Dear Editor,

For the sake of the students, educators and families who rely on honest leadership, I respectfully urge the Marfa ISD Board of Trustees to take immediate action to restore confidence in its governance by formally calling for the immediate resignation of Board President Teresa Nuñez.

The recent allegations of felony misconduct by her daughter and MISD educator, Rebecca Ontiveros, is not the reason I say this, but it is the catalyst for speaking up.

The role of a school board member demands integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the public interest. However, in light of recent news about her daughter and past trespasses of good faith service to the taxpayers of Marfa in the form of appointing her brother Ernie Villareal to the school board (who was not asked to resign his position even when under active FBI investigation for wire fraud and theft from neighboring Valentine ISD), Nuñez has engaged in behavior that not only undermines public trust but also puts the integrity of the board and the future of our district at risk. 

Secrets, outbursts and blatant prevarications do not make for good leadership and actively hurt the whole community.

Whether by pride, incompetence or neglect, the school will ultimately fail if not shepherded by better folks. Families will continue to drive to neighboring districts every morning and afternoon, disenroll their children in favor of home school, and ultimately move away for better educational opportunities, as so many have already.  

I know there are great teachers and coaches and aides and staff who work incredibly hard to make a positive difference in Marfa kids’ lives: Linda Ojeda’s dedication, Mayra Torres’ cheer, Janet Enriquez’s empathy, Annette Mendoza’s curiosity, and many many more enrich the lives of not just the students, but parents, guardians and neighbors too. 

We need leaders who lift up our school and not someone who keeps us mired in rumors, drama, politics and shame. We need better. I encourage all community members to speak out and show up to board meetings, write letters to board members, and advocate for our students and community as a whole. 

Sincerely,

Ariele Gentiles
Marfa

Editors note: Ariele Gentiles is the copy editor for The Big Bend Sentinel. Her opinions are her own, not those of The Sentinel. 

Dear Commissioner Hisler,

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed closure of the Marfa Golf Course. Closing this historic and treasured facility would be a serious mistake that disregards its cultural significance, its potential as a community asset, and its role in Marfa’s identity as both a hometown and a tourism destination.

The Marfa Golf Course has been an integral part of our community for decades. Generations of Marfa residents and alumni share cherished memories of time spent on its fairways. It is often the first place alumni visit when they return home — a gathering place where community and tradition come together. Its distinction as the highest golf course in Texas is itself a draw for visitors and tourists, a group Marfa depends on as one of its most vital economic drivers.

The challenges facing the course today do not stem from a lack of value or potential, but from decades of stagnation in leadership. The current golf superintendent, in place since the early 1980s, deserves credit for his dedication during the course’s early years. Many golfers from the 1980s and 1990s fondly recall his mentorship, encouragement, and commitment to youth learning the game. Those contributions left a lasting mark on generations of Marfa golfers. Unfortunately, the past two decades have revealed a lack of adaptation and planning, leaving the course neglected. Specifically:

  • No upgrades to the landscape, fairways, or greens in over 40 years.
  • No investment in updated equipment or golf carts.
  • No debit/credit card machine for visiting players, limiting accessibility and revenue.
  • No promotion of tournaments or fundraisers that could generate both community support and financial sustainability.
  • No merchandise sales to promote the course and provide revenue.
  • Poor communication with the public, often making players feel unwelcome.
  • Dismissal or lack of support for initiatives brought forth by the Marfa Golf Committee.

One of the clearest examples of outdated management is the lack of a debit or credit card machine. In today’s economy, cash-only operations are almost unheard of. Tourists — who make up a significant portion of Marfa’s visitors — rarely carry cash, and when they cannot pay conveniently, they simply walk away. This results in lost green fees, cart rentals, and concession sales. It also reinforces an image of the course as outdated, unwelcoming, and out of step with the tourism-driven economy that sustains our town. Even local players are discouraged by the inconvenience. What should have been a simple modernization has instead cost the course years of lost revenue and credibility.

