11/06/2022
PONCHO CASSO INTERVIEW
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Don’t call it a comeback. Alfonso “Poncho” Casso isn’t looking for a seat at the table—he’s looking to set the table. The former Laredo city council member, who served from 1994-1998, is looking to return to city hall chambers with a job promotion. The former councilman talked to us about how his past service uniquely sets him apart from the rest of the field as he ramps up campaigning in Laredo’s mayoral race.
TOP ISSUES AND PLATFORM
Casso knows what it’s like to be an outsider. His inaugural term ushered in a disruption of the status quo and order. The 90’s Casso playbook might be a harbinger: the newly-elected council dismantled old systems in place, disposed of long-term government employees, and re-shaped city business. Corruption was his focus. He said he has fought against corruption for over 30 years, and after sitting out of public service for several years, he just couldn’t stay on the sidelines anymore. Poncho says he wants to protect the people of Laredo, especially the silent majority.
Our interview covered several notable topics starting with the city’s notorious reputation. Casso claims he knew about Dannenbaum Engineering’s illicit stranglehold on city government for over a decade before the FBI raid that left local officials pleading guilty to bribery charges, among many other consequences. The raid concluded that city officials and Dannenbaum representatives had colluded for favorable contracts using illegal means. But this was no surprise to Casso. He filed a petition in court to remove former county judge Louis Bruni whereby Dannenbaum employee Louis Jones was involved before the taking of his own life several years later.
Poncho Casso has also been fighting the corruption at the school districts. Recently, he exposed the alleged corruption at UISD concerning school contracts being awarded to school board members. And according to Casso it was completely “un-American” for Roque Vela, Jr. who is running for mayor to appear before the city council to try and stop his competition the Main Event from opening in Laredo. He adds; In the 1990s, Poncho Casso sued Roque Vela’s father when he was an LISD school board member when he sold his property the old Jett Bowling alley to the school district for more than the appraised value, which is equivalent to theft of taxpayers’ monies. Casso says This corrupt deal hurt the children of LISD and only benefited the Vela Family by making it possible for them to acquire the property on McPherson Road for a new bowling alley at the expense of the children’s education.
From there, the list of examples only continue. During his time on city council, Poncho recalled how each council member was specifically assigned areas of responsibilities that included city departments. Among his responsibilities was acting as oversight for the Laredo Police Department. His cause for concern arose during the era’s vicious triple axe murders. Casso invoked Section 2.06 Investigation, of the city charter thereby utilizing his office’s subpoena powers to bring in officers to talk about some of the alleged wrongdoings that took place in the case. The assistant D.A. at the time, Monica Z. Notzon (current 111th District court Judge), however, was adamant about attending the executive session meeting. This baffled Casso which prompted him to respond to her that she couldn’t attend because she wasn’t an elected council member. Notzon then allegedly went to then District Attorney Joe Rubio and complained.
Shortly after, council members Casso, Bruni, and Alvarado were arrested on an open meetings violation. The case was thrown out, but Casso didn’t want to let the instance slide. After feeling that they only went after him for trying to stop corruption, Casso discovered wrongdoing within the District Attorney’s Office and tipped the FBI and other authorities to investigate illegal activity. Law enforcement eventually arrested former D.A Joe Rubio’s relatives for fixing and covering-up DUI cases in exchange for bribes. .
Poncho says this experience taught him a lot. During those years, he found out Laredo Police had mishandled the change of custody relating to evidence.. He described what he saw as everything from “corruption to cover-up”.
YouTube link ALFONSO CASSO VS. JOE RUBIO.. https://youtu.be/EbkmrhD0nbA
TAMIU government classes have also studied his term on the city council due to his actions fighting corruption at the level of Larry Barry during the “Partido Viejo”. Lastly, Casso would prioritize addressing Laredo’s real estate problem. Poncho is pushing to open up the land to bring in more competition. For example, Casso believes that the improper use of TIRZ agreements are stifling the city. He says we have to stop giving money to the Laredo wealthy monopoly as TIRZ agreements give tax subsidies towards non blighted areas or questionably wealthy areas instead of places that actually need it.
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CORE MESSAGE
Casso is proud to list his record of accomplishments from his city council tenure. Among them, he says he was able to bring the World Trade Bridge to fruition, new police department, public library, Laredo International Airport, downtown metro station, four recreational centers, a fire training facility, the inner loop, and the sale of 50 acres of airport property for the new Mercy Hospital.
But all that is in the past. Elections are about the future. A Casso administration would return the government to its core principles and serve in the best interest of the people it represents. Trust and accountability are central promises from his mayoral campaign.
Ultimately Casso believes he will win with a silent majority. He is adamant that there is only one chance—this opportunity in November—to change Laredo and is the only bonafide anti-corruption candidate running with a tangible recordHe says that other candidates don’t know what they are getting themselves into. The former councilman says he is the only thing standing between you and the wolf at your door. If you want someone to clean house, run an ethical government, eliminate property taxes for senior citizens, lower your taxes, and modernize your water, he is the only qualified candidate to make those claims.
A full campaign platform can be found here: cassoformayor.com
Poncho Casso’s full-length commentaries on city affairs can be found on his page here https://www.facebook.com/poncho.casso.7
