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But sources in the city told me that among those fired are Human Resources Director Joanna Gomez, the directors of zoning, finance and transit and the mayor’s chief of staff, Guillermo Cuadra, who was hired after Marono left and reportedly makes somewhere around $150,000, making one of the highest paid COS Ladra has ever heard of.
One source said there could be an additional four people added to that list.
Now, normally, public sector employees cannot be fired without cause and usually get the benefit of what is called a pre-determination hearing, to consider alternatives like disciplinary action, transfers and other options. From what Ladra has heard, none of the employees fired Monday were given such hearings.
Also, at least some of them were blocked from going into their offices or retrieving personal items from their desks. One source told Ladra that police escorted some of the employees out of City Hall.
But this is not the first time that Diaz fires people because they rubbed him the wrong way.
He fired several high-ranking police officers and a code enforcement officer after the city got a complaint, allegedly, about work being done without a permit at the mayor’s home.
And maybe he’s making room for more of his pals. Diaz also previously fired the maintenance director and hired Alan Albolila, the husband of the Esther Albolila, former chief of staff of former Commission Chair Joe Martinez.
According to one of Ladra’s sources, another employee was saved from the chopping block but is being transferred basically to Siberia: Jenny Marono, the incarcerated mayor’s wife, who used to head constituency services at City Hall, will now be reporting to fleet services in maintenance. In other words, she would be going from helping residents with their food stamps and stuff to making sure that vehicles have their oil changes.
Nah, this ain’t political. Diaz is just “cleaning house.”
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[…] all, there’s nobody running the finance department now, since Finance Director Anny Chez was fired two weeks ago along with four other top officials. And the city needs to present a new budget for the next fiscal year […]
Mayor Manuel Diaz is a decent family man who was tossed into an unexpected situation when Mayor Marono was arrested and convicted. For as long as anybody can remember Sweetwater has been a symbol of corruption in this county. At this juncture in time, Sweetwater’s city government is comprised of Council members that include Isolina Marono (mother of Mayor Marono and renown absentee ballot collector) Manuel Duasso, a three decade Sweetwater gadfly and Isolina’s helper in the absentee ballot collection adventures. The council also includes Catalino Rodriguez, not even worthy of the title of thief but “ratero” which in Latin terms means a person who will steal anything not tied down. It was Catalino Rodriguez who as former Sweetwater cop was in possession of the keys to the evidence warehouse were drugs, cash and property went missing. It is evident Mayor Diaz has a very tough job ahead of him but this is definitely a move in the right direction. Let’s hope decent Sweetwater citizens without the listed maladies run for office and replace the listed group of corrupt officials.
Esther never worked for Pepe Diaz
Thank you, Nazria.
Someone in his office also informed me of that and asked me to take out the reference.
Love, Ladra
This guy drank the Kool-Aid and broke bread when Manny was Mayor – now he wants to do what? Does this “Mayor by Accident” genuinely believe his own press? What a shame and embarrassment. Sweetwater deserves better than this guy at the helm. Diaz was on the City Commission during Marono’s tenure. He supported every move, every suggestion, laughed at every joke, and kissed Marono’s hinnie every chance he got. He now attempts to disclaim his attached-at-the-hip association with Marono only for his self-serving political gain. Diaz and Marono were like Abbot and Costello; Lone Ranger and Tanto; Batman and Robbin; What a Chameleon. Honesty? Who is this Diaz trying to fool! Honesty is admitting where you have been, who was there with you, who you supported or supported you, and recognizing that while Marono made a serious – inexcusable mistake, his leadership, nevertheless, benefitted the City and its residents in many way. Regrettably, it is human nature to emphasis the negative and ignore the positive; to run for away in fear and deny your brethren, all for self gain. Such is history – Judas did it to Jesus, Brutus to Caesar. Politicians have a penchant for such ways. Allegiances are fickle and friendship is disposable. Sweetwater has great potential, but it will never realize those potential with neophyte leaders like Diaz. The issues of Sweetwater are complex and recurring, and the Diaz’ of this world do a disservice to the City. Oh, by the way, did I mention that Diaz’ team of “advisors” are the Carlos Hernandez gang from Hialeah! What a Country. Form Russian Circus Midgets to a Clown in Command and a Hialeah Ring Master. It is a shame a real viable candidate does not step forward to oust this guy.
Define better. Orlando “”El Periquero”” Lopez? Really? WOW!!!
(Revised / Corrected Reply);
I’m going to try to be as objective as I can. Ever since politics was created hundreds of years ago; every time someone takes over as a leader he or she must bring their on people (staff) to help accomplish the tasks an hand. The reason for this is to be able to function with people that are on the same page. There is nothing wrong with that, our state governors & even our great nation presidents have been doing it forever. Jose Diaz (Known to me personally)is a very religious person & I don’t think he will be a bad Mayor. This move should’ve been made the first day he took over but due to his religious beliefs he gave this people a chance rather than fire them when the reality is that instead of this people being grateful, they became an obstacle to the moving forward toward the growth of the city & corruption clean-up.
Even if some people want to call this a political move, it is indeed a good move.Everyone of his predecessors did this including the former mayor Manuel “Manny” Morono & those that eventually be there (hopefully in a far future)in his position will also bring their own people.
I don’t think that if this persons were doing the right thing for the citizens of Sweetwater Mr. Jose Diaz would ve never made this move because then “It would had been a bad political move”.
Last but not least and don’t think that any one reading this, likes to : “”SLEEP WITH THE ENEMY””
Open your eyes & look at the whole picture this looks like when John Gotti went to serve time in jail he was still running the show thanks to all the crooks that he left behind in some key places.
Enough is Enough!!! Let’s cut the B.S. and let the guy do his work and concentrate in things related to the well being of the city and all their constituents.
P/S: I don’t work for the city and I don’t owe anyone or any politician any favors.
Sincerely: J. Rodriguez
About time someone does…