By Juan Montoya
At first blush, he will seem gruff, bent with age, and set in his ways.
But to those who grew up with him and had the chance to work with him can tell you that just below the surface lies one of the most talented and multi-faceted persons in the Brownsville community.
We speak of Dr. Joe Zavaletta whose stint as a city commissioner a few years ago was just the last feather in his multi-plumed hat. Before that – and before it was fashionable to be an advocate for the many poor and politically powerless people around us – Dr. Joe was in the forefront of the struggle to lighten their load.
Unlike some members of local pioneer families, he was not content to sit on the sidelines in the lap of prominence and social standing. There are Zavaletas (and Zavalettas) in countless professions and elected positions.
Born during the trying years of the Great Depression, Dr. Joe’s parents – also two remarkable individuals – toiled and sacrificed so that he could attend St. Joseph Academy, paying the then-steep 75-cents daily school fees. He excelled in his studies and then did something almost unheard of local Mexican-Americans during that era of segregated education in Texas – applied and was admitted to the University of Texas School of Medicine in Austin.
As a medical practitioner, he could have sat out the Korean War at home and reaped the benefits of his profession. Instead, upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic and was given a choice of stations – a field hospital in Japan, or the front lines in the Korean Peninsula. You can guess by now what his selection was. After his honorable discharge and commendations in recognition of his service in that combat zone, Dr. Joe came home.
Literally thousands of babies – you, dear reader, may be one – were delivered in Brownsville and surrounding area by the knowing, caring hands of the good doctor.
Not content with his medical contributions, he delved into local politics and served on the Brownsville Independent School District board of directors. Again, he opened the door to other Mexican-Americans to the helm of local educational institutions and the professions by helping to guide the district to improve the educational opportunities of the children of the community.
In 1969 he was named as a member of the Cameron Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc. (CWCCP). This organization, charged with dispensing government aid to the many needy in impoverished South Texas faced many obstacles to fulfill its mission – not the least of which was the determined opposition from entrenched political machines content to operate their patron systems.
Undaunted, he became a leading force on the board and provided the leadership that brought many critical services to the needy into those neglected communities.
A partial list of those services would include Planned Parenthood for poor women, Texas Legal Rural Aid for the indigent, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program, Head Start, the National Youth Conservation Corps, the TB Hospital in Harlingen, Senior Citizen programs such as Meals on Wheels for house-bound elderly, Multi-Service Centers in both counties, and many more.
Encountering entrenched opposition from Willacy County kingmakers, he relished the challenge and succeeded in establishing the Head Start and Food Stamp program there.
But just as he was adamant about some things such as those listed above, when he smelled something wasn’t right, he could be just as stubborn and rigid in his opposition to some issues.
As a city commission, he opposed the Rio Alliance public relations boondoggle, feeling that those promotional efforts were being duplicated with the PR blitz at extravagant costs. Ultimately, he was proved right, although hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayers’ money were lost before the commissioners regained their senses.
And despite blistering personal attacks and innuendo, he persevered in defeating the charter amendments that would have given unbridled power to the PUB administration and fat salaries for the mayor and city commissioners.
Through it all, his commitment to the people of his community has never wavered.
If you see him, you will notice that the many years on the front lines have bent his frame with age and that his step is labored. Don't be fooled, beneath that seemingly frail countenance lies the spirit of a warrior.
MacArthur may have told Congress that old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Don’t believe it. Dr. Joe may be in his twilight years, but his ferocity for the truth and what is right for his community continues to burn in that old soul of his.
At first blush, he will seem gruff, bent with age, and set in his ways.
But to those who grew up with him and had the chance to work with him can tell you that just below the surface lies one of the most talented and multi-faceted persons in the Brownsville community.
We speak of Dr. Joe Zavaletta whose stint as a city commissioner a few years ago was just the last feather in his multi-plumed hat. Before that – and before it was fashionable to be an advocate for the many poor and politically powerless people around us – Dr. Joe was in the forefront of the struggle to lighten their load.
Unlike some members of local pioneer families, he was not content to sit on the sidelines in the lap of prominence and social standing. There are Zavaletas (and Zavalettas) in countless professions and elected positions.
Born during the trying years of the Great Depression, Dr. Joe’s parents – also two remarkable individuals – toiled and sacrificed so that he could attend St. Joseph Academy, paying the then-steep 75-cents daily school fees. He excelled in his studies and then did something almost unheard of local Mexican-Americans during that era of segregated education in Texas – applied and was admitted to the University of Texas School of Medicine in Austin.
As a medical practitioner, he could have sat out the Korean War at home and reaped the benefits of his profession. Instead, upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic and was given a choice of stations – a field hospital in Japan, or the front lines in the Korean Peninsula. You can guess by now what his selection was. After his honorable discharge and commendations in recognition of his service in that combat zone, Dr. Joe came home.
Literally thousands of babies – you, dear reader, may be one – were delivered in Brownsville and surrounding area by the knowing, caring hands of the good doctor.
Not content with his medical contributions, he delved into local politics and served on the Brownsville Independent School District board of directors. Again, he opened the door to other Mexican-Americans to the helm of local educational institutions and the professions by helping to guide the district to improve the educational opportunities of the children of the community.
In 1969 he was named as a member of the Cameron Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc. (CWCCP). This organization, charged with dispensing government aid to the many needy in impoverished South Texas faced many obstacles to fulfill its mission – not the least of which was the determined opposition from entrenched political machines content to operate their patron systems.
Undaunted, he became a leading force on the board and provided the leadership that brought many critical services to the needy into those neglected communities.
A partial list of those services would include Planned Parenthood for poor women, Texas Legal Rural Aid for the indigent, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program, Head Start, the National Youth Conservation Corps, the TB Hospital in Harlingen, Senior Citizen programs such as Meals on Wheels for house-bound elderly, Multi-Service Centers in both counties, and many more.
Encountering entrenched opposition from Willacy County kingmakers, he relished the challenge and succeeded in establishing the Head Start and Food Stamp program there.
But just as he was adamant about some things such as those listed above, when he smelled something wasn’t right, he could be just as stubborn and rigid in his opposition to some issues.
As a city commission, he opposed the Rio Alliance public relations boondoggle, feeling that those promotional efforts were being duplicated with the PR blitz at extravagant costs. Ultimately, he was proved right, although hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayers’ money were lost before the commissioners regained their senses.
And despite blistering personal attacks and innuendo, he persevered in defeating the charter amendments that would have given unbridled power to the PUB administration and fat salaries for the mayor and city commissioners.
Through it all, his commitment to the people of his community has never wavered.
If you see him, you will notice that the many years on the front lines have bent his frame with age and that his step is labored. Don't be fooled, beneath that seemingly frail countenance lies the spirit of a warrior.
MacArthur may have told Congress that old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Don’t believe it. Dr. Joe may be in his twilight years, but his ferocity for the truth and what is right for his community continues to burn in that old soul of his.
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