"A nation and a woman are not forgiven the unguarded hour in which the first adventurer that came along could violate them."
By Juan Montoya
Sen. Eddie Lucio is working overtime.
The question now becomes: For who?
Certainly it doesn't appear that he is supporting the majority of the democratically-elected board in their negotiations with the UT System on the Juliet Garcia-spawned plan for an extortive "partnership" with Austin.
In fact, it appears that he is working covertly buttonholing the majority of the TSC trustees privately and trying to get them to 1) change their vote and opt to hand the assets of the district to the UT System and dissolve the 75-year-old community college, or 2) sweet-talk them into agreeing to hold a public referendum to let the district voters vote and let them decide.
On its face this would appear to be a neutral choice. However, in agreeing to either option, the trustees – elected to represent the people – would in effect be relinquishing the duties they took an oath to uphold.
We hear Lucio has been calling the majority on the board and doing what he does best. No, not drafting legislation that would bring jobs and prosperity to his district, but using his public trust and influence to deliver the votes needed to put the issue craftily presented to the public by paid ad agency flacks as one of "unification vs. separation."
Of curse, by shaping the debate as a troubled marriage, every one wishes the unhappy couple would just resolve their differences and make up for the sake of the children (students).
In reality, Lucio and Oliveira facilitated the rape of the junior college in 1991 when they and the disrict's boards agreed to allow UT System to come into their home and abuse TSC.
Sen. Eddie Lucio is working overtime.
The question now becomes: For who?
Certainly it doesn't appear that he is supporting the majority of the democratically-elected board in their negotiations with the UT System on the Juliet Garcia-spawned plan for an extortive "partnership" with Austin.
In fact, it appears that he is working covertly buttonholing the majority of the TSC trustees privately and trying to get them to 1) change their vote and opt to hand the assets of the district to the UT System and dissolve the 75-year-old community college, or 2) sweet-talk them into agreeing to hold a public referendum to let the district voters vote and let them decide.
On its face this would appear to be a neutral choice. However, in agreeing to either option, the trustees – elected to represent the people – would in effect be relinquishing the duties they took an oath to uphold.
We hear Lucio has been calling the majority on the board and doing what he does best. No, not drafting legislation that would bring jobs and prosperity to his district, but using his public trust and influence to deliver the votes needed to put the issue craftily presented to the public by paid ad agency flacks as one of "unification vs. separation."
Of curse, by shaping the debate as a troubled marriage, every one wishes the unhappy couple would just resolve their differences and make up for the sake of the children (students).
In reality, Lucio and Oliveira facilitated the rape of the junior college in 1991 when they and the disrict's boards agreed to allow UT System to come into their home and abuse TSC.
Subsequent boards stood by as the rape was consumed and spoke of it only in hushed tones like a dirty little secret best kept private in the family.
But when the main facilitator (Dr. Juliet Garcia) wanted to formalize the squalid act and take not only the district's virtue, but also her birthright, concerned relatives (new trustee majority) decided this had gone on long enough and threw off the perpetrators from the ravaged victim.
We have seen Eddie Sr. in action before. This is not the first time he's helped outside adventurers to violate us for a slight fee.
He, after all, is the main culprit who convinced the board of the Brownsville Navigation District to switch engineering firms for the construction of the planned rail-truck bridge at the Port of Brownsville. Brown and Root, a respected firm, was replaced by (guess who) Dannenbaum Engineering.
Then, $21 million in bonds later, it was discovered that at least $15 million of those funds had not been justified by the work product and the taxpayers of the BND learned of offshore wire transfers to vendors contracted by the firm, cash transfers to Mexican companies formed by principals of Dannenbaum (Louis H. Jones) and in which they had control, and a general pilferage of the monies that filled the drunken sailors landing at the port with shame at their inadequacy compared to them.
And all along, Sen. Lucio was getting paid $100,000s as a consultant to the firm.
But why bring up old sordid memories of our Eddie's missteps?
But when the main facilitator (Dr. Juliet Garcia) wanted to formalize the squalid act and take not only the district's virtue, but also her birthright, concerned relatives (new trustee majority) decided this had gone on long enough and threw off the perpetrators from the ravaged victim.
We have seen Eddie Sr. in action before. This is not the first time he's helped outside adventurers to violate us for a slight fee.
He, after all, is the main culprit who convinced the board of the Brownsville Navigation District to switch engineering firms for the construction of the planned rail-truck bridge at the Port of Brownsville. Brown and Root, a respected firm, was replaced by (guess who) Dannenbaum Engineering.
Then, $21 million in bonds later, it was discovered that at least $15 million of those funds had not been justified by the work product and the taxpayers of the BND learned of offshore wire transfers to vendors contracted by the firm, cash transfers to Mexican companies formed by principals of Dannenbaum (Louis H. Jones) and in which they had control, and a general pilferage of the monies that filled the drunken sailors landing at the port with shame at their inadequacy compared to them.
