oyaThe would-be next Cameron County judge thinks we can overcome a $4.7 million budget shortfall by turning off more lights.
His cohort and usual partner in crime thinks we should let prisoners loose to spend less money and balance the budget.
Thus, the heavy hitters on the Cameron County commissioners court – Precinct 2 commissioner John Wood and Precinct 1 commissioner Sofie Benavides – demonstrated the breadth of their financial acumen during a workshop held this Thursday. Wood, campaigning full-time (he did promise to be a full-time something or other didn't he?) for the post now held by Carlos Cascos, said that perhaps renegotiating the utility contracts held by the county, the $4.7 million shortfall could be overcome. Now, a utility contract is a complex thing to understand, much less negotiate. We doubt that a renegotiation on such a beast could be accomplished between now and Sept. 30, when the balanced budge must be passed by law.
Benavides, in the dark as usual, wants to see whether there's a way to release more prisoners more quickly so that the county won't have to continue keeping them in air-conditioned comfort and feeding them the gourmet fried burritos, cold peanut butter sandwiches and the cartons of milk these deadbeats are accustomed to consume.
Cascos, anticipating Wood's and Benavides' dodge, said that balancing the budget is "not about popularity, it's about sustaining county government."
In the past, Wood and Benavides – the disingenuous duo – have demonstrated their guile by playing along the rest of the court in agreeing to go along with a modest tax increase, and then instead went against the other three at the crucial vote.
Wood can now say that he has never voted for a tax increase, technically a correct statement, but at the same time concealing the fact that he had nothing constructive to add to the decision.
Ditto for Benavides of whom it is said will not cross Southmost unless Wood tells her it's OK to do so.
There remain yet more workshops before the final county budget is finished, but if these ideas on how to keep, the county solvent are the best Wood can offer, then he'll be under the microscope from county voters who expect much more from someone who would be county judge.
"So Wood wants to turn off the lights and Sofie wants to turn loose the criminals?," asked a participant at the workshop. "That's supposed to balance the budget?"
More savvy observers say that the last thing that Wood will do (or his parrot Sofie) is to vote for a tax hike or swallow other bitter pills that might be necessary to comply with state law and pass a balanced budget.
It's enlightening to remember that it was brainless Sofie who asked Cascos in the last budget go-round why they couldn't pass an unbalanced budget only to be reminded by Precinct 3 commissioner David Garza that it was illegal.
"Sofie and Wood are used to the (Gilbert) Hinojosa method of passing unbalanced budgets by projecting overly optimistic revenue income and then making do as the year progressed," said a county official. "Now that Gilbert is gone, they may actually have to do their jobs and think of a way to cut spending and present a truly balanced budget to the court."
6 comments:
The assertion that Wood has never voted for a tax increase is wrong. In 2003, his first budget as county commissioner, not only did he vote to increase the tax rate by over 2 cents, but gave himself a raise, and didn't feel it necessary to forego his increase. This is a fact. Search Herald Archives and you will see that this is true. I do agree however, that Wood is totally inept when it comes to county administration.
The article is dated September 10, 2003, where Wood voted to increase the tax rate by 1.77 Cents and give himself a raise.Here is the link if anyone gives a shit.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/commissioner-52867-increase-tax.html
Speaking of raises, each of Carlos Cascos staff members received a six thousand dollar raise midway thru his first year as County Judge. This was quietly done after he had spent months asking all department heads to cut 20 percent off their previous budget. Do the research, you will find he is a " do as I say, not as I do" kinda guy. Gilbert Hinojosa is more than a person but a persona who wheels and deals. Carlos Cascos is the same persona. Don't be fooled by his starched shirt.
Any politician's duty is to wheel and deal for the good of the community!!!! But don't you dare compare the "persona" of Gilbert Hinojosa to the "person" who Carlos Cascos is. Carlos may wear a starch shirt and nice dress pants, but he surely doesn't have anything under his sleeves or anyone in his back pocket. There is really no doubt as for whom we should vote, but not because of what they wear or who they hang around with. Vote for honesty and integrity! I will vote without doubt for Carlos Cascos!
So let me understand this.Cascos gave his staff raises, while at the same time asking everyone else to cut 20%. I seriously doubt that, but show us where he asked for the 20% cut. And how could Cascos give the raises quietly? Aren't these things supposed to go before the commissioner's court in an open meeting and don't they require commissioner's court approval? Assuming he gave his staff raises, how much has Cascos taken as a raise since he's been county judge? For that matter, if you do the research, the commissioners were doling out raises to themselves just about every year. Since Cascos got elected, no one on the commission has received a raise. Coincidence?
The best way to lead is to focus on your values and principles. Citizens take a great leap of faith in trusting and placing their confidence on an elected official. Because of that, all politicos must have the fortitude to not let them down. "Tienes valores o te vale?" I am voting for the man who has proved that he does -County Judge Carlos Cascos.
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