Cassandra Hernandez Brown: From the People that Brought You Steve Ortega

Cassandra Hernandez Brown: From the People that Brought You Steve Ortega and Joyce Wilson
District 3 City Council Candidate Hernandez Brown's Campaign Finance Reports Show Who Friends Are

Recently posted Campaign Finance Reports by Cassandra Hernandez Brown show us that Hernandez Brown comes from the same school as Susie Byrd, Joyce Wilson, Beto O’Rourke, and the Paso del Norte Group (PDNG)(now Borderplex Alliance. 

More out-of-control spending and higher property taxes are sure to follow.

Hernandez Brown is running for the District 3 City Council seat, a position that will be vacated by Rep. Emma Acosta.

We looked through her contributors and have listed those who contributed over $100. 

There are some we list that are under $100, but we decided to list them because we know you’ll find interesting who they are.

Connections to Former City Rep. and Failed Mayoral Candidate Steve Ortega

We thought the last mayoral election was a referendum that the people of El Paso did not want Steve Ortega. I’m sure you thought you’d seen the last of him. 

However, Hernandez Brown holds a special connection to Ortega in that she was his legislative aide (also see http://brownforelpaso.com/meetcassandra). 

Steve Ortega gives Hernandez Brown $500 for her campaign. Ortega’s aunt, Lina Ortega, and now Texas congresswomen also chips in (see below).

Connections to Susie Byrd

Hernandez Brown was also a legislative aid to former City Rep. Susie Byrd who now sits on the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees (see http://brownforelpaso.com/meetcassandra).

Hernandez Brown has hired Moxie Communication and Consulting, which is a registered company of Byrd. This company, or shall we say Susie Byrd, is kept on its feet mostly from the expenses of Congressmen Beto O'Rourke (See our post Almost 50% of Beto O'Rourke's Top Expenditure Went to Suzie Byrd).

Connections to Joyce Wilson

Possibly the “Most Hated Women in El Paso,” Joyce Wilson gave in-kind contributions to Hernandez Brown through venue and food. Wilson is currently the CEO of Workforce Solution Borderplex. If we are matching things up right, Hernandez Brown works for Joyce Wilson!!!

Cassandra Brown's web page states: "Cassandra is the Deputy Director at Dynamic Workforce Solutions (DWFS) for the non-profit Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB)" so we know she works under Wilson.

Wilson also provided Brown Hernandez an in-kind contribution of $331.62 for "campaign event venue and food" (PDF page 21).

Connections to the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce

Hernandez Brown's website also states she served as Director of Policy and Programs for Education and Workforce Development at the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. 

You'll remember that the Chamber of Commerce recently sent that letter to the Texas Historical Commission to block the historical designation of sites of significant history to Mexicans, Chinese, and Chicanos.

 

Here is some more:

James Graham $50 – Graham became known as the “Redistricting Bigot” from the City of El Paso’s redistricting meetings. We remember him well, not wanting to be in the same district as those “brown” people south of I-10.

Steve Ortega $500 – You thought you’d seen the last of this vendido after you thanked him for the debt he instill on you and made your property taxes soar. He’s back!

Deborah Kastrine – $500 - lobbyist and sister to Veronica Callaghan (see http://www.legis.texas.gov/tlodocs/78R/witlistmtg/html/C5802003040113001.HTM). Also see Lobby Watch (http://info.tpj.org/Lobby_Watch/pdf/MedicaidDentalFraud.pdf).

Jeannete Antunez - $550

Julie Zimet - $100 

Veronica Callaghan – $200 - Deborah Kastrine’s sister, daughters of the late William Kastrine. Callaghan is one of the ones promoting Butterfield Trail warehousing and was one of the major pushers along with Robert "Beto" O'Rourke and William Sanders, for a port of entry at Yarbrough and the Border Highway. $50

Edward Holland and Susannah Byrd $60 – yes, Thanks for the Debt Susie Byrd

Susan Melendez – Yes, known as the Wicked Witch of the Borderplex Alliance (Paso Del Norte Group). 

A few years ago she engineered the firing of many Borderplex employees, with security watching over you as you put your stuff in the box, walked out of the building by security. 

The Borderplex Alliance’s former name is the  Paso del Norte Group. It was founded by William Sanders, Beto O’Rourke’s father-in-law. It was once run by Myrna Deckert. It was responsible for the Downtown Plan and the Glassbeach Study.

Steve Ortega  - $100

Ricardo Fernandez – $100 – Transtelco – owes El Paso Times Building. The City was very careful not put the arena near or over any property in Union Plaza that Ricardo Fernandez owned.  A bosom buddy of Beto O’Rourke.

Deborah G. Hamlyn – $75 – She did not give much, but former Asst. City Manager “Debbie” Hamlyn was known for her racism toward people of color even before Joyce Wilson arrived. 

She engineered much of the stadium debacle for Joyce Wilson before Hamlyn retired from the city. Then she was immediately hired by the El Paso Tomorrow PAC which was pushing the 2012 Quality of Life Bond and HOT Tax in support of the baseball park.

