Mayoral candidate: Ernie L. Hernandez Jr.

Top 3 isuses:

1. Implementation of the Master Drainage Plan: At some point, we could be devastated by a Category 4 or 5 Hurricane. Today, we are not equipped to manage the overflow of water produced by a catastrophic weather event. In the event we are hit, or should I say when we are hit, by a major storm, the results will be disastrous. Flooding will be paramount as will the loss of property and possibly the loss of life. People could lose their homes, belongings and possibly loved ones. This is unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to you.

The Master Drainage Plan manages large volumes of water. We must continue to work closely with Cameron County District No. 1 in an effort to improve drainage by preparing our ditches and storm sewers.

Fortunately, we have constructed several large retention basins, but this has only scratched the surface. Implementation of the Master Drainage Plan is a top priority because it will save lives and property, and to me, there is nothing more important than the welfare of the people of Brownsville. I thank the current mayor and City Commission for preparing the plan. Now, we must implement it.

2. Street Maintenance Program: Every four years, we hear more about streets, road repair and promises to take care of them than at any other time. In my 14 years in office, our city streets have always been an issue, but the issue seems to go soft after the elections. This time, I am in a position to do something about it. We, as a city, have operated on an “if it’s not broken we don’t need to fix it” philosophy. Not broken means that it doesn’t have a pothole yet. This will end the day I take office.

There is a big difference between patching up and properly maintaining a street. Because we must play catch up, yes, we will have to temporarily continue to patching-up streets. At the same time, I will meet with city engineers to see to it that a scheduled street maintenance-preservation program is implemented, a program with teeth and substance. If we invest in a proper street maintenance program now, we will save the city thousands of taxpayer dollars in the future. In addition, I will hold the city accountable as you will hold me accountable. You deserve results, and I insist on results.

3. City Planning: Our city requires long-term planning and solution-based outcomes. In the year 1990, Brownsville’s population was reported at 95,500. Soon, our city’s population will be double that size.

Brownsville’s 2010 population is estimated at 173,986 and its 2020 population at 210,210. Regarding traffic congestion, we must look ahead into improved synchronization, additional signal inter-connections, installation of closed circuit television cameras on heavily traveled arterials and intelligent traffic signals. We have to acquire the equipment now to keep up with the city’s growth. This will require adequate funding to properly plan for efficiency and safety. To manage traffic includes detailed infrastructure development, planning for new roads, bypasses, loops, central thoroughfares and cost of maintenance.

To map out the future means that we must embrace our city’s resources and improve collaboration with our local entities. We must keep up with technology such as fiber optics, the 311 Central Information office and get on board with recycling. We must tap into the brain trust at UTB-TSC and also be prepared to meet the emerging emergency services and law enforcement requirements placed upon us by a growing population. We must be ready to embrace the future needs of our community by planning properly to meet the demands of tomorrow.

These are not just words, but a choice in leadership styles. Do we embrace the past, or do we embrace the future? I vote for the future.