Norma’s “PICKS & PREDICTS” for the 2012 Democratic Primary

It is time to reflect on how redistricting, lawsuits, Supreme Court rulings, delayed Primary Dates, and Super PAC money for the Texas Primary have impacted the incumbents, the Primary challengers, and open seats in the local Democratic Primary.  I believe that the delay hurt incumbents the most, gave decent primary challengers a real shot, and altered the outcomes of the open seats! As a former office holder in my own bloody Primary two years ago, I have had the opportunity to sit in the bleachers and not play on the field. And this Primary season in El Paso has been the bloodiest I have witnessed in my entire voting life. It is more brutal than the Obama/Clinton Primary in 2008!

El Paso Political Follies 2012

The follies included “porta-pottie politics” when a public facility with early voting machines banned public bathrooms forcing two candidates to come forth and pay for a “porta-pottie” to be delivered and cleaned daily in Fabens, Texas in the far East section of El Paso County.  This public voting facility is where voters were voting for candidates for the 23^rd Congressional District, state representative, county commissioner as well as the rest of the down ballot and the president and vice president (only in El Paso County). 

The Elections Administrator confirmed that complaints had been made at the Carolina Senior Center when impassioned volunteers were resorting to name calling, running up to voters, blocking other poll workers from being able to pass out campaign literature, cursing, and physical contact actually occurred (allegedly) that almost led to some serious FIST FIGHTS between candidate volunteers. The Carolina Senior Center is a public facility where a heavy voter turn-out occurs every election cycle, South of the Freeway ( in a predominately Hispanic voting bloc area in my old House district). Now it is a political hot spot! Used to be everyone was civil and went about their way, broke bread together, but not anymore!

On the opposite side of town known as the West Side, the more affluent side of town, Fiesta shopping center was the #1 Early Voting location in the city where it recorded thousands of people voting and where the majority of the thousands of Republican crossover vote likely occurred. A respected local journalist, Estela Casas, reported on air, that a person working at KVIA was personally called by millionaire real estate tycoon Bill Sanders, a well known Republican, asking the person to cross over vote for his son-in-law running on the ballot as “Beto” O’Rourke.

A local political blogger who has posted strong and opinionated blog posts for one or the other candidate in a variety of races is on the payroll with a husband of a local politico that jumped from one race to another.  The “husband” himself is an elected official and one of the candidates that bowed out of the open seat for House District 75 and is “moonlighting” as a political consultant! The blogger created logos and produced TV spots and mail. No law prohibits the blogger from doing it, but don’t base your political judgment on someone who is picking up “Benjamin’s” to write opinion on a politico or candidate.  His is biased and directly influenced by the coins thrown his way!

The a public reunion of the “Shapleighites” occurred at voting locations all over town as the political faction, the predecessor of the “Veronicuns”, were seen out in force for O’Rourke including County Judge Veronica Escobar with her “I heart Beto” t-shirt and sign at Carolina Senior Center, Eliot Shapleigh and his wife were seen at the corner of Sunland and Mesa St.’s waving signs, City Rep. Susie Byrd was at Early Voting locations in the Northeast, and Stevo was probably hiding from the sun so that he can run for Mayor next year.  Stevo was seen with O’Rourke, Veronica, and Shapleigh at a popular eatery in the Cincinnati Street district.

The 16^th District Congressional race brought out the uglies! Beto O’Rourke started the campaign with mailings referencing “corruption” against Congressman Reyes with the Reyes campaign strategy choosing to stay focused on positive messaging until BAM!  The O’Rourke campaign took advantage and conveniently distanced themselves from the SUPER PAC’s capacity to go “robo negative” on the Congressman. 

One of my early political mentors, Lena Guerrero, left me a lot of tools in the “political tool box” and one of the lessons she shared with me was to “STRIKE BACK” in the medium that you are attacked with 48 hours of being attacked. This means you have to have that attack in the “can” and ready to drop as soon as you are hit.  I believe the Congressman’s campaign should have followed that strategy. And in this age of social media, you have the capacity to “strike back” in seconds!!

Further, you have a White guy with a Brown nickname…and a Brown guy with a White nickname. Robert Francis O’Rourke is far from being a Hispanic candidate for Congress in a Hispanic District but the nickname, and “Beto” is all he has on the ballot, does give a lot of voters the impression he is somehow Hispanic. He is not and he has never said he is.  I have heard different versions of how he got the nickname, I always wondered what the real story is.

Silvestre Reyes, is a career public servant, moving up the ranks in the Border Patrol, until running for Congress.  He moved up the ranks in the US House of Representatives, serving as a Chair of a standing committee and Chair of the US Hispanic Caucus.  He has the nickname “Silver” but is and has always run simply as “Silvestre Reyes”. 

