(Ed's Note: Jim Barton's meanmisterbrownsville blog was the first media organ – even before the Brownsville Herald – to raise questions about the city's paying of five city commissioners to see Pope Francis in Washington D.C. Initially, the commissioners and city officials denied any city money had been spent. But after commissioner Jessica Tetreau and Deborah Portillo stated posting on social media that they were part of the "Brownsville delegation," they conceded that they had been advanced city funds and then reimbursed the city. We thank Jim for his diligence.)
By Jim Barton
Mean Mister Brownsville
First of all, let's reprint the cover letter written by City Secretary Michael L. Lopez spinning the city's version of how the Washington DC trip was financed, the itinerary, etc.:Please note that Lopez states the the "trip was not paid for by the City of Brownsville, but rather, by the individual members of the City Commission."That is not exactly true. The city advanced the money to four commissioners; Tetreau, Portillo, Villarreal and De Leon for the trip commencing 9/22/2015. It was AFTER my Public Information Request and blog article about the trip of 9/23/2015 that the commissioners reimbursed the city for all or a part of the monies fronted for the trip.
Lopez continues in the letter: "The records show that a number of meetings were originally set up for members of the Commission with various federal officials and agencies. . . . . Many of these meetings were unexpectedly cancelled after the tickets were purchased because of the pope's visit."Shedding some light on the cancellation of scheduled meetings is a memo from Perry Finney Brody, Chief of Staff for Representative Filemon Vela, dated 9/17/2015(In other words, the commissioners knew five days before the trip that the scheduled meetings would likely be cancelled.):
Subject: RE: DC Trip-Delegation Information
Attached is the itinerary. We only have three meetings scheduled-FCC, EDA and Septime Webre. Please note:
FCC: Hopefully, the FCC will not decide to close like many other agencies are planning to do. Their office is not far from the area where the roads are closed, so it is a possibility.
EDA: The Department of Commerce is now closed on Sept. 23 because of the pope. Most people will not be in the building on Sept. 24 but Barrett Haga has kindly offered to come in and meet with the Brownsville delegation.
DHS: will not have anyone available to speak to the delegation Wed or Thurs because they will be helping with the pope's visit. They would be happy to meet a different week or do a conference call later.
FEMA: Commissioner de Leon and I had a conference call yesterday with Jason Nelson of FEMA and I forwarded to him materials Jason sent me. I think he is going to review them and then circle back with me.An included City of Brownsville Expense Report indicates that Commissioner Cesar de Leon was initially advanced, but later reimbursed the city for $1,161.07 including $762.57 for lodging, $248.50 for meals, $141.93 for taxi, 438,20 for airfare, etc.
De Leon also included a memorandum sent to City Finance Director Lupe Granado, detailing his work for the city during the trip. De Leon states that on 9/22 he "met the Department of the Secretary of State to discuss border issues and the new Consulate of Matamoros." On 9/23: "A meeting was held with FCC officials, at which time other officials were conferenced in to discuss high speed internet and a grand for BISD." 9/24: "Met with the Department of Commerce officials to discuss grant opportunities and Economic Development. Met with the Hispanic Caucus and Congressman Filemon Vela."
Participating in a meeting with Septime Webre, Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet was Commissioner John Villarreal. The meeting was held at the Washington Ballet Studios, 3515 Wisconsin Avenue.
9/25: "5:30 am Return Flight back to Brownsville. Attended a meeting with MPO upon my return."
Villarreal reimbursed the city for his $486.11 plane ticket. Commissioner Jessica Tetreau reimbursed the city for $974.56 including $466.20 for airfare, $508.38 for hotel, paying with check #3618. Commissioner Deborah Portillo reimbursed the city for a $437.20 plane ticket.
Villarreal reimbursed the city for his $486.11 plane ticket. Commissioner Jessica Tetreau reimbursed the city for $974.56 including $466.20 for airfare, $508.38 for hotel, paying with check #3618. Commissioner Deborah Portillo reimbursed the city for a $437.20 plane ticket.
For more of Barton's meanmisterbrownsville, click on link below:
http://meanmisterbrownsville.blogspot.com/
http://meanmisterbrownsville.blogspot.com/
10 comments:
The blimp has interjected himself in this story Juan. Like always, he steals from you and Barton and goes on to say later that it was his fat crazy ass that lead the charge. He has a cat fight going with Jessica (rick flair) Tetreau...it is pretty childish. The blimp is bringing up some baby Austin and Jessica responding anonymously.
Ya, Bobby Give it up and get a life, for goodness sake. You have no followers just people that use you. Take care of you and forget the all the losers. Losers have their follower and you are not going to change that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is your sick obsession with Bobby ? Over and over you keep on with the same tattle tale comments . ....grow up you annoying idiot !
Erin is his only follower.
Juan, Jim Barton has his own skeletons in his closet. It'll all come out soon.
what about villarreal and portal's hotel rooms? I don't see reimbursements for that and I don't think they sleep on the street.
@5:47 PM
I am going to hold your hand and walk you through the information so you can understand.
Portillo & Villarreal reimbursed the city for their travel before the trip.
Hotels stays are paid at the time of check out. If the city did not pay then there is nothing to be reimbursed. If the city paid then there would be a travel advance to reimburse.
De Leon & Tetreau reimbursed the city for travel and hotel advances after the trip.
The city, by law, cannot withhold public information. If you know Portillo & Villarreal did receive a hotel advance, please notify the police.
This bit of critical thinking might give you a headache so try it at your own risk. Look at the dates of the reimbursements. Check who reimbursed the city before the trip and who did it after. What does that tell you?
Erin wears her pants skin tight and she looks all lumpy. I wonder if she took a shit inside them because all those lumps don't even look like normal lard.
Now Tetreau is going on a rant about obamacare and having to pay out of pocket for her maternity. She doesn't mind spending stupid money on cars but cries when she has to fork out cash for her #babyAustin. Whatever, you materialistic hoe.
Juan why all the crying ala george lopez style? All these reimbursement s to the city hall makes me wonder were all these commissioners there in dc to really conduct city busines or was it just a junket? I saw it was a junket trip but many citizens called the bluff and the commissioners really had no choice but to pay back the funds
cuz mmm i want to get re elected again in the future once again im a good commissioner lol yea right this is nothing more than a good dog n pony show, smoke ans mirrors cb
Post a Comment