Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald 4/17/2005
This is the time of local politics at its best or worst depending on your perspective. In as much as the old saying goes “All politics is local politics” what happens here is just a portent of things to come at the state and national levels. I just prey that the voters will, quit thinking of themselves as the victims of the powerful, actually pay attention and vote their conscience. The votes are what make them powerful.
I personally tend to favor folks other than incumbents and those in the minority. Mostly, perhaps because of my Irish heritage and because a streak of idealism hides under my normally thick skin, I like to see folks that buck the system and stir things up.
In the Herald for, Sunday April 10, there was a great source for most passions.
On the front page the Herald apparently dubbed the “State of PUB” as a most important issue by its placement on the front page and its position next to a story about potential raises in rates.
The thing in the article that really raises my hackles is that it is reported that “The city commission annually receives half of PUB’s profits… PUB should not make a “profit” as it is a public entity, any excess revenues, other than what is necessary to accommodate future expenses, should be used to reduce rates. Otherwise, they become additional taxes. Depending on who is talking, the higher rates are assessing at least $8,000,000 in taxes that we have not voted for. Additionally these taxes are focused on the ones who can afford them the least. More »

Submitted 3/29 for publication on 4/3
The March 27, “My Turn” column, submitted by PUB Chairman Oscar E. Garcia, at first seemed to be an around the corner jab at the recent PUB Board appointees; instructing that they should be nice little boys and keep the dirty laundry in-house. But when I looked closer, I noticed what would appear to be a major change in policy and some outright self serving spin.
In the second paragraph, Mr. Garcia points out the common purpose – “to provide customer/owners with reliable utility services at the lowest reasonable rates consistent with good sound business practices.” If this is true it is a change from the previous position of reliable utilities at competitive rates. There is a big difference!
The piece then goes on ad-nauseum lecturing as to the responsibilities of the trustees. I didn’t see, what, to me, is one of the primary responsibilities until paragraph seven, and it seems to be down played “ The board member also serves as a representative of the BPUB customers. Members represent the owners of the utility and act on their behalf to protect and maximize the value of the asset.” More »