[Editor's note: A background story on the issue can be found at KVIA Channel 7. This exchange took place Tuesday, April 15, 2008.]
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 6:38:53am
From: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
To: "Jaime Perez"
Subject: County
"Del Pueblo Press Inc."
Well, an on-the-air backhand from the county judge. Why? For speaking honestly and forthrightly. I don't mind not being selected as the PIO. That's the way the ball bounces sometimes. It was a decent group of finalists of which i was proud to be a part. But the selection of Ms. Lazcano? No disrespect meant to her, but her English skills are limited, as is her education, and she brings with her onto the county's boat the ire of many, many important and influential entities in the region who, as you and i are both aware, refused communication with Diario during her tenure there, and the residue of their mistrust remains. There were other mitigating factors to Diario's isolation, of course, but there must have been a strange concoction brewing behind her selection. It was a bad decision -- not because it wasn't me who was selected, that is an irrelevant issue -- but because El Paso deserved a better purveyor of information, and the county commissioners should have had a unanimous decision in this above all other decisions, as this is the person who represents all of the court, not a part of it. If that meant a more thorough vetting of the candidates, El Paso deserved that.
You and i have had our differences, but have always understood that they were differing philosophies aiming for the same goal of a better El Paso. I wonder why this PIO decision caught me so off-guard. Maybe it's because I've given you the heads-up when I've had the chance, just so you had information i thought you might need. Not sure, but a better ally in the county i thought i had, and a better watchdog for El Paso i thought there was.
This is the back room politics for which El Paso correctly derides its politicians and their advisers. What happened yesterday is the bad, stale air that keeps the region down, and keeps the fences between the factions up. Yea, this sounds preachy, but that was a bad decision yesterday, for the county and for El Paso. Any astute observer will find that obvious. And it was not necessary for Judge Cobos to criticize me publicly.
So he and I disagree, big deal. I stated my honest opinion when queried to the podium, and my statements were true, as confirmed by other media in attendance, and my statements would be confirmed by the Sheriff's Office, Police Department, many at the city, many at the county, etc. Surely Judge Cobos has other folks to deride for much better reason. Don't get me wrong, I like Judge Cobos, he's a scrapper, I've said so publicly. I also like Commissioner Escobar, even though i think the downtown plan she is backing has serious flaws. After all, we all have our opinions, such is the landscape. However, this PIO episode was the first real indicator to me that a sector of the court was playing politics for the sake of playing politics. And, with its 3-2 decision, it poisoned the water around what could have been a healthy and unifying moment for the court.
Just my opinion.
Reyes Mata III
Del Pueblo Press, Inc.
1017 Montana Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone: 915-545-1598
Fax: 1-877-904-8503
The Storyteller's Alliance
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 8:31:40am
From: Jaime Perez
To: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
Subject: Re: County
I was in a meeting on behalf of the judge when the executive decision was made. I am sorry you were not selected.
I am not in any position to second guess the decision of the Court.
As you know, I was taken out of the process early on. Initially, it was thought I would review resumes, select finalists and present a recommendation to the court. I was taken out of the process.
SInce the decision was made at the political level, there is no question politics was going to enter into the process.
Good bad or indifferent, I will assist Ms. Lascano to represent the County as befits the Court.
Second:
You mistake my friendship and my suggestions as to how to strengthen your application and engage the process to lobby for the position, to being, "an ally."
The biggest problem with corruption and investigations is precisely the notion that friendships are used as leverage for positioning for County goodies and jobs.
I sincerely hope your suggestion you thought you had a better ally didn't insinuate you expected me to be your personal lobbiest (get you the job) because you are a friend. Such an insinuation is inappropriate and insulting to me.
You have known me long enough to know I do not play favorites and am very careful viz. processes and ethics. Friendship aside, I was very careful to advise you to follow protocols. And I would have done the same to anyone else who might have asked.
The harsh bottom line is you were evidently not first in line with a single member of the court according to their public pronouncements. I am sorry you didn't achieve your goals.
Jaime
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 10:10:06am
From: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
To: "Jaime Perez"
Subject: Re: Re: County
"Del Pueblo Press Inc."
Of course I didn't expect you to lobby for the job for me, that's not what the message was about. As I said, my selection for the job is not the issue. The issue was the conduct of a part of the court, the intentional placement of politics over progress by a faction with which you have a direct affiliation and an obvious preference, and a considerable amount of influence. You could have done more to serve El Paso by working with the goal of having a fair selection process; one that was not such a debacle; an involvement with fairness to all commissioners being the goal. But it quite evidently was not. Maybe I'm being too harsh in my assessment, but factionalism won the day in a moment when the opposite was needed. Again, not for me -- as I sought the position assertively but casually, aware that my skill-set might be better suited for the private sector -- but for a political atmosphere that is conducive to cooperation.