And all along, Sen. Lucio was getting paid $100,000s as a consultant to the firm.
But why bring up old sordid memories of our Eddie's missteps?
Guess who sits on the UT Board of Regents? None other than Jim Dannenbaum, presient of the offending firm. And still on the firm's payroll even after the scandal at the port is Louis H. Jones Jr., his engineer.
Is Eddie still on the Dannenbaum payroll?
Is Eddie still on the Dannenbaum payroll?
Lucio was also involved in convincing county commissioners in Willacy County to switch companies to build their prisons at the same time he was receiving hefty consulting payments from those firms. In the end of that fiasco, the prisons were actually built, but several county commissioners went to prison for having their palms greased by contractors' agents. We later found out that vice-president Dick Cheney has a financial interest in the private security firm that got the contracts to provide guards for the prisons.
Now Eddie wants our TSC trustees us to listen to him and either switch or "let the people decide."
And what about the "shell bill" that Oliveira has filed just in case the trustees see the light and go ahead and let the rape and debauchery continue?
Just what exactly is in that bill? If we were wagering folk, we would bet that it contains the exact same terms and conditions that led the Fabulous Four – Adela Garza, Kiko Rendon, Rene Torres and TreyMendous – to reject Garcia's and the UT System's sop.
Now Eddie wants our TSC trustees us to listen to him and either switch or "let the people decide."
And what about the "shell bill" that Oliveira has filed just in case the trustees see the light and go ahead and let the rape and debauchery continue?
Just what exactly is in that bill? If we were wagering folk, we would bet that it contains the exact same terms and conditions that led the Fabulous Four – Adela Garza, Kiko Rendon, Rene Torres and TreyMendous – to reject Garcia's and the UT System's sop.
"The partners contribute resources, including land, buildings, equipment, bank deposits, investments, and other assets to set up UTB/TSC, for the use and benefit of the new entity. UTB/TSC assumes the outstanding liabilities associated with these assets and the previous operations of UTB and TSC, except that UT System and TSC remain liable for its bond debt."
That debt, with interest and associated costs will total $102 million and district taxpayers will continue paying for it until the year 2034. It would be like letting a stranger take your house and you would continue to pay the mortgage.
In the end, you would end up without a house.
So not only does President Garcia’s plan calls for “giving” the UT System $198 million in TSC assets, but also for taxpayers to pay the additional $102 million in debt.
So not only does President Garcia’s plan calls for “giving” the UT System $198 million in TSC assets, but also for taxpayers to pay the additional $102 million in debt.
That is not the only objectionable clause in the new agreement.
Under it, our elected representatives on the board are stripped of any real say-so in the management of the partnership or the selection of its president or UTB-TSC employees.
They will be relegated to an “advisory” role in the partnership. Don’t believe it?
They will be relegated to an “advisory” role in the partnership. Don’t believe it?
“The UT Board of Regents, as the managing partner will manage the business and affairs of UTB/TSC on behalf of the Partnership, except for (1) major organizational divisions which require consent of both partners, and (2) day to day operational decisions, which are vested in the administration of UTB/TSC.
"President: Selection and appointment of the President of UTB/TSC will be subject to and governed by state law, the UT Board of Regents and the Rules and Regulations, with a formal process that solicits the advice of members of the Board of Trustees… The president will be an employee of UTB/TSC and may be removed by the Board of Regents...”
El Rrun-Rrun is now looking for the "shell bill" Oliveira filed to see if it is as benign as it sounds. If it contains the same drivel as the clauses above, then we'll know that he's helping to hold down the victim as are Lucio and Garcia.
On to trustee Robert Robles. Like Clayton Williams, he is asking the voters of the district to "grin and bear it" and assents for the rape to continue.
In letters he sent to all the board members, he disingenuously pretends that the election that changed the majority of the board and gave the new members a mandate to change the direction of the relationship between TSC and the UT System never happened and he now strikes a pose as a pious defender of democracy. He writes:
Dear Members of the Board,
El Rrun-Rrun is now looking for the "shell bill" Oliveira filed to see if it is as benign as it sounds. If it contains the same drivel as the clauses above, then we'll know that he's helping to hold down the victim as are Lucio and Garcia.
On to trustee Robert Robles. Like Clayton Williams, he is asking the voters of the district to "grin and bear it" and assents for the rape to continue.
In letters he sent to all the board members, he disingenuously pretends that the election that changed the majority of the board and gave the new members a mandate to change the direction of the relationship between TSC and the UT System never happened and he now strikes a pose as a pious defender of democracy. He writes:
Dear Members of the Board,
This past February 17th, 2011 the board majority voted to separate from the UT System in spite of strong opinions on either side. Those of you that voted to separate claimed that you had a large constituency urging you to do so.
