BERNAL INSTALLS RENE DE COSS HEAD CITY JUDGE; MIFFED COMMISSION TO TAKE UP CITY ATTORNEY REPLACEMENT

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

As predicted, City Attorney Rene De Coss was introduced as the new Brownsville Presiding Municipal Judge by City Manager Noel Bernal.

While it is within the purview of the city manager to choose the municipal judges, many local attorneys, administrators, and even some city commissioners say that if this is a sign of the "transparency" and "accountability" and "inclusion" touted by Bernal in his so-called "Total Alignment" philosophy, he has failed miserably in this application.

City observers say that as a result of De Coss' ascension to the top city judge's spot, Bernal now faces a firefight with the city commission in his unilateral selection of the former city attorney to the presiding judge's spot.

Instead of accepting now-interim city attorney Victor Flores – a Bernal protege brought in from Edinburg by the city manager – it is expected that the city commission in their next meeting will open the selection process to allow local attorneys to submit their response to the Request For Qualifications (RFQs) instead of sealing the spot for Flores.

Many had suggested Bernal forego his prerogative in choosing a presiding judge as an olive branch to the views of the commissioners and open up the process with a call for RFQs for the sake of transparency. He chose to ignore those suggestions and go at it alone.

Bernal made his announcement – which De Coss did not attend – during am 8 a.m. full-staff meeting at the municipal court. He congratulated interim municipal judge Rigoberto Flores for a job well done, and then announced De Coss as his replacement.

Several city commissioners have made their displeasure known at Bernal's unilateral system of decision-making, saying that although it is within his charter-granted powers to choose the municipal judges,he should have consulted with the commission members for their views as a matter of simple courtesy.

Some have gone as far as saying that Bernal's management skills in this appointment have been called into question and that it would play into the next review of his job performance.

In this instance, for example, there has been very little information on the appointment available to the public. How will this affect then City Attorney's office, the legal counsel at the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, etc. ? If we depend on the services of another Bernal import – Communication and Marketing Director Felipe "Flip" Romero at $98,000 salary – we'd remain in the dark. 

Observers say that the fallout from this appointment – and the manner in which it was done – will have far-reaching consequences in upcoming personnel appointments recommended by the city manager.

"Bernal talks a good game about transparency, accountability and inclusion," said a mid-level city administrator. "But acts speak louder than words and everything has its consequences. He might find himself isolated as his tenure continues."