"Friend" or "ally," to me the terms are interchangeable except in a courtroom where the parsing of words can be the difference between guilt and innocence. This is your personal email account, isn't it? Not the county's. This isn't a courtroom, it isn't guilt or innocence, it's just me saying to you that your skills and insight could have made the selection process more professional. Maybe you're right, maybe I should distinguish between friend and ally, in this dirty political maze you've helped create. This maze is nothing to be proud of, and history will look with disdain upon it and its architects.
Maybe I just remember Jaime O. Perez the columnist wearing a farmer's hat in his photo, somebody sincere and thoughtful, somebody whose words that this college kid looked forward to reading because they were well-grounded and hopeful, inspiring.
It's been a long road since then I suppose. But the vitriol of politics has shaken the hand of eloquence you once had. As a friend, or ally, or whatever term fits, I think you attack too hard and too often and have set a political atmosphere where arrows are ceaselessly pointed at someone.
It doesn't matter to me that I wasn't selected, really. I'm quite happy with Del Pueblo Press, and our plans. But if this whole PIO thing turned into a political farce, just a friendly word saying so I don't think would have been indictable; a county judge who tries in a clumsy and transparent way to infer sexism in my utterances of the obvious truth i think would be better counseled by Jaime the columnist than JOP the political operative. Your team would get twice as much done with half the damage. But getting things done for all of El Paso seems to have fallen off the radar.
Despite all the differences, still your friend, ally, or whatever, Reyes.
Reyes Mata III
Del Pueblo Press, Inc.
1017 Montana Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone: 915-545-1598
Fax: 1-877-904-8503
The Storyteller's Alliance
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 2:06:20pm
From: Jaime Perez
To: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
Subject: Re: Re: County
I am deeply sorry you are angry at being slighted. Your so-called ally on the court didn't give you a second look but you prefer to spend your time attacking the three who were clear and transparent on their preference.
So be it.
I find it ironic the vitriol emanating from (now it is abundantly apparent) your "side" is all too the good and my pointing out the hypocrisy is somehow harsh.
You give me too much credit. In case you haven't noticed I have no power and those that you defend have all the power.
With your unprofessional attack on a competitor in open court, I haven't the slightest doubt you are next in line for a plumb job from your allies in the city or the Times.
Don't patronize me by parsing words regarding your obvious attempt to get a job using my friendship.
jaime
(the man in the straw hat your friends and allies would love to get rid of)
Don't bother communicating with me any more, I have no value to you as you can't use me for anything significant.
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 4:42:19pm
From: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
To: "Jaime Perez"
Subject: Not angry
"Del Pueblo Press Inc."
I'm not angry, Jaime; just dismayed by cliché political maneuvers that don't serve the interest of El Pasoans. And my "unprofessional attack" was an honest attempt to satisfy the court's questions. The real "unprofessional attack" came from the County Judge in his misguided comments about me to the press regarding the verifiable truths that I stated regarding a candidate whose abilities I believe do not rise to the level of fluency in language, education nor credibility that this community deserves. And, please, there is little stable ground for you to stand upon and lecture me or anyone regarding an "unprofessional attack against a competitor." You hold that trophy firmly In your hands.
Let our communications now cease, with one final statement: People often asked me why I continued to work with you. I always said "because he has the potential to help this town." I now believe that is no longer the case. So now, in deference to your need to be the smartest person in the room, I shall now exit this room and allow to begin that slow process of your combative influence melting under the greater force of cooperation and genuine affection for those El Pasoans whose tax dollars pay your salary. A salary, by the way, of $100,000 which puts you in the same tax bracket of the crowd that you constantly attempt to belittle for their abundance of money. That battle cry rings a little hollow now.
No Jaime, I'm not angry. I'm just cognizant of the approaching twilight of the ineffective style of malicious politics that you and your cronies represent, and I’m treating that conglomeration with the respect it deserves.
Reyes Mata III
Del Pueblo Press, Inc.
1017 Montana Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone: 915-545-1598
Fax: 1-877-904-8503
The Storyteller's Alliance
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Date: Tue, 15 April 2008 4:49:18pm
From: Jaime Perez
To: "Del Pueblo Press Inc."
Subject: Good Luck
your words are noted.
d.s.
