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Just as advertised many of the elected officials in city and county government as well as some folks from PUB, some candidates that weren’t successful in the last election cycle and County Judge Elect Cascos who was successful, were in attendance. More than that, they were actually communicating with each other, not just at each other.  When you consider the heated discussions among the City Commissioners and the PUB board members in the recent past, and the political rhetoric of the recent elections, to see Mr.’s Camarillo, Hernandez, and Atkinson chatting amiably with the likes of former Mayor Ahumada, Mr. Sanchez, family members other interest parties as well as other movers and shakers from BISD and the County, was truly amazing. The only event pre-planned was that Mr. Cascos would speak for a moment or two and introduce himself around to those that had not yet had the opportunity to meet him. He did not disappoint anyone as he schmoozed the community leaders as well as us regular folks with his trademark charisma, leaving us all with the impression that he genuinely felt that we were important. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet a number of new folks, and to renew acquaintances with others such as Sheriff Lucio that I greatly admire. 

There was a young couple that had, recently moved down the Valley to Brownsville and started a new business. They really impressed me with their optimism for the future of their new busines, that is already showing the promise of steady growth. What really stood out was that they also expressed an interest in participating in making the community better and were actively seeking any activities they could work with to accomplish this. The skills these folks have already demonstrated in starting a new business and guiding it towards success are exactly what is needed in the appointed boards and commissions the move the work of governance along. Later in the evening, I had the rare opportunity to chat at length with a candidate that I had mentioned in one of my columns some months ago. He pointed out an observation that I had described and the way I had framed the circumstances, that formed the basis for that observation. In the course of the discussion he made several relevant arguments that focused on the impression that was conveyed. I was enormously flattered that the candidate took the time and effort to bring the issue to my attention and gained a heightened respect for his passion to serve the community. The arguments raised will certainly result in my being more careful in how I describe my political analysis, so that the point will not be misunderstood. In the end, after I ceased being defensive, this experience became one of the highlights of my evening. In looking back over all the discussions, more than a little posturing and a sense that the participants in the community political process, I heard genuine workable solutions being discussed on a number of areas by folks that just days earlier were battling each other. The catalyst to all of this was the host Robert Sanchez who had been himself staunchly encamped in a firm position. One has to wonder whether the influence of the Christmas Season precipitated a renewed interest in the city fathers “getting it right” to the betterment of the entire community, especially those of us that can least afford expensive mistakes. 

I personally noted that the entreaties of the clergy of many of the churches in Brownsville and Valley Interfaith had been “HEARD”. I sincerely hope that the circumstances described in Emma Perez-Trevino’s page two story in the Brownsville Herald on December 13, entitled “Water rates stay the same for now”, is not an attempt by some recalcitrant city fathers to duck and avoid blame for the problem but a genuine concerted effort at fixing the problem with the interests of the whole community in mind as was suggested at the Christmas party. I have rarely witnessed such pervasive optimism and great aspirations for our community in one place with the warring factions present.  I know, I looked in the sky for that single bright star as I was leaving, that might lend support to the genuine good will that was “A Miracle on Calle Jacaranda”, that I believe I witnessed.