ON THE CLOCK: The Trials & Tribulations of The Literary Outlaw Jerry McHale...

By JUAN JONES
Staff Writer

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - It is at times said that the cruel hoaxster who invented this Rio Grande Valley, which is no valley at all, quickly left town taking with him the entire idea of dreaming, of daring, of beauty, of words such as havoc, dissent, drama, satire, laughter and love. Left behind, it is further said, was pain, crying, corruption, bad fashion, ugliness, tortillas and disappointment.

Well, there is Jerry McHale. We feature the Valley's singular literary outlaw here on this slumberous mid-August morning of a memorable day in Rock 'n' Roll. We'll leave it to you to find out why we write the "memorable" tidbit. And now, Mssr. McHale, editor of the now-defunct El Rocinante and currently editing the Brownsville Literary Review, will take our questions:

Question: 1.) So, how goes it with the Brownsville Literary Review? And how difficult has it been to lose El Rocinante?

In terms of BLA and ER, I've lost an old love, but I've gained a new one. I wrote ER for 21 years, the time spent equally between a tabloid version and an on-line version. I evolved as a writer although my critics might insist I devolved. Through a long process, I believe I have arrived at a new level of objectivity - I take no prisoners and I believe this attitude won the hearts of my readers. Most commentators are either biased or afraid. When Google disabled ER initially, I felt lost, particularly because I have two years of work that I'm trying to retrieve. But BLA immediately surged as a solution and I like the new direction. There is a New Yorker simplicity to it. I, of course, will remain a Brownsville watchdog. That is my mero mole, but I turn 60 this year and I want, via my writing, to reflect on the past, frolic in the present and contemplate the future. Most importantly, I'm enjoying the new format. I write stories with the wild anticipation of posting a piece of art.

Question 2.): Your assessment of today's Brownsville? Socially & politically.

Brownsville has great, easy-going, fun-loving people. Unfortunately, they are an apathetic lot. They would rather drink beer, eat wings and watch the Dallas Cowboys than preoccupy themselves with local issues. When only 5,000 voters are coming to the polls for local elections in a city of 200,000, the dismal numbers speak for themselves. Politically, Brownsville's biggest drawback are its politicians who are blatantly self-serving. Since The Brownsville Herald doesn't keep them accountable, they rob from the taxpayers for the benefit of family and friends with impunity. There, however, is an awakening taking place. UTB/TSC's President Julieta Garcia, a Brownsville icon, lost her majority on the TSC Board, an indication that the community is growing tired of the "Old Guard" as they like to say in Harlingen. Brownsville needs to undertake two projects to turn itself into a player. We need to build a 10,000-seat arena on the city's northside and we need to turn historical and architecturally rich downtown into a French Quarter. I'm glad to report that there is a growing movement in that direction, particularly when locals observe the magic that McAllen is working with its 17th Street Entertainment District.

Question 3.): Do you believe in the Brownsville politician? Given a choice of all adjectives, which one would you choose to describe local public servants?

The Jazz Festival's George Ramirez, Sombrero Fest's Danny Loff and Judge Ben Neece are visionaries. With the city's beauty and history, they are endeavoring to turn Brownsville into a happening place. With Matamoros a battle ground and SPI too far to drive home drunk, more locals are staying at home and partying. While Brownsville is no McAllen - McAllen has two Barnes & Noble for starters and Brownsville doesn't have any - it hasn't been lost on Harlingen that there is substantial movement in the Border City while the Sunshine City stagnates. Politically, however, Brownsville is in the thralls of a corrupt and incompetent Democratic Party. The only vision that the likes of Congressman Solomon Ortiz, State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa and scores of their scalawags have is their continued control of the machine that allows them to divide the goodies among the millionaires and the insiders. And when you look at the upcoming generation of politicos led by Eddie Trevino, Rick Zayas, Ruben Cortez Jr., Oscar Garcia Jr., Ruben Gallegos Jr. and the rest of the sniveling and spoiled juniors that want to exploit an ignorant populace for the easy money there is little reason to be optimistic politically.

Question 4.) All in all, you being a California transplant, has life been good/bad in Brownsville? Speaking honestly, how many local women have you had, and, do you ever see them in town?

I have been in Brownsville for 35 years. I have taught in the BISD for 33 years, I have taken numerous Brownsville high school soccer teams to state, I have run for mayor and city commissioner, I am finishing my eighth book, a novel entitled The Trials & Tribulations of Tommy Tamaulipas, I have had my five children here and a little McHale girl lies buried in Brownsville soil. Besides the influence of my parents, Brownsville has been the most important factor in my development as a person. My fourth wife and I just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. If I were to delve more into my personal life, I would probably be dusting myself off and looking toward a fifth marriage.

Question 5.) What rock 'n' roll song would say is your soundtrack? Why that one?

I'm eclectic, Brazilian music presently ranking at the top of my list with the Blues a close second, but if I had to pick something right now to replace a cup of coffee as I ready myself this Monday morning for the new school year and a boring week of in-services, it would be Jimi Hendrix's version of Bob Dylan's All Along the Watch Tower. When two giants of their stature collaborate on one song, you know it's got to be special. And it always returns me to my halcyon days as a university student hanging out in San Franciso with my long hair blowing in the wind and having fun. And though I've grown bald with too many hairs sprouting from the wrong places, I still like to sit down and at least once a week and finish a bottle of wine, either in the good company of a friend or the good company of myself. I've grown very comfortable with spending time alone...

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