I remember the dust up with Neal and David Garcia it was intresting how he was fired after looking into the deals with Thomas Duran and Neals insuranc

Garrett joins Neal in opposition

By Fanny S. Chirinos (Contact), Jaime Powell (Contact)
Saturday, July 28, 2007

Caller-Times file photo Local governments have been wrangling for 18 months for control of a board that would oversee funding for the redevelopment of Naval Station Ingleside's surplus property after the Navy leaves in 2010.

p-MineWarfare1-CT PHOTO BY G TULEY - Part of the Mine Warfare fleet berthed at Naval Station Ingleside (03/21/06 GT)

CORPUS CHRISTI — Mistrust in the effort to establish a board to redevelop Naval Station Ingleside spread further Friday as Corpus Christi Mayor Henry Garrett said he and the city would not participate.

Garrett said he took a cue from his predecessor, Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, who said in a letter to participating local governments that he could not in good conscience support the effort. Neal was angry that some members of the Ingleside City Council, a San Patricio County commissioner and a member of Neal's own Commissioners Court worked out a plan with U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, without Neal's knowledge.

The rest of the Nueces County Commissioners Court support the plan first introduced and approved by the Ingleside City Council, and those who participated in the planning with Ortiz said they had nothing to hide and didn't attempt to hide their actions.

Ortiz said Friday he was offended by assertions that the July 9 meeting was clandestine and undermined the authority of any individual or group. Ortiz said his doors are always open to his constituents and he is trying to help communities affected by base closures, adding that the military subcommittee he chairs allocated $1 million for this area's local redevelopment authority.

"These people, the county judge and others, have not moved from their rears," Ortiz said. "They've been spinning their wheels for years and they haven't accomplished anything. We've lost about 8,000 jobs and for them to be spinning their wheels knowing the base will close soon is disgusting."

While Neal's opposition to the local redevelopment authority held no sway on his Commissioners Court, members of the Corpus Christi City Council, Port Commission and San Patricio County Commissioners Court rallied to him.

As late as noon Friday, Garrett, with approval from the City Council, was prepared to step onto the proposed board. He also had asked Councilman John Marez to serve as the city's second representative, with majority council approval. Friday afternoon Garrett changed his mind.

"There are a lot of things being done and I don't think they are being done in good faith," Garrett said. "I think that they are playing a lot of games I don't want to be a part of. This is a very important issue that should be dealt with in a very professional manner. It should be very transparent and there is no room for secret meetings or negotiations without everybody being involved."

Marez said Friday afternoon that he agrees with the mayor.

Local governments have been wrangling for 18 months for control of the authority to redevelop Naval Station Ingleside's surplus property after the Navy leaves in 2010. The board they are seeking to establish is called a local redevelopment authority, a group of community leaders charged with carrying out the Base Realignment and Closure mandates The authority must be recognized by the Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment to receive funding.

Ingleside Mayor Elaine Kemp said the city's local redevelopment authority resolution stipulates that all entities agree on the plan, which includes a nine-member board -- two appointees each from Nueces and San Patricio counties, the city of Ingleside, the city of Corpus Christi and one from the Port of Corpus Christi.

The Nueces County Commissioners Court, which passed the plan Wednesday, removed that stipulation Wednesday at Commissioner Oscar Ortiz's behest, leaving Ingleside to consult with its attorney to see if the plan can move forward without universal support.

Neal and the city of Corpus Christi pulled away from the proposed redevelopment authority after published accounts of a July 9 meeting to develop and prepare a local redevelopment authority for 155 acres of base property, about 100 of which are submerged. Present were Commissioner Ortiz, his brother Rep. Ortiz, the congressman's former chief of staff Florencio "Lencho" Rendon, Ingleside City Councilwoman Stella Herrmann and San Patricio County Commissioner Jim Price. The base's other 912 acres will belong to the port, which had deeded it to the Navy to establish the base.

the meeting

Commissioner Ortiz defended the meeting, saying the Commissioners Court had an unofficial understanding that he would take the lead in matters involving the redevelopment authority.

Neal said Herrmann and acting Ingleside City Manager Paul Baen had approached him with the local redevelopment authority proposal after the July 9 meeting of which Neal was unaware.

