Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Remember just last week when your cell phone, Internet and WiFi failed after utility companies serving the city – Public Utility Board, AEP, Reliant, CPL, and Magic Valley – imposed rolling blackouts that sometimes left residences without power and connectivity for as long as three days or more?
Well, you wouldn't know that reading an onslaught of public relations productions in social media and the trade magazines where Mayor Trey Mendez, Communications Director Felipe Romero, and jack-of-all-trades (and master of none) bureaucratic survivor Ramiro Gonzalez (formally called Director of Government and Community Affairs) say that Brownsville's efforts are paying off and that they believe their heavy lifting has raised the city's national connectivity ranking.
Read closely what Gonzalez and Romero tell Next Century Cities on what they're basing their claim to fame:
The duo claims that the problem of Brownsville and nearby cities being at the lowest end of that connectivity measure has now been addressed and that they feel that they are already above the lowest national rankings. But they don't say exactly how high we've soared in the rankings. In short, these claims cannot be verified by the facts on the ground. And if that "connectivity" has improved, what happened last week?
And a Brooking article also reports that city officials have asserted that in late 2019 that as part of the effort, the city partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to develop a community strategy for broadband implementation in underserved areas.
Several community entities like the Brownsville Independent School District and the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) have already partnered to fund a broadband feasibility study.
The last time GBIC was involved in a project to provide internet access it gave a $180,000 contract to Oscar Garcia Jr., the son of former UTB-TSC president Juliet Garcia.
Garcia Jr. talked the Brownsville Economic Development Corporation into giving him the GBIC cash for for something called Gentnet Inc,. which was supposed to "address computer ownership and Internet access through community labs and K-20 system as well as cooperative telecommunications infrastructure projects to recruit commercial investments."
That – according to Gilbert Salinas of the BEDC – was supposed to "create at least 20 jobs, pay a minimum of $9 per hour per employee, and create primary jobs which are those that infuse new dollars into a local economy."
Nothing, of course, came out of it, but the money was gone and the only one to profit was Garcia Jr. Salinas, like the two new connectivity guys, talked mighty pretty. And now, with the city commission having removed the GBIC board they appointed and taking over running the economic development entity themselves, who's to say these kind of gifts to politically-connected supplicants won't start again?
Reading the comments of interviews with Sunshine Boys Romero and Gonzalez, it is obvious that a big part of the "strategy" is a large measure of self back-patting and elevated hype.
Brownsville – just as the majority of cities along the U.S.-Mexico border – are poor communities. In fact, Brownsville has been ranked at the very bottom of both poverty and connectivity.
When the BISD had to implement distance learning, it admitted that even despite the mass purchase of "hotspots" and tablets, a large number of the student body was unable to hook up because they lacked Internet access based mainly on the economic level of the families who could not afford to purchase the service from local providers.The fact of the matter is that no Big Money – unlike the millions poured into Gonzalez's "plan" for commissioner Rose Gowen's bike and hike trails pet project – has been provided to buy and install the fiber optic cables to the city, especially to those barrios where the socioeconomic levels have remained near the bottom.
Someone, after all, has to pay for it, and if they can't, what's to be done?
In the article in Next Century Cities, they admit this:We don't think so.
But then again, Brownsville seems satisfied to seek scurrilous titles such as being a "bicycle friendly" city and has pumped millions for trails, is the holder of Guinness World Records for largest zamba dancing line, and holds the title of the city whose residents have cast most lines with hooks in the waters of local resacas at one time.
Impressive.
We'll probably be regaled with more hype on how we're well on our way up the connectivity ladder despite the spotty service in the schools and across the city.
Take it with a grain of salt. As we've found out from city hacks before, the hype is always belied by the reality on the ground, or, in the case of fiber optic cable penetration, the lack thereof.
23 comments:
Keep dreaming.
El Paso tried free Internet Wi-Fi two/three years ago and it was a flop. Too expensive and too-slow.
