It's Official~ Overworked Mayor Tony Martinez Gets Part-Time Help with Burden of City Paperwork

"Whatever Lola Wants"

(Richard Adler, Jerry Ross)

Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets 

And little man, little Lola wants you 

Make up your mind to have (Make up you mind to have) 

No regrets (no regrets) 

Recline yourself Resign yourself, you're through I always get, what I aim for 

And your heart and soul Is what I came for 

Whatever Lola wants (Lola wants) Lola gets (Lola gets) 

Take off your coat 

Don't you know you can't win 

You're no exception to the rule 

I'm irresistible you fool .. give in 

(Give in, you'll never win)

Caricature of Tony "Lola" Martinez by Nena

First, the mayor just HAD to have a downtown office.

Without approval by the City Commission, the mayor committed the City of Brownsville to a lease for the property at 1101-A Washington Street commencing October 8, 2013.

Remodeling on the space was performed by City of Brownsville craftsmen, with four or five trucks parked outside the property in the fall of 2013. The $14,000 remodeling cost the city mentioned in response to a Public Information  Request was for materials only, not labor.  Adding taxpayer insult to taxpayer injury, Mayor Martinez NEVER used the office and the city allowed the lease to expire after one year.

Now, according to Martinez, the burden of city paperwork requires that he have a personal office secretary, paid for by the taxpayers.  Nevermind, that the city already has a City Secretary, Michael L. Lopez, along with a supporting staff.  The mayor, owner of Lola's Bakeshop on Palm Blvd., wants what the mayor wants.

Well, it may not have worked out the way the crybaby mayor preferred.  He tried to bully the city into hiring his longtime assistant, Sandra Saenz as his secretary.  What the City Manager has done instead is post an opening on the City of Brownsville website for a part-time assistant to the mayor AND city commission.

The job will pay $18.5913 per hour for 20 hours per week or $19,334.50 yearly.  Annual and sick leave privileges are included.  

Here is the job description and skill set needed for this position as posted on the city's website:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS:

Under general supervision of the City Manager the Assistant to the Mayor and City Commission provides administrative support to the Mayor and City Commissioners and works closely with the Office of the City Manager, conduct research, analysis of data, problem solving, preparation of reports and provides neighborhood communication. Serves as liaison between the Mayor/City Commission's office and outside agencies including local, state and national officials, citizens, delegations from Mexico and various City departments. This is a part-time position that will work a maximum of 20 hours per week.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

Establishes schedules and methods for providing effective services. 

Handles and processes complaints by working closely with all department heads to expedite requests for service. 

Writes and edits communication materials for the Mayor and City Commission, including speeches, scripts, talking points, and formal correspondence; and independently composes reports and memoranda for the Mayor and City Commission. 

Gathers and manages the flow of information to the Mayor and the City Commission, as requested. 

Prepares the Mayor and City Commission for presentations, speeches, and official appearances at town hall meetings, meetings/conferences with specific citizens, special interest groups, etc.   

Attends City Commission meetings and assists in assessing situations and gathering information to present for Mayor and City Commission. 

Assists in aligning opinions and recommendations presented to the Mayor and City Commission for effective outcomes.  

Assists in the support of a variety of boards and commissions, serving as departmental representative on special projects, committees, and task forces as assigned. 

Organizes and sets up meetings and conferences with citizens, delegations from Mexico, local state or national elected officials, etc. 

Promotes, organizes and stimulates good public relations with community special interest groups and elected officials. 

Provides a weekly report to the Commission regarding current and upcoming events.

Coordinates and prepares for the City Commission retreats and other projects as assigned by the City Manager. 

Performs other related duties as assigned.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Requires planning and directing others in the sequence of major activities and reporting on operations and activities which are very broad in scope.

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

Requires coordinating or leading others while maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

Requires using equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience such as computers, software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets or custom applications; or may service office machines.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to manage time efficiently with self-initiative and oversee assignments through completion using mature judgment.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires using basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences, areas, and volumes and/or computing discounts and interest rates.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires reading journals, manuals, and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, general public, people in other organizations, and presenting training; composing original reports, training and other written materials, using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style. Bilingual language skills preferred.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires performing professional level work requiring the application of principles and practices in a wide range of administrative, technical, or managerial methods in the solution of administrative or technical problems; or the coordination of entry level managerial work; requires general understanding of operating policies and procedures and the ability to apply these to complex administrative problems; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:

Responsible for actions of others requiring constant decisions affecting subordinate workers, customers, clients, or others in the general public; work in a very fluid environment with guidelines but significant variation.

VOCATIONAL/ EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE PREPARATION

VOCATIONAL/ EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:

Bachelor's degree in English, Business Administration, Public Administration, or executive secretarial certificate program or equivalent in years of experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES:

Valid Texas Drivers License.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Two years of clerical experience assisting an elected official or high-level private executive. Advanced word processing and computer skills. Must be able to type 50-60 words per minute, accurately.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking.

ADA COMPLIANCE:

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

BENEFITS:

The City of Brownsville offers sick and annual leave.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.  It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.  This job description is subject to change in response to funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operating procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.  This updated job description supersedes prior descriptions for the same position.  Management reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

This position is contingent upon continued availability of funds.