"I said this is OK, I guess, but you are going to have trouble getting this by Oscar Ortiz," Neal said. "She said, 'well I can take care of Oscar.' I said, 'fine, good luck.' At no time did she say that she had met with Oscar and that they had met and done all this stuff. They came to see me, but they never said, 'we have this all worked out'. And that's not right."

Neal said he is unsure why Oscar Ortiz believes he has the authority to meet privately and negotiate on behalf of the county.

"He assumed it, I guess, based on what might have happened under a prior administration," said Neal, who took office in January. "We have had no discussions about anyone having authority to negotiate a separate deal without bringing it back to the court and saying, 'this is what I have done.' I don't assume that authority, even though I am the county judge."

On Friday, Nueces County Commissioners Betty Jean Longoria, Peggy Bañales and Chuck Cazalas confirmed that Oscar Ortiz has been the point man for the county on the redevelopment authority matter and that they continue to support the Ingleside proposal.

"As far as I'm concerned, Oscar is the lead on this," Longoria said. "I don't recall anyone at the table questioning how we ended up with the (local redevelopment authority) and who had partaken in the meeting. If anyone had any questions, that would have been the time to have asked and no one did. The judge is using that as an excuse, not I. My vote stands."

The San Patricio County Commissioners Court is scheduled to vote Monday on the proposal. On Friday, two members said they favor the plan, two are opposed and one is undecided.

County Judge Terry Simpson and Commissioner Fred Nardini said they won't vote to endorse the plan.

"My view of this is Loyd Neal has always been an honorable person and he has always had high integrity and that this just goes to show that he is still that type of person, and he is doing what the citizens of Nueces County voted him in to do -- the right thing, not behind closed doors," Simpson said.

shared frustration

San Patricio County commissioners Jim Price and Nina Trevino said they likely are to support the proposal because it needs to go forward. Commissioner Alma Moreno said she is undecided.

Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla and port commissioners Mike Carrell and Judy Hawley said the port commission will not vote on the matter and does not want a part.

"Basically, the port does not need (local redevelopment authority), period," Bonilla said. "The port's reversionary right is exclusive and is for the common good. If the port is allowed to do its work, the region will be economically transformed, with a burst of new jobs and a significant elevation of the tax base."

Carrell said Neal is having a similar experience to some of the port commissioners, when dealing with the commissioners court.

"I think it is clear that he is expressing the same frustration that we have in trying to deal with the county," Carrell said. "We would like them to be at the table and be a part of the planning, but the only way they want to be at the table is if they can control the property that legally belongs to the port. They are not interested in coming to the table unless they have total control and we at the port are not willing to give that up."

Port commissioners Yolanda Olivarez and Kenneth Berry support the proposal and hope it is on the August port commission agenda.

Port commissioner Robert Gonzalez declined to say where he stood on the proposal.

Port commissioner Bernard Paulson did not return calls.

Corpus Christi City Council members including Nelda Martinez, Mike McCutchon and Bill Kelly said Friday they have concerns about the handling of the redevelopment authority to date.

McCutchon's endorsement of city appointees hinged on a promise from Garrett that the city would not play any part in trying to usurp the port's reversionary rights on the Navy property.

"The bottom line is that the port bought that property and gave it to the Navy," he said. "The land needs to go back to the port. If it is attempting to control what happens to that area after that base closes I have a problem with that."

Martinez said Neal's withdrawal was a sticking point for her.

"Judge Neal has a high level of integrity," she said. "To see that his leadership will not be part of this initiative gives me a strong concern. His input is a critical piece to this process of redeveloping Naval Station Ingleside. When a man of Loyd Neal's integrity pulls out of a process as important as this, it raises a red flag."

Corpus Christi City Councilman Bill Kelly said developments including the alleged behind-the-scenes dealings and Neal's withdrawal made him nervous.

"If anybody was going to be the tacit representative of the city it would be the mayor or someone chosen by majority vote of the City Council." Kelly said. "I would not presume to speak or negotiate on behalf of the entire City Council as one member of the City Council without the approval of the majority of the council. The only person I think that could expect to have that right is the mayor."

Contact Jaime Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com. Contact Fanny S. Chirinos at 886-3759 or chirinosf@caller.com.

