Debate on ODC position continues

While local talk radio heated up Wednesday, calmer words came from councilmen and those involved in a nomination to the Odessa Development Corp. board.

The council voted down a nomination made by District 5 Councilman Benjamin Velasquez to name Art Leal, vice president at Citibank in Odessa, to the board that allocates millions of economic development dollars. Mayor Larry Melton cast the tie-breaking 3-2 vote that keeps current board member Jim Breaux serving for the time being.

Leal, who had called Melton's integrity into question shortly after the meeting, said Wednesday that he didn't feel he was necessarily more qualified than Breaux, a longtime owner of Pemco, a well service unit manufacturing and repair company.

"I don't think it's about being a better board member," Leal said. "We have new leadership on city council and that new leadership would like to have appointees he knows."

Instead, he said too many members on the ODC board serve for too long. He would instead like to see more "churning" in the membership. Breaux has not been on the ODC board long, however, only since last year.

Velasquez took over the District 5 seat earlier this month to fill the unexpired term of Michael Sanchez, who died at 39 March 18. Sanchez appointed Breaux last year to fill Bob Glast's unexpired term on the ODC board.

"It doesn't have anything to do with Jim," Velasquez said. "I want to have somebody there I like and feel comfortable with."

But District 3 Councilman Royce Bodiford, who along with James Goates of District 2, voted against Leal's appointment, said Breaux's qualifications meant he should stay on the board. Breaux is a longtime respected Odessa businessman.

"I have nothing against (Leal) personally," Bodiford said. "I think he's a nice young man, but I think (Breaux's) a lot more qualified for the position.

"If it's not the most important, it's one of the most important boards we appoint."

Leal on Wednesday continued to say the vote was personal because he challenged Melton's May 2008 bid for mayor. Leal lost 89.17 percent to 10.83 in that race.

Bodiford doesn't buy it saying there was no reason for Melton's vote to be labeled personal.

"If you recall, the election was way, way in favor of Melton," Bodiford said. "I don't recall any mudslinging in the election. I don't think (the election) was a factor at all."

Bodiford said Breaux's work since joining the board speaks for itself.

"He's been very good in attendance," he said. "He's been very interested in the work of the board. Since he's been on there, he's been a conscientious, hard worker and done a good job."

District 1 Councilman Bill Cleaver, who joined Velasquez in voting to appoint Leal, said it's important for council members to be able to choose who represents their districts.

"My vote was for Benjamin to appoint who he wanted to the board," Cleaver said Wednesday. "That's not to take anything away from what Jimmy Breaux has done. I think he's done an excellent job."

Efforts to reach Breaux were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Cleaver agreed that Melton's vote wasn't personal, but said, "I don't get into all that."

Velasquez said Goates had concerns about voting for Leal because of his involvement with Una Voz Unida, a political action committee aimed at increasing Hispanic representation in Ector County.

Wednesday, Goates said "I don't have a comment right now," when asked about his concerns over voting for Leal, but said he does see more discussion on the issue.

District 4 Councilman Dean Combs, who could have casted a tie-breaking vote without Melton voting, didn't attend Tuesday's meeting. Efforts to reach him Wednesday were unsuccessful.

If Leal is not approved, Velasquez said he has other ODC candidates in mind. But he isn't determined to name a Hispanic board member.

"There's actually a couple of people, and one of them is (Hispanic) and one of them isn't," Velasquez said. "Race is not a motivating factor."

Wednesday morning, KOZA-AM radio host Stan Galarza called for listeners to get involved in the issue by calling representatives and canceling subscriptions to the Odessa American. The station is one of two local stations Velasquez owns. But Velasquez said he emphasizes that the opinions expressed on his station's morning show don't necessarily represent his.

"I don't give them boundaries and guidelines, other than what the FCC says," Velasquez said. "I don't see it as a conflict of interest at all."

Leal has also appeared on the radio station and complained about the OA's coverage but told a reporter Wednesday that the story being discussed was accurate and in context of what he said.