By Jim Barton
The Brownsville Observer Blog
In a Steve Clark interview published in Wednesday's Brownsville Herald, Tony Martinez used a word to describe his administration that he evidently does not understand, fathom or comprehend. Tony claimed that under his leadership there had been an increase of "transparency."
"It hasn't always been easy, but along the way we've worked to build professionalism within city government and increase transparency, and we've turned a corner from the old ways of business-as-usual that held us back for far too long,” Martinez said.
That statement is a gazillion light years away from anything resembling truth.
Almost every Martinez move during his two terms had been done surreptitiously, on the sly, behind closed doors, never, EVER explained.
That's not transparency, Tony, as defined in ANY dictionary!
In 2012 Mayor Martinez orchestrated the City Commission's purchase of 14 vacant buildings downtown for $3,500,000.
The buildings were immediately removed from the tax rolls, forcing local taxpayers to pick up the slack. All but two sit idle still, decaying, but, to this day, NO EXPLANATION from "Mr.
Transparency" as to why in the hell they were purchased.
The flagship of that gawdawful deal, La Casa del Nylon, was bought from Tony's friend, Abraham Galonsky, for $2,300,000, triple its value, in a transaction negotiated by Tony's law partner, Horacio Becerra.
Why did the city purchase a building they may never use?
Why was Tony's law partner, not employed by the city, used to "negotiate" the crooked deal?
Why did the city pay three times the building's value?
In 2013 Martinez was caught utilizing the $3,060,000 Texas AEP Settlement fund for projects in the city, bypassing the City Commission. Even after his hands were slapped by the commission, Martinez offered no apology or explanation. Transparency?
That same year, unannounced, the city entered into a lease with the Galonsky family for a building to be used as Mayor Martinez downtown office.
For several months city work crews were seen refurbishing the building with $13,000 spent on materials alone.
When Mayor Tony changed his mind about a downtown office, the city erected a sign, designating the location the "Downtown Revitalization Information Center." City Planner Ramiro Gonzalez held at least one meeting there to make the expenditure seem legit.
Still, no explanation from Mayor Martinez, "Mr. Transparency," about any of this.
In 2011, many were fooled by Martinez'"Believe in Brownsville" campaign.
In 2015, Brownsville was not fooled, but simply foolish to vote again for Tony Martinez.
Will Brownsville make that mistake again in 2019?