Not Even GOD himself

Not Even GOD himself

Monday, March 31, 2008

Fwd: Google Alert - Lencho Rendon

GREETINGS South Texas I announce The Authority on Inside Contracting in our Ports.

A Cottage Industry is:
 
A program, process or practice that takes up lengthy and/or inordinate amounts of time while detracting from the main task at hand.


Cottage industry: join boards, get info, every time there is a bond election or referendum to build something, Barry, Fulton, ABC-Al Jones and Mike Carrell Frost Bank. People think they are good Samaritans. Yeah, right.


COTTAGE INDUSTRY: USE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS TO LINE THEIR POCKETS. LENCHO IS not innocent. He is replicating it on a grander scale. Using Solomon's name, the port and they are trying to get the taxpayer money.



Inside contracting


Inside contracting is the practice of hiring contractors who work inside the proprietor's factory. It replaced the putting out system, where contractors worked in their own facilities. Inside contracting was the system favored by the Springfield and Harper's Ferry Armories. Since the manufacturing system developed in the armories also became popular (the American system of manufacturing), manufacturers in the early 19th century tended to hire people trained in the armories as managers. They brought with them the practice of inside contracting.

The manufacturer hired inside contractors and provided materials and machinery. Each inside contractor was expected to hire his own employees and meet certain production and quality goals, but everything else was left to him. As a result, the system rewarded ingenuity, but also rewarded local optimization. For example, it was to the inside contractor's benefit to allow machinery to deteriorate toward the end of his contract since maintenance was costly and he might not reap the long-term benefit if he didn't get another contract. The system was eventually replaced with the factory system, in which everyone was an employee of the manufacturer directly.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lencho Rendon

Open Congress : Blog articles for Rep. Solomon Ortiz [D, TX-27]
Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary Lencho Rendon, a once behind the scenes person for US Congressman Solomon Ortiz, ...

BurkaBlog: Perry Appointee to UT Regents Linked to Scandals
Lasseigne recalled that Ortiz, his former chief of staff Lencho Rendon and Besteiro were close to the Cohens to "Madam Ping," Ping Lee Cohen. ...


 

Saturday, March 29, 2008

[Texa$ Wall $treet Journal] WHISPERS ARE THAT THEY WILL TRY TO PROTECT ONE HA...




[http://texaswallstreet.blogspot.com/2008/03/whispers-are-that-they-will-try-to_29.html]

Thursday, March 27, 2008

HOW THINGS WORK PART II: TERRY CARTER BEING ATTACKED BY THE EDC

EDC TRYING TO DO A HATCHET JOB AGAINST TERRY CARTER. CALLER TIMES' PATRICK BIRMINGHAM HELPING OUT. TERRY CARTER'S LAWYER SUING THE HELL OUT OF EDC PLAYERS.


Terry Carter. Head of Chamber of Commerce. Carter wants to service small business. Too much emphasis on Crosstowns Common Project. The fire started there.
It's like organized corporations and benefits all. EDC plotted to get out of regular chamber. Patrick Birmingham, Fulton, James Barnett, John Bell (lawyer).

We talked about Lencho last time. Now EDC, 90% of entity of City is controlled by EDC except Nueces County and Terry Carter. County is Solomon/Lencho group.

This shows you how everything operates. Cottage industry. Why is City, port, Hisp Chamber, and Chamber of Commerce. Inside info where business will locate. Many people think that those who join Del Mar Board of Regents out of goodness of their heart. Yeah, sure. There is a business interest. Cottage industry, join boards, get info, everytime bond election or referendum to build something, Barry, Fulton, ABC-Al Jones and Mike Carrell Frost Bank. People think they are good samaratans. Yeah, right.

Whataburger field loses half a million a year. Port containment losing money- Ortiz International Center losing money. Follow money. Bonilla part of EDC and Mike Carrell. You see the power, how they move from organization to organization. They make money from construction: Fulton walked out of regular chamber. Joe Adame, this man is in with the builders. The inside information is gotten by joining boards. EDC Joe Adame that had inside info, purchase land, encourage city council to raise property values overnight. Buy land for 40,000.00 and presto chango they make it worth 300,000.00. They are not here to make Corpus Christi grow. B.S. like "Corpus Christi Grow", run by errand boys and girls Carol Scott, John Longoria, lieutenants or messengers of EDC, and Mayor Garrett.

THE EDC TRYING TO DISCREDIT AND PUNISH TERRY CARTER FOR EXPOSING THEM AS CROOKS: Criticism about Terry Carter? Please. Look at cost overrun and rape of taxpayer dollars by EDC and the same self-serving people. Look at the FULTON corridor. Sylvia Whitmore and Judy Hawley who sit on port and Judy works for Carrell and Frost Bank. Why doesn't she have a problem with Carrell and the city council violating rules. No problems with Joe Fulton cost overruns and extra money. Overbid and ask for more money. Average guy doesn't understand the power network. Sylvia Whitmore should be ashamed of herself. They benefit, Hawley is a co-conspirator. Same bank, same builders, same players. The entity of Sylvia Whitmore awarded contract to handle account for American Bank Center. The bank that deals with all the taxpayer dollars.

1/8 cent tax? Referendum on this. Remember? To pay for projects. Apparaently 4A Board(all the money from bonds and referendums, money they collect, from the public). Guess who handles the cash? Syvia Whitmore, the same person who filed a complaint against Terry Carter. Look how well Whitmore is connected with EDC.

They made it a big issue that accounting measures weren't that rigorous in chamber. The way we understand it Carter did nothing wrong. But Whitmore has plenty of dirty laundry and covering for this same conspiracy to rob the taxpayers between the EDC, the banks and the builders.

The 4A Board that collects money to pay for projects. The 1/8 cent tax is just one example. Whitmore, is making a big stink. Yet her boss Mike Carrell head of Frost was appointed to Port 9 months before they should have done it. They circumvented the process, months before guys like councilman Hummell came on. Ruben Bonilla needed that 4th vote, Mayor Garrett initiated the appointment. It was clearly improper and they bypassed the process. Yet, here Terry Carter, had to keep the books at the chamber in the black. He got it out of the red when he came on. The big business that channeled money leave at same time and took money with them. Whitmore is trying to make it look criminal. It's not. No money is missing. It was just moved around in the organization, not outside. The irregularity was the accounting procedure. But he did not misappropriate funds. The City Council is the EDC's puppets.

The key thing with Terry Carter: When the big organizations left , they left a tight budget. He had to look for ways as executive directive to keep in black. He reallocated funds or line item. This pullout was a set up and payback by EDC. The EDC pulled out to make Carter look like a criminal and roll out the media. Birmingham, publisher of CALLER TIMES is targeting Carter. He runs the Caller Times. He has blasted him with editorials. Where is the blasting of Mike Carrell and the Fulton cost overruns? Ruben Bonilla's running the port into the ground.

A petition was filed. Whistleblower Damian Brantley (tool for EDC) (owner of Utopia-connected with EDC, involved in the Celis issue-his girlfriend was naked woman-name never mentioned that he was not in car with Mauricio. He never cleared Celis or clarified all of this. Birmingham from Caller Times covered up for him. He could have cleared Celis and explained about the badge and the naked girlfriend but chose not to) fellow of the Chamber looked into accounting.

Nelda Martinez tied in with EDC. Board of American Bank. Why do people run for the schoolboard? Millions at stake. John Longoria, Carol Scott. They run to the construction subcommittee of the school board, not the curriculum. Wasn't their purpose to serve the children?. Wrong. They are going after the money. Follow the money, people. They control the insurance for the school. Patrick Birmingham tried to make a stink when he left chamber but it did not make the big splash.

Orchestration of withdrawal of corporate citizens, to remove the money, to make Carter have to move some money around but not steal it, so than Mike Carrol's puppet Whitmore and Damian Brantley blew the whistle to benefit EDC. Call for an audit, set up Carter, all to curry favor with EDC. Carter, had to amend on the budget to reallocate money, not try to steal anything. Many entities do line itemization.

Look at Damian Brantley, Carol Scott; they are the messengers/lieutenants. They serve their EDC masters: Al Jones, Mike Carrell, Fulton Construction and Ruben Bonilla.

COTTAGE INDUSTRY: USE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS TO LINE THEIR POCKETS. LENCHO IS not innocent. He is replicating it on a grander scale. Using Solomon's name, the port and they are trying to get the taxpayer money.

TAXPAYERS LOSE, BOTH EDC, ORTIZ/RENDON ALL SCREW THE TAXPAYER. This is the power structure and organized legal mafia that hurts the taxpayer. They create nothing. They do not help the community. Everyone on boards to make money, lobby people coming into town to line their pockets. Not serve the community.

Terry Carter is targeted because he stood up and said that all these guys are crooks. EDC are crooks. That is why Birmingham and Caller Times need to be sued, Mike Carrell, James Barnett, Dodd, Fulton. All the players on EDC.

Who takes turns : Two banks, two construction firms, two insurance companies, and so on so they pass the baton and try to avoid suspicion.

All these people create nothing. If it's the Solomonistas and the EDC make money. All this downtown land to benefit Dusty Durrell., use city dollars to build roads for their projects, new Harbor bridge? NOTHING WRONG WITH MAKING MONEY BUT IN THIS CASE THE INTEREST IS NOT THE COMMUNITY BUT SCREWING THE TAXPAYER. THERE REALLY IS NO GROWTH, ITS TAXPAYERS AND OUR CHILDREN FOOTING THE BILL BUT AL JONES, JOE FULTON AND EVERYONE IS PAYING FOR IT YET THEIR PROJECTS NEVER MAKE MONEY.

No one has pointed it out. Why does Patrick Birmingham not report this in the Caller Times? His part of this RICO like organization.

LENCHO VS EDC: If Mike Carrell hadn't entered Ruben Bonilla would not have maintained control. It was trickery. They didn't wait 9 months. The previous council appointed Carrell as bylaws demand. Regular audit of bylaws? Hello?

The port is barely making money. They make it like Ruben Bonilla is doing a good job. The port is channeling money, they brought in container projects and it's a failure. The Ortiz Center losing money. Yet the people on the Board are making money, Bill Dodge, insurance companies. Bonilla is looking for other ways to make money on this. Ruben Bonilla is barely keeping the thing going with a thready pulse. They never include the small businessman.

EDC SAYS WE DON'T HAVE TO WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESS. But they use LULAC, Nancy Vera's to divide and conquer and that's why they dominate. They throw these organizations a few tacos and they are happy.

Look at Democratic party: Tejano, Nueces County Democrats,….so splintered and divided and blind to all of the above. All these Mexican Americans fight ourselves and these people make a ton of money. People are loyal to their little Democratic faction, not the people, not the community. Just their little turf.

Lencho group: Cottage industry: Making money off taxpayers. Keep that in mind. Using federal and state funds to make themselves wealthy. Lencho is China again? Why? Follow the money. The Lencho people are for themselves. Inner circle. Screw the community. THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE. WE NEED OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN. FOR SMALL BUSINESS. WE MUST IDENTIFY HOW THESE THINGS WORK. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. LOOK IT UP. QUESTION. CHALLENGE PATRICK BIRMINGHAM AND WHY HE IS NOT BALANCED AND HAS THE BIGGEST PAPER IN THE COASTAL BEND YET COVERS FOR THESE PEOPLE.

Remember the power structure. WE are impartial just saying that neither EDC or Lencho is any good in the long run for the community.

THE LAWSUIT OF TERRY CARTER: IF THE LEGAL TEAM FOR CARTER IS SMART THEY WILL USE THE LAWSUIT TO DISCOVER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT WHISPERS ARE THAT THEY WILL TRY TO PROTECT ONE HALF OF THE PROBLEM: THE SOLOMONISTAS. Making this public could be a great service IF ALL OF THE TRUTH COMES OUT.

Let's look at the human social psychology of all of this: The crisis has occurred. Terry Carter a target. They run to the paper. People want things in order and perspective but Birmingham does a spin on it to help the EDC and crush Carter and make him look borderline criminal. When you understand the power, and Birmingham not being balanced as a media powerbroker should it is a disservice to the readers of the Caller Times. The poor people in the Coastal Bend believe the crap Birmingham spins to make the EDC look like angels, the Solomonistas like devils and the Terry Carter whistleblowers like criminals. NO MORE.

RISE UP AND BECOME AWARE AND LET EVERY TAXPAYER KNOW ABOUT THESE GUYS AND HOW THEY PROFIT OFF THE TAXPAYERS. THEY ARE NOT HERE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

MORE TO COME.


by HOMERO VILLARREAL


--
Posted By The Advocate to Texa$ Wall $treet Journal at 3/29/2008 01:36:00 AM



--
Kenedeno & Associates

Friday, March 28, 2008

A total of $507,500! Lawsuits against DMC by two former College employees and a student were settled out of court

Lawsuits against DMC by two former College employees and a student were settled out of court, for a total of $507,500.

Theresa Cox, former dean of Equal Opportunity/Affirmitive Action, Equity, Access and Compliance was awarded $450,000 after suing the college for wrongful termination, demotion, retaliation, and change in work assignments, according to the suit.

In another settlement stemming from a joint lawsuit against the college, citing civil rights violations, former student Melody Lopez received $7,500 and Alberto Benitez, former criminal justice instructor, received $50,000.

"Upon the advice and recommendation of the College's outside litigation counsel and its risk pool carrier, the lawsuits filed by former student Melody Lopez and former employee Theresa Cox were settled out of court to avoid additional expense and disruption of College business," Auggie Rivera, Counsel to the BOR, said.

An ongoing battle between Cox and former DMC President Carlos Garcia dating back to 2004 resulted in her suit against the College.

In September 2004, as part of her job assignment, Cox took a report from a student, accusing Garcia of sexual harassment. After learning of the report, Garcia protested, according to Cox's original lawsuit petition.

