humanity.

Because many

felt your fresh hearts in the darkness

and forgot you were the same as others' children,

your little sleeves all made of wool and cotton.

Because Power called the Truth

what it was not.

Loves, we teach you love

and wonder.

But remember this, remember this

forever:

There are moments

when you kneel in deep

allegiance,

and moments when the splendor

is surrender,

and the moment,

on this earth of furious burning,

when even Love

must rise up in its silence

and make a braid

of reeds and cords and leather

and find the lords of money

in the temples

and sweet sweet Jesus like a flood among the rubble

whip them out with the beautiful rage of God.

WHAT RIGHTS DO WE HAVE? TIME TO START STANDING UP FOR EACH OTHER

ICE break down a door during an immigration raid in Cameron Park last week. One man (below) was arrested.

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

We got rights? 

What fucking rights?

The right to hide? 

The right to stay quiet? 

The right to live in fear hoping ICE don't kick your door in? 

The right to pray that if you get pulled over they don't smash your window, drag you out, separate you from your family or even worst kill you?

That's what y'all call "rights"?

How the fuck do you sleep at night knowing kids are dying at the border? 

Knowing children are being ripped away from their parents every single day?

This is the reality our immigrant community lives every damn day.

And we're still sitting around waiting for another César Chávez to come save us. News flash nobody is coming.

How many more generations are we gonna let suffer before we wake the fuck up? Another 10 years? 

Another 50?

At some point we gotta stop waiting for a hero and start standing up for each other.

PUSH COMES TO SHOVE TUESDAY ON "ILLEGAL DUMPING" DEMAND BY GUS DE LEON

"Regardless of anyone's opinion of Commissioner (Gus) De Leon, the central issue should be accountability and transparency. If taxpayer money is being used to settle this matter, the public deserves a complete explanation of the facts, the legal basis for any payment, and the evidence supporting the amount.
An independent appraisal, a clear timeline of events, and documentation showing who authorized the work and why would go a long way toward restoring public confidence. Personal attacks and name-calling don't answer those questions. The focus should remain on ensuring that any decision is based on verified facts, sound legal advice, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars..." Anonymous Commenter

By Juan Montoya 

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

After we published our posts on the ongoing controversy regarding the demand by District 3 city commissioner Gus de Leon to get a money settlement (which started at $1 million, then $700,000 to $900,000, etc...) for city Engineering and Public Works crews spreading (he called it illegal dumping) of asphalt millings on a road on his family's 10.5-acre property next to the old bridge, we received the comment above.

News coverage of the controversy included statements by De Leon such as: (Valley Central) "A land survey commissioned by the family estimates more than 17,500 square feet of asphalt millings were placed on the property...(KRGV) 'This is probably .94 acres, almost one acre of millings that were thrown on here and about five inches deep,'" De Leon said.

(Interestingly, the Cameron County Appraisal District places the taxable value of the property at $250,000 and  the family has been offering it for $825,000 in local real estate listing since 2018 without any takers.)

De Leon's assertions to news media, in turn, elicited a comment from another reader who said he calculated a ballpark guesstimate based on De Leon's comments. They point out that the road in question was not built by the city, but rather that the entrance and parts of it were improved by the spread of the millings with city equipment and trucks and crews from the entrance on Mexico Blvd,. to the extreme southern end of the property where the Department of Homeland Security has started to build sections of the Border Wall starting last Thursday.

According to security now controlling access to the property, the DHS took control of the property based on a lease agreement with the de Leon family which started this past Thursday. Interestingly, the asphalt millings were spread (dumped, according to de Leon), at the entrance, and along the road and ended near the section where the Border Wall is being constructed. 

A commenter stated that the costs are estimates of what contractors could expect to pay on the local market. 

 

Estimated Fair-Market Cost of Asphalt Millings Road Project
Purpose: The following is a general contractor-style estimate of the fair-market value to furnish, haul, spread, and compact asphalt millings for approximately one acre at an average depth of five inches. 

*This is an estimate of what a private contractor could reasonably charge, not necessarily what the City actually paid.

Assumptions

 Approximately one acre of roadway covered with asphalt millings.

