By Desi Martinez, M.A.
Harlingen, Texas
What was not mentioned is that the 3 existing MPO’s would be dissolved and 1 regional MPO would be created with a set of bylaws that would have members (decision-makers) on the board determined by population.
What was not mentioned is that the 3 existing MPO’s would be dissolved and 1 regional MPO would be created with a set of bylaws that would have members (decision-makers) on the board determined by population.
2015 Census figures shows Hidalgo County population at 831,073 and Cameron County has 420,392 population for a total population of 1,251,465. Therefore, the proposal on the table is to have Hidalgo County with 66.4 percent board membership and Cameron County will have 33.4 percent board membership.
Now folks, there presently exists 3 MPO’s. Don’t you think that the Hidalgo County MPO could come up with a better partnership proposal that is fair to all 3 MPO’s?
Brownsville Mayor Martinez is correct. The present partnership proposal by the Hidalgo County MPO is a “no deal” and not a fair and beneficial partnership for the constituents he represents. This is also true for western Cameron County. The other elected officials should be more aware of what the “carrot at the end of the pole, string and hook” means.
Now folks, there presently exists 3 MPO’s. Don’t you think that the Hidalgo County MPO could come up with a better partnership proposal that is fair to all 3 MPO’s?
Brownsville Mayor Martinez is correct. The present partnership proposal by the Hidalgo County MPO is a “no deal” and not a fair and beneficial partnership for the constituents he represents. This is also true for western Cameron County. The other elected officials should be more aware of what the “carrot at the end of the pole, string and hook” means.
At this time, Mayor Martinez is only protecting the long term and fair participation for future generations in any regional strategy. Mayor Martinez is protecting the Greater Brownsville area, the largest populated city in the region, and the county seat. So don’t knock down the City of Brownsville and Mayor Martinez for being cautious and not over reactive on this issue.
Here’s a suggestion. If there is a counter proposal on the structure and organization of a possible
regional MPO it should be a board of directors with 1 member from each of the 3 existing MPO’s, 2
county judges, and 4 small cities (2 from Hidalgo and 2 from Cameron). The 3 existing MPO’s would
become councils and maintain their existing operations, funds, and project development in their council areas.
Here’s a suggestion. If there is a counter proposal on the structure and organization of a possible
regional MPO it should be a board of directors with 1 member from each of the 3 existing MPO’s, 2
county judges, and 4 small cities (2 from Hidalgo and 2 from Cameron). The 3 existing MPO’s would
become councils and maintain their existing operations, funds, and project development in their council areas.
Funding, of course, would conduit through the regional MPO. The regional MPO would have 1 of
the county judges to chair the board and this chairmanship position would rotate between the 2 county judges every 2 years. The regional MPO would appoint a representative to be on the State TxDOT Council that retains 10 percent-plus of the state and federal transportation funds for metropolitan discretionary projects.
the county judges to chair the board and this chairmanship position would rotate between the 2 county judges every 2 years. The regional MPO would appoint a representative to be on the State TxDOT Council that retains 10 percent-plus of the state and federal transportation funds for metropolitan discretionary projects.
It’s a big discretionary fund and maybe this 70-mile wide metro and coastal area should be at this state table and get 21 percent greater piece of the pie. But there should be a better way than offered by 1 of the 3 potential partners.
This suggestion may require state legislation and approval by the Governor. Therefore, Senator Eddie Lucio and area state representatives should submit a local bill or state bill and get it done in the next
legislative session coming up in 14 months, if needed. Part of western Cameron County has a state
legislator, Oscar Longoria, with an office in Penitas and La Feria, and representing part of Harlingen as well.
This suggestion may require state legislation and approval by the Governor. Therefore, Senator Eddie Lucio and area state representatives should submit a local bill or state bill and get it done in the next
legislative session coming up in 14 months, if needed. Part of western Cameron County has a state
legislator, Oscar Longoria, with an office in Penitas and La Feria, and representing part of Harlingen as well.
He lives in Hidalgo County. He should be in this discussion if there is a counter proposal.
This is “Texas Hold’em” at its best of South Texas elected officials. Greater Brownsville just passed.
Hidalgo County it’s your call or is this shelved until the next generations of leadership?
This is “Texas Hold’em” at its best of South Texas elected officials. Greater Brownsville just passed.
Hidalgo County it’s your call or is this shelved until the next generations of leadership?
12 comments:
Without knowing all the particulars, but from what is posted, the mayor may be right, but I still differ slightly in that Brownsville being the largest city in the Valley should have superior voting rights based on present and future growth. Brownsville has plenty of room to grow, while McAllen does not and they are using the metroplex cities as leverage in the present proposal to take voting control.
In spite of ourselves, Brownsville will be another San Antonio and McAllen will basically remain the same, as it is land locked. Based on this and what i read, I must support the mayor not to merge until a more equitable partnership is established, with Brownsville have a vote to veto the distribution of funds should it be slighted by the Hidalgo County voting block.
I see Desi is still fucked-up.
Desi, Your theory here may be indicative of why you have failed at everything else you have tried.
What happened to our UTB? Any efforts at valley unity always results in one result. Brownsville gets the big chile. Screw this McAllen deal. We don't need it.
If Pat agrees with the mayor's stand on the MPO, so do I.
I'm with Pat.
So many crude NEGATIVE NANCIES in the comment section. At least offer a constructive alternative or shut up.
Keep BROWNSVILLE independent.
Thats what I said!!!
McAllen wants to screw us............ AGAIN.
McAllen sales tax revenue is down $5 MILLION!! FROM 2015 TO 2017. Hotel occupancy rates are down 27%!!!! McAllen has what it has thanks to the Mexican shoppers.
In a few years down the road McAllen will have a different focus thanks to Edinburg and thanks to UTRGV.
We were fucked over by UTRGV BIG TIME.
Brownsville will soon be kicking some ass thanks to SpaceX, SATA, LNG and hopefully the steel company decides to come to the Port.
My 2 cents.
Makes me proud to live in Brownsville!!!
Yes, don't let McAllen screw us! Instead, let Tony screw us! He does not want any more people in the decision making that he can not control as he does our current people who refuse to stand up for all his shopping sprees. Too many people would be watching him and holding him accountable and Tony can't have that. If a group of MPO is to be formed, it is only "ethical" for those on the board to do what is best for the entire valley, not their own toys. Like the commercial Darling from McAllen does where he promotes the whole valley and not just McAllen. The Valley needs to be retrained on the meaning of "ETHICAL' for it seems that everybody and their grandmother has pushed that aside. To heck with each everyone else provided I am getting what I want.
Brownsville is bi cultural--and interesting. McAllen is a boring small town somewhere in Texas. Viive Brownsville...on the border...by the sea.
Just in case you haven't noticed, Brownsville is multicultural and not just bi cultural.
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