My name is Victor Leal, I am a Former City Commissioner in the City of Harlingen.

I served on The Charter Review Committee.

 

I voted to allow you the opportunity to Vote on the Propositions. Little did I know that Our City would fail to notify the public well in advance.

 

I may support some of the propositions, but I do not support All of Them.

 

 

This year you will receive 2 ballots.

 

 

Vote AGAINST! - C, D, M, T, U, V

No to Mayor Voting

No to Changes to Airport

No to Changes to Waterworks

No to Changes to Economic Development Corporation

 

 

 

Prop C - The passing of this proposition will result in 6 voting members and the ensuing gridlock over tie votes. The mayor will have too much power to vote. The mayor can place items on the agenda directly, then motion to vote. In the case of a 3-2 vote of Commissioners, the mayor can now kill the vote of your commissioners. We currently have 5 voting members with a provision where the Mayor can break a tie.

 

Props D, M, T, V - Keep the Authority with the Boards of The Airport, Waterworks and Economic Development Corporation not the City Commission. The Airport, Waterworks and Economic Development Corporation are governed by their own board with their own revenue stream and separate finances. This is a bad management decision which will remove the Hire/Fire authority of these boards. The Airport, Waterworks and Economic Development Corporation have their own articles of incorporation separate from the City.

 

Prop U - Commissioners are always welcome to executive session. The only exceptions are personnel matters, and those are normally evaluations of the Manager. The Board works directly with the Managers and the City Commissioners do not. Vote AGAINST ex-officio for City Commissioners. If you do not understand the proposition,

 

Do Not leave anything blank, VOTE AGAINST!

 

One of my previous opponents, Jim Young (2018), said it best ... "Vote NO to all of the propositions and let's do this the Correct way with ample time and CITIZEN input. This feels more like a fire drill than a careful and deliberate review."