According to the suit, Cox charged Garcia with making unwelcome advances and sexual comments to her and other female staff at the school and of having a sexual affiliation with at least one other DMC staff member.

According to the suit, Cox was then removed from her position, being demoted from dean to director, which resulted in Cox no longer being authorized to process then-student Melody Lopez' grievance.

According to the suit, Garcia also expelled Lopez and ordered Cox to quit investigating the grievance since the accuser (Lopez) was no longer a student.

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education, the agency investigating a complaint by the same student and a faculty member, then contacted Cox, according to the suit. The faculty member who had filed a suit also accused Garcia of retaliating against him for helping Lopez with her complaint.

In February 2006 according to the suit, Cox filed a grievance with the college in reference to Garcia's supposed harassment and retaliation.

In April, four days after Cox informed the college that she had filed a complaint with the OCR against Garcia and the college, Garcia informed Cox that her employment contract would not be renewed the next school year, according to the suit.

The grievance was finalized in July when a firm appointed by the College to carry out an in-house investigation presented its results to the DMC Board of Regents.

In August, Garcia sent an e-mail to all employees with e-mail at the college acknowledging that he was not going to renew Cox's employment contract, citing "incompetence, insubordination, and unprofessional conduct." He added that the allegations against him "never happened" and that Cox was "attempting to fleece the taxpayers of Corpus Christi while discrediting DMC."

According to court documents, Cox requested compensatory damages, injunctive relief, court costs, attorney fees, reinstatement to her former position or an equivalent one, compensation for lost wages, and reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights.

Another lengthy sequence of events beginning in 2003 concluded with the resolution of the joint suit by Lopez and Benitez against DMC.

According to Foghorn archives, in February of that year, Lopez filed her initial complaint against Stonewall Van Wie, then chair of the Legal Professions Department, charging his secretary, Karen Huegler, with discrimination.

In April, according to the archives, a Student Review Board heard the Lopez complaint against Van Wie.

According to the archives, in October Lopez was expelled from the College.

Earlier in July, according to the archives, Benitez filed a grievance accusing Dr. Anne Matula, former dean of the Business and Career Programs Division, of sexual harassment.

In August, Benitez was shot at his house in Ricardo, and Benitez told the college he would be unable to come to the campus to work, according to the archives.

In October 2005, according to the archives, Benitez was suspended without pay and a committee of faculty members was selected to evaluate his discharge after Benitez requested a hearing on his suspension.

According to the archives, in January 2005, the committee ruled in support of Benitez' discharge.

According to the archives, a preliminary hearing was held in Judge Hayden Head's ___th District Court concerning the Benitez and Lopez suits against the DMC. The complainants charged the college with "defying civil liberties" after allegedly not following through with Lopez's grievances and terminating Benitez without due course.

According to the archives, during that first hearing, Head learned that it took 18 months for DMC to process Lopez's 11 separate grievances against different DMC administrators, that Lopez was expelled after she verbally abused an administrator and never apologized and that Benitez felt he was unjustly fired after he was shot in 2003 because he could no longer come to work.

After hearing the evidence, the judge said that the trial would be lengthy, complex, and expensive.

Rivera was unavailable for further comment late last week due to illness.

 

 





[http://www.interpol.int/]

Disclaimer: We have discovered no connection between this Lencho and Lencho Rendon we assign responsibility and request an investigation into international dealings where international affairs, such as at hand currently; command the Jurisdiction of an Independent Agency with International Jurisdiction. Singapore, Mexico, China, & The United States of America are Sovereign Countries with a commonality of the 27th Congressional District and the agents there of including but not limited to Florencio "Lencho" Rendon, Terri Shamsie, Dos Logistics, Omega Consulting, Ocean Shipholdings Inc. (OSI), Brownsville Navigation District (BND) & "The Bridge To No Where", Dannenbaum Engineering (DC), Randolph & Tom Delay. Continuing on, Governor Richard James Perry whose political appointments are directed with the intent of malice, conspiracy or other Abusive Acts of Power circumventing the same rules and laws they demand (adherence to) of the average citizen and indicative of an Existent Political Hedgemony and Absolute Abuse of Power.

Where are the ones of Professed Integrity and the Prowess to Stand Against This Corruption?!

Cuz right now all yous guys are intent to either relax and enjoy it

OR

You are grateful for the crumbs dropped in your mouth?

Remember the Little Red Hen?
These Articles were removed from the web by the Brownsville Herald for a reason.

[http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=71209_0_10_0_C]

BND consultants facing prison time

Couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges

BY EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO
The Brownsville Herald

Consultants who took Brownsville Navigation District officials to China and paid U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz's travels to the Far East are facing possible prison time after recently pleading guilty to an immigration plot involving Chinese nationals.

Sixty-four-year-old Kenneth D. Cohen, a Houston businessman and board member of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, and his wife, Ping Lee Cohen, 54, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government in federal court in Houston.

"Mr. Ortiz was deeply disappointed that Ken and Ping broke the law, and the judge will decide the price they pay for that," Ortiz's spokeswoman, Cathy Travis, said Friday.

BND Deputy Director Donna Eymard said she was surprised to find out about the conviction.

"They were very professional people," she said. "They always did a fine job for us,"

In a statement released earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said between April 2000 and October 2005, the Cohens contacted Chinese citizens who paid up to $120,000 to enter the United States and ultimately obtain citizenship.

The Cohens would bring in Chinese citizens under the false pretenses of attending business seminars or conducting business negotiations.

Rosenberg said the Cohens would recruit the owners of small U.S. companies to offer jobs to Chinese citizens. This allowed the Chinese citizens to obtain employment-based visas to enter the country and remain here on a business visa.

"The defendants then created an illusory relationship between Chinese companies and U.S. companies by submitting forged stock certificates, stock transfer ledgers and financial records in support of petitions to the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which were then filed with the Immigration Service on behalf of their clients," Rosenberg stated.

The Cohens would use a law office to petition the INS for the Chinese citizens to enter and remain in the U.S. as executive-level employees of the various U.S. businesses.

"The affected U.S. business owners confirmed that the supporting documents had been forged, that they never employed the Chinese citizens and that their companies were never wholly or partially owned by the Chinese companies as required to obtain this class of visa," Rosenberg said.

The Cohens face up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. They will be sentenced later this fall.

Doing Business with BND

The Cohens have numerous corporations, a review of public records show, but in Brownsville, they were known to BND as Asia Access Corp.

Eymard started working for BND in 2000. Present board member Roy de los Santos was already on the BND board as was former board member Carl "Joe" Gayman. Former board member Sidney Lasseigne was getting ready to join the board.

The late Raul Besteiro was BND's chief executive officer.

BND's first payment to the Cohens' corporation was in March 2001 in the amount of $20,000 for "consulting fees," public records show.

By November 2002, BND had paid Asia Access $91,108. Of this amount, records indicate that $15,510 was reimbursement for a stay at the Hotel Beijing, $80 for visas to China and $5,980 for airfare to Ningbo-Hong Kong in 2001.

BND paid Asia Access a service fee of $5,000 in 2001 for a trip to China and paid the firm a consulting fee of $40,000 in July 2002.

BND officials made three trips to China between 2000 and 2003.

"I know they arranged all the Far East trips, but how they came here, I could not begin to tell you. I don't know," Eymard said.

De Los Santos said he also didn't know.

Gayman said Ping Lee Cohen was BND's tour guide in China and arranged meetings with Chinese officials and companies.

"They would arrange the trips and work out the itinerary. I never did see anything suspicious," de los Santos said.

"From the minute we arrived, all the meetings were set up," Eymard recalled.

Getting Close to a Congressman

Travis said that Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, has known the Cohens for more than a decade and became acquainted with them through mutual friends.

Travis said she doesn't know if Ortiz or any member of his staff introduced the Cohens to BND and left the question to BND.

Gayman thinks Ortiz brought the Cohens to BND: "The congressman is the one that instigated the trips to China," Gayman said.

Lasseigne recalled that Ortiz, his former chief of staff Lencho Rendon and Besteiro were close to the Cohens to "Madam Ping," Ping Lee Cohen.

"She was very attractive, very, very, attractive, real sharp in business," Lasseigne said of Ping Lee Cohen.

"I remember Lencho telling me that his ideal dream team (to help BND) would be (lobbyist) Randy DeLay, (Monterrey consult-ant) Esther Rodriguez and 'Madam Ping,'" Lasseigne said.

The BND present and former officials said that to their knowledge, BND never assisted Chinese nationals in obtaining visas.

Asia Access also figures prominently in trips that Ortiz and Rendon made to the Far East, including China, Hong Kong, Taipei and Beijing.

The firm paid for four trips, a study by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, the Center for Public Integrity shows.

The organization recently tracked the travel of U.S. representatives and senators.

The trips were made at Asia Access' expense by Ortiz and Rendon in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005 at a reported cost of nearly $48,000 combined.

Travis said Ortiz accepted the trips because he searches for ways to increase development in South Texas.

"One way to leverage that development has been to travel to Asia with South Texas business owners," Travis said. "His presence with area businesses in the vibrant, dynamic Asian marketplace ensures their access to the decision makers at Asian companies, as well as to government offices there."

And no, Travis said, neither Ortiz nor any staff member has facilitated the entry of Chinese nationals into the country.

Neither BND trips nor Ortiz's trips have resulted in economic development here, Gayman said.

"We never got any business out of China," Gayman added.

[e-mail]eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com[/e-mail]

Posted on Jun 11, 06 | 12:01 am REDFLAGS: DANNENBAUM a Smoke Screen for Leche Rendon's Dream Team's Relationship w/ Asia Access Corp
Posted on March 13, 2008 at 08:28:00 PM by JAIME KENEDENO

Texas Monthly acknowledges (the de facto existence / independence) of Brownsville Herald Investigative Reporter Emma Perez-Trevino


DANNENBAUM a Smoke Screen for Lencho Rendon's Dream Team Activities /Engagement with Asia Access Corp


Monday, October 22, 2007

Perry Appointee to UT Regents Linked to Scandals

posted by Paul Burka at 10:52 AM

One of the three men Governor Perry appointed to the University of Texas Board of Regents last week has been linked to political scandals at opposite ends of the Rio Grande, according to several news outlets. The appointee is James Dannenbaum, chairman of Houston-based Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation, whose company has become enmeshed in corruption probes in Brownsville and El Paso.

The following summary of the situation in Brownsville represents my summary of stories done by investigative reporter Emma Perez-Trevino for the Brownsville Herald. The original stories can be found here and here. In the Brownsville case, the Port of Brownsville wanted to work with Mexico to build a bi-national bridge to Matamoros, Mexico. Brown & Root won the contract to work on the bridge and billed the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) $424,505 up through July 1997. That's when a familiar name entered the picture: state senator Eddie Lucio. The Brownsville Herald has reported that Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation (DEC) hired Lucio for marketing, consulting, and public relations work. In the course of this work, Lucio introduced the firm to the BND board. Within a month, the BND board voted to fire Brown & Root and hired DEC without requesting proposals. DEC's original contract was for $2,053,515, but a series of supplemental contracts brought DEC's take to $15.5 million. Of this money, $10,529,058 went to subcontractors in Mexico, $9.2 million of which was paid to just three companies, all of which had ties to a DEC employee. One helps startup businesses, one provides security services, and one is a real estate company. BND was required to approve all subcontracts before any work was done, but DEC entered into 16 of 17 subcontracts without requesting that approval.

Construction of the bridge depended upon securing an agreement with Mexico to perform work on its side of the Rio Grande, which DEC representatives said was forthcoming. Despite such assurances, BND never received approval from Mexico. This is not a bridge to nowhere. It is a nowhere bridge.

In 2004, BND retained Charley Willette, Jr., as a special counsel to investigate how a total of $21.4 million in taxpayer money was spent on a project that was dependent upon Mexico's support. Willete's 62-page report traced the millions paid to subcontractors in Mexico and their ties back to DEC.

Peter Zavaletta, who became chairman of the Navigation District in 2004, told the Brownsville Herald that the only work that BND received was 49 black binders in which were a couple of charts.

Perez-Trevino reported in May that a criminal inquiry into the money that was spent on the nonexistent bridge is in the hands of a special grand jury, whose term will expire in early November. Both the FBI and the Texas Rangers began looking into the situation last March.

The El Paso situation is less complex. A United Press International story last June referenced "Dannenbaum Construction" in a wide ranging federal probe in El Paso:

EL PASO, Texas, June 13 (UPI) -- A Texas man once named by President George Bush to the International Boundary and Water Commission has been labeled a "bagman" in a corruption case.

John Travis Ketner, former chief of staff to El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit bribery. Arturo Duran, who also is a member of the board of Thomason Hospital in El Paso, was identified as one of 17 co-conspirators in the case, the El Paso Times reported.

Federal investigators say Duran served as a go-between for two companies, Valley Risk Consulting and Dannenbaum Construction. The companies were after contracts from County Commissioners Court.


In a story about the El Paso investigation that appeared in the Herald, Perez-Trevino reported about Dannenbaum's role in the federal investigation in El Paso. These are the salient paragraphs:

In El Paso, Dannenbaum's firm allegedly is referenced as "DC" in an information report that the U.S. Attorney's Office filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on a guilty plea entered by John Travis Ketner, former chief of staff to El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos.

Ketner pleaded guilty June 8 to two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently secure vendor contracts, public records show.

The El Paso Times identified "DC" as "Dannenbaum Construction" of Houston.

Noting that the name of his firm is Dannenbaum Engineering and not Dannenbaum Construction, Dannenbaum said, "our firm was not named in anything, was not referenced in anything."

According to the information report, Ketner and co-conspirators would meet with selected vendors to discuss the contracts being sought by the vendors and to settle on the amount of a bribe.

A co-conspirator allegedly acted as the intermediary and "bag man" for "DC," making and promising payments in cash or as campaign contributions to elected county officials, the information report reflects.