Robert Wayne Mays –$100 – Don’t know much about him but we think he has some association or former association with the Thomas Manor Neighborhood Association

Celeste and Ryan Kieffe – $100

E.C. Houghton Jr. - $1000 – Yep, Ted Houghton who offered no support in saving Lincoln Center. Long-time association with Texas Department of Transportation.

Joshua Hunt $1000 – Yes, son of Woody Hunt and a big pusher for the downtown baseball park.

Edward and Martha Escudero $1000 – member of the Paso Del Norte Group

Lane Gaddy - $1000

Miguel Fernandez – $500 -  brother of Ricardo Fernandez of Transtelco. He was involved in funding the PAC that trashed former Congressmen Silvestre Reyes when he Beto O’Rourke ran against him and one. He was also implicated in running an Internet connection across the international bridge without city approval. However, it was put it before city council to approve it after the fact, when O’Rourke was in office. Also see El Paso News Story: The Miguel Fernandez DWI Arrest.

Gary Porras $2000 - contractor

Leonard Goodman –$ 500 – Yes, you remember him. “Tripper” Goodman, spearheaded El Paso Tomorrow PAC to support baseball stadium and demolition of city hall. (see New PAC to promote quality of life bond).

El Paso Police Municipal Officer Association - $2500

Amy O’Rourke $150 – wife of Congressman “Beto” O’Rourke and daughter of billionaire Bill Sanders. Runs Stanton Street Inc..

Lina Ortega $100 – Steve Ortega’s aunt and current Texas congresswoman. Long associated with former Mayor Ray Caballero and former Senator Elliot Shapleigh.

Ann Morgan Lilly – $500 – yes, our former District city representative who was asleep at most city council meetings. 

Member of the PDNG and was present when her husband assaulted Mayor Leeser (Mr. Lilly was never charged and is innocent until proven guilty).

Laura Pople – $573.14 – this is a rental expense. We know from Chucoleaks that Pople's name was in some emails regarding the 2012 Quality of Life Bonds in concerning aquatics on the Westside.

Expenses

As we mentioned earlier, Hernandez Brown spent $2,151 to Moxie Communication and Consultation, which is Susie Byrd’s company.

Hernandez Brown also paid Stanton Street Inc. $541.25 in “fees” for “Online Software Acti-Vote.” This is Congressman O’Rourke’s company currently run by his wife Amy O’Rourke.

 


More out-of-control spending and higher property taxes on the way folks.

Read the entire Campaign Finance Report. 

Disclosure: Well, some people don't have a sense of humor. No, Donald Trump, Jr. is not a supporter of Melendez-Brown, but look more closely at the photo and see if you get it.

El Paso D.A. Jaime Esparza Requests Texas Rangers Investigate Baseball Stadium Open Meetings Act Violations

Above, Yesterday, El Paso District Attorney announces investigation into
Southwest University Park baseball stadium Open Meeting Act Violations.

El Paso D.A. Jaime Esparza Requests Texas Rangers Investigate Baseball Stadium
Open Meetings Act Violations
Current and Former City Council members Cortney Niland, Michael Noe, Suzie Byrd, Steve Ortega, Ann Morgan Lilly to be Investigated

by Satira Sinverquenza
Associated Mess

In a press conference Friday afternoon, El Paso District Attorney Jaime Esparza announced that he has asked the Texas Rangers to investigate what he think are Texas Open Meetings Act violations during the baseball stadium push by El Paso City Council back in 2012. He also announced the formation of the White Crime Unit in his office.

Above, former City Council representative Steve Ortega and former City Manager Joyce Wilson 
conspire to violate the Texas Open Records Act and run a "Walking Quorum."

 

Although the violations go back to 2012, Esparza is optimistic that an investigation will find violations. Email disclosed to the public via www.chucoleaks.org, showed multiple actions by the named city council member to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act and maintain a walking quorum.

A “walking quorum” is a series of gatherings among separate groups of members of a governmental body, each less than quorum size, who agree, tacitly or explicitly, to act uniformly in sufficient number to reach a quorum.

City Rep. Cortney Niland emails stadium supporter Rick Harrow in which she sets up a "Walking Quorum."

 

DA Esparza’s sudden interest in public corruption has pleased many open government advocates in El Paso like City Attorney Silvia Firth and former City Manager and supervillain Joyce Wilson.



Above, Steve Ortega in this email says he "has the votes" implying the City Council had done a
secret vote. Reps. Niland, Noe, Acosta, Byrd, Lilly would eventually vote for the baseball stadium.

Recently escaped from Arkam Asylum, and speaking from her office at El Paso’s Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande, where her position was conveniently set up for her after she was rejected as a city manager candidate from several cities, Joyce Wilson said she is proud of Jaime Esparza but has her doubts due to Esparza's record of investigating public corruption.

“I hope he looks into my dealing facilitating these violation of the Open Meetings Act back in 2012,” say Wilson. “What does a villain have to do to get caught in this down? This town deserves a better class of criminals and I'm going to give it to them."

Above, Former El Paso City Manager Joyce Wilson at Texas Workforce,
who recently escaped from Arkam Asylum, doubts Esparza's crime-fighting abilities.

