Sunday, October 21, 2012
Going, going GONE! Sold to the highest bidder!
Among the top contributors mentioned in today's Laredo Morning Times article on campaign financing of our local elections are: local construction companies, engineering firms, property management groups and engergy companies.
What are the odds that these donors will be fully expecting something in return?
So, what else is new? Cha-ching!
From Today's LMT
City Council incumbents have a serious edge fund-wise against their opponents in the upcoming November election.
At $27,150, District 4 incumbent Juan Narvaez received the most contributions by a considerable margin as compared to other candidates.
Many of his donors are local construction, property management and energy companies.
Narvaez previously served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and operated a housing manufacturing company prior to his involvement with the city.
“I’m a man that’s been in business long enough have known a lot of people that believe in me,” Narvaez said.
“There’s no hidden agenda behind my contributions.”
His opponent, retired educator Armando Cisneros, was waived from filing expense reports on the condition he would not spend more than $500 on his campaign, City Secretary Gustavo Guevara Jr. said.
“I’m not big on spending my time putting up signs and raising funds,” Cisneros said.
“It’s more like grassroots. I’d say not even grassroots, more like seed roots.”
Meanwhile, the two other City Council incumbents, Cindy Liendo Espinoza and Jorge Vera, have received $10,850 and $16,250, respectively, in campaign contributions.
Jose Luis Maldonado, who had reported no political expenditures, said he reused old signs from his run last year for City Council District 7.
Maldonado said he only recently began spending campaign donations after the Oct. 9 filing deadline.
He said the $1,500 he’s received will go toward payment for an upcoming radio ad.
Meanwhile, Pat Campos and Roque Vela, vying for the upcoming vacancy for District 5, have received $17,750 and $21,280, respectively.
At $35,213, Vela has far exceeded any of the other City Council candidates in political expenditures and has outspent Campos by almost $20,000.
You can read the entire article at : http://lmtonline.com/articles/2012/10/21/news/doc5083993e9da5b430100507.txt
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The energy companies are already getting it, look what they pay for our drinking water, 1/3 of one penny per gallon, that's .0035 per gallon for as much as they want, any time they want it, any day they want it.
ReplyDeleteI found r Vela's comment interesting; "it would take more than 1,000 to buy" him
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard the only that's going to keep the city from continuing to practically give away our water is an injunction.
ReplyDeleteJust being practical here... If you really want to win you might spend a little more than $0. Definitely appreciate your effort though.
ReplyDeleteSend a message to our chity council that its time for a change. I urge everyone to get the incumbents out. Some races have several new faces... do your homework and pick someone other than an incumbent.
ReplyDelete