South Texas Ping!
Posted on 01/09/2005 3:54:25 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Observers of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district weren’t surprised by Thursday’s FBI raid on the district’s offices and the homes of several district officials. Neither are we, other than wondering, "What took so long?"
That’s a bit of a rhetorical question, as we understand that federal investigations can move very slowly. We’re glad to finally see some action.
For far too long, too many governmental bodies in the Rio Grande Valley have conducted business in a questionable manner. The favoritism, nepotism, sweetheart deals, quid-pro-quo and kickbacks have tainted school boards, city commissions and county departments and defrauded taxpayers while local politicians and their friends conduct what they consider routine business.
But Thursday was far from typical, as federal agents carted off dozens of boxes after combing through the PSJA administration building, the home of district Superintendent Arturo Guajardo and the home and office of school board president Roy Navarro. The agents wouldn’t say what they’re looking for, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office pointed out that no charges have been filed and no one has been arrested.
Still, as members of the community watchdog group Grupo Poder pointed out, the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district has spent millions of tax dollars on to build new schools — and it hasn’t always followed the competitive bidding process.
For example, one of the district’s contractors, Al Cardenas Masonry, received a visit from FBI agents in October 2003, when agents carted off boxes of files. In 2004, The Monitor reported that the district awarded the business numerous building contracts without receiving competing bids. After public pressure, the district reopened the bidding.
Then there’s Lopez & Lopez Architects, which designed many of the district’s buildings and received a cut of the total price. Whenever the total went up because of extensions or cost overruns, so did the contractor’s fee.
Of course, the district superintended managed to steer district business to a store he partially owned, San Juan Bolt & Supply. Guajardo said the store belongs to his brother, but tax records show the superintendent owns half the business. The Texas Education Agency absolved Guajardo of any violations, but concluded that the district should reevaluate its relationship with the company because of the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The PSJA school district has wasted millions of tax dollars. While a few cronies get rich, taxpayers get ripped off and schoolchildren’s education suffers. It’s not just PSJA residents taking a hit to their pocketbooks. Texas’ Robin Hood school finance plan gives money from wealthier districts to poorer ones such as PSJA, so taxpayers statewide pay the price.
Last week’s events should serve as another reminder for PSJA — and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley, for that matter — that it’s no longer business as usual. However, the news media can just call attention to questionable dealings. Law enforcement can only investigate when they see something wrong. It’s up to the voters to elect individuals who will treat their office as a public trust, not a private trough.
The way the Valley’s politicos, good ol’ boys and wheeler-dealers carry on, they think themselves untouchable by the press, the law and the voters. Maybe more raids like the one Thursday will shatter their sense of invulnerability.
South Texas Ping!
Rio Grande Valley on the border of Mexico - completely controlled by Democrats - corruption all the way down to the school board level.
Superintendent Arturo Guajardo and the home and office of school board president Roy Navarro./ one of the district’s contractors, Al Cardenas Masonry /Then there’s Lopez & Lopez Architects,
All of them are good Mexican Catholics, I'll betcha.
School shenanigans ping.
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