The truth is, there isn’t a lot the Mayor of El Paso can do.
He doesn’t get a vote on City Council, except to break a tie.
If City Council isn’t on board with the Mayor’s plans, he might as well whistle Dixie.
We saw that in Mayor Leeser’s first term. When half of City Council broke ranks and planned to move the arena from Duranguito to the Civic Center, Mayor Leeser was on board. Mayor Leeser and the renegades (that’s a good name for a band) met on a Friday to iron out the details.
And then Rut Lilly allegedly shoved Lisa Leeser at Thyme Matters.
Remember? It was all good theater.
After that it took the oligarchs about 15 minutes to rein in the renegades. District 8 Representative Cortney Niland quit the Council and moved out of town. She wasn’t on the team anymore, so she caught the next bus.
Theoretically, the City Manager is supposed to follow the dictates of the Mayor and City Council, but currently Tommy Gonzalez answers to the oligarchs. Maybe you didn’t appreciate the situation when the oligarchs, abetted by a few lingering Progressives, showed Mr. Gonzalez that he could get got. Tommy hasn’t forgotten.
And the City Manager controls the resources. He decides which projects get funded, in which district. He decides which of the City Representatives’ inquiries City Staff looks into. The City Manager directs staff to prepare a report lauding a 50 year TIRZ on vacant desert, for instance, or one justifying giving $40 million to an out-of-town company so they’ll build a hotel water park.
Maybe you think that the City Manager is just dumb, but that’s not it. Make no mistake, the City Manager has an agenda, and you’re not a part of it.
In practical terms, it comes down to the Mayor and whatever renegade Representatives he has on his side versus the City Manager, City Staff, and the City Representatives in the pockets of the oligarchs. Most of the City Representatives are happy to sit on the dais, collect their $43,000 a year, and do what they’re told. They’re less useful than furniture. At least you can throw your sweaty t-shirt on your desk chair.
Maybe your favorite mayoral candidate is in with the oligarchs. Then you might be in luck.
Whatever promises the mayoral candidates are making you, if they get elected, they’re going to have to deal with the reality of the circumstance. They can’t do much without a willing City Council.
About the only real power the Mayor has without an amiable City Council is the veto. Wielding the veto like a machete is not likely to persuade a recalcitrant City Council.
I’ve found a real machete is much more persuasive.
good one, Rich! I´ll post on FB and CFC. kathy
So, any idea how the oligarch’s communicate their marching orders to Gonzalez?
You’ll recall that Don Pablo has Mr. Gonzalez’ private email address.
https://elchuqueno.com/paul-foster-needs-a-hobby/
More likely, he lets his fingers do the walking. Phone calls don’t leave paper trails.
Pretty accurate picture of our long standing hot mess. As I have said many times, we need to dump the City Manager form of government, and go back to a strong Mayoral form. But, first, we need a strong candidate for Mayor. I don’t see one among the current crop.