And so these El Paso Political tidbits come into play with my “Norma’s Picks & Predicts for the 2012 El Paso Democratic Primary”.

Add caption

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden

FOUR MORE YEARS, FOUR MORE YEARS, FOUR MORE YEARS!!

"When enough of you knock on doors, when you pick up phones, when you talk to your friends, when you decide that it’s time for change to happen, guess what? Change happens. Change comes to America." – President Barack Obama.  Enough said! Obama/Biden need to carry El Paso by more than 65%!

US SENATE: Paul Sadler

I having served in the Texas Legislature with Paul when he rewrote the education code, witnessed him chairing a super committee of Texas House of Representative Chairmen, and witnessed his temperament to get both Republicans and Democrats to agree on complicated issues for the state of Texas. He is the best overall candidate with Texas legislature credentials and achievements, and he was endorsed by all major newspapers in the state except for our local paper who didn’t endorse in the race. Paul needs to carry El Paso by any means necessary!  Paul Sadler helps the down ballot in November, BIG TIME! A rural East Texas Democrat with manners and a record is just what we need!

US Representative District 16

The contentious race allowed an out of town political action committee to define the incumbent and the millionaires that contributed should not be allowed to buy this seat or any other.  The Republican “dog whistle” blown by Beto O’Rourke’s rich father-in-law Bill Sanders, who phone banked Republicans to “cross-over” and “vote Democrat to influence and elect and send my rich son-in-law Beto to Congress” is a very dangerous precedent established in this race.  It is a “model” that will be duplicated in everywhere America and against incumbent Latino Congresspersons.  I believe that the Democratic base has been beaten down with the public corruption incidents and that there is disbelief of the blatant bias by the El Paso Times and voters have silently voted in the “D” column for Congressman Silvestre Reyes in greater numbers. El Paso is a Democratic stronghold and this is a Democratic Primary, Beto O’Rourke’s personally pedaling and pandering to Republican voters to win is going to be his big mistake, even though the Congressman stands to gain from some crossover vote for Beto's vote to reverse the voters decision in a voter referendum. Further, Congressman Reyes’ endorsement by two US Presidents including President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton, is a “dog whistle” to the Democratic base. I call the Democratic race for Congressman Silvestre Reyes. He wins outright or leads in a run-off. 

US House of Representatives District 23

Ciro Rodriguez and Pete Gallego will tangle in a run-off.  I served briefly with Ciro and throughout my career in the legislature with Pete. Both are outstanding men with different qualities. Ciro has been on the ballot in El Paso before and has been in the trenches on issues especially serving in the US House Appropriations Committee so he will have the El Paso advantage.  Pete has the benefit of friendly races in the down ballot with Mary Gonzalez working with him to help cover precincts.  Pete’s old district is in the congressional district and Bustamante helps the situation for a run-off.  I call a run-off between Gallego and Rodriguez. Either Gallego or Rodriguez can lead.

State Board of Education, District 1

The likable Sergio Mora came to El Paso for a week and a half stay speaking with educators, political groups, politicos, community leaders and garnered the support of County Judge Veronica Escobar and the El Paso Times, State Senator Judith Zaffrinni and Congressman Henry Cuellar.  Meanwhile, bootstrap in the trenches for adult education and rough around the edges, Andres Muro, ran on his experience in education and worked to death to get a late endorsement by the Federation of Teachers. State Senator Jose Rodriguez, and most of the “Veronicuns/Shapleighite” faction now support Muro.  I call a run-off between Mora and Muro, Mora leads in the run off.

State Representative District 75

Mary Gonzalez of Clint, Texas comes home after continuing to pursue her higher education goals and simultaneously campaigns for House District 75 while completing a PhD. She has the most money, endorsements, but she has still struggled to connect completely to the stalwart Democratic District that is getting to know her and like her.  Hector Enriquez struggled from the beginning making mistake after mistake, filing incomplete campaign reports, but has been consistent in walking the district getting one vote at a time.  He has the most "old school" name ID as he has the same name as his former public office holder father, Hector Enriquez Sr.  His strategy is to get in a run-off and he is likely to do that as Tony San Roman has the famed (or infamous) Serna family backing him, which in the Valley is a big thing.  I call a run-off between Mary Gonzalez and Hector Enriquez with Gonzalez having a substantial lead (if she doesn’t squeak by with the number of votes to win out right).  It is simply old entrenched politics vs getting to know the “homegirl” who’s been away.  That’s all!

