By Juan Montoya
The only thing that kept City of Brownsville Municipal Judge Rene De Coss from being named city attorney was a last-ditch effort by Mayor Tony Martinez who complained he had not had the time to interview all four finalists.
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Those finalists were Lysia H. Bowling, Rene E. De Coss, Gerry Linan and Aaron Leal. Since
then, Leal, the Denton City Attorney, told the Brownsville Herald that he withdrew his name from consideration.
That leaves De Coss, Linan and Bowling in the running. Although Linan is a local attorney, it does not appear that he has the votes to get the nod. And Bowling, a city attorney from Pensacola, Florida, would have to quick-learn and get up to snuff on Texas municipal law.
That makes De Coss the obvious choice. He is not only versed in Texas municipal law, but has also served as a district judge in Cameron County and currently serves as a city municipal judge in Brownsville.
Not only does he know the law, he knows the town, he knows the people and the culture, and enjoys the respect of lawyers and judges of the Cameron County Bar.
Martinez, who has enjoyed a free hand in most matters while the city has drifted without a rudder under the guidance of interim city managers, police chiefs, and city attorneys, complained that the commission should not take a vote at the last city meeting.
"I don't see how we can proceed with a selection before we interview all the candidates. It's simply not fair," he said repeatedly.
His omnipotence was demonstrated when he took issue with the contract city counsel when she said that the commission could table to take a vote as they saw fit. He, also an attorney, obviously disagreed despite counsel's advice.
The only thing that kept City of Brownsville Municipal Judge Rene De Coss from being named city attorney was a last-ditch effort by Mayor Tony Martinez who complained he had not had the time to interview all four finalists.
Those finalists were Lysia H. Bowling, Rene E. De Coss, Gerry Linan and Aaron Leal. Sincethen, Leal, the Denton City Attorney, told the Brownsville Herald that he withdrew his name from consideration.
That leaves De Coss, Linan and Bowling in the running. Although Linan is a local attorney, it does not appear that he has the votes to get the nod. And Bowling, a city attorney from Pensacola, Florida, would have to quick-learn and get up to snuff on Texas municipal law.
That makes De Coss the obvious choice. He is not only versed in Texas municipal law, but has also served as a district judge in Cameron County and currently serves as a city municipal judge in Brownsville.
Not only does he know the law, he knows the town, he knows the people and the culture, and enjoys the respect of lawyers and judges of the Cameron County Bar.
Martinez, who has enjoyed a free hand in most matters while the city has drifted without a rudder under the guidance of interim city managers, police chiefs, and city attorneys, complained that the commission should not take a vote at the last city meeting.
"I don't see how we can proceed with a selection before we interview all the candidates. It's simply not fair," he said repeatedly.
His omnipotence was demonstrated when he took issue with the contract city counsel when she said that the commission could table to take a vote as they saw fit. He, also an attorney, obviously disagreed despite counsel's advice.
He moved that the item be tabled and the motion failed. Commissioner Ben Neece reintroduced a Motion to Table, but that also failed.
Commissioner Jessica Tetreau told blogger Jim Barton that the majority wanted to select a city attorney and put the issue behind them.
"Martinez and Ben are dragging their feet intentionally because they want someone else, not on the current list of candidates, to be city attorney. They are hoping for a new commission in May that will go along with their plan."
Commissioner Jessica Tetreau told blogger Jim Barton that the majority wanted to select a city attorney and put the issue behind them.
"Martinez and Ben are dragging their feet intentionally because they want someone else, not on the current list of candidates, to be city attorney. They are hoping for a new commission in May that will go along with their plan."