 |
| Attorney Osuna, Fire Chief Lenny Perez, Navarro |
Labor attorney Rick Navarro, who has made a small fortune in legal fees with the city, by appealing unwinnable arbitration cases, still garnering his legal fees, agreeing with Sossi, advised the city to go ahead with appeal, despite losing in Rolando Oliveira's 445th Court October 24, 2011. At that time, visiting Judge Hinojosa, not only ruled in favor of the union, but attached 6% interest to accrue from the end of the previous contract.
 |
| City Attorney Mark Sossi, his original advice to reject the BFFA's offer to settle for $1 Million less than the original wage gap make him the city's most expensive employee in history. |
We guesstimated the figures back last November:
"Let's do the rough ball park math. If the fire fighters lump sum supplement to the last contract is $2,700,000, the interest added to that from the end of the last contract to the date Judge Hinojosa ruled in their favor(I'm compounding the 6% interest annually), the added interest would be $515,743.20 for a total owed of $3,215,743.20. Now, if we add the 5% ongoing interest Judge Hinojosa added in his 2011 ruling, we add an additional $329.613.60 for a grand total of $3,545,356.80. Of course, it the interest is simple, not compounded, the grand total will be somewhat less, but, in any event, the longer the city takes to settle this, the more interest accrues."
While the above is just a layman's guess, it demonstrates a certain recklessness by the City of Brownsville in asset protection. Add to this the fact that, in early 2011, the local Firefighters and Paramedics Union offered to settle for $1,000,000 LESS than the $2.7 million owed by the city, a possible settlement of only $1.7 million. But, Navarro urged the city to stonewall the union, putting the city in jeopardy of losing millions through a court ruling.
 |
| BFFA President Carlos Elizondo(on the right) with Rico Bocanegra |
Carlos Elizondo, President of the IAFF Local 970 stated: "Jim, not only did the 13th Court of Appeals rule in our favor on the contract, but, in addition to the interest imposed in the 445th Court, they've awarded us our legal fees through this whole process. You may recall that several years ago, the firefighters and paramedics had to double union dues to pay for legals fees incurred because of the City of Brownsville pursuing this case."
If the public is still questioning why the city of Brownsville is in dire straits and we can't seem to climb our way out of the hole we are in, take this as a great example of how our city operates. Our past and present city administrations are clueless on how to make this community a progressive area, one that we can be proud of to live in. It is dumb decisions like this by the present administration with all the wasteful stupid spending that the taxpayers have to foot the bill for that can really set us back. But then again we keep voting for the same people over and over again.
ReplyDeletenice story, Barton. But why travel only the backroads of Browntown's problems. You shoot too low, dude. Go after the BIG STORIES!
ReplyDeleteOnce again Mr. Barton you continue to demonstrate the ineptitude of our City Commission and the blatant disregard for the citizens tax coffers and all I hear is crickets. At what point will a city commission member stand up and cry foul? Why allow a few overpaid attorneys call the shots after giving absolutely no responsible advice? Why keep these bozos on the payroll?
ReplyDeleteI ain't no big city slicker lawyer, but at least I can read plain English. Did Rick Navarro take the time to read the contract between the city and the firefighters ???
DeleteIt's the Brownsville cesspool. Everything corrupt y puros compadres.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Brownsville is Marco Longoria's bitch!
ReplyDeleteNO IT'S JUST CARMAS A BITH WHEN LAWYERS ARE LYING ,AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ON THE COMMISH ARE JEALOUS AND VINDICTIVE WITH HATE IN THIER HEARTS
DeleteThey will appeal to the Tx Supreme Ct. Harlingen did it to, sometime back, and it was for a lot less. And they will lose again.
ReplyDeleteBrownsville's city officials will never learn. They are just crabs in a bucket, always pulling the other down. They fail to look forward and develop the city, bringing in new business. Instead it's another fast food restaurant or taco shop. Brownsville will never grow until its elected officials learn how to lead.
ReplyDeleteKeep pounding.....These rats in our city offices will be exterminated! !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to take a LENNY??? Hahahaha
ReplyDelete