The report shows that on one occasion, a "DC" principal met with a county elected official. The intermediary and the elected official then entered a small bathroom in the county office and the intermediary promised a campaign contribution in exchange for the official's votes to secure contracts for "DC".

Dannenbaum said that he did not have an intermediary, did not meet with the elected official and that no one from his office did. "Not to my knowledge," he said.


The question that naturally arises out of all this is what is going on in the governor's office? It seems to me there are only two possibilities here: Perry (1) didn't know or (2) didn't care. Even if he believes that Dannenbaum and his company have done nothing wrong (and to this point nothing official suggests otherwise), Perry has put UT in a position where one of his appointees can reflect discredit on the university. There are plenty of Texans who aren't enmeshed in criminal investigations in two cities who are qualified to be on the Board of Regents.

The other question is whether ethics rules--allow a state senator to operate a consulting business in which he introduces vendors to public officials who award contracts. I don't see how the answer can be "yes," but if it is, the rules need to change. I don't think Lucio is the only one who plays this game.

posted by Jaime Kenedeño at 1:24 AM 0 comments links to this post

Friday, March 14, 2008

Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed RTA Board Members, CCREDC Executives, Nueces Cnty Commissioners Court & All American City Council

Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed RTA Board Members,CCREDC Executives /Members Nueces County Commissioners Court and our All American City Council.

It is inconceivable in the eyes of a little person (who labors under a heavy burden daily) that we would appoint or place individuals in positions where merit is is non-existent. The Rendon family is well represented on the RTA Board.

According to the Caller Times Article written by Jaime Powell, There also could be a third Rendon family member on the RTA board in the near future.
Furthermore, in reviewing the minutes of various RTA meetings, the name Joseph Ramirez alludes discovery. What has this individual accomplished benefiting the RTA? It is with great emphasis we recognize individuals who are meritorious, individuals who are already involved / dedicated to the RTA. You guys are very aware of who the meritorious ones are. Certainly, it is a disservice to dedication for an individual to assume such a position without earning it first.


This appointment is one of ignorance (in that it iignores the citizenry) and without question unrepresentative of Nueces County. The Rendon Family shares not with it's community; but profiteers off of it. Questionable integrity, investigation and the proximity to scandal is WATT we (the RTA) get with the unsavory appointment of the Nephew (mouthpiece) of Florencio Rendon.

Turning to other Boards within the various Political Subdivisions of Nueces County, I will point to the DMC Regents and the election of one regent (whose family member was an employee) forcing the choice of one (of the two) resigning. The employee stepped away.


Another issue with the RTA appointment process as well as most appointments is the secrecy of the process. We need to know about the available positions before we can apply. Why is the marketing non existent? Vacancies are not communicated to the average citizen and it is only confirmation of the reliance on the disengagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy. Why does the public have to become research experts to be informed on important issues such as this?

We at Kenedeno & Associates specialize in the "engagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy".

We bring the public to your doorstep.

Also, in the interest of the City of Corpus Christi, we are recommending an in depth study regarding the deterioration (to the right lane) of all city streets implemented in daily bus routes. Specifically, we are referring to the patch repair of certain areas where the climate coupled with asphalt design and exceeded load capacity from RTA Machinery has taken a heavy toll.

Your efforts and your continued integrity is applauded, respected and often taken for granted.

Thank You

Anton Haley

Thursday, March 13, 2008

THE REAL POLITICAL PULSE: THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN LENCHO VERSUS THE EDC

HOW THINGS WORK. LET'S BREAK THIS VERY COMPLEX BEAST OF THE EDC (POWER GROUP A) AND LENCHO (POWER GROUP B) AND THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN NUECES COUNTY FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND. UNDERSTAND THE PLAYERS AND THE POWER STRUCTURE. WE NEED TO KNOW THE SET UP AND WHY THINGS HAPPEN HERE IN TOWN.
CONNECTIONS: EDC, HUGO BERLANGA, RUBEN BONILLA. THE ENEMIES TO EDC: LENCHO RENDON TRYING TO UNDERMINE EDC. LENCHO AND KAELIN REAL CLOSE. WILLIE VADEN AND LENCHO RENDON RUNNING PIPELINE FROM MEXICO TO U.S. LENCHO WHEELING AND DEALING WITH REPUBLICANS.LENCHO THE STAUNCH DEMOCRAT! WILLIE JUST HIRED HIM IN INGLESIDE. WHAT'S GOING ON? LENCHO IS TRYING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE PORT COMMISSION IS NEEDED FOR SHAMSIE TO REPLACE ONE OF THE PORT MEMBERS. THE EDC HAS THE MIKE CARROLL ISSUE TO CONTEND WITH. THERE ARE 7 MEMBERS: 4 CONTROLLED EDC AND 3 BY LENCHO AND SOLOMONISTAS. THEY ARE GOING AFTER MONEY, OF COURSE. LENCHO CONTROLLING COUNTY. OSCAR ORTIZ IS PRETTY MUCH COUNTY JUDGE AND SHAMSIE IS STILL PULLING STRINGS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. BUT AS FAR AS THE PORT RUBEN BONILLA, JUDY HAWLEY(?), MIKE CARELL (HEAD OF FROST BANK AND MEMBER OF EDC WAS MOVED OVER TO THE PORT), AND THE ELDERLY ANGLO GENTLEMAN WHO'S NAME ESCAPES ME IS APPOINTED BY THE CITY. AN APPOINTMENT IS PENDING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE CONTROVERSY IS THAT MIKE CARROLL (HENRY GARRETT APPOINTED MIKE CARROLL PRIOR TO THE ELECTION ON THE CITY COUNCIL). EDC FEARED THE BALANCE OF POWER WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. NOW, THE OTHER PEOPLE OF LENCHO, YOLANDO OLIVAREZ (SOLOMON ORTIZ HELPS HER WITH CONTRACTS), KEN BERRY, BOBBY GONZALEZ. LOOKS LIKE BOBBY GONZALEZ WILL BE REAPPOINTED. YOLANDA WILL LEAVE SO THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT SHAMSIE (HE HAS JUST PUT IN AN APPLICATION). KEEP IN MIND THAT RENE RODRIGUEZ HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT SHAMSIE IS WANTED ON THERE BECAUSE HE IS WITH LENCHO. NOW, OSCAR ORTIZ CONTROLS PEGGY BANALES AND BETTY JEAN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT YOU HAVE CAZALES AND NEIL. BUT STRANGELY CAZALES HAS BEEN VOTING WITH ORTIZ. MIKE HUMMELL ON THE CITY COUNCIL SIDE IS FRIENDLY WITH LENCHO SO THEY WILL TRY TO GET ANOTHER MEMBER ON THE PORT APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REASON THE PEGGY BANALES RACE WAS SO IMPORTANT WAS TO GET THE PORT. NOW, LETS LOOK AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: TERRY CARTER IS RUMORED TO HAVE HIS DAYS NUMBERED ON THERE. EDC CONTROLS PORT NOW BUT LENCHO IS PUSHING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE MAIN ENGINE THAT CONTROLS THE ECONOMY IS THE PORT SO THAT IS WHY SHAMSIE AND LENCHO COVET IT. HUERTA CONNECTION: HUERTA IS TIED IN WITH MIKAL WATTS. THEY SIT ON SEVERAL BOARDS THAT THE EDC CONTROLS. MIKAL WATTS IS IN THERE. WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR IS WHETHER LENCHO HAS ALLIANCES WITH WATTS.
BONILLA CONNECTION: BY RUBEN BONILLA GETTING HALF A MILLION FROM ONE, A QUARTER OF MILLION FOR FEES OF CITY ENTITIES FOR LEGAL FEES (FED TO SHAMSIE AND RENE RODRIGUEZ BACK WHEN TERRY SHAMSIE RAN). THAT IS WHY RUBEN BONILLA AND SHAMSIE NOT ON FRIENDLY TERMS BECAUSE RUBEN WAS RAKING IT IN. WHEN SHAMSIE CAME IN AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND WAS LOOKING AT THE FUNDS AND MONEY. RUBEN BONILLA MAKING OVER A MILLION FOR REPRESENTING SEVERAL ENTITIES.
NOW EDC AND RENDON/SHAMSIE FACTION: BOTH GROUPS ARE EXCLUSIVE.
LENCHO GROUP IS SO CLOSEKNIT. THE GROUP DYNAMICS IS THAT THEY ARE NOT INCLUSIVE. THE CIRCLE IS TIGHT. WHEN HILLARY CAME IT WAS EVIDENT. THEY CONTROLLED THE MEDIA WHICH ANGERED THE MAINSTREAM. IN THE LENCHO CIRCLE MIKE RENDON AND SARAH SALDIVAR (WHO WORKED WITH SOLOMONS DAUGHTER) ARE A PART OF THE GROUP. THE BROTHER IN LAW DAVID MARTINEZ IS IN RTA, NOW SARAH LEAVING SO JOSEPH RAMIREZ IS ENTERING RTA. WHO APPOINTS THE RTA PEOPLE? THE MAYOR OF ROBSTOWN THROUGH THE SMALL APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE. NOW DO WE UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN GROW WITH THIS OLIGARCHY? IT IS TOO EXCLUSIVE. THEY DON'T SHARE THE WEALTH WITH ANYONE. SHAMSIE IS TIED IN WITH ALL THESE BIG DOLLARS, CONSULTANT WITH THE CITY OF ROBSTOWN, THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET OF ROBSTOWN.THE SHAMSIES AND LENCHOS DO THE PATH OF PAST RESISTANCE. SHAMSIE FIRST LATCHED ON TO FIL VELA, THEN RENE RODRIGUEZ, NOW LENCHO. SHAMSIE TRIED TO BE VERY ACCOMMODATING WITH EDC BUT THEY REJECTED HIM SO THAT IS WHY HE STARTED AWARDING THINGS TO DOS LOGISTICS AND OMEGA TO CURRY FAVOR WITH LENCHO AND NOW IS TRYING TO HELP MORE OF LENCHOS COMPANIES WHICH IS THE NEW ONE LR GLOBAL AND ASSOCIATES. REMEMBER THAT LENCHO YOU NEVER SEE HIM MUCH IN PUBLIC. RECENTLY HE HAD A SEMINAR CALLED OCEAN SECURITY CONFERNCE WITH 34 COUNTRIES AND BROUGHT IN MILITARY PEOPLE AND THERE ARE DOLLARS BEING PUT OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT. SOLOMON SITS ON COMMITTEE TO AWARD MONIES THROUGH CONTRACTS. BY BEING RETIRED MANY OF THESE GENERAL AVOID BEING CONFLICTED. THE GENERALS USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO INFLUENCE THE PRESENT MILITARY PEOPLE WHO REPLACES THEM AND LENCHO FINDS A WAY TO PAY THE RETIRED GENERALS AS CONSULTANTS. HE MADE IT LOOK LIKE HE BROKE UP WIHT SOLOMON IN 2006 BUT IT WAS TRULY TO AVOID THE CONFLICT. THAT IS WHY HE IS USING HIS NEPHEW JOSEPH...TO AVOID CONFLICTS. SHAMSIE: AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND THEN BECAME REALISTIC AFTER THE EDC REJECTION. HE SAID, PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE BUT HE WENT WITH LENCHO. HE IS LIKE A WILLOW. HE HAS THAT CLASSIC BEHAVIOR AND GIVE IN AND DIVIDE AND CONQUER INSTEAD OF CREATE. THAT IS WHY HE JOINED WITH LENCHO IN ORDER TO BE WITH SOMEONE STRONG. HE ACTS LIKE A DEMOCRAT BUT PRACTICALLY BEGGED TO BE WITH EDC AND THE WHITES BUT AGAIN, THEY SPURNED HIM. DOS LOGISTICS MADE MILLIONS. THEY BOUGHT SHAMSIE A HOUSE. HMMM. THINK ABOUT IT. DID HE ACCEPT GIFTS LIKE THIS WHILE IN OFFICE? NOW YOU ARE SEEING THE PAYBACK THEY OWE SHAMSIE. LR GLOBAL OPERATES LIKE PART MARKETING PART BUSINESS (CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC RELATIONS ETC). PARTICULARLY FOR MILITARY CONTRACTS. THEY ARE BRINGING IN SHAMSIE AS A CONSULTANT. THEY ARE CLEVER. SHAMSIE IS BEING PAID BY ENTITIES. THINK OF SOLOMON ORTIZ WHEN HE WAS YOUNG, GETS OUT OF ARMY, RUNS FOR CONTSTABLE, COMMISSIONER, SHERIFF, AND EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC POST IS ALWAYS PAYING MONEY. THEY NEVER HAVE SERVED ON SCHOOL BOARDS, CITY COUNCIL. THEIR WHOLE MENTALITY IS TO PIMP OFF SYSTEM. SAME WITH LENCHO. HE DOESNT HAVE TO PAY SHAMSIE, THE CITY AND SCHOOL BOARD OF ROBSTOWN FUNNELS MONEY. ROD RAMON AND ABEL HERRERO ARE A PART OF THE CLICK. NOW GRANTED, WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE MONEY AND FEED OUR FAMILIES BUT THIS IS PIMPING OFF THE SYSTEM. THIS IS POLITICS.REMEMBER BORCHARD? HE APPOINTED TO THE PORT THE SAME BANKER WHO HIRED HIM. THE PEOPLE AT THE PORT NOW BUY THE INSURANCE IS BOUGHT WHICH BILL DODGE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH (BILL DODGE BANKER AT ROBSTOWN. SAME INSURANCE COMPANY IS BEING SUPPORTED BY LOBBYING EFFORTS OF HUGO BERLANGA AND RUBEN BONILLAS IS THE LAWYER! WHAT A RACKET!CONSULTANTS EVERYWHERE.
NOW EDC: PRIMARILY ANGLOS BUT CURIOUSLY MORE PLURALISTIC. THEY SHARE MORE OF THE WEALTH. THEY ARE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND NOT SO HEAVY HANDED AND PROJECT HIGHER STANDARDS. AL JONES, MIKE CARROLL, JOE FULTON, BERRY CONSTRUCTION AND ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, BUT WHAT HAPPENS ITS A SMALL MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. ALTHOUGH NOT SO TIGHTKNIT AS LENCHOS THEY ARE STILL SOMEWHAT EXCLUSIVE.THE EDC'S FORMULA IS SIMPLE. ITS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT. ROOTS GO BACK TO HAYDEN HEAD. HAYDEN HEAD WAS AN ATTORNEY. NEVER RAN FOR OFFICE. HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE PORT. HE MADE SURE THAT CITY COUNCILMAN WERE BUSINESSMAN. WHEN THINGS WANTED TO BE DONE, HE WOULD GET PEOPLE WHO WANTED A CONTRACT, AND THE MEETINGS (LIKE THE MARKETING PLAN FORWARD CORPUS CHRISTI) AND WOULD SAY THE CONTRACTORS WOULD PAY FOR THE MARKETING, LOOK FOR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FROM THE PUBLIC (HAYDEN HEAD STARTED AMERICAN BANK IN THE 1970'S WHICH AL JONES IS THE HEAD OF NOW). A THREE PART OPERATION BEGINS: YOUR BUILDERS(THEY PROVIDE THE FINANCING FOR THE MARKETING TO SELL THE PROJECT), THE POLITICIANS LIKE MAYOR (LOOK WHO CONTRIBUTES MONEY TO THE POLITICIANS DAVID ENGOLS TO JUAN GARCIA EXAMPLE) AND THEN THE BANKS FUNDS IT (AL JONES IS THE MODERN DAY HAYDEN HEAD, FINANCED PACKERY, AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD).POLITICAINS SELL IT, BUILDERS MARKET IT, BANKS FINANCE IT. ON THE FOOD CHAIN POLITICIANS ARE THE LOWEST. HERE YOU HAVE THE EDC (NONPROFIT) WHICH IS A DEFACTO POLITICAL MACHINE. THEY CAN'T BE AUDITED BY THE CITY!!! THE CITY CAN'T LOOK AT THEIR BOOKS. ANOTHER THING, THE CITY GIVES THEM AUTHORITY FOR THE EDC TO DECIDE WHERE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS BEST, WHERE LAND VALUE SHOULD BE RAISED. THESE GUYS ON EDC KNOW WHERE LAND WILL RAISE VALUE, THEN THEY GO BUY THE LAND! THIS IS INSIDER TRADING. OVERNIGHT A PIECE OF CRAP LAND BECOMES GOLD. (INSIDE INFORMATION IS MORE POWERFUL THAN MONEY MY FRIENDS). THE EDC IS A POLTICAL MACHINE. WHO GETS THE CONTRACTS? 90 PERCENT OF PROJECTS, WHATABURGER FIELD AND AMERICAN BANK CENTER: JOE FULTON! MIKE CARROLL, ED MARTIN (HEAD OF BERRY CONSTRUCTION) CHANGE LEADERSHIP ROLES (DON'T CONFUSE KEN BERRY THE SOLOMONISTA WITH THE MAIN FAMILY).
CITY AND COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIFFERENCES. JOE FULTON WAS LATE ON PROJECT HE UNDERBID EVERYONE ON. HE SAYS "I CAN'T DO IT WITH WHAT I BID, NEED MORE MONEY(THIS IS KNOWN AS COST OVERRUN). AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD. HE HAS SELDOM IF EVER COMPLETED A PROJECT ON TIME AND HAS DONE COST OVERRUN BIG TOWN. THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT THEY ARE ON, THE EDC ALLOW THESE COST OVERRUNS AND THE CITY HAS NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT.CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: APPOINT PEOPLE ON EDC BECAUSE THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN ONLY APPOINT SO MANY.LET'S LOOK AT NUMBERS. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH (WORKSOURCE) THEY GET INSIDE INFORMATION AND EVERYONE MAKES MONEY AND THE COMMUNITY RARELY BENEFITS. IF YOU DESTROY THE EDC, THEY WILL JUST BUILD ANOTHER ORGANIZATION. LOOK AT THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER BOARD AND YOU WILL SEE MANY BIG PLAYER. THE HEAD OF CCISD IS THERE. WHERE DID HE WORK? AMERICAN BANK. WHO HAS MARKETING CONTRACT: CAROL SCOTT (WIFE OF MARK SCOTT). JOHN LONGORIA: HE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD, NELDA MARTINEZ ON CITY COUNCIL SHE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD OF AMERICAN BANK TOO.
SAME THAT SHAMSIE AND LENCHO DO THE EDC DOES. THEY GO AFTER ENTITIES OF GOVERNMENT AND GO AFTER PUBLIC DOLLARS (WE ARE CREATING JOBS SAYS JOE FULTON IF YOU BUILD WHATABURGER WITH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION? YOU CREATE NOTHING. YOU ARE PASSING ON A BILL TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS WHAT LENCHO/SHAMSIE ARE DOING AND EDC IS DOING. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH. ALL THE TAXPAYERS MONEY WENT TO THESE PEOPLE THIS IS THE IGNORANCE OF THE TAXPAYERS OF NUECES COUNTY.
PACKERY CHANNEL: THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BORROWED 9 MILLION. HOW MUCH INTEREST DID AMERICAN BANK CHARGE IN INTEREST? 99 PERCENT INTEREST AND YOU AND I ARE PAYING FOR IT. USURY, NO LESS. IT WAS ON LOYD NEILS WATCH.
CONCLUSION: THE FLOODGATES OF OPPORTUNITY. THESE GROUPS MONOPOLIZE POWER AND HOPE. THESE PEOPLE CREATE NOTHING AND PROFIT AMONG THEMSELVES.PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, CHECK IT OUT. DO THE RESEARCH. YOU DON'T NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO COMPREHEND THESE THINGS. I CARE ABOUT MY COMMUNITY AND THESE GROUPS UNDERESTIMATE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THEY THINK WE WOULD NEVER FIGURE IT OUT. BUT WE ARE FIGURING IT OUT.


