By Juan Montoya
Back in January, the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) notified the City Planning Department that it was the recipient of a $5,000 grant to promote bicycle friendly businesses in the city.
But quietly, the city commission had approved that 10 percent of all Certificates of Obligation that they approved for street repair and other transportation-related items would go to the Bike-Ped Division. Last year alone, this amounted to more than $500,000.
The BCIC notified the City of Brownsville Planning Department Bicycles and Pedestrian Advisory Committee their application for the $5,000 in unds had been approved. The committee had tentatively planned to hold their first meeting to attract businesses to apply for grants at the Brownsville Civic Pavilion back in December 2016 or early January 2017 . But instead, the members decided – for some unspecified reason – to hold it at the as-yet-unopened 7th and Park Coffee Shop in April or May 2017, four months later and in the midst of the reelection campaign of bicycle advocate Rose Gowen.
That business did not open until February and is run by the owner who is closely associated with Gowen. This drew a pointe remark by Michael Cowen who wondered why "we should tax people and then use their money to promote private businesses. Shouldn't businesses be responsible for their own marketing rather than asking others to pay for it?"
And as far back as November 2016, the city planners had contacted the local Cinemark theater to run a video spot promoting the work of the committee. The promo video was set to run in Cinemark theaters for 4 weeks ($3,730), on COB.TV, and on social media during January and February 2017, advertising a February 17, 2017 workshop/event.
The goal of the workshop/event ostensibly is to attract business owners/managers to learn about the BFB program.
So why was it that the plan was adjusted to include the new coffee shop and bicycle business in the promo and the projected meeting of business owners changed to accommodate the new business?
According to the planning department grant application, the fee for businesses to apply is based off the size of the business and ranges from $50 to $500. The designation has several application cycles, with one opening in January 2017. Applications awards are be announced in May 2017. After awards have been announced by the League of American Bicyclists, the Bike/Ped division would promote a "Bike to Bicycle Friendly Businesses" ride/event for late May or early June 2017. Instead, the Cinemark advertisements say it will be April 19, five days before early voting for the city commission elections'
In addition to the Cinemark advertisements, there will also be $1,270 in advertisements for the program and accompanying rides/events that will run in print ads and newspapers.
Committee members said most of the amount received this year was committed as matching dollars for grants awarded for bike/ped infrastructure.
The Bike-Ped Division plans to reach over 3,000 people through the promotional videos discussing the BFB program. At the first event, they hope to reach at least 25 business owners/managers and gather the numbers through sign in sheets. Their aim is to aim to submit between 5 to 10 applications and have at least 50 cyclists participate in the second event/ride.
Some business owners wonder whether the awarding of the grant, the selection of the coffee/bike shop that belongs to Gowen's friend and its promotion by the city as the site to hold their delayed meeting amounts to nothing more than subsidizing her reelection campaign at the expense of the public.
Those are legitimate questions that need answers as the early voting period approaches later this month on the 24th. Has the promo project been tailored to be the outreach arm of the Gowen campaign? Or are we being overly cynical about the changes and the motives for them?
Those are legitimate questions that need answers as the early voting period approaches later this month on the 24th. Has the promo project been tailored to be the outreach arm of the Gowen campaign? Or are we being overly cynical about the changes and the motives for them?
17 comments:
democRATs
I am voting for Gowen. Can't stand erasimo the jobless internet troll who lives in Austin.
Rose Gowen is an intelligent woman. Erasmo Castro is a pendejo
I see a lot of pictures of Erasimo with his cats. That is as close to pussy as he has ever got. I don't care if you are gay, more concerned where you get your money from.
Nobody cares, juanito. write about Mexican history.
Instead of all these bike trails very few use, how about paving the corner of Tangelo and Roosevelt Street by Faulk Intermediate. That intersection is full of pot holes that may one day lead to a fatality in the school area when parents turn the corner and hit one of those pot holes and loose control of the vehicle. Where is Ricardo Longoria when it comes to looking into this. Hey, Rick, this is your Alma Mater, or have you forgotten the old barrio? Commissioners who are really involve need to ride around the area they represent and make a list of all they see that needs help. Maybe the bike trail money could be used to hire a college student in the area of City Management and have them survey the assigned area to note the much needed repairs and problems. It is a shame that we are the "Bike City" but forget that most people drive cars, not Bikes, SO as long as Gowen continues to fantasize about her chiscas, I will campaign against her and have someone register to be a sign in candidate, but I think that is too late, right? Hay caramba, que hacemos?
We now have an opportunity to elect new commissioners. We have had enough of the current city commission spending our tax dollars on pet projects and buying deplorable buildings not fit even for homeless people. The current commission was and is totally focused on the downtown area, they have forgotten the real priorities that any municipally is responsible for such road maintenance, drainage, public transportation etc. etc. Please exercise your constitutional right and vote this time around, it will make a huge difference. It's either new leaders or another four years of reckless spending of hard earned taxpayers monies.
ABC, anyone but Castro.
re_THUG_licans
Go, Rose!
Im voting for Castro and William Garza,hopefully they will get elected and make the difference on how the city prioritize the real important matters. No more wasteful spending of our tax dollars, too many pet projects and needless bike lines that hardly anyone utilizes. These bike lanes in the downtown area require lots of maintenance to make them look good. Do I need to mention the millions of dollars spend on deplorable bu.ildins the city bought under the current commission? Casa Nylon, El Cueto, San Fernando building, Gutierrez warehouse, properties next to Los Reyes cafe on 11th street. Millions of taxpayers monies being spent on the old market square, does anyone know who will be benefiting from using Market Square when finished? For sure it won't be for city offices, probably some non profit will get to use it rent free. Enough is enough, our hard earned taxes have been mismanaged for the last six years. New leadership or we will continue to fund the out of control spending. Exercise your constitutional right and get and vote.
Libtard..blind retard keep living in your little bubble. Run to your safe space.
YES to Gowen! And another 4 years of new bike lanes!!! No to Castro! Who wants to take away our bike lanes!!! Castro doesn't even own a bike! He knows nothing about exercising and being fit.
From A Real Downtown Resident and Bicyclist.
Yea go away
You people are so fucking stupid!! You ever heard of the term wagging the dog??
Anonymous at 1:27 Nope, haven't heard that one.I've heard the term " the tail wagging the dog".....and you're calling others "stupid?"
Blah,blah,blah..moron.
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