THREE CHALLENGERS FILE FOR TWO PORT POSITIONS

By Juan Montoya
With Martin Arambula leaving the Port of Brownsville to focus on his records management gig over at the Brownsville Independent School District after a failed bid for Cameron County judge, two contenders have already filed for his position on the board of commissioners with the Brownsville Navigation District.

Former Cameron County Pct. 2 Commissioner John Wood – himself a former unsuccessful candidate for county judge – and political newcomer Steve Guerra, both filed by the deadline for Arambula's position.
Meanwhile, two candidates for the port commission have filed for the position now being held by Carlos Masso – coincidentally also a failed candidate for District Attorney – and inked the application to replace him.
They are Henry Najera, a member of the Brownsville Public Utility Board and Joe Wallace, also a BISD employee.
Najera's candidacy is said to be championed by BND director Eddie Campirano, a former administrator at PUB.
The port, struggling to overcome the $21 million Bridge to Nowhere debacle, has lately taken to tooting their horn in the local newspaper which seems only too ready to oblige without asking any critical questions. Some engineering companies and current tenants – especially the shipwreckers – have virtually seized control of the board and consider themselves entitled to its fruits and assets.
It will be interesting to see whether the new candidates bring new ideas to the table or whether they are fronts for the interests now controlling the direction of the port
The new members will join Sergio Tito Lopez, chairman, Commissioner Ralph Cowen, and commissioner John Reed.