Date: Fri, Apr 21, 2017 at 8:07 AM
Subject: Friends of the West Rail Trail block-walking this weekend
Good morning Friends,
Early voting for City Commission races starts Monday. We'll be going to voters' homes this weekend to let them know where the candidates stand and what they have done to support a car-free trail on the west rail right-of-way. We're asking our neighbors in District 4 to vote for Rose Gowen and John Villarreal.
If you would like to join us, we are meeting at 9:00 AM at 1025 W. Levee on Saturday, 4/22/17.
Thank you!
If you would like to join us, we are meeting at 9:00 AM at 1025 W. Levee on Saturday, 4/22/17.
Thank you!
By Juan Montoya
The Brownsville urban myth that the political might of the Friends of the West Trail can make or break a candidate's chances of winning an election exploded with a bang in the District 4 election results.In that race, retired chief municipal judge Ben Neece beat the Friends of the West Trail-supported incumbent John Villarreal 863 to 806. The results showed that if their endorsed candidate could not beat his opponent in the district where they live, it raises serious doubts that they will be able to influence the results in a citywide race or the upcoming contest for commissioner of Cameron County Pct. 2 in 2018.
The email above was from Katy Youker, the unofficial spokesperson for the anti-road group that has most of its followers in West Brownsville and has been adamant about nay road or compromise that will allow a road and bike and hike trail to coexist in the abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way that was deeded to Cameron County.
This group has been vociferous in their demands that the county not build the West Loop that has been in the planning for decades. They have vowed to take the county to court if necessary to have their way. But the dismal turnout that they managed to bring out in the election for their district's representative shows that their influence – however vociferous it is – did not equate to political prowess.
Now, by alienating Neece, who never said he was pro-road or against the bike and hike trail, they have shown themselves to be a special interest group with little political clout. Politics is a two-edged sword. You can live by them, and you can also die by them.
While they were quick to take credit for the victory of At-Large "B" incumbent Rose Gowen in her citywide race, she was able to eke out a victory by 741 votes but Castro was still able to draw 2,226 against her. Giver her name ID and the sometimes unsavory rep of the Head Cheez, that victory might not be attributable to their politicking.
On the other hand, they have been strangely quiet on the Villarreal-Neece contest.
Their way or the highway? Mmmmm.
15 comments:
Most media reporting indicates that there is one group for a hike and bike trail and another for a street on the old rail line. Here there seems to be a third option....a street with hike and bike together. Perhaps there are other options....but we never hear about them. The city (which seems to be Rose Zavaleta Gowen at this point) should look at options...compromises.
Si quieres ayudar a tu amigo, recomiendale que deje de publicar esos videos ridiculos de la hora de su comida, dan risa.
y a la vez te das cuenta de lo patetico que es, ni quien quiera votar por el ja,ja,ja.....
Neece is a stoner? No shit? he won't last
Seems like the Gowen and Dr A. Zavaleta gang together with Frank Mar think they won, but this is barely starting.
The difference between Neece and Villareal was the squeakiest of squeakers, only 50 votes. Had Neece not swallowed the anti-bike coolaid of the other losing candidates, he would have sailed to victory by a huge margin. There are thousands of people in Brownsville he has helped over the years, so his narrow win almost came as a surprise. Except, that he spoke against the bike trails, which nearly doomed him. As a friend of the west rail, the only reason I voted for Neece is because I thought about it, and decided with my heart, that an Earth Fest coordinator isn't really against bike trails or nature. Words vs actions. I saw the actions of a man who has mobilized Brownsville for the environment, for the earth, and welcomed bikers into his bars. I did not believe his anti-bike ads were genuine, which sounded more like political baloney. Villareal on the other hand, was up to his neck in scandals like the PUB fiasco and also the company he keeps is that of cheaters and losers. I voted for ben because he also helped a friend of mine with a traffic fine, and she was describing his kindness. I hope he has learned his lesson of who he listens to. A big fat guy like the cheez who has lost every single election, seemed to have some deep-seated resentment against people with active lives, and who does not live here, is not someone who's advice any candidate should follow.
There is not enough room for both A trail and z road. As the RR easement ran in front of, behind, and beside many residences, it is not only impractical but would be a nuisance if not a hazard to the people living directly beside the proposed area to have a road. We need a hike and bike trail ONLY! STOP THE ROAD!
Tell him yourself. Why make your comments here on this blog? Tell him yourself, go on his page, message him, call him. It would not be that difficult.
Why compromise on the trails, you nuts? The voters didn't. They got rid of everyone against the bike trails, except by his chinny chin chin, Earth Day Neece. And thank God for Earth day, or that dude would have been canned too.
The group simply wants to protect their property investments and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Politicians are the ones who prey upon that need to use it for their own ends. If anyone is a villain or looking out for special interest it's the politicians here, not the residents of west Brownsville. The election is over now so let's get back to work saving our green spaces for the greater good.
FUCK YOU ERASMO. Pick up your God Damn Signs. You too Villarreal. Just pick up your loser signs and stop fucking wasting everyones time Cheezmeh you worthless piece of shit.
Castro is a misogynist. Of course he lost! Young intelligent voters will never vote for him.
So a railroad tracks that was used by a friggin 10 million ton train carrying anything from scrap metal to radioactive material is safer than cars?
Have you lost your friggin mind?
Why are you still defending Erasmo? ¡Que se vaya a la chingada ese baboso!
Hike and Bike this and Hike and Bike that, what the hell are you doing for the community besides hike and bike SMH!
No one is against bikes, it is about priorities.
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