Wow. The City of Bastrop attorney has resigned. And, his resignation letter should be front page reading for every City of Bastrop resident and taxpayer.
BojorquezResignation“Given the current climate at City Hall, I have determined our present relationship is not sustainable,” he stated.
He continued, “the time has come to acknowledge that the irreconcilable
differences among the city’s leaders have placed me and my team in an untenable position.”
According to Community Impact, his seven years of service included “a period of ‘tremendous’ change, including five city managers, four chiefs of police, three judges, three mayors pro-tem and two mayors […].”
This isn’t change. It’s turmoil. This isn’t governance. It’s chaos.
His letter opines “While we continue to have confidence in our expertise as Municipal Lawyers, Bastrop is engaged in a transition that is best left to proceed without my staff’s involvement (and without me overseeing your legal matters).”
Translation: The City Council doesn’t listen to expert legal advice and goes off in whatever direction the majority sees fit whether or not it’s appropriate and to the benefit of the residents and taxpayers. In my experience, even if there are major differences of opinions and/or personality conflicts, as long as an entity is following sound legal advice, the lawyer stays on. But when a highly qualified legal advisor steps away saying they are going to “redirect [their] energies” and “allow [the City Council] the opportunity to continue upon [their] trajectory”, that should terrify every taxpayer and resident of the City.
My guess? The City Council will hire in-house counsel, a lawyer who will do what they say because his or her livelihood depends on it. That person will walk the proverbial fence, legally, trying to mold the law into the quest of this City Council majority for power. That lawyer will stay silent while the rights of the minority members, and thus their constituents, are trampled.
This is exactly how corruption takes seed. There is no one outside the circle of power minding the store. Bojorquez’ letter is a warning shot across the bow. Bastrop residents best beware.