HOUSTON – A potential appointment to the board of the Port of Houston Authority has sparked a controversy between some of the area’s Hispanic community and organized labor.
Attorney Janiece Longoria -- the seven-member board's only Latina -- was first selected eight years ago.
Now, city council might replace her with union leader Dean Corgey, the vice president of the Gulf Coast Seafarers International Union.
Mayor Annise Parker nominated him, saying unions should be represented on the Port commission. But Parker only gets one vote, and it’s unclear how council members will vote on Wednesday.
"I think not having (Longoria) on the port commission sends a message to this community that 40 percent of the population does not matter," said Sonny Flores, a Latino business owner and Longoria supporter.
These two-year appointments typically don't attract much attention. But on Tuesday, the fight spilled into Houston City Hall.
Dozens of supporters, for both candidates, packed city council chambers to speak before council members.
"Dean will represent labor,” union member Richard Shaw said. “And that's really what the Port's all about. It's about working men and women out there."
Other speakers argued that the board should include a Hispanic because the Port interacts with so many Spanish-speaking countries.
Houston's Hispanic community also suffered a political defeat several weeks ago when Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia lost her seat to a political newcomer.
"(Longoria’s) been a hard worker for the community,” Mary Almendarez said. “She represents us very well. And we know she's done a very good job."
Both sides agreed each of the candidates were qualified for the position, but it’s boiling down to an issue of representation.
"He's not only been on ships,” said Gilbert Garcia, another Corgey supporter. “He's been out to sea on ships. Gone weeks, months at a time. I think that's a really important perspective that he could bring to all decisions at the Port."
The Port of Houston is one of the world’s busiest shipping centers. According to its website, more than 220 million tons of cargo moved through the Port in 2009.