State Representative District 77

She is Marisa Marquez, the state rep that beat the 30 plus year incumbent and Hispanic leader of many “firsts” Paul Moreno. She makes much to do about the delegation “getting along” even though the delegation I served with was successful, achieving landmark legislation including the first funding for the medical school. Her political mail focuses on her legislation for “colonias” but she has NO COLONIAS in her district and she is known in the Capitol for stealing that bill from Senator Eddie Lucio, putting her name on it, and passing it with Senator Eliot Shapleigh, a no-no! She touts her passage of the “ethics bill” which has achieved absolutely nothing to date and is what it was projected to be and that is a “feel good bill” that Shapleigh wanted to pursue. She is known in Democratic circles for firing the Democratic workhorse Alice Rosas and working tirelessly to deny her unemployment benefits (Rosas eventually won), for sending Rosas to look for her car after nights out on the town, for her alcohol consumption and for talking down to lobbyists and ANYONE that was supportive of me when I served in the legislature (I’m gone and done at the Capitol deary). Aaron Barraza I had the distinct pleasure of meeting, months after he filed for office.  He has run a textbook campaign on a limited budget, walked precincts, phone banked, and has garnered endorsements of major political organizations, groups, and Paul Moreno.  With a little more money he could have beat her solidly.  The crossover vote is of concern especially since Dee Margo was phone banking Republicans and Democrats to support Marquez.  Marquez is so disliked by so many people I call the race for Aaron Barraza by 200 votes, in spite of big amounts of cash she's spent.  Everyone in Austin will love Aaron and he will make a fine addition to the Delegation.

Chief Justice, 8^th Court of Appeals

Ann Crawford McClure is not a "shoo-in" in part because she is a Republican appointee to the bench.  Luis Labrado lacked enough money for a basic name ID mailer or early voting TV spots to allow voters to get to know him.  The Republican crossover benefits McClure. I call the race for McClure.

Jusice, 8^th Court of Appeals

Judge Marcos Lizarraga has the office holder advantage and has sent a reminder political mailer to voters that the El Paso Times made a big “to-do over” something that was NOTHING. It only helped his already high name ID.  Yvonne Rodriguez has served on the bench and lost her re-election bid, has some pretty snazzy mail and TV spots.  Tom Stanton is the underground favorite of many in the legal community but that doesn’t always transpose into votes. He will benefit from the great surge in crossover vote for “Beto” and for “Silver”. I predict a run-off between Lizarraga and Stanton.

District Judge 41^st Judicial District

Anna Perez has the benefit of still being an office holder as County Commissioner and running for the bench.  Her husband Art Fierro is a tireless campaigner, EPCC Community College Trustee, and now political consultant handling other candidates on this Primary ballot. Perez is part of the political faction “Veronicuns” (some people like them, some people love them and some people HATE THEM).  Mike Cervantes tried some different things including synchronized text messaging.  Dolores Reyes had professional help this election, and ran a simple judicial type race. This race was very amicable between the opponents.  I call a run-off between Dolores Reyes and Mike Cervantes, Reyes leads.

District Judge 243^st Judicial District

Richard Contreras is a nice and respectable person, having served as legal adviser to a variety of public entities.  Luis Aguilar served on the bench and has more name ID.  I call the race for Aguilar.

District Judge 383^rd Judicial District

Mike Herrera’s message was simple: "I’m the judge on the streets waving with my yellow sign".  Lisa Aceves Hayes was recruited to run and came on strong with a good TV spot.  Not enough for Hayes.  Herrera remains on the bench.

District Judge, 388^th Judicial District

Don Williams is Chair of the Black El Paso Democrats and touts a multi-page resume which crowns him king of the forest. He had a previous situation when he served on the bench that follows him around and a whisper campaign by multiple groups and individuals against him. Laura Strathmann has the money, has a lot of endorsements, has worked the circuit but still falls a little short on people’s confidence for her to serve on the bench. Lucilla Flores Camarena I don’t know enough about her other than she was recruited to run and given no or little support.  Phillip “Phil” Mullin is the likable lawyer, that loves rock-n-roll (leaning on heavy metal), is grounded and hard working. I call a run-off between Laura Strathmann and Phil Mullin. Strathmann leads the pack. 

District Judge, 448^th Judicial District

David R. Cavazos has a big sign on the freeway near the IH-10 exit near Downtown going West. That’s it! Sergio H. Enriquez is a “phantom” candidate who has not been seen or heard of since his last campaign (?). Ray Gutierrez is the former firefighter, crime fighting and motorcycle riding attorney, who’s campaign workers almost duked it out with Arditti campaign workers.  Judge Regina Arditti is the famed judge charged with nepotism, represented in court by Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds, and a jury panel found her not guilty of any charge. She had her day in court and WON, has a beautiful billboard, and sent out a reminder mailer to the voters, and has a bulk of the endorsements.  Too many horses in the race. I call a run-off with Judge Arditti and Ray Rodriguez.  Arditti leads.

