Brownsville City Commission Executive Session: "She Opened Her Mouth Wide!

City Secretary Griselda Rosas(2010 photo)

This past August 15 the City Commission went into Executive Session at 5:30 PM.  The commission was accompanied by City Secretary Griselda Rosas, bound by her job description to take accurate notes of the session.

City Manager Charlie Cabler was not in attendance.  

Three items were on the agenda for the Executive Session, with the third item described as: Discussion pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 dealing with personnel matters. (Commissioners J. Tetreau/B. Neece – 10 mins)

The same item would later be considered in open session as:  Consideration and ACTION to evaluate the City Attorney and Legal Services of the City of Brownsville and to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. (Commissioners J. Tetreau/B. Neece)

As the commissioners began the discussion of City Attorney Mark Sossi's continued employment during Executive Session, City Secretary Griselda Rosas blurted out:  "You can't fire Mark Sossi!"

Reportedly, none of the commissioners asked Ms. Rosas to articulate a legal opinion as to what the city commission could or could not do.  She's not a lawyer.  Perhaps, her thinking was that Sossi's status had changed from "self-employed legal contractor" to city employee when he requested the city start deducting F.I.C.A., Social Security and Medical from his paycheck to provide for the son of an exotic dancer he'd knocked up.  

Eyes did roll, however, and there were a couple smiles.  You see, Ms. Rosas, is noted by some in the city to be a close companion of former City Secretary, now Assistant City Manager Michael Lopez.  

Lopez, in turn, has been close to Mark Sossi.

Sometimes, opinions blurted out impulsively, are not related to legal research into the City Code, but are associated with something more natural, even human; pillow talk.