Alvarado not the Poster Child
Not long ago Carol Alvarado was ensconced in a huge bonus scandal, as Mayor Protem she was handing out illegal payroll bonuses like they were candy.Houston Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado temporarily stepped down Monday pending the outcome of a grand jury investigation on four of her office employees who were suspended in a bonus scandal, KPRC Local 2 reported. She will remain on City Council.Alvarado's announcement came the same day a report was released that said employees Rosie Hernandez, Florence Watkins, Christopher May and Teresa Orta improperly received more than $130,000 in bonuses in 2005.The Office of Inspector General said its investigation revealed "sufficient evidence to conclude that the four employees, in fact, received incentive bonuses and/or salary increases that were not approved or obtained in accordance with existing city policy and rules." The matter has been referred to the Harris County District Attorney's Office for review."The OIG (found) violations of city law. Those employees violated laws of the city, ordinances of the city, which prohibit employees of the city from using their official position to advantage themselves or others," Houston Mayor Bill White said.Typically in Houston City politics, getting caught red handed isn't enough to keep from getting re-elected. This is why cities like Houston have term limits and Alvarado is a poster child on why cities have enacted term limits. Ms Alverado doesn't like it much. While Anne Linehan comments on seems to think Alvarado's legacy and service.
White said that there are actions under way to prevent similar abuses in the future. Administrative functions of the mayor pro tem's office will be reduced, he said.
No one can say Ms. Alvarado lacks self-esteem. But she should look on the bright side -- Houston's loss is the state's gain. And she left a lasting mark on Houston, since the mayor pro tem's office will never be the same. That's called a legacy!...
Unclear is how Ms. Edwards' stances on HPD (increasing manpower = police state!) and the homeless (they should be allowed to bathe in the libraries!) will enhance Houston's quality of life.
Anne also notes a Houston Chronical op-ed piece authored by Ms. Alverado where she whines about losing her job. I've never been a been a big fan of term limits, but the service of Carol Alvarado does present a good example of why they might be a good idea.
posted by Liberty @ 7:52 AM
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