SNAPSHOT: PAT AHUMADA

Pat Ahumada is aware that his term as mayor from 1991-1994 is known as a time of upheaval in Brownsville history. He’s willing to accept his share of responsibility but notes that many factors contributed to the dissent.

“Those were very stressful and fractious times,” said Ahumada, a 54-year-old real estate appraiser, predicting a much different atmosphere if he returns to the mayor’s seat on May 12. “The city’s in a healthier position now, and I have matured. I’ve learned that you have to be diplomatic without being confrontational.”

Although a majority of voters marked his name in 1991, Ahumada reasoned that his assertive style surprised many people.

“The people voted for me, but I was new on the scene. They didn’t know me,” he said. “I saw resistance that I am not seeing today.”

Ahumada left his city position at mid-term to seek the county judge position vacated when Tony Garza was named Gov. George W. Bush’s secretary of state. He later ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the District 27 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and has been a community advocate on many issues, most notably control of stray animals and humane pet care.

He currently serves on the Brownsville Public Utilities Board board of directors, where he has battled other members at times over residential rates and infrastructure fees developers pay on new lots.

“The community has accepted me more now,” he said. “They’ve figured out that Pat Ahumada has no hidden agenda.”

A major campaign issue in his first term was his offer to be a “full-time mayor.” His presence at City Hall bristled more than a few feathers from people who complained that he was heavy-handed.

“I brought transparency to city government. I set the highest ethical standards for city government,” he said. “Is that being heavy-handed? I don’t think so.”

Ahumada said he believes current city staff is adequate, and he doesn’t plan to initiate any changes.

“It would be ludicrous for me to go in and fire the city manager,” he said. “He’s the expert in running the city, not me. I’ll let him do his job, and I’ll take care of the politics.

“We will ask questions, not to find fault but to make it better.”

He is proud of improving the city’s financial position during his tenure, raising the fund balance from nothing to $23.6 million in 2½ years in office.

Although he has established himself as a fiscal conservative, Ahumada points to his administration’s controversial decision to offer a subsidy to lure Continental Airlines to the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.

“It’s a success now,” he said. “That subsidy made it possible.”

As mayor, Ahumada had made similar overtures to Mexican carrier Aerolitoral, and he still believes flights to Mexico are feasible.

Topping his priority list are better streets and continued development. He plans to ask all city commissioners to submit their own “wish lists” to establish the commission’s direction.

He doesn’t expect any fights.

“My votes are worthless if we don’t work together,” he said. “I hope the voters give me a team that’s all on the same page.

“My only agenda is the city,” he said. “The commission’s agenda will become obvious to the people once we start working together.”

Ahumada on the Issues

Leadership: I am an advocate, but I am one solitary voice. We must reach consensus to be effective.

Impact fees: Favors 2006 Black & Veatch study that called for $3,090 fee per lot; believes further studies unnecessary.

Utility rates: Residents have been subsidizing the rich developers. Everyone should pay their rightful share.

Benefits: City Charter does not provide for any benefits, and commissioners are not entitled to them.