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“The truth is an absolute defense to defamation."
Brownsville attorney Michael Cowen said in response to a defamation lawsuit filed against in Feb. 12 by former Cameron County District Attorney candidate Peter Zavaletta. |
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
 ... Because I shall continue to refrain from personal attacks during this campaign. Regardless. I did call Moses Sorola to confirm the rumor I heard about his endorsing my opponent Commissioner Carlos Cisneros. He told me that he met with Commissioner Cisneros. Sorola said Cisneros is taking care of "some issues" at the City he (Sorola) had and that he (Sorola) "needed to find a way to recover all the money he (Sorola) spent on the campaign." I asked him (Sorola) about all the money the citizens of Brownsville have lost due to Cisneros' poor decision-making on the City Commission. Sorola said, "I'm talking about the money I spent." He then excused himself from the phone call, because he had another call he needed to take. It is what it is. ------------------------------------------------------------ Cisneros vs. Sorola By The Issues 1) Mr. Sorola supports the construction of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. (Moses Sorola, Letter to Editor, Brownsville Herald, published Jan. 29, 2008) Note: The border wall is opposed by Brownsville's majority. Carlos Cisneros opposes the wall 100 percent and said: "No Border Wall." Yet, Cisneros is accepting an endorsement from Moses Sorola who is vehemently opposed to the Wall. 2) Mr. Sorola claims that politicians and political leaders who oppose the construction of the wall are "trafficking in illegal labor, illegal immigration, illegal drugs, money laundering illegal support to drug cartels and illegal financial support by drug cartels to churches." (Moses Sorola, Letter to the Editor, Brownsville Herald, published Sept. 9, 2008). Note: Cisneros opposes the Wall, because it is wrong and because most of his constituents, including myself, oppose it. Opposing the Wall does not make one a drug dealer or money launderer. This statement is an insult to the Brownsville majority who either oppose the Wall or desire an alternative. I prefer strengthening the levees and allocating more resources to law enforcement. 3) Mr. Sorola opposes the construction of more publicly funded bridges to Mexico and does not care about how long it takes traffic to go from Mexico to the United States. He has stated that "if it takes all day for (immigration) to do their checks, so be it." (Moses Sorola, Letter to the Editor, Brownsville Herald, May 17, 2004) Note: Our economy is dependent on trade with Mexico. When you slow down traffic on the bridge, you slow down trade and commerce. Many people who live in Brownsville also visit family in Mexico. Every elected Brownsville City Commissioner must care if it "takes all day to cross the bridge." Sorola has stated he does not care. Since Cisneros is accepting his endorsement, does he, too, not care? 4) Mr. Sorola also is against bilingual education and has stated that the programs "do little to promote a quality education." (Moses Sorola, Letter to the Editor, Brownsville Herald, Aug. 2, 1998). Note: (Did Sorola receive extra payment as a certified bilingual teacher? Just a question.) Bilingual education is a must along the border. We live in the United States, a country of many cultures and languages that must be embraced. It makes us who we are -- a country most-desired to live in. Cisneros is born and raised in Brownsville and certainly must understand the necessity of bilingual education. Or does he since he sought and accepted Sorola's endorsement? 5) Mr. Sorola thinks that churches should pay taxes so that they can "appreciate the burden taxpayers face when they have to support the poor." (Moses Sorola, Letter to the Editor, Brownsville Herald, Jan. 10, 2009) Note: Supporting the poor is not a burden, it is a societal obligation to look out for those who are less fortunate. Sorola's position appears to be hypocritical. He states that churches should have to pay taxes, but he didn't mind starting his own not-for-profit corporation with another prominent Brownsville resident called the Brownsville GGL. Cisneros has always touted that he's for the people especially with his "Getting it Done" approach. Does this exclude the poor? 6) Sorola criticized Valley Interfaith and other religious groups for "lobbying for more funds for the poor" and states that the "churches and some of their members are not interested in poor people, that they just want to keep their jobs running the clinics and others just want to let the drug trade and illegal immigration continue unabated." Note: Sorola appears to be hostile to religious groups and appears to be hostile to the poor. However, according to Cisneros' Facebook, Cisneros is a very religious man. When told by a friend that "We" will win this election, Cisneros states: "We meaning God and the people! Yes we will!" 7) Sorola recently, in a Letter to the Editor in The Brownsville Herald, quoted Thomas Jefferson who wrote in 1814 the following: "In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own." (Moses Sorola, Letter to the Editor, Brownsville Herald, Jan. 10, 2009) Note: Priests and religious leaders are not "despots (a person exercising power tyrannically)" They are members of our community and often serve as leaders in faith-based community initiatives. Certainly Cisneros appreciates the civic duty of Brownsville's religious leaders. Right? 