Racial Sparks Fly at {Lubbock} City Council Meeting

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 01-09-04 | Fuquay, John

[Theodore R.]

Racial sparks fly at council meeting By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock City Councilman Frank Morrison was jeered during a council meeting Thursday after telling members of the audience he was outraged by their criticism of the council's efforts to hire a new city manager.

Eleven speakers rebuked the council, and many said they believe race was a factor in the council's decision to reject two minority finalists for city manager, including former Interim City Manager Tommy Gonzalez.

Council members sat silently until Morrison asked to speak at the end of the session. He said he had felt a number of emotions in recent days over the decision to reject the finalists and start a new search.

"But right now I'm feeling outrage. It is an outrage to me that you would dare to come in here and tell us we did not give Tommy Gonzalez a fair chance."

Morrison's message was cut short by shouts from the audience of "Tell the truth" and "We don't believe you."

Morrison then walked out of the room, and Mayor Marc McDougal closed the session. All council members were present when the meeting reconvened later in the day.

Gonzalez, a former assistant city manager, resigned Dec. 18 after serving nine months as interim city manager. He was a finalist for the permanent job along with Longview City Manager Rickey Childers, who is black.

Lubbock County Commissioner Gilbert Flores was among those to address the council Thursday, although he said he was not representing the county.

"To say the least, I think we have been offended and we have been shamed, not only the Hispanic community and the African-American community, but the community as a whole," he said.

"This is a shameful event. I think you guys have made many mistakes in the selection process. ... Is it an act of racism? Is it an act of discrimination? Only you guys can answer that."

Ysidro Gutierrez, who spoke to the council during the summer to endorse Gonzalez, said he did not believe the response by some councilmen that Gonzalez was rejected, in part, for his role in laying off an employee during budget cuts in March.

McDougal said Tuesday that the council was influenced by a former employee's claim of age and gender discrimination outlined in a letter from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The former employee has since asked for up to $529,000 to settle her grievance.

"Your claim of the EEOC is unconvincing," Gutierrez said. "Several lawyers have looked at that letter and said it should not be a factor."

Emilio Abeyta, a lawyer, agreed, saying, "Hispanics are an important part of the community. We cannot continue to be slapped in the face. ... You passed over a qualified person, and your pretext is lame. We don't believe you."

McDougal held a news conference Tuesday in an attempt to ease the tension.

"There has been a great deal of public interest, discussion and rumors with regard to the city manager search process," he said.

"One of the primary reasons for this news conference is to assure the citizens of Lubbock that race was never a factor in the City Council's deliberations or in the decision-making process."

McDougal said a majority of council members supported three finalists: Gonzalez, Childers and William Pupo, the former city manager of Surprise, Ariz.

However, when Pupo withdrew from consideration to take another job in Arizona, neither Gonzalez or Childers could secure support from at least four of the council's seven members, McDougal said.

Many members of Hispanic groups said they hope to organize a boycott of city-owned Lubbock Power & Light, and they have pledged to be active in registering voters to influence the May 15 City Council elections.

McDougal said he hopes the council hires a new manager before the elections.

jfuquay@lubbockonline.com 766-8722

[Liberty Valance]

Time to send in the UN?

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[Theodore R.]

Tommy Gonzalez, meanwhile, received a $200,000 severance package from the City of Lubbock.

[FormerLib]

Time to have NATO bomb the town from 3 miles up!

[The_Pickle]

"Hispanics are an important part of the community. We cannot continue to be slapped in the face. ... You passed over a qualified person, and your pretext is lame. We don't believe you."

Where was this pinhead when the democrats were crucifying Miguel Estrada???