It has hardly been open for business for a month, but the 7th and Park Coffee shop has already been the recipient of free advertisement courtesy of the city and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.
And some existing businesses are questioning how it was that the new shop – which is a combination of a coffee shop and bicycle shop –was chosen by the city to be featured on commercials appearing at the local Sunrise Mall at the local Cinemark movie theater.
And they also point out that the shop now has a re-election campaign sign for city commissioner Rose Gowen who is facing challenger Erasmo Castro for the At-LArge "B" seat on the city commission.
Zeke Silva, a Cameron County administrative assistant for Pct. 2, says he went to see the new King Kong movie with his son and was surprised to see the ad above presented before the show,. He questioned why that particular business which supports the incumbent was chosen to be the recipient of the promotional grant.He also owns the Roast House coffee shop which has a bike trail right behind it.
In an exchange of emails, Silva and commissioner Debby Portillo – who chose not to run for her District 3 seat – argued over the selection of the shop and whether other businesses had access to apply for the grant.
In her answer Portillo does not say how much the promotional grant was for, how the shop was chosen, and whether there were any other applicants.
"The Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) Program is a ) campaign to attract businesses to participate in workshops to learn about how to become a BFB and for the city to take the opportunity to try to become a silver level Bicycle Friendly Community," Portillo replied to Silva's query.
"The BCIC promotional award was awarded to the City's Planning Dept. The BCIC is not promoting a business, we only provided funding under the promotional cycle for the city to promote a bicycle friendly community. The video is only an invitation to attend a meeting at that establishment."
Silva was not buying.
"The BCIC with taxpayers' money and local sales taxes," he replied. "Which means you and I paid to for this commercial to promote one local downtown business. We have two city commissioners running for reelection. The BCIC or we the taxpayers already pay for a building to hold their meetings, so why push for a business that just opened on the outskirts of downtown when there are hundreds of businesses in the downtown area and have contributed more than a cycle shop/coffee shop?
"Is it because Rose Gowen has an agenda that fits her as well as John Villarreal (who) sits n the board?...They paid Cinemark for a commercial to push a business that is supporting Rose Gowen only and in turn they pay for a commercial to support his...Rose Gowen wanted to give the (Lincoln Park) to UTRGV. Debbie Portillo is on the board of the BCIC as is John Villarreal. You tell me if there is any conflict of interest?
"So to me is is just promoting Rose Gowen agenda to get reelected and so is John Villarreal...What a sad day and how dirty is politics. I for one will not be voting for Rose Gowen. She needs to go. We all have to bust our ass to make a living and pay taxes only to see it given away to someone who fits an agenda for a city official. This has to stop/"
El Rrun-Rrun has filed a public information request with the City Secretary asking for the cost of the promotional grant and all the applications that were received by the city for the grant before the shop was selected. We will keep our seven readers posted.
55 comments:
Typical Browntown? Why the angst. Silva knows the ropes. Lloron!!!!
Uneducated people keep complaining about Lincoln Park. Let UTRGV continue making it look nice. They have the money to do so. Many other city parks look like crap.
Gowen promotes health and fitness. Have you seen Erasmo?! No manches.
It is caslled CORRUPTION! These people have no integrity, ethics or morals, but neither does Erasmo. But, that is not the point. The city is governed by a shadow government who has access and uses city resources no one else has or can and they have used these resources to get their people elected and keep them in power. The Imagine Brownsville/United Brownsville scam has paid off big dividends in more ways than people know, but for the most part no one really cares. You can scream from the roof tops and special interests knows no one is going to do anything about it. This is the most corrupt administration and it starts with us the voters. Some prefer to allow it in order to get along and be accepted by the powers that be. To oppose what they do or say is to be a trouble maker and brands you for doing so. Good luck, re-elect Mayor Tony Martinez as he is the best mayor Brownsville has had according to bloggers posting and Gowen who walks on water or does she ride bicycles on water?
You have ads for Castro and the Roast House. Of course you are going to promote them even if they suck. A sewage treatment plant can pay me well for telling you that eating shit is healthy.
Juan, stop being a hypocrite. You wrote all the dirt on the marrano, all of a sudden he starts paying you to post ads on your blog and you stop writing dirt.