8) Sorola touted the Imagine Brownsville Master Plan as a waste of taxpayer dollars in ads and in the many candidate debates and forums. Note: Cisneros is proud of the Imagine Brownsville $900,000 project. (Imagine Brownsville Web site, click here) 9) Sorola's stance on taxes/impact fees differ greatly from Cisneros' stance. Sorola's previous statements obviously were in support of lower taxes and higher impact fees. Note: While Sorola supported the highest recommended impact fee, Cisneros found it to be too high. In a prior increase, Cisneros voted to rescind it. Sorola wrote in an ad: "Some folks are taking two jobs to make ends meet and support their families. Fuel, shelter and the cost of other basic necessities are going up. And taxes are eating up any disposable income people can get." However, Cisneros touts his being a PID board member under Community Involvement and Service on his campaign Web site. Major (Hudson) taxing issues there. ------------------------------------------------ In conclusion: As much as I'd like to take full credit for the above information, much of it was produced to me today by a disenchanted (former) member of the Cisneros Camp after the Camp chose to take this race to a personal level. I've done nothing of the sort to my opponent. It is a 12-page document that was to be used against Sorola in advertising in the event of a runoff between the two. I will say that I did add numbers 8 and 9, and I added my personal comments, too, to reflect the stark discrepancies in each candidate's stance on the issues. I won't be intimidated. I believe in better government. I will continue this race. Labels: Carlos Cisneros, Moses Sorola
Monday, April 20, 2009
 Click on Image for Larger View.
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Texas Workforce Commission released unemployment rates for March on Friday.
The Brownsville-Harlingen rate for March was 9.1 percent. In March of 2008, the rate was at 5.9 percent. Labels: Brownsville
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hello Folks,
I humbly ask for your support. Please visit my campaign Web site. Thank you, Melissa Zamora http://www.votemelissazamora.com/
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Los Huaraches Charro Days Party Tickets are $35 per person (tickets also available at the door) Includes Dinner, Full Bar, Live Band and Mariachis Charro Days Attire Encouraged Costume Contest Begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
Brownsville Board of Realtors Building 1825 Central Blvd. For more information, call Eliceo Davila at (956) 455-3676.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The below was received today from Brownsville attorney Peter Zavaletta
~Melissa ------------------------------------------------------- February 12, 2009 Brownsville lawyer Peter Zavaletta has filed a defamation suit against Michael Cowen, also of Brownsville. The suit arises out of a newspaper advertisement Cowen published in the Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star 16 days before the election for Cameron County District Attorney. Cowen’s ad called Zavaletta a “crook,” among other things. “Although leading in the polls until the ad’s publication, Zavaletta lost the election,” the suit states. The suit says Cowen’s statements are “defamatory per se.” Brian Turner of the Law Office of Brian Turner of Austin is Zavaletta’s lawyer. In addition to actual and special damages sought, the suit seeks exemplary damages because Cowen published the ad “with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for its truth,” Zavaletta alleges. “I have taken this action to clear and restore my good name against this malicious and defamatory attack,” said Zavaletta. Michael Cowen’s name recently surfaced as the lawyer for State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. of Brownsville. Cowen’s uncle is the Senator’s longtime Chief of Staff. As the former Chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District, Zavaletta led the call for an investigation into how $21 million was spent on a non‐existent bridge. One of Senator Lucio’s paid consulting clients, Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation of Houston, was a key figure in that investigation. Labels: Michael Cowen, Peter Zavaletta
Saturday, February 14, 2009