MORE TO COME. COMMENTS PLEASE.

Posted by HOMERO VILLARREAL

 For any questions regarding this documentation, please feel free to contact us by email, telephone of in person.



--
Kenedeno & Associates

Monday, March 24, 2008

ATTN: INTERPOL AN INTERESTING FELLA WHO HAPPENS TO BE CALLED LENCHO



[http://www.interpol.int/]

Disclaimer: We have discovered no connection between this Lencho and Lencho Rendon we assign responsibility and request an investigation into international dealings where international affairs, such as at hand currently; command the Jurisdiction of an Independent Agency with International Jurisdiction. Singapore, Mexico, China, & The United States of America are Sovereign Countries with a commonality of the 27th Congressional District and the agents there of including but not limited to Florencio "Lencho" Rendon, Terri Shamsie, Dos Logistics, Omega Consulting, Ocean Shipholdings Inc. (OSI), Brownsville Navigation District (BND) & "The Bridge To No Where", Dannenbaum Engineering (DC), Randolph & Tom Delay. Continuing on, Governor Richard James Perry whose political appointments are directed with the intent of malice, conspiracy or other Abusive Acts of Power circumventing the same rules and laws they demand (adherence to) of the average citizen and indicative of an Existent Political Hedgemony and Absolute Abuse of Power.

Where are the ones of Professed Integrity and the Prowess to Stand Against This Corruption?!

Cuz right now all yous guys are intent to either relax and enjoy it

OR

You are grateful for the crumbs dropped in your mouth?

Remember the Little Red Hen?
These Articles were removed from the web by the Brownsville Herald for a reason.

[http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=71209_0_10_0_C]

BND consultants facing prison time

Couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges

BY EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO
The Brownsville Herald

Consultants who took Brownsville Navigation District officials to China and paid U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz's travels to the Far East are facing possible prison time after recently pleading guilty to an immigration plot involving Chinese nationals.

Sixty-four-year-old Kenneth D. Cohen, a Houston businessman and board member of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, and his wife, Ping Lee Cohen, 54, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government in federal court in Houston.

"Mr. Ortiz was deeply disappointed that Ken and Ping broke the law, and the judge will decide the price they pay for that," Ortiz's spokeswoman, Cathy Travis, said Friday.

BND Deputy Director Donna Eymard said she was surprised to find out about the conviction.

"They were very professional people," she said. "They always did a fine job for us,"

In a statement released earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said between April 2000 and October 2005, the Cohens contacted Chinese citizens who paid up to $120,000 to enter the United States and ultimately obtain citizenship.

The Cohens would bring in Chinese citizens under the false pretenses of attending business seminars or conducting business negotiations.

Rosenberg said the Cohens would recruit the owners of small U.S. companies to offer jobs to Chinese citizens. This allowed the Chinese citizens to obtain employment-based visas to enter the country and remain here on a business visa.

"The defendants then created an illusory relationship between Chinese companies and U.S. companies by submitting forged stock certificates, stock transfer ledgers and financial records in support of petitions to the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which were then filed with the Immigration Service on behalf of their clients," Rosenberg stated.

The Cohens would use a law office to petition the INS for the Chinese citizens to enter and remain in the U.S. as executive-level employees of the various U.S. businesses.

"The affected U.S. business owners confirmed that the supporting documents had been forged, that they never employed the Chinese citizens and that their companies were never wholly or partially owned by the Chinese companies as required to obtain this class of visa," Rosenberg said.

The Cohens face up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. They will be sentenced later this fall.

Doing Business with BND

The Cohens have numerous corporations, a review of public records show, but in Brownsville, they were known to BND as Asia Access Corp.

Eymard started working for BND in 2000. Present board member Roy de los Santos was already on the BND board as was former board member Carl "Joe" Gayman. Former board member Sidney Lasseigne was getting ready to join the board.

The late Raul Besteiro was BND's chief executive officer.

BND's first payment to the Cohens' corporation was in March 2001 in the amount of $20,000 for "consulting fees," public records show.

By November 2002, BND had paid Asia Access $91,108. Of this amount, records indicate that $15,510 was reimbursement for a stay at the Hotel Beijing, $80 for visas to China and $5,980 for airfare to Ningbo-Hong Kong in 2001.

BND paid Asia Access a service fee of $5,000 in 2001 for a trip to China and paid the firm a consulting fee of $40,000 in July 2002.

BND officials made three trips to China between 2000 and 2003.

"I know they arranged all the Far East trips, but how they came here, I could not begin to tell you. I don't know," Eymard said.

De Los Santos said he also didn't know.

Gayman said Ping Lee Cohen was BND's tour guide in China and arranged meetings with Chinese officials and companies.

"They would arrange the trips and work out the itinerary. I never did see anything suspicious," de los Santos said.

"From the minute we arrived, all the meetings were set up," Eymard recalled.

Getting Close to a Congressman

Travis said that Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, has known the Cohens for more than a decade and became acquainted with them through mutual friends.

Travis said she doesn't know if Ortiz or any member of his staff introduced the Cohens to BND and left the question to BND.

Gayman thinks Ortiz brought the Cohens to BND: "The congressman is the one that instigated the trips to China," Gayman said.

Lasseigne recalled that Ortiz, his former chief of staff Lencho Rendon and Besteiro were close to the Cohens to "Madam Ping," Ping Lee Cohen.

"She was very attractive, very, very, attractive, real sharp in business," Lasseigne said of Ping Lee Cohen.

"I remember Lencho telling me that his ideal dream team (to help BND) would be (lobbyist) Randy DeLay, (Monterrey consult-ant) Esther Rodriguez and 'Madam Ping,'" Lasseigne said.

The BND present and former officials said that to their knowledge, BND never assisted Chinese nationals in obtaining visas.

Asia Access also figures prominently in trips that Ortiz and Rendon made to the Far East, including China, Hong Kong, Taipei and Beijing.

The firm paid for four trips, a study by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, the Center for Public Integrity shows.

The organization recently tracked the travel of U.S. representatives and senators.

The trips were made at Asia Access' expense by Ortiz and Rendon in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005 at a reported cost of nearly $48,000 combined.

Travis said Ortiz accepted the trips because he searches for ways to increase development in South Texas.

"One way to leverage that development has been to travel to Asia with South Texas business owners," Travis said. "His presence with area businesses in the vibrant, dynamic Asian marketplace ensures their access to the decision makers at Asian companies, as well as to government offices there."

And no, Travis said, neither Ortiz nor any staff member has facilitated the entry of Chinese nationals into the country.

Neither BND trips nor Ortiz's trips have resulted in economic development here, Gayman said.

"We never got any business out of China," Gayman added.

[e-mail]eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com[/e-mail]

Posted on Jun 11, 06 | 12:01 am REDFLAGS: DANNENBAUM a Smoke Screen for Leche Rendon's Dream Team's Relationship w/ Asia Access Corp
Posted on March 13, 2008 at 08:28:00 PM by JAIME KENEDENO

Texas Monthly acknowledges (the de facto existence / independence) of Brownsville Herald Investigative Reporter Emma Perez-Trevino


DANNENBAUM a Smoke Screen for Lencho Rendon's Dream Team Activities /Engagement with Asia Access Corp


Monday, October 22, 2007

Perry Appointee to UT Regents Linked to Scandals

One of the three men Governor Perry appointed to the University of Texas Board of Regents last week has been linked to political scandals at opposite ends of the Rio Grande, according to several news outlets. The appointee is James Dannenbaum, chairman of Houston-based Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation, whose company has become enmeshed in corruption probes in Brownsville and El Paso.

