Timeline by: M.H. Flores
2005: Cameron County Commissioners Court, under the leadership of then County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa, approves the lease of Isla Blanca Park giving private developers rights to build hotels, condos, retail areas, and casinos as they desire for a period of 99 years. This lease is a deep breach of the public’s trust. The document goes against the directions of the original deeds which specify that the land is for public park use only.
2006: Friends of Isla Blanca is born as this lease and its details come to light. FOIB begins attending meetings of the Commissioners Court to speak out against the proposed development of our public county park. FOIB conducts petition drives, voter registration drives, mass-mailings, establishes a website, produces t-shirts and bumper stickers, holds a protest march on July 4th and holds fundraiser parties to help pay for costs. The local newspapers begin coverage of the issue.
Fall 2006: Under intense public pressure and during the County Judge’s re-election campaign, Cameron County Commissioners Court agrees to amend the lease. The amended lease gives developers less parkland (26 acres outside the park gates) but contains a ‘right of reversion’ clause which still leaves the entire park vulnerable to development should gambling be legalized.
November 2006: Carlos H. Cascos is elected as the new Cameron County Judge to replace Gilberto Hinojosa.
Spring 2007: Development group enters into land use litigation with Cameron County in order to validate the lease more quickly and to try to remove the deed restriction which specifies that the land be used only for public park purposes.
Spring 2007: Property Owners Who Care – South Padre Island, Friends of Isla Blanca, SPI Windsurfer & Kiteboarder Association along with various individuals file as intervenors in the suit between the developers and the County. The intervenors assert that the implemented lease will interfere with the public’s use of the park.
Summer 2007: During his re-election campaign, then District Judge, Abel Limas, rules that, “The taxpayers have a right to be heard.” and gives standing to the intervenors in the lawsuit.
Spring 2008: After losing his bid for re-election, District Judge Abel Limas reverses his previous decision. He rules that the intervenors have no standing in litigation between the County and developers because we have no financial stake in the matter.
Summer/Fall 2008: Property Owners Who Care - SPI Directors agree to continue financial support of intervention litigation by other interested groups. To date, the new intervenors are; Sea Turtle Inc. and the Friends of Laguna Atascosa.
Summer 2009: The case is scheduled to come before an appeals court in the near future. FOIB continues to hold elected officials accountable for the use and protection of our public park land.
August 6, 2009: The 13th Court of Appeals ruled that the district court had no jurisdiction to rule on the lease issue as presented due to the fact that there was no controversy between the County and the developer. Currently the status of the lease is under review by the Cameron County Commissioners Court and its legal department. Make your voice heard by attending the Commissioners Court meetings.
Ongoing: Elected officials must continue to be made aware that we, the public, expect them to be responsible stewards of our public park land. This precious resource must be protected for future generations to enjoy as we do today.
Property Owners Who Care – www.powc-spi.org
Friends of Isla Blanca – www.saveislablanca.com