Brownsville has been without a city attorney since the start of the year after the City Commission fired long time legal counsel Jim Goza, but city officials are close to naming a replacement.

The commission without comment fired Goza in November although the effective date of termination was Dec. 31. Goza held the post since 2001.

Goza, on the other hand, did not go quietly, noting that some of his legal opinions had fallen on the "wrong side of the political power curve."

The commission plans to meet early next month to begin the interview process for eight applicants to the city attorney post.

Both Goza's assistant and his predecessor want the job.

Initially, the commission hoped to meet Thursday to begin the interviews, but scheduling conflicts will more likely delay the session until maybe Feb. 10, City Secretary Estela Von Hatten said.

Candidates for the Brownsville city attorney position.

The applicants include:

>Brownsville Assistant City Attorney John Chosy has also represented the Town of Indian Lake and Brownsville Housing Authority. He graduated in 1977 from Wayne State University. The State Bar of Texas licensed Chosy in 1984, according to the organization.

>Former Brownsville city attorney J.G. "Geoff" Warburton, who also has represented the Brownsville Housing Authority, Town of South Padre Island and Los Fresnos. He graduated in 1984 from the University of Houston and was licensed that year.

>J. Arnold Aguilar, of Brownsville, graduated in 1985 from the University of Texas at Austin, and he was licensed the following year.

>Floyd Martin Akers is with the City of Pflugerville, according to the bar organization. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and was licensed to practice law that year.

>Miguel Salinas of Brownsville graduated from the University of Houston in 1991 and was licensed the same year. Salinas also expressed an interest in the post in 2001.