Typical Brownsville compadrismo! The owners of the shop are Tony's neighbors and the shop also sells items from Lola's. Conflict of interest much?
Ahh Did Zeke Silva strike a nerve with the Gowen Supporters? Look at the negative comments against him and his business. You can tell its the same people upset they got caught in a scam against the Tax Payers of Brownsville, TX. Please keep us informed IF you do get the information you requested Rrun Rrun. You know they are not going to give you not one document. Debbie Portillo and Rose Gowen are as dirty as them come. Debbie and Gowen are controlled by Carlos Marin, Oscar Garcia, Mike Hernandez, Eddie Lucio III and Tony Martinez.
I'm glad at least somebody had the balls to stand up and say something. Bringing corruption to light is never easy. Especially in this town that is famous for retaliation. Best of Luck to Zeke Silva and his new business The Roast House. Kuddos
Pat FUCK YOU
aqui el unico chisquiado es el erasmo castro
Tony Martinez for Mayor
Pat Ahumada represent the past
Sí mancho. ERASMO CASTRO FOR CITY COMMISSIONER AT-LARGE B.
Political ad paid for by Erasmo "I'm a fat fuck who lives in Austin" Castro and Zeke "Waa waa! No one buys my over priced shit water" Silva. No one wants either of you two idiots!
If Zeke Silva leaked this story to Juan, then juan also will be investigated. These are TRUMP TIMES, bofos!
Hey Erasimo, since you obviously read this blog, I have a couple of questions for you.
Where do you work?
How do you earn a living?
Why do you constantly ask people to take you out for meals?
Is your Facebook page a business or hobby ?
What is your level of education completed ?
Are you an ordained minister ? If so did you get your degree off the internet?
When will you debate Dr. Gowen ?
With all of your thousands of followers on Facebook, why do you have such a poor turn out at the polls?
Will you keep your promise to never run in a election when you are defeated again this time around ?
Thanks much, feel free to respond here or on your blog.
I go to 7 and park for a couple of reasons. It's well located and nice and bright inside and well designed . Also like sitting outside on a nice day . I Drive by it all the time sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I don't care for the bike shop inside because I have no interest in bikes.. Zekes place never seen, never been to, don't know where It is. I know it is in a strip center. Maybe by a wing place. Simply put, my buying power is driven by convince .I am someone involved in marketing. I would suggest to zeke to do some leg work in the community and increase His social media footprint. I have no dog in this fight but You got to remember that the park and 7 place has been busting their asses at the farmers market promoting themselves and their product for well over a year. Their new found success is not a fluke. It is the result of hard work and dedication. As soon as I find your place zeke , I will stop by and support you also. Let's work together to make all independently owned business in Brownsville a success. FUCK STARBUCKS THOUGH! Can't stand their smug asses or their politics. Peace .
Yes, I represent the past, good old fashion honest and transparent governance. Tony represents your standard of ethics, integrity and special interest that is out right thievery. Tony and his supporters are nothing but moochers
Sorry to say but The past was better than the presesnt
Ahumada is totally frustrated
He hasn't any credibility, he is corrupt and he knows that
Pat don't full yourself
We now have a good opportunity to boot out these commissioners and bring in new leaders. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt, it can't be any worst than what it is now. I'm voting for Castro, Garza too bad I cannot vote for Ben Nece but hope he gets elected. Let's put a stop to all the uncontrolled wasteful tax payers monies for pet projects and focus on the real issues such as street maintenance, drainage and public transportation for the most needed.
Zeke Silva "PLEASE" Look who you work for!!! you too are part of Cameron County Corruption and Compadrismo....... LMAF eyes on you.
Pobrecito Pat das pena ajena
When the people from the coffee place across from the park were building, I went to the farmers market and there was a stand where a young professional anglo man was selling iced coffee. I bought a coffee and had a conversation with him. He told me his wife was a Brownsville native (I think he said she was a doctor), he was from the Houston area and they were moving to Brownsville and they started the coffee sale at the market while promoting for their future shop. I can say that the coffee was delicious, better than Dunkin and/or Starbucks and much cheaper. I don't know if this young couple are in any way shape or form into local politics, but it is my understanding that you can put up ANY political ad as long as the business gives you permission (private property). I've seen ads around the city of people running for the same position and they are right next to each other. Maybe the person complaining because of Gowen's ad should go and ask if he can put his right next to it. I DONT KNOW this couple on a personal basis but, the time I spoke to the gentleman, he seemed a nice PROFESSIONAL person. Give them a chance to establish themselves instead of criticizing because you were not picked, look for other options and show with actions above and beyond "CHISME DE PUEBLO" that you can do better without "THEM".
