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Garino gets the boot; mayor takes SEAGO post

By Manuel C. Coppola
Published Tuesday, October 6, 2009 10:31 AM MDT

Last month, Vice Mayor Arturo Garino blasted the mayor for abusing the privilege of using the city-issued vehicle. This month, Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel booted Garino off the SouthEastern Arizona Government’s Organization.

Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel (left) and Vice Mayor Arturo Garino seem to engage in a game of political chess.

In an interview, the mayor said it was his prerogative to either serve on the regional planning agency’s executive board himself, or appoint someone from the council as has been the “tradition.”

Effective Tuesday, Oct. 1, Garcia-Von Borstel appointed himself to be on the executive board, City Manager Jaime Fontes on the administrative council and Public Works Director Flavio Gonzales on the transportation board.

Garino said that there is no written city policy regarding the appointment and that he had volunteered on the executive board. “But the (SEAGO) by-laws state that the ‘member entity,’ in this case the city council, picks the representative.”

Attempts to reach SEAGO Executive Director Randy Heiss via e-mail and telephone to explain the nomination process were unsuccessful.

Was the appointments retribution over the vehicle-mileage brouhaha that made the TV evening news? “Absolutely not,” said the mayor.

“I am very upset that Nogales does not have one project” on the SEAGO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Each year, SEAGO receives about $1.5 million in federal highway construction funds for the TIP. These funds are awarded to SEAGO members on a competitive basis, and once the SEAGO executive board approves a project, it is placed on the TIP for funding consideration. While Santa Cruz County and numerous other governments in Arizona garnered spots on the list, Nogales had none.

Garino, who represented the city on the executive board since he was tapped by the late mayor Ignacio J. Barraza in 2007, surfaced the TIP issue this summer during the budget process.

Garino blasted former Community and Economic Development Director Nils Urman and, to a lesser extent, City Engineer Juan Guerra for missing the boat and not submitting project proposals to SEAGO in a timely fashion. He used it as ammunition to gain votes to abolish Urman’s department.

In his defense, Urman told the council at the time that he had only recently learned he was supposed to represent the city at SEAGO.

Referring to Garino, Garcia-Von Borstel said on Friday, “I am not very satisfied with our representative on the SEAGO executive committee. And I am especially not happy that the same person represents the city on the administrative and transportation boards.

“An administrator, such as Mr. Fontes, and someone who has some technical background like Mr. Gonzalez should be on those boards,” the mayor said.

Meantime the political sparring will likely continue. A one-two on tomorrow’s agenda for the city council’s regular meeting is an item calling for setting policy for the use of the mayor’s vehicle and another requesting an audit of the mayor’s credit-card expenses. The items were spurred by Garino, Councilwoman Esther Melendez Lopez and Nubar Hanessian, who have criticized Garcia-Von-Borstel for racking up more than 50,000 miles on his city-owned vehicle in 16 months and questioned expenses on his charge card.

Garcia-Von Borstel, meanwhile, has called for a “full accounting” of the contentious Cinco de Mayo festivities headed up by Lopez-Melendez.

The mayor also approved an item on the agenda requesting an “external agency investigation” into a possible conflict of interest with Garino and the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office.

The meeting is scheduled at city hall for 6 p.m.

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Comments

Don Cacajuate wrote on Oct 13, 2009 9:25 AM:

" Kudos to Von Borstel for taking the reigns on this crazy buckboard. Along with the credit card audit we should do an "hours worked" audit, including time logged at public meetings. I would also like to see marshals present so we can have a quorum, and can put an end to he said she said......... "

Erky wrote on Oct 11, 2009 1:45 AM:

" Nogales City politics, the MAYOR, the UNEDUCATED assistant community manager....This is all a big joke..You are all wasting time, energy and valuable resources on these issues when you should be spending taxpayers hard earned dollars on issues that impact the community.

What this city needs is experienced and well educated leaders and not what is currently set in place. 2 steps forward and 6 steps back....

Everyone involved with the City of Nogales Government should take a really hard look in the mirror and ask "who am I serving here, the community or myself".

Concerned citizen.. "

Citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2009 1:50 PM:

" Mr. Edwards, as a matter of fact I can think of something your boys did that would allow the population of Nogales as people who are not interested in improving our town. Do you remember them voting against continued funding for the office of economic development? How about the fact that neither of your boys, or councilwoman Valdez or Lopez failed to show up for the special council meeting schedule to discuss this issue. They voted against giving the mayor a new car, but they also voted against giving this city a new life. Where is the common sense in that? By the way, I am not in the Mayor's camp, in fact I told him repeatedly getting into politics was a bad idea, especially in this corrupt town. I warned him about not becoming like everyone else who is involved in city politics, unfortunately he didn't take my advice. I warned him about protecting his reputation and not doing things that would tarnish it. Unfortunately, the web of corruption in this town's political arena ensnares everyone even those with the best of intentions. As a I said in my previous comment, I have called him out on several occassions for doing things I have considered incorrect. As I said in my previous post, all incumbents must go. We need to wipe the slate clean, that means everyone must go, not everyone must go except the Mayor. These people have always had their say in what direction Nogales must go yet Nogales never improves. "

