Dispite difficulties, Harlingen had a ‘truly amazing’ year, mayor says
EDITOR’S NOTE: The full text of Mayor Boswell’s speech can be read and/or printed from the city of Harlingen’s website.
Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell on Friday held his fifth State of the City address, admitting last year had its share of difficulties and controversies, but quickly added in spite of distractions, Harlingen has had a “truly amazing year.”
The mayor, again selecting the Harlingen Rotary Club to be the first to hear his message, at a noon luncheon — and held at the “new” Reese — said any city the size of Harlingen would be overjoyed to be able to announce the accomplishment of any of the milestones he had discussed.
“But, here in Harlingen, Texas, we did them all — and we did so much more,” Boswell declared.
Those milestones included the Reese and downtown redevelopment, the Veterans Administration Health Care Center and expanded health care services, the University Center at Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, the Harlingen Community Outreach Center, and the opening of the Bass Pro Shop facility.
Also, public safety, the city’s “strong” financial situation, economic development and activity, the city’s infrastructure, the Veterans Memorial and the effort to improve the appearance of the city.
Boswell said that as mayor and an elected official, he accepts responsibility for his actions and knows that he is accountable to the public.
“And I have also learned that nearly all effective government action requires collabortion and consensus, compromise, teamwork and leadership, not just within the city ranks but with the community at large,” Boswell said.
THE REESE
In early remarks Boswell noted that it was fitting that he stood before the organization at the top floor of the Reese, one of the nwest establishments in the city.
“Once again, I want to thank and recognize the Wagner and Aume families for their commitment to Harlingen and particularly to our downtown,” Boswell said.
“Contrary to what what some may believe or heard, the city’s direct investment to the Reese was just $168,000 to supply dedicated covered parking across the street through an economic deveopment agreement,” Boswell declared.
He said he was also pleased the city no longer has the unsightlly barbed wire fencing around parking lot at one of our busiest intersections. As the Reese reclaims his historical role as a historic center for Harlingen it also has become a gathering place for many throughout the Valley,” he said, adding that people from throughout the region have have dined there.
VA Health Care
Boswell had praise for the opening a year ago of the VA Health Care Center,saying it was a joyful event to see the veterans’ realize a substantial part of the dream of expanded VA health services with the opening of the huge center.
Financial Situation
Boswell said the city continues to enjoy a strong and enviable financial position.
“As I reported last year, Standard and Poors ugraded our financial rating to AA,” Boswell said
oswell said.
He added that for the second consecutive year the city stretched to balance the budget without sacrificing key services.
“Our tax base increased almost one percent or by $25 million. And our fund balance grew by almost $600,000 to over $11.1 million or 110 days of general fund operation. The 10 year growth of our fund balance is impressive and justifies our strong credit rating,” he said.
He said retail sales tax was 2.81 percent or $384,855 higher than fiscal year 2010, “So even without the opening of Bass Pro Shops, we began to see the rebound of sales tax revenues to even higher than 2007 levels. Likewise, property tax revenues continued steady growth despite the sluggish economy.”
Good evening Jerry, hope you had a good dinner? Isn’t that the same thing that Boswell says all the time with the exception of BP? Where is the new businesses? Why isn’t there handicapped parking for the Reese building? There has been a lady wanting to open a business off of Commerce and she has been getting the run around from city hall. Is it because she is an Hispanic owner? City hall is making her put in handicapped parking but yet, Wagner does not have any for her building? Is it because she is Anglo and rich? Where is the that district’s commissioner for her? Shouldn’t that district commissioner be batting for her to give a small business owner a chance in the land of prejudice for the selective few? I hear that there was a protest outside? Was there protestors inside of the event?
Jerry Deal comments; I had a very good dinner, but I passed on the Reese lunch.
It was an outstanding report by an outstanding leader and mayor! And he didn’t try to take credit, but rather recognized all that contributed. Way to go Harlingen!
Well said Sally. We have a lot to be thankful for, not the least of which is an excellent Mayor in Chris Boswell. The place was perfect for this kind of event.
Mayor Boswell continues to impress. He did a superb job articulating the successes over the past year and encouraged others to become involved and make a difference. Those of you that disparage this man are simply haters.
