By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Housing Authority has been awarded a multi-million dollar grant for an upcoming development planned in the vicinity of North McCullough and Line 17 Road.
SBHA Executive Director Arnold Padilla announced on Monday, March 31 that the housing authority will be awarded a $3,750,000 grant as part of the Hurricane Dolly Disaster Recovery Multi-Family Rental Construction Application.
The SBHA was awarded the grant on June 26, 2013 after receiving the highest-scored application.
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Go Padilla Go!
They’re shaking in their boots!
What whaaaaaaat!
What whaaaaaaat what?
Not so fast, my friends. Any grant of $3.7M into our community is always a positive, never a negative. If labor and supplies are contracted/purchased locally, that’s a huge infusion of money into our economy. Outside of the school district and the city as employers, those funds should provide an opportunity for employment of local citizens that enhances the lives of local families. No matter when those funds arrive or who is responsible for bringing them in, it’s a positive for the community. What’s done with those funds is another story.
Arnold Padilla and the housing authority he directs is chiefly responsible for those funds. He has proven to be an efficient and effective administrator, whose reputation is impeccable among those with funds to grant. His professionalism and ability to get results is exactly what this city needs from each and every one of our elected officials. I am not necessarily a political supporter of his — we don’t run in the same circles — but no one can diminish what he’s accomplished at the SBPHA.
As ‘Disgruntled Citizen’ points out indirectly, he was able to work with the city commission to get “North McCullough Street from Business 77 to Line 17 Road” repaired, likely as an enticement or requisite for receiving the $3.7M grant. It’s not his fault the city commission and administration was willing to neglect a greater number of citizens to accommodate a $3.7M project. These are the kinds of deals discussed and agreed upon over coffee and breakfast outside of public meetings. Don’t blame Padilla for seeking an improvement for his project. Blame the incumbents on the city commission for neglecting existing citizens in favor of new ones.
Now it makes perfect sense………. I always wondered why it was previously reported that three of the top 4 streets or roads to be repaired were (a) North Travis street from bus 77 to East Batts st, about 8 blocks to the post office or City Hall (b) North Mccullough street from Business 77 to Line 17 Road, about 8 blocks and (c) LIne 17 Road from old SaM Houston to Norma Linda Road.
I wonder how many taxpayers drive on Line 17 Rd or North Mccullough street from business 77 to line 17 rd? Compare that to how many taxpayers drive on west Stenger between Sam Houston and business 77?
Wake up taxpayers or voters you are paying for the repair of streets or roads that are used by maybe 1 percent of the residents but they receive the largest percentage of the street repairs. Unbelievable but true, the fleecing of taxpayers for the benefit of a few.
Another great move by PADILLA, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Let’s all applaud PADILLA ,and by the way perfect planning right before his election for school board ( typical San Benito politics at its finest). Let’s all pay close attention and see who benefits from this grant..
@ we the people,
I agree with you wholehearted but look who’s at the middle of it all.. YES!!
talk about sides!
Great! More welfare housing is JUST what we need…NOT.