However, many people (did these people vote for the losing side?) have been calling to complain that their voice was not heard. I understand those that voted to separate have strong reasons for their action and I am not writing to change your mind.
If we were voted on by the people to serve and protect their needs then we need to respect and listen to them on this historic issue. After all, the people voted to create the TSC district and it was the people who voted for the bond hence it would be appropriate to let the people ultimately decide whether to separate or not. With all due respect I am not asking you to change your position but to allow the free and democratic people we serve participate in the final decision by putting it to a public vote.
However, many people (did these people vote for the losing side?) have been calling to complain that their voice was not heard. I understand those that voted to separate have strong reasons for their action and I am not writing to change your mind.
If we were voted on by the people to serve and protect their needs then we need to respect and listen to them on this historic issue. After all, the people voted to create the TSC district and it was the people who voted for the bond hence it would be appropriate to let the people ultimately decide whether to separate or not. With all due respect I am not asking you to change your position but to allow the free and democratic people we serve participate in the final decision by putting it to a public vote.
Whatever the outcome we can all be rest assured we represented the public with grace and dignity (You already lost by the 4-3 vote, Robert. Why beat on a dead horse?).
No one should shoulder the entire responsibility, for better or for worse, of what lies ahead in this difficult economy but the people. Leave it in their hands and may God bless us all for this wise decision.
With my best regards to you as your fellow trustee and public servant,
Roberto Robles, MD.
So we have a state senator trying to pimp us again, a state representative making the bed ready, and a TSC trustee declaring that the victim is in fine shape to giver her assent.
Roberto Robles, MD.
So we have a state senator trying to pimp us again, a state representative making the bed ready, and a TSC trustee declaring that the victim is in fine shape to giver her assent.
Support the four trustees who want to protect our district. If we allow the rape to continue, future generations won't forgive us.
11 comments:
Great journalism Juan! Some interesting issues: 1. Robles says the board voted for separation. It DID NOT! UT System voted to terminate the existing partnership—TSC had nothing to say about that vote. On February 17, the Trustees actually voted on what type of “unification” would go forward after UT System’s decision. They voted to UNITE with UT System as two autonomous entities sharing (by contracts) certain facilities, services, etc. So, Robles, stop misrepresenting what is going on here. 2. Maybe we should refer Lucio’s proposed “tax on soft drinks” to referendum—how would he react to that suggestion? 3. The Dannenbaum connection needs to be investigated further, and fully disclosed to the public—I’ll bet the people’s referendum vote on that would pass! Maybe a FOI Act request can start that ball rolling. 4. When you get the “shell bill” please forward a copy to Trustee Oliveira—he has never seen one.
That is so true he told everybody at the meeting. Trustee Oliveira, were you telling the truth then or are you just ignorant like that?
I am telling you if this peeps were smart they would just let each entity alone and let their own trustees, VOTE
What we need is to create a defeatlucioPAC. Right around the corner. Let him spend his $647,000 (Campaign Report) that he has collected as Chief Pimp of Brownsville.
No more elections needed in Cameron county needed. Our great legislators will make all the decisions for all the governing boards. YaY we are so lucky. Papa Lucio and Uncle Oliveira will take care of us. NOT
We will NOT allow them they keep this up and we will de-elect them.
Let's end dynasties, LUCIO, OLIVEIRA, CASCOS.
DANNEBAUM/LUCIO/MILLIONDOLLARTHEFT.COM
There's chatter that Senator Lucio is guiding the 4 trustee majority, and that he's very close to Trey Mendez. Hmmm.....
good post Mr. Montoya, forcefull, good journalism.
Yes, I believe a defeatlucioPAC will definitely work. Elections 2012 are getting closer. Hay que cortar el mal de la mera raiz!!
Vamos a ver "De cual cuero salen mas correas"
Gracias Mr. Montoya.
All of a sudden President Garcia likes Rene Oliveria and is seeking his help to change the vote! She's a great politician (no morals, no reason, just greed and payback from her group). What part of no more partnership does Garcia and her committee fail to understand? Let it go! Trustee Lozano said at the mtg that something needed to be done about the most "expensive" students (developmental). UTB does not want to educate them and the university's open door policy is already closing--something known as university college. If they don't make it, they're out. good-bye most expensive students.
The referendum is being called because the university is scaring everybody on campus with misleading information about course credits, and accreditation. Everyone on that campus has drank the kool-aid. No referendum because its rigged! It would have nothing to do with the democratic process that trustee Lozano describes. Wow! do Garcia, Brownsville leaders, Lozano, Oliveira, and Robles really think people in Brownsville are stupid...wake up people...We're not!! NO REFERENDUM--KEEP TSC and UTB Separate!!!!!!!!!
Can't locate the website. Does it exist?
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