I’m troubled by what we are hearing and reading about our public officials declining to meet with citizens.
Yes we understand that the officials have work to do and that some members of the public can take up more time than is needed.
What we are seeing now is that some of our officials are refusing to answer correspondence and are delegating subordinates to meet with concerned citizens.
In times past some of our local officials would set aside a specific day of the week at a specific time where they would meet with members of the public that had concerns.
That is not too much to ask of the current group.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
I would presume that maybe they think they’re not paid enough to work full time. Some still have their “other job.” Anyway, I think those officials should be identified…starting with hizzoner who neither he nor his key staff doesn’t bother to respond at times.
LikeLike
I have given up any hope of a response from District 4 Representative Carl Robinson concerning what I believe is a dangerous traffic issue in my neighborhood. I have called his office and have emailed as well and have not recieved any call back or a return email. I neither have the time nor the inclination to repeatedly call or email. Once should be enough. If he isn’t going to return my call or email then he should take comments off his web page encouraging his constituents to contact him. Probably one vote won’t matter but Mr. Robinson will not be getting mine in the next election.
LikeLike
What and where is the problem. I’ll go over and look at it and bring it up when I’m down at city hall.
LikeLike
Surprisingly, when I have written or emailed to Silvester Reyes I was shocked each time I got a letter from Washington DC, from him, looking into my problem or inquiry. Just a simple, “thank you” or notice that the message “was received”, would be good from City Council members.
(I did not “support” Reyes, but he was the “Official” contact rep. for me.)
LikeLike
I called Congressman Reye’s office several years ago to help with an issue and I got an immediate response. Very professional. The issue was resolved right away. You don’t miss your water until the well goes dry.
LikeLike
This is not true of all officials. Larry Romero, District 2 Representative and his office are very responsive to requests, both those made at his meetings and by email.
Most reps have a monthly meeting. I would suggest going to that meeting and making specific requests in person, possibly in writing. It’s difficult for an official to ignore a face-to-face request. It shouldn’t have to be that way, but sometimes it is.
LikeLike
I never heard back from Haggerty on the UMC/CH matter after sending him a letter. I did hear back quickly from Judge Escobar.
Mostly, I thing politics has become so divisive and driven by special interests that reps prefer to hide rather than explain their positions and actions. I mean, what would Niland say to a question like, “Do you plan to use the PSB as a piggy bank to pay for city deficits that you helped to create?”
How would you answer?
LikeLike
we all though romero had passed away. he hasnt dont shit for this district. copia repaving stopped at hueco and the higher taxpaying neighborhoods still have bumpy, pothole ridden copia. he didnt once do a damn thing for infill but ran on that, a portion, of his platform. larry romero is worthless. focusing on his business instead of his constituents. we will vote this loser out next cycle.
LikeLike
I told you guys. Nobody listens. Romero is the new weekend at Bernies. We keep electing mutts and expecting different results.
LikeLike
I remember Romero’s campaign mailer. His top qualification was being a member of a big family. Guess he got negotiation skills with all that sibling rivalry over the last piece of pizza. His next top qualification was being a business owner. There were so many other well qualified candidates but Romero had the huge signs thanks to his rich supporters. Go for the biggest signs and you’ll know you’ll be forgotten unless you helped pay for them. He is a sold out pawn for the establishment and a bump on a log for this district. Maybe we could recall him for “sleep walking in office.”
LikeLike
Never have so few done so much damage and divided and demoralized so many. As a result, many now owe much for the benefit of a few. We are the unwilling led by the unqualified who are forcing us to do the unnecessary for the ungrateful.
LikeLike
The worst one of them all (and he’s not even an elected official), is EPISD Superintendent Cabrera. He absolutely refuses to meet with parents, staff who is not some well-heeled political insider. He will send some lower level bureaucrat and the few community meetings he had, he was unable to answer questions. Some say he’s afraid people will not be nice. Well sorry, but he’s highly compensated and the face of the district. If he can’t face the people whose lives he’s affecting and who pay him one of the highest salaries in the state of Texas for him to either hide or dismiss community concerns. Let’s hope the incoming Board heeds that message, but if they insist on protecting him from an angry crowd, then they are doomed as well and there will be no hope for the district..
LikeLike
He learned that elitism from a couple of the people on the board of managers that hired him.
LikeLike
Why not just pay the assistant more, they’re the only ones in the office and help the public ? “They’re not in the office” or “they’re in a meeting” is code, the lazy sob didn’t come to work or is hanging out.
Can we change the city charter to elect an official then automatically give the title and pay to their office manager or assistant?
LikeLike