What is especially troubling is the report that County Judge Joe Portillo is advocating permanently closing the Marfa Golf Course in order to reallocate its funding to other projects — specifically to benefit Presidio, not Marfa. This is not only short-sighted, but also unfair to the taxpayers of Marfa and northern Presidio County who have supported this course for generations. Decisions about taxpayer-supported facilities must include taxpayer input, and to sacrifice a historic community asset for projects that do not directly serve Marfa makes little sense. Quite frankly, it is not a very smart decision on Judge Portillo’s part, as it risks dividing the county rather than uniting it.

Judge Portillo should also recognize that most golf courses in Texas — especially those in smaller communities like Marfa — struggle to generate positive income. Yet these towns remain committed to keeping their courses open because so many residents play the game. Golf provides recreation, community bonding, and a springboard for our youth, passing the tradition from generation to generation. Communities such as Alpine, Van Horn, Fort Stockton, Monahans, Pecos, Iraan, Rankin, Odessa/Midland, and El Paso maintain their courses despite challenges. In fact, when Marfa hosts tournaments, we regularly draw players from these very towns, further proving the regional impact and reach of our course.

The impact on youth cannot be overstated. Marfa’s high school golf program, along with other local schools, depends on this course for practice and competition. To shut it down would rob young athletes of an opportunity to learn, compete, and carry forward a tradition that has shaped so many of us. Golf teaches discipline, patience, and sportsmanship — values that extend well beyond the game itself. Closing the course would close the door on these opportunities for the next generation.

At the very least, the Marfa Golf Course deserves the chance to thrive under new leadership. With proper vision, the course can be revitalized through upgrades, new programming, and stronger community engagement — ultimately increasing revenue and preserving a historic cultural landmark. Generations of families have enjoyed this course, and with thoughtful investment, future generations can too.

To close it now would not only erase a piece of Marfa’s history but also squander a unique opportunity for growth, tourism, youth development, and community pride.

I urge you to reject any proposal to close the Marfa Golf Course and instead support a plan for revitalization and new leadership. Many alumni and residents, myself included, are ready to stand behind efforts to preserve this important community asset.

Respectfully,
Ronnie Ontiveroz
Marfa High School, Class of 1987

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed closure of the Marfa Golf Course. I urge you to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that preserve this important recreational and green space. This golf course has been part of my life for over 45 years, from playing with my dad and now my son, to the great stories with my friends and sitting in the pro shop during a rain delay and watching lightning strike the big oak tree behind 9 green and splitting it in half and thinking this is a blessed location. 

God is telling us, “This place is special, and I protect everyone here.” This is why I am hoping something can be done to save this course. I have been chatting with a good friend, Felipe Cordero, we have already started to look for grants to help. There are many grants available, we just need the time and support from Marfa. We need to make this place available to ALL residents. Give us the opportunity to make this location special. Thank you for your service and for considering the voices of all golf and non-golf residents who care deeply about preserving the Marfa Golf Course for current and future generations.

Sincerely,

Ronnie Martinez
Marfa High School 1982

In the moment when I raised my right hand to be sworn in as a new Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD) board member, I felt a wave of excitement. In the 10 years since moving to Presidio, this was the realization of a dream of giving to the community the benefits of experience that can come with 20 years of working in economic development and grant management. 

As a fourth generation of the Daly and the Armendariz families, I live in the home built here in 1918 by my great-grandfather after he fled with the family from the El Toro ranch in Mexico to escape the wrath of Pancho Villa. I feel the sense of safety that this home provided my grandmother when she played on the porch with her doll. It is easy to imagine my mother, as a child, coming to visit her grandparents and hiding from the pinching fingers of her bisabuelo.

In our first formal PMDD meeting with me as president, I sought to emphasize the importance of creating local jobs by recruiting businesses to Presidio. Businesses that will compliment our long-term growth strategies, such as the international rail trade, at least one new hotel, senior living, affordable housing and the geothermal opportunities.

