The Ports – The bad and some good
Published Brownsville Herald March 11, 2007
There is more than enough bad news in the news today and the saga of the Brownsville Navigation District keeps adding to it, seemingly without end.
From the beginning Port management both elected and appointed, have worked in secret to keep the details of a bridge that may have been doomed in its concept had it continued forward as a rail facility as well as a truck bridge.
It appears that access would have resulted in a noose of rail track around the city of Matamoros and I now even wonder, if a truck bridge would cause more ecological damage than it is worth. I seem to remember some wildlife issues coming to light at the time the Veteran’s Bridge was being built.
Further, one only need look at the report of issues that Mexico raised back in 1992 as described in the Torteya & Torteya Report of 2004, to see the concern. Mr. Kruse’s response, in an effort to resolve the issue of competition related to containerized freight identified at the time, has been undermined by stated BND goals of attracting containerized freight.
In a Brownsville Herald March 4 article, ”BND agreement with firm comes at a price”, the dauntless Emme Perez-Trevino drew a focus on the known costs and those still to come, cutting through the sugar coatings advanced previously.
In the same issue former BND Commissioner Dan Reyna, acerbates the situation by adding support to the previously advanced supposition that Commissioner Cristiano was aggressively acting in his own interests rather than those he represents. Mr. Reyna also attempted to make connections between Commissioner Roy De los Santos and Acting Port Director Donna Eymard in regard to a $1.7 million check with only one signatory when two were required.
Whether any of these assertions are valid or not, it would appear that a very public investigation is required.
It also appears that there would be the appearance of a conflict of interest, should the current District Attorney’s office, undertake such a project, in as much as one of the his staff is currently on the Board.
I believe that the District Attorney should take the suggestion advanced in Attorney Zavaletta’s motion, to ask for an independent investigation.
I would suggest that Governor Perry appoint a special prosecutor with the authority to call upon the Texas Rangers if necessary and empower a grand jury to examine the circumstances. I would also suggest that any information related to direct or indirect payments to Mexico public officials be referred to the U.S. Attorney for investigation in regard to the federal corrupt practices act. Anything short of such drastic steps will always taint the port, and its business dealings, as well as past management and elected officials since 1992.
I for one, can not say who did what and when nor whether some, none or all were problematic; but I could certainly not support any future bond issue for any reason, nor do I believe that the port should be able to spend any future tax money until the stink clears. “If something looks like a cesspool and smells like a cesspool it might just be a cesspool.”
Perhaps some of you will remember my article “Moving Forward on the Navigation District” in the Brownsville Herald on December 29, 2004.
At that time I analyzed the port’s financials, identified some of the successes and opportunities. I suggested then that a “full scale workshop” to inform our neighbors about Maritime Trade and how to take advantage of the opportunities. I would like to see a vibrant port with a focus on shipping rather than a bigger real estate office and in order to do that, entrepreneurs and those who “would be”, need to know what it is all about and how to take advantage of the benefits.
With the departure of Port Director List there is no one at the Port of Brownsville with the kind of Maritime background or even any amount of credibility that can begin to provide that information and present the port’s case favorably.
Perhaps, the University of Texas and its fledgling International Trade program could work with local professionals such as the members of the Propeller Club to develop and present a Trade Show/Workshop to be followed by a continuing seminar in Maritime Trade such as those formerly sponsored by The Port of New York and New Jersey at their “World Trade Institute”.
I can personally attest that the instruction, I personally received there, motivated me to choose my direction into vessel shipping and permitted me to return to instruct in some of those same classes.
The world and its trade currents are changing daily and ever evolving strategies are crucial to every business, not just those involved in logistics.
I recently had an opportunity to substitute for adjunct instructor, Abel Medina, a Customs Broker with Parker and Company, at the UT Brownsville “Imports Class”.
There, I found there some highly motivated and focused folks at varying points in life. Some were mature seeking enhancement in their career and some younger were looking to round out their business education with an understanding of international purchasing and logistics. I was impressed!
I was so impressed with class responses and ideas that I challenged each student to write an essay relating to the “loss” of U.S. jobs overseas because of global trade.
This column offered a $50 prize for the best one. Subsequently, John Shergold the President of the Propeller Club and Port Commissioner Peter Zavaleta also offered contributions to provide more awards. The essays have been handed in and the judging will begin in the not distant future. A full disclosure of the sources and uses of funds will be made in these pages as well as the results of the contest.
Those of you who follow this column may be aware that I am a member and avid supporter of the Brownsville Chapter of the Propeller Club, as a positive force in the Maritime Industry locally, just as I have found, the many chapters are around the world.
Recently, I became aware that the small Port of El Mezquital, which is within the city limits of Matamoros, was undergoing some refurbishment in the repair of its jetties and dredging of the port waters.
I asked my associate in Mexico to contact the Tamaulipus Governor’s office in charge of the ports; and was privileged to communicate with Ernesto Morris Delgado, Director of Strategic Infrastructure among many of his other responsibilities.
I expressed an interest in exploring goals that Port Mezquital and those the Port facilities in South Texas might have in common, and found that there were many.
At my invitation he and several of his associates attended a recent meeting of the Propeller Club and were able to speak with a number of very interested entrepreneurs that were also interested in working in their common interests.
Of particular note was the possibility of a barge service connecting South Texas ports and Mexico without transiting the downtown area of Brownsville/Matamoros and thereby relieving some of the bridge congestion.
All the discussions were animated and positive and will, I believe, prove to be beneficial to the economies on both sides of the river. I think that they will also provide another way to go forward, to a better working relationship.
As I said in 2004 we still need to do what is necessary, and move on!