By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Citizens on Tuesday peppered city council members with questions and demanded greater transparency regarding the recent firing of the city attorney and the “mutual separation” from the city manager.
Six people signed up to speak during the “Citizen Comments” portion of Tuesday’s regular city council meeting. Three addressed the Feb. 24 firing of Ana Markowski Smith as city attorney. During the same Feb. 24 meeting, the council approved a “mutual separation agreement” with City Manager Shawna Burkhart.
The first person to address the council on the issue was Patricio Garza, a member of The Border Organization (TBO).
After speaking about the effects of the day’s heavy rains on the northside sewer trunkline, Garza said he also wanted to address Smith’s dismissal.
Garza said, “On your executive session (later in the meeting), you will have a discussion regarding the past city attorney and her dismissal. We as citizens require transparency as to what the outcome was or the reasons as to why she was released.
“And please bear in mind that her function is not to please the council, but to safeguard the council itself to make sure that the law is being followed. She or whoever the city attorney is has to be partial to the law, and not to any one particular person. We all have to fall within the law.”
Irma Cardenas, a TBO leader and member of the San Felipe Association, also spoke about Smith’s firing.
Cardenas told the council, “We are present once again to continue our effort in getting answers as to why the city attorney was fired and why the city manager mutually separated from the city. As citizens, we deserve to know why.
“By your actions, you caused us a larger financial burden. Your decision caused us further delay in already uncompleted projects.
“Your vote cost us a lack of continuity in leadership. Your incapacity of firing employees might cause us a lawsuit and the buying out of a contract. Did you give the city attorney a negative evaluation? Did you put her in an improvement plan? Did you give her benchmarks to hit? No, you did not.
“In fact, you did the opposite. Ms. Markowski was given recognition.”
At that point, Mayor Al Arreola interrupted Cardenas and asked her not to use any names.
Cardenas continued, “How and why the change of heart, city council? Why? It’s the warming center. How? A walking agenda. At least four of you knew of the firing prior to the council meeting. Even the city human resource director was told the city attorney would be terminated prior to the city council meeting.
“Your lack of foresight, vision and improprieties has put us, the citizens, in a very dangerous predicament. You have the authority to right this ship. You do. Do the right thing. Do the right thing for the sake of the citizens.”
The council also heard from Sara Winters, who said she is a lifelong resident of Del Rio and a close personal friend of Smith’s.
Winters told the council, “I’m here to say a few words about someone who has meant a great deal to this community. I have known Ana for many years before her role at City Hall, and what has always stood out to me is her character.
“It’s not the kind of character people talk about in speeches or on paper, but the kind you see in quiet moments. It’s the way she shows up for people, the way she listens, the way she steps in to help without ever needing recognition.
“She’s been a friend, a neighbor and a steady presence in this community for as long as I can remember.
“When someone was going through a difficult time, she was there. When a family needed guidance and support, she was there. When our community faced challenges, she didn’t wait to be asked — she simply did what was right.
“This is who she is. Her integrity is not something she puts on for work. It is woven into her daily life, into how she treats people and how she carries herself.
“That is why her sudden termination, delivered without any stated reason, has left so many of us shocked and deeply disappointed.”
Winters continued by praising Smith’s work as city attorney.
“It does not reflect the woman we know. It does not reflect the years of service she’s given to this city with honesty, fairness and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing, even when it was difficult or not popular.
“Throughout her time as city attorney, she brought clarity, steadiness and a strong ethical compass to every issue placed in front of her.
“She worked hard. She worked quietly, and she worked for the good of the community. She never sought the spotlight. She never asked for praise. She simply did the job with professionalism and heart.”
At that point, the timer marking the three-minute speaking limit sounded. Winters responded, “You’re kidding,” before stepping away from the podium.
Council members typically do not comment on statements made during the “Citizen Comments” portion of meetings.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, who made the motion to proceed with Smith’s dismissal during the Feb. 24 meeting, later addressed the issue during the “Mayor/Council Public Announcements” portion of the agenda.
Arreola began the announcements with comments regarding traffic at the Del Rio International Bridge before asking each council member if he or she had additional remarks.
When Arreola called on Gutierrez, she addressed the issue.
“In an attorney-client relationship, whether for public or private purposes, the most important part of that relationship is trust,” Gutierrez said.
“After last week’s special city council meeting, my decision to make the motion and vote in favor of the dismissal of the city attorney was reinforced by the presentation of The Border Organization.
“As most of you are aware, I strive to meet with citizens, civic, political and activist organizations to address issues that might help move our city forward, and I have met many times with this organization. In this case, I was never contacted after my motion or subsequent vote by anyone.”
Gutierrez concluded by saying the city must change course.
“One thing as a community that we need to come to realize is that the city is a business. City business is serious business.
“If I have an appointment in San Angelo and travel by way of Highway 277 North, and I find myself instead driving on 277 South, I know that I will not reach San Angelo unless I change direction, my course of action.
“This is what I’m trying to do — change direction and change the status quo.
“Please understand that I serve all the citizens and cannot bow down to any special interest, whether they be an individual or an organization of any type. I only bow down to the only impartial and fair judge that I know — I bow down to God.”
Gutierrez then concluded her remarks.
