Rep. Rivera says he does not know reason for firing of El Paso City Manager Tommy Gonzalez

KFOX 14
by Jhovani Carrillo
Thu, March 2nd 2023, 9:58 PM CST

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — While some City Council members continue to refuse to answer why they voted to terminate City Manager Tommy Gonzalez's contract, others who voted to keep him have no problem speaking with KFOX14.

Reporter Jhovani Carrillo asked District 7 Rep. Henry Rivera why council members wanted to get rid of the Gonzalez, but Rivera said that he was left in the dark.

"All I can tell you is the fact that Representative Kennedy said on dais, you know, he gave three points. Other than that, he keeps insisting that it’s personnel matters," said Rivera. "All I know is what you know and what the rest of the community has been told."

Representatives Kennedy, Alexsandra Annello, Joe Molinar and Art Fierro voted to terminate Tommy Gonzalez's contract in 120 days.

Mayor Oscar Leeser broke the tie.

Carrillo asked Rivera if the four council members who voted to fire Gonzalez had a replacement city manager in mind.

“They haven’t told us anything at all. Just like they were silent that day on the dais, they’ve been silent with us. And you know what, I am curious too. What’s their next steps, they’re just not telling us anything," added Rivera.

Rivera said that he is not aware of any investigations, or performance issues that could have prompted the termination of Gonzalez's contract.

"No, no. Mr. Gonzalez was very adamant about his work. He was really professional," said Rivera, "Mr. Gonzalez has been very, very efficient and very efficient in his work."

Rivera said it's troubling that the City Council members are not being transparent with El Pasoans.

"It’s troubling but like this morning we got an email from Mr. Gonzalez saying that they hadn’t found any audit findings at all. It’s the 7th year in a row. Everything is being managed correctly. Properly with you know, with the taxpayers in mind. There’s no finding with the last 7 years in mind that’s amazing. That’s amazing, never heard of. Again, like you, and the rest of the community, only those that belong to the little group, I guess, do know what is going on," said Rivera.

Carrillo tried to get answers from Leeser and Kennedy about their decision Wednesday, but they both evaded questions.

In an email Thursday, the Mayor's Senior Chief of Staff, Estrella Escobar, said he doesn't comment on personnel matters.

But in May, when council voted to extend the city manager’s contract--and the mayor vetoed the decision-- he was more than willing to speak to KFOX14.

"It doesn’t have to do with any performance from the city manager," said Leseer during a May interview.

“I speak for the veto. I put it in writing and it shows that we are currently under contract. It does not have anything to do with the performance of the city manager," said Leeser in a different May interview.

Meantime, KFOX14 asked Rivera if there was anything that could prevent council members from explaining their vote. He said that aside from what is discussed in executive session, there's not much.

"Not really. I talk about my items on the agenda. No, not really. If they want to use that excuse as it being a personnel matter that’s fine. I think Mr. Gonzalez talked to you the day of. He spoke and he spoke freely. He didn’t hold anything back," said Rivera.

Rivera said he also tried to get answers from the members who voted to terminate the contract, but was not successful.

"Those who voted to keep him here, we are asking for a timeline and what's next. We came out with no answers also," said Rivera.

KFOX14 asked Rivera if there is a possibility that City Council members could try to eliminate the city manager position.

He said, "No, we are under the city manager form of government. There’s no change on that. It would have to go to the charter and that’s already too late to place to the charter right now," said Rivera.

Rivera said the city manager has been a big help to the City of El Paso.

This man is a highly nationally honored city manager, has handled El Paso’s crisis immaculately to the point where we came out of a pandemic, we came out of the migrant issues, we came out of the August 3rd shooting. I mean, anyone else could have broken during one of those periods, but he didn’t. He was very professional and keeps it professional. And he’s holding his head up as he should. He’s done in my opinion, nothing wrong. Other than to lead so well that El Paso is getting recognized as before we weren’t.