The following summary of the situation in Brownsville represents my summary of stories done by investigative reporter Emma Perez-Trevino for the Brownsville Herald. The original stories can be found here and here. In the Brownsville case, the Port of Brownsville wanted to work with Mexico to build a bi-national bridge to Matamoros, Mexico. Brown & Root won the contract to work on the bridge and billed the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) $424,505 up through July 1997. That's when a familiar name entered the picture: state senator Eddie Lucio. The Brownsville Herald has reported that Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation (DEC) hired Lucio for marketing, consulting, and public relations work. In the course of this work, Lucio introduced the firm to the BND board. Within a month, the BND board voted to fire Brown & Root and hired DEC without requesting proposals. DEC's original contract was for $2,053,515, but a series of supplemental contracts brought DEC's take to $15.5 million. Of this money, $10,529,058 went to subcontractors in Mexico, $9.2 million of which was paid to just three companies, all of which had ties to a DEC employee. One helps startup businesses, one provides security services, and one is a real estate company. BND was required to approve all subcontracts before any work was done, but DEC entered into 16 of 17 subcontracts without requesting that approval.

Construction of the bridge depended upon securing an agreement with Mexico to perform work on its side of the Rio Grande, which DEC representatives said was forthcoming. Despite such assurances, BND never received approval from Mexico. This is not a bridge to nowhere. It is a nowhere bridge.

In 2004, BND retained Charley Willette, Jr., as a special counsel to investigate how a total of $21.4 million in taxpayer money was spent on a project that was dependent upon Mexico's support. Willete's 62-page report traced the millions paid to subcontractors in Mexico and their ties back to DEC.

Peter Zavaletta, who became chairman of the Navigation District in 2004, told the Brownsville Herald that the only work that BND received was 49 black binders in which were a couple of charts.

Perez-Trevino reported in May that a criminal inquiry into the money that was spent on the nonexistent bridge is in the hands of a special grand jury, whose term will expire in early November. Both the FBI and the Texas Rangers began looking into the situation last March.

The El Paso situation is less complex. A United Press International story last June referenced "Dannenbaum Construction" in a wide ranging federal probe in El Paso:

EL PASO, Texas, June 13 (UPI) -- A Texas man once named by President George Bush to the International Boundary and Water Commission has been labeled a "bagman" in a corruption case.

John Travis Ketner, former chief of staff to El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit bribery. Arturo Duran, who also is a member of the board of Thomason Hospital in El Paso, was identified as one of 17 co-conspirators in the case, the El Paso Times reported.

Federal investigators say Duran served as a go-between for two companies, Valley Risk Consulting and Dannenbaum Construction. The companies were after contracts from County Commissioners Court.


In a story about the El Paso investigation that appeared in the Herald, Perez-Trevino reported about Dannenbaum's role in the federal investigation in El Paso. These are the salient paragraphs:

In El Paso, Dannenbaum's firm allegedly is referenced as "DC" in an information report that the U.S. Attorney's Office filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on a guilty plea entered by John Travis Ketner, former chief of staff to El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos.

Ketner pleaded guilty June 8 to two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently secure vendor contracts, public records show.

The El Paso Times identified "DC" as "Dannenbaum Construction" of Houston.

Noting that the name of his firm is Dannenbaum Engineering and not Dannenbaum Construction, Dannenbaum said, "our firm was not named in anything, was not referenced in anything."

According to the information report, Ketner and co-conspirators would meet with selected vendors to discuss the contracts being sought by the vendors and to settle on the amount of a bribe.

A co-conspirator allegedly acted as the intermediary and "bag man" for "DC," making and promising payments in cash or as campaign contributions to elected county officials, the information report reflects.

The report shows that on one occasion, a "DC" principal met with a county elected official. The intermediary and the elected official then entered a small bathroom in the county office and the intermediary promised a campaign contribution in exchange for the official's votes to secure contracts for "DC".

Dannenbaum said that he did not have an intermediary, did not meet with the elected official and that no one from his office did. "Not to my knowledge," he said.


The question that naturally arises out of all this is what is going on in the governor's office? It seems to me there are only two possibilities here: Perry (1) didn't know or (2) didn't care. Even if he believes that Dannenbaum and his company have done nothing wrong (and to this point nothing official suggests otherwise), Perry has put UT in a position where one of his appointees can reflect discredit on the university. There are plenty of Texans who aren't enmeshed in criminal investigations in two cities who are qualified to be on the Board of Regents.

The other question is whether ethics rules--allow a state senator to operate a consulting business in which he introduces vendors to public officials who award contracts. I don't see how the answer can be "yes," but if it is, the rules need to change. I don't think Lucio is the only one who plays this game.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed RTA Board Members, CCREDC Executives, Nueces Cnty Commissioners Court & All American City Council

Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed RTA Board Members,CCREDC Executives /Members Nueces County Commissioners Court and our All American City Council.

It is inconceivable in the eyes of a little person (who labors under a heavy burden daily) that we would appoint or place individuals in positions where merit is is non-existent. The Rendon family is well represented on the RTA Board.

According to the Caller Times Article written by Jaime Powell, There also could be a third Rendon family member on the RTA board in the near future.
Furthermore, in reviewing the minutes of various RTA meetings, the name Joseph Ramirez alludes discovery. What has this individual accomplished benefiting the RTA? It is with great emphasis we recognize individuals who are meritorious, individuals who are already involved / dedicated to the RTA. You guys are very aware of who the meritorious ones are. Certainly, it is a disservice to dedication for an individual to assume such a position without earning it first.


This appointment is one of ignorance (in that it iignores the citizenry) and without question unrepresentative of Nueces County. The Rendon Family shares not with it's community; but profiteers off of it. Questionable integrity, investigation and the proximity to scandal is WATT we (the RTA) get with the unsavory appointment of the Nephew (mouthpiece) of Florencio Rendon.

Turning to other Boards within the various Political Subdivisions of Nueces County, I will point to the DMC Regents and the election of one regent (whose family member was an employee) forcing the choice of one (of the two) resigning. The employee stepped away.


Another issue with the RTA appointment process as well as most appointments is the secrecy of the process. We need to know about the available positions before we can apply. Why is the marketing non existent? Vacancies are not communicated to the average citizen and it is only confirmation of the reliance on the disengagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy. Why does the public have to become research experts to be informed on important issues such as this?

We at Kenedeno & Associates specialize in the "engagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy".

We bring the public to your doorstep.

Also, in the interest of the City of Corpus Christi, we are recommending an in depth study regarding the deterioration (to the right lane) of all city streets implemented in daily bus routes. Specifically, we are referring to the patch repair of certain areas where the climate coupled with asphalt design and exceeded load capacity from RTA Machinery has taken a heavy toll.

Your efforts and your continued integrity is applauded, respected and often taken for granted.