 

Esparza deflected criticism that he has been soft of political corruption, but did admit he had not been as aggressive with Open Meeting Act violations by former and current city representatives Ortega, Lilly, Byrd, Niland, and Noe.

When asked why he did not ask the Texas Rangers to investigate City Council member in 2012 when with the baseball stadium, Esparza admitted that the baseball issue concerned the rich and powerful in El Paso and the recent scandal involves the poor and people of color.

"This will not happen again in El Paso," said the D.A., "Because I'm the hero El Paso deserves, but not the one it needs right now."

To help his office learn of political corruption and Texas Open Meetings Act violations, Esparza proposed a search light be illuminated on top of the city hall building to call him to investigate corruption.

Above, EPPD pose with "Corruption Signal" which will
alert El Paso D.A. Esparza to City Council corruption

Should citizens feel the El Paso City Council is violating the Open Meeting Act or Rep. Claudia Ordaz is receiving phone texts from County Commission Vince Perez during City Council meetings, or she is not living in the district she represents, they can go atop the City Hall building and light the "Corruption Signal."

 

Above, "Corruption Signal" as it will appear illuminated
in El Paso's night sky (Photo Courtesy the District Attorney Office.)

 

When asked if he had some bias that may have prevented him from prosecuting or asking the Texas Rangers to investigate the City representatives who voted for the baseball stadium back in 2012, Esparza said he hold no bias.

 

Vote “AGAINST” Proposition 4: Council wants you to pay them 2 salaries for arrogance and a part-time effort

Vote “AGAINST” Proposition 4: Council wants you to pay them 2 salaries for arrogance and a part-time effort
City Uses Faulty and Deceptive Logic for Justifying Raises

Currently, the City Charter states Council’s “base salaries are increased by a percentage equal to the percent increase of the general salary adjustment, if any, given to the classified employees in the general services effective as of the date designated in the budget resolution.” This means that base salaries are increased by the same percentage the classified employees receive.

Council just received a 5% raise:

• Representatives to $30,450 and the
• Mayor to $47,250.

If this proposition passes, beginning in 2015, the annual salary of the city representatives would be increased to the H.U.D. median income for a family of 4 for El Paso County which is $50,500 and the Mayor’s salary would be 150% of that.

The Actual Numbers based on the 2013 HUD rate

The Mayor’s salary would increase 59% from $47,250 to $75,000 -- a $28,500 raise!

A Representative’s salary would increase 66% from $30,450 to $50,500 -- a $20,050 raise!

In 2015, the HUD rate will likely increase, so salaries will be higher.

Faulty Logic

The City says the idea behind the proposition is to pay the mayor and representatives enough while they are in office so that they can support a family without having another job.

The H.U.D. median income for a family of 4 is an inappropriate salary rate because it is for 2 earner households (for example 2 people, not individuals). Also, it is for a 40-hour work week, not a part-time, if I feel like working, mentality that plagues City Council. 

It is an absolute falsehood to portray the Mayor and the individual representatives as the sole supporters of their families.

Two income households are the norm for most families across the United States. As you will see below -- the majority of council are not the primary providers in their households -- and most are well above the median income level.

Based on the City’s logic, if married, a council member’s spouse would need to make at least $20,050 per year. If single, then they are already above the median for a single individual at $30,450.

So what are their household incomes? Do They Really Need a Raise??

Steve Ortega’s spouse is COO of Del Sol Hospital and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income well above $100,000

Susie Byrd’s spouse is an ESL teacher and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000

Cortney Niland’s spouse is a business owner and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000.  

Ann Morgan Lilly’s spouse is a businessman and is the main provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000

Eddie Holguin’s spouse is an attorney with a combined household income at or above $60,000.

Emma Acosta and Carl Robinson are single to our knowledge and both above the median income at $30,450.

Not sure what Dr Noe’s spouse does and who cares. Dr Noe maintains his private practice and reportedly puts in about 15 hours a week for the Tuesday meeting and the occasional special meeting. His City Representative salary is supplemental income and his household income is at or above $60,000.

 

 

Do they deserve a raise?

Dr Noe is the best example of why salaries should not be raised. There is no prohibition of private sector employment.

The current Charter already prohibits public employment and holding another public office. Steve Ortega thumbed his nose at the Charter and worked as an instructor (public employment) at EPCC anyway. The administration and City did not enforce their own Charter.

Mayor and Council will continue to treat the position as part-time no matter what they are paid because there is no enforceable provision or accountability measure to require they work full-time and actually earn the salary.

 

Unlike the private-sector, the public is very limited in its ability to fire them for poor performance short of recall, filing a court complaint, or pray someone better runs in 4 years.

Think about it, there is NO time clock for city representatives. They cannot get fired if they work less than 40 hours a week, or in Dr. Noe’s case 15.

Higher salaries do not attract more qualified candidates.  We are not speaking about all current city council members, but this  city council attracted people with higher education but very limited earning potential in the private sector, weak work ethic-seeking status, power and influence with little if any respect for the public.

Protect the Integrity of El Paso’s City Charter. Vote AGAINST ALL 9 Propositions.