 Average thickness of approximately 5 inches.

 Approximately 38 truckloads of 20 cubic yards each.

 Estimate represents fair-market contractor pricing, including equipment, labor, and

mobilization.

The city commission considered a settlement offer during their July 7 meeting, but were unable to reach consensus and delayed the decision until their meeting tomorrow, July 21.

Meanwhile, the finger pointing has started as residents ask who ordered the crews, machinery, and materials to the site. At what point does this become a felony (value over $2,500) and someone like the Cameron County District Attorney's Office has to step in? 

"Someone in authority had to issue the city crews orders. Who was it? Was it the Office of the City Manager, through Deputy City Manager Doroteo Garcia, formerly Director of Engineering and Public Works,  or the current Director of EPW Maribel Guerrero (right). Or will they throw Asst. EPW director Carlos Lastra under the bus? 

Guerrero, by the way, has no engineering degree, but specialized in public relations before she was appointed as assistant EPW director under Garcia and when he was promoted to Deputy CM, director of the department. As director with authority to order work crews, has she been interviewed? Did she clear it with her ex-boss? What role did she play? The buck stops there."

And was the "dumping," or city-paid road improvements, part of the plan to get it in shape for DHS to move heavy equipment and low-boys that carried them requiring a good entrance and roadway that could accommodate that traffic? 

If there was an "unwritten" verbal agreement to send the crews in the property and make the road improvements, the city commissioners paying De Leon one red cent in taxpayers' money before ascertaining who was involved would be tantamount to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the public. Again, at what point does this become a felony and the DA's Office  has to step in?

Texas Criminal Code

Abuse of Official Capacity (Texas Penal Code § 39.02): A public servant intentionally misuses government property, services, personnel, or funds. If the value involved is high enough, this offense can be a felony.
Official Oppression (Texas Penal Code § 39.03): A public servant intentionally subjects another to unlawful treatment or denies a legal right while acting under color of office. This is generally a misdemeanor, not a felony.

Tampering with a Governmental Record (Texas Penal Code § 37.10): If someone knowingly created false work orders, invoices, inspection reports, or other government records to conceal what occurred, this can be a felony.
Theft (Texas Penal Code § 31.03): If government materials, labor, or equipment were intentionally diverted for private benefit, prosecutors could examine whether the facts support a theft charge. Whether it is a felony depends on the value involved and the circumstances.

Conspiracy (Texas Penal Code § 15.02): If two or more people agreed to commit a felony and took an overt act toward it, conspiracy charges could be considered.

Tomorrow, this hot-potato issue comes before the city commission in an agenda item in executive session. Will they cave in to his litigation threats and "settle" with de Leon? Or will they perform their due diligence and represent the taxpayers who elected them to look out for their interests? 

NUT-CUTTING TIME: DECISION ON DE LEON "SETTLEMENT" COMING TUESDAY

City commissioner Gus de Leon calls this illegal dumping; others call it illegal free road improvements

The collage above and the one below of the entrance and of the wall were posted by the commissioner on his social page

By Juan Montoya
Special to El Rrun-Rrun

If, come next Tuesday, the City of Brownsville Commission members approve a "settlement" with their fellow District 3 commissioner Gus de Leon over his charges that city Engineering and Public Works crews "dumped" tons of expensive asphalt millings on his family's property without his consent, it will mean political suicide for them and a brazen example of his self-dealing as a public official bordering on the criminal.

De Leon – personally and without the benefit of an attorney – has negotiated with City Attorney Will Treviño and City Manager Alan Gard, both of who see him as their boss with the power to hire and fire them, since May 4, when he claims he "discovered" city Public Works Crews overlaying a pothole-pocked dirt road on his property adjacent to the old railroad easement the family had leased to Union Pacific Railroad at the old bridge.

When he started "negotiating,"  he had demanded $1 million, which he later lowered to between $700,000 to $900,000, an offer later presented for consideration by his fellow city commissioners during the July 7 commission meeting. It's been going down since. At that time, no decision was reached by the commission and moved to this Tuesday's July 21 meeting.

