- May 5, 2025
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The political scene in Donna, Texas, is heating up as two city councilmen find themselves embroiled in a legal battle over allegations of secrecy and misconduct. With a temporary restraining order in place, the fate of the city manager and city attorney hangs in the balance. What led to this dramatic turn of events? Let’s delve into the details.
Central to the unfolding drama are Councilmen Jesse “Coach” Jackson and his colleagues, who are accused of holding an illegal meeting in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The allegations claim that they conspired to discuss the termination of City Manager Carlos Yerena and City Attorney Robert Salinas without proper public notice.
Jackson has vehemently denied these claims, asserting in a sworn affidavit that the allegations made by Mayor David Moreno and Salinas are “FALSE.” He expressed surprise at the accusations, stating:
“Nothing within the contents of those affidavits are true. In fact, these documents are an extreme surprise to me.”
The events transpired as the city council was preparing to vote on critical personnel changes during a special meeting scheduled for August 26. However, the meeting was interrupted by the restraining order served to Councilmen Ernesto Lugo and Oscar Gonzales, preventing any discussions about the terminations.
This legal turbulence comes just as the council was forced to call for municipal elections in November for several council seats, including those currently held by Gonzales and Joey Garza Jr. The decision to hold elections raised eyebrows, especially since the council had previously voted against it, citing a charter amendment that extended term lengths.
Accusations continue to swirl about potential “walking quorums,” where council members might have engaged in discussions outside of officially noticed meetings. Texas law dictates that if enough members of a governing body engage in joint communications, it can be considered a meeting, thus requiring public notification.
In response to the allegations, Councilmen Lugo and Gonzales have filed motions to dismiss the claims against them, labeling the accusations as “false statements.” They argue that the litigation is merely a publicity stunt aimed at preserving Salinas's high-paying job as city attorney.
As tensions escalate, the question remains: will the truth emerge from this tangled web of accusations and denials?
As the temporary restraining order stands, further court proceedings will determine the future of the city’s leadership. The ongoing feud raises critical questions about transparency and governance in Donna.
We invite you to share your thoughts and engage in the conversation surrounding this unfolding drama in Donna.
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