Criminal District Judge, Court No. 1

Diane Navarette don’t know enough about her other than the fact she is another female in the race, which is why she possibly was recruited to run.  Theresa Caballero is a sort of “household” name, known for many things including countering her father’s political agenda on City Council when he was Mayor, taking on elected officials and calling them out, running for DA, and most recently representing Judge Arditti in a case that found the Judge NOT GUILTY, but her court decorum landed her in deep trouble with the Judge. She is fearless and considered the “underdogs” BIG DOG! Jose Castillo has had endorsements and money enough to run a TV commercial that the only thing that remains in my head is “why is he sitting down”. I call the race for Theresa Caballero no run-off.  She is going to be a thorn in someone’s side.   

District Attorney

Jaime Esparza has the name ID, has the experience, and has done nothing more than “not draw attention” to the race.  James Lucas has an ax to grind and is possibly in the race to keep Jaime busy because his “thorn in his side” is running for a judicial seat this time around.  Jaime Esparza wins 70% plus.

County Tax Assessor-Collector

Armando Rodriguez is the “pounding on the door” candidate with a message and data on the incumbent, waiting to be heard and exposed by any and all voters willing to listen. He us part of the “young blood” running this election cycle. Victor A. Flores did a taxpayer “no no” when he sent what looked like a political mailer in a tax funded mail out. He is entrenched and I think that Rodriguez smells a retirement coming soon and getting himself ready.  Too close to call because of the new blood running. Incumbent Flores has the advantage but could go the other way.

County Commissioner Precinct No. 1

Carlos Leon is the former Chief of Police in a not-so-good year for police officers due to corruption and ongoing indictments of police officers. But he does have name ID and experienced campaign assistance and the old guard in support of his candidacy.  Liza Montelongo is a former member of the Ysleta Independent School District school board, she helps hundreds of high school students apply and obtain college scholarships, she is known as a vocal advocate on the school board. She has run a smart campaign, with good campaign literature, clear message, and boots on the ground. Jaime Romo is a County of El Paso Nutrition Program Administrator. He has minimal funding and is a good guy with parents who are experienced in grass roots organizing. He will be back. He has the heart to serve the people.  Liza Montelongo will lead in a run-off if she doesn’t squeak by and take it. Carlos Leon will be ready to start fresh in a run-off so Liza will have to stay on her toes!

County Commissioner Precinct No. 3

Vincent “Vince” Perez is the young blood in this coral of horses. He earned his stripes working for Congressman Reyes but was recruited and coaxed into running by County Judge Veronica Escobar. Many people say, the Judge wanted to get Vince out of the office of Congressman Reyes for the benefit of her political ally Beto O’Rourke and unfortunately Vince lost support because of what many perceived as disloyalty. He is brilliant but common sense cost him his job in DC. He could have waited and been anointed by the Congressman and all his supporters. It was Vince’s call. “Chente” Quintanilla is the former state representative who retired to run for County Commissioner. He is the “old school” candidate that has gone from school administrator, to college board trustee, to state rep, to wanting to be County Commissioner. Vince has tried to tag him as a “pension jumper” but Chente is elected and re-elected because he knows people by their first name. Rudolfo “Rudy” Loya is the amicable candidate who has worked the political organizations but this go around fell short of support. He is developing his own political identity and name ID for the future. He has been seen “tag teaming” with Vince Perez.  Dora Oaxaca is the only female in the race.  Dora is a very experienced campaign consultant having elected Chente, Willie, and a slew of other candidates even serving as the “nuts and bolts” of Shapleigh’s campaign against Dee Margo.  She should not be under estimated! This Lower Valley race has been rough at the early voting polls.  I call the run-off between Chente and Dora or Dora and Chente.  They both know who to get out to vote and when. Vince and Rudy have been so chummy, they have both cut into their own vote.  Vince will end up working for the “Veronicun” faction in some capacity. Rudy will run again and win.  

###

The "VeroniCUNS" in the 2012 Democratic Primary!! Know your candidates & the political faction they belong to!

The “VeroniCUNS” were so named in a previous blog post.  To refresh your memory, the endearing term is named after the political figure head of the faction, County Judge Veronica Escobar and from the word “cunning” (see old blog posts on 1/19/12 and 1/23/12 for more detail).  The "Veronicuns" emerged as a leadership group out of the political faction known as the "Shapleighites". 