But then, abruptly, everything changed, I was threatened and slandered…and then removed from the board without a semblance of respect from Mayor Ferguson and the city council members.

Since last Tuesday I have been told that two of the city council members have others in mind they’d like to put on the board. Additionally, Dr. Laura Portillo, wife of Judge Joe Portillo, is already sworn in as a board member. Because there are only five seats, two of us had to go and that turned out to be Judge Juanita Bishop and myself.

PMDD controls a substantial amount of taxpayer money, and it is reasonable to believe that the city and the county want to dictate how that money is allocated. Especially when they are in need of additional funding.  

Here is a copy of the statement I prepared for council, but was not allowed to read. It is my hope that others will feel motivated to learn more.

Dear Mayor Ferguson and Members of the Presidio City Council:

The four current members of the PMDD Board were appointed by the Presidio City Council as directed by the authorizing legislation. Two of us have barely served one month. Because there are only four of us, we each accepted the responsibility of leadership by serving as executive officers of the PMDD board. Clear responsibilities come with such acceptance. While the authorizing legislation does allow for board members to be removed at any time without cause, one can easily determine that there is more to the story regarding our possible removal. Especially if our removal implies that we have failed in meeting the requirements of appointment to the PMDD board. I most certainly did not want my neighbors to look at me and wonder to themselves what I did wrong, especially if our removal is on the front page of The Big Bend Sentinel!

This past week Judge Bishop and I were simply trying to do the necessary work of oversight and proper financial management. In no manner did we ever challenge Mr. Kennedy about his actions in such a way as to justify his subsequent behavior towards Judge Bishop and myself.

In addition, as the days have passed, new and disturbing information has become evident. We have reason to believe that potentially serious fraudulent financial transactions may have been taking place within PMDD that indicate distribution of agency funds for personal use. We are obligated to investigate this information as PMDD board members. Our removal would send a message that a potential cover-up is being orchestrated.

With due respect for the awkward breakdown in communications that has occurred, I urge council to drop item one from tonight’s proceedings and let’s move forward with the mission of PMDD to create viable, sustainable jobs while building a local economy that allows Presidio families to live together in reasonable prosperity. I invite the community to observe our meetings in person or via ZOOM. I urge the council to meet with the board for the purpose of better understanding our financial infrastructure and our potential for growth.

Thank you.

Patricia Runyan
Former President, PMDD

Before my appointment as executive director of the Presidio Municipal Development District, I began as a surveyor and researcher for the Presidio Industrial Park and was later competitively selected by the city to lead our economic development and community resiliency strategy. I came to the Big Bend as a recovering bureaucrat after a career of service at all levels of government— from advising President Barack Obama on infrastructure policy to federal executive roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation to work with local governments in Texas and across the country. That breadth of experience, paired with surveying and city planning here in Presidio, equips me to help navigate the very real barriers to development our community faces.

What emerged on the PMDD Board, with some turnover of appointments, was a pattern of abuse of power in addition to toxic and self-serving behavior. The truth is that when it comes to these important volunteer leadership roles in our community, there are not many answering the call. By having two city council members step in for two months, the council has acted prudently to stabilize the district while we put out a competitive call for anyone interested and qualified to serve without a personal agenda. Respect must go both ways, and this work has to be done in the spirit of collaboration.

Evidence of misconduct was presented to city leadership, which acted decisively to preserve the important work underway. That includes projects like the geothermal initiative now moving toward fruition— work too important to be jeopardized by ego and greed.

The PMDD has nothing to hide. Our community deserves an institution that puts Presidio first; building trust, transparency and tangible progress. That is the standard we are holding ourselves to, and the work we remain committed to delivering.

John T. Kennedy V (Kennedy-Rohana)
info@presidiotxmdd.org
Presidio