Continue reading »]]> By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

Thursday night’s community forum for San Benito CISD School Board candidates was supposed to be where six political hopefuls were going to introduce themselves to voters in a formal setting at the John F. Barron Administration Building. It’s also where they were scheduled to address concerns from the community as well as those they represent – from teachers, administrators and staff to the students, parents and taxpayers.

The only problem is that not one of the candidates showed up, leaving the 20 or so citizens who attended disappointed, dejected, and disillusioned.

Of course, there were extenuating circumstances for some. Place 1 incumbent Bob Tumberlinson was reportedly ill, and Pl. 3 trustee and School Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez was involved in a fender bender.

So what happened to Pl. 1 challenger Fatima Huerta, Pl. 2 hopefuls Anna Cruz and Anna Llanes, and Pl. 3 candidate Wilma Garza Smetter? Well, I can only speculate that they simply had prior engagements. It’s important to note that members of the Texas State Teachers Association, the local nonprofit group that organized the forum, made every attempt to confirm candidates’ attendance up to a week in advance.

But more frustrating was when 6:30 p.m. – 30 minutes past the scheduled start of the forum – came and went. That’s when those in the audience shook their heads in disapproval of six no-shows. At that moment, and speaking not only as the moderator of the forum but as a lifelong citizen of San Benito, I felt embarrassed to associate myself with this community.

Consider that this is very difficult to admit, especially since I’ve long been proud of my hometown, a place I’ve dubbed a city of passion and of the arts – not that silly “city of lights” slogan officials attempted to adopt years ago. I’d rather take solace that while this town may be passionate to a fault, we’re passionate nonetheless.

What restored my pride in San Benito was June Aguilera. The 19-year-old San Benito CISD School Board member, whose opponents have dubbed “inexperienced,” represented the district and the board well at Thursday’s forum, and she wasn’t even scheduled to be there since her seat is not up for election this year.

This isn’t the first time that June was one of few to brave a forum-type environment, however. Last year, as a candidate, June was one of two hopefuls who attended the San Benito News Meet the Candidates community forum out of a field of six.

Sure, June was in the building anyway following a committee meeting, but she was the only sitting trustee Thursday who walked into the board room and greeted all those in attendance. She even went as far as to apologize on behalf of the candidates who couldn’t make it and encouraged the public – without injecting her opinion – to exercise their right to vote.

It’s the second time in her fledgling career as a public servant that all June had to do to gain respect was show up, and in doing so she succeeded where those twice her elder have failed in the past.

Whatever experience her critics believe she lacks, June makes up for in integrity and class. Displaying a genuine propensity to uphold values that these days are rare, such as punctuality and respect, the future seems brighter if June is any indication of San Benito schools and the students they produce.

Continue reading »]]> I often hear from citizens of San Benito, among them are the usual suspects dying to know what’s next in store for this great community of ours.

But while the truth may not be as sexy as some would hope, be refreshed in knowing that although we’ve endured political chaos in the last few years, culminating with the conclusion of the May general elections, the controversies that once plagued the city in the past – and that we were at the forefront of exposing – may be behind us.

Cheer up, this is the good news you’ve been waiting for.

I imagine a few potentially nasty situations arising, this I gathered from skimming through the agendas of the regular commission meetings (which will soon be included in editions of the San Benito News when they become available to us). Still, the days of the office of mayor being automatically forfeit for owing back taxes and exposing elementary school principals as convicted felons are gone.

It’s not that our ability to uncover such truths has been diminished. On the contrary, the News may have influenced those in positions of power, however little it may be, to once again feel inclined to stay squeaky clean rather than risk the potentiality of winding up on the front page of the newspaper – and not for a good reason. This is the sort of change readers expect their newspapers to bring to the communities they serve. We hold your public servants accountable, and the readers hold us accountable. This is the beautiful relationship between the media, governing entities and the public.

Take not for granted the effort entailed in establishing and maintaining such a relationship. Compounded by the unwillingness of some to cooperate with the media, building rapport with public officials and dignitaries can be near impossible if the relationship is not strengthened by trust. And it’s trust, my friends, that’s the hottest commodity in journalism these days. Not time, and not information. That’s all acquired and managed through practice. Trust is earned.

Clearly we hear rumors, speculation, and innuendo, but nothing that’s substantiated and therefore not worth the resources of a full investigation. Now that also doesn’t mean we can’t follow-up. Know that much of these heavy-hitting, community-changing articles are based on the strength of our sources’ information – the same people who we’ve developed a trusting relationship with over the years.

So (finally) after exhausting all these outlets, I can happily report to you that it seems as though most people in positions of power in San Benito are behaving themselves.

Sure, there is maneuvering that angers folks on the opposite end of the political spectrum, and vice versa, but nothing on the level of what’s occurred in the Resaca City in recent years.

Don’t be surprised. This is the good news our readers have been waiting for. The only question that remains is how long it will last.