Let me see, a Mayor for Hire, come one, come all, pay $12.00 dollars, and listen to my message. If you can’t pay, it will be tomorrow on the Bargain book, oops, I meant the local daily.
I went I did not cost me anything plenty of seating. The $12 was for lunch; some of us can afford to skip a meal or two
Story sounds familiar. But what about all the empty buildings where there should be stores and offices. I do not see that Harlingen is doing all that well. Does the mayor wear rose colored glasses?
Not at all impressed.
Oye Sally G. and Citizen! Ustedes son bien mamones to Boswell! You too probably got money from the city like that vieja wagner or one of those especial vatos that get insider info?
I thought the statements were reasonable and that the mayor is working for the betterment of the city.
Please,please enlighten us all on how the mayor and his cronies could not keep the VIA a shining star of the Valley? Please,please Sally,citizip and Lois?
Who just left us recently and was a BIG TIME flyer?
Really. How many times did you fly? Businesses, including VIA are only successful if people use them. You cannot possibly think that government should e involved in everything. I suppose you bought into that Obama hope and change thing.
You want VIA to be the “shining stat” again, start flying
These businesses leave for a reason Lois. Erlkoning had once provided us with a thorough list of how many had left. I was totally surprised and disappointed. Come on Lois,to think that leadership and the board doesn’t have anything to do with it? You are only fooling yourself girl.
Again are you serious … Businesses fail because they don’t make money businesses move because they think they can increase their bottom line. Quit insisting government get involved.
You want more businesses start patronizing the local one so that our numbers show positive when companies/restaurants are looking.
I do not want any more government in my business
Go tell that to Mercedes.
Monica, you mean the betterment of his cronies, have you noticed it is the same crowd.
Does anyone know what is going on in District 3? It seems to be pretty quiet for an upcoming election.
I listen to his speech, I am not one of his cronies and I do believe Harlingen is on the up swing
Joe Rubio’s Response on the Mayor’s Address
Here are some interesting observations on my part of the Boswell State of the City address. Like I said before, Boswell needs an audience that caters to him and will give him that reassuring round of applause that makes him look good.
I paid for lunch for four people and had them buy their tickets early. The Reese event center was packed with wall to wall people and a bunch of people were standing up. VMS reports around 200 people attended the event and the occupancy capacity was 125 people. The head Fire Marshal Danny Warner and his companion walked in without their ticket books so I immediately knew we were OK.
The exit area was blocked with people standing and I was unable to see our illustrious Mayor. The food ran out early and the disappointing news was announced. Don’t worry water was being served in styrofoam cups in grand elegance. As people walked in they were greeted by a young female lady who shook everyone’s hands except…… my four guests with tickets to the grand ball. My Homie from the neighborhood was introduced to the elite of Harlingen by virtual stares and he said he never seen so many white people in one place. My three other guests, well they were older and figured since they had forgotten their sanitizing soap-a head gesture of acknowledgment was the best they could get.
Of course the Rotary Club is non-political and the politicians who arrived were introduced as guests by our Honorable Mayor Chris Boswell. Some of them had their push cards conveying their political messages and when delivered to the audience, they were left behind on the tables. Some of the city staff members were announced but they forgot poor hard working Elena who is one of the administrative assistants. She works real hard and is one of those fortunate enough not be getting an annual pay raise.
The Mayor forgot to give us the exploits of our City Attorney Roxann Cotroneo but then again she has already been rewarded with a $25,000 pay raise. Harlingen City Commissioners Robert Leftwich and Jerry Prepejchal were absent from the big party but then who cares about them as this will be their last year courtesy of the Old Guard. The Mayor conveniently forgot to mention the new water park that will be finished in a few weeks put together by Harlingen City Commissioner but since it is on the west side of town who cares!
I looked out the window and had a good view of the $1.2 million spent in parking lots by the City of Harlingen that made it easier for all these folks to park their BMWs and Mercedes and thought to myself, “Wow the Mayor sure has these folks believing only $168,000 of taxpayer’s money was allocated to the Reese Plaza project.” The only thing the Mayor conveniently forgot to mention was the fact that the acknowledged $168,000 spent on the canopy covered parking lots was for the new residents when they move into their new $369,000 condos being sold by our favorite Realtor, Connie De la Garza. Bonnie Bahnam’s legacy continues with his realty company being remembered because this Mexican, Consuelo De La Garza, purchased the name rights and he carries on the proud tradition.
