BEN NEECE

They're lining up in droves to run against City Commissioner Ben Neece. Why? Because he has kept his campaign promises. Because he has implemented measures to keep the COB accountable and transparent. Because he is independent. But in order to achieve these goals, Neece has had to step on the status quo's toes. And the insiders don't like feeling like they're outsiders.

"I would make an argument that in modern history Ben has been the city's most effective commissioner," said former Brownsville Herald columnist and ex-Rene Oliveira's legislative aide Tony Gray.

"He promised during his campaign that he would improve downtown lighting, establish a police sub-station and install cameras at key intersections. He did. In order to keep the public informed about deals consummated behind closed doors, in smoky rooms and under tables, he spearheaded the creation of the Ethics Commission and the Audit Committee as well as the hiring of an independent city auditor who isn't controlled by the city manager. And, of course, there was the removal of the Jefferson Davis monument and his vote against the privileged and entitled McNairs on the street renaming controversy."

Brownsville is a town that frowns on success. It doesn't want to move into the 21st century like McAllen. It is more at home stagnating in the 19th century. Brownsville is a reactive, not a proactive city. Brownsville likes is leaders to be followers. Neece cuts against the grain. He has a vision. He opens his eyes to possibilities while his colleagues blind themselves to opportunities. As much as he has tried to change the community's image, Brownsville remains the Third World Capital of the United States.

The city elections are slated for next May, but with autumn officially around the corner, the first leaves of gossip have started to fall to the ground. Martin Sarkis intends to challenge Commissioner Rose Gowen. Nobody has announced against Commissioner Joel Munguia, but the ghostly figure who goes by Joel Mocoso and Joel Mugrero and Joel Mediocre and Joel Mentiras, is sure to receive a scare next spring.

Pedro Cardenas, the owner of Mi Pueblito who is more ambitious than he is courageous, aspires to Neece's seat, but he has never impressed anyone during his time as a GBIC board member. He was nearly exiled from the organization for missing meeting after meeting and sleeping through the ones he did attend.

Roy de los Santos, the son of the former Port of Brownsville commissioner, is whispering in a loud voice that he is interested in entering the race. Former City Commissioner Edward Camarillo, whose appetite for politics is immense, is also spreading his name to determine if there is interest.

"If I were Ben, I would seek another mindfulness," continued Gray. "He is a world traveler, a musician, a mystic, a philosopher. There comes a time in the latter stages of our lives that we must choose a spiritual path in the quest for true knowledge. You can never achieve that transcendence when cretins like Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa are part of your daily existence. Brownsville is not liberating. Ben needs to leave the nest and soar into the distance. He must begin the search."