 Brownsville attorney and former Cameron County District Attorney candidate Peter Zavaletta filed suit Feb. 12 against fellow Brownsville attorney Michael Cowen for defamation of character.The suit, filed in the 357th Judicial Court, alleges that an advertisement placed by Cowen in The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star with a headline stating that Zavaletta was a “crook,” defamed him during his bid for Cameron County District Attorney in 2008. ""The truth is an absolute defense to defamation," Cowen said. The lawsuit further states that Zavaletta was leading the polls prior to the Feb. 15, 2008 ad and that the ad injured Zavaletta in his profession. Counsel for Zavaletta is Austin-based attorney Brian Turner. Labels: Michael Cowen, Peter Zavaletta
Saturday, February 07, 2009
 Folks, Below are two separate releases from the Mayor. Melissa -------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RE: SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING, FEB. 12, 2009 DATE: February 6, 2009 It has just come to my attention that the proposal being put before the City Commission at the Special Meeting scheduled for February 12, 2009, is to approve an agreement that would allow the City of Brownsville to remove the border fence in specific areas to complete projects designed to promote economic development. Based on the information received, this agreement would return title and possession of this property to the city upon removal of the fence. It was stated that the Federal Government gained title to this property through condemnation proceedings filed on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. Neither the citizens of Brownsville nor I had previously been informed that the Federal Government had gained title to any city property, information which obviously was withheld by this commission and city management who, it appears, allowed this to happen through continued secret negotiations with DHS in direct opposition to the will of all the citizens and property owners who spoke out against such negotiations at the commission meeting held July 1, 2008. How could this agreement have been reached and what guarantees do we have that DHS will tear down a fence that has not been built? Given the current state of the economy and the exorbitant cost of the construction of the border wall, does it make any sense for DHS to spend so much time, money, and effort building a wall, only to tear it down? The citizens of Brownsville expected this commission to defend and protect their property rights and these developments are an outright betrayal of that trust. Patriots for transparent government, please join me in making our voices heard. I urge you to attend the meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2009, and make your opinions known. Thank you. Pat M. Ahumada, Jr. Mayor --------------------------------------------------- Date: February 6, 2009 Re: City entering into an agreement with DHS to build border fence. To All Citizens: I have requested a Public Hearing to be posted for Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. and to be held at City Hall Commission Chambers. The subject to be discussed is to accept or reject a contract that allows DHS to build the Border Fence on city property. This is based on discussion and negotiations held with DHS representatives without my participation or knowledge. I have found out about these discussions by repeatedly asking to be kept informed. Today during the Scout session I was told by the city manager that this subject will be discussed and acted on this coming Thursday. By way of this press release, I request all citizens who oppose or support the Border Wall to be present at said meeting to make sure your voice is heard by the commission and DHS. This item will be discussed in Executive Session but will have to be acted on during the public session. I, for one, believe that this subject matter should be discussed entirely in open session. As mayor, I strongly oppose the fence and any agreement that will allow the fence to be built for the many reasons I will state at the meeting. To name a few, it will cause irreparable harm to our ecological corridor, adversely impact future development of our river walk and eliminate our damage claims should the fence be built by force. It will also affect the federal lawsuit filed by TBC and the Amicus Brief by El Paso. Please help me get the word out to all interested parties. Thank you, Pat Ahumada
Friday, February 06, 2009
