Special to El Rrun-Rrun
No one seems to know why, but Asst. City Manager Michael Lopez - who at one time served as interim city manager - is resigning his position effective today.
Lopez, from San Antonio, had a hand in a number of issues, including the attempt to remove the staff of the municipal court services from under the control of the chief municipal judge and under then-city manager Charlie Cabler. That little scheme evaporated after municipal judge Ben Neece - now a city commissioner - threatened to file an injunction in district court to put a halt on it.With the hiring of professional city manager Noel Bernal, it is probable that Lopez did not see much a future for advancement beyond being an assistant with his offices in the City Secretary office and away from the seat of power at the old federal courthouse.
The air in the city offices were rife with rumors that Lopez was having an inappropriate relationship with an underling, but that was laid to rest when he and Human Resources Analyst Roxanne Rosas - one of the employees under him - tied the knot and got married.
As former interim city manager, Lopez wielded unbridled power that some city employees allege went to his head.
"It was his way or the highway," said one. "He was making changes that didn't make sense like the attempt to remove the municipal court employees from under the judge. And he used the family bathroom at the city secretary's office like his person bathroom."
Because of the way he handled things while city manager, a couple of lawsuits were filed against the city. One of the lawsuit still depending was filed against the city by former Traffic Director Robert Esparza.
Commissioners who were asked where Lopez is headed say he has never told them. There are some possibilities like the new county administrator position that has been open for applications.