DANIELLA

 Scott Steinbeck, the managing editor of The McHale Report, was at his desk in the blog's office on Washington Street in historical downtown Brownsville when he received a call from Daniella Lopez-Valdez.

"What a surprise?" said Steinbeck.

"Would you like to meet me for lunch at Lola's?"

"That would be a pleasure."

When Steinbeck arrived Lopez-Valdez had taken a table near the resaca. A refreshing breeze blew. She recommended the sliders and the writer never disagrees with an attractive and intelligent woman. The conversation inevitably turned to politics.

"Erasmo Castro, your opponent, was prohibited from appearing on campuses and participating in district events in the wake of multiple complaints about his personal behavior. What is your reaction to this crass comportment?"

"I believe the BISD community deserves leaders who will serve as role models for our students and work together to improve the community."

"Why are you the better candidate for this position?" continued Steinbeck.

"I am the best candidate for Place 5 because I have integrity, experience and a passion for giving back to the community."

"Your opponent was constantly taking selfies with young boys and posting them on his Facebook. The board commanded him to stop this questionable conduct. Then he resigned from the board after the police nabbed him drunker than a skunk. Don't we deserve better?"

"I have always upheld strong morals and I have been a role model for our community while demonstrating ethical behavior through my leadership roles for the past nine years," she replied.

"Nobody can establish if Erasmo is actually employed. We know that he preaches at a Christian church. Nobody would put it past him dipping his hand into the basket after it has been passed around the congregation. What is your professional experience?"

"I manage multiple teams in several leadership positions at JCPenney Corporate, overseeing a market strategy accounting for $1.1B USD of total revenue annually. I then started Style House Media, a marketing consulting firm. With my experience, I will make fiscally responsible decisions that benefit the BISD community in a transparent and collaborative way."

"Erasmo comes from a dysfunctional family. It is embarrassing the manner in which they treat and talk about each other. I know that you come from a very loving and successful family. What are your roots?"

"Since my great-great-grandfather started the Lopez Grocery Stores in 1941, my family has always supported education and all civic organizations in Brownsville. I have continued this tradition by graduating from the Leadership Brownsville Class XXXV, launching Blue Turtle Project to improve our local environment as well as being a member of Connect BTX, an organization founded to help bridge the digital divide."

"Erasmo not only failed the BISD during his short time as an out-of-control trustee, but he has failed Brownsville time and time again with his juvenile antics. What can the community expect from your commitment to excellence?"

"As your best candidate for Place 5 I will not fail you. I will work hard to uphold the importance of the position and will dedicate my time to serving the students, educators and staff of BISD with honest and integrity."

It was a gorgeous afternoon. Daniella had to return to work, but the journalist, addicted to the ecstasy of alcohol, ordered a bottle of wine and daydreamed for the next two hours.