 Folks, Received this release from the No Border Wall group. Melissa --------------------------------- For Immediate Release February 6, 2009 Contacts: Elizabeth Garcia 956-459-3205 Merriwood Ferguson 956-371-5111 Brownsville Citizens Urge City Commission: Don’t Give Away Hope Park in a Backroom Deal with DHS After learning that Brownsville city officials may be considering a deal to give away city property to the Department of Homeland Security in order to build the border wall, citizen activists have banded together to call for transparency and public input in the city’s dealings with DHS. The Coalition of Amigos in Solidarity and Action, or CASA, a coalition of church communities and social activist groups, and No Border Wall, a coalition of groups and individuals opposed to the border wall, are urging the Brownsville City Commission to publicly disclose the details of any proposed contract with DHS and give the community at large an opportunity to respond in a public hearing before any agreement is signed. “These are our elected officials, and they should be representing the concerns of their constituents,” said Elizabeth Garcia, founder of CASA. “This community is still overwhelmingly opposed to the border wall, and our city government should support that sentiment.” Garcia added if the city must compromise with DHS, it should meet them in the courtroom like the University of Texas at Brownsville and dozens of landowners have done. “We hope that, just as UTB did, our commissioners will fight before they compromise. It will be wrong for them to reach a deal behind closed doors, without informing the public and without giving the community at large the opportunity for some input,” Garcia said. Widespread local opposition led both the City of Brownsville and Cameron County to pass resolutions against the border wall. As recently as last month, the city wrote a friend-of-the-court brief supporting El Paso in its lawsuit challenging Homeland Security’s efforts to build the border wall. But Cameron County voluntarily gave county land to DHS to build the border wall, and last summer the Brownsville City Commission considered a contract, drafted by the Army Corps of Engineers, that would have turned over $93,500 worth of municipal property to build the wall. One clause of the contract would have allowed the federal government to condemn the city’s property, and forced the city to assist the government in the condemnation rather than fight to keep their property. When word of the contract was leaked, outraged Brownsville residents packed the city commission meeting, forcing them to table the deal. No Border Wall and CASA are concerned that the City Commission may be trying to quietly revive that contract, or one that similarly helps DHS build the border wall through Brownsville .. Of particular concern is Hope Park, the downtown city park overlooking the river that has become a symbol for Brownsville ’s opposition to the border wall. Merriwood Ferguson, a Brownsville resident and No Border Wall member says that elected officials who refuse to stand up for the citizenry against the border wall “have no backbone.” Ferguson adds, “The landowners who are standing up for their rights against the condemnation of their property have set a precedent which the Brownsville City Commission should follow. We did not elect them to have them give up Hope Park without a fight.” NO BORDER WALL COALITION WWW.NOTEXASBORDERWALL.COM WWW.NOTEXASBORDERWALL.BLOGSPOT.COM WWW.BORDERWALLINTHENEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM WWW.NOBORDERWALL-TAKE-ACTION.BLOGSPOT.COM
Friday, February 06, 2009
 Hello folks, I received the below today from the City Manager's Office. Melissa -------------------------------------------------- February 6, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The City of Brownsville is in the unique position to be the only border city between San Diego, California and the Gulf of Mexico to be offered the ability to remove the federally mandated border fence. After 18 months of negotiations between the City and the Department of Homeland Security, the City Commission will be asked to approve an agreement that allows the city to remove the border fence to complete projects designed to promote our economic development. Specifically the areas affected by this agreement include land along the river between the Gateway and B&M Bridges as well as the route of the proposed East Loop. Equally important, when the border fence is removed, the City will regain title and possession of the property. This property has already been taken by the filing of condemnation proceedings on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. At this time the Federal Government has title to the property where the fence is going to be constructed. The approval of this proposed agreement will permit the re-development of Historic Downtown Brownsville to continue and will also insure that the proposed East Loop connecting the Veterans Bridge and the Port of Brownsville will not be stopped by a permanent border fence. This agreement will be considered by the Brownsville City Commission at a Special Meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6:00pm in the Commission Chambers, 2nd floor City Hall. Persons interested in seeing Brownsville continue to progress are invited to attend.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
 Prosecutors, judges jockey for U.S. attorney spot For the Houston Chronicle article, click here. Labels: armando villalobos
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