On June 26 the Brownsville Navigation District held luncheon at its main offices at the Port of Brownsville.
Among those invited were representatives of Texas State Technical College, Texas A&M University, local, county and state governmental officials and the president and some trustees of Texas Southmost College.
It was during that meeting that local officials learned of an impending Memorandum Of Understanding between TSTC, the Port, and Texas A&M to set up a “world-class” workforce training center at the port "all giving TAMUS and TSTC imprimatur roles but could include "all districts and community colleges" to participate.
At that time, TSC President Dr. Robert Rodriguez conveyed to Norman Garza, TAMUS' Assistant Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, his displeasure that the BND commissioners and CEO Eddie Campirano would accept and MOU that excluded TSC as a key player and "to engage in workforce training that did not specifically mention its own community college."
It was the failure of the stakeholders pushing for the MOU to adequately address this perceived slight that would eventually result in the port commissioners voting to table the MOU a month later, and deprive local students of golden opportunity to gain the technical and vocational skills critically necessary to compete in the highly-competitive global market.
Ironically, in the same letter, Rodriguez mentions the collaboration between A&M and TSC in the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy and said he as happy to report that "a dozen students from the first cohort have already transitioned to Texas A&M with 14 more on scheduled to transition next year...We are currently accepting out third cohort of students...(and) are excited about the great success our institutions are sharing."
But on the workforce center issue, TSC and its supporters said that the port, by providing the 400 acres of land, collecting Brownsville taxes, and being supported by Brownsville residents had no business subsidizing Harlingen's TSTC and A&M without including TSC.
What went wrong?
As early as June 27 - one day after the luncheon, - Garza reached out to Rodriguez seeking a meeting to address his concerns at Harlingen's TSTC being named as a lead institution and TSC not being specifically named as a key player. Over the course of a month, emails between Garza and Rodriguez's office - through Iris Birge, TSC's Coordinator of Administrative Services for the office of the President - indicate that A&M tried to schedule a meeting with Rodriguez to no avail. (Click on graphic to enlarge.)
Over this time, port commissioners - mainly Esteban Guerra - tried to tweak the MOU to pacify the passions generated by TSC and its supporters inserting clauses that specifically referred to TSC (in red in the graphic below).
To TSC, those amendments appeared to them as an afterthought by port administrators and commissioners and to place them in the role of second fiddle in the region's workforce development. TSC held a press conference on the day before the vote on the MOU was taken and strongly voiced their displeasure at the port commissioners for engaging in the arrangement with TSTC and Texas A&M without consulting with them.
On the next day, with the issues still unresolved, the port commissioners tabled the item.
This incurred the wrath of Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp who fired off a letter to Rodriguez July 31 saying, among other things, that Texas A&M was withdrawing from the workforce development center at the port and mourned the fact that TSC's objections nixed the deal.
"I wish you nothing but the best for the young people of Cameron County...What we were going to build at the Port was a world-class workforce training facility that could have been the best in the state, but that is not possible without TSTC. TSTC is the best workforce training in Texas...period. They're better than you and me. That's no reflection on your school or mine, but workforce training is all they do and everyone knows they are the best.
"Somewhere, we're going to set up this world-class center, but I know that is a local decision and we respect the port's and your decision, and we will stand aside and go to another location. Notwithstanding, we wish you the very best in meeting the workforce needs at the Port and we know you will give it your best."
In the last paragraph of his letter, Sharp tells Rodriguez that he has "a great affinity for the region, as does my board and particularly regent Mike Hernandez...We were hoping to provide an eye-popping workforce training center, but we respect the local decisions and with you all the best!"
However, it appears that despite Sharp's apparent withdrawal from the arena, local movers and shakers like prominent businessmen and Aggies Jim Tipton and Terry Ray are not ready to let the issue die. They have contacted TSC trustees to let them know of their displeasure and are pressuring the BND commissioners to bring back the issue for a vote and to "grow some" and confront TSC.
Hernandez, who has came back to his hometown and started the Cameron County Education Initiative to address the chronic poverty plaguing local residents also expressed his disappointment at the turn of events that has led to the tabling of the MOU for the center.
