By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Mayor Joe H. Hernandez
San Benito Mayor Joe H. Hernandez appeared with his attorney and turned himself into Cameron County authorities at the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito on Tuesday morning after being indicted by a grand jury for alleged abuse of official capacity.
In a candid interview on Tuesday, Hernandez said, “I know what it’s about, and I still claim my innocence on everything. What I’m gonna do is just take it a day at a time.”
Meanwhile, phones have been ringing off the hook at the San Benito News, and many readers have commented on the website, e-mailed and otherwise voiced concern; some are voicing cries for their mayor’s innocence while others either believe he is guilty or are uncertain of what to think. One thing these citizens share is a desperate desire to learn how their city will respond while its mayor’s fate hangs in the balance.
The News hit the streets to gain public concerns from citizens of differing walks of life, age and status.
Judy Haines, a retired member of the community feels that allegations against the mayor are unfounded. Haines said, “Personally, I think it’s a bunch of dirty politics. I think they’re after him for a very small thing.”
The mayor wholeheartedly agrees. He said, “There are people out there hounding me for everything that I do, everything that I say. I hope and pray to God that this thing will be done away with soon.”
Hernandez explained, “This is dividing the community in half. Some of the people know what’s going on, and they are siding with me. Some people don’t really understand what’s going on or just don’t like the situation. Not everyone is going to like me.” The mayor expanded by saying, “When I got elected, there was about a dozen people that voted against me. I got elected to serve the entire community as a whole – those against me and those for me.”
San Benitian Erika Garcia, 24, who works in sales, is not convinced of Hernandez’s innocence. She said, “He should be punished like everyone else. He did something wrong.”
To that allegation, Hernandez said, “I have done nothing wrong. I hope these people [who condemn me] watch closely, and in the end I will prove that I am innocent of all wrongdoing.”
Comparatively, to San Benitians like Richard Haines, the mayor has nothing to prove. “There are some bad politics going on here,” said Haines, a local pharmacist. “I don’t think [raspagate] is worth going through a great big indictment,” he said with a hearty laugh.
Not everyone in this city feels convicted one way or another. John Bach, 56, a business development consultant spoke on why he is indifferent when he said, “We have a lot bigger problems in this city that need to be addressed other than a small thing like the raspa stand. That’s why I’m indifferent. Whether it’s good or bad, right or wrong, it’s not worth the time.”
Mayor Hernandez is also concerned that the matter could produce an overall negative outcome for San Benito. He said, “I wouldn’t jeopardize my position to lose the trust of the people, especially on a stupid thing like that. We have so many things to accomplish. We need to stop with the negative [press].”
Hernandez also criticized raspagate coverage reported by the News, other newspapers and local TV stations. Hernandez charged, “Although I don’t get paid to do my job, I love serving the city of San Benito. Being on the news just to embarrass a person is worthless. It is no good. I also hope these people understand I have a family.”
Whether the mayor abused his position with the city may be a matter only a judge or jury can decide. However, Richard Kretz, 41, a local educator, said, “It doesn’t bother me at all that he was indicted. It was just an oversight on his part. He just overlooked it, and everybody’s entitled to a mistake.”
“I am grateful to San Benito for standing by me. I take my position that was given to me by the people very seriously. I feel bad that some people feel otherwise, but…when Jesus Christ came into this world He was the Son of God. They still crucified him. I’m not comparing myself to him, I’m only human. Compared to Jesus, I’m a nobody. But I’m not made out of gold. Not everybody is going to like me. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just hoping that all of this will be behind me sooner or later.”
Hernandez said, “I am a family man, and I don’t intend to have my name smeared on something that is petty. I think my name has been smeared enough. I want to keep serving the community. Our community is a beautiful city.”
Some San Benitians don’t know what to believe. More than a handful of people approached in this poll admitted not knowing the gritty details of raspagate. “I don’t have the whole story,” said Judy Haines, “but I would absolutely consider voting for him again.”
