Candidate-to-candidate Q&A

Q: How can you, Ernie Hernandez, feel comfortable hiring a non-expert (Tom Snowden) in the field of impact fees and following a non-expert’s conclusions for doing what is right for Brownsville and its needed capital improvements and the analysis that allows us to keep utility rates down?

A: It amazes me that my opponent continues to deceive the public by stating utility rates will come down if impact fees are raised.

The truth is that rates will go up if higher impact fees are assessed to the water and sewer parts of our utility bills. Once capital improvements begin, the maintenance of these new facilities will be absorbed by the rate payers.

Mr. Snowden was hired because the Black and Veatch report contains a disclaimer that states their information in the report may not be accurate, and they assume no responsibility for their report. The real crime is that the board paid for a re-write of their own information to the tune of $225,000.

Mr. Snowden’s job is to decipher PUB information and state the capacities that PUB has before new facilities are needed. The Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC) will determine what the impact fee will be.

Q: Given the fact that you, Ernie Hernandez, have made thousands of dollars by doing business directly or indirectly with the city of Brownsville with vending machines, wrecker services and graphic business selling T-shirts, and — given the fact that you continue to accept city benefits that the City Charter does not provide and voters made clear they were against — how do you expect the citizens of Brownsville to trust that you, will represent their best interest, and not yours, for personal gain?

A: Again, my opponent is distorting the facts. I have never had a contract directly or indirectly with the city.

To the contrary, I have paid the city thousands of dollars in commissions over the years. Without being told, we removed all machines from city property and verified that we are not on the city vendors list.

I reiterate, if it was illegal, all previous city commissioners and mayors would be guilty of accepting city benefits.

The real issue is that these issues are raised every time there is an election. I have been elected four times and have served this community honorably.

I have been part of the team that has put our city in a position to compete globally and at the same time improved the quality of life for our citizens. I have never quit to seek a paying office. The real question is: Why did you?