From: Jaime Kenedeno <kingalonzoalvarezdepinedaxiii@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 6:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Corpus Christi Caller Times] Dear Ricardo Sanchez, Roland Barrera, Esteemed ...
To: "Rolando G. Barrera" <rbarrera@ciris.net>
Cc: 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 <mellyanna@yahoo.com>
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!
Posted by Jaime KenedeñoGo 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!
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".
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
Posted by HOMERO VILLARREALHOW 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.
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
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
Kenedeno & Associates
Kenedeno & Associates
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Kenedeno & Associates
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