As a regent at A&M, he would have been an advocate for the region, especially for Brownsville.
"This is an incredible opportunity for (our) community to possibly be part of one of the top tier industry led workforce training center which could open opportunities in the future with regard to innovation and research and development," he said.
"This would inevitably lure large manufacturers who pat high wages with benefits. The community needs this and local politicians should stay out of the way."
But will they? And if the local A&M workforce center supporters have their way, will the port commission bring it back, TSC's objections notwithstanding?
It didn't take long. The port will call a special meeting Monday to reconsider the M.O.U.
At that time, TSC President Dr. Robert Rodriguez conveyed to Norman Garza, TAMUS' Assistant Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, his displeasure that the BND commissioners and CEO Eddie Campirano would accept and MOU that excluded TSC as a key player and "to engage in workforce training that did not specifically mention its own community college."
It was the failure of the stakeholders pushing for the MOU to adequately address this perceived slight that would eventually result in the port commissioners voting to table the MOU a month later, and deprive local students of golden opportunity to gain the technical and vocational skills critically necessary to compete in the highly-competitive global market.
Ironically, in the same letter, Rodriguez mentions the collaboration between A&M and TSC in the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy and said he as happy to report that "a dozen students from the first cohort have already transitioned to Texas A&M with 14 more on scheduled to transition next year...We are currently accepting out third cohort of students...(and) are excited about the great success our institutions are sharing."
But on the workforce center issue, TSC and its supporters said that the port, by providing the 400 acres of land, collecting Brownsville taxes, and being supported by Brownsville residents had no business subsidizing Harlingen's TSTC and A&M without including TSC.
What went wrong?
As early as June 27 - one day after the luncheon, - Garza reached out to Rodriguez seeking a meeting to address his concerns at Harlingen's TSTC being named as a lead institution and TSC not being specifically named as a key player. Over the course of a month, emails between Garza and Rodriguez's office - through Iris Birge, TSC's Coordinator of Administrative Services for the office of the President - indicate that A&M tried to schedule a meeting with Rodriguez to no avail. (Click on graphic to enlarge.)
Over this time, port commissioners - mainly Esteban Guerra - tried to tweak the MOU to pacify the passions generated by TSC and its supporters inserting clauses that specifically referred to TSC (in red in the graphic below).
and...
and included...
To TSC, those amendments appeared to them as an afterthought by port administrators and commissioners and to place them in the role of second fiddle in the region's workforce development. TSC held a press conference on the day before the vote on the MOU was taken and strongly voiced their displeasure at the port commissioners for engaging in the arrangement with TSTC and Texas A&M without consulting with them.
On the next day, with the issues still unresolved, the port commissioners tabled the item.
This incurred the wrath of Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp who fired off a letter to Rodriguez July 31 saying, among other things, that Texas A&M was withdrawing from the workforce development center at the port and mourned the fact that TSC's objections nixed the deal.
"I wish you nothing but the best for the young people of Cameron County...What we were going to build at the Port was a world-class workforce training facility that could have been the best in the state, but that is not possible without TSTC. TSTC is the best workforce training in Texas...period. They're better than you and me. That's no reflection on your school or mine, but workforce training is all they do and everyone knows they are the best.
"Somewhere, we're going to set up this world-class center, but I know that is a local decision and we respect the port's and your decision, and we will stand aside and go to another location. Notwithstanding, we wish you the very best in meeting the workforce needs at the Port and we know you will give it your best."
In the last paragraph of his letter, Sharp tells Rodriguez that he has "a great affinity for the region, as does my board and particularly regent Mike Hernandez...We were hoping to provide an eye-popping workforce training center, but we respect the local decisions and with you all the best!"
However, it appears that despite Sharp's apparent withdrawal from the arena, local movers and shakers like prominent businessmen and Aggies Jim Tipton and Terry Ray are not ready to let the issue die. They have contacted TSC trustees to let them know of their displeasure and are pressuring the BND commissioners to bring back the issue for a vote and to "grow some" and confront TSC.
Hernandez, who has came back to his hometown and started the Cameron County Education Initiative to address the chronic poverty plaguing local residents also expressed his disappointment at the turn of events that has led to the tabling of the MOU for the center.
