Today at 1 p.m. you will host three well-heeled, high-priced lobbysists who say they are looking our for the interests of the Port of Brownsville, each commanding a heft salary of between $50,,000 and $100,000 a year.
What they do is not exactly clear, since about the only thing the port has gotten from Washington recently was the so-called TIGER grant. But that came about after the port's fourth attempt and millions of dollars spent to put together the proposal.
By this measure, the gentlemen who will be winded and dined at your expense at the Rancho Viejo Resort at your expense just can't seem to get it right the first, second or third time.
In fact, it is doubtful that the port got the $12 million through the fine efforts of these three wise men.It wasn't until the fourth attempt that the Department of Transportation awarded the Port of Brownsville the grant which it will use with local monies to add a 600-foot, heavy-load capacity cargo dock on the south side of the Brownsville ship channel.
You've doubtless heard of these guys. They are Randy DeLay, Greg LeMunyon and David Randolph. They came on board the port's payroll back in the halcyon days of congressman Solomon Ortiz who counseled the port administration and trustees on the feasibility of having someone close to the Republican leadership in the George Bush presidency.
Alas, that dog is gone, but the ticks remain latched on to the carcass of what once was a free-wheeling, free-spending money-dealing machine and they show no sign of letting go.
Let's hope today's repast on fine cuts of meat and liquors satiate the thirst and hunger of the port commissioners, director Eddie Campirano and their well-heeled guests. Let's hope they have one on us.
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