This came in from Max Grossman.
The Mayor sent Dr. Rick Bonart a letter last week informing him that he will be removed from the City Plan Commission tomorrow, July 24. Of course, Article III, Section 3.7(B) of the City Charter provides that “appointments to and removals from standing or special public boards, commissions or committees of the City shall be made by the Council.” But that did not stop the Mayor from announcing Dr. Bonart’s removal in advance of City Council action tomorrow, much in the same way he “removed” City Attorney Firth from her position. Dr. Bonart, a fiscal hawk who served honorably and missed only a single meeting during his entire tenure, was appointed by Mayor Leeser and his term was set to expire April 10, 2019. Clearly, Dr. Bonart’s public stance on the TIRZ 12 issue irritated the Mayor, who apparently does not tolerate dissenting voices within City government. Dr. Bonart was an unpaid volunteer, and in return for his generous service received a cursory letter of dismissal and a “thank you.” His replacement will be Ricardo Cabrera, former KVIA anchorman and now an account executive at HUB International.
Last year Rep. Svarzbein ejected Daniel Carey-Whalen, a man with five times his professional qualifications, from the Historic Landmark Commission because of his public stance against the “Arena” location. Bernie Sargent and I were removed from the El Paso County Historical Commission at the behest of Vince Perez and Veronica Escobar for exactly the same reason, but without a word of thanks for a combined 25 years of volunteer service. Welcome to the club, Dr. Bonart!
Posted by Brutus 
elpasospeak 
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