Is Tania Chozet Just Steve Ortega in a Skirt?

 

Is Tania Chozet Just Steve Ortega in a Skirt?

District 7 Candidate Strangely Resembles Steve Ortega; Comparisons Frightening

 

by Ben and Jerry

 

Chozet claims as the Precinct 3 County Commissioner, she devoted herself self full-time to her constituents and served with honesty and integrity. 

 

In the entire 9 months that Tania Chozet occupied Precinct 3 she never once initiated a community meeting with “her constituents.”  According to constituents who addressed her at Commissioners Court, she was rude, denigrating, and refused to listen. Sound familiar?

 

No honesty there

In true Ortega style Chozet appears to have struck a quid pro quo deal in exchange for support from the former Yucca Neighborhood Association President who is also supporting Ortega?

 

On her website, she states she will work hard to ensure the new recreation center near Yucca Park is delivered on-time and within budget.

 

Chozet is ignoring residents before she’s even elected.

 

Many more residents want the recreation center on North Loop around Lomaland Park because it serves more people who do not have a center.

 

Carolina Recreation Center is within walking distance of Yucca Park, actually on the same street. Why build something so close?

 

Furthermore, Yucca Park already has another bond project.

 

No integrity or community inclusion there

 

Chozet claimed as Precinct 3 County Commissioner she was the driving force behind a collaboration with the City of El Paso for Mission Trail planning.

 

Truth is there are multiple Mission Trail Plans – none of them generated by Chozet.

 

Apparently “The Plan” was to decide on one of multiple existing Mission Trail Plans. 

 

She circumvented Representative Eddie Holguin who actually represents part of the area and made a joint announcement with Steve Ortega who represents no one.

 

Nothing happened beyond that announcement.

 

Chucoleaks email shows no one else seemed to be aware of a “collaboration.”

 

 

No honesty, integrity or community inclusion there

 

More than half of Chozet’s campaign contributors are the same special interests that fund Ortega. For an attorney that worked for the ACLU, this is a 180. Her funders are heavily Republican and heavily Paso del Norte Group(PDNG)/Borderplex Alliance members (see financial report on file with Municipal Clerk, City of El Paso). What a disappointment!

 

The Sheriff claims she was better than the previous commissioner.

 

How high is that standard? The previous commissioner was convicted of drug dealing!

 

The County Judge claims she has the heart of a public servant. No surprise there, since Chozet rubber stamped the County Judge’s raise.

 

Like Ortega, apparently Chozet is an unemployed lawyer still living with her parents (see address listed on financial report and Central Appraisal District)(Ortega lived with his parents when he first ran). Now like Ortega, she has decided to become a career politician. Now, it's no sin to live with your parents, but at this stage no incumbent city council member lives with their parents -- even Ortega. She has no financial investment in District 7: does not own a home and does not rent a home or apartment.

 

Chozet with Rep. Suzie Byrd (right) at Steve Ortega for Mayor Rally. County Judge Veronica Escobar on stage.

 

 

Can District 7 really afford 4 more years of arrogance with no representation, no honesty, and no integrity from someone with no financial investment in District 7?

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The majority of Tania Chozet's campaign donations came from15 PDNG members:*

PDNG $13,700

PSB Board Members $800

Ortegas family $400

 

PDNG

Bill Sanders $2,000 – co-founder

JA Cardwell $2,000

J Robert Brown $2,000

Kirk Robison $2,000

Bob Hoy $1,000

Steve Fox $1,000

Ginger Francis $1,000

Rick Francis $1,000

Steve Hoy  $500

J.O. Stewart $500

Gary Hedrick $250  -

Myrna Deckert $250 – co-founder and former executive director

Jody Casey Feinberg $100

Deborah Kastrin E100  (Sister is one of primary people pushing for lower valley port of entry)

 

PDNG $13,700

 

PSB Board Members

Maria Teran $500

Ed Escudero $300

PSB Board Members $800

 

Ortegas Family

Marc Cioc Ortega $100

Lina Ortega $150

Roberto & Sylvia Ortega $150

 

Ortegas family $400

  

Anna Aleman $100 – executive director of FEMAP the Guadalupe de La Vega

Jessica Anna Cabot $300

Anna Cabot $100

Tracey Yellen $250 – associate of Myrna Deckert in MJD & Associates and Veronica Escobar and Suzie Byrd

