Repeated absences could lead to Elsa commissioner’s removal

ELSA — Some members of the City Commission want to know what happened to Javier Guerrero.

Attendance records show their fellow commissioner has been absent from all 11 of the regular and special meetings the commission has convened since July 6.

That was before the public learned of the $3 million in debt the city faces.

And it was before the city started laying off employees to reduce its payroll costs.

So where’s Guerrero?

“I haven’t seen him at all since then,” said Commissioner Cain Caceres.

Mayor Senovio Castillo said he hasn’t talked with Guerrero since July and doesn’t know why he has been repeatedly absent.

Guerrero should show up at the commission’s meetings or resign, he said.

Several attempts to reach him via telephone Friday were unsuccessful.

“He has been neglecting his position as an elected official of this community,” the mayor said.

Now Castillo and at least one other commissioner say they will likely consider voting Guerrero out.

“The members of the commission are probably heading in that direction,” the mayor said

Caceres said the city charter calls for the commission to declare Guerrero’s — or any other commission member’s — seat vacant when that member has missed three consecutive regular monthly meetings, or three out of any string of five.

Guerrero has missed the last four regular meetings, but the commission still has not officially declared his seat open.

“He has basically forfeited his office,” Caceres said. “He no longer wishes to serve, otherwise he would … show up.”

But why has the commission not already taken action on the matter?

“We were giving him an opportunity to show up to the meetings, but he never did,” Caceres said.

Castillo said the commission would have to place Guerrero’s expulsion on an upcoming meeting agenda.

The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18.

If the commission decides to declare Guerrero’s seat vacant, it could either remain that way or the commission could appoint a replacement, Castillo said.

But with enough members to legally convene a meeting even with Guerrero absent, Castillo said the seat should remain open until the May 2008 election.

“My personal opinion is to not appoint anybody,” he said. “I think we are doing what is expected of us.”

____

Jared Taylor covers Edinburg, the Delta region and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.