IF IT ISN'T THE FIREFIGHTERS, WHO'S "HONORING" FIL VELA?

By Juan Montoya
By now you've probably seen the announcement on the local daily about the $75 per couple Brownsville firefighters Leadership Ball.

For $75 smackers you and your honey can hang out with the firefighters and their babes (firemen personnel) and  if you're lucky – trade a few niceties with Fil.

But there's only one problem to this rosy scenario.

It seems that the bash has been planned by the head honchos of the Brownsville Fire Department and not by the rank-and-file firefighters. In fact, the The Brownsville Firefighters Association Local 970 say they have "no involvement" in the bash and that it's the first time they have heard of the so-called "The Brownsville Fire Dept. Community Outreach Program."

The BFFA Local 970 also says that none of their officers or members have been approached by the fire department administration about this fundraiser.

Further, the BFFA Local 970 cannot confirm in what form or fashion the funds raised for this event will benefit the community. However, the department's administration, starting with Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo, probably have an idea where the cash will go.

"We will refrain from endorsing this event under the current climate and circumstances. In addition, the word "firemen" in any firefighter-related advertisement is also incorrect. Now the word "firefighter" is used to include both genders.

It is also interesting to see the "committee" listed as those staging the event. Nowhere is Elizondo listed on the invite. Could it be because he has been linked to a grand jury probe into ambulance service by a company to which he has been associated, as well as to another firm doing business with the school district teaching EMT courses at the Brownsville Independent School District?

In fact, recently both city manager Charlie Cabler and City Attorney Mark Sossi were hauled before a Cameron County grand jury reportedly probing how a private ambulance service with ties to Elizondo – and which has no license to operate in the city – has been allowed to do lucrative patient transfers that take money from the city's EMS.

But speaking of the BISD, Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas is among the members of the "committee" as is Noble General Contractors CEO/owner Rene Capistran. This has intrigued some local school district observers to no end. Capistran just recently was part of a group that feted Zendejas and called her the best thing that happened to Brownsville since spoiled beef barbacoa.

And it is no secret that Capsitran is also champing at the bit to get at some of the $100 million in facilities contracts envisioned when the board of the BISD (where Elizondo is a trustee in violation of city personnel policy), at the recommendation of Zendejas, approved a 11.4-cent increase in ad valorem taxes.
That money – according to Zendejas during a recent board meeting – will be used to construct facilities throughout the district.

However, it cannot not be raised in one year, even with the 11.4 cent increase in property taxes. Zendejas said the district will have to borrow the $100 million needed for the construction plans over five or more years. And where would the district go to borrow the cash?

It wouldn't be Lone Star National Bank where Manny Vela, Fil's cousin, and Dr. Joe D. Zayas, are on the board of directors, would it? Coincidentally (or is it?), it is also the same bank where Capistran is one of the advisory directors as is David Oliveira, an attorney who just happens to be State Rep. Rene Oliveira's cousin. Or Noble Contractors? They just happen to be "advertising sponsors" of the event along with Annova LNG, among others.

And Elizondo will also have a hand in approving the awarding of contracts from the $100 million in his tenure that expires November 2018. And Zendejas, as the BISD's top administrator, will have a direct hand in recommending vendors as she did in awarding Paragon Sports $ million-plus for installing artificial turf in three high schools in the district.

So if it's not the rank-and-file firefighters (not firemen) who are sponsoring this event to raise funds for the so-called department's community outreach fund, and you have the cast of players with tangible personal interest in this event, just who expects to benefit from this dress-blues (ties optional) and gown affair?

Any ideas?  Be careful Fil.