Rosemary Neill $100

Eddie Sosa $100

Gloria and Charles Ambler $100

Katherine Brennand $100

Sofia Appleby $100  - executive director of Community Scholars

Veronica Escobar $100 (Ortega Friend)

Michael Wyatt $100 (Ortega friend)

Selena Solis $100 (married to Joel Guzman who is employee of Hunt and Ortega friend)

 

*Tania Chozet Financial Report

Vote “AGAINST” Proposition 4: Council wants you to pay them 2 salaries for arrogance and a part-time effort

Vote “AGAINST” Proposition 4: Council wants you to pay them 2 salaries for arrogance and a part-time effort
City Uses Faulty and Deceptive Logic for Justifying Raises

Currently, the City Charter states Council’s “base salaries are increased by a percentage equal to the percent increase of the general salary adjustment, if any, given to the classified employees in the general services effective as of the date designated in the budget resolution.” This means that base salaries are increased by the same percentage the classified employees receive.

Council just received a 5% raise:

• Representatives to $30,450 and the
• Mayor to $47,250.

If this proposition passes, beginning in 2015, the annual salary of the city representatives would be increased to the H.U.D. median income for a family of 4 for El Paso County which is $50,500 and the Mayor’s salary would be 150% of that.

The Actual Numbers based on the 2013 HUD rate

The Mayor’s salary would increase 59% from $47,250 to $75,000 -- a $28,500 raise!

A Representative’s salary would increase 66% from $30,450 to $50,500 -- a $20,050 raise!

In 2015, the HUD rate will likely increase, so salaries will be higher.

Faulty Logic

The City says the idea behind the proposition is to pay the mayor and representatives enough while they are in office so that they can support a family without having another job.

The H.U.D. median income for a family of 4 is an inappropriate salary rate because it is for 2 earner households (for example 2 people, not individuals). Also, it is for a 40-hour work week, not a part-time, if I feel like working, mentality that plagues City Council. 

It is an absolute falsehood to portray the Mayor and the individual representatives as the sole supporters of their families.

Two income households are the norm for most families across the United States. As you will see below -- the majority of council are not the primary providers in their households -- and most are well above the median income level.

Based on the City’s logic, if married, a council member’s spouse would need to make at least $20,050 per year. If single, then they are already above the median for a single individual at $30,450.

So what are their household incomes? Do They Really Need a Raise??

Steve Ortega’s spouse is COO of Del Sol Hospital and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income well above $100,000

Susie Byrd’s spouse is an ESL teacher and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000

Cortney Niland’s spouse is a business owner and is the primary provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000.  

Ann Morgan Lilly’s spouse is a businessman and is the main provider of the household with a combined household income at or above $60,000

Eddie Holguin’s spouse is an attorney with a combined household income at or above $60,000.

Emma Acosta and Carl Robinson are single to our knowledge and both above the median income at $30,450.

Not sure what Dr Noe’s spouse does and who cares. Dr Noe maintains his private practice and reportedly puts in about 15 hours a week for the Tuesday meeting and the occasional special meeting. His City Representative salary is supplemental income and his household income is at or above $60,000.

 

 

Do they deserve a raise?

Dr Noe is the best example of why salaries should not be raised. There is no prohibition of private sector employment.

The current Charter already prohibits public employment and holding another public office. Steve Ortega thumbed his nose at the Charter and worked as an instructor (public employment) at EPCC anyway. The administration and City did not enforce their own Charter.

Mayor and Council will continue to treat the position as part-time no matter what they are paid because there is no enforceable provision or accountability measure to require they work full-time and actually earn the salary.

 

Unlike the private-sector, the public is very limited in its ability to fire them for poor performance short of recall, filing a court complaint, or pray someone better runs in 4 years.

Think about it, there is NO time clock for city representatives. They cannot get fired if they work less than 40 hours a week, or in Dr. Noe’s case 15.

Higher salaries do not attract more qualified candidates.  We are not speaking about all current city council members, but this  city council attracted people with higher education but very limited earning potential in the private sector, weak work ethic-seeking status, power and influence with little if any respect for the public.

Protect the Integrity of El Paso’s City Charter. Vote AGAINST ALL 9 Propositions.