Residents object to city's border fence deal

At one of the most heated - and prolonged - City Commission meetings in recent memory, politicians prepared to make a pivotal decision on the border fence's construction on municipal property.

As emotional and politicized as the issue has become, Commissioner Charlie Atkinson told residents the issue has come to a simple ultimatum. "Deal or no deal?"

As of press time, the meeting had devolved into a barrage of personal attacks among elected officials and Mayor Pat Ahumada ignored a motion and second to table any action. No official vote was taken.

The deal, introduced by Loren Flossman, project manager for the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Border Initiative, would allow a removable fence to be built on the city's land.

The plan would hand over 10 acres of municipal property, valued at $95,800, to the federal government at no cost. In return, the temporary barrier could be removed, and property returned, once the city reinforces 2.4 miles of levees, satisfying the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's tactical criteria. The city has not yet acquired funds to pay for levee reinforcement.

"They're going to put the (permanent) wall up if we don't come up with an alternative," Commissioner Anthony Troiani said.

But before the Commissioners' votes could be cast, a public comment session stretched for almost three hours.

Developer Sam Marasco said the compromise would permit the city to continue plans for a downtown revitalization project. However, a permanent fence "would limit options and opportunities," he said.

Despite Marasco's pragmatic concerns-echoed by several City Commissioners-the public session was dominated by Brownsville residents who objected to a compromise with DHS. Police officers told them to leave their "No Border Wall" signs outside, so instead they shouted the sentiment.

 They responded to the night's ultimatum succinctly: "No Deal."

Monica Weisberg-Stewart, immigration chair for the Texas Border Coalition, told the Commission to "approach these issues with caution with DHS."

John Moore, a representative of the Border Ambassadors, said he received 123 signed testimonies from landowners along the border who oppose the fence.

The public comments continued, with a cast of characters that has become well-known at local protests, as well as in the national media's coverage of the issue.

 "It comes to this," Commissioner Troiani said, "either you're going to try to solve the problems of the city or the problems of the world."

But for the residents who called the City Commission's decision an "important precedent," the distinction between the two options is fence-thin.

 ksieff@brownsvilleherald.com