By Juan Montoya
It was classic Pat Ahumada.
Without even informing the sitting members of the board of the Brownsville Housing Authority or observing the usual niceties and protocols of replacing its members, Mayor Pat Ahumada personally swore in three members (a majority) and replaced them with his hand-picked candidates.
Apparently, Ahumada neglected to tell chairperson Beatrice
Lopez or members Patrick Lehmann, Ruben Herrera, Rendon, and Rosario Gonzalez that he was replacing Lehmann, Rendona dn Gonzalez.
"The whole thing took place in a a hurry," said a BHA staffer. "He brought in his new appointees, got a secretary to read the oath of office to them on the second floor of the building and he personally swore them in. No one knew what was coming."
Ahumada's replacements for the three board members are Andy Muñiz, Silveiro Capistrano, and BHA resident Ludivina Garza.
Muñiz, who gained notoriety for his role in the Manpower scandals in the 1970s, was joined by Capsitran, BISD Food and Nutrition Service Assistant Administrator, and resident representative Garza, a tenant in one of the BHA's units. Muñiz has served at least twice before in previous BHA boards and was not replaced by subsequent city commissions.
Coming on the eve of the city election, the replacement of the majority of the board is raising the suspicions of BHA personnel who think there may be more to the mayor's move than to replace the board members before he may or not be reelected to office.
"Why replace the member with lee than 10 days before the early voting?" asked a BHA employee? "What's he trying to do?"
The sudden whirlwind of activity at the BHA was prompted when at the meeting that was to be held today, there was an item calling for the election of officers. with a majority appointed by Ahumada, many suspected that he would have Muñiz placed as chairman.
These suspicions were heightened when reports that Muñiz, Ahuamada and Dallas developer James "Bill" Fisher had been seen dining in the past few days at Madeira's a swank new dining establishment across the resaca from Cobblehead's.
"That's a real expensive restaurant," said one. "Pat's out of work so I know he didn't foot the bill. "Muñiz is in his 70s so he wouldn't be the one calling the meeting there."
BHA administrators would not return calls left inquring into what is now being called the "BHA Massacre," despite repeated messages left at the office. However, a receptionist said that the meeting for tonight was cancelled after the incumbent board members notified her that they would not be able to attend.
The sudden appearance on the scene of Fisher, president of Odyssey Residential Construction which deals primarily with clients and state and federal agency has raised red flags in the BHA.
His web page lists his accomplishments as including "experience in all aspects of housing development and finance, specifically affordable housing & development and affordable housing finance programs.
"He has been the team leader in the acquisition, entitlement, finance, construction and development of over 7,000 units since 1996. He is a recognized industry leader with multi-state development experience including market rate, tax-exempt bond financed and housing tax credit financed properties.
Among his portfolio of accomplishments are listed the BHA housing construction at 250 Ash St., which is described a 158-unit multi-family new construction on a 12 acre site.
Odyssey offers design, consulting and construction, the site states and "over 200 hundred projects ranging from high rise multi family to single family homes...with a portfolio value of over $3 billion and growing."
Among those at least two in Brownsville, the Candlewick Apartments and the Tropical family unit project.
Recently, Odyssey Odyssey Residential Construction challenged the application of Brownstone for the construction of the 150-unit $16 million Citrus Garden project now planned by the BHA. The company said that Brownstone had not submitted a property appraisal in its application before the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Their challenge was denied after Brownstone lawyers submitted proof that no appraisal of the property was needed because the BHA owned the property in question.
"The only thing that could allow Odyssey (and Fisher) to get their foot in the door would be for a new board majority to issue a Request For Proposals (RFPs) instead of continuing the process," said a staffer. "We have heard that the resident representative Ludivina Garza has a standing offer from Fisher to use his Mercedes to get around. At this point, there's no telling what the new board might do."
The new Citrus garden housing project carries a $16 million price tag. The company that eventually builds the 150-unit could stand to net between $1.6 and $2 million on the deal.
Whatever Fisher's role may be in the current BHA housing construction plans, he also has a lot of baggage.
The http://www.dallasnews.com/ reported that Fisher was an FBI informant who helped convict several Dallas-area developers at the center of the Dallas City Hall public corruption investigation.
He testified during the trial how fomer Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and his plan commission appointee, D'Angelo Lee, allegedly pressured him to hire their associates as consultants and construction contractors on his southern Dallas affordable housing projects.
When he did not, prosecutors contend, Hill and Lee voted against his developments.
Fisher had a criminal conviction in Florida, which was overturned, and also a lawsuit against the FBI. The defense for the two men claimed Fisher was untrustworthy and steered FBI agents to go after people who opposed his projects.