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Posted by muffin on July 28, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmm... I'm out of district so it's none of my business but I think I would trust Neal and Garret a lot more than Solomon Ortiz, who has spent a lot of time in Washington and moves very smoothly within the "system" there which is and has been causing most of our problems here in this country. As one of the "leaders" in a congress with a 14% approval rating (the lowest ever in our history), I don't believe I'd trust him to work out some "deal in the dark" that was in my best interest...

Posted by baircub on July 28, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Myself, I think Oscar Ortiz owes a number of people an apology, and then make a pledge to be OPEN and forthcoming with every last meeting that's held, and include everyone on the committee. It's time to offer an olive branch at the very least. This whole area needs to get it's act together and work cooperatively. There's too much at stake. I think some fence mending is in order. If Oscar Ortiz is so concerned, and thinking the so called "opposition" is just sitting on their duffs not doing anything, the best thing he could have done would have made sure that everyone was involved, that everyone was kept in the communications loop. To then go and punitively leave some people out, just made things worse. Any good project manager worth their salt knows that. Solomon, you screwed up, son.

Posted by intheknow on July 28, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Judge Neal has a high level of integrity," Nelda MArtinez said. ! Ha that is the funniest thing I read in the story. After 8 yrs when lloyd was making a killing on his insurance deals with the city when he was mayor! What a joke! Remember about 6-8 yrs ago when then city manager garcia started to dig in the city insurance contracts and the mayors ins company, poof the next day he was FIRED! sure neal has lots of intergity! And I have ocean front property in Az!

I just want something done! This has been going on way to long!

"Local governments have been wrangling for 18 months for control of the authority to redevelop Naval Station Ingleside's surplus property after the Navy leaves in 2010. "

Ask yourself what is worng with the Ingleside proposal?

"a nine-member board -- two appointees each from Nueces and San Patricio counties, the city of Ingleside, the city of Corpus Christi and one from the Port of Corpus Christi"

Move people, jobs and econ development are at stake!

Posted by gulfdem on July 28, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as I'm concerned the Port and the City can not do anything right! The port has lost every deal they try to make for the La Quinta terminal that we have been reading about for the last 100yrs! When is that gonna creat jobs? As far as the city and paper they now they want to hire a consultant? to thell them what? The roof of the building is blue and its old? With a new city council I thought we would do better

Posted by babsyemen on July 28, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

From the outside, it looks like a bunch of tittybabies crying because they weren't given their proper due. Meanwhile, the Coastal Bend is the ONLY community that has not formed its committee and begun plans to redevelop.

Posted by truthincc on July 28, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

intheknow - you don't have a clue based on your comments about Neal, David Garcia and insurance. Neal does have more integrity than the remainder of the commissioners combined.

It is not about the makeup of the committe but more about Ortiz acting like he is county judge and pulling another typical move to try and give another Ortiz connection (Redon) some dollars. They tried it with Randy Delay as well as others if you go and check out the contracts during the last county judge's four years in office.

This County and City will not even start to move forward till changes are made in a number of elected officials which include Washington, Austin and the County Courthouse. The question remains as if it will happen or not with the election of Neal being the only event which indicated any hope.

It's too bad that a petition to remove the four county commissioners is not allowed under our state law. I wonder if our delegation would support legislation to provide that mechanism? Don't hold your breath waiting on that one to happen.

Posted by dvillarreal1981 on July 28, 2007 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I support people trying to get something done with the property--to build economic prosperity in an area that will become an economic blight after the Navy leaves.

We've known the Navy is going to leave for some time now.

Why haven't those who are now complaining--NEAL especially but also GARRETT--done anything yet to resolve the problem?

It seems like there are some people working to get something done with a plan--and those who aren't involved are getting all upset that their names aren't included.

Stop following and LEAD. Get a plan done. ACTIONS speak louder than words. Stop with your EGO, LLOYD. Because you're not involved doesn't make the process automatically insufficient.

GARRETT needs to go. He's obviously a follower... in every issue. You could ask to build a waste plant in the middle of the city, and he would go along so long as a well-named developer was attached to the project. He lacks the brainpower to discern a proper deal that will develop the city without negatively impacting our future. He'll jump on any bandwagon.

I wish McCutchon or some one of equal strength would step up.

