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La Voz
has learned of an issue that the city will be dealing with in the first week of January. The problem started in July of 2008 when a committee was formed to select a person to fill the position of city Fire Marshall.
Apparently the committee did not realize – nor for that matter, did City Manager John Harrell – that they cannot select the individual filling for the position.
This is made clear by the fact that the city charter, under Sections 2.20.101, references this position and states that, “The office of fire marshal is created, and such office shall be independent of other city departments, the fire marshal reporting directly to the mayor and the city council.”
Section 2.20.020 further states:
“The office of fire marshal shall be filled by appointment by the mayor, by and with the consent of the city council. The fire marshal shall be properly qualified for the duties of his office, and shall be removed only for cause.”
Eight more sections of the city charter go on to outline the fire marshal’s duties and responsibilities. However, key to the matter at hand is that the committee performed the selection process outside the bounds of the city charter.
This nullifies the actions of the committee. However, other issues pertaining to the matter have also surfaced. Questions have been raised as to authorization of salary, and the work associated with payment of the salary.
The problem with the issue of salary is that the individual in question was not certified as a firefighter or a police officer – two of the qualifications needed to fill the position. Because other individuals who applied for the position had either one or the other of the qualifications, questions have arisen as to the criteria used to justify the selection.
Further, because the individual in question did not meet the qualifications, despite the city charter requirements, yet was provided a salary, the question is: who authorized the salary, if the individual did not meet the qualification, and could not perform their duty without the proper qualifications?
Despite the above shortcomings, our sources have stated that the individual in question has received a salary of nearly $16 per hour since July of 2008.
Further, according to well-placed sources, the question of who authorized the salary can be answered. City employees typically fill out a “Change of Status” form at the time they are hired by the city. As the chief administrator for the city, Harrell is the person who authorizes the pay. This then, answers the question of authorization of salary.
Another question related to the establishment of a selection committee, is why no one bothered to check the city charter. Once again, as the chief administrator, Harrell should have been more observant regarding the process and the position.
According to our sources, the questions included above, as well as others, will be looked into during the first week of January. Questions of procedure should be asked, this is important, especially regarding the selection process since it appears as though some criteria other than required qualifications was used. If qualifications were not used, as seems to be the case, then what was used to justify the selection? Was this done as a result of cronyism, favoritism, or some other factor that reflects negatively on the city?
Questions regarding salary are also pertinent because at the time that the salary was authorized, the individual in question was unqualified, yet was receiving pay commensurate to the position of fire chief.
Questions related to work and work schedule are also important because if the individual was not qualified, then what was the person doing to earn the salary that was being paid?
Finally, because the position of fire marshal is addressed in the city charter, and it falls under the authority of the mayor with consent of the council, then it is our elected officials who are responsible for the selection of a fire marshal, not an ad hoc committee.
By virtue of the fact that the city council was not allowed to exercise their authority, as stipulated in the city charter, then the decisions made up to this point regarding the fire marshal are without merit and are invalid.
No member of the governing board gave their consent to a matter that falls under their authority; the matter should rightfully, therefore, go back to step one with the committee being the council itself.
Just in time to help those who are wanting to stay in good health as a New Year’s resolution, Pecan River Holistic Health is offering the “Body Balance” program.
The program, which claims to be the safest, healthiest, most complete program for healthy weight loss uses a holistic approach to weight management.
Through the course of an eight-week program, participants can expect a detoxification of the liver. The liver, which is considered the heart of weight loss and homeostasis, loses its ability to efficiently metabolize fat due to medications, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and overly processed foods.
Participants can also look forward to an improved immune system. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and excessive stress causes an imbalance and depressed immune system, which in turn results in repeat infections.
The program also assists individuals in breaking away from food addictions. Addictions result from food allergies or dietary induced hypoglycemia and poorly managed diabetes, causing an imbalance in brain and blood chemistry.
Monitoring these factors results in better moods, healthy skin and hair, as well as a happier and healthier lifestyle.
The program includes a one-hour session with a certified nutritionist to determine specific needs, a “fat flush” intro pack which includes a cranberry concentrate, flax oil, flax meal and a supply of vitamins.
Also included in the program is Ann Louis Gittleman’s books on the fat flush system and foods.
The program also features a whole body cleansing, eight Ondamed weekly treatments, weekly support meetings and work book for support and sharing, a one full body massage with further treatments available, and a membership card good for savings with several local merchants.
To learn more about the program, stop by Nueces Natural Foods and speak to certified nutritionist Jo Costello. Nueces Natural Foods is located at 610 E. Main St. in Uvalde.
by Juan O. Sanchez
It’s a new year and sad to say that we are still saddled with the same county attorney, John, whose father, Pat Dodson, is the useless Democratic Party County Chair and is by all accounts, a dud when it comes to his political responsibilities.
“Dud”son’s rise to fame centers around Cause No 2004-28359, which originated on Dec. 28, 2003, was filed on Feb. 13, 2004 as a Criminal Trespass Class B, and arraignment of those charges occurred on March 2, 2004. The case has been pending since 2004, and during the interim the dud has failed to provide for trial as requested by defendants.
It has now been over five years – 1,765 days since the case originated.
If not resolved by March 2 of this year it will be five years or 1,781 days since it was brought to court. The incident in question originated when a group of five to six individuals were hunting on the Nueces River. At that time the current law that prohibits hunting on the river was not in effect.
Also, at that time the “Greedy Gringos” adjacent to the river were initiating the land grabbing of public land that has now placed restrictions on public access to the river.
The failure of the “Dud”son is exactly what Ray Scott refers to in his book “The Greedy Gringos of Uvalde County.” In this case, he serves the “respected” and “prominent” members of the county by failing to pursue the case. He knows only too well that he can’t win should he take the case to court, as was requested by the defendants.