Evidence in that trial so showed that Lee hit Fisher up for a $2,500 donation to Hill's November 2004 birthday party. When Fisher resisted paying, according to the government, Hill voted against his southern Dallas low-income housing projects and delayed his zoning change requests, shifting his support to Fisher's rival, Brian Potashnik.
Potashnik has pleaded guilty to bribing Hill and Lee. That's when Fisher reportedly contacted the FBI. They were already investigating his potential involvement in hiring a security firm owned by then-council member James Fantroy.
After Fisher came forward and agreed to be an informant, agents' attention shifted to Hill, Lee and more than a dozen others who were charged with extorting money from Fisher and accepting bribes from Potashnik.
Six pleaded and testified in the case.
It was classic Pat Ahumada.
Without even informing the sitting members of the board of the Brownsville Housing Authority or observing the usual niceties and protocols of replacing its members, Mayor Pat Ahumada personally swore in three members (a majority) and replaced them with his hand-picked candidates.
Apparently, Ahumada neglected to tell chairperson Beatrice
Lopez or members Patrick Lehmann, Ruben Herrera, Rendon, and Rosario Gonzalez that he was replacing Lehmann, Rendona dn Gonzalez."The whole thing took place in a a hurry," said a BHA staffer. "He brought in his new appointees, got a secretary to read the oath of office to them on the second floor of the building and he personally swore them in. No one knew what was coming."
Ahumada's replacements for the three board members are Andy Muñiz, Silveiro Capistrano, and BHA resident Ludivina Garza.
Muñiz, who gained notoriety for his role in the Manpower scandals in the 1970s, was joined by Capsitran, BISD Food and Nutrition Service Assistant Administrator, and resident representative Garza, a tenant in one of the BHA's units. Muñiz has served at least twice before in previous BHA boards and was not replaced by subsequent city commissions.
Coming on the eve of the city election, the replacement of the majority of the board is raising the suspicions of BHA personnel who think there may be more to the mayor's move than to replace the board members before he may or not be reelected to office.
"Why replace the member with lee than 10 days before the early voting?" asked a BHA employee? "What's he trying to do?"
The sudden whirlwind of activity at the BHA was prompted when at the meeting that was to be held today, there was an item calling for the election of officers. with a majority appointed by Ahumada, many suspected that he would have Muñiz placed as chairman.
These suspicions were heightened when reports that Muñiz, Ahuamada and Dallas developer James "Bill" Fisher had been seen dining in the past few days at Madeira's a swank new dining establishment across the resaca from Cobblehead's.
"That's a real expensive restaurant," said one. "Pat's out of work so I know he didn't foot the bill. "Muñiz is in his 70s so he wouldn't be the one calling the meeting there."
BHA administrators would not return calls left inquring into what is now being called the "BHA Massacre," despite repeated messages left at the office. However, a receptionist said that the meeting for tonight was cancelled after the incumbent board members notified her that they would not be able to attend.
The sudden appearance on the scene of Fisher, president of Odyssey Residential Construction which deals primarily with clients and state and federal agency has raised red flags in the BHA.
His web page lists his accomplishments as including "experience in all aspects of housing development and finance, specifically affordable housing & development and affordable housing finance programs.
"He has been the team leader in the acquisition, entitlement, finance, construction and development of over 7,000 units since 1996. He is a recognized industry leader with multi-state development experience including market rate, tax-exempt bond financed and housing tax credit financed properties.
Among his portfolio of accomplishments are listed the BHA housing construction at 250 Ash St., which is described a 158-unit multi-family new construction on a 12 acre site.
Odyssey offers design, consulting and construction, the site states and "over 200 hundred projects ranging from high rise multi family to single family homes...with a portfolio value of over $3 billion and growing."
Among those at least two in Brownsville, the Candlewick Apartments and the Tropical family unit project.
Recently, Odyssey Odyssey Residential Construction challenged the application of Brownstone for the construction of the 150-unit $16 million Citrus Garden project now planned by the BHA. The company said that Brownstone had not submitted a property appraisal in its application before the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Their challenge was denied after Brownstone lawyers submitted proof that no appraisal of the property was needed because the BHA owned the property in question.
"The only thing that could allow Odyssey (and Fisher) to get their foot in the door would be for a new board majority to issue a Request For Proposals (RFPs) instead of continuing the process," said a staffer. "We have heard that the resident representative Ludivina Garza has a standing offer from Fisher to use his Mercedes to get around. At this point, there's no telling what the new board might do."
The new Citrus garden housing project carries a $16 million price tag. The company that eventually builds the 150-unit could stand to net between $1.6 and $2 million on the deal.