It was kind of interesting that I needed a police escort riding up the elevator. And since I am a little on the heavy side, I figured that my safety was in check with one of Harlingen’s finest police officers riding up with me.
The officer had a portable radio with him in case of an emergency. Of course my favorite Assistant Police Chief Steven Scotty Mayor was keeping his left eye on me in case I need to be tased for misbehavior. I like Scotty especially now when he sports his new goatee. It makes him look dignified with all those medals that he has earned. I was kind of hoping that he would show me his new Harley Davidson motorcycle that he is buying from Chief Tom Whitten.
Again I was reminded of the “Scotty Mayor” room named for him at the old police department when he strutted in with all his leather chaps and skull rings and he was dragged into the torture room. “Boy those were the good old days when they treated everyone equally and good old red necks ruled!”
I wanted to ask Stevie Mayor if he still smoked those big cigars, dressed up in Western clothes, listened to Ozzy Osbourne, drank that nasty Jack Daniels and played that silly game named Texas Hold Dem Mexicans High but I figured it was none of my business. “Man has got to own up to his mistakes and we can’t live in the past,” said the Preacher Mayor.
So as I exited out of the big party room, I looked for a job application office so I could join the Elite but one of the members of the Club told me that that at this time they were only hiring red necks at the Reese and people who wore stuffy white shirts. “But I do floors. I was trained in the US Army to buff the shit out of floors and I think I can still get on my knees and use a toothbrush to clean the toilets,” I exclaimed.
“Yes Mayor Boswell, you are in touch with your constituency. You lead by example and I know my dry pasture will eventually have green grass if I can the free water from the Harlingen Waterworks.” In the meantime brother Chris can you spare a few dimes that amount to $171 a month so I can pay for my Obama care courtesy of the City of Harlingen. You see Chris, since you have been in office I have not had a C.O.L.A. increase in 7 long years and you have increased my health insurance like 69% plus.
I have pavers being made right now that state, “You Can’t Fight City Hall” but they told me I needed a permit and permission to stand in front of city hall. Plus my customers need bathroom access and I would hate for them to dirty the Executive Washroom.
“I look forward to next year when the tradition continues. If I sell enough pavers by then, I will buy lunch for everyone. The only thing I ask for is the next time that an alley needs to be renamed, please consider the name DAWG in my honor. I would sure appreciate it. One last thing to my Homies from the barrio, Brother Jerry Prepjchal is giving us a new outdoor shower with twenty little sprinklers.
You Homies better behave and not bring in those Baby Ruth bars because Brother Jerry might start charging admission fees. You know what, bring the Baby Ruth bars since the canal is located a hundred yards away. It makes good practice if we ever have to swim that river again!”
Joe, you and I were obviously at different events. Could you for once just take the message as a positive note of Harlingen is Improving?
The facilities were adequate for the number of people there. You cannot expect to have enough food if people do not RSVP. It is common courtesy to let the host of an event that one is attending so that the host can make sure there is plenty of food.
Healthcare costs are rising because the insurance companies are preparing themselves for when Obamacare kicks in. The mayor has NOTHING to do with it.
Elena was recognized along with the entire city staff. Roxann pay raise was not an appropriate topic for this event, and if you go back to the city commission meeting where it was approved, you will know that the mayor was against giving an increase to the city attorney while the REAL workers of the city have been without even a cost of living increase. Ask your city manager and city attorney how they can justify the request. Wait they all already tied stating that they were under paid compared to other cities around the Valley. The problem with that justification is that we are all under paid in the valley.
Interesting that you should bring up the westside water park. How much is tht costing the taxpayer? Did it go thought the proper channels (three bids) or was it awarded based on on the “compadre system?”. Who is doing the work and who is the vendor and why cannot I have a watermark in district 1? Why don’t you ask for a public relapse of this information and while you are at it ask for the actually accounting from the city for actuall money (checks and/or cash) that was made directly to the Reese?
Before you go and accuse me of being a old, rich, or white or an old guard, I am not any of those. What I am is an individual that is able to recognize a community with potential if people just stop with all the conspiracy theories.
When you or anyone wants to respond make it about the issues. Keep the name calling out of it.