The cleverly composed composite of the “Veronicun” political faction is of “CRUELLA de Escobar” and her current political “Dalmatian Pack” (lap dogs and otherwise unless they lose then they are OUT OF THE PACK).   The composite provides a literal “snap-shot” of how to connect-the-dots to this diverse group of cohorts. 

Current members of CRUELLA de Escobar’s “VeroniCUNS” are (Left to right): State Rep. Marisa Marquez (there until she can be beat, which might be May 29, 2012), City Rep Susie Byrd (1^st Commander, BFF, and future candidate or staffer for either Escobar or O’Rourke – they have plans for her even if she is pro-marijuana legalization), County Commissioner Anna Perez a legal lapdog (and Candidate for 41^st District Court), State Rep Naomi Gonzalez (their 86% PAC purchase), Michael Wyatt (former law partner with Shapleigh, former Campaign Treasurer for Escobar, before she nominated him and voted for him to be the county “Ethics Attorney” (real ethical), Marty Schladen (El Paso Times reporter who has proven to be biased), Robert Francis O’Rourke nicknamed and on the ballot as “Beto” (I have heard various stories on how he obtained the nickname) is former City Representative and Candidate for Congress and 1^st Commander with Byrd, Robert Moore aka “Bob” is “Editor” of the El Paso Times (has turned out to be the Public Relations go-to-guy for the “VeroniCUN” political faction), City Rep. Steve Ortega aka “Stevo” (like “Baytoe”) is also a 1^st Commander (and has led the awarding of more no- compete contracts and corporate welfare of any councilman, indicted or not indicted, to date), and Darren Hunt of KVIA-TV (aka “Witch” Hunt for his pro-VeroniCUN “witch hunts” that Curella de Escobar sends him on).  All of them have earned their place on the composite per it’s author “2^nd Chance”!

And so here is the list of the "VeroniCUN" Candidates in the 2012 Democratic Primary:

"VeroniCUN Candidates/Incumbents  2012"

Robert Francis O’Rourke “Beto”                US Congress

Marisa Marquez (wannabe me)                  House District 77:

Anna Perez (pension seeker)                     District Judge, 41^st 

Lisa Aceves Hayes (recruit)                        District Judge, 383^rd 

Don Williams (wannabe “Veronicun”)       District Judge, 388^th 

Lucila Flores Camarena (real Veronicun)  District Judge, 388^th 

Jose Castillo (Criminal Blogger Mgr)         District Judge, Criminal Court 1

Victor Flores (wannabe “Veronicun”)        County Tax Assessor-Collector

Liza Montelongo (Baytoe 2^nd stringer)       County Commissioner Pct. #1

Vince Perez (Benedicto Arnoldo)                   County Commissioner Pct. #3

The VeroniCUN political faction has successfully pushed the biggest erasure of Latino/Mexican American/Xicano/Indigenous cultural symbols,  buildings, public art, using a very strategized “gentrification plan”, have forced expensive “round-a-bouts” in neighborhoods,  have awarded unprecedented no-compete contracts to questionable entities including friends and political allies, have pushed an eminent domain agenda on properties of interest to rich political allies and land speculators, have successfully pushed and passed toll roads (starting with Cesar Chavez Highway), placed on the Council for a vote domestic partner benefits that confused people in support of the measure, even though City Rep. Jan Sumrall had already passed it on Council in December 2003, then reversed a voters referendum on the issue (this issue was a done deal and on the books as passed), increased taxes, increased the indebtedness of the county and city with non-taxpayer approved bonds known as CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, awarded tax breaks to what appears are political allies, supported privatization against the desires of organized labor and dissing union contracts even though all of them are proclaimed "Democrats".

Be aware of the “VeroniCUN” faction and be wise about your vote and selection of your candidates. Hold these people ACCOUNTABLE!! As for me and my household, we won’t be voting for any “Veronicun” candidates!

***The Criminal Blogger (CB) has been hired to help with campaigns and is associated with Art Fierro who is running various campaigns this cycle. Campaigns CB is associated with are Marisa Marquez, Jaime Castillo, Mary Gonzalez, Anna Perez and Vince Perez.  The Criminal Blogger IS a “VeroniCUN operative!

###

From EDITOR back to REPORTER: El Paso Times Editor goes ROGUE to Report Voting SURGE!! (?)

The El Paso Times Editor Bob Moore has decided to go “reporter” and he personally posted an article he wrote for the newspaper. Awwww how special!  

He calls the 2012 Early Vote a “surge” in his headline: “Early voting surges 47%: Democratic congressional primary draws the most attention”.  Que cute! 

