County Judge Bruni lobs vehemence, vituperativeness, & vitriol
at Times editor Arambula & meteorologist Heatwave Berler

If you haven't seen it yet, get yourself a copy at Public Access TV of the Webb County Commissioners Court meeting of December 8. Every loose screw, every petty resentment, every moment of lackeyed brown-nosing, every blustery, fetid second of unthrottled smoke blowing up the royal pompis, every arch and defiant answer to the royal pompis' pontifications, every incredulous mirada of onlookers, commissioners, and county staff -- it's all there, if not for your entertainment, then for your sorrowful contemplation for who and what is running your county government.
It's an eye-opener as to the state of county government leadership. Judge Bruni doesn't take criticism well nor does he take well not having his way. On the video of the December 8 meeting, his short fuse was very evident in the contra he got from some of the public forum speakers and in County Attorney Homero Ramirez standing up to him about the rules surrounding public forum speech. Also evident: the lack of backbone of some of your elected officials and their willingness to become mired in petty debate rather than tend to the real issues of governance.
Bruni's short fuse was most evident in the diatribes he unleashed on the media figures he felt had most to do with derailing the Provaqua plan -- KGNS meteorologist Heatwave Berler, a knowledgeable forecaster who did not happen to agree with the county's weather modification plans; and Laredo Morning Times editor Odilon Arambula.
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On a more pleasant note, best wishes to one of our favorite communicators, Xochitl Mora García, and her husband Joe García III, on the birth of son Joe García IV. We are looking forward to having Xochitl back at City Hall as the very capable and pleasant public information source that she is.
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In other City of Laredo news, we make note that Renee J. La Perriere, a student intern in coursework in fulfillment of a master's degree in public administration at Texas A&M International University, has been working with Public Information Officer Blasita Lopez as well as in the City Manager's office. She is currently working on a Budget department motor pool feasibility study and will round out next semester with an internship in City Parks and Recreation and Administrative Services. The Denver native has lived in Laredo six years and has worked as an academic reference librarian at TAMIU since 1988. She holds a BA in music history from the University of Colorado-Boulder and three master's degrees, one in library science, another in history archives, and a third in music and music history.
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If you didn't catch DJ Al Guevara's very funny radio spot about the Webb County Commissioners rainmaking debacle, hear the spoof at www.smallhoursweb.com/DudLight.mp3.
The parody, which aired about ten times on two of Amigo Broadcasting's stations, was quickly pulled off the air but is readily available on the Internet. Clever work, Al, and so right on the money about clueless pomposity.
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Did KGNS' Selina Hernandez really refer to her fellow newscaster Steve Lyerly as Forrest Gump as she watched a clip of him good-naturedly taking dance instruction from Lord of the Dance troupe members? Is that really PC on the air?
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What deer-in-the-headlights TV personality exhibits the ferocity of a ferret when there's a little problem on the set and she's got to get her pound of flesh from anyone in shouting distance? What a personality trait to show your guests. It's bad enough the news stinks.
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And speaking of KGNS news, holey moley, shouldn't the news department have done a little more homework for their pre-holiday segment "Downtown Goods - Uptown Prices," if not in the big picture scheme of retailing in Laredo then in their own advertising department before scorching the brand on downtown merchants as purveyors of old, outdated, or discontinued merchandise that comes without warranties?
Siros, the downtown mercantile established by Alphonse Siros as a hardware store more than a century ago, spent nearly $30,000 in co-op advertising with KGNS in 2003, according to Siros, Inc., president Mark Connelly, who said, "If 'Uptown Goods/Downtown Prices' is true, Siros is guilty of false advertising. Imagine false advertising for 122 years!"
Downtown merchant Larry Norton wrote to KGNS station manager Mary Nell Sanchez, "What ails broadcast journalists is that much of their reporting is usually superficial and aimed at a good sound bite or a 'headline' conclusion that will generate the most 'shock and awe' response from your viewers or listeners. This is a disservice to your viewers who now think EVERY downtown merchant is selling for more money and without a warranty after watching the report. Incidentally, how many times did Tim mention Best Buy?"
Retailer Luis Lidsky wrote the station, "I have no objection to constructive criticism and balanced reporting. I am aware that many aspects need to be improved, that we are not the best always. But you know NOTHING about retail, Mr. Gutierrez. You are not qualified to make statements like you did on TV last night. If you truly want to be honest in your reporting and be balanced in your presentation with your reporting, check us out the way you should. Come to the stores, talk to the people, make true comparisons, discuss your intent, look at the right sampling of products, make the correct analysis and then make your determinations. We are not perfect, we are not the best always but I bet you that in most cases you will find the right product, a comparable product, a similar product and that our prices will be the best buy."