Friday, August 9, 2019

ASST. CITY MANAGER MICHAEL LOPEZ GONE, TODAY'S LAST DAY

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

No one seems to know why, but Asst. City Manager Michael Lopez - who at one time served as interim city manager - is resigning his position effective today.

Brownsville Interim Mayor Michael Lopez explaining to the City Commission why a contract award for the new airport terminal was postponed. Image courtesy : City of Brownsville video archives.Lopez, from San Antonio, had a hand in a number of issues, including the attempt to remove the staff of the municipal court services from under the control of the chief municipal judge and under then-city manager Charlie Cabler. That little scheme evaporated after municipal judge Ben Neece - now a city commissioner - threatened to file an injunction in district court to put a halt on it.

With the hiring of professional city manager Noel Bernal, it is probable that Lopez did not see much a future for advancement beyond being an assistant with his offices in the City Secretary office and away from the seat of power at the old federal courthouse.

The air in the city offices were rife with rumors that Lopez was having an inappropriate relationship with an underling, but that was laid to rest when he and Human Resources Analyst Roxanne Rosas - one of the employees under him - tied the knot and got married.

As former interim city manager, Lopez wielded unbridled power that some city employees allege went to his head. 

"It was his way or the highway," said one. "He was making changes that didn't make sense like the attempt to remove the municipal court employees from under the judge. And he used the family bathroom at the city secretary's office like his person bathroom."

Because of the way he handled things while city manager, a couple of lawsuits were filed against the city. One of the lawsuit still depending was filed against the city by former Traffic Director Robert Esparza. 

Some staffers say that as Bernal's new city administration is making staff changes, his style of management wasn't really needed anymore. He knew the writing was on the wall, and leaving Dodge was his only option, they say.

Commissioners who were asked where Lopez is headed say he has never told them. There are some possibilities like the new county administrator position that has been open for applications.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well you know who to put there of course one of the engineers who else.

Anonymous said...

Good riddance. He carried himself like he was to good for everybody else. He never returned calls as City Secretary let wine as interim city manager. And oh yes he was dating Rosas when she was the City PIO. Bye bye Pelion.

Anonymous said...

"He can go to hell for all I care"! It was the worst decision for the city to hire this ugly bald bastard! He acted like his sh$t didn't stink. I feel sorry for whoever hires this assh&le! Karma a bitch!

Dom Pedro said...

adios MFker, and out he went

Anonymous said...

Bye bye! pelón feo y bye bye! Willy Gonzalez! Me saludas tu feo mama! Next should be Oscar Salinas and some of the extra engineers!

Anonymous said...

And don't come back

Anonymous said...

Juan,

Michael Lopez no estaba calificado para ser Manager. El solo vino a solaparle a Charlie. También que saquen a Art Rodríguez, el no sabe nada de salud pública. Es un desastre!

Anonymous said...

Gangas Kahn look alike

Anonymous said...

How can that pretty girl date this pelon? No mames.

Art needs to go too as an administrator. Pobre veto. Ponte a dieta vato. Eres el health vato.

Anonymous said...

Another useless that should go is Ramiro Gonzalez

Anonymous said...

Roxanna saw in him $$$$ and power! I give it less an year before he divorces this ugly mofer! Art Rodriguez, you're next to leave...that menso doesn't know how to really run the Health department. He's fat and ugly what a waste of a pig! And he want to be called "DOCTOR" What a pendejo! Nobody likes him in his department!

Anonymous said...

Did here tured the computer?

Anonymous said...

Wow, Rosas married him? That bald ass. I remember seeing her date younger guys her age. Nombre este vato nomas no. Give it a year and bye.

Anonymous said...

As a taxpaying citizen of Brownsville I had an issue caused by the relocation of the hike & bike trail on Paredes Line Rd. and Mr. Lopez was very arrogant in his response to my concerns. He acted like he was the mayor or someone of high importance that should not be bothered.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Lopez once saw me eating a raspa on a break, after working remaking a sidewalk in the hot sun. He called my boss and I got a verbal warning. Then weeks later, I saw Lopez with his city employee girlfriend Roxanne eating at a restaurant and he took more than an hour there. I'm glad this assh&le is no longer in the city. He was a total dick and a idiot who thought that he was God.

Anonymous said...

Good Riddance GMC garbage trucks appropriate to this idiot good job mayor now hire a gringo...

rita