Read this story in the Oct. 24 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
20 comments
Skip to comment form
I wonder why no one ever brings up the now infamous ‘missing minutes’ mystery surrounding the workshop where the official tape of the meeting was supposedly altered and certain portions were deleted. No one appears to be asking the right question, IMHO. Forget the politics. The question is how did the raspa stand in question ever get a city permit unless something funny was going on. Using proper City codes and procedure, the stand would never have passed the inspection regardless of who owned the stand. The only difference here is that someone got caught, and there are many people with culpability.
Maybe Mr. Arturo P Flores can write a book…
“Don’t do the crime if you can’t pay the time”. At the workshop, the Mayor recused himself because he had a conflict of interest. The city manager stated “I will not lie for anyone” when questioned who put the item on the agenda. The mayor stated “I know I may get into trouble for this, but I’m going to say it anyway.” Violation of open meetings act are not just a fine, it is a felony and it could be a fine and a jail sentence. Look at Korri Marra. The mayor has been arrogant and now he wants to be humble and have the community have pity for him. Own up to your mistakes, pay the price and do not do them again.
Joe, give me a raspa chismosa.
Let’s not forget that a crime has been committed. It’s not a violation that just goes away with a fine. It’s not even as minor as a misdemeanor, it’s worse. It’s a FELONY. Let’s also not forget that this is not the first time the Mayor has put himself under a dark shadow. Unpaid taxes, the drama with the plaque, & now this? Does this man think he’s invincible?!
Not used, they are all in it. Mr Benavidez gets council and Ms. Cassidy gets revenge. If, the mayor did do something wrong, give him a fine and move on. But no, it’s all about payback. Maybe you should go and look at the trailer park on Combes St. They’re sharing one meter, maybe charges should be be brought against them and every other person,that is doing it. The only difference is that mayor is in front of this name.
Mr. Benavides with Ms Cassidy’s help figured out that what Little Joe did was illegal, so they brought up these charges to the authorities. Mr. B considers himself a political watchdog, the county had one, Mrs Brodecky. You can say it is political but if it is illegal it does not make it ok. Little JOe needs to admit what he did is wrong and get probation., Corry Marra took case to court and got 30 days, the proof is in the meeting video. Cant say it aint true. Lil Joe keeps getting hisself in trouble by opening his mouth believing he is above the law since his wife’s nephew is his attorney and it dont cost him.
Hopefully, the law will work all of this ridiculousness out and those that need to be punished, on either end, will be punished justly.
No finger pointing here. Nobody is perfect.
I pray that integrity and poise be re-instilled into San Benito (politics, education, and community).
The ball has been dropped and hopefully we can figure out how to pick it up.
The city should unite and work together for resolve and whats best for the city. Not get into a cat fight and a whole bunch of he said she said rambling.
Personally, I’d rather have him in there than Jack Garcia. The lesser of two evils. The whole raspa-gate thing is a freaking joke. Hey, if the Mayor got caught throwing a gum wrapper into the street I’m sure someone who opposes him would make a big scandal about it. Year in and year out, there will always be negative criticism towards public officials – that’s just the nature of the game when it comes to politics and San Benito. Hopefully, someone fresh will run for major in the next election that has morals, a good work ethic, and integrity.
It is important and crucial to keep what is best for the city of San Benito and its future in mind. Nobody is perfect. Let he who go without sin be the first to cast the stone.
It is a violation of law, not dirty politics, for an elected official to take actions to benefit himself. Mayor Hernandez’ filing of an affidavit stating he had a conflict proves that he knew before the commission took action on the ordinance variance on the agenda that he had a conflict of interest because this requested item would affect him directly. All he then had to do is keep his opinion regarding this agenda item to himself and his mouth shut!! He could not do that. He put himself in this situation and he still cannot stop talking.
To Cindy Cavazos,
So you feel Mr. Benavides is being used? Regardless, I am sure glad there is a Mr. Benavides out there. Why? Because there are several other Mr. Benavides that “the little man” has totally been unfair and unjust to. Did I read in the VMS that the “little man” had a lease with the vendor to park his raspa stand on his property? Did the health dept. give the vendor clearence I wonder? Did he have a seperate electrical meter or did he just run an electrical cord to the barber shop. How were they going to obtain water? Can someone check to see if the city did indeed issue a permit to the raspa vendor? Mr. Benavides could look into the code enforcement part of it! Go get’m Mr. Benavides!!! Go get’m Ms. Cassidy!
