Here is Kathryn Zervigon's update on Mario and family. Tim W. Could you check and advise Kathryn as to the email she's registered under. Thanks. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin, TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message:
From: Kathryn Zervigon <kzervigon@gmail.com> Date: November 8, 2014 at 9:44:14 PM CST To: George Holcombe <grholcombe@gmail.com> Cc: Kathryn Zervigon <kathrynz@cox.net> Subject: Re: Mario & family are safe
Hi George. And Wanda, too. I missed you on your last visit. I have to find my notes on how to post to this list cause my message got held until approved by the administrator. I thought I was on since I get all the incoming. Maybe you could send this on while I try to figure out how do anything except "reply all". On to the important matter of the moment. Kids played soccer this morning and were here much of the afternoon. They seem to be OK. Ana wished people at school didn't keep asking her about it. That seems reasonable. Mario is worried that his work put his family at risk.
We are leaving it to the press and others to speculate publicly about motives at the moment. ATF is conducting a thorough investigation. All we know is that Mario is working in a high stakes run-off for Public Service Commissioner for an alternative energy candidate who is a political newbie. The long term incumbent has lots of support from big energy. Mario's candidate came out ahead in the primary against the odds so is seen as a serious threat to vested interests. Mario helped him raise enough money to come out ahead. You can google Mario Zervigon for lots of articles if you like.
They are getting incredible support from everywhere. Someone Carlos taught in project management several years ago drove up to my house this afternoon while Mario was on the front porch and handed him a note about how much Carlos had meant to their organization and a check for $500. It's been that kind of amazing few days even as we worry about catching these thugs and having everyone move forward.
I've had a few flashbacks again this week to the riots on the West Side. I've never forgotten that Black Panther with a torch who reached out to catch me and get me across the street when I stumbled going over to the hospital. Did he make it out alive when the National Guard arrived and started shooting? I've thought about all those whose children who were taken to the El train and to the western suburbs that Friday afternoon. How did they all not go totally crazy? Thank you, Ellery Elizondo, for expressing what most everyone was feeling at the time. Jon, that's one of my many memories of your mother that I did not send you when she died. I also had the gift of working with her and Marshall on publications in that little closet at the foot of the stairs behind Room A when she got back from her day job. I'm going to work on getting better at writing some these memories down. Our children really deserve it.
Will let you all know when we get any new information. It will take some time for forensic analysis of material in and around the vehicles and all of the other things these folks do.
On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 10:18 AM, George Holcombe <grholcombe@gmail.com> wrote: Please keep us in the loop. I’ll be glad to keep ICA/OE up to date. What are they going to need? Also, do you think the threat has been eased? Wasn’t sure what precipitated such an attack?
All the best to you and Mario and family.
George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe@gmail.com
"Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley
On Nov 7, 2014, at 10:28 PM, Kathryn Zervigon <kathrynz@cox.net> wrote:
This was not quite the way I expected to start trying to get back in the oe communications loop. Carlos handled all the computer stuff.
This dramatic photo pretty much shows the extent of the damage. Mario and Katy’s bedroom was at back of 1st floor and the damage above was to a rental apartment. Rest of the house is full of soot but no fire or water damage. They got out the front door with Ana (8) and Eli (6) and their dog. Mario is still, as he said today, a bit “loopy”. Children did not miss any school as we were trying to keep everything as normal as possible for them. They went to soccer practice tonight and will play both their games tomorrow. Mario said he will let the assistant coach handle his duties. Katy plans to return to her classroom Monday.
The outpouring of support has been incredible from around the city and beyond. My house, Katy’s parents and her brother are all within blocks of Mario’s house so we are all working on this together. Mario always saw himself as a low profile fund-raising coordinator. Not any more. He had to get a press person to handle the barrage of media attention. Will send an update when there is any new information.
This December will be the 4th year since Carlos’ death and there are things I want to share about the funeral and to catch you up on where I am now. But I woke at 3 a.m. yesterday when Mario called and am still a bit “loopy” myself so that will have to wait.
Thanks for looking out for us all, George. Love to everyone.
Kathryn
From: OE [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of George Holcombe via OE Sent: Friday, November 07, 2014 2:00 PM To: ICA/OE List Serves; ICA/OE List Serves Subject: [Oe List ...] Zervigons' Son victim of firebombing
Our colleagues, Carlos and Kathy Zervigon’s son and his family were victims of a firebombing at their home in New Orleans. Mario has worked as a political organizer for several years.
We lost Carlos several years ago. <image001.png>
You can get more info at: http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/11/feds_investigating_after_arson...
And if you wish to donate to their recovery fund, you can go to: http://www.gofundme.com/gvktk8?fb_action_ids=10205540724344045&fb_action_types=og.shares
George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 grholcombe@gmail.com
"Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley