By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
Thursday night’s community forum for San Benito CISD School Board candidates was supposed to be where six political hopefuls were going to introduce themselves to voters in a formal setting at the John F. Barron Administration Building. It’s also where they were scheduled to address concerns from the community as well as those they represent – from teachers, administrators and staff to the students, parents and taxpayers.
The only problem is that not one of the candidates showed up, leaving the 20 or so citizens who attended disappointed, dejected, and disillusioned.
Of course, there were extenuating circumstances for some. Place 1 incumbent Bob Tumberlinson was reportedly ill, and Pl. 3 trustee and School Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez was involved in a fender bender.
So what happened to Pl. 1 challenger Fatima Huerta, Pl. 2 hopefuls Anna Cruz and Anna Llanes, and Pl. 3 candidate Wilma Garza Smetter? Well, I can only speculate that they simply had prior engagements. It’s important to note that members of the Texas State Teachers Association, the local nonprofit group that organized the forum, made every attempt to confirm candidates’ attendance up to a week in advance.
But more frustrating was when 6:30 p.m. – 30 minutes past the scheduled start of the forum – came and went. That’s when those in the audience shook their heads in disapproval of six no-shows. At that moment, and speaking not only as the moderator of the forum but as a lifelong citizen of San Benito, I felt embarrassed to associate myself with this community.
Consider that this is very difficult to admit, especially since I’ve long been proud of my hometown, a place I’ve dubbed a city of passion and of the arts – not that silly “city of lights” slogan officials attempted to adopt years ago. I’d rather take solace that while this town may be passionate to a fault, we’re passionate nonetheless.
What restored my pride in San Benito was June Aguilera. The 19-year-old San Benito CISD School Board member, whose opponents have dubbed “inexperienced,” represented the district and the board well at Thursday’s forum, and she wasn’t even scheduled to be there since her seat is not up for election this year.
This isn’t the first time that June was one of few to brave a forum-type environment, however. Last year, as a candidate, June was one of two hopefuls who attended the San Benito News Meet the Candidates community forum out of a field of six.
Sure, June was in the building anyway following a committee meeting, but she was the only sitting trustee Thursday who walked into the board room and greeted all those in attendance. She even went as far as to apologize on behalf of the candidates who couldn’t make it and encouraged the public – without injecting her opinion – to exercise their right to vote.
It’s the second time in her fledgling career as a public servant that all June had to do to gain respect was show up, and in doing so she succeeded where those twice her elder have failed in the past.
Whatever experience her critics believe she lacks, June makes up for in integrity and class. Displaying a genuine propensity to uphold values that these days are rare, such as punctuality and respect, the future seems brighter if June is any indication of San Benito schools and the students they produce.
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Oh yay June showed up
I would rather she did not
I attended a workshop and June did not fall far from tree. She is rude and loves to hear herself talk. She has no business on board! She also needs to start paying taxes…
Does living with mommy/daddy count?……we all know that at least 2 of those people dont work…live off parents or financial aid or other form of gov. Assistance.
I hear that only June, Oscar, Anna and Fatima attended the SBCISD Budget Workshop on time last Friday. Good for them. Those other board members to include the BOARD PRESIDENT need to know that SHOWING UP LATE or right before the meeting is over is very disrespectful to the people’s time. Get a clue and behave like board members should behave.
By the way, I hope all of those board members own property in San Benito.
Raise my taxes? I am ok with that as long as those funds to go to the schools and no pay raises. I hope all board members will be paying taxes along with my family.
I’ve seen the videos of this girl on television, and I will never support June Aguilera ever again!! And now her father is bashing this board too!!! El Chuyito needs to give it up! First he would complain about the previous board and now this one. Wasn’t this the guy driving around town with a trailer with Cruz, Huerta, Rodriguez signs all over the place like a dingbat? This man has not credibility and now his daughter is the same enchilada! All they care about is selling shirts! GIVE IT UP CHUY! YOU ARE NOT A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND JUNE WON’T BE EITHER SOON!
This town is dead. There is absolutely no life in this town. There is no redemption for this town. What with everything and the community not giving a sole care of what goes on in this place where we live, why should someone tend to write about the good things? It is time to open the eyes and become awake to the monotony and malice in this town.