Thank You

Anton Haley

Thursday, March 13, 2008

THE REAL POLITICAL PULSE: THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN LENCHO VERSUS THE EDC

HOW THINGS WORK. LET'S BREAK THIS VERY COMPLEX BEAST OF THE EDC (POWER GROUP A) AND LENCHO (POWER GROUP B) AND THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN NUECES COUNTY FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND. UNDERSTAND THE PLAYERS AND THE POWER STRUCTURE. WE NEED TO KNOW THE SET UP AND WHY THINGS HAPPEN HERE IN TOWN.
CONNECTIONS: EDC, HUGO BERLANGA, RUBEN BONILLA. THE ENEMIES TO EDC: LENCHO RENDON TRYING TO UNDERMINE EDC. LENCHO AND KAELIN REAL CLOSE. WILLIE VADEN AND LENCHO RENDON RUNNING PIPELINE FROM MEXICO TO U.S. LENCHO WHEELING AND DEALING WITH REPUBLICANS.LENCHO THE STAUNCH DEMOCRAT! WILLIE JUST HIRED HIM IN INGLESIDE. WHAT'S GOING ON? LENCHO IS TRYING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE PORT COMMISSION IS NEEDED FOR SHAMSIE TO REPLACE ONE OF THE PORT MEMBERS. THE EDC HAS THE MIKE CARROLL ISSUE TO CONTEND WITH. THERE ARE 7 MEMBERS: 4 CONTROLLED EDC AND 3 BY LENCHO AND SOLOMONISTAS. THEY ARE GOING AFTER MONEY, OF COURSE. LENCHO CONTROLLING COUNTY. OSCAR ORTIZ IS PRETTY MUCH COUNTY JUDGE AND SHAMSIE IS STILL PULLING STRINGS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. BUT AS FAR AS THE PORT RUBEN BONILLA, JUDY HAWLEY(?), MIKE CARELL (HEAD OF FROST BANK AND MEMBER OF EDC WAS MOVED OVER TO THE PORT), AND THE ELDERLY ANGLO GENTLEMAN WHO'S NAME ESCAPES ME IS APPOINTED BY THE CITY. AN APPOINTMENT IS PENDING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE CONTROVERSY IS THAT MIKE CARROLL (HENRY GARRETT APPOINTED MIKE CARROLL PRIOR TO THE ELECTION ON THE CITY COUNCIL). EDC FEARED THE BALANCE OF POWER WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. NOW, THE OTHER PEOPLE OF LENCHO, YOLANDO OLIVAREZ (SOLOMON ORTIZ HELPS HER WITH CONTRACTS), KEN BERRY, BOBBY GONZALEZ. LOOKS LIKE BOBBY GONZALEZ WILL BE REAPPOINTED. YOLANDA WILL LEAVE SO THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT SHAMSIE (HE HAS JUST PUT IN AN APPLICATION). KEEP IN MIND THAT RENE RODRIGUEZ HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT SHAMSIE IS WANTED ON THERE BECAUSE HE IS WITH LENCHO. NOW, OSCAR ORTIZ CONTROLS PEGGY BANALES AND BETTY JEAN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT YOU HAVE CAZALES AND NEIL. BUT STRANGELY CAZALES HAS BEEN VOTING WITH ORTIZ. MIKE HUMMELL ON THE CITY COUNCIL SIDE IS FRIENDLY WITH LENCHO SO THEY WILL TRY TO GET ANOTHER MEMBER ON THE PORT APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REASON THE PEGGY BANALES RACE WAS SO IMPORTANT WAS TO GET THE PORT. NOW, LETS LOOK AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: TERRY CARTER IS RUMORED TO HAVE HIS DAYS NUMBERED ON THERE. EDC CONTROLS PORT NOW BUT LENCHO IS PUSHING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE MAIN ENGINE THAT CONTROLS THE ECONOMY IS THE PORT SO THAT IS WHY SHAMSIE AND LENCHO COVET IT. HUERTA CONNECTION: HUERTA IS TIED IN WITH MIKAL WATTS. THEY SIT ON SEVERAL BOARDS THAT THE EDC CONTROLS. MIKAL WATTS IS IN THERE. WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR IS WHETHER LENCHO HAS ALLIANCES WITH WATTS.
BONILLA CONNECTION: BY RUBEN BONILLA GETTING HALF A MILLION FROM ONE, A QUARTER OF MILLION FOR FEES OF CITY ENTITIES FOR LEGAL FEES (FED TO SHAMSIE AND RENE RODRIGUEZ BACK WHEN TERRY SHAMSIE RAN). THAT IS WHY RUBEN BONILLA AND SHAMSIE NOT ON FRIENDLY TERMS BECAUSE RUBEN WAS RAKING IT IN. WHEN SHAMSIE CAME IN AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND WAS LOOKING AT THE FUNDS AND MONEY. RUBEN BONILLA MAKING OVER A MILLION FOR REPRESENTING SEVERAL ENTITIES.
NOW EDC AND RENDON/SHAMSIE FACTION: BOTH GROUPS ARE EXCLUSIVE.
LENCHO GROUP IS SO CLOSEKNIT. THE GROUP DYNAMICS IS THAT THEY ARE NOT INCLUSIVE. THE CIRCLE IS TIGHT. WHEN HILLARY CAME IT WAS EVIDENT. THEY CONTROLLED THE MEDIA WHICH ANGERED THE MAINSTREAM. IN THE LENCHO CIRCLE MIKE RENDON AND SARAH SALDIVAR (WHO WORKED WITH SOLOMONS DAUGHTER) ARE A PART OF THE GROUP. THE BROTHER IN LAW DAVID MARTINEZ IS IN RTA, NOW SARAH LEAVING SO JOSEPH RAMIREZ IS ENTERING RTA. WHO APPOINTS THE RTA PEOPLE? THE MAYOR OF ROBSTOWN THROUGH THE SMALL APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE. NOW DO WE UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN GROW WITH THIS OLIGARCHY? IT IS TOO EXCLUSIVE. THEY DON'T SHARE THE WEALTH WITH ANYONE. SHAMSIE IS TIED IN WITH ALL THESE BIG DOLLARS, CONSULTANT WITH THE CITY OF ROBSTOWN, THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET OF ROBSTOWN.THE SHAMSIES AND LENCHOS DO THE PATH OF PAST RESISTANCE. SHAMSIE FIRST LATCHED ON TO FIL VELA, THEN RENE RODRIGUEZ, NOW LENCHO. SHAMSIE TRIED TO BE VERY ACCOMMODATING WITH EDC BUT THEY REJECTED HIM SO THAT IS WHY HE STARTED AWARDING THINGS TO DOS LOGISTICS AND OMEGA TO CURRY FAVOR WITH LENCHO AND NOW IS TRYING TO HELP MORE OF LENCHOS COMPANIES WHICH IS THE NEW ONE LR GLOBAL AND ASSOCIATES. REMEMBER THAT LENCHO YOU NEVER SEE HIM MUCH IN PUBLIC. RECENTLY HE HAD A SEMINAR CALLED OCEAN SECURITY CONFERNCE WITH 34 COUNTRIES AND BROUGHT IN MILITARY PEOPLE AND THERE ARE DOLLARS BEING PUT OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT. SOLOMON SITS ON COMMITTEE TO AWARD MONIES THROUGH CONTRACTS. BY BEING RETIRED MANY OF THESE GENERAL AVOID BEING CONFLICTED. THE GENERALS USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO INFLUENCE THE PRESENT MILITARY PEOPLE WHO REPLACES THEM AND LENCHO FINDS A WAY TO PAY THE RETIRED GENERALS AS CONSULTANTS. HE MADE IT LOOK LIKE HE BROKE UP WIHT SOLOMON IN 2006 BUT IT WAS TRULY TO AVOID THE CONFLICT. THAT IS WHY HE IS USING HIS NEPHEW JOSEPH...TO AVOID CONFLICTS. SHAMSIE: AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND THEN BECAME REALISTIC AFTER THE EDC REJECTION. HE SAID, PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE BUT HE WENT WITH LENCHO. HE IS LIKE A WILLOW. HE HAS THAT CLASSIC BEHAVIOR AND GIVE IN AND DIVIDE AND CONQUER INSTEAD OF CREATE. THAT IS WHY HE JOINED WITH LENCHO IN ORDER TO BE WITH SOMEONE STRONG. HE ACTS LIKE A DEMOCRAT BUT PRACTICALLY BEGGED TO BE WITH EDC AND THE WHITES BUT AGAIN, THEY SPURNED HIM. DOS LOGISTICS MADE MILLIONS. THEY BOUGHT SHAMSIE A HOUSE. HMMM. THINK ABOUT IT. DID HE ACCEPT GIFTS LIKE THIS WHILE IN OFFICE? NOW YOU ARE SEEING THE PAYBACK THEY OWE SHAMSIE. LR GLOBAL OPERATES LIKE PART MARKETING PART BUSINESS (CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC RELATIONS ETC). PARTICULARLY FOR MILITARY CONTRACTS. THEY ARE BRINGING IN SHAMSIE AS A CONSULTANT. THEY ARE CLEVER. SHAMSIE IS BEING PAID BY ENTITIES. THINK OF SOLOMON ORTIZ WHEN HE WAS YOUNG, GETS OUT OF ARMY, RUNS FOR CONTSTABLE, COMMISSIONER, SHERIFF, AND EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC POST IS ALWAYS PAYING MONEY. THEY NEVER HAVE SERVED ON SCHOOL BOARDS, CITY COUNCIL. THEIR WHOLE MENTALITY IS TO PIMP OFF SYSTEM. SAME WITH LENCHO. HE DOESNT HAVE TO PAY SHAMSIE, THE CITY AND SCHOOL BOARD OF ROBSTOWN FUNNELS MONEY. ROD RAMON AND ABEL HERRERO ARE A PART OF THE CLICK. NOW GRANTED, WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE MONEY AND FEED OUR FAMILIES BUT THIS IS PIMPING OFF THE SYSTEM. THIS IS POLITICS.REMEMBER BORCHARD? HE APPOINTED TO THE PORT THE SAME BANKER WHO HIRED HIM. THE PEOPLE AT THE PORT NOW BUY THE INSURANCE IS BOUGHT WHICH BILL DODGE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH (BILL DODGE BANKER AT ROBSTOWN. SAME INSURANCE COMPANY IS BEING SUPPORTED BY LOBBYING EFFORTS OF HUGO BERLANGA AND RUBEN BONILLAS IS THE LAWYER! WHAT A RACKET!CONSULTANTS EVERYWHERE.
NOW EDC: PRIMARILY ANGLOS BUT CURIOUSLY MORE PLURALISTIC. THEY SHARE MORE OF THE WEALTH. THEY ARE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND NOT SO HEAVY HANDED AND PROJECT HIGHER STANDARDS. AL JONES, MIKE CARROLL, JOE FULTON, BERRY CONSTRUCTION AND ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, BUT WHAT HAPPENS ITS A SMALL MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. ALTHOUGH NOT SO TIGHTKNIT AS LENCHOS THEY ARE STILL SOMEWHAT EXCLUSIVE.THE EDC'S FORMULA IS SIMPLE. ITS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT. ROOTS GO BACK TO HAYDEN HEAD. HAYDEN HEAD WAS AN ATTORNEY. NEVER RAN FOR OFFICE. HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE PORT. HE MADE SURE THAT CITY COUNCILMAN WERE BUSINESSMAN. WHEN THINGS WANTED TO BE DONE, HE WOULD GET PEOPLE WHO WANTED A CONTRACT, AND THE MEETINGS (LIKE THE MARKETING PLAN FORWARD CORPUS CHRISTI) AND WOULD SAY THE CONTRACTORS WOULD PAY FOR THE MARKETING, LOOK FOR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FROM THE PUBLIC (HAYDEN HEAD STARTED AMERICAN BANK IN THE 1970'S WHICH AL JONES IS THE HEAD OF NOW). A THREE PART OPERATION BEGINS: YOUR BUILDERS(THEY PROVIDE THE FINANCING FOR THE MARKETING TO SELL THE PROJECT), THE POLITICIANS LIKE MAYOR (LOOK WHO CONTRIBUTES MONEY TO THE POLITICIANS DAVID ENGOLS TO JUAN GARCIA EXAMPLE) AND THEN THE BANKS FUNDS IT (AL JONES IS THE MODERN DAY HAYDEN HEAD, FINANCED PACKERY, AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD).POLITICAINS SELL IT, BUILDERS MARKET IT, BANKS FINANCE IT. ON THE FOOD CHAIN POLITICIANS ARE THE LOWEST. HERE YOU HAVE THE EDC (NONPROFIT) WHICH IS A DEFACTO POLITICAL MACHINE. THEY CAN'T BE AUDITED BY THE CITY!!! THE CITY CAN'T LOOK AT THEIR BOOKS. ANOTHER THING, THE CITY GIVES THEM AUTHORITY FOR THE EDC TO DECIDE WHERE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS BEST, WHERE LAND VALUE SHOULD BE RAISED. THESE GUYS ON EDC KNOW WHERE LAND WILL RAISE VALUE, THEN THEY GO BUY THE LAND! THIS IS INSIDER TRADING. OVERNIGHT A PIECE OF CRAP LAND BECOMES GOLD. (INSIDE INFORMATION IS MORE POWERFUL THAN MONEY MY FRIENDS). THE EDC IS A POLTICAL MACHINE. WHO GETS THE CONTRACTS? 90 PERCENT OF PROJECTS, WHATABURGER FIELD AND AMERICAN BANK CENTER: JOE FULTON! MIKE CARROLL, ED MARTIN (HEAD OF BERRY CONSTRUCTION) CHANGE LEADERSHIP ROLES (DON'T CONFUSE KEN BERRY THE SOLOMONISTA WITH THE MAIN FAMILY).
CITY AND COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIFFERENCES. JOE FULTON WAS LATE ON PROJECT HE UNDERBID EVERYONE ON. HE SAYS "I CAN'T DO IT WITH WHAT I BID, NEED MORE MONEY(THIS IS KNOWN AS COST OVERRUN). AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD. HE HAS SELDOM IF EVER COMPLETED A PROJECT ON TIME AND HAS DONE COST OVERRUN BIG TOWN. THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT THEY ARE ON, THE EDC ALLOW THESE COST OVERRUNS AND THE CITY HAS NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT.CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: APPOINT PEOPLE ON EDC BECAUSE THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN ONLY APPOINT SO MANY.LET'S LOOK AT NUMBERS. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH (WORKSOURCE) THEY GET INSIDE INFORMATION AND EVERYONE MAKES MONEY AND THE COMMUNITY RARELY BENEFITS. IF YOU DESTROY THE EDC, THEY WILL JUST BUILD ANOTHER ORGANIZATION. LOOK AT THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER BOARD AND YOU WILL SEE MANY BIG PLAYER. THE HEAD OF CCISD IS THERE. WHERE DID HE WORK? AMERICAN BANK. WHO HAS MARKETING CONTRACT: CAROL SCOTT (WIFE OF MARK SCOTT). JOHN LONGORIA: HE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD, NELDA MARTINEZ ON CITY COUNCIL SHE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD OF AMERICAN BANK TOO.
SAME THAT SHAMSIE AND LENCHO DO THE EDC DOES. THEY GO AFTER ENTITIES OF GOVERNMENT AND GO AFTER PUBLIC DOLLARS (WE ARE CREATING JOBS SAYS JOE FULTON IF YOU BUILD WHATABURGER WITH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION? YOU CREATE NOTHING. YOU ARE PASSING ON A BILL TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS WHAT LENCHO/SHAMSIE ARE DOING AND EDC IS DOING. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH. ALL THE TAXPAYERS MONEY WENT TO THESE PEOPLE THIS IS THE IGNORANCE OF THE TAXPAYERS OF NUECES COUNTY.
PACKERY CHANNEL: THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BORROWED 9 MILLION. HOW MUCH INTEREST DID AMERICAN BANK CHARGE IN INTEREST? 99 PERCENT INTEREST AND YOU AND I ARE PAYING FOR IT. USURY, NO LESS. IT WAS ON LOYD NEILS WATCH.
CONCLUSION: THE FLOODGATES OF OPPORTUNITY. THESE GROUPS MONOPOLIZE POWER AND HOPE. THESE PEOPLE CREATE NOTHING AND PROFIT AMONG THEMSELVES.PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, CHECK IT OUT. DO THE RESEARCH. YOU DON'T NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO COMPREHEND THESE THINGS. I CARE ABOUT MY COMMUNITY AND THESE GROUPS UNDERESTIMATE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THEY THINK WE WOULD NEVER FIGURE IT OUT. BUT WE ARE FIGURING IT OUT.


MORE TO COME. COMMENTS PLEASE.


 For any questions regarding this documentation, please feel free to contact us by email, telephone of in person.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Re: [Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority] Fwd: [Corpus Christi Caller Times] Dear R...

Dear Eyes Opened,

The first thing we need to do is become informed and stay up to date on key issues such as the issues we at Los Kenedenos and El Defenzor address. We can write letters and engage our community to become invigorated in forming public opinion and a public voice. Not what I want or what you want but what all of us as a community engaged choose together.

Dear Mr. Kenedeno:
 
Your e-mail has opened my eyes to why Corpus Christi has no jobs and no big business investing in our community.  Now I see who the dark forces are holding back our community.
 
I really appreciate your e-mail.  I am interested in what to do about it.  What do you suggest?
 
Sincerely,

Un-Named  Contributor
 

Kenedeno Response Letter to Roland Barrera & RTA Trustees

Roland,

My Interest in the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) originates from being a patron and relying on the BUS for primary transport. After the first adventure I was impressed:

Friday, May 12, 2006

Go on an ADVENTURE take the B BUS!

Go on an ADVENTURE take the B BUS!

9/14/2005 9:37 PM

Just got off the Bus! Pretty cool ride around the City. Good People, excellent security system, GPS monitoring and audio / video monitoring. For all who claim it is a waste I beg to differ. If more of us used it (even if just to cruise around) instead of taking a ride around town in our personal vehicles maybe all would appreciate especially with the GAS GOUGING! Half a Dollar and you dont need to worry about red lights, traffic citations, road rage, or putting 10 bucks in for 3.5 gallons or 30 to 50 miles. I dont know maybe we need to make it a stylish thing to do RIDE THE BUS? They dont serve drinks or food and you cannot smoke (if you are a smoker) on the other hand you breathe no second hand smoke (if you do not smoke). It was relaxing kind of like a sightseeing tour. Nobody (in the cars below) really ever notices you in the bus either. Some very productive blind observations are always at hand (if you study people). It was a relaxing ride if you are not specifically in a hurry to get somewhere. Try it out with your kids on a Saturday. Go on an ADVENTURE take the B BUS!

Posted by Jaime Kenedeño
 

  We Applaud Accessible Leaders & (your) Availability to the Public "to address any issues, concerns or questions regarding the RTA"; Leadership is demonstrated & earned in one's actions (Keep on Walking the WALK) . In past conversations and in the letter at hand; great pride, dedication, passion and pleasure emanate with the confident satisfaction of a JOB well done. Your tenure of service with the Authority is indeed one of accomplishment. As far as transparent and prudent organization and a leader among its peers in the industry; closed sessions, harbored consanguinity and questionable affiliations with persons, entities and Political Agendas place the operations of the CCRTA under scrutiny in the public eye.

 

The e-mail was addressed to Ricardo Sanchez and Yourself  (Mr Roland Barrera) out of an established relationship and understanding. Your timely response coupled with knowledge, insight and the fortitude to address the issues; demonstrate goodwill and facilitate productive solutions in our community.

In citing the award winning Caller Times report (written by Jaime Powell) regarding the potential appointment of Joseph Ramirez on the RTA board of directors:

My response:

The Caller Times is a source accepted by our community as trustworthy and reputable enough to quote without secondary corroboration. Most of the time it is what the Caller does not report that we have a problem with. If we use their material and it is inaccurate then IMO it would be demonstrative of the Caller Times' incompetency; however, it has not happened. The Caller Times is a Publication that the whole city relies on and is overall a good (positive) thing; the problem is when trusted media entities seek (and act) to control policy using deceptive tactics or withholding (suppressing) information due to Social and/or Business Relationships 

In the written response correspondence (below) the following statements are made:

Your correspondence mentions the award winning Caller Times report of the potential appointment of Joseph Ramirez on the RTA board of directors. However, Mr. Ramirez was never appointed. Quite frankly, I'm not even aware if he submitted an application to any of the appointing bodies (City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and Small City Mayors).

 Usually when we (Corpus Christians) refer to Our Award Winning Caller Times it is in discreditation or rebuke, which one were you inferring? 

He was never appointed?

Come on guys, we all know we are discussing a future appointment and not something in the past where "he was never appointed".

What does "Quite Frankly" mean?

Use of such rhetoric only brings into question the position taken. Furthermore, the disclaimer (following "Quite Frankly"); is prefaced as without or lacking knowledge thereof: "if he submitted an application to any of the appointing bodies (City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and Small City Mayors)". We all know which appointing body and the upcoming appointment (being discussed).

