Conflict of Interest: Mayor faces alleged ethics violations

Let’s set the record straight: As someone who speaks to Jan Cassidy every day, this action is in no way “retaliation” towards Joe Hernandez, no matter what he alleges. I have known Jan all my life and I know she is an honorable person who always tries, and more often than not, succeeds in doing the right thing. Such was the case when she interpretted the charter and advised the commission that led to Hernandez’s forfeiture of office for tax delinquency. They could have ignored her advice and the charter, allowed Hernandez to remain mayor, but they did not. They did the right thing, too, for all the people in this community, and not just those who do actually pay their property taxes. In validation, the action they took was upheld by the courts.

Hernandez’ allegation of retaliation is typical Hernandez, who is good at shifting the blame when he gets caught violating the oath of his office. Like, when he was delinquent on his taxes, he blamed the commission and attorney, saying it was “political.” He blamed the economy for not having money to pay, then miraculously found the money to pay when he was caught and still had enough money left after paying his taxes to hire an attorney to sue the city – not once, but twice. He lost twice, too. While the economy did not improve for the rest of us during the year he was out of office, he found enough money to plaster his face all over the city with campaign signs. Now that he’s caught in another scandal for his own wrong doing, he is back to blaming others. Typical Hernandez.

Wonder who he would have blamed had there been a different attorney standing alongside Mr. Benevides. I suppose Jan Cassidy should turn away any perspective client that might have a conflict of interest with Joe Hernandez simply because he is Joe Hernandez. That sounds too much like he might be interfering with her ability to make a living.

Funny he would claim retaliation. Seems Hernandez knows something about retaliation, too. Was it not Joe Hernandez who would not refer to former Mayor Jack Garcia as “Mayor” Jack Garcia when he was introducing past mayors of the city at a city function honoring past mayors a few months ago? And was it not Hernandez who wanted to remove Mayor Jack Garcia’s name from the San Benito Veteran’s War Memorial plaque and replace it with his own?

Yes, seems like Hernandez knows a little something about retaliation. If only he knew something about the laws of this community, his obligation to uphold them, his responsibility to live within them and fulfill those that govern elected officials.