WILL SOMEBODY FROM THE CITY MAINTANCE DEPT SEND A CREW OUT AND REFILL THE HOLES LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE BRUSH TRUCKS COME TO PICK UP THE BRACHES. THE BACKHOE THEY USE TO PICK UP BRANCHES DIGS DEEP INTO THE DIRT PICKING UP BRANCHES AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DIRT LEAVEING A HUGE WHOLE AND EACH TIME IT DOES IT IT GETS DEEPER AND WIDER . CAN SOMEONE SEND A DUMP TRUCK TO REFILL THE HOLES OR BETTER YET REFILL THEM WITH SAND MAYBE THE SAND WILL HAVE BETTER ESCAPE THAN DIRT.
Howard Johnson…take a deep breath and hit the CAPS LOCK key. You don’t need to scream, nobody can hear you.
Call 361-3800 (city of san benito) and they will be glad to help you. You are yelling up the wrong tree here!
It was a flick in your mind don’nt let it bother you .
We need a mayor that won’t be put in situations like these after being a mayor for San Benito how many times has this man been in trouble he could only use that set up card so many times I’m sorry joe it’s time to look for another card in the deck to use we just want u to stay out of trouble and listen to us I wish u the best but if this doesn’t help u get better I don’t no what will this city already has a black eye don’t give us another one
All of this, is the doing of Janice Cassidy, she is posses off ,because she was fired. Mr benavidez has never attended a city meeting and had no idea of what was going on. Mrs cassidys brother was the one that was there at every meetings, recording with his phone, they are the ones,that are behind all of this. They are using Mr benavidez, so they won’t look like, the bad guys. Did you ever think how he could afford the suit,he was wearing during the TV interview and how she is representing him, in the charges that he was arrested for. Come on , people she’s just trying to get revenge. maybe,if she was this way on the job,she would still have a job.
@cindycacazos…..What is your point?
You seem to imply that only people with money can file allegations of judicial misconduct. How about addressing the allegations? Don’t just shoot the messenger. If you are defending Mr. Hernandez, make your point by offering some proof of his innocence instead of just ignoring the allegations.
The DA’s office doesn’t care who file the allegations; they look at the facts and proceed from there.
The mayor needs to quit being a cry baby!! You committed a crime sir!! Plain and simple! All these people still defending him are just as ignorant as he is. You commit a crime, you pay the price!!!! Lloron!!!
Mayor Joe Hernandez has turned playing the victim into an art. He claims there were about a dozen people who voted against him. This is a symptom of someone not seeing reality for what it is. He also claims to have been elected to serve the entire community as a whole. However, he cleans out the EDC board and the other boards and committees of people who he perceives did not vote for him. He then appoints his own people who he himself has said are responsible to him. He also proclaimed on tape that HE was the history of San Benito and wanted that reflected at the Veteran’s Memorial plaque.
He criticizes the local media (print and television) for focusing too much on the negative that he created. However, he had no problem excessively promoting himself and the trip to China. He was practically on every newspaper and television station.
ALL allegations of official misconduct have to be investigated. There is no such thing as an oversight or small violation. All elected officials take an oath to obey the laws all the time, not just sometimes and then just say I am sorry.
Mr. Hernandez says Whatever happens, happens. So very true. Politics is a dirty business; if you can’t stand the heat get out of it but stop blaming other people for your alleged misdeeds or violations. You are innocent until proven guilty but If it goes to trial and jury, only a jury of your peers will decide your guilt or innocence and not public opinion.
And please stop invoking religion (Jesus Christ) into this discussion. Religion and politics just should not be mixed.
Kori Marra did something similar, she lost her commission seat and is fighting a 30 day jail sentence now. Mayor Joe better watch his back, Jan smells blood and she’s a great white shark with a vendetta for Joe!