 Thank you for the links. As far as marketing the Board appointments; why is it, we can market a beach blockade, but we cant (dont) engage our community to become part of the solution. 20 applicants is pathetic when the ones applying and receiving are not the ones who are involved before the appointment. The process of marketing board appointments falls with the responsibility of each appointing body. As mentioned (and I concur) the RTA is a leader among its peers in the industry and as such, is positioned to aggressively market its Board Member Acquisitions (appointment process) within the community the RTA serves. Political Appointments serve not the people. If you are truly clueless to the consanguinity and affiliation affinities, my sincere apologies. For those who are unaware of such affiliations and affinities below is a simple but cogently written article. It speaks for itself. Feel free to correct any inaccuracies or discrepancies in error.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

THE REAL POLITICAL PULSE: THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN LENCHO VERSUS THE EDC

HOW THINGS WORK. LET'S BREAK THIS VERY COMPLEX BEAST OF THE EDC (POWER GROUP A) AND LENCHO (POWER GROUP B) AND THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN NUECES COUNTY FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND. UNDERSTAND THE PLAYERS AND THE POWERSTRUCTURE. WE NEED TO KNOW THE SET UP AND WHY THINGS HAPPEN HERE IN TOWN.
CONNECTIONS: EDC, HUGO BERLANGA, RUBEN BONILLA. THE ENEMIES TO EDC: LENCHO RENDON TRYING TO UNDERMINE EDC. LENCHO AND KAELIN REAL CLOSE. WILLIE VADEN AND LENCHO RENDON RUNNING PIPELINE FROM MEXICO TO U.S. LENCHO WHEELING AND DEALING WITH REPUBLICANS.LENCHO THE STAUNCH DEMOCRAT! WILLIE JUST HIRED HIM IN INGLESIDE. WHAT'S GOING ON? LENCHO IS TRYING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE PORT COMMISSION IS NEEDED FOR SHAMSIE TO REPLACE ONE OF THE PORT MEMBERS. THE EDC HAS THE MIKE CARROLL ISSUE TO CONTEND WITH. THERE ARE 7 MEMBERS: 4 CONTROLLED EDC AND 3 BY LENCHO AND SOLOMONISTAS. THEY ARE GOING AFTER MONEY, OF COURSE. LENCHO CONTROLLING COUNTY. OSCAR ORTIZ IS PRETTY MUCH COUNTY JUDGE AND SHAMSIE IS STILL PULLING STRINGS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. BUT AS FAR AS THE PORT RUBEN BONILLA, JUDY HOLLY(?), MIKE CARROLL (HEAD OF FROST BANK AND MEMBER OF EDC WAS MOVED OVER TO THE PORT), AND THE ELDERLY ANGLO GENTLEMAN WHO'S NAME ESCAPES ME IS APPOINTED BY THE CITY. AN APPOINTMENT IS PENDING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE CONTROVERSY IS THAT MIKE CARROLL (HENRY GARRETT APPOINTED MIKE CARROLL PRIOR TO THE ELECTION ON THE CITY COUNCIL). EDC FEARED THE BALANCE OF POWER WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. NOW, THE OTHER PEOPLE OF LENCHO, YOLANDO OLIVAREZ (SOLOMON ORTIZ HELPS HER WITH CONTRACTS), KEN BERRY, BOBBY GONZALEZ. LOOKS LIKE BOBBY GONZALEZ WILL BE REAPPOINTED. YOLANDA WILL LEAVE SO THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT SHAMSIE (HE HAS JUST PUT IN AN APPLICATION). KEEP IN MIND THAT RENE RODRIGUEZ HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT SHAMSIE IS WANTED ON THERE BECAUSE HE IS WITH LENCHO. NOW, OSCAR ORTIZ CONTROLS PEGGY BANALES AND BETTY JEAN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT YOU HAVE CAZALES AND NEIL. BUT STRANGELY CAZALES HAS BEEN VOTING WITH ORTIZ. MIKE HUMMELL ON THE CITY COUNCIL SIDE IS FRIENDLY WITH LENCHO SO THEY WILL TRY TO GET ANOTHER MEMBER ON THE PORT APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REASON THE PEGGY BANALES RACE WAS SO IMPORTANT WAS TO GET THE PORT. NOW, LETS LOOK AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: TERRY CARTER IS RUMORED TO HAVE HIS DAYS NUMBERED ON THERE. EDC CONTROLS PORT NOW BUT LENCHO IS PUSHING TO CONTROL THE PORT. THE MAIN ENGINE THAT CONTROLS THE ECONOMY IS THE PORT SO THAT IS WHY SHAMSIE AND LENCHO COVET IT. HUERTA CONNECTION: HUERTA IS TIED IN WITH MIKAL WATTS. THEY SIT ON SEVERAL BOARDS THAT THE EDC CONTROLS. MIKAL WATTS IS IN THERE. WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR IS WHETHER LENCHO HAS ALLIANCES WITH WATTS.
BONILLA CONNECTION: BY RUBEN BONILLA GETTING HALF A MILLION FROM ONE, A QUARTER OF MILLION FOR FEES OF CITY ENTITIES FOR LEGAL FEES (FED TO SHAMSIE AND RENE RODRIGUEZ BACK WHEN TERRY SHAMSIE RAN). THAT IS WHY RUBEN BONILLA AND SHAMSIE NOT ON FRIENDLY TERMS BECAUSE RUBEN WAS RAKING IT IN. WHEN SHAMSIE CAME IN AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND WAS LOOKING AT THE FUNDS AND MONEY. RUBEN BONILLA MAKING OVER A MILLION FOR REPRESENTING SEVERAL ENTITIES.
NOW EDC AND RENDON/SHAMSIE FACTION: BOTH GROUPS ARE EXCLUSIVE.
LENCHO GROUP IS SO CLOSEKNIT. THE GROUP DYNAMICS IS THAT THEY ARE NOT INCLUSIVE. THE CIRCLE IS TIGHT. WHEN HILLARY CAME IT WAS EVIDENT. THEY CONTROLLED THE MEDIA WHICH ANGERED THE MAINSTREAM. IN THE LENCHO CIRCLE MIKE RENDON AND SARAH SALDIVAR (WHO WORKED WITH SOLOMONS DAUGHTER) ARE A PART OF THE GROUP. THE BROTHER IN LAW DAVID MARTINEZ IS IN RTA, NOW SARAH LEAVING SO JOSEPH RAMIREZ IS ENTERING RTA. WHO APPOINTS THE RTA PEOPLE? THE MAYOR OF ROBSTOWN THROUGH THE SMALL APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE. NOW DO WE UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN GROW WITH THIS OLIGARCHY? IT IS TOO EXCLUSIVE. THEY DON'T SHARE THE WEALTH WITH ANYONE. SHAMSIE IS TIED IN WITH ALL THESE BIG DOLLARS, CONSULTANT WITH THE CITY OF ROBSTOWN, THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET OF ROBSTOWN.THE SHAMSIES AND LENCHOS DO THE PATH OF PAST RESISTANCE. SHAMSIE FIRST LATCHED ON TO FIL VELA, THEN RENE RODRIGUEZ, NOW LENCHO. SHAMSIE TRIED TO BE VERY ACCOMMODATING WITH EDC BUT THEY REJECTED HIM SO THAT IS WHY HE STARTED AWARDING THINGS TO DOS LOGISTICS AND OMEGA TO CURRY FAVOR WITH LENCHO AND NOW IS TRYING TO HELP MORE OF LENCHOS COMPANIES WHICH IS THE NEW ONE LR GLOBAL AND ASSOCIATES. REMEMBER THAT LENCHO YOU NEVER SEE HIM MUCH IN PUBLIC. RECENTLY HE HAD A SEMINAR CALLED OCEAN SECURITY CONFERNCE WITH 34 COUNTRIES AND BROUGHT IN MILITARY PEOPLE AND THERE ARE DOLLARS BEING PUT OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT. SOLOMON SITS ON COMMITTEE TO AWARD MONIES THROUGH CONTRACTS. BY BEING RETIRED MANY OF THESE GENERAL AVOID BEING CONFLICTED. THE GENERALS USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO INFLUENCE THE PRESENT MILITARY PEOPLE WHO REPLACES THEM AND LENCHO FINDS A WAY TO PAY THE RETIRED GENERALS AS CONSULTANTS. HE MADE IT LOOK LIKE HE BROKE UP WIHT SOLOMON IN 2006 BUT IT WAS TRULY TO AVOID THE CONFLICT. THAT IS WHY HE IS USING HIS NEPHEW JOSEPH...TO AVOID CONFLICTS. SHAMSIE: AS COUNTY JUDGE HE WAS IDEALISTIC AND THEN BECAME REALISTIC AFTER THE EDC REJECTION. HE SAID, PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE BUT HE WENT WITH LENCHO. HE IS LIKE A WILLOW. HE HAS THAT CLASSIC BEHAVIOR AND GIVE IN AND DIVIDE AND CONQUER INSTEAD OF CREATE. THAT IS WHY HE JOINED WITH LENCHO IN ORDER TO BE WITH SOMEONE STRONG. HE ACTS LIKE A DEMOCRAT BUT PRACTICALLY BEGGED TO BE WITH EDC AND THE WHITES BUT AGAIN, THEY SPURNED HIM. DOS LOGISTICS MADE MILLIONS. THEY BOUGHT SHAMSIE A HOUSE. HMMM. THINK ABOUT IT. DID HE ACCEPT GIFTS LIKE THIS WHILE IN OFFICE? NOW YOU ARE SEEING THE PAYBACK THEY OWE SHAMSIE. LR GLOBAL OPERATES LIKE PART MARKETING PART BUSINESS (CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC RELATIONS ETC). PARTICULARLY FOR MILITARY CONTRACTS. THEY ARE BRINGING IN SHAMSIE AS A CONSULTANT. THEY ARE CLEVER. SHAMSIE IS BEING PAID BY ENTITIES. THINK OF SOLOMON ORTIZ WHEN HE WAS YOUNG, GETS OUT OF ARMY, RUNS FOR CONTSTABLE, COMMISSIONER, SHERIFF, AND EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC POST IS ALWAYS PAYING MONEY. THEY NEVER HAVE SERVED ON SCHOOL BOARDS, CITY COUNCIL. THEIR WHOLE MENTALITY IS TO PIMP OFF SYSTEM. SAME WITH LENCHO. HE DOESNT HAVE TO PAY SHAMSIE, THE CITY AND SCHOOL BOARD OF ROBSTOWN FUNNELS MONEY. ROD RAMON AND ABEL HERRERO ARE A PART OF THE CLICK. NOW GRANTED, WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE MONEY AND FEED OUR FAMILIES BUT THIS IS PIMPING OFF THE SYSTEM. THIS IS POLITICS.REMEMBER BORCHARD? HE APPOINTED TO THE PORT THE SAME BANKER WHO HIRED HIM. THE PEOPLE AT THE PORT NOW BUY THE INSURANCE IS BOUGHT WHICH BILL DODGE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH (BILL DODGE BANKER AT ROBSTOWN. SAME INSURANCE COMPANY IS BEING SUPPORTED BY LOBBYING EFFORTS OF HUGO BERLANGA AND RUBEN BONILLAS IS THE LAWYER! WHAT A RACKET!CONSULTANTS EVERYWHERE.
NOW EDC: PRIMARILY ANGLOS BUT CURIOUSLY MORE PLURALISTIC. THEY SHARE MORE OF THE WEALTH. THEY ARE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND NOT SO HEAVY HANDED AND PROJECT HIGHER STANDARDS. AL JONES, MIKE CARROLL, JOE FULTON, BERRY CONSTRUCTION AND ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, BUT WHAT HAPPENS ITS A SMALL MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. ALTHOUGH NOT SO TIGHTKNIT AS LENCHOS THEY ARE STILL SOMEWHAT EXCLUSIVE.THE EDC'S FORMULA IS SIMPLE. ITS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT. ROOTS GO BACK TO HAYDEN HEAD. HAYDEN HEAD WAS AN ATTORNEY. NEVER RAN FOR OFFICE. HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE PORT. HE MADE SURE THAT CITY COUNCILMAN WERE BUSINESSMAN. WHEN THINGS WANTED TO BE DONE, HE WOULD GET PEOPLE WHO WANTED A CONTRACT, AND THE MEETINGS (LIKE THE MARKETING PLAN FORWARD CORPUS CHRISTI) AND WOULD SAY THE CONTRACTORS WOULD PAY FOR THE MARKETING, LOOK FOR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FROM THE PUBLIC (HAYDEN HEAD STARTED AMERICAN BANK IN THE 1970'S WHICH AL JONES IS THE HEAD OF NOW). A THREE PART OPERATION BEGINS: YOUR BUILDERS(THEY PROVIDE THE FINANCING FOR THE MARKETING TO SELL THE PROJECT), THE POLITICIANS LIKE MAYOR (LOOK WHO CONTRIBUTES MONEY TO THE POLITICIANS DAVID ENGOLS TO JUAN GARCIA EXAMPLE) AND THEN THE BANKS FUNDS IT (AL JONES IS THE MODERN DAY HAYDEN HEAD, FINANCED PACKERY, AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD).POLITICAINS SELL IT, BUILDERS MARKET IT, BANKS FINANCE IT. ON THE FOOD CHAIN POLITICIANS ARE THE LOWEST. HERE YOU HAVE THE EDC (NONPROFIT) WHICH IS A DEFACTO POLITICAL MACHINE. THEY CAN'T BE AUDITED BY THE CITY!!! THE CITY CAN'T LOOK AT THEIR BOOKS. ANOTHER THING, THE CITY GIVES THEM AUTHORITY FOR THE EDC TO DECIDE WHERE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS BEST, WHERE LAND VALUE SHOULD BE RAISED. THESE GUYS ON EDC KNOW WHERE LAND WILL RAISE VALUE, THEN THEY GO BUY THE LAND! THIS IS INSIDER TRADING. OVERNIGHT A PIECE OF CRAP LAND BECOMES GOLD. (INSIDE INFORMATION IS MORE POWERFUL THAN MONEY MY FRIENDS). THE EDC IS A POLTICAL MACHINE. WHO GETS THE CONTRACTS? 90 PERCENT OF PROJECTS, WHATABURGER FIELD AND AMERICAN BANK CENTER: JOE FULTON! MIKE CARROLL, ED MARTIN (HEAD OF BERRY CONSTRUCTION) CHANGE LEADERSHIP ROLES (DON'T CONFUSE KEN BERRY THE SOLOMONISTA WITH THE MAIN FAMILY).
CITY AND COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIFFERENCES. JOE FULTON WAS LATE ON PROJECT HE UNDERBID EVERYONE ON. HE SAYS "I CAN'T DO IT WITH WHAT I BID, NEED MORE MONEY(THIS IS KNOWN AS COST OVERRUN). AMERICAN BANK CENTER, WHATABURGER FIELD. HE HAS SELDOM IF EVER COMPLETED A PROJECT ON TIME AND HAS DONE COST OVERRUN BIG TOWN. THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT THEY ARE ON, THE EDC ALLOW THESE COST OVERRUNS AND THE CITY HAS NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT.CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: APPOINT PEOPLE ON EDC BECAUSE THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN ONLY APPOINT SO MANY.LET'S LOOK AT NUMBERS. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH (WORKSOURCE) THEY GET INSIDE INFORMATION AND EVERYONE MAKES MONEY AND THE COMMUNITY RARELY BENEFITS. IF YOU DESTROY THE EDC, THEY WILL JUST BUILD ANOTHER ORGANIZATION. LOOK AT THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER BOARD AND YOU WILL SEE MANY BIG PLAYER. THE HEAD OF CCISD IS THERE. WHERE DID HE WORK? AMERICAN BANK. WHO HAS MARKETING CONTRACT: CAROL SCOTT (WIFE OF MARK SCOTT). JOHN LONGORIA: HE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD, NELDA MARTINEZ ON CITY COUNCIL SHE SITS ON ADVISORY BOARD OF AMERICAN BANK TOO.
SAME THAT SHAMSIE AND LENCHO DO THE EDC DOES. THEY GO AFTER ENTITIES OF GOVERNMENT AND GO AFTER PUBLIC DOLLARS (WE ARE CREATING JOBS SAYS JOE FULTON IF YOU BUILD WHATABURGER WITH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION? YOU CREATE NOTHING. YOU ARE PASSING ON A BILL TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS WHAT LENCHO/SHAMSIE ARE DOING AND EDC IS DOING. LESS THAN 1 PERCENT JOB GROWTH. ALL THE TAXPAYERS MONEY WENT TO THESE PEOPLE THIS IS THE IGNORANCE OF THE TAXPAYERS OF NUECES COUNTY.
PACKERY CHANNEL: THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BORROWED 9 MILLION. HOW MUCH INTEREST DID AMERICAN BANK CHARGE IN INTEREST? 99 PERCENT INTEREST AND YOU AND I ARE PAYING FOR IT. USURY, NO LESS. IT WAS ON LOYD NEILS WATCH.
CONCLUSION: THE FLOODGATES OF OPPORTUNITY. THESE GROUPS MONOPOLIZE POWER AND HOPE. THESE PEOPLE CREATE NOTHING AND PROFIT AMONG THEMSELVES.PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, CHECK IT OUT. DO THE RESEARCH. YOU DON'T NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO COMPREHEND THESE THINGS. I CARE ABOUT MY COMMUNITY AND THESE GROUPS UNDERESTIMATE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THEY THINK WE WOULD NEVER FIGURE IT OUT. BUT WE ARE FIGURING IT OUT.


