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May 31, 2006
Dear Senator Shapleigh:
Last Wednesday, at our weekly meeting, your representative told us that you had not made up your mind regarding your position on the PDNG plan that is so much in the news. She told us that you had insufficient information about the plan and that as a consequence, you were not ready to take a public stance one way or the other. Although we find such an assertion, if true, to be hard to believe, we are willing at this point to give you the benefit of the doubt.
Yet, it seems to us, two core assumptions that are well known - and their consequences - lie at the heart of the plan. The first of these is the unwarranted assumption that the "Segundo Barrio" is part of downtown. Anyone who has lived in El Paso for more than a couple of years knows that this is not true. Paisano Drive, formerly known as "First Street", has been the traditional demarcation between downtown and the start of the "mixed use" area that defines the Barrio. Second, it is impossible for the plan to succeed without the use of eminent domain and the emergence of the real estate investment trust or trusts.
There is no way around it. Only by assuming that the barrio is part of downtown can the plan be made to work. Making such an assumption is to raise the edifice on a bed of sand. It continues to be said, and the current issue of Newspaper Tree is a good example, that everyone wants a downtown that is multi-cultural and vibrant. Who can disagree with this? But again, the barrio is not downtown. Reporter Sito Negron in the same issue of the Tree infers that residents of the barrio don't "understand" the plan. But were he to really talk to the people instead of vouching for Robert O'Rourke's good motives, so to speak, he surely could have found out that hundreds of residents - and their supporters - have signed petitions opposing the plan at Sacred Heart Church ; and this is only one venue.
He could have found out that residents, and particularly those who rent, know that the sugar coated pills being pushed by Mr. O'Rourke and Fannie Mae's Ms. Almazán - that current rents will be frozen for four years - are just that: for neither Mr. O'Rourke nor Ms. Almazán has informed the people that after four years, their rents will, to a certainty, increase dramatically, as will forced evictions. In the final analysis, this Plan is about profits for the trust or trusts and about increasing the tax base. And it is proposed to do this by displacing perhaps 8 to 10 thousand people - estimates vary - mainly women and children. Given that Robert O'Rourke has stated elsewhere, and has done so publicly, that his opponents disapprove of his support for the plan because he is a "white boy" - let us respond in kind.
Let us point out the obvious: the barrio is almost 100% Mexican-American. In El Paso, in the year 2006, we are not prepared to sit idly by and watch this ethnic cleansing of an historic neighborhood and its people take place. El Segundo Barrio is not downtown. El Segundo Barrio is not for sale. Progress will not be achieved on the backs of those least able to defend themselves. We are enclosing a copy of our position paper, recently read to the City Council, and successfully blacked out by print and electronic media.
Senator, you have grown dramatically, as a person and as a politician, since you took office. We have noted your presence at the recent demonstrations for immigrant rights, and before that, your presence at the march in memory of the murdered women in Juarez.. We have noted your public disagreement with Rep. Reyes, and more than a few of us wish you were our representative in Congress. We have noted your defense of children and women, and your efforts to stop the march of criminality set in motion by Rep. DeLay. We know that across Texas you are known as the conscience of the Senate. In short, we are proud of you. For these reasons, we call on you to stand with the people in opposition to this Plan which will demolish el Segundo Barrio. With respect, Senator, and as was made clear to your representative, it is time to fish or cut bait.
Respectfully, for the Paso del Sur Group
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