Interestingly, the Cameron County Appraisal District places the taxable value of the property at $250,000 and  the family has been offering it for $825,000 in local real estate listing since 2018 without any takers.

Unbeknownst to the and city management and the commissioners, De Leon had also entered into a lease
agreement with the Department of Homeland Security for the property and to access for the construction of a section of the Border Wall and to patrol the riverside. It is unknown whether the lease with the DHS includes a guarantee that the entrance and the road that leads to the Wall be in a condition which will allow them to move vehicles and heavy equipment. It clearly wasn't in such a condition  before the "dumping."

In fact, a construction warning sign has been erected and security guard the entrance.

Access to the property located south of the intersection of Sam Perl and Mexico Blvds., is now restricted by a security firm under subcontract with DHS. The contract for security by the federal government started just this past Thursday, when DHS started construction.

If the city commission had accepted the settlement offer to de Leon July 7, it would have been a "done deal" then and it would not have come to the public's notice. And it would have dovetailed nicely with the DHS taking lease possession of the property.

Many questions on this issue by the public remain unanswered. Some are:

1. Who ordered the city crews to enter the property and spread the valuable road material? 

2. Was De Leon involved in a verbal, unwritten "agreement" – and with who? – to have the crews "dump" the asphalt millings and fill the potholes and make the road improvement in return for allowing the crews to supposedly use the property as a "staging area" for their work on downtown alleys?

3. Someone in authority had to issue the city crews orders. Who was it? Was it the Office of the City Manager, through Deputy City Manager Doroteo Garcia, formerly Director of Engineering and Public Works,  or the current Director of EPW Maribel Guerrero. Or will they throw Asst. EPW director Carlos Lastra under the bus? 

Guerrero, by the way, has no engineering degree, but specialized in public relations before she was appointed as assistant EPW director under Garcia and then director of the department. As director with authority to order work crews, has she been interviewed? Did she clear it with her ex-boss? What role did she play? The buck stops there.

If there was an "unwritten" verbal agreement to send the crews in the property and make the road improvements, the city commissioners paying De Leon one red cent in taxpayers' money before ascertaining who was involved would be tantamount to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the public.

Local contractors say that it costs $700 for a 20-yard load of asphalt millings. De Leon says that the city spread nearly one acre (1,700 square feet) five inches deep of the material on the road leading to the Wall. All that milled asphalt did not come from the downtown alleys. Did the city buy it or tap its road materials? What did it cost taxpayers?

And does no one see the huge conflict of interest in De Leon negotiating with the city administration (which he hires and fires), and with his colleagues on the city commission to benefit himself and his family?

It will be up to these six city commission members Tuesday to do their due diligence. We will see if they cave in to De Leon's litigation threats and demand ruse without demanding the facts, or if they will defend the interest of the public which elected them to protect their interests.

ALL TOGETHER N0W: LOCK HIM UP ! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

So it turns out that between driving on the reflecting pool before it was finished and poor thousands of gallons of chemicals in it to kill the algae that the color Trump chose created, are the only reasons the reflecting pool’s lining was damaged. 

What in incredible display of incompetence and a huge waste of taxpayer dollars. 

B'VILLE BATTLING TO BE NO. 1 LEAST EDUCATED U.S. CITY

Special to El Run-Rrun

Educational attainment varies dramatically across the country, and the latest WalletHub rankings highlight the metro areas with the lowest share of college-educated adults. While these communities face different economic and educational challenges, the rankings offer a snapshot of where bachelor’s degree attainment remains the lowest in the U.S.

According to WalletHub’s latest analysis, Laredo, Texas ranks as the least educated metro area in America, followed by Brownsville–Harlingen and McAllen–Edinburg–Mission.

Source: WalletHub, Most & Least Educated Cities in America (2026).

FRIDAY FUNNIES: HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR TESTOSTERONE LATELY?

La Cebolla

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new policy to test testosterone levels of service members aged 30 and above as part of their annual health assessment, with medical teams recommending hormone therapy for those found to be deficient. What do you think?