Please Ahumada don't make me laugh HONEST ?
What about the $ 26 thousand dollars you pocket in your personal account
Pat you don't even pay your taxes you are a shame for this community
Erasmo answer the questions, we want to know and MAYBE we vote for you.
How dare you talk about morals Pat.
Everybody knows you betrayed your compadre by fucking your comadre and destroying a family
RM loves Pat 4 ever
I like when we get new blood in this city. Especially when they open business. This story is a perfect example of the same old Raza attitude people have in this town. Like crabs in a bucket as we Mexicans like to compare ourselves to. Please run for office again pat. Maybe then you will finally realize how irrelevant you are to this community . You have become a bitter old hasbeen. Always tooting your own horn on your past non existent accomplishments. I did enjoy the time you comendeered and tied up the City Fire ladder truck and personnel to climb into someone's home. I would say that was using city resources for your personal use...
Lets see here...lets do a comparison.
Rose Gowen is a Dr. and Dolly Sevier is a Dr.
Rose Gowen Husband is a dead beat Mantinido that rides bicycles. Dr. Sevier husband is a dead beat Graham that fixes bicycles.
Rose Gowen is a Mexican that married a white man and took his name. Dolly Sevier is a Mexican that married a white man.
Rose Gowen went to St. Joseph Academy
Dolly Sevier went to St. Joseph Academy
Rose Gowen is the bread winner of her household and financially supports her husband.
Dolly Sevier is the bread winner of her household and financially supports her husband.
Rose Gowen wanted to give a way our tax payers money and property to UTRGV in exchange for a 5 million grant.
Dolly Sevier got BCIC to give our tax payers money to her husband a grant to promote her business.
Rose Gowen thinks everyone except her friends are idiots and don't need to be bothered with petty complaints. The big bucks are for her and her friends.
If you vote for Gowen you will be voting your hard earned money to be given to the Rich Friends of her.
Pat it would behoove you to refrain from talking about corruption, also I almost threw up when I saw you posted on the Tipton story. You've been arrested fro DWI which is the 4th of the top 10 leading cause of death in the United States. You were a loaded weapon driving around town drunk, you could of killed someone. so do everyone a favor and shut up..
To me it seems like Zeke Silva is the only one that has balls to stand up to the Satus Quo. The ones that are always stealing tax payers money from the poor to give to the rich. In return the elite take all the money for themselves.Shame on 7th park coffee. I hear their coffee sucks balls and smells like it to. They order their coffee from San Antonio. It's probably the left over coffee they didn't sell... yet they sell it to poor idiots of Brownsville, TX. Why do they sell it to Brownsville citizens? because they are easily fooled by politicians. Why can't 7park pay for their own advertisements? Why do the tax payers have to pay for it. Aren't the owners rich and educated? At least they say they are but are quick to steal from the poor. At least Zeke Silva pays for his own and doesn't steal one penny from the citizens of Brownsville,TX. I for one am going to go try The Roast House. I heard its the best coffee with the best service in Brownsville and the Valley.
Roadt House, where is it located?
Graham is a racist f*ck who lives off his wife's hard earned money. Slacker can't even work without having his wife there to hold his hand.
I sign my name to what I post, I don't steal, I have no DWI conviction since I was elected mayor in 1990, I pay my taxes like everyone else or make arrangements when need to or they foreclose on your property and I was found not guilt on what you harp as having stole $26,139. I provided honest and transparent governance.
You on the other hand are the biggest type of coward there is, because you throw stones, hide behind anonymous and supports the thievery we see blatantly being committed by people such yourself. You are the problem, but Karma wo;; come your way. It always does.
I could care less about a political future, but atleast elect people who are honest and govern through transparency. We all know the mayor and the entire commission is incompetent and are complicit in many ways never seen before that has produced the worst administration I have ever witnessed, but I guess this is what you and the majory thrive on.