Although, Austin has it for its downtown and it has worked nicely there.
I know exactly where that fiber can go and its up that pendejo's ass just like that bike rider (bet he can't balance a bike) pendejo and as far as poverty it becomes useful when they want a grant or another fake award. Stop poverty and bring good paying jobs not bike trails not cables not fake awards and MOST of all DON'T bring floor sweepers from dallas and make them head of one of the most important scratch my back boards...
you all need to be voted out useless out of touch PENDEJOS...
Former Mayor Tony Martinez had this Wi-Fi plan on his campaign literature; Trey Mendez couldn't give a shit.
Mendez has done what?
He's a mannequin in a display window. Vato inutil!
No se para a este guey? Do something, Mendez!
Hay viene el cucuy para Marzo! Se llama B.1.1.7! A stronger variant of the COVID-19 will scare more people into getting the vaccine! The deep state desires to have everyone vaccinated and one way is to bring el cucuy to help! Use caution whenever people like Pelosi, Biden, Gates, Fauci,etc...are pushing you to get it! And now they are pushing two masks pinche idiotas! Where's you know who? Probably getting his daily COVID-19 testing por el you know where! Hahahahaha!
Both of this city employees are classified as directors but do not have staff or budget to manage and yet, are making $100,000 a year. Both of this clowns have political connections, great example of it's not what you know but who you know, totally pathetic. Both should be fired and the city could save much needed taxpayers monies on this two non-productive employees. Buenos para nada.
By the time browntown completes their plan, the internet they will be providing will be the equivalent of dial up. Bunch of bozos have no clue what they are doing.
Good question, what has Trey accomplished? Nada. Unless it helps him sell over priced pizza downtown. Not voting for him or any of the commissioners again.
@ 5:09 PM
Get your head out of your ass, Mex-Republican. No one is forcing you to take the shot. It's free, however.
And Trump already got it, so you're used to kissing ass. But, sure, don't get the vaccine. You dying will upset no one. Eres un maleducado y estas todo pendejo.
Biden won...Trump lost.
ja ja ja ja
February 26, 2021 at 5:09 PM
Nobody is going to force you, your family, your kids to get vaccinated.
It is your own decision.
Many people are healthy, in shape, good nutrition, and are clean. They will not take a vaccine.
Just continue taking care of yourself. Remember, some people do not wash their hands. Others do not take showers. etc.
Felipe Romero must RESIGN
TATER HEAD STRIKES AGAIN!!!
PURA CACA just like PUB
One city of Brownsville failure after another.
“Now it didn’t work for people’s lives, but it worked to preserve the integrity of the system.”
Forget about people how much money did we make? and that's the way pub thinks fire his ass do it now!
February 26, 2021 at 5:09 PM
I D I O T A !
How Ramiro still has any position in the city is astounding. He doesn’t show up until 10, has two hour lunches, and leaves early. He’s just a bloated (no pun intended) salary without any real benefit to the city.
@6:06 Are you 100% sure that Trump really took the same thing that the American people are being given? How can you be sovsure he took it, if you obviously don't trust him and thinks he's a liar? The mandatory all get vaccinated will come soon! They will start with no flying without a certificate of proof, kids not allowed in school without being vaccinated, and no driver license if not vaccinated. Right now people are being brainwash with fear to take the vaccine. You say Trump lost, don't count him out just yet! The best is yet to come, I'll leave it that! Hahahahaha!
Both of these guys cant find themselves out of a paper bag.
February 27, 2021 at 10:54 AM
I D I O T A !
Who's that pendejo gordiflon that's got a bike seat up his ass? Pinche mamon...
This says it all
For the pendejos that can’t read in Spanish, too bad
https://inoticias.mx/ineficiente-despota-y-abusivo-asi-es-felipe-romero/
February 27, 2021 at 3:10 PM
you mean gringos - right?
right on hahahaha smh
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