Whatever Fisher's role may be in the current BHA housing construction plans, he also has a lot of baggage.
The http://www.dallasnews.com/ reported that Fisher was an FBI informant who helped convict several Dallas-area developers at the center of the Dallas City Hall public corruption investigation.
He testified during the trial how fomer Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and his plan commission appointee, D'Angelo Lee, allegedly pressured him to hire their associates as consultants and construction contractors on his southern Dallas affordable housing projects.
When he did not, prosecutors contend, Hill and Lee voted against his developments.
Fisher had a criminal conviction in Florida, which was overturned, and also a lawsuit against the FBI. The defense for the two men claimed Fisher was untrustworthy and steered FBI agents to go after people who opposed his projects.
Evidence in that trial so showed that Lee hit Fisher up for a $2,500 donation to Hill's November 2004 birthday party. When Fisher resisted paying, according to the government, Hill voted against his southern Dallas low-income housing projects and delayed his zoning change requests, shifting his support to Fisher's rival, Brian Potashnik.
Potashnik has pleaded guilty to bribing Hill and Lee. That's when Fisher reportedly contacted the FBI. They were already investigating his potential involvement in hiring a security firm owned by then-council member James Fantroy.
After Fisher came forward and agreed to be an informant, agents' attention shifted to Hill, Lee and more than a dozen others who were charged with extorting money from Fisher and accepting bribes from Potashnik.
Six pleaded and testified in the case.
11 comments:
Pat "15%" Lehmann takes care of himself; so Ahumada is looking to be taken care of. Andy Muniz, a sidekick of the Kardenas Klan, will help Ahumada, as long as he can also take care of himself. Muniz left the board a few years ago because the board at that time would not let him control contracts and sell property. Bill Fisher went into the BHA doghouse because he used questionable documents in making one of his contracts. Seems Ahumada has now pulled in another BHA group dedicated to doing Ahumada's bidding. This is not the first time that Ahumada has re-engineered BHA to benefit him. He has probably appointed more BHA Commissioners in his tenure than all the mayors of the last two decades. Beware of Andy Muniz and his Kardenas Klan connection.
Pat Ahumada is a DICK!
What happened? Weren't Pat and Pat going steady? Que gacho, Pat!
(Weren't Pat and Pat going steady?)
They're buds cause they both ride 2 wheelers. Difference is Ahumada rides Harleys and Lehman rides mopeds.
Renolds.
Ahumada can get things done when he wants to. He'll give the city a good lame duck screwing before he leaves office.
At this time in the history of Brownsville, voters face a decision that will affect everything that takes place in our City and I would rather have Mayor Patricio Ahumada as mayor who we know, is not a rich man living on a cloud, like the lawyer who was Abel Limas's "campaign manager" but someone, with the experience that "gets things done" in spite of the sometimes fierce spirit of opposition by some of the Commissioners, who give Mayor Ahumada a bad time, which otherwise, would have given Mayor Ahumada a big opportunity to get more done, which is why we need Mayor Ahumada to continue being Mayor because otherwise, the people will lose control of our city to who?
Well lets look at just who wants to be mayor, we have Tony Martinez, rich lawyer wanting to turn Palm Blvd into a shopping mall, even though we already have a mall, because Mr. Martinez, "does not like historic sites, wants to get into city hall to change zoning laws"
It if wasn't bad enough Tony Martinez, was also closely associated and majorly responsible for the acquisition of political donations for A. Limas, as his political campaign manager and not only that but according too all public news, more than several lawyers dipped their hands into a bench Tony Martinez and his lawyer friends provided for themselves at the expense of no justice to the people.
Then take Camarillo, just what can this over fed man, offer our City that we don't already have? I mean the guy barely got into office, wants to use it as a stepping stone to sit there like King fatso doing what? Camarillo is just in it for his personal interest and our City does not have time for candidates using the City as a stepping stone and manipulating what would've been good legislation through the spirit of opposition to everything we need like an airline that should have been here a long time ago to serve the city in hard times of safe travel in Mexico.
Brownsville, Texas missed out on Southwest Airlines now highly successful in Harlingen, Texas, because those committed to keeping our city in the dark ages, have been allowed to suppress the growth in our City and in order to progress into the future beyond 2012, we are going to need the vision of experience that only Mayor Patricio Ahumada can offer and has on every ocassion he is able to get through the partisanship that divides through bickering our City.
To anonymous, do we need Mayor Ahumada to continue being Mayor. What does Ahumada have to offer: DUI, disgrace to the City of Brownsville, lost grants, financial issues with HUD's weatherization program,awarding funding to Bill Fisher. If we are missing out it is because of Ahumada who is not worthy of holding the office of Mayor and his vision is "Ahumada."
