VALLEY MORNING STAR CONFUSED ABOUT IDENTITY OF HARLINGEN'S NEW INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY

In an article about Harlingen's search for a new city attorney and city manager, staff writer Fernando Del Valle concluded the article with this paragraph:

Meanwhile, commissioners hired John Sossi, who’s serving as city attorney for the cities of San Benito and Mercedes after a 15-year stint as Brownsville’s legal counsel, at a rate of $200 an hour.

Now, anyone remotely familiar with Brownsville city government will remember the city has employed a Mark Sossi and a John Chosy in their legal department, but never a John Sossi.

Mark Sossi

Mark Sossi was a piece of work, dishonest to his core, contentious in his dealings with Brownsville citizens, but a veritable lap dog for Mayors Pat Ahumada and Tony Martinez.

Sossi, hired in 2009 during Ahumada's last term as mayor, brought with him considerable baggage, a judgement against him for theft of  funds in the amount of $167,323 from his previous employer, Willette & Guerra, a $20,711.66 judgement from Texas Workforce for $20,711.66, a $100,000 tax lien from the I.R.S. and two malpractice lawsuits from Brownsville residents who'd used his legal skills.

Argelia Miller wrote the City Manager Charlie Cabler a letter dated August 25, 2010, where she enumerated Sossi's dishonest past.  

Sossi was retained despite the horrendous record.

When Letty Perez-Garzoria stepped up to the podium to share the details from Mrs. Miller's letter,  Sossi came up with a plan to stifle, stymie and squelch any further revelations about his past, proposing the ban of public comment.

While some blame Pat Ahumada for that ban, Ahumada claims it was Sossi's doing.

Whoever initiated the ban, those who voted for Tony Martinez as mayor were hopeful he would overturn it, but they were in for a big surprise asMartinez continued the ban on public comment, as reported in a 2011 Brownsville Observer article:  

A couple months into the Tony Martinez tenure as mayor, former City Commissioner Melissa Landin(Zamora) introduced an agenda item to consider rescinding the ban on the broadcast of public comment. 

Shocking those who thought they'd voted for a democratically-oriented mayor, Martinez voiced his opposition to lifting the ban, saying:

"I'd like to continue doing things the way the previous administration did them. It's been working pretty good so far. I don't want to change that."

Begrudgingly, the ban on public comment was eventually lifted due to a constant public outcry and protest, but not without Mark Sossi lecturing the citizenry against "grandstanding" as he grandstanded.

John Chosy

John Chosy, who served for several years as Assistant City Attorney before retiring, is remembered more favorably, but one humorous incident is worth reporting.

We go back to the Brownsville Observer archives to pull out our November 19, 2013 report:

The emotional issue of the evening was the first reading of an ordinance adjustment to disallow chickens and other foul within 50 feet of a residence:  

7. Public Hearing and ACTION on FIRST READING of Ordinance Number 2013-971-F, to amend Chapter 10 “Animal Regulation and Care”, Article III “Care and Control”, by replacing Section 10-1063 “Animals Not Permitted”, with Section 10-1063 “Space and Distance Requirements”, and adding Section 10-1065 “Livestock Running At Large”, and dealing with related matters. (John Chosy – Assistant City Attorney)

Assistant City Attorney John Chosy presented this adjustment.  Mayor Pro-Tem Ricardo Longoria noticed that Chosy had changed the original language of the ordinance variation from 50 to 100 feet.

"Most lots in District 1(Southmost) are 50' X 100'.  The new wording would actually outlaw chickens from the district.  Many of my neighbors actually prefer fresh chicken," stated Longoria.

I have to admit Longoria caught me offguard here.  I expected him to say "like fresh eggs," not "fresh chicken." 

The prospect of living next to folks slaughtering chicken is a little unsettling.)

Chosy agreed to readjust the wording back to 50 feet from a residence, but this was a public comment item and Robert Uresti had input:

"Does the 50 feet run vertical or perpendicular?" asked Uresti.

"Actually, it's simply 50 feet from the adjoining property," answered Chosy.

"So, it's a radius of 50 feet?" Uresti continued.

"I'm sticking to the language of the ordinance," answered Chosy.  

Uresti had questions about other foul, such as geese and pigeons.  

Chosy read off a list of creatures covered by the ordinance including both geese and pigeons.

So, Harlingen:  

If John Chosy decides to come out of retirement to work for your cities, you got a good man.

If Mark Sossi is your new temporary hire, prepare for a rough ride.