April 17, 2008
BLAH BLAH BLAH and so it goes on
Mike
April 17, 2008
The county commissioners that voted for this new PIO are for the most part lame duck, Teran and Sarinana are out, and who knows maybe Cobos will be also, (if the FBI investigation goes agains him). I fail to understand how someone like Jaime Perez was allowed to be hired as the commisioners assistant and think that 100k for his job is waaaaaaaay over what someone in his position should be earning in El Paso. On top of the fact that the man has been nothing but a negative factor against all forms of government in El Paso and wrote nothing but half truths on his website as well as his so called Border Observer paper that failed. *(No comparison please to other true Observer papers) This hiring of Lazcano was a favor to her, as well as a payback to Diario by Perez. So he wasn't part of the decision he supported it and got Cobos to approve it. Can't wait for the new commissioners to come in and hopefully change what joke of a court we currently have. My apologies to Escobar and Haggerty but its a laughing stock. Cobos has no leadership qualities what so ever, you'd think the man was never educated himself with the lack of speaking qualities he has and so far he's 3 for 3 on getting his own people hired in high paying positions (Ketner, Perez and now Lazcano) sorry state of affairs we have to endure for several more months.
lapdogmedia
April 17, 2008
Perfect illustration of conflict of interest. The media is dead here. Good luck in finding "public service" work!
Guillermo Gonzalez
April 17, 2008
What Reyes Mata ever saw in Jaime O. Perez is a mystery only Mr. Mata can illuminate. Perez is a self-important hypocrite who thinks he's much smarter and better educated than he actually is. In fact, he's a mediocrity, albeit a well-paid one. We should be grateful that he's never around the courthouse, because this, presumably, limits the mischief he can work. On the other hand, El Paso taxpayers are paying this charlatan nearly $100,000 per year to do nothing. Talk about a farce.
The selection of Araceli Lazcano was clearly and without any doubt payback for her work on behalf of the three amigos (Cobos, Sarinana and Teran) while Lazcano was at El Diario. Who cares if she is manifestly unqualified for the job to which she was appointed? This is the same same kind of back-scratching that has been going on in El Paso for decades. These shenanigans will only end when the terms of the three amigos end or when they are indicted, convicted, and removed from office.
M.G.M.
April 17, 2008
It's about time people start speaking up against this type of corruption. Kudos to Del Pueblo Press for doing so.
Classical Tragedy
April 17, 2008
Literary genius. Classic struggle of good versus evil. The rebel's fight to restore democracy while facing the sword of the foot soldier for a tyrannical government. The collapse of a brotherhood no one understood. Keep up the fight Mr. Mata! The tragedy is that Mr. Perez does not see the headline with his own name in it.
LisaT
April 18, 2008
Yes the county does need a PIO. How else are we going to keep up with their "County Holidays". Here is a list of the May County Closings
1-2 May>>>>> National Commie Days
14 May>>>>>> El Paso County Government Culture and Literacy Day.Color with your favorite County Politician and Read to your favorite elected County politician.
19-26 May>>>>> Bridge Holiday. Come on down to the Court House and see what your bridge funds have been used for. (free beer and tacos for all )
Dax Bela
April 18, 2008
I received this in the email and figured it fit in here:
"It was cornfusing. I think I have the translation:"
rm - you no hep me
jop - i no need hep you
rm - you no my fren
jop - i no wan be u fren i no nee u no mas i am sumbode u nobode i haf nu frens en dey lika to me mor
rm - u no wan be my fren i no be u fren
jop - cabron
rm - pendejo
jop - hay 'sta
Rick
April 18, 2008
Del Pueblo Press keeps it real and on the front. I strongly believe that the press is just that; the press. To reveal, expose and write the facts.
C.O.
April 18, 2008
The whole situation is a joke. You're better off not being affiliated; good luck to you and your future endeavors.
Angel
April 18, 2008
I dont think this was out of conflict of interest but because she is good at her jobs if someone like her got hired without a degree then its because she is good at what she does i do not think they were worng for hiring her but because she is a hard worker you dont hire someone because they are your friend but to make your business better.
Mia G
April 18, 2008
Dax Bela, your lack of education or respect there of, is concerning to me. Your obviously do not have the capacity to comprehend what you apparently are struggling to read. I now have a better picture of who the idiots are who voted these people into office in the first place.
sam
April 18, 2008
It's not surprising how this new PIO was voted in.The three amigos,three of four egotisticle fools{I cannot leave Perez out}, of course they would say Lazcano was highly qualified. Fools running the commissioners' court, I apologise to Escobar and Haggerty.What a joke on the tax payers. Cobos' my way or no way attitude is disgusting. Birds of a feather...
dw
April 18, 2008
What a mess! Politics as usual?
Not so far away
April 19, 2008
It's no secret that political mayhem has long since tried to suppress such passion of individuals as Del Pueblo is obviously expressing for a better El Paso. A better El Paso is a dream that we can all agree on, but unfortunately it is this type of maneuvers of hiring a clearly unqualified person who does not meet the minimum qualifications of even holding a college degree that sets this dream back. Ms. Lazcano should not have even been a consideration in the first place. Why bother screening people if the minimum stated standards are not even being enforced.
