By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the NEWS
SBCISD
Legal services provided to San Benito CISD by the Austin-based law firm of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath have been terminated as of Tuesday following a special meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The decision came after a dialogue between Board Secretary June Aguilera and Kevin O’Hanlon of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath. During the dialogue, Aguilera accused Leslie McCollom of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath of being “unprofessional” during previous engagements concerning services rendered on a grievance.
O’Hanlon said McCollom would no longer participate in the meetings.
Board member Hector Leal was opposed to terminating the legal services provided by the O’Hanlon law firm, commenting that he was not aware of any problems with the services and referred to Aguilera’s concerns as “communication gaps.”
In the end, Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez and board members Julian Huerta and Fatima Huerta voted to terminate the O’Hanlon law firm’s legal services while Aguilera and Leal opted against as much – a 3-2 vote that did not include Board Vice-President Anna Cruz and board member Oscar Medrano, who were absent from the meeting. It should be noted, however, that Cruz was out of town while Medrano is still recovering from a mini-stroke brought on by vasculitis.
In the meantime, O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath will serve the district while the board looks for another law firm via a request for qualifications (RFQ).
Leal then asked his fellow board members how long they planned to accept bids, to which none of the trustees had an answer. “From the looks of things, it seems that you already had someone in mind,” Leal said.
Superintendent Antonio G. Limón, who expressed that he felt “more comfortable” with the O’Hanlon law firm, said, “We have several matters already needing attention.”
“We will not leave you in a lurch,” O’Hanlon said. “We are concerned about leaving you in a lurch right now. We’ll disappear the moment you find a new law firm; it’s just not ethical to leave right now.”
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CLEAN SWEEP MAY 2014..I’LL HAND OUT THE BROOMS…
Those 4 are not including the veteran board member, Mr. Leal, in their conversation. He was the one that gave ylania the go ahead vote to be board president the first time. I bet he is wishing to redo that vote. Mr. Leal is a class guy. Those others are not. Please be our voice Mr. Leal.
Two statements from this article are compelling:
First, “We will not leave you in a lurch,” O’Hanlon said. “We are concerned about leaving you in a lurch right now. We’ll disappear the moment you find a new law firm; it’s just not ethical to leave right now.” Pretty much defeats their assertion of unprofessionalism on the law firm’s part.
Secondly, “From the looks of things, it seems that you already had someone in mind,” Leal said. As I have previously conjectured, this cliques close alliance with the mayor will lead them to the city’s attorneys firm.
Those of you who say that TEA needs to get involved are correct, but YOU need to take action. Don’t say “someone” should call TEA. If you really believe TEA needs to be involved, then it is your responsiblity as a citizen to do something about it to stop this circus that is the SBCISD board.
You four to INCLUDE JUNE have no shame!! You are not fooling anyone June.
I once knew a guy I was very curious about in college because he just sat in the back of the class and his head around his arms face down on his desk and slept all through class we had only three of four exam during the semester than the final exam that covered all the topics for the semester. No kidding through out the whole semester all he did was sit in the back of the class with his head down. I had to ask and told the professor while he handed out our final exam what was up with this guy? The professor with no hesitation told the whole class that the student may have slepted through his whole class but not once failed to get an A his exams up through the final as he lefted it up and showed the guy’s grade to the entire class. hesitation
Yliana Rodriguez, the citizens of this community asked for an investigation into the insurance debacle and you failed to respond to our concerns, too. By the same standard in which you judged this law firm, you will be terminated when your seat next comes up for election. May 2014…. Can’t wait!!!
The principal at LOS FRESNOS CISD, Yliana Rodriguez, the citizens of this community asked for an investigation into the insurance debacle and you failed to respond to our concerns, too. By the same standard in which you judged this law firm, you will be terminated when your seat next comes up for election. Just waiting for 2014!
Although what the School Board did is not illegal,,,,,,,What a bunch of DIVAS!!!
DIVA….A person that must have his/her way exactly, or no way at all. often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath him/her and thinks that he/she is so much more loved than what he/she really is; selfish, spoiled, and overly dramatic.
Voters of San Benito, have you learned your lesson yet? Never vote for an inexperienced candidate again
SB News reported: During the dialogue, Aguilera accused Leslie McCollom of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath of being “unprofessional” …
Now there is a joke for you! Like Aguilera would KNOW ‘professional’ ! ROFLMAO!!
Is it just me or is it kind of silly/ridiculous/wrong/(insert word here) to hold a vote regarding a SBCISD matter while elected SBCISD members are not present? Right or wrong, this side or that, for or against – in my opinion, the vote shouldn’t have taken place. If it was a vote that had to take place (an emergency, had to happen right then and there kind of situation), then those members who were not physically present should have been allowed to vote via phone/video/internet conference. The elected school board members have earned the right to have their vote counted. The citizens/community that are apart of the SBCISD have earned the right to have the elected members have their vote counted. Shame on those present to allow this matter to take place. Shame on us (citizens/community are apart of the SBCISD) to allow this matter to take place.
Side note: I was asked something in regards to this matter and thought I’d attach it to this comment. … It is no mystery that Ms. Aguilera is linked to “The Huerta’s” and “Yliana”. That said and knowing that Cruz and Medrano would not be present for the vote, do you think Ms. Aguilera purposely voted against the firing of the firm knowing “The Huerta’s” and “Yliana” would vote for the firing of the firm? The question obviously hinted at the following points: 1) voting against the firing who make herself look good to those who favor Leal, Medrano, and Cruz, 2) make it appear that she is not linked the other “3”, 3) divert heat from the much publicized foursome, and 4) a 4-1 for the firing or 3-2 for the firing would result in the same outcome.
#BIGPICTURE
#CHANGENEEDED
#SOMETHINGTOTHINKABOUT
Clean sweep come election time.
Gina, could not have said better myself! lol
But for a season, you will look for them and not find them.
Someone needs to talk to the TEA,about this crap,right now.These people feel they are untouchable.They need to all be terminated,of their”positions”,that is,ASAP.Whatever it takes a special election,impeachment,whatever,this is exactly why we the voters need a reputable law firm,right now,maybe these payasos realize that,and thats why they desire someone more suitable to their bending.Keep it up San Benito,you’re really showing your fine intelligence,and judgement,you should all be proud.
You 4 board members have NO CLASS! You cannot stop from talking about removing Mr. Medrano. May 2014 cannot come soon enough. WE WILL REMEMBER
Yliana Rodriguez, the citizens of this community asked for an investigation into the insurance debacle and you failed to respond to our concerns, too. By the same standard in which you judged this law firm, you will be terminated when your seat next comes up for election.
Think about, do as we tell you, or your out of here. How dare this law firm not respond to a question from our illustrious school board. Don’t they know who they are?