NEWS — Citizens demand transparency from council over city attorney firing
By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Citizens on Tuesday peppered city council members with questions and demanded greater transparency regarding the recent firing of the city attorney and the “mutual separation” from the city manager.
Six people signed up to speak during the “Citizen Comments” portion of Tuesday’s regular city council meeting. Three addressed the Feb. 24 firing of Ana Markowski Smith as city attorney. During the same Feb. 24 meeting, the council approved a “mutual separation agreement” with City Manager Shawna Burkhart.
The first person to address the council on the issue was Patricio Garza, a member of The Border Organization (TBO).
After speaking about the effects of the day’s heavy rains on the northside sewer trunkline, Garza said he also wanted to address Smith’s dismissal.
Garza said, “On your executive session (later in the meeting), you will have a discussion regarding the past city attorney and her dismissal. We as citizens require transparency as to what the outcome was or the reasons as to why she was released.
“And please bear in mind that her function is not to please the council, but to safeguard the council itself to make sure that the law is being followed. She or whoever the city attorney is has to be partial to the law, and not to any one particular person. We all have to fall within the law.”
Irma Cardenas, a TBO leader and member of the San Felipe Association, also spoke about Smith’s firing.
Cardenas told the council, “We are present once again to continue our effort in getting answers as to why the city attorney was fired and why the city manager mutually separated from the city. As citizens, we deserve to know why.
“By your actions, you caused us a larger financial burden. Your decision caused us further delay in already uncompleted projects.
“Your vote cost us a lack of continuity in leadership. Your incapacity of firing employees might cause us a lawsuit and the buying out of a contract. Did you give the city attorney a negative evaluation? Did you put her in an improvement plan? Did you give her benchmarks to hit? No, you did not.
“In fact, you did the opposite. Ms. Markowski was given recognition.”
At that point, Mayor Al Arreola interrupted Cardenas and asked her not to use any names.
Cardenas continued, “How and why the change of heart, city council? Why? It’s the warming center. How? A walking agenda. At least four of you knew of the firing prior to the council meeting. Even the city human resource director was told the city attorney would be terminated prior to the city council meeting.
“Your lack of foresight, vision and improprieties has put us, the citizens, in a very dangerous predicament. You have the authority to right this ship. You do. Do the right thing. Do the right thing for the sake of the citizens.”
The council also heard from Sara Winters, who said she is a lifelong resident of Del Rio and a close personal friend of Smith’s.
Winters told the council, “I’m here to say a few words about someone who has meant a great deal to this community. I have known Ana for many years before her role at City Hall, and what has always stood out to me is her character.
“It’s not the kind of character people talk about in speeches or on paper, but the kind you see in quiet moments. It’s the way she shows up for people, the way she listens, the way she steps in to help without ever needing recognition.
“She’s been a friend, a neighbor and a steady presence in this community for as long as I can remember.
“When someone was going through a difficult time, she was there. When a family needed guidance and support, she was there. When our community faced challenges, she didn’t wait to be asked — she simply did what was right.
“This is who she is. Her integrity is not something she puts on for work. It is woven into her daily life, into how she treats people and how she carries herself.
“That is why her sudden termination, delivered without any stated reason, has left so many of us shocked and deeply disappointed.”
Winters continued by praising Smith’s work as city attorney.
“It does not reflect the woman we know. It does not reflect the years of service she’s given to this city with honesty, fairness and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing, even when it was difficult or not popular.
“Throughout her time as city attorney, she brought clarity, steadiness and a strong ethical compass to every issue placed in front of her.
“She worked hard. She worked quietly, and she worked for the good of the community. She never sought the spotlight. She never asked for praise. She simply did the job with professionalism and heart.”
At that point, the timer marking the three-minute speaking limit sounded. Winters responded, “You’re kidding,” before stepping away from the podium.
Council members typically do not comment on statements made during the “Citizen Comments” portion of meetings.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, who made the motion to proceed with Smith’s dismissal during the Feb. 24 meeting, later addressed the issue during the “Mayor/Council Public Announcements” portion of the agenda.
Arreola began the announcements with comments regarding traffic at the Del Rio International Bridge before asking each council member if he or she had additional remarks.
When Arreola called on Gutierrez, she addressed the issue.
“In an attorney-client relationship, whether for public or private purposes, the most important part of that relationship is trust,” Gutierrez said.
“After last week’s special city council meeting, my decision to make the motion and vote in favor of the dismissal of the city attorney was reinforced by the presentation of The Border Organization.
“As most of you are aware, I strive to meet with citizens, civic, political and activist organizations to address issues that might help move our city forward, and I have met many times with this organization. In this case, I was never contacted after my motion or subsequent vote by anyone.”
Gutierrez concluded by saying the city must change course.
“One thing as a community that we need to come to realize is that the city is a business. City business is serious business.
“If I have an appointment in San Angelo and travel by way of Highway 277 North, and I find myself instead driving on 277 South, I know that I will not reach San Angelo unless I change direction, my course of action.
“This is what I’m trying to do — change direction and change the status quo.
“Please understand that I serve all the citizens and cannot bow down to any special interest, whether they be an individual or an organization of any type. I only bow down to the only impartial and fair judge that I know — I bow down to God.”
Gutierrez then concluded her remarks.
Joel Langton
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