DELTA DAVE PREDICTS

 "Delta" Dave Handelman, the blues legend, is back at El Hueso de Fraile Thursday nights as downtown struggles to recover the momentum it lost due to Trump's pandemic. It may come as a surprise to many, but "Delta" taught history for many decades in the BISD and for many years at the college. He mesmerized his students with spellbinding accounts of historical events.

We were working late at The McHale Report at our historic office on Washington Street when Commissioner Ben Neece stopped for a chat. He suggested that we could more effectively delve into the different subjects we were broaching over bottles of wine at El Hueso. We found the suggestion a sound idea. During a break, "Delta" joined us. As a retired veteran of the BISD, we were curious about his take on the upcoming school board races. He pondered the question for a moment and then slipped into lecture mode.

Position 2?

Delta: We have three neophytes participating. I hope they don't that is a sexual proclivity. I make Denise Garza the favorite even though she is burdened with many negatives, particularly beginning with her platform that pursuing a higher education isn't important and the persistent rumors that she wants to replace BISD Police Chief Oscar Garcia with Cameron County Sheriff Chief Deputy Gus Reyna. As the only woman against two comparatively unknown men, Frankie Olivo and Jaime Diez who are university graduates with professions that are paying much more than she is earning as a clerk in San Benito, she will profit from the blind female vote.

Position 3?

We gringos stick with the Cowens. Phil has done a solid job as a trustee and his three opponents bring nothing to the table. His chief foe, Jessica Gonzalez, not only brings nothing to the table, but she has nothing in her head. She has the mentality of a maid that is clearly evident in her loud, obnoxious voice. She literally inhabits the bottom of a barrel and shouldn't be on the same ballot with a lawyer.

Position 5?

Like Donald Trump, Erasmo Castro is a disgrace. His adversary, Daniella Lopez-Valdez, is all grace. After failing at several attempts to win a political office, he benefitted from the perfect storm and won a seat on the BISD board. And did he take advantage of this opportunity? No! He did just the opposite. Even his own supporters were unraveled by his constant postings of himself with young boys on his Facebook page. The administration and trustees decided that Erasmo had crossed the line and they forbade him from making any appearances on campuses or at school district activities. Then the police nabbed him drunk and he had to resign. And like Trump, all he wants to do is create chaos. Even if he were an acceptable alternative, Daniella is classy, articulate, highly educated and the CEO of her own business. Does Erasmo even have a job? The beauty will win. The beast needs to crawl back to his cave and hibernate for the rest of his life.

Position 6:

First, I must confess that I'm voting for Joe Rodriguez. When I was sports editor at The Brownsville Herald back in the day, Joe was always accessible and insightful. Some hold his 84 years against him, but I admire that the old codger has fight left in him. He has always been a competitor and that fire in his belly has not diminished with age. This is an intriguing match. Incumbent Minerva Peña still ranks the favorite in my book, but there is a path to victory for Joe if Marisa Leal collects at least 20% of the vote, which should come at the expense of Peña. That would leave 80% on the table and I could envision Joe eking out a 41% to 39% win.

Position 7:

This is a repeat of the Erasmo Castro soap opera. Carlos Elizondo was fired as Brownsville's Fire Chief, finished in last place two years ago when he sought reelection to the board and is in and out of court on a regular basis defending himself against felony charges. It shouldn't surprise anyone that he is running on the same slate as Erasmo along with the hapless, hopeless and helpless Viro Cardenas. These individuals epitomize Brownsville at its worst and only cement our ignominious reputation as the Third World Capital of the United States. Eddie Garcia is the Daniella Lopez-Valdez of this mano-a-mano. He served the Brownsville Police Department for more than three decades with distinction. The board selected him to replace Erasmo when the latter had to slink like an opossum into the high grass after his outrages and excesses cost him his credibility and integrity. Eddie has proven himself during the short term he has served and like sister Gabby Garcia, soon to ascend the bench as a state district judge, he has the gravitas the post requires.

The conversation turned to the World Series. "Delta", often compared to Max Maxwell, dean of the RGV sportswriters, with his sports knowledge, is predicting the Dodgers in six.