Pat do not respond to Cris Valadez's personal attacks, because he is jealous. You have done good things for our city. Cris is the real thief and there is a lot to post on him and his buddies Atkinson and Longoria who were always trying to make you look bad. Do not respond to these sleazeballs. They prefer shit because they eat shit. They elected Tony Martinez and Gowen because they hate you for always standing up for what was right. These guyes are sleaze balls.
Look people it is very simple McDonald's coffee cost $1.00 for a large cup of coffee, why go and spend $4.00 at any other coffee shop. Save money.
At 2:59 thanks for your creative comparison. The 2 women that you describe are the same kind of strong, smart, compassionate and Latina women that I admire. White dude.
There's a Status Quo in Brownsville? I hope President Trump deports them.
Pat is a pice of shit stinks
NO seas ignorante - 7th Park didnt steal, advertisement was offered to them and the accepted. You probably don't own a business and probably don't know the importance of advertising - If you'd own a business and stop living off Lone Star you'd understand why any company would accept advertising - especially at Cinemark.
Your taste buds probably only know tacos and burnt coffee, why would anybody take your advise on coffee? dumbass.
You want to go after BCIC or the commission - I'm with you, but the coffee shop had nothing to do with mis managing tax payers money.
typical hater just hating anything that has a heart beat...
7th Park is Gowen's compadrismo withher in office. Elect Erasmo castro to replace her. Then if Erasmo screws up we can elect him out. Right now let's vote Gowen out, which will hurt the corrupt mayor we have.
Avote for Erasmo is a vote against Gowen and the mayor.
"why would anybody take your advise on coffee? dumbass."
May I advise you to proofread your comments especially when calling someone a dumbass. The word you should have used is "advice", spelled with a "c".
Like totally barf!
Pice? Pice of what?
Piece.
The past was indeed better. But the past before Pat took office.
There are multiple grammatical errors in my post and all you picked up was one..."Advise" ? lol ..
silly clown.
You can't be mayor if your too fat to wipe your own ass. Its the law.
@Anon 10:47 (Erasmo)
No dumbass, voting for Erasmo is voting for Erasmo. Plain and simple! You know the unemployed Austin lard ass and felon. If he wants to run so bad he can get an apartment here. NOT your fugly sis's office address and not the address of a person receiving mail for you at the Amigoland condos.
Because of Sarkis and Erasmo, an imcumbent lasts another four years. Thanks dipshits!
Yeah sure, just put a bag over their heads though. :::barf:::
I agreed, lets boot out the current commissioners runing for reelection. We need new leaders, lets bring back transparency, honestly and solid leadrship that will address the most important issues such as drainage, street repairs and Park maintenance. No more Cyclovias, bike lines and needless over- inflated real estate purchases. Let the new leaders manage our tax dollars wisely and responsibily.
Actually yes, that is all I picked up on because I only read up to the "advise" part. I lost interest after that.
Yet still no answers from Erasimo. On his employment. This guy is hiding something and is fishy as hell. How about you Rrun rrun ? Why can't you interview your client and answer these questions?
Hey Erasimo, since you obviously read this blog, I have a couple of questions for you.
Where do you work?
How do you earn a living?
Why do you constantly ask people to take you out for meals?
Is your Facebook page a business or hobby ?
What is your level of education completed ?
Are you an ordained minister ? If so did you get your degree off the internet?
When will you debate Dr. Gowen ?
With all of your thousands of followers on Facebook, why do you have such a poor turn out at the polls?
Will you keep your promise to never run in a election when you are defeated again this time around ?
Thanks much, feel free to respond here or on your blog.
He lives off church donation. Like a pastor or something like that. takes money from his church goers and commits a capital sin, Gluttony.
Answer the questions Erasimo, what are you hiding? You can be anonymous in your make beleave internet world but when you choose to run for office you loose that right. Forgot to ask, do you still live in Austin and commute to a non existent job in Brownsville? Like many I am an undecided voter and want to know the answers. I to want change in politics here but you are starting to be shady as hell. I trust you less than your opponent. You don't have my vote yet. Leaning towards Dr.Gowen. At the very least she has an education. Come on Juan, grow a pair of balls and get some basic questions answered for a loyal reader. I don't trust this Erasimo one bit.
Post a Comment