SAENZ PUTTING TOGETHER HIS WORKING TEAM AT DA'S OFFICE

By Juan Montoya

It had been rumored far and wide that City of Brownsville Commissioner Melissa Zamora had a lock on the Public Information Officer slot after Bill Young retires at the end of this year.

It had also been rumored that Zamora – a former journalist and public relations professional – would run for the Cameron County District Clerk's Office when Aurora De la Garza retired, was indicted, or both.

Now we have found out that Zamora, who at one time was the office manager for Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos before she was let go, will replace Jason Moody as spokesperson for incoming Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz.

Zamora is also a senior advertising executive with the Elite Promotions and has worked for various political campaigns, including State Representative Rene Oliveira's.

Members of the Saenz transition team have confirmed as much. But that's not all.

It is also rumored that Zeke Silva, who was disqualified from running for the Brownsville City commission two years ago and was Saenz's campaign manager, may get the position as Community Outreach officer for the District Attorney Office.

Silva, whether you like him or not, has a successful trucking company and has been been involved the community for many years.

Aside from his involvement and being a board member of the Mr. Amigo organization, he has been a sponsor of the Sunny Glen Children Home in San Benito for the past eight years. He is also the pat president of The Wine of Love Ministries which is an outreach for both men and women at the Cameron County jails where he also oversaw the Real Freedom 12-step program.

Like Zamora, he has been involved in the Hooked for Life Silva which provides children an opportunity to fish through providing transportation through his company. Among the events and groups he has sponsored are La Posada de Los Ninos with Jimmy Gonzalez, Christmas for Kids with the BPD, and different fundraising events with the IAFF and the Brownsville Fire Fighters.

Saenz has been gearing up to take over the DA's Office after his predecessor, Armando Villlalobos leaves office at the end of the year. Villalobos faces racketeering charges and was indicted by the federal government.

To date, some 30 former DA employees have received pink notices after Saenz required everyone to reapply to work at the office.