As a regent at A&M, he would have been an advocate for the region, especially for Brownsville.
"This is an incredible opportunity for (our) community to possibly be part of one of the top tier industry led workforce training center which could open opportunities in the future with regard to innovation and research and development," he said.
"This would inevitably lure large manufacturers who pat high wages with benefits. The community needs this and local politicians should stay out of the way."
But will they? And if the local A&M workforce center supporters have their way, will the port commission bring it back, TSC's objections notwithstanding?
It didn't take long. The port will call a special meeting Monday to reconsider the M.O.U.
19 comments:
Juan ok, so now what? anybody or anyone stepping up to the plate from TSC? Becareful what you wish for, you might just get it. Orale a trabajar caga palos.
Whadda we do now, Juan? I'm scared of not knowing what's going on!!!
Booby Weightman-Ramirez
I'm too old to benefit from this project. But the future of South Texas isn't...
Dear Port,
If you build the building and lease it to A&M you can ensure that ALL entities work together for the greater good. INCLUDING TSC
If you make A&M build it (it would probably be spectacular) but the decisions will be theres....(and not a bad idea all things considered).
Now...is it worth the $5 million you may spend. HELL YEA. It's something we can smell, touch, see, UNLIKE that bridge to a life of luxury that ONLY a few "saw."
Do something progressive for the community.
Don't know Ray or Tipton..but I love FORDS...so THANK YOU! Of course business leaders "get it"
Think BIG Brownsville...Time to lead the valley
TSC screwed the pooch again. Always trying to force issues with the big boys...breaking news...the big boys don't need you. Brownsville will continue to be the little ol border town with no high paying jobs and puro politcos influencing decision making. Big business and industry doesn't stand for that. When are you going to understand. Embrace it. The political careers of these people me vale. It should be about the citizens and future and quality of life. Not the politicos and their aspirations...no sirve pa nada esas idiotas.
"We have met the enemy and he is us".
Time for new board leadership/members on the TSC board. Adela should resign and take some lessons on true leadership. She gets rid of good people to keep those that do her dirty work. Time for change!
...and of course, the bucket full of Mexican crabs doesn't need a lid..
Where is zavapapas on this and cardenas the turn coat puppet at the port did a number on estos pendejos
Another huge embarrassment for the people of browntown. How does it feel to be the worst city in the best state in the USA? Distrusting. Embarrassing.
Very disappointed w TSC and our newly elected mayor. Thought he would see the big picture. Trey, your representing the ENTIRE community now, time to get away from Adela. Put the students first!!. TAMU will be great for the community. How can we ever get ahead and stop the brain drain. Please don’t let Brownsville be the ONLY city to say NO to both UT & A&M.
..the winner is..Justice for all
Its ok that the dealerships here in brownsville hire their managers from up north why? Now they want to back up a training school for wlders and whatever else. Check it out Juan all of the local dealerships bring in their managers from up north... Yea movers and shakers MY ASS!~!!
Can Sharp do this on his own?
Seems odd.
Hope that something can be worked out.
12:25 —-not true - I’m a manager and I’m from the hood down the road. Local dealers sponsor more events and teams around the community —- every little league —- just about every event—-
How many does your business help?
@August 3, 2019 at 9:35 PM
BS and you know it...
Every little league-REALLY. Just about every event-REALLY. More events and teams around the community-REALLY. LOL
Post the emails- Juan
Who directed the president to ignore the emails?
Who directed him to not tell the board?
Anyone else would of already been placed on leave- he’s not going to be- because he was told to not respond is the coffee talk around town
No doubt independent minded Zavaletta and Rendon didn’t know- the others are just blind followers
Tsc is pushing hard a TAMUK partnership now.online .... same system folks..
Adela paying her “army” (blogger mchale) to attack sharp is a bad plan.
JJ’s attacks and threats aren’t helping either
Same as ignoring the emails and then claiming they didn’t exist
PR nightmare
How many mistakes is that puppet allowed to make? He needs to go NOW!
The bridge, LNG, MIll Co., TSC debacle, trips to china and no results Cut the city taxes from the port quit feeding the clowns we need to vote all of them OUT OUT OUT...
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