A Few Observations About the Carlos Elizondo Matter

In all our interactions, deposed Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo has been gracious.  When he noticed me walking through Market Square a couple weeks ago, he went out of his way to stop and chat.

We discussed our excitement over the renovations being done in the square and our hope for downtown.

It was the first time we'd talked much since years ago when he was introduced to me by other fireman as someone not being treated fairly by then Fire Chief Lenny Perez.  What I heard and what Carlos carefully explained to me that day was that he was taking college courses that, according to the union contract, he should receive tuition reimbursement.  I was told that Chief Perez was making him go through a grievance process to get his rightful reimbursement.

We've met each other in passing since, at campaign events, exchanging pleasantries.

There's no doubt that Elizondo owes a great deal to his politically active fellow fire fighters for his successful run for BISD trustee, but, even before that campaign was over, we heard rumblings of "backstabbing," although no details were given.  Grudges formed between Elizondo and his fellow fire fighters well before his election or even his appointment as fire chief.

Alleged cheating on his exam, angst over the conflict of interest in being Fire Chief and BISD trustee, the alleged theft from the P.A.C. were merely symptoms of what some of his firefighting brothers felt was a larger problem.

One firefighter expressed his problem with Elizondo succinctly, with the line:  "Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely!"

More than a couple within the department have told me that "the position went to his head."

Of course, conflict at the workplace is not uncommon, along with so-called office politics, but managers are frequently judged by the productivity and morale of those they lead.