Jon D wrote on Oct 9, 2009 11:16 AM:

" Hmm...no room to add anything positive thoughts here - pretty much the way Nogales politics is...has been (for ever!!) and will always be...This kid was elected Mayor and has done absolutely nothing for the community. It's all about "image and ego" of the wealthy and "compadres". It is unbelievable to see so many in this community with no spine to stand up and demand a change, re-payment for authorized use of City funds and property and hold ALL of these politicians accountable for their actions. They are just to afraid and scared they will be run out of town - or not invited to the compadre's party.

It is so sad to see that Nogales has fallen deeper into such corruption and political rot. "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 8, 2009 12:36 PM:

" So much for righting a wrong.....I hear Mr. Kissinger had to surrender his City vechile to the Mayor. Lesson Learned??? I guess we are slowly learning who that "select group who is running the city" is Citizen. I hope the policies in the making will serve some purpose. Guess Mommy and Daddy couldn't spare their vehicle to make sure their son got to work on time..... "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 8, 2009 12:21 PM:

" One more thing Citizen, I do agree that Nogales is a small town that is run by a select group, Unfortunately most of the council that we elected into office are not part of that group. Many of the good things they have tried to do were undermined by the previous council. And the Mayor jumped to the Dark Side pretty quickly. You know, now that I think about it maybe I am being too hard on the Mayor :( Boo Hoo! After all he doesn't really strike me as the type of person that can really think for himself. He seems more like a puppet, someone else is pulling the strings and he is only too happy to oblige his puppeteer. But you summed it up all very well. The Mayor made a mistake, unfortunately he is still not admitting to it and not taking responsibility for it and is trying to justify it. That was very apparent at last nights meeting and in his television interviews. He was wrong and the way he has acted in the following days and weeks since the issue of the Tahoe and Credit Card were brought up is down right sleazy! "

ex-Nogales resident wrote on Oct 8, 2009 10:41 AM:

" Yeah, I remember good ol' Gustavo Garcia... not Mr. Von Borstel back then... I remember he got kicked out of school for plagirarism... what can we expect from him.... not to mention taht Mr. Varona is who kicked him out.. lol "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 8, 2009 10:18 AM:

" Ah Citizen, of course you would think that I am on some committee for Garino and Hannessian. Of course, why would anyone come to their defense that isn't on their committe right? However, you are sadly mistaken. I am just extremely appreciative of the fact that they came forward and brought to light the unethical practices of this Mayor! As far as your comment about those two being the first to go, that only leads me to believe that YOU must be on some Committe with the Mayor. Oh how it must have chapped your hides when your little cronies didn't win re-election to the council and what the heck to Garino's and Hannessian's wives have to do with anything. From what I gather they are supportive of their husbands, which they should be. Garino and Hannessian had enough common sense to not even vote for the purchase of that ridiculous car. What can you tell me that those two council man have been able to acquire from being city council members. How are they the worst. Give me some examples. Can't you think of any off the bat?? Are they driving around in a $45,000 vehicle, if they are I'm sure it's because they paid for it and not the tax payers. If I remember correctly Hannessian and Garino were the highest vote getters and it appears the support for them is growing and growing. Who would you suggest run for city council next time around. Hmmm...Let me guess, Varona? Fontes? Wipe the slate clean you say...Give me a break, from your comment I can tell you are very close to the Mayor. If we are going to wipe the slate clean, we need to start with him. Thank god the credit card has been taken away, the tax payers might end up paying for his wedding the way they did with Canchola's. "

Insider wrote on Oct 8, 2009 8:45 AM:

" C. Edwards -

Yeah, the Mayor's trip creates "opportunities" for him. Mostly between the sheets, but still the trips do create "opportunities". I'm not sure how it helps the City, but aparently it helps the Mayor. "

Citizen wrote on Oct 7, 2009 8:33 PM:

" C. Edwards, you must be kidding with your comments about Garino and Hanessian having the common sense that should be rubbing off on our Mayor. Hanessian and Garino should be the first city council members to go. They are the perfect example of politicians doing things to stroke their own or their wive's egos. I do not agree with the actions of the Mayor, he's made some mistakes. When he first told me that he was going to enter the political arena in Nogales several years ago I told him he needed to be careful. He's done several things that I have personally called him out on. Nogales is a tough town for politicians because it is controlled by a select group. In essence, Nogales is an oligarchy rather than a democracy. Nepotism is rampant and if you don't tow the line there is always a cousin or a brother of one of your superiors waiting in the wings to take your job. Edwards must be on the committee to re-elect Garino and Hanessian. Hopefully, for the sake of our town they both lose the next time around. We need to get rid of all incumbents, wipe the slate clean, and start all over again. Unfortunately most of the honest, hard-working people of Nogales have no interest in performing such a thankless job. It's hard work leading a town in which most of the population is completely apathetic. "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 7, 2009 6:08 PM:

