Special to The Tribune
HARLINGEN, Texas - Okay, so who plays the meanest border music around here - the Old Guard or the New Guard? Is it the graying guys scarfing down the oatmeal and swilling the Geritol ahead of the game, or is it the younger whippersnappers tuning up the instruments of change? We'll soon find out.
Welcome to La Vida Loca, Rio Grande Valley style.
Scared silly by the emerging loud sounds of a new era, the Old Guard, comprised of aging political operatives and has-been local politicians, is doing its damndest to be seen as interested in a fight at the ballot box. They are said to be forming committees to discuss candidates and feeling out the current political lay of the land. Money, it is said, is on their side.
The New Guard counters with facts pointing to a community unable - or unwilling - to stem a vicious economic and social slide, this fueled by rampant unemployment, street crime that includes murder and the idea that nothing, not even servitude to one side of town, is forever. The New Guard has its players and its noisemakers. How far the movement gets depends on how much Harlingen, known as a sleepy, comatose town in Valley politics, is willing to test the waters of outright rage. Revolution is coming by way of harsh blogging and letters to the local newspaper. And there is no question that those seeking immediate change want to scare the Beejeezus out of the aging Old Guard, which, truth be told, is the face of Harlingen. It is for a reason that Harlingen is seen as the haven for senior citizens.
Elections loom, although not for the mayorship.
Still, rebellious residents see an opening in the contests for the city commission seats that will be at play. Harlingen is a single-member-district town, so both sides are mining neighborhood talent, the Old Guard looking for anyone sympathetic to their side and the New Guard checking credentials and ensuring that their candidates know the script and what's at stake.
It should be wild, and it'll be one helluva corrido if the New Guard gains the upper hand...
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25 comments:
good story. But who is that playing the accordion in the picture. Looks like someone I know.
The Old Guard is history! They're shaking in their bathrobes. Fuera, lambiscones!
is that Tony Chapaneco with the accordion in the photo? looks like him, but who knows? His blog is dead. Nothing but Bible verses. and Deal is still not posting anything. Is he sick?
Harlingen's war is coming. things can continue like this. I see us going further down unless we act. Hell, freakin' Pharr is making us look stupid!
exellent article. there are two sides at war in Harlingen. should be interesting.
The Harlingen Empowerment Action Team, a PAC group better known as HEAT, has come to frution.
They are here, and here to stay. Election of officers are to be announced, and already projects by the group are being considered.
We are glad to hear, that this group is open to anyone. We look forward for an announcement from the pac group soon.
We hare hoping to provide information through the Trib, and Jerry's blog.
The picture of the according player is NOT antonio el chaparron. The according player looks like a member of los cuatitos cantu. I didn't think those guys were still alive.
El chapaneco only plays with the typing board, and he can't even type.
In an article at mhnews, by chapaneco, he says, the old guard is dead. He forgot, so is his blog.
No new topics, just the same old, same old.
Pinche Jerry, I can't believe he can't afford another computer. He left his readership hanging for 4 days. He has about 4 jobs.
And not even then did chapaneco's mnns. pick up any added comments, viejo sonso cabesa de tornillo.
Toni Chapaneco, no vale tres cacahuates. He is as dumb as he looks. He didn't go to the Mayor's luncheon meeting. He can't afford $20.00 dollars. He sent one of his cronies who was complaining about the food smelling so good, but he couldn't afford to pay. Tight, very tight, when it comes to money.
HEAT will kick butt! Harlingen better be ready.
Jerry' blog is getting back on line, he says he is working on some articles, he reports, he should be going full blast in a couple of days.
We can wait. Glad to see the Tribune keeping up, with our cashed strapped city of Harlingen, previously operated, by nothing but old guard, who cared only about enriching themselves from city coffers. Ya basta!!!!
HEAT should adopt the Tribune, in actuality it is the only blog, that reports fair and balanced. It holds no bars, and treats elected officials the same. Good work Mr. Editor, very good work, you deserved to be commended.
Harlingen is in a fight, but poor Brownsville keeps kicking itself in the ass. that town's depressing!
agree 100 percent on The Tribune's contribution. It's better than most. Deal is back up. LET'S SEE how fast he can catch up. Chapa has let us down again. He couldn't fill-in after Deal went down. Tony Chapa should be boycotted!
the Tribune has done exellent work. And it's not because Jerry deal took a holdiday. the Tribune has been there all along. Now, if only we could get rid of Tony Chapa's useless blog!
Tony chapa is a zero. His blog is hated. we have buried hs ass.
The war in Harlingen is for the future of our children. I do not want mine to serve any Old Guard moron. that is my motivation. What's yours?
I agree that Tony Chapa's blog should be boycotted. He is a disgrace and a joke. hey, chapaneco, how's the weather down there?
It has been boycotted and no one with any sense goes there. chapa is a joke, but the biggest joke is on himself. just saying.
Harlingen, will have to strap it's boots and start waking up. The old guard has it's own PAC group and will put up a good fight. The word is out that money is no object for them.
Why is the city of harlingen's auditor asking for a raise. It is on the agenda for this coming Wednesday. That woman is worthless, her nickname is: You should do this, or What you should do. Two reports in 2 years, now folks that is accountability.
Asking for a raise, the city auditor, half of the time, no one can find her. Yerena, don't allow this to happen. We expect HEAT to oppose this crazy request.
Why is Fred R. sending e-mails to his friends about the new PAC group known as Harlingen Heat, and bad mouthing a former candidate for city Commissioner. Well we understand he is going to begin his own PAC group. We need to unite, not be arguing with one another.
Viva, HEAT, y que Viva El Tribune and Myleadernews.
Jerry is back on line. Good deal, The Trib and myleadernews, good very good.
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