Do you even know what type of a person a thug is? Definition of a thug- a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer. “Luna Moon” you should choose your words a little more wisely and take some advice from Denny C Jr. Now saying that the city is full of stupid people is ignorant on your behalf. This just goes to show that you have nothing intelligent to offer. I highly doubt that the city of San Benito would finally unite together to elect so called “thugs” to the school board for the benefit of our children. “Change is good!” You obviously do not have faith in the PEOPLE of San Benito.
To Luna Moon:
Well, it’s OVER!
If San Benito reelects any of these thugs they deserve what they get ! This City is full of stupid people that will sell their souls to their compadres for a taco!
I hear one school board member will be indicted soon?? The school board has turned into Chuy’s playground!
And the City? If the wrong people get elected there, it’s over!
Thanks for the laugh JESUS AGUILERA!! hahaha! Everybody see’s you as the town bully and believe me, my friends and I would never buy a single t- shirt from your business. Keep thinking you are the savior of this town (lmao!!) and keep making a fool out of yourself on tv with your 1960’s shorts and cheap t-shirts. What is it about “YOU ARE NOT A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER” that you don’t understand? Hello!
What’s to ask them? Everybody wants something and the board can not not promise anything. So far the’ve done a great job of building new school’s now they are going to get into the tecnology part of it in the class room with ipods for all the kids. If the State decides to do something (cuts) no one can stop them. Board memebers are just our check and balance for the school district. Be proud of the work they have done and are ready to do. God Bless our school board member’s .
Author
The Stones… nice move.
Jay,
Listen to this!
It will make you feel better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVeyo4W18U
Thanks, Denny. I’m bobbing my head…though the tears are still streaming down my face, I know that Time is On My Side.
I was given four hours notice. My only job was to keep time. I was excited for the experience. I wanted to press the button on that microphone and say, “Time” every two minutes. Unfortunately, no one showed up. I did not get to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a time keeper at a public forum.
Thanks, candidates. My life is meaningless now.
Here is some “constructive advice” I received from a very wise woman, “My Mom”!
“Say what you Mean”
“Mean what you Say”
“Just don’t say it Mean”
One last comment: I attended SBHS too and learned that a Fact is a Fact. It is not mean, it is not low, it is not an opinion. I don’t know how facts can be perceived “low”. But OK. You print what you want. That doesn’t change the facts you omitted from my comment. So long for now.
The problem I have with the article is the comment that June is an “indication of San Benito schools and the students they produce.” and that just for accidentally being there, she has “integrity and class.” I am the father of a SBHS student and I hope my daughter doesn’t get any of the “integrity and class” June has. I also hope that my daughter IS NOT an indicator of “San Benito schools and the students they produce.”
Author
Greyhound Fan,
Take note that your comment was edited for containing degrading remarks pertaining to a person’s child, social or economic status.
Dear Editor, Keep in mind that June is a public official and therefore, open to criticism. She is an elected politician not a regular citizen. And, since you held her up to public scrutiny when you applauded her in your article, you should allow others to voice their opinion in the contrary. You opened the door…. my opinion is just as relevant as yours. The remarks were not degrading…they were facts. I request that you reconsider printing the original statement or using this one.
Author
Request denied, Greyhound Fan. As you can see, your last comment was also edited. In fact, all comments are subject to editing regardless of whether a person is held to public scrutiny. You’re free to disagree with me and you’re open to express as much here, but that also doesn’t mean I have to approve comments that personally attack people. Justifying those remarks by referring to them as facts won’t fly either. That’s passive aggressive.
If you’re unable to express an opinion without stooping to such lows, I suggest you refrain from commenting.
Author
It’s important to note that the San Benito News hosted a “Meet the Candidates” community forum in Rio Hondo last year with only two weeks notice, yet four of eight hopefuls attended. The News held the same forum in San Benito with four weeks notice, and two from a field of six attended. I mention this not to be critical of anyone, but to be fair to the TSTA in their efforts to hold a forum.
Last year two candidates confirmed their attendance to the SB News. Julian Huerta and the others were NO SHOW! Perhaps TSTA could have done a better job at confirming the candidates in advance like the SB News did last year when Mr. Medrano and June showed up. Year after year many candiates never bother to show up to these forums and still win. A good example is Julian Huerta who didn’t show up last year and won. Read link below:
https://www.sbnewspaper.com/?p=2253
I know for sure that TSTA set up the forum and THEN starting asking the candidates. Not a good way to do this.
