THE RUMOR MILL: CABLER RESIGNS, OR IS IT "RETIRES?"

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Multiple heretofore reliable sources in the City of Brownsville say that City Manager Charlie Cabler has submitted his letter of resignation (or retirement) today, ending more than 35 years of working in the city.

His departure would come at a time of controversy when the city is still reeling from the firing of former city attorney Mark Sossi, the demotion and suspension of former Brownsville Fire Dept. Chief Carlos Elizondo and his assistant fire chief Ernie Estrada, and a racial controversy over remarks made by city commissioner Cesar de Leon. De Leon resigned, but later rescinded his resignation before the eight-day grace period had passed.

Before being placed on administrative leave with pay Elizondo had been under pressure to step down from the board of the Brownsville Independent School District, a call he has not heeded despite prohibitions in the city's personnel manual that a city employee cannot serve on an elective office. Cablers' reluctance to take any action on a commission audit ad oversight committee of the fire department has irked some members of the commission.

The audit – and an ongoing audit by the city – found that dispatchers had been told to steer ambulance transfers to Intercity Ambulance Service, a firm with direct links to Elizondo. The audit estimated the transfers had cost the city more than $62,000.

Cabler has had to deal with a growing dissatisfaction over the delayed $500 million Tansaka power plant project that has raised utility bills by 35 percent over the past four years, the $2.3 million Casa del Nylon purchase for a friend of the mayor when appraisals were far below that, and a commission that has felt it has to step in and do his job through the creation of budget, audit and agenda committees.

However, other reports indicate that investigators have found widespread and questionable activity in the city's purchasing department as well as the fire department. Sources say that Elizondo had recorded numerous city and school district officials and was now cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

The controversy surrounding Elizondo's release of electronic a recording targeting remarks by commissioner de Leon citing displeasure with his colleagues on the city commission and racial slurs against black assistant district attorneys could overshadow his reported resignation (or retirement).

Most recently, Cabler went on family leave to take care of his ailing mother. During his absence, asst. city managers Pete Gonzalez and Michael Lopez were placed in charge.

If it is true that Cabler retired today, he will not leave without a parachute courtesy of the contract he first signed in 2007 while then-Mayor Eddie Treviño was in office. Under the "Additional accredited leave package," he is guaranteed 260 days of paid leave, – whether he leaves voluntarily or involuntarily – in effect, a whole year with pay. (see graphic).

The math in the contract is a bit confusing because it states that the 260 days come from "30 days from City Charter and 130 granted by City Commission." That's only 160, according to our accountants.

Cabler first worked in the Brownsville Police Department before becoming assistant city canager in 2002, and then served as Acting City Manager before being hired as City Manager on September 1, 2004.

His salary now stands at $220,000 with a $600 monthly car allowance.