Letter to Editor from Jaime Perez Re: County PIO

Jaime O,

Good thing you weren't the "decider" when it came to the new PIO because you aren't very well versed on the basics of media.

Rule #1 - There are no "off the record" conversations with members of the press. Expect every thing you say, write or sign to be front page news.

Rule #2 - When you are the Chief of Staff for a politician under the worlds most powerful magnifying glass you must always speak as if you are speaking to the public. If you tell your dog to "sit" in the comfort of your own back yard I'd thrown in a "please" just in case there's a reporter around.

I shouldn't have to tell you these things. You are a professor of politics and should know better. Everything counts when you are in the spotlight.

I must say that you do make good points in your letter. I like your thoughts on speaking with an accent versus thinking with one. I happen to speak without an accent, but think with one. It's a sexy Italian accent that drives the women crazy.

Also, don't worry about Ms. Lascano she'll be ripped to shreds one way or another. The unpopular members of the Court voted her in. It's unfair, but that's how the game is played here in town. If judge Cobos says he likes chocolate ice cream, expect grocery stores to not sell one pint of it for months.

Please keep communicating with Newspaper Tree. I personally can't wait to see what you'll say next.

The fact is that lame duck commissioners voted her in, and new members will vote her out. As David K says, once she has to do her first interview on an English language station we'll see how well she can speak, accent not withstanding.

As for her Spanish, I remember her on Univision 26 and remember she left for some other job opportunity out of state I don't recall where. She did a good job as a reporter.

I don't know how well she will do, but if we had to put all the PIO's in city, county and schools in one basket I doubt we could find one that is truly "qualified" this isn't Houston, or Dallas or even Austin where PR people go through training etc to do the job of PIO.

Most of the PIO's in El Paso are people breaking into the career except for maybe a handful.(kindof like reporters in El Paso) They hire people that won't question what the bosses are doing or who have no clue about how the media works and that's good cause then they don't have to talk to the media or provide very little information.
Some of their interviews on tape all sound canned and the same as all the others and in some cases they act, sound and look like big shots because they know the media in El Paso has to depend on them.

Mr. Perez, let me for one state that the mere fact you feel compelled to address information that is public record and can be made available if one party agrees to it, does not matter whether you approved or not.

Second like so many other El Pasoans I do not hold a high regard for our County Judge, and if he can hire you despite all the controversy and spending of tax payer money for recalls that lacked the legality to be properly placed on the ballots. I can honestly state that any person or entity that he recommends or hires will always be suspect in my eyes.

Jaime wrote: "On a personal note, I do not subscribe to the notion intelligence, capacity, common sense and dedication are necessarily limited to those that hold college degrees."

The proper way to have written this is: "On a personal note, I do not subscribe to the notion THAT intelligence, capacity, common sense and dedication are necessarily limited to those WHO hold college degrees."

Apparently, even those who have college degrees and earn $100,000 a year don't know how to write complete sentences nor use proper grammar.

What's with 'signing' your name in lower case letters? Can you become more of a fake?

Mr. Perez,

I have to say, after reading the e-mail exchange between you and Mr. Mata, I became extremely disappointed in you and our city government. Then, I read your response today and realized that El Paso is in a tremendously sad state. You have some nerve, painting a picture of a just situation with your words. What else have you and the “other 3” county commissioners done or not done that is solely in your best interest? YOUR work should be in the best interest of El Pasoans! I want people IN OFFICE whose actions and words are in the REGION’S BEST INTEREST as a tax payer in this area. After all we tax payers provide your salary and from what I’ve read, we are paying you very well. It is because of people like you and the “other 3” that keep El Paso in a time warp. Cities all around us are flourishing, but what concern would that be of yours, you’re making your money and who knows what else you are justifying for your gain/our loss, with your deceptive words.

More El Pasoans need to stand-up to this disgraceful lack of leadership in our city, like Mr. Mata has!

I think it’s time to demand an end to your style of government corruption. I want quality for the tax money that I pay. My dollar is worth the same as those people who live in San Antonio or Houston. What are you and your agenda giving me for it? Nothing. Instead you and the “other 3” are giving it to the people you like, or owe a favor to. check.

I want results and it seems that people like Mr. Matta and Del Pueblo Press are the ones who can help move us away from the pattern of selfishness and greed in our politicians. So, Mr. Mata, may you and your company keep pushing, and moving El Paso in the right direction.

I've worked with Reyes Mata and his company Del Pueblo Press before and know that they are serious about changing El Paso for the better. The governments in the area should listen more to businesses like his. Their idea of benefiting El Paso is to put more money into the area by fighting for the rights of artists and the creative and talented people we have here, and for that they need support and congratulations

A lack of a Bachelor's Degree does not signify a lack of intelligence.

However, it does signify a lack of the stated proper credentials for the posted job.

Where do I go to attend the college of Mr Perez. Obviously, the only requirement to receive a degree is to be able to speak Spanish fluently, but not think with an accent. Glad to know those internet guys aren't the only ones giving away degrees these days!

Mr. Perez has once again reaffirmed and sealed the deal that will unite all El Pasoans and voters to ascertain that neither Mr. Perez or Anthony Cobos ever return to political leadership in El Paso in any manner whatsoever.

Their only hope in staying within the political realm is if they are given an opportunity by someone like the Mayor by appointing him to numerous boards or vacant positions, as the Mayor continues to do with Larry Medina, despite the overwhelming response by voters over and over again.

I don't understand. Wasn't the position of PIO elimanted when Anthony Cobos became County Judge? I believe what was said at the time was that the position was no longer required because he was going to have a Personal Assistant...Travis Ketner....remember him.....he said he needed someone with a law degree. Then and now it's ......Jaime Perez.....no law degree. So the budget is once again or as I should say the tax payers are going to be paying for this position again after it was deemed moot.

To repeat dw:

A college degree is not acquired by speaking Spanish! Is it "legal" to hire someone for a county position who does not meet the requirements? Anyone know? Seems legality isn't an issue for these people...what a surprise!

I believe that the posting by "what" is accurate. They justified the ridiculous salary they gave Ketner because they were combining the Administrative and Media position as one. (this was before it came to light that Ketner was not Cobos' choice, but the choice of the ALLEGED corruptors that played in concert with perhaps, Cobos)

Then Ketner leaves and plays the dutiful attorney and media person by running to the FBI Plea table first. Perez comes into play (another controversial player) I cant see him as a Cobos choice either. In any event Perez keeps the big salary and the perhaps it was determined that Perez would not be the appropriate FACE and TALK for the County and conclude that it would be absolutely necessary to hire another media spokes person.

Why Perez would not be considered as the voice and face of the County can be almost anyone's guess? I know what my guess is?

I must say i am truly disgusted that my tax dollars pay your salary Mr. Perez. You just don't get the message that EL Paso citizens are tired of corruption in any form.

I feel sorry for Escobar and Haggerty having to deal with this kind of trash on a daily basis. I applaud Reyes Mata and Del Pueblo Press for standing up to this kind of bacteria that keeps our city from getting to the next level.

If Lascanos position doesn't require a college degree maybe yours should at least require an ethical, unselfish and true voice our city can be proud of. Don't hide behind your "lack of power" to justify your back scratching. Your condescending attitude and ignorance isn't accepted by the citizens of this community.

Please don't feed the walrus.