Rep. Cesar Blanco Uses Political Contribution to Pay Membership in Borderplex Alliance (aka Paso del Norte Group)

Rep. Cesar Blanco Uses Political Contributions to Pay Membership in Borderplex Alliance (aka Paso del Norte Group)

Oppressive Group Well-known for Involvement Corruption

 by Ike and Ben

If any organization in El Paso has hurt people of color and the poor more, it has been the Borderplex Alliance (aka Paso del Norte Group). 

Texas Representative Cesar Blanco has used contributions to pay for membership in this organization.

Even taking it out of that realm, every taxpayer in El Paso who has a complaint against the City of El Paso’s mounting debt, lack of transparency, rising property taxes, the Borderplex Alliance has a connection to it.

Beto O’Rourke’s father-in-law William Sander founded the Borderplex Alliance, then known as the Paso Del Norte Group. 

Its first executive director was Myrna Deckert, whose emails to Joyce Wilson and Steve Ortega during the Downtown Ballpark scandal showed the influence of the Paso del Norte group in pushing this money pit on El Paso taxpayers. These emails were exposed in the Chucoleaks cache of email obtained via the Texas Open Records Act.

According to the Downtown Scam timeline, the Paso del Norte Group was founded by in 2003: “In El Paso, Bill Sanders founds the Paso Del Norte Group, using the Commercial Club of Chicago as his model. The PDNG is made up of more than 350 business and political leaders from both sides of the border. On the El Paso side the group includes his son-in-law City rep Robert O’Rourke, Army housing developer Woody Hunt, and Chris Balsiger who was indicted by the FBI for an alleged $250,000,000 coupon fraud scheme.” El Paso Downtown Scam 2003. See Timeline for more information information. 

On February 15, 2005, the City of El Paso contracted with the Paso del Norte Group: “City of El Paso votes approves contract with PDNG to create downtown redevelopment plan. City Council grants them $250,000. Some of this is federal money in the form of HTGB grants.

The El Paso City Council, under mayor Joe Wardy, voted to approve contract with Paso Del Norte Group to create a downtown redevelopment plan. Before the vote took place, however, a series of questions emerged about the scope of the project.”

The exploits of this oppressive organization are well known, but the focus of this article is Representative Cesar Blanco using political contributions to pay for membership in this organization. 

The least would have been for Blanco to use his own money to pay for this membership. But maybe the $1000 membership dues is a bit steep on a Texas representative's salary.

The most egregious is the Paso del Norte Group push to demolish Segundo Barrio as part of the Downtown Plan, their support of the Downtown Ballpark, and the demolition of Duranguito.

Blanco should be ashamed to be a member of this organization.

This is truly unfortunate as Blanco has been seen has a rising star in politics in El Paso, being outspoken for many causes for the poor.

In looking at Blanco’s contribution report more closely, Blanco is increasingly being funded by PACs. We will focus on this in another article.

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 to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

Experts say the Allentown, Pennsylvania PPL Center costs spiraled out of control, tax scandal, corruption and FBI involvement

This is part 1 in a series looking at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The City of El Paso has used a $180 million dollar estimate for the Downtown arena that they wish to place on top of the Duranguito neighborhood after its demolition.

In their public outreach they have used the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania as an example of success.

However, a closer look is needed.

City of El Paso Estimates for Costs Are Often Wrong

First, whenever the City of El Paso puts out an estimate, you have to use the Arrieta-Candelaria-Wilson Algorithm of Estimated Costs. 

We don’t know the exact formula for this algorithm (they probably don't know it either), but we are sure the fuzzy math lady who so brilliantly, along with Joyce Wilson, in estimating the costs of Southwest University Park, knows the exact formula.

However, it’s safe to say that doubling the cost of the Downtown Arena is close to what the Arreita-Caldelaria-Wilson algorithm is.

So, we’d say about $360 million.

City Using Allentown's PPL Center as a "An Example of a Successful Downtown Location."

Above, City of El Paso used Allentown PPL Center as Successful Example, not knowing the problems, FBI investigation, spiraling out-of-control costs.

 However, we look into the PPL Center and it was not what it seems.

Lesson in Disaster and Out-of-Control Spending: PPL Center, Allentown, Penn

In the planning, for the PPL center, Allentown estimated that it would need 3,500 parking spaces for their 10,000-size arena. After it was built, they found out the actual number was 4,200.[i]

Skeptics of the Allentown PPL Center had said downtown was the wrong area for the PPL Center.

The PPL center ended up being an 8,500 – seat facility as reported by The Mourning Call [ii]. 

Other differences were that the PPL Center was part of a riverfront development. I’d assume the riverfront is much more appealing than our riverfront here in El Paso.[iii]

Scott Kraus and Matt Assad say the PPL Center cost $177 million, but The Morning Call would correct this later. However, they say that the pitch was originally for a hockey arena, which was supposed to cost $80 million, but it “morphed” into the PPL Center at a cost of $177.

In 2011, the PPL Center was sued by a group of suburban communities “unhappy that their resident’s local earned income taxes would have been siphoned off to help finance construction.”[iv]

To be continued…

---

[i] McEvoy, Colin. “Allentown prepares for parking, traffic for hockey arena opening.” The Express-Times, September 5, 2014, updated January 2, 2015.

[ii] Kraus, Scott and Assad, Matt. “Arena opens, symbol of hope for better Allentown.” The Morning Call, September 10, 2014.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.