I was going to get philosophical on everybody tonight, but the day's work has left me tired and weary, "and miles to go before I sleep," so I'll keep it short. The problem for me started yesterday when I ran across an article in the Sunday edition of The Monitor and read a report entitled "Building security: RMA complete; board plans funding for development". You can read the article at www.themonitor.com, but to sum it all up there are six board members headed by a chairman who are "charged with planning the infrastructure and transportation system for Hidalgo County." The chairman, Dennis Burleson was appointed in 2005 by Republican Governor Rick Perry. Who are the remaining six members and who appointed them to the Regional Mobility Authority?
Well, I'm glad you asked because I took a close look at the list, and here it is courtesy of The Monitor:
Joe Olivarez-appointed by Pct. 1 County Commissioner Sylvia Handy
Ricardo Perez-appointed by Pct. 4 County Commissioner Oscar Garza
Ruben Plata-appointed by Pct. 3 County Commissioner Joe Flores
Ramiro E. Salazar-appointed by the City of McAllen commissioners
Ruben Serna-appointed by Pct. 2 County Commissioner Hector "Tito" Palacios
Bobby Villarreal-appointed by County Judge Ramon Garcia
The report did not state why these individuals were chosen specifically in regards to experience or qualifications, so if anybody out there has any clue why, drop me a line via the comment section.
Here's the thing. Last week, the Democratic blogosphere in the Rio Grande Valley was taken aback at the news that several mayors from the Valley were publicly endorsing Republican Governor Rick Perry's re-election campaign. I don't agree with these types of endorsements because I believe it lends itself to a lot of ethical questions, but to my knowledge there's nothing in the books about not doing it, so we'll have to swallow this one. Basically I was left with questioning why? Why in a Democratic stronghold that is the Rio Grande Valley would our elected offiicals do such a thing? Why, when we need improvements to all our roads would a board be brought together to discuss the financial scope of our infrastructures and "visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads" while peering into the economic crystal ball?
The thing I won't swallow, though, is the fact that when I posted about these public endorsements, I said there was probably a reason behind it. And sooner or later we'd find out. Well...that didn't take long did it?
If you take a look at the list, you may notice that the people appointed to the board represent cities and towns whose very mayors were among the endorsers. Mayors from the Delta area, the mayor of McAllen, the mayor of Pharr, the mayor of Mission.
"But come on, Hector," you might say, "if we want results, we have to go with the elected official that gets us those results." Quick sidenote, according to various media reports this afternoon, Perry leads public support with 40% of Texans willing to vote for him, Dems it's time to get moving-these elections don't win themselves, but I digress.
I understand where you're coming from if you were to tell me something like that. What bothers me, is that we have an elected official who has made his promises for our support, (Valley and other parts of Texas) but yet our electric bills are through the roof, our schools are in need of new facilities, teachers need a competitive pay raise, and the toll road issue will just be rerouted to another part of the Valley affecting citizens who've got enough problems with their communities.
Is this is the type of representation we're getting for our votes? Well, it's the same type of government we've grown accustomed to then. Elected officials who want to butter up a Governor who has done little for the Valley, if anything (By the way, the offer still stands for anybody to write me in regards to anything Gov. Perry has done for our Valley. Send it via the comment section or email me at [email protected]) Big roads mean big money. Remember that the next time a politician claims they're doing what's best for the community as a whole.