If anyone in this city with the right frame of mind and knowledge think that Pat Ahumada is going to ever do anything good for Brownsville, they are clearly going through life with closed eyes. Pat Ahumada is only in it for himself. Everything is about him and what he can take from the City, the fortunate and the unfortunate! We, as a community, should be utterly embarrassed if we vote this person back into office. Brownsville is a laughing stock throughout the state and the country due to the unprofessional, egocentric, selfish motives this person has. He has nothing to offer our city. He is an embarrassment to our society and he will manipulate anyone and everything he can to get his own way. Brownsville should be a city of growth and accomplishment, yet here we are with a Mayor that is usually in the paper for his unethical frivolous behavior. As a city, we need to take a stand and say "enough is enough!" We need a new Mayor that has a vision and clout to take us into the future and not set us back to the dark ages.
This guy is full of crap!!!!!
I will vote for anyone, but Ahumada! Ahumada is a clown, a joke, a fraud, and an egomaniac. His blind loyalty to this Fly Frontera airline bullshit said it all.
Fly Frontera, and its ex-con president Carlos Quintanilla pulled their proposal to save face. He knew that the BEDC report would be the final nail in his coffin. According to the BEDC report, the airline was going to be a loser financially, and also in its economic impact to our community.
The city is fucking lucky there were people with big enough balls to stop the thievery of our tax dollars. Ahumada should so some pride, and pull his name from the election.
With time, maybe everyone will forget the stolen check, and the disrespect he showed to our veterans by showing up a rally wearing the mexican flag on his shirt, instead of the US flag.
You dug your own grave!
Good bye Pat!
En este momento en la historia de Brownsville, los votantes enfrentan a una decisión que todo lo afectará a que se lleve a cabo en nuestra ciudad. Prefiero tener a Mayor Patricio Ahumada como alcalde, que sabemo no es un hombre rico que viven en una nube, como el abogado que fue "El Director de campaña de Abel Limas" pero alguien, con la experiencia que "obtiene las cosas", a pesar del a veces feroz espíritu de oposición por algunos de los Comisarios, que dan al Mayor Ahumada un mal tiempo, que de lo contrario¿, habría dado alcalde Ahumada una gran oportunidad para hacer más, razón por la cual necesitamos que siga siendo alcalde Ahumada porque de lo contrario, la gente perderá el control de nuestra ciudad?
También tenemos a quién quiere ser alcalde, tenemos Tony Martínez, abogado Rico que quiere convertir a Palm Blvd en un centro comercial, aunque ya tenemos un centro comercial, porque el Sr. Martínez, "no como sitios históricos, quiere entrar en el Ayuntamiento para cambiar las leyes de zonificación"
Si eso no fuera lo suficientemente malo como Tony Martínez, también fue estrechamente asociado y responsable de la adquisición de donaciones políticas para Abel Limas, como su director de campaña política y no sólo eso pero según noticias demasiado públicas, más de varios abogados cruzan las manos en el banco de Tony Martínez y sus amigos.
¿Luego mira a Camarillo, sólo una persona sobre alimentada, ofrecemos nuestra ciudad que ya no tenemos? ¿Quiero decir que el tío apenas entró en la Oficina, quiere usarlo como un trampolín para sentarse como rey fatso haciendo qué?
Camarillo ve solo en la ciudad esu interés personal y nuestra ciudad no tiene tiempo para candidatos que usan la ciudad como un escalon y manipular lo que habría sido buena legislación a través del espíritu de oposición a todo lo que necesitamos como una compañía aérea que debería haber estado aquí hace mucho tiempo para servir a la ciudad en tiempos difíciles de viaje seguro en México.
Brownsville, Texas perdió Southwest Airlines ahora exitosa en Harlingen, Texas, porque quienes están comprometidos a mantener nuestra ciudad en la edad media, han permitido a suprimir el crecimiento de nuestra ciudad y para avanzar hacia el futuro más allá de 2012, vamos a necesitar la visión de experiencia que sólo el alcalde Patricio Ahumada puede ofrecer y en cada ocasión es capaz de obtener a través de la parcialidad que divide a través de peleas de nuestra ciudad.
Re-Elija a Patrico Ahumada
I am sure that the person who wrote that long comment I English and Spanish “In the History of Brownsville” is no other than Pat Ahumada himself.
What ever you do in life that is not honest will come back to haunt you. Stop using the word God in vain, because the way you use his name sure sounds like you believe in him. But the things you do are totally against your God’s beliefs. Well Pat your God is keeping a close eye on you. You have a lot to answer to him when you meet him, that’s if they let you in. If they don’t you’ll know why.
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