We know that City Representative Jim Tolbert throws hissy fits when he does not get free steak.
From Tolbert's hissy fit, we also know the Mayor and his staff got steak, as did the El Paso County Commissioners.
Well, we do not know if they really got steak, but I am just riffin' now.
But back to the County Commissioners.
What we do not know is how many Commissioners went.
Why does that matter?
If quorum was present, then the Commissioners Court should have posted a notice of a public meeting.
"But Max, they are just having dinner!!!"
It makes no difference.
House and Senate committees in the Texas Legislature post notice of public meetings even if the meeting is nothing more than a dinner and there is nothing to take action on.
The Commissioners Court probably did not want to post notice because of how bad it would look.
But now the Commissioners Court looks worse.
Nobody cares about Commissioner's Court. Stick to killing algae at Ascarate and leave the fine dining to those who can afford it. Oh wait, you all gave yourselfs a $30,000 raise, my bad. When are you taking me out for a steak?
Posted by: Muerta de hambre (aka Jaime Abeytia) | 12/12/2016 at 21:18
There is an exception for ceremonial gatherings. That is why they, along with municipal and school board members are allowed to gather for events.
Posted by: Abel Montes | 12/12/2016 at 23:22
The only info we have on the entire Commissioners Court being invited is from Jim Tolbert's email. Given Tolbert's history of prevaricating, exaggerating and generally throwing his ever increasing weight around, I would tend to believe that it isn't true.
But wait...isn't there a rule that public servants can't accept a gift valued at more than $20? I bet Escobar limited herself to a salad. And if anyone took a doggie bag home, could you please pass it on to poor Jim?
Posted by: Voter | 12/12/2016 at 23:25
A,
A ceremonial gathering is usually an open to public event. This was not.
Love,
Max
Posted by: Max Powers | 12/13/2016 at 05:26
Or, at least the event wasn't open to Tolbert.
Posted by: Juana | 12/13/2016 at 12:04
No. They are often invitation-only. Aren't you a former legislative page? You should know that.
Posted by: Abel Montes | 12/13/2016 at 23:25
A,
Was a quorum present?
Why so defensive?
Love,
Max
Posted by: Max Powers | 12/14/2016 at 06:22
But Max they just got a big fat undeserved Raise. Escobar was crying that she deserved it. Get ready El Paso to vote those suckers out...
Posted by: Real voter | 12/14/2016 at 08:00
Abel is just mad that you have more years on him hearing Norma's thigh burn holes into her biker chaps.
Posted by: Harley Davidson | 12/14/2016 at 12:41
A,
I'm not sure that the opening of a restaurant (i.e. a private enterprise) would qualify as a "ceremonial event" - otherwise what's to stop the County Commissioners or City Council from accepting plane tickets to fly off to Dallas for the ceremonial kicking of the pigskin to inaugurate the start of next year's football season at the hallowed grounds of AT&T Stadium?
Attending the opening of Ruth's Chris doesn't seem like it would be in keeping with the spirit of the open meetings law and it would seem trivial to use that as a way of getting around it: "Oh this isn't a meeting it's our Thursday Night Football anger management graduation ceremony"
Posted by: Not Blind | 12/14/2016 at 13:19