GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS: BROWNSVILLE LEADS RIO GRANDE VALLEY CITIES IN HOMELESS DYING OF COLD

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Brownsville will soon compete in the Guinness Book of World records for receiving the most pledges from local residents to vaccinate their pets. 

The city is coordinating the effort to gather the pledges that will allow them to win the world record to this prestigious prize and put the city on the map. 

To participate in Guinness World Record, all you must do is remember to sign the pledge in the 24-hour window from Dec. 9 – Dec. 10 from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. The City of Brownsville in partnership with Brownsville Animal Regulation & Care Center, Petco Love, Best Friends Animal Society, 24Pet® and Operation Kindness are the coordinators and urge resident to register to get reminded of the pledged opening date or follow us on our social media accounts to get access to the pledge link on the day of the event.

But why compete on something that may be unattainable when we have already attained a recognition across the Rio Grande Valley and in local and state media for another record that is right under our noses?

Brownsville was the only city in the Rio Grande Valley to have two - not one, but two, mind you - people die of cold and exposure, including one who has been confirmed as a homeless 60-year-old man who managed to crawl to a vent near the HEB on Central Blvd trying to escape the cold that ultimately took his life as he lay freezing from exposure next to the building.

Investigations into the two deaths are underway in the city. Police say both men were found outside in the cold this past Monday morning. One man, identified as 46-year-old Enrique Juarez, was found huddled  on the ground near the Chick-Fil-A on Boca Chica.

The 60-year old man was not identified in news reports by police has been identified by friends as Joe Barguiarena, whose fortunes spiraled toward the abyss of alcoholism after his marriage break up and he lost his home. Joe was a Golden Gloves champ in his youth and had two masters' degrees. Barguiarena had been convicted of two DWIs and that had prevented him from gaining employment with the Brownsville Independent School District even after he had undergone treatment, attended AA classes and abstained preparing for his interviews that were promised but never came.

 

In the case of our furry friends, participation is easy and free! All you have to do is sign a pledge, whether you are a pet owner or not. As a bonus, those who seek free pet health care and or looking for an opportunity to sign the pledge in person can attend the FREE PET HEALTH CLINIC on Dec. 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m at Brownsville Sports Park.

 

However, if we want to address the issue of homelessness, you have to show compassion for your fellow human beings and extend them a hand, or at the very least, a warm, secure place for them to sleep out of the cold. Despite their battles with their demons, should we just let them die alone out in the cold?

The city has had the opportunity to provide a shelter for the homeless since the late 1970s when a city bond issue was passed to establish one near the Mother of Perpetual Hope building on Madison and Sixth Street, but the Good People of the City thought it would be an eyesore and tourism killer to have the homeless wandering too close to the city's downtown. Now they wander the streets and sleep in doorways for everyone to see.

So, just as the old saying goes, out of sight and out of mind, they approved the homeless shelter miles from downtown toward the airport - the Ozanam Center - on Minnesota Road. Was the man found on Boca Chica near the Four Corners trying to reach the center? We'll never know.

But this much we do know.

The city has continually strived to get national and world recognition for caring for it pets and vaccinating Fido, awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize for building a Culture of Health, and was named 2014 All-America City along with 9 other cities nationwide. And the National Civic League recognized Brownsville as a city that is "taking the lead in issues in health."

Before that, it competed for (paid for) and was awarded 2010 Texas Municipal League Spirit Award, then was awarded the Texas Municipal League recognition of Brownsville's Greener, Healthier Initiative. And it recently launched its 3rd season of Brownsville Biggest Loser Challenge and ended the challenge by breaking a Guinness World Record® for the largest Zumba® class, with a total of 1,223 participants, putting Brownsville at the top with a world breaking record.

Wow.

Now, if only it took care of its poor homeless who have no place to go and end up like our friend Joe Barguiarena and other unfortunates dying of cold in the street as it does in taking care of its animals, its Biggest Losers, Zumba dancers, and other obese residents.