By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The City of San Benito police and fire chiefs as well as utilities coordinator and wastewater plant supervisor have been placed on the agenda for Tuesday’s regular commission meeting.
According to City Manager Manual Lara, the aforementioned employees’ inclusion in an executive session item, which reads that a deliberation regarding the “appointment, evaluation, reassignment, and duties of a public employee” is part of a recommendation to the commission to restructure a number of departments.
“We’re going to present thoughts and ideas on how we can be a little more effective,” Lara said before reiterating the city’s current financial crunch during the budgeting process. “So we’ve got Mr. (Hector) Jalomo and Art (Rodriguez) who may both act as assistant city managers. Art may address (departments related to) emergency.”
Lara cited the preliminary nature of such a recommendation as to why there is no official word on how this would affect Police Chief George Gomez, Fire Chief Severo Ochoa or the utilities coordinator and wastewater plant supervisor. The fire department, for instance, has yet to be thoroughly evaluated, he said.
However, one recommendation may be to redefine duties, a possibility that has already raised the eyebrows of some in San Benito.
Chuy Aguilera, a business owner in San Benito, displayed signs affixed to his truck supporting Gomez. “You don’t do that to any person, but from my understanding they solved the problem. They sat down, talked, and I guess they are renegotiating or talking things out instead of going in there to demote him (Gomez),” Aguilera said.
Lara, however, said that no demotion was approved or discussed.
City Commissioners Tony Gonzales and Bill Elliott said they’d prefer commenting after hearing the recommendation. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Ochoa, Mayor Joe H. Hernandez and Commissioner Rene Villafranco were unavailable for comment. Police Chief Gomez said he would know more after Tuesday’s meeting.
City Commissioner Celeste Z. Sanchez said her understanding of the recommendation was limited, but she did confirm that it dealt with the police and fire departments among others.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 21 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
2 comments
I cannot make an informative comment about Chief Gomez because I don’t know his work ethic well enough. However, i can comment on the fire chief Ochoa, (Mcallen Mistake). The only real accomplishment the fire chief can boast about is making his office the most feminine smelling in the city. Mr. Ochoa doesnt earn his salary, he collects money from the city. His only real talent has been his ability to dodge job evaluations. His old excuse, “that was the previous administrations fault” has worn thin. He has been on the job almost two years now and all he has to show for it is a group of men who have no respect for him and an office that smells like a “Bath and Bodyworks”. If he is removed, or even demoted, the city will lose nothing. Remember, he’s from Mcallen, all his money and time is spent over there. In a city vehicle! If anything the city will gain money by releasing him, he can take that trip to mcallen one last time and just stay there, i can guarantee that no one here in San Benito would even notice.
I recently went to Chuy Aguilera store and noticed a sticker on window that read to the effect of we want Chief Gomez back We don’t want another Florida. What in the world is Chuy thinking? I know. Being polictical as always. Always trying to butt in where he don’t belong. Chuy, wasn’t it you that said Gomez shouldn’t be chief because of all the problems it was causing the city???? I was there when you said it. Now you are being a 2 faced and supporting Gomez. A typical political person. And that we don’t want another Florida don’t make sense. I guess you and Gomez know what it means.
I do think getting rid of Gomez is a must. He hasn’t proven anything positive to the city/police department. It has been him telling lots of people that he has been demoted. He wants people to feel sorry for him. Hey at least you have a job…I think.