ERIC GARZA, COUNTY OFFICIALS, CAN ADVERTISE...FOR NOW

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Although the item above was listed Tuesday for discussion and in executive session of the Cameron County commissioners court and possible action in open court, after they emerged from deliberation they voted to "acknowledge and proceed as discussed" in session.

But even though they tabled the item, it is obvious that it was placed on the agenda after complaints arose over the use of campaign photos on announcements for jailers by Cameron County Sheriff Eric Garza and his placing of his photo and position on information literature and coloring books distributed by the Cameron County Emergency Communications District (CCECD-911) to further his political image. 

In his latest self-promoting stunt, he had his name and image plastered onto political-neutral materials generated by the CCECD board to further his political presence at their expense.

The members of the board of the CCECD were surprised to learn that the materials they distribute to teach children and other county residents how to use the 911 emergency phone system are now being used to promote Garza and his administration.

The community-education literature generated and distributed by the CCECD uses a cartoon personage called Cell Phone Sally that may as well now read "Cell Phone Eric."

Before that, after citing a shortage of jailers because of the exodus of 70 correction guards from the jails in the first four since he took office January 1, Garza used a mail permit and funds designated for jury-summons to advertise for their replacements.

But some observers pointed out that an identical call for jailers by neighboring Hidalgo County did not have it's sheriff's photo or a badge with his name placed prominently on the appeal likethe one issued by Garza calling for applicants.

Instead, the ad (left, above) stated that it was Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office that was hiring the correction guards, not the office holder, like Garza's mailer below. That;'s his campaign photo on the bottom.

Although some office holders – Cameron County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez, for example – uses business cards for her office bearing her photo, Garza has taken it to extremes with having his secretaries plaster the stickers on the 911 literature and his campaign photo on the announcement for jail openings.

Although the commissioners said they would "acknowledge and proceed as discussed" in executive session on the item, will they come back and approve a policy that will stop the use of photographs of its elected officials, department heads, or employees on letters, business cards, or advertisements at the expense of county taxpayers?