Speaking of issues. Who got the plumbing bid for BP since you are bringing up the “COMPADRE SYSTEM”. I heard they still got it even though they came in second. Again I am going with hearsay so please clarify this for us. I also have heard that this person is also on a number of city boards and has gotten legal advice from our mayor as well. If you are going to try and tell me that these connections don’t benefit a person,well I would think you’re crazy.
Remember,you brought it up with your reference to cronyism.
John I have no idea about bass pro plumbing and I have already been accused of being crazy by more important people in my life than you
Jerry Deal comments: Although I may disagree with some of your blogs, I appreciate them because I feel you are sincere in hour beliefs.
Good response Lois,I like how you answer questions.Wait, you didn’t answer any. I don’t literally think you’re crazy but I do believe that your navigation is misguided when it comes to ethics and what are good principles.
Excellent rebut from Rubio there Lois. The ball is now in your court or are you going to throw in the towel now?
On Thursday, one day prior to the Mayor’s address, I contacted the city secretary and she informed they were no longer taking reservations for lunch. I was instructed to get early to the event and buy a ticket. The lesson on this issue is never offer food to anyone unless you are prepared. Case in point, last year during the Centennial it was suggested that 500 bar-b-cue plates would be given away free. I was at the meeting and I objected on this free bar-b-cue. For a person to stand in a long line and not be given a free food plate is ridiculous and not a well thought out plan.
Lois-Harlingen is improving but wait to see what is about to be exposed in the next few weeks that will make you wonder.
The west side water park is a product of the 4B Board and the 4B gets a percentage of taxpayer dollars from sales taxes. The 4B so far has funded the furnishings for the new TSTC Articulation Center-cost $750,000. It was also used to pay the Veteran’s Memorial-cost $593,000. It also partially funded the new walking path on 25th Street being built-cost $450,000. It funded the new tennis courts repaving at Victor Park-cost $90,000. Plus the 4B funds were also used to fix some repairs at baseball fields due to the lack of funding available from the parks. Next project should be bathroom facilities at Mcelvy Park where Blues on the Hill is held. I would also like to see a new pavilion at Rangerville Park be funded. District 1 has received more funding than other district in Harlingen since the walking path is headed towards District 1. District 1 has a new pavilion and new tennis courts along with a major purchase of land for park facility expansion. I would hope that this would be enough for you Lois. But if you need a water park, find a suitable space in District 1 and it will cost $236,000 to construct it.
How much did the Reese get? Directly or indirectly? Over $1.2 million including both direct and indirect dollars. When the city engineers went out and hired an engineering firm that cost the tax payers of Harlingen $14,000 plus-the traffic flow analysis on East Van Buren was specifically done for the Reese building as indicated on my open records request. When the City Commissioners first met in February 2009, Ms. Wagner asked for lease parking. She had not even bought the building as her purchase closed on August of 2009. There were no studies for the “Public Parking” as paid by the City of Harlingen through three programs: Harlingen general fund, the Harlingen EDC, and the Harlingen 380 Agreement. The 380 agreement gave Ms. Wagner a piece of city owned property with a deed and the city went out for bids on the canopy parking lot. And let me ask you Lois-where does it say that we should fund covered parking lots for people who are buying condos at the price of $369,000? Under the 380 agreement, they also gave her an alley for the required grease trap. She also got a traditional loading zone in front of her building. Total amount again $1.2 million.
The H Files conspiracy theories are a reality when individuals get together and they decide how much to spend of your tax dollars. Four city officials are a part of the Reese Plaza project and their businesses benefited from the Reese Plaza project. I am not including Ms. Kori Marra who owns a downtown building as part of the city officials. Can you name them Lois? Or are they just a figment of my imagination! I believe they were all smoking cigars when the Reese Plaza project was declared open finally.
Lois there is so much more and I am working on it. I need your help to put together my next investigative packet. I can’t pay you much because I don’t get paid either. And one thing about me, I don’t really care if they are Mesicans or White people. I have investigated both. I am very disappointed in Boswell’s leadership because he is a part of everything that goes on and the rest of the city commissioners know also. Let’s make a date for Wednesday’s city meeting and we can discuss my new club.
Us Mesicans call it the “Compadre System” and I believe John calls it “Cronyism.” I call it “Corruption.” What do you call it Lois?