ArchivesThere is a localized personality disorder which is repetitive in Nogales. It is the assumption of almost royal powers and conduct on the part of mayors of the border town.
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Never did the city charter give the strong mayor the authority to make policy for the city, but weak city councils abandoned their charter authority and allowed the mayors of Nogales to become virtual dictators. The job of city council members was simply to rubber stamp the decisions of the mayors.
Occasionally city council members would try to assert their charter authority. During one regime, city council members rejected a mayoral appointment, and the mayor ignored them. The council members sued, and won. In the end it didn’t matter because that mayor was replaced by another mayor who of course replaced all the appointed officials of the previous mayor.
The typical Nogales mayor has assumed the position that “I am the mayor and I can do whatever I want.”
Nogales residents eliminated the strong mayor provisions of the city charter several years ago. One of the goals of the charter reform was to stop the firing of top city officials every time a new mayor took office. We all know that was a total failure since the strong minded mayors just hired acting city managers who would do what they were told, completely gutting the goal of the charter reform.
Regardless of efforts to reform the Nogales city government, the cacique form of mayor remains alive and well.
I have often wondered why Nogales has had so many power mad mayors?
Is it what the voters of Nogales want because many can’t distinguish an American form of government from a Mexican caudillo type of government?
Is it that voters really don’t care if the city’s mayors wield authority and accumulate privilege without rules?
Is there something in the drinking water of Nogales that causes otherwise decent human beings to want their names on plaques and signs all over the city once they get elected mayor?
Is City Hall haunted by an evil spirit that possesses the souls of anyone who occupies the mayor’s office?
My bet is on the evil spirit theory and I suggest a priest be called in and City Hall given an exorcism.
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Comments
Don Cacajuate wrote on Oct 26, 2009 5:31 PM:
It seems to me that the mayor was one of two people in favor of economic development and to my witness the only member of the council concerned enough to participate in a charette which (through public input from both sides of the line) recommended a number of improvements which seemingly would improve the quality of life in this city by promoting growth. Funny how the city south of the border has managed to grow at ten times the rate of the north side, perhaps they could recommend the exorcist or bruja they used to make there mojo work so well. "
Halloween Fanatic wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:00 AM:
R. Drenning wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:33 AM:
Although, if the Nogales City Government circus was to change and operate effectively, I would need to find another form of editoral amusement. NUSD #1 administration would be a likely candidate in the matter. "
who knows wrote on Oct 21, 2009 12:03 AM: