The crazies have gamed the District 2 race by using the shotgun approach - putting enough lead in the air to ensure they hit their target. Apodaca, Yanez, Romero and the other two lesser candidates are all running under the Four Names Allala and Norma Chavez banner. The goal - Joyce Wilson's head on a pike.
Now, all of these candidates don't know that they are being played by Four Names and friends. My source says they've got inroads to each of these campaigns and there's a common theme - sack the baseball and bond issues and fire Joyce Wilson. Even if you don't like Wilson - there's some things you need to know.
How will they pull this off? With Byrd leaving council, Ortega's seat surely going to a Norma candidate and Robinson having no competition, the power swings to Holguin on council. In the minority will be Lilly, Niland and Noe. They will have a miserable couple of years on council - if not driven out by the new power block that will surely have them recalled if not sanctioned by a vote. If you're Lilly, Niland and Noe - you have to be praying for Robinson to get an opponent and for Jim Tolbert to win. Even if you hate Tolbert's thoughts on land use (they aren't that bad and he's be a voting minority on that issue like Byrd was - otherwise he's a pro-business guy like Noe), you have to root for him so that the dark side doesn't get the majority on council.
Ortega as mayor will be no help. I like Steve on a personal level, but he's very hands off when it come to the "will of the people" or the "will of council." Do not expect to ever see a veto from him. The new voting block could seek to make changes to the charter stripping the mayor of veto power given that they currently know they are just moments away from exacting revenge for years of being wrong/in the minority.
Wilson will be fired if Tolbert loses, which will be a bigger loss of the city than her - by a long shot. They'll have to pay out her contract that is up in 2014 (when she plans to retire) in cash allowing her to get paid essentially to do nothing for an entire year. And she gets all the benefits etc. that go along with it. Holguin's and Robinson's hatred of women will cost the city more than $1 million before it's over.
Here's the real kicker - those in the minority block have been putting a lot of thought into what they'd likely do when they get the power and oust Wilson. Firing all of the deputy city managers and replacing them with (and don't laugh) Norma Chavez, Four Names Allala and two other players to be named later, but at least one is slotted to be indicted for county corruption. The big name they have said repeatedly for city manager - Larry Medina. And his name didn't come up as the next manager when he was collecting weekly Conquistador awards before he got indicted - oh no sirree. His name has been kicked around by two people on council for the job in the last month. Word is also that if not Medina, Emma Acosta would put her name in the hat for city manager.
The City of El Paso's war on corruption will end and reverse direction if anyone in District 2 but Jim Tolbert wins. All of the candidates who have filed a treasurers report at this point are in the pocket of Four Names and friends. This information comes to from a recently disgruntled follower of Four Names. The emails, the texts etc are astounding. There is a plan to wreck El Paso's progress and it centers on District 2.
Wilso isnt going anyhere.
There is no threat to the Mayors Veto power.
The next possible charter election is 2015.
Posted by: Wert | January 29, 2013 at 01:34 PM
If you had any idea how badly CH is managed within, getting rid of Wilson would not ring so badly in your ear. Ditto the deputies. It is a hidebound, rigid and self-serving bureaucracy that does not give a shit about service to the taxpayers. I agree with you that Larry would be a disaster as CM with his attention deficit disorder. The City deserves a professional manager with a broad and not-from-here experience base.
The City CFO is posturing for Wilson's job, Carmen A-C, which would be almost as bad as Medina. She is responsible for the PeopleSoft implementation, a multi-million fiasco that is tying up City administrative processes. She is also the CFO that, like JW, thinks the stadium is a good deal for the City that ponied up $100MM to Fosterwood's $20MM and gets no return on the investment.
That is a CFO who can't add numbers.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | January 29, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Rotten Peppers,
Couldn't disagree more. Wilson's work in El Paso is the talk of the city manager community and I know that she's had offers from Arlington, VA (I'd take her - her work here is legendary and something you can see everywhere - oh and the county Arlington runs like a top and they generously laud her for that) and couple other cities in Arizona, Texas and Florida.
I knew the city before Joyce wilson and I know the city now - night and day. Anyone who has had to do business with the city knows that the corrupt employees are almost all gone (although one found themselves in a new role) and that it's easier to get things done. Budget balanced and initiatives created to further quality of life spending and building.
As for the baseball deal - governments aren't in the business of making profit. If they were, they'd just tax the hell out of you and then bet on the stock market with th proceeds - kind of like insurance companies do.
Posted by: David K | January 29, 2013 at 03:02 PM
The thought of Holguin, Acosta and Robinson controlling City Council is enough to make me want to move! Scary! And even talking about replacing Wilson is wrong. Wilson has made our City 100% better place to live with the implementation of sound policy. I remember how dirty our medians were before Wilson (the city didn't have the manpower to pick up litter), I remember how our parks looked with dead grass (the city didn't have the money to maintain the parks) and I could go on. The ONLY reason to get rid of Wilson would be because someone THEY know wants the job -- and the jobs of Deputy Managers. And that is really scary!
Posted by: Phoenix Daughter | January 29, 2013 at 04:42 PM
Rotten to the Core spreading lies as usual. You want to know why those ex-employees and the few current employees are constantly complaining about her and feeding BS to all the nuts? Because she insists that city employees WORK and earn their pay. In addition, she demands courteous and efficient customer service to the citizens of El Paso and they do not like this.
I know someone who works for the city and they tell horror stories about these employees who were political appointments under the old "campaign for me and I'll get you a job" system. One lady who has been very vocal (Lillian?) at the charter meetings doesn't do a lick of work, is rude to the citizens and the employees of the city, and spends all day complaining. Another lady, Beebee?, retired because she was caught red handed with the tax guy, Juan Sandoval. She was never at her desk, and instead walked the halls spreading rumors and taking care of her dogs that she took to work. This woman is so vicious that she vandalized another employee's brand new car who wrote a letter to the civil service commissioners because she disagreed with these continually complaining employees.
Posted by: Josie | January 29, 2013 at 08:47 PM
David K you are scaring me man!
We gotta think about the NUTS who want to take over this City. I agree with Phoenix, if what you are predicting comes to pass, it's time to get the Hell out of this town.
4-Names is a freaking physco bitch and anyone who gets to know her eventually sees the truth as your source apparently has seen the light.
Keep up the good work and we will continue to fight the good fight.
Posted by: M Morales | January 29, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Everyone needs to work on exposing these people. The voters have proven time and time again that we do not want Norma Chavez or any of her nutty group around. She was voted out of office. Anyone she has endorsed for office has lost. The Quality of Life Bonds were passed by an overwhelming majority. If the voters find out that any of these nuts are behind any of the candidates, they will lose.
Posted by: Josie | January 30, 2013 at 07:35 AM
I agree that Joyce Wilson has made massive changes to how things are done in El Paso. Coming from the pay to play era has been difficult and painful. The corrupt employees that were removed has been a breath of fresh air.
The baseball park had to be done as it was or it would have never been accomplished. Anyone who knows minor league sports knows that NO ONE gets into the game to make money from the owners standpoint. A CD makes a better return.
That being said the next chosen one is Carmen. The campaign ha started. She has been a detriment to the progress that Joyce Wilson has made and has her main asset being one of the "CLUB".
Posted by: jay Cuervo | January 30, 2013 at 08:30 AM
City employees care so much for the taxpayers that they work a 4-day week, so forget Friday service if you need something in CH. Another Wilson innovation.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | January 30, 2013 at 09:22 AM
Rotten -They work the same amount of hours you Dumb a$$
Posted by: El Mapache | January 30, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Rotten to the Core, my friend works more than 10 hours a day and still works on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so stick it up your ass. I am tired of your slander.
El Mapache, well said!
Carmen Arrieta would be a HUGE mistake as City Manager.