Now onto the bigger issue. As an outsider looking in, I see a grand injustice that opinions are no longer welcomed. Its obvious that Mr. Perez has lost his passion for the city he serves and now just sits back comfortably with a lost vision of what he is really doing.
Different philosophies, different opinions, different backgrounds, different views are necessary in leading us to the same goal. I am for a better El Paso...Thank you Mr Mata for expressing your opinion! El Paso deserves better.
Susie Ramos
April 19, 2008
It is amazing how Mr. Perez took Mr. Mata's opinion as a personal attack. It is quite apparent that Mr. Mata's loyalty is to the community, unfortunately El Paso' s politicians keep us from progessing. What is equally amazing is Mr. Perez's salary. Wow!
In conclusion, if the PIO position required a degree, why then would the court choose a person that does not have the required qualifications?
I am Sam
April 19, 2008
This is to Angel and Dax Bella. You are missing the point that Del Pueblo had the courage to make. Public servants, serve El Paso, not yourselves.This has been long brewing, when will it stop? When will El Paso reach it's long awaited potential? Not until we stop voting this fools in who think like Perez. Thank you, Del Pueblo, for making the issue when so many have shrugged it off!
Ben
April 19, 2008
Hence the reason for the current FBI corruption investigation. The weaker less skilled candidate is being offered the job over a stronger, better qualified candidate who has pride in the city he lives in. Just a clear indication of how the county does business. I don't think this is a gripe on Mr. Mata's behalf for not getting the PIO position which is evident in his opening statement. If the person who recieved the position was better educated or skilled than Mr. Mata there would be no issue here. Mr. Mata would concede that the better candidate got the job. A PIO is always in the spotlight and his/her work reflects on the organization they are disseminating the information for. To the county, I hope you guys are happy with your decision. I praise Mr. Mata for vocalizing and bringing to light the way the county is being run by our elected officials.
BJ
April 19, 2008
El Paso deserves better than this obvious corruption. Other
cities see the absurd things some elected officials do, and must
think we are backwards. That is probably why we don't get the
respect we deserve.
Dax Bela
April 19, 2008
To I am Sam - I get the point. I get it so well I have voted for none of the self-serving commissioners in the last election or when they were at City Hall or other sad excuses for candidates in the last several years.
I fail to see what courage Del Pueblo had in bringing this to light. Was it that people will see Jaime O Perez for what he really is? Was it that the system is corrupt? (I am not refering to the current investigation.) Was it that the winner had questionable qualifications? Where is the courage in that? If there was an expectation of sympathy, why? Remember the saying about wishing in one hand and crapping in another? I hate it but I know which will get filled first.
El Paso will always vote for the Jaime O's or the Cobos because that is the way El Paso thinks. It's never what can be done to all of our benefit and you shouldn't be surprised by this. Proof is in the need for a runoff for County Commissioner involving Sarinana. Proof is in the limited outcry for Cobos to step down when he was named in the corruption case. Proof is in the mediocre jobs brought into the city. Proof is in parents spending money on the newest gadget instead of health insurance or childcare.
El Paso talks the talk but I doubt there is a real desire to see change.The change we see affects only a few - the Mayor's strip club fight - or the wrong people - pool ordinance - while the real issues are ignored. There is always someone who tries to do the right thing and is disappointed by the behavior of a friend or supporter. Del Pueblo's actions only have me thinking been there done that and got the scars to prove it.
I am Sam
April 20, 2008
To Dax Bela
Courage, meeting danger with out fear. In this case, the danger of retribution, and you know that can happen.To have the courage to state one' convictions; would Del Pueblo stand alone after bring this to light? Will people such as you, who has"been there, done that" band together, despite the scars, and see that El Paso walks the talk?Fairness has always had a tough fight. It's easier to do nothing
and when we see our self-serving politicians do their thing, we joke
or bitterly comment about it. I don't remember the saying about the crap, but you did remind me of another,"let me lay down and bleed awhile, for I am wounded; I will still get up to fight!"
DANTE BARNETT
April 20, 2008
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING CELESTIAL PRODUCTIONS SO MUCH LOVE. THE ARTICLE WAS GREAT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
La raNa
July 31, 2008
Years ago Mr. Perez came to my house collecting signatures to recall our lower valley rep. Later on the news I heard him say that he himself had not collected any of the signatures. He's a liar, plain and simple. How poignant, he ended up becoming what he most despised . Reyes, you will always have my full support on all your endeavors. Why would you want to work with those snakes anyway? Stop running after crumbs. Reyes Mata for Mayor! That's the ticket...Scrappy, Educated, Mexican. It's a good name, too. Think about it...Lets give O'Dork a run for his money...