I mean really, where was he in 2008 when the TSUNAMI hit El Paso the election year that the “PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY” reported a RECORD Democratic turn-out and there was MINIMAL REPUBLICAN crossover vote.  Why?  Because the R’s were in their own McCain Primary, happily awaiting ringside for the Demo’s to duke it out and determine who would finally be the Democratic Nominee for President.  The 2008 Primary Election in Texas was not just a SURGE it was a literal Tsunami not just here in El Paso but across the nation (do you remember that election Bob?  Have you ever voted in a Democratic Primary?).

I was uniquely involved in that campaign as I was the first Latina in the state (the first elected official in the state and I believe the first Latino elected official in the nation) endorsing President Barack Obama (then just a US Senator and candidate for president).  It was a tough place to be considering that El Paso, Texas, the largest international Border City with Mexico in the nation, is/was a CLINTON TOWN!! 

Precinct Conventions in every precinct in El Paso reported real SURGES in voter turnout where dozens of people, in fact some precincts recorded over 100 participants (as was my personal Precinct), in Precincts where normally 1 or 2 people show up at the Precinct Convention. So this year’s turnout is to be expected and not really a SURGE from last year.  And this SURGE in voter turnout is not “headline” news Bob, it is very common.  It is what political consultants distinguish between turnout for a “gubernatorial” year or “presidential” year and consultants adjust projections based on these very different Primary years.  These are simple terms Bob you should learn for next Primary when it will be a “gubernatorial” year and a substantially lower voter turnout year.

I don’t know that I like your “rogue” methods going from “Editor” and back to “reporter” in this particular election.  It doesn’t speak well of your reporters and may cause readers to see this as your lack of trust of their journalistic capacity. Or it can be interpreted as your reporter’s “mutiny” to your rogue methods of serving as managing editor and injecting yourself as “reporter for the day” when you see fit. It is very interesting to watch and read, to say the least.

I don’t recall Tom Fenton, Don Flores or Chris Lopez as “Editors” EVER writing a story in the El Paso Times as the “reporter” much less a story in a partisan political race.  You have clearly demonstrated your insistence of putting tabloid reporting methods first in order to sell newspapers and you have demonstrated your lack of neutrality in the 16^th Congressional race.  This is very unfortunate for your readership but I am sure you will have your colleagues nominate you for awards to cover your very exposed nalgas!

###

 

ADRIAN PEREZ: Frontera Bugalu’s Harpist, Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Native Son

In my "out and about" stage of creative exploration, I have developed a great admiration and respect for a lot of local bands and musicians especially “Frontera Bugalu”.  It is one of the first original music bands I heard (post elected office) and have been supporting them ever since.  I have known some of the musicians and their previous musical acts for many years, but this band is an electrical, roots based, Latino influenced band that has a pretty amazing stage presence and their self-titled debut CD, has songs that stay in your head. 

In Frontera Bugalu's creative mixture of talent is Adrian Perez, harpist for the band.

Adrian Perez is a 22 year old card carrying Native American. Many of his fellow band members did not know this fact but after sipping a few tequila shots at my house in Austin with the band and friends of the band, those who did not know, learned that Adrian is a member of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo (Tigua) tribe here in El Paso. Part of the artwork hanging in the house, is Native American art, and I have several Tigua art pieces I have collected over the years that he recognized.  In a very subtle and non-assuming way, he motioned to artwork on the wall and stated it was “Tigua”.  I answered “yes, it is. You know the art origins because you are Tigua”. Adrian pulled out his federal Native American ID card and shared it with the group.  

It was down time for the band as everyone was feeling accomplished about a very strong performance and final gig of the “mini Texas tour” for the after party show in Austin, Texas. Frontera Bugalu played at the SXSW Film Festival reveal of a film by local guitar genius and filmmaker Omar Rodriguez Lopez. Adrian was one of the band members who crammed a three day gig starting in Marfa and ending in Austin.  He clearly has the most sensitive instrument, the harp, and travel with the instrument I assume is a delicate task.  In fact in 24 hours, from the gig in San Antonio to Austin, he discovered a few “dings” in his treasured harp and he had a knob that tunes a string, break.  Although, visibly concerned, he is mild mannered and extremely respectful and simply stated he only needed some “super glue” and he could do a temporary fix for the gig.   He didn’t complain, whimper, or sulk.  In true musicianship form, he fixed the problem so he could perform!

Adrian Perez, is a multi-instrument classical guitarist.  He started playing at 7 years old with whom he calls a classical guitar maestro named “Domingo” a Mexican national from Mexico City.  At that young age, he concurrently played with a relative of “Domingo” named “Joseph” (a music student at Berklee College of Music in Boston) whom Adrian learned rock and blues guitar.  His interest in music continued and at 13 years, he was studying James Clarkston style guitar (that blends Flamenco with classical guitar), and he joined his first mariachi group at Valley View Middle School.