" Don't you have to actually have to do something to get your name on a highway like help clean it up?? Maybe he thinks that because he is Mayor that qualifies. Also, as far as the use of the city vehicle, I have seen him on more than one occassion at Circle K buying a six pack of beer and at a Walgreens buying other random crap. That to me sounds like personal use of said city vehicle, unless of course you were taking those beers to a city council meeting and were planning to share them with the council, maybe then it could be considered that you were using the vehicle for work and not pleasure (doubtful, highly doubtful) unless your parents also own a Black Tahoe and you borrowed it from them. What say you Mayor?? Oh and kudos Mayor on that wonderful interview you gave to KOLD 13 where you say that "We need to be able to create opprotunities for ourselves and meet with people who can create opprotunities for us" and so on and so on...What, you couldn't do that in the 98 Crown Victoria used by previous Mayors? Why did it have to be a $45,000 Chevy Tahoe? Stop trying to convice the people of Nogales that this is justified. We are not ignorant and we are tired of your politics. You quickly became a member of the "Good Ole Boys Club" (which includes Mr. Varona and Mr. Fontes) where it's all about who you know and who you can step on to get to the top. You are not fooling anyone! "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 7, 2009 3:21 PM:

" I know let the fun begin...Mayor you could have atleast waited a bit before making such an idiotic move. I mean really I would think you had atleast two working brain cells. So is this how Nogales Policits works now? A councilmember brings up a legitimate inquiry regarding the Mayor and his elaborate spending and instead of trying to justify his spending and defend himself, he throws a tantrum like a 2 year old and removes said councilman from this position at SEAGO. You cut my barbies hair so I'm gonna burn your barbie until she is just a ball of plastic....C'mon Mayor grow up. Take it like a man. I would have even had a smidgin of respect for you had you not appointed yourself to the position. Timing is everything. How would we say it in spanish "A la otra, has el paro Guey!" "

Whatever wrote on Oct 7, 2009 1:25 PM:

" This guy is a joke! Pulleezzee! I'm not a very political person and Thank GOD! I feel sad for Nogales - this is all a bunch of crock! Promised a position as Mayor? How about earning it? How proving that you DESERVE to be Mayor? Most of our Nogales "so called" Governmental Officials are a total bunch of BS! Voting is a waste of time - they all do what they want anyway! "

Daniel wrote on Oct 6, 2009 2:21 PM:

" que hueva "

Yeah wrote on Oct 6, 2009 2:18 PM:

" I'd like to se where the credit card charges were used at. This one's gona be fun, wait and see how irresponsible the mayor is, or how well he uses his people to cover up for him. He's attracting attention from all "dinosaurs" (the older piliticians). "

George Wilgers wrote on Oct 6, 2009 1:14 PM:

" Nogales Politics as usual.

Do you think the mayor will get more signs on I-19 with his name on them by being on the SEAGO Board? "

C. Edwards wrote on Oct 6, 2009 11:35 AM:

" I have been a resident of Nogales for over 30 years and I am ashamed that you, Mayor Van-Borstel, are what is representing Nogales. I find it highly suspect that you were always on Councilman Garino and Hannessian's side and always seemed to vote with them prior to the unfortunate and untimely death of Mayor Barraza. My, my how quickly your turned your back on them when you were promised the position of Mayor. You are not in this position to better Nogales, YOU ARE IN IT FOR YOU! To see what you can get out of it. Well so far we see that what you have been able to get out of it is a beautiful Tahoe that you use as your personal vehicle. One thing that really surprised and embarrased me, as a citizen of Nogales, is that in the last Article in the Nogales International, when questioned about the reason for buying such an expensive vechile, a gas guzzler, a vehicle which is really not great for the environment, and in tuff economic times, not a very economical vehicle, your eloquent response was "We are a border town, we need to keep up appearances". Are you freaking kidding me. Keep up appreances with who? We are a border town with what is to be considered a third world country and we need to keep up appearances with them? Who are you trying to impress? How about you buy a cheaper vehicle and donate some of that extra money to a charity or feed the hungry. What is the kickback you are getting now for appointing yourself to SEAGO, other than the pleasure of stepping on Councilman Garino. God forbid anyother councilmember do his job and try to make Nogales the great city it once was, I'd hate to see what you would do to them. The one thing that helps me sleep at night is that YOU will not be Mayor one day. I just hope that it is SOONER THAN LATER. Councilman Garino, Councilman Hannessian thank you for your service to the CIty of Nogales. I would hope that some of your common sense would rub off on your colleagues and the so called Mayor. "

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