A TRIED-AND-TRUE FORMULA FISHING FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

 

TODD BLANCHE USAG CONFIRMATION TESTIMONY REDACTED

Having “Pled the Fifth,” Ghislaine Maxwell should now be returned to the real prison, and if she is not so returned we are entitled to presume that she does have knowledge detrimental to Herr Drumpf—and Todd Blanche well knows all about it—although who would now believe anything Maxwell—or Blanche—said in any such “exoneration” of Herr Drumpf?

Given that Todd Blanche is now the Acting USAG—and putting aside for the moment his attempted $1.8 million “Slush Fund” scam—what will his Bar Association ultimately have to say about what appears to be Blanche’s knowledge of Trump’s alleged crimes against little girls and this apparent attempt at suborning perjury from Maxwell on behalf of his client?

SARONIC CHOOSES BROWNSVILLE OVER GEORGIA FOR SHIPYARD

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

With the City of Brownsville, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and numerous economic development officials jumping over each other to take credit, Abbott  announced Thursday that Saronic Technologies, Inc. will construct a next-generation shipyard, expected to be the largest shipyard in the country, called Port Alpha at the Port of Brownsville for the manufacture of medium- and large-class autonomous and autonomy-capable vessels during a press conference at Saronic’s headquarters in Austin.

“Today marks history with the announcement of the most advanced shipyard in the entire world,” said Abbott. “When this shipyard gets fully built out, there will be about 10,000 employees. Saronic is going to be providing about $750 million in annual paychecks to Texans. That’s game-changing for the population of Texas.”

The Port Alpha shipyard and advanced manufacturing facility represents a capital investment of $3,248,000,000 and will create 10,000 new jobs. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $80 million and a $78,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus have been extended to Saronic. The shipyard is also a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation (IETI) program.

Founded in Austin in 2022, Saronic Technologies combines advanced autonomy software with fast, scalable domestic manufacturing to deliver autonomous maritime systems that extend the reach, capability, and efficiency of defense and commercial fleets.

“America's maritime future depends on our ability to build again,” said Saronic Co-Founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas. “Port Alpha is our commitment to that mission. Built from the ground up to deliver ships at a speed and scale not seen since World War II, this investment is about more than constructing a shipyard. It is about rebuilding the industrial capacity, workforce, and manufacturing advantage required to ensure American maritime leadership for decades to come. The state of Texas and city of Brownsville give us the foundation to turn that vision into reality."

Saronic chose Texas for this expansion based on workforce availability, infrastructure readiness, land scale, logistics, and expansion potential. Saronic will work with the State of Texas, Cameron County, regional technical colleges, and state university systems to develop workforce training and apprenticeship programs designed to sustain long-term industrial growth and position South Texas as a center of excellence for advanced maritime manufacturing.

“This investment is a defining moment for the Port of Brownsville, Cameron County, the entire Rio Grande Valley, and all of Senate District 27,” said Senator Adam Hinojosa. “Texas has long led the nation in energy, manufacturing, and innovation, and our Gulf Coast will now play a key role in strengthening our industrial base and national security. 

"Building the next generation of autonomous maritime technology in South Texas creates opportunity for our communities while helping ensure the United States remains prepared for future challenges. I appreciate Governor Abbott’s leadership in securing this project, and I thank Saronic for choosing Texas as the home for this significant investment. I look forward to its lasting impact on our region and our nation.”

“We're pleased to welcome Saronic to Cameron County," said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “Saronic's investment marks a significant milestone for our county as it expands the shipbuilding industry to South Texas and aims to create 10,000 new jobs. This project will strengthen our local economy by creating new opportunities for working families, supporting small businesses, and driving long-term growth throughout Cameron County and the region."

“Having Saronic in our community is a historic moment for our region and a game changer for our students,” said Point Isabel Independent School District Superintendent Teri Capistran. “Families in the Rio Grande Valley are among the most economically disadvantaged in the state of Texas, but education remains the greatest equalizer that breaks cycles of poverty in families and generations. By partnering with Saronic, our students will now have the unprecedented opportunity to earn advanced degrees, gain cutting edge skills, and secure high-paying careers right here at home.” 

 Saronic selected the port as the home of Port Alpha, a $3.2 billion next-generation shipyard expected to create more than 10,000 direct jobs in the region.