When Mariachi Vargas came to El Paso Adrian says he was taken by the harpist, and bugged him about showing him some exercises.  Shortly after, his father (a guitar aficionado and musician) bought Adrian a harp. 

He started attending music conferences and at the Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference, he met his “mentor, teacher, friend” Sergio Alonzo who plays with the “Mariachi Camperos De Nati Cano” one of the 3 top mariachi groups in the world.  (Mariach Camperos De Nati Cano are Grammy Award winners and the mariachi group that collaborated on Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre” recording). He studied with “Checo” during Spring break, Christmas break and summers and has utilized the mentorship and studies to advance his playing.  Because of him he says, Adrian has been influenced to teach the tradition and Checo's sessions have greatly influenced his public performance.

At 18 years old, he says he was fortunate and honored to perform as a substitute for Checo with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. After that, he was invited to audition for “Mariachi Sol De Mexico” and he is a musician that is “called up” regularly to perform with other groups across the country.

In January of 2011, he started to play with “Frontera Bugalu” which he calls “more of a pop culture, Mexican-Latino roots group”.

Tonight (May 6,2012), he performs in the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo tribes newest 

entertainment venture, Socorro Entertainment Center.  Frontera Bugalu opens for multi-Platinum record, Grammy and Latin Grammy Award Winners, “Calle 13”, for the general public and tribal members and their families!

His parents are Jesus and Virginia Perez and he has a younger sister Kristina and younger brother John Paul. His family members include political leaders of the tribe including 2 former Governors of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo including his uncles, former Governor Art Sinclair and David Sinclair served on Tribal Council (Adrian's mother is their sister).  His cousin former Governor Albert Alvidrez, served as Governor of the tribe during the time they had Indian Gaming on the Reservation. All of them are supportive of the young and talented Adrian Perez and his musical career.  His father played trumpet and guitar in a band, influencing the young Adrian.  Although capable of playing multiple instruments, his focus now is on the harp.

He has incredible stage presence and is a gifted musician to watch.  Make sure to keep an eye out on any performance by “Frontera Bugalu”.  Tonight we watch the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Native son, perform on tribal land.    

###

SHAME SHAME SHAME on you STEVE ORTEGA! The YISD has the right to hold a board meeting in the community! What are you afraid of??

The Ysleta Independent School District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting today to discuss district matters including the impact to schools in the area, in the event an international bridge is built at Yarbrough.  The meeting will be today Riverside Middle, 7615 Mimosa, at 6 pm. Unfortunately, City Representative Steve Ortega issued a scathing press release admonishing the school district for holding a school board meeting in the community. The school district doesn’t JUST EXIST to educate school children Mr. Ortega, but has a responsibility to engage and educate a community when a school district and or public schools are impacted by transportation projects that could displace families.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you STEVE ORTEGA!  For skirting the issues of the possibility of an international bridge being built at Yarbrough and playing politics for  your friend and political ally.  The international bridge at Yarbrough is far advanced in planning and drawings in the long term Mobility Plans and you know it!  Maps exist, don’t they MR. ORTEGA.  These maps demonstrate plans for connecting the Yarbrough bridge with Mexico. In your typical arrogance, are you the one who proposed the naming of the bridge “Cesar Chavez Bridge?. 

Rep. Ortega you attended a meeting that I held in February 2010, where you quickly exited the building to boo’s and parents asking you where you stood regarding the construction of an international bridge at Yarbrough.  I coordinated that meeting as Chair of the International Border Bridge Task Force under the Metropolitan Planning Organization (I still have those papers and the video) until political ally Ted Houghton, (as Chair of the Transportation Commission not MPO) appointed you Chair of ANOTHER Border Bridge Task Force Committee, because of concerns that I did not support destroying neighborhoods and disrupting YISD schools in the immediate area, and because you were going to make incremental steps to push forward with the bridge at Yarbrough. 

Your press release lists a Presidential Permit as part of the criteria to move forward with the bridge, yet you fail to mention that a Presidential Permit does NOT happen without the consent of the sitting Congressman where the bridge is proposed.  Isn’t that the real reason that you are angry? Because your political ally Beto O’Rourke is running for Congress, and as a congressman, he will sign off on a bridge at Yarbrough, unlike Congressman Silvestre Reyes who has adamantly and repeatedly stated his opposition to the bridge at Yarbrough. The people have a right to know who is the wolf in sheep’s clothes?   