MORE TO COME. COMMENTS PLEASE.

Posted by HOMERO VILLARREAL


 Regarding the in depth study regarding the deterioration (to the right lane) of all city streets implemented in daily bus routes; I do concur with the inclusion of all other large capacity vehicles however, the RTA travails are dedicated to the right lane. The RTA has responded in certain areas with effective engineering and design applications. If only every RTA traveled street (in Corpus Christi Region) was built as the patchwork in front of certain bus stops (To circumvent deterioration at bus stops, the RTA provides eight inches of reinforced concrete at high traffic stops).

Your service and dedication to the community stands in recognition.


Thank You

Anton Haley



 

t, Mar 15, 2008 at 5:44 PM, Jaime Kenedeno <kingalonzoalvarezdepinedaxiii@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland,

I appreciate your responsiveness and your eloquent reply. I am in the process of digesting the written response and I appreciate everything you and your colleagues are doing.

Thank You

Anton Haley


On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM, Rolando G. Barrera <rbarrera@ciris.net> wrote:

Anton,

 

Thank you for your interest for information regarding the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). I want you to know that I am available for you or anyone to address any issues, concerns or questions regarding the RTA. In fact it is my pleasure to do so. Having served on the board for eight years, two of which were as chairman of the Authority, I am very proud to say that the RTA is a transparent and prudent organization and a leader among its peers in the industry.

 

Your e-mail was addressed to Ricardo Sanchez and my self including all board members and several other policy makers and public officials. Being one of the individuals you addressed personally, I figure I will take a stab at responding to your concerns or issues.

 

I'm not sure if you are aware, but I am no longer chair of the agency. That position has been filled by Crystal Lyons. I would add that she has filled the position quite well. Mrs. Lyons brings great respect and vision to the organization. Any one would be hard pressed to find someone more passionate or knowledgeable about public transportation than Mrs. Lyons.

 

Your correspondence mentions the award winning Caller Times report of the potential appointment of Joseph Ramirez on the RTA board of directors. However, Mr. Ramirez was never appointed. Quite frankly, I'm not even aware if he submitted an application to any of the appointing bodies (City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and Small City Mayors).

 

Your correspondence mentions the secrecy of RTA board appointments. It is my recollection the last city appointment had in excess of 20 applicants for the vacancy. The process of marketing board appointments falls with the responsibility of each appointing body. I have for your convenience provided website information below that is open to anyone with access to the internet 24 hours a day.

City of Corpus Christi: http://www.cctexas.com/?fuseaction=main.view&page=3220

Nueces County: http://www.co.nueces.tx.us/boards/boardlist.asp 

You will find a list of all appointments at the City's website: http://www.cctexas.com/files/g40/roster_ccrta.pdf

 

Board appointments with Nueces County are filled in September of odd numbered years. Board appointments with the City of Corpus Christi are filled in June of even numbered years. You will find all this information on the web or by calling the City Secretary's office or the County Judges office. Small City appointments are appointed by the Mayors of each city within the transit authority except Corpus Christi. That body elects a chair and the current chair is the Mayor of Robstown. They also appoint in September of odd numbered years. For information on the Small City Mayors, you can contact RTA or the City of Robstown. I am sure if you or anyone for that matter has any ideas regarding marketing vacancies and appointments, each agency would be open to suggestions. To my knowledge, the process is followed as any other board appointment process. Nine years ago when I was appointed, I contacted the City Secretary's office and asked for a list of board vacancies. You will find each agency most helpful. I strongly encourage anyone to apply. The Authority is always looking for intelligent, independent minded people and the community could always use more advocates of public transportation.

 

Your correspondence requests an in depth study regarding the deterioration (to the right lane) of all city streets implemented in daily bus routes. Large capacity vehicles all over the community have been known to cause wear and tear on public streets. Large capacity vehicles would include refuse trucks public and private, semi-trucks, tractors trailers, school buses and charter buses to name a few. Deterioration mostly occurs when vehicles start and stop. To circumvent deterioration at bus stops, the RTA provides eight inches of reinforced concrete at high traffic stops. RTA capital projects department works diligently to extend the taxpayer dollar through coordination with the City engineering department for such projects. The coordination minimizes the cost of letting and prevents overlap or duplication of work. RTA currently subsidizes each community for street repair. The subsidy for the City of Corpus Christi is currently about $1,500,000 per year. This compromises about 6.5% of RTA's annual operating budget.

 

Please also keep in mind that public transportation removes other vehicles from city roads that may cause deterioration. Public transportation also improves air quality, relieves traffic congestion, creates and sustains jobs, provides access to jobs, stimulates economic development, boosts real estate values, fosters more livable communities, provides mobility for seniors, enhances mobility during emergencies, provides access for rural areas and saves money. Increased use of public transportation is the single most effective way to reduce America's energy consumption, and it does not require any new taxes, government mandates or regulations.

 

The RTA continually strives to try to improve itself. You will be pleased to know that through the leadership of our Congressman, Solomon Ortiz, the RTA has procured federal funds to complete a comprehensive operation analysis for the RTA. The study is currently in progress. It has been my hope that this study will move the RTA and Corpus Christi forward with regard to public transportation. The results should give RTA direction for providing greater efficiency, better customer service and being a better community partner.

 

I hope this correspondence has helped to provide clarification on your concerns. If I may assist you with anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me personally. I may be reached at 361-299-7373. You will find great leadership in Ricardo Sanchez, Crystal Lyons and the current board of directors of the RTA and I am sure they will be most enthusiastic in any additional clarification if necessary. Senior staff contact information can be found at the RTA website www.ccrta.org. The telephone number for the RTA is 361-289-2712.

 

Thank you again for your interest.

 

Best wishes,

 

Rolando G. Barrera

RTA Advisory Member

 

Roland Barrera Insurance

6102 Ayers St., Suite 105

( PO Box 71832 )

Corpus Christi, TX 78467

PH. 361-299-7373

Fax 361-299-7346

Toll Free 866-599-6990

Mobile 361-688-7111

www.BarreraInsurance.com

 


From: Jaime Kenedeno [mailto:kingalonzoalvarezdepinedaxiii@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 4:43 AM
To: rbarrera@ciris.net; Rsanchez@ccrta.org; Dseiler@ccrta.org; Ecarrion@ccrta.org; Echapa@ccrta.org; Ltaylor@ccrta.org; Scastillo@ccrta.org; mtrevino@ccrta.org; esissamis@ccrta.org; crystall@stx.rr.com; Lencho Rendon; solomon.ortiz@mail.house.gov; carloslopezmagic@yahoo.com; Rene Rodriguez; joeaortiz@yahoo.com
Cc: johnmarezdistrict2@yahoo.com; Nelda Martinez; bchesney@firstam.com; bill@billkellyonline.com; hcgarrett@sbcglobal.net; joe@melodycooperlaw.com; larry@larryelizondo.com; pl@priscillaforcc.com; Mike Hummel; Paul Dodson; Van Huseman; brosenbaum@portofbrownsville.com; c.masso@sbcglobal.net; dduke@portofbrownsville.com; deymard@portofbrownsville.com; eacampirano@portofbrownsville.com; ggavito@portofbrownsville.com; grico@portofbrownsville.com; hlopez@portofbrownsville.com; jgarza@portofbrownsville.com; jsaban@portofbrownsville.com; lcristiano@rgv.rr.com; marambula07@sprint.blackberry.net; peter@thezavalettalawfirm.com; rhinojosa@portofbrownsville.com; rramirez@portofbrownsville.com; trodriguez@portofbrownsville.com; vmercado@portofbrownsville.com; melissa zamora
Subject: Fwd: [Corpus Christi Caller Times] Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed ...

 

 


Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed RTA Board Members,CCREDC Executives /Members Nueces County Commissioners Court and our All American City Council.

It is inconceivable in the eyes of a little person (who labors under a heavy burden daily) that we would appoint or place individuals in positions where merit is is non-existent. The Rendon family is well represented on the RTA Board.

According to the Caller Times Article written by Jaime Powell, There also could be a third Rendon family member on the RTA board in the near future.

Furthermore, in reviewing the minutes of various RTA meetings, the name Joseph Ramirez alludes discovery. What has this individual accomplished benefiting the RTA? It is with great emphasis we recognize individuals who are meritorious, individuals who are already involved / dedicated to the RTA. You guys are very aware of who the meritorious ones are. Certainly, it is a disservice to dedication for an individual to assume such a position without earning it first.



This appointment is one of ignorance (in that it iignores the citizenry) and without question unrepresentative of Nueces County. The Rendon Family shares not with it's community; but profiteers off of it. Questionable integrity, investigation and the proximity to scandal is WATT we (the RTA) get with the unsavory appointment of the Nephew (mouthpiece) of Florencio Rendon.

Turning to other Boards within the various Political Subdivisions of Nueces County, I will point to the DMC Regents and the election of one regent (whose family member was an employee) forcing the choice of one (of the two) resigning. The employee stepped away.



Another issue with the RTA appointment process as well as most appointments is the secrecy of the process. We need to know about the available positions before we can apply. Why is the marketing non existent? Vacancies are not communicated to the average citizen and it is only confirmation of the reliance on the disengagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy. Why does the public have to become research experts to be informed on important issues such as this?

We at Kenedeno & Associates specialize in the "engagement of the average citizen in the formulation of public policy".

We bring the public to your doorstep.

Also, in the interest of the City of Corpus Christi, we are recommending an in depth study regarding the deterioration (to the right lane) of all city streets implemented in daily bus routes. Specifically, we are referring to the patch repair of certain areas where the climate coupled with asphalt design and exceeded load capacity from RTA Machinery has taken a heavy toll.

Your efforts and your continued integrity is applauded, respected and often taken for granted.

Thank You

Anton Haley


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Posted By Jaime Kenedeño to Corpus Christi Caller Times at 3/14/2008 01:47:00 AM




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Kenedeno & Associates



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Posted By CC Watchdog Authority to Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority at 3/21/2008 04:28:00 AM



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Kenedeno & Associates