We all know June is on the board to promote her pappys business. Let’s be honest here. I wonder how many shirts she sold at the forum?
i sold 2000 t-shirts at 10.00 i smile all the way to the bank.
Author
Armadillo,
Remember that this was a TSTA community forum that the News assisted in by providing a moderator and screening the questions. So, I wouldn’t be able to tell you why candidates were informed only a week in advance since the News had not been tasked with this responsibility. But I can tell you that the News was informed a day prior to the event that at least four candidates had confirmed attendance. With that said, I assume the TSTA wouldn’t hold the forum if they had any indication that there would be six no-shows. Also, regarding those personal and business commitments you say these grown men and women had, I can only tell you what was conveyed to me at the event: “What’s more important than this forum?” That was the sentiment of several people who left the event disenchanted. Understand that by stating this, I’m not necessarily speaking for them since my opinion was more focused on June Aguilera providing a breath of fresh air to the proceeding. I’m merely passing the message along.
LGonzalez,
I think you missed the point of my column.
Greyhound Fan and Rosalinda G. Garcia,
To put it simply, I didn’t mention Oscar’s name because the column wasn’t about him. I was referring to the only representative of the district, school board and political community present at last night’s forum being June Aguilera. If Oscar had been there Thursday, I would’ve mentioned him as well. But I’m not criticizing Oscar for not showing up because he had no obligation to do so, nor am I criticizing any of the candidates or trustees for that matter. In fact, I found myself in a position last night of apologizing on behalf of those who couldn’t make it, as did June and TSTA President John Hand.
To all,
If there are some of you commenting here on behalf of the candidates, please inform them that it’s not only I who they should be explaining themselves to but the people whose votes they’re campaigning for.
If this forum had been a tradition, or set up last month, then I can see why the candidates would need to explain why they didn’t show…but to have a forum at the last minute– rules don’t apply. And anyone who criticizes the candidates for it ought to keep this in mind. ON the other hand, an organization like TSTA knows the proper way of doing things…and this was not done in a proper and timely way. I don’t blame the candidates. This is crunch time for the election and I’m sure they had either political, personal or business reasons why they couldn’t attend.
Author
Again, I believe the TSTA were operating on the basis of having commitments. I’m sure if all six candidates had initially informed the TSTA that they couldn’t make it because it was too short a notice, the organizers would not have bothered to go through with the forum, let alone inform the newspaper for purposes of publicizing the event.
Why didn’t the editor mention Oscar Medrano’s name as the other candidate who attended last year’s forum? You should do some investigative reporting into how many committee meetings June Aguilera or other trustees have missed.
Their talking about this year not last year that ‘s water under the bridge
The year the editor mentions that June Aguilera attended the forum, Oscar Medrano did too. His picture is even used in the article. Why wasn’t his name mentioned in this article, only June’s?
Has it ever occured to anyone that the candidates had prior engagements. What is wrong with that? Why wasn’t that confirmed before even having a forum? As for June Aguilera showing up, she was there because of a committee meeting not for the forum. I don’t think all the school board members were required to be there, the candidates were. Sorry, but I still think Mrs. Aguilera is innexperienced to run a $100 Million Dollar Budget! But wait a minute, this girl is not even running. So whay are we talking about her? Editor sure loves Mrs. Aguilera!! lol
These no shows should be ashamed of themselves. What a way to show prospective constituents the value placed on their opinions, not to mention their votes. We’re inundated with so much advertising about exercising the right to vote and about how voting is a privilege and a responsibility. But, in a district where not one single candidate will make effort enough to show up for a simple public forum, I’d forgive any San Benitonian who stayed home on election day.
Let’s put things in perspective, shall we?
#1 The candidates were invited with less than 1 week notice of this forum.
#2 The candidates may have had other commitments that they couldn’t break with less than one week notice.
#3 TSTA and The San Benito News, knowing when the election was being held, should not have waited until the last minute to begin inviting the candidates.
It is very easy for people to criticize grown men and women for not attending a function without knowing the full facts or not being aware that grown men and women, unlike kids, have important personal and business commitments in their lives.
Author
There were about two dozen people there, but no candidates. June Aguilera, I should make clear, is not a candidate this year but was the only public official from the school district who was present and who provided at least some measure of accountability.
She was the only one who showed? Wow.