In addition, doesn’t your political ally Beto O’Rourke have a father-in-law with business interests in and around both sides of international ports of entry? If not, who are the partners in theses “Verde” land parcels? Or is it a “mystery of God” that they are sub-named “Verde”!

“Group 1 appears to be served by a new POE as they are located almost directly across from Riverside High School page 2 REDCO map

Group 2 by the Airport appears to be most directly served by a new POE from Ave FCO Villareal cross over streets appear to give them access to Zaragosa

Group 3 appears to be most directly served by Zaragosa but cross over streets appear to give them access to a new POE from Ave FCO Villareal

Group 4 are adjacent to the Zaragosa bridge

 1. These sites are directly across from Riverside High School

Verde Bermudez 1411 129,762 SF  Av. Antonio J. Bermudez Bermudez Industrial Juarez – Mexico Bermudez Industrial Park

Verde Bermudez 1451 95,300 SF  Av. Antonio J. Bermudez #1451  Bermudez Industrial Park

2.  In front of Airport

Verde Northgate  59,189 SF  Taguchi #250  Private Industrial Park. Close to Juarez International Airport

Verde AeroParque 276,847 SF Carr. Panamericana Km. 18.5 No.9031 Verde Aeroparque Juarez – Mexico located in front of Juarez International Airport

Verde AeroParque - Bldg # 4 150,993 SF  Av. Roberto Fierro 6351  Verde AeroParque Juarez – Mexico In front of Juarez International Airport

Verde Las Torres  485,999 SF  Verde Las Torres Juarez – Mexico Corner of Av. Henequen and Av. Las Torres

3. Road east of and parallels to direct road to Zaragosa

Verde Independencia I - Bldg # 1 385,815 SF  Boulevard Independencia # 2550

Verde Independencia I - Bldg # 2 217,367 SF  Calle Refugio de la Libertad 2551  Colonia Fray Garcia de San Franciso

Verde Independencia I - Bldg # 4 120,854 SF  Av. Independencia 2551 Verde Indepencia

Verde Independencia I - Bldg # 7 181,133  Av. Independencia 2550 Verde Independencia I Industrial Park

Verde Independencia II - Building # 4  205,145 Corner of Independencia Ave & Manuel Talamas Ave

4. These Sites are adjacent to Zaragosa Bridge

Verde Rio Bravo I 116,250 SF  420 Manuel Sandoval Vallarta  Rio Bravo Industrial Park

Verde Rio Bravo II 150,694 SF  1235 Rio Bravo Ave.  Rio Bravo Industrial Park"

There is nothing wrong with real estate investment. There is nothing wrong with real estate development and master planning, but be HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE and tell them when you have a conflict of interest BETO O'ROURKE!!

The Ysleta Independent School District school board Trustees, are holding a meeting in the community.  Today, May 2, at 6 pm, at Riverside Middle School, 7615 Mimosa!  I think it is important for anyone interested in the issues of building or not building an international bridge at Yarbrough to be there.  I will be there!

###

WHO WAS GIVEN PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR A DWI?? Where does an honest cop go to tell his side of the story?

Have you been in a situation where you think you may have had too much to drink, but you were fortunate enough to have a party host sit you down and give you something to eat and drink (non alcoholic), maybe talk to you for a couple of hours, let you take a nap, before sending you out to drive home. 


Or have you have been to a club where the responsible club owner recognizes that you might have had too many cocktails and so the responsible club owner called you a cab home. Or maybe you did the mistake of NOT listening to friends and not listening to bar owners and YOU DROVE YOURSELF HOME AND GOT YOURSELF A DWI!

How many people arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated have had the luxury to have the Command Station where you have been”booked” closed down, police officers sent home, and food and beverages (non-alcoholic) brought in, and a couple of hours LATER, you were allowed to “blow”?  

How would you like it if a high ranking elected official was treated with preferential treatment so as not to embarrass himself or the community and was awarded the above mentioned treatment to help with the “blow” outcome?
What would you do if you were a police officer or an almost retired Assistant Commander, stationed at the Command Center where an alleged incident of a high ranking elected official who was picked up for DWI, and you witnessed preferential treatment, but a representative of a high ranking official at City Hall, helped orchestrate the preferential treatment and subsequent hush-hush cover up?

Where do these very disturbed police officers (two police Sgts know something, one sourced as from Downtown and the other at the West Side Command Center) go to tell of the incident and preferential treatment?  I think that it is the DPS Texas Rangers who are called in to look into a police cover-up of an incident like this.  Do you know where good El Paso Police Officers go to share their side of a story?

The people have a right to know......THE TRUTH!

###