In addition to the thousands of direct jobs created, the shipyard is expected to generate more than $160 billion in regional economic impact for Cameron County and $264.5 billion for the State of Texas. Port Alpha will encompass 835 acres, with construction slated to begin in 2026 allowing the project to expand in step with production demand. Port Alpha expected to open for operations in 2028.

At full build-out, the development is expected to expand to nearly 4,400 acres, and will include a shipyard and manufacturing facility capable of producing vessels up to 850 ft. Future site expansion could support the production of vessels over 1,200 ft. The site provides hundreds of acres of waterfront access, deepwater channel connectivity, multimodal logistics infrastructure, and room for long-term expansion - everything required to anchor a next-generation shipbuilding hub.

THE GOV'MENT? NAH, I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT JUST NOW..

 

HE WHO LIVES IN A GLASS HOUSE SHOULDN'T LAUNCH STONES

PETER DALE: "Elon could do a lot with the letters in his name, I would call him Leon Skum"

FUNNY HOW COMMISSIONER GUS DE LEON NEVER MENTIONED THE SETTLEMENT OFFER

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

After we broke the story Monday on District 3 commissioner's' proposed settlement for "damages" done on his family's trust property which was put before the city commission during the July 7 meeting (see agenda item above graphic) where they considered his $1 million litigation threat, mainstream media has covered this news item.

And lo and behold!, there is nothing in the coverage by KVEO, CBS 4, or KRGV Channel 5 News that mentions the documented fact that De Leon personally has negotiated with the City Manager Alan Gard and City Attorney Will Treviño (who as commissioner he has the power to hire and fire) to reach what many criticize as an inflated "settlement" which can reach as high as $700,000 to $900,000.

In the news coverage, De Leon said that no one had authorized the city "in writing" to build the road and that they had used it to dump asphalt millings on it. 

Was thera an informal "micha micha" verbal agreement working here? We'll use your property and we'll kick in some material to fix the road. It's done all the time.

Disingenuously, he insinuated that the millings spread on the road would increase the value of the property resulting in higher property taxes valuations for improvements from the Cameron County Appraisal District.

An onsite survey indicated that no "new" road was built, and that the city crews used the millings to fill in ruts on the existing road leading to the Border Wall under construction and to level the pothole-filled entrance to the property. 

His late father, former city commissioner Ernesto de Leon Sr., had authorized Border Patrol agents use the road to patrol the nearby river banks as a civic gesture toward law enforcement. Ironically, Gus de Leon is a retired U.S. Customs officer but shows little regard for assisting the Border Patrol agents perform their duties.

Obviously, he's after something else: city bucks.

City crews had reportedly been using the property as a staging area to work on downtown alleys from which they gathered the asphalt millings.

De Leon told the news media that the road will remain in place until the dispute is resolved. He wants the property restored to its original condition.

"And it will be done, and everything that was thrown on our property will be removed, but it comes at a cost we shouldn't have incurred in the first place," De Leon said.

How much cost have you "incurred" and how much money do you want from the city taxpayers you represent Gus? We'll find out in the July 21 meeting where your "settlement" offer will again be considered.

City commissioner Gus de Leon calls this illegal dumping, others call it free road improvements

The collage above and the picture of the wall below were posted by the commissioner on his social page

PAT OLIPHANT, CARTOONIST WHO EVISCERATED PRESIDENTS, PEDOPHILE PRIESTS, DEAD

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Pat Oliphant, the dean of political cartoonists, who drew and sometimes eviscerated a rogues’ gallery of presidents, pedophile priests, warmongers and other editorial-page villains for American newspaper and online readers for half a century, died on Monday in Santa Fe, N.M. He was 90.

His son, Grant Oliphant, said he had died at home of age-related health issues.
With an impious eye for wickedness in high places and a deft left hand for pen-and-ink drawings, the 

Australian-born Oliphant moved to the United States as a young man, quickly won a Pulitzer Prize (which he disdained), and became one of the nation’s best-known political cartoonists, syndicated in as many as 500 American and foreign newspapers. 

He was showered with awards, and his work was featured in magazines and galleries and collected in books and museums.