The problem for the new sheriff is that he received the backing of Pat Dodson, and John Dodson, for whom he was working.
It will be of interest to see how the new sheriff proceeds in dealings with the “Greedy Gringos.” Will he uphold the law in a fair and equitable manner, or will his connections to the county’s elites cloud his judgment?
Only time will tell; we truly hope, though, that Sheriff Mendeke does not follow in Crawford’s footsteps. This is a new year, a new start; let us hope that it does not revert to the old way of doing things.
BY JUAN SANCHEZ
During the last city council meeting, the issue of the lease renewal between the city and the Uvalde Gun Club came up for discussion and action. I find it very ironic that the gun club is the one that dictates to the city how the city’s own property is to be managed.
BY JUAN O. SANCHEZ
During the last Uvalde city council meeting, the issue of overtime pay for officers was brought before the council through what was presented as “changes to the city personnel policy.” Read the rest of this entry »
• by Juan Sanchez
I have begun to believe that Uvalde County Democratic Chair, Pat Dodson, is secretly working for the Republican Party. Read the rest of this entry »
• by Juan O. Sanchez
In a response to Marcel Valdez’s post on the La Voz website dated Sept. 1, I would like to address key points in reply to his statement.
In reference to the first paragraph, perhaps the second sentence of this paragraph is the only good thing that Marcel Valdez has to say about La Voz printing an article in its Aug. 30, 2008 issue “(LPISD side-steps petition”). However, he was not so kind in his response in an article he wrote for The Crystal City Chronicle (Sept. 7) “La Pryor ISD Board President Addresses article regarding petition.” Read the rest of this entry »
• by Juan O. Sanchez
In the Uvalde Leader-News Sept. 11 edition, the paper reported on the resignation of Community Council of Southwest Texas, Inc. (CCSWT) executive director Jorge Botello. There is no doubt that the news had an effect on the community, as well as the employees of the agency. Missing, however, was the reason, or reasons, for the resignation. Read the rest of this entry »
• by Juan O. Sanchez
In the Uvalde Leader-News issue of Thursday Sept. 4, the paper carried an article in which city manager John Harrell, Edwards Underground Aquifer Authority member Mario Cruz, and Mayor Cody Smith were interviewed concerning the upcoming single member district election. This was followed up by an editorial in the Sunday, Sept. 7 issue of the Leader-News in which the Leaders-News “Editorial Board,” (whoever that is), urges readers to vote against the proposition. Read the rest of this entry »
The old and the new
January 6, 2009 in Commentaries | Leave a comment
by Juan O. Sanchez
In 2008, several important occurrences took place both locally and nationally.
On the local political scene, two new council members were elected (Roy Munoz Jr., and J. Allen Carnes), and a new mayor (Cody Smith replaced former mayor George Garza). The new council acted on the mandate given by the voters and replaced the city attorney (Rudy Flores), with Richard Gonzales. Rumors have it that city manager John Harrell is also slated for replacement; many consider his managerial style a factor that enabled the former mayor’s questionable activities.
In another important race, Charlie Mendeke replaced out-going sheriff Terry Crawford. Of interest in this particular position will be the influence of Uvalde County’s Greedy Gringos (see the story on Ray Scott’s book).
It became evident that the former sheriff possibly fell under the sway of this small but powerful group of self-serving elites, particularly so when it came to the river access issue. With respect to river access, Scott and the author agree that the fundamental issue is not race (we both agree that, with respect to color, the issue is green – greed).
Two other important positions with newly elected replacements are the district judge (Camille Dubose replaced Mickey Pennington), and district attorney (Daniel Kindred replaced Tony Hackebiel). Various other county level individuals were also elected including County Attorney John Dodson (more on him later), Tax Assessor-Collector Maggie Del Toro, County Commissioners Jerry Bates, and Daniel Sanchez, as well as five constables including David McCutchen, Weldon McCutchen, William R. Dean, Robert Moss, and Martin Morales.
On the national level, the most important election was that of Barack Obama who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.
The election of Obama brings about a return of the White House to Democratic control. More importantly it brings an end to the failed leadership of George W. Bush.
The country will finally rid itself of a president that lied to the American public, twisted the Constitution to fit his needs, impinged on the rights of Americans, started a conflict (it cannot be called a war as Congress never declared war) in Iraq that should never have taken place using unsubstantiated intelligence information, and instituted torture against prisoners held in legal limbo. The same torture that the U.S. cited the North Koreans used against U.S. prisoners of war.
The conflict in Iraq has led to the needless death of over 5,000 U.S. soldiers; the maiming of over 20,000 U.S. soldiers, and the death of an estimated 500 to 600,000 Iraqi civilians.
Along with squandering the lives of U.S. soldiers, it squandered billions of dollars leaving the U.S. with the largest deficit in history. Further, it left the reputation of the U.S. at its lowest point in decades, with the citizens of dozens of countries viewing the U.S. with scorn and contempt.
Obama, upon being sworn in, will face various obstacles as the year starts. The most pressing problem will be restoring the economy, the confidence of our allies, and the respect of those who have lost faith in America. With respect to the economy, it may not be until the start of the 2009 holiday season that we will see a turn around.
With predictions that the economy will get worse (notwithstanding the rosy picture painted by the Uvalde Leader-News of the local economy), before it gets better, it will be some months before we have a better idea of just where we are economically.
This year will be a year of transition, the economic and political spheres will face new challenges; our new leaders will face tough choices and will make hard decisions. The great majority of us will also be making tough choices and hard decisions, but with new leadership and a new year, it is hoped we can surmount the many obstacles that we face.