ANGELICA HERNANDEZ FAILS MATH 101 At FORUM

ANGELICA HERNANDEZ FAILS MATH 101 At FORUM

– I.E., IN REGARDS TO MAKING ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE EARNINGS OF HER OPPONENT’S COURT REPORTERS

Nueces County, TX – Angelica Hernandez, who is challenging the incumbent for the post in the 105^th Judicial District – i.e., District Judge J. Manuel Banales) was both deficient in judgment and understanding when she made certain tart accusations against her political opponent and his staff at a forum sponsored by the Tea Party people at the Nueces County Fairgrounds in Robstown, Texas. She claimed the budget for Judge Banales’ court reporters far surpassed those of the other courts. It was also inferred that the latter staff – Heather Garcia (full-time) and Kori Hosek (full-time) – were earning outrageous and inflated salaries with Nueces County dollars. “This is an abuse of Nueces County tax dollars,” Ms. Hernandez claimed. Extensive research – this is what Ms. Hernandez told the audience she was privvy to and had in her possession all the fine details involved. It was a statement that was shocking at first; then as District Judge Banales gave his side of the account. Ms. Hernandez’ previous accusation seemed like something that was empty and round: much like bubbles. Her accusations seemed, onced challenged, as if it was a dissipating nimbus that had lost its initial radiant energy. According to many an observer that were later presented with the factual data, Ms. Hernandez initial accusations were wanting in numerical computational precision and also lacked intellectual honesty.

“It turns out Ms. Angelica Hernandez flunked basic math on this one. This county pays less for the court reporters working at Judge Banales’ court than any of other district court here I believe. Why? Because the other counties besides this one that Banales works in cover half of their salary. It is a fiscally responsible arrangement,” a specialist sharing court documents with El Defenzor said. “In jest: I’ve heard she (Ms. Hernandez) has a personal, past history of balancing her check book. I guess this dates back to her salad and pizza days. hehehhee. This blunder by Angelica Hernandez at the Tea Party debate which took place at the Fairgorunds has become a running joke here at the courthouse. Some refer to similar new incidents as ‘Angelicisms.’”

DOES DISTRICT JUDGE MANUEL BANALES’ BUDGET FOR COURT REPORTERS SURPASS THE OTHER COURTS AS MS. HERNANDEZ ALLEGES?

JUST THE FACTS:

SALARIES FOR NUCES COUNTY DISTRICT COURT REPORTERS (for fiscal year 2011)*see respect SCHEDULE A:

105^th District Court: J. Manuel Banales…TOTAL: $67,122.74 ;.

117^th District Court -TOTAL: $101.309.76 ;

94^th “ “-TOTAL: $94,792.76 ;

319^th “ “- TOTAL: $89,757.11 ;

214^th “ “-TOTAL: $84,806.71 ;

28^th “ “-TOTAL: $78,380.64 ;

.148^th “ “-TOTAL: $73,621.50.

[Note: District Court 347^th only has one secretary due to case load; so it logically follows that it cannot be used in a comparative-contract situation above. The 347^th District Court’s budget for Court Reporters totals: $65,170.02.]

Judge Banales’s court (150^th) is the only one has two full-time court reporters assigned, but they are shared in a tri-county area (Nueces, Kleberg, and Kenedy). The other active district courts (e.g., 28^th, 94^th, 117^th, 148^th, 214^th and the 319^th) have a main/fulltime court reporter as well as a half-time (1/2) reporter (that is shared with another court). [Explanatory Note: See SCHEDULE B, for instance, the 28^th District Court has two court reporters listed -- Rebecca V. Rendon and Velma Arrellano. Ms. Rendon is the full-time court reporter for that court; however, Ms. Arrellano is only listed as half-time ( ½) time; yet Ms. Arrellano re-appears additionally in the 148^thDistrict Court as a half-time ( ½ ) court reporter… why? She is a “shared” court reporter: 50% of her salary is paid by the 28^th District Court and the other 50% 148^th District Court.]

A PRISTINE CLEAR VIEW:

El Defenzor has learned that the salary earned by Ms. Heather Garcia(one of two court reporters working in District Banales’ court) is only paid 50% by Nueces County: Kleberg/Kenedy Counties paid the remaining 50%. Ms. Garcia’s salary this year was $73,049.60 and is projected to be $75,000 next year – this methodology is based on a structured pay scale (Nueces County will paid $37,500 and Kleberg/Kenedy will cover the other 50%: $37,500). Ms. Garcia has 31 years of experience (her pay scale, according to court specialists, without a doubt is not only justified but indicates that she is the court reporter with the most experience working for an District Judge) and is additionaly shared in a tri-county area (Nueces, Kleberg and Kenedy).

As for the other court reporter -- Ms. Kori Hosek that who is currently earning $57,236.22 and is projected to earn $59,245.47 (again, culculated on a structured pay scale) – Nueces County will only be paying only 50% (or $29,622.74) the other 50% ($29,622.74) will be covered by Kleberg/Kenedy counties. She also works in the tri-county area.

[OTHER NOTES: During Tuesday’s forum, As District Judge Banales set out explaining the inconsistencies made by Ms. Hernandez, Nueces County Commissioner Mike Pusley (a Republican trouble-shooter) interjected attempting to assist the Republican candidate Ms. Hernandez, and yelled, “How about the ten percent raise your court reporters received Judge Banales?”. It turns out that Banales’ court reporters did not receive a hefty pay raise and some others – Ms. Garica received only a 2.67 % raise; Hosek, 3.51% as compared to a 10% pay raise to the main court reporter in the 28^th (District Judge Nanette Hassette’s court) and a 7.26% in the 319^th (District Judge Nelva Gonzales-Ramos’ court. SEE SCHEDULE B for full details. It just so happens the latter two judges are affiliated with Attorney Rene Rodriguez’ political faction. Rodriguez is both running candidates and serving as a consultant within the Republican Party…………………..Added: NOTE: Commissioner Pusley word is circulating is postuing himself to run for County Judge as Loyd Neal’s health declines on a daily basis … Community Rights Acvitist Roland Garza has been recruited to serve as a "hired" trouble shooter at forums (especially during audience participation) for Rene Rodriguez’ candidates running as Republicans. The problem is that it has upset many a Democrat, and some have begun to demand that he step down as a precinct chair.]