Posted by: Josie | January 30, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Mapache:
40 hours doesn't help if you need to see someone on Friday and most of CH is out. It is a FU to the taxpayers justified by some specious energy-saving excuse that won't make any difference when CH is demolished. It will be interesting to see if the bureautards go back to a 5-day week like everyone else or keep the self-serving 4-day week.
I suppose they will all go to Stole-Ur-Vote Field to watch their team get beat on Fridays.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | January 30, 2013 at 02:21 PM
Is rotten peppers = 4 names ayala?
Posted by: Que? | January 30, 2013 at 04:41 PM
Ha ha - that would be really funny Que -b/c that woman does not actually do any work!
Posted by: M Morales | January 30, 2013 at 09:22 PM
Rotten to the core, the SANE public like the hours. You can go do your business before work or after work. That is CONVENIENT. But of course, anything that makes sense and anything the MAJORITY of the voters are for, you hate. Why? Because you are a hateful, miserable person.
Que, rotten peppers is one of the nuts - Norma maybe?
Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2013 at 08:11 AM
And no one stole your vote, fool. Shut up already.
Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2013 at 08:12 AM
The new reporter at the Times did a great job in reporting on Hector's announcement to run - he listed his top four supporters: Norma Chavez, current El Paso Independent School District president Isela Castañon-Williams, Mariana Chew and Fernando Chacon. FOUR reasons NOT to vote for him.
Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2013 at 08:15 AM
And don't forget Orthon Medina - an engineer that thinks he's the smartest engineer to hit El Paso since sliced bread. If Hector wins he will appoint him as city engineer, Norma as City Manager, Fernie as City Attorney and Isela as Municipal clerk. I can see the mass migration to anywhere but El Paso starting in June if Hector wins.
Love the comment that it's time for a Hispanic mayor. So what is Steve Ortega if not Hispanic?
Posted by: Lslsls | January 31, 2013 at 11:53 AM
I think Steph is probably flattered by your believing she has all this power to manipulate CC elections. It seems to me that she is some kind of scapegoat (psych-talk would be a "projection") for all of your personal insecurities and fears that El Paso might return to fiscal sanity and maybe not be controlled by Fosterwood and its stooges on CC, JW included.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | January 31, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Lslsls, I don't care if the next mayor is a purple transvestite! As long as he/she is honest AND has brains, I am good.
You are right about that Medina guy. He is a regular pain in the ass and always negative. And he seems to have a comprehension problem - they explain things to him and he just doesn't get it.
Rotten to the Core, shut up already. You are delusional about Townsend. She is another Theresa Caballero and I suspect she will be disbarred sooner or later too.
Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2013 at 01:00 PM
Josie - agree on the next mayor.
I think the ankle biters like Medina, Ochoa, Bautista, STA have figured out they get to be on camera everytime they go to a city meeting that is videotaped and I guess they want their 15 minutes of fame. They probably get together and watch the "reruns" and drink beer and eat popcorn - high fivin' each other over their performance and gotcha remarks.
They fail to realize that those that do watch the meetings have no sympathy for their rants and lies and false accusations. Makes LisaT and Ric Schecter seem perfectly normal, believable and sane. I miss them. This new group certainly doesn't measure up to the late Ray Gilbert and his anti-city hall crusade - and at least Ray was smart and did his research.
Posted by: Lslsls | January 31, 2013 at 01:30 PM
I agree, Lslsls. I did not care for Ray Gilbert and I do not care for Ric Schecter. Too bossy for my taste. Lisa has toned it down a lot and while I do not always agree with her, I can agree to disagree because she presents herself (usually) in a civil manner. When she ran for office before, she stated no one wanted to vote for her because she had a sex change. In actuality, I think no one voted for her because she was very ugly and negative at council meetings. Now that she has toned it down, she might have a chance.
You hit the nail on the head, though. These people just want attention. They lack self-esteem and have to be in the limelight. But again you are right, they don't realize that they make asses of themselves.
Posted by: Josie | January 31, 2013 at 08:55 PM