Posted by 23jump on July 28, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like someone hit a nerve truthincc, I remember the dust up with Neal and David Garcia it was intresting how he was fired after looking into the deals with Thomas Duran and Neals insurance intrest.

Fact is that County and City goverment need to work together to move this city! Neal thought that he would run the show in all the coastal bend, but the city voters and term limits removed the old establishment city council members and not to mention that Tom Utter is GONE! (amen!) It looks as if Mike McCution and Hummel run the show at city hall, not mayor Garret.

Posted by truthincc on July 28, 2007 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

23jump I agree with you that the City and County need to work together but disagree about Neal. Neal and the County would work with the city with the exception of four problems-the two on his left and the two on his right at the meetings.

No nerve was hit but just suggest you might reconsider if you think you know the facts about David Garcia's departure. I can promise you if you think it was what you said that you are far off base.

McCuthon and Hummell running the show? More accurate statement would be that no one is running the show. The performance to date has for the most part been that of each going in their own direction. Performance to date and keep in mind it's only been a few months so there is time for improvement---C minus.

Posted by stff on July 28, 2007 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The sooner the Ortiz politcal machine is put out of business, the better things will be in Nueces County and the Coastal Bend.

Posted by rflk on July 28, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The naval station is in San Patricio County! That county should have the majority say in the redevelopement. If I was the San Pat judge I would remind Corpus Christi and Nueces county of that fact. If they dont want to work with the San Pat county then fine; they missed their chance for input. Talk about incompetence of government this is a textbook case.. The clowns in Nueces and Corpus want to control everything but dont know what to do but complain and give away tax payer money.

Posted by browardjoe on July 28, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Neals integrity?"...cmon. Why don't you bow down and kiss the old mans feet. Nelda makes me want to vomit with those comments. This guy's integrity is all talk and no substance. I guess people look the other way on his shoddy insurance deals over the years with the city, his shoddy deals with Paulson on the port commission, among many others. Its the same old crap with Neal. Hes a crotchity old man who has not been able to get anything done on the court because the commissioners are not kissing his feet furthing his high dollar agenda like the Brent, Henry, Rex, Mark council did. "whatever you want, Loyd," is all those guys did because they and their supporters all stood to profit over all the projects. Now the county is going nowhere because Neal cant get along with anyone of whom he is not finacially or politically aligned and the county is suffering because of it. Don't forget that he voted against a measure to have increased transparency in govt. 4 months ago. Its a joke, hes a joke, and the county will pay the price. Its very easy for Neal to always blame anything that goes wrong on the Shamsie admisitration...but he is the problem.

Posted by truthincc on July 28, 2007 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

browardjoe people like you can make all the accusations in the world yet you can't back up a single one with any facts. You are not expressing anything other than the world as you see it which is fine but don't act like it is based on a single fact when it is not.

Bring back one fact that can be verfied about all these "insurance deals" and then that great term "among many others". I am sure it is very uncomfortable for the county now that he is forcing things to be out in the open and all those good old boy contracts are getting harder and harder to get. I have certainly disagreed with Neal on some issues but his integrity was not something that ever came into question.

Facts remember and not what you "heard" or some twist on something where you take something and put together a string of events that just must have taken place.

Posted by petcav on July 28, 2007 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After reading the previous comments, it is obvious that the final decision should be that of the San Pat county court. Once again, the Ortiz, "it's only in my own mind that I'm a dynasty" is caught playing the part of head cheese. Although, it is taking some time, eventually the voters will see the light and make some changes at the voting booth. We can vote the Ortiz's out. All it takes is a little bit of education.

Posted by fromdd on July 28, 2007 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like those folks over in Inglside aren't willing to sit around and wait for the CC council to do things on "Corpus Christi Time", a unit of measure only exceded by infinity!
Maybe Ingleside just doesn't want a taxpayer supported shopping center or to just hand over the waterfront to a billion dollar condo developer. I don't blame them. Who would want to take advise from someone who can't even run there own city? If Corpus had their way, they would spend Inglside's million dollar developement grant on years and years of consultant fees!

Posted by traveling_4_u on July 28, 2007 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds to me like a violation of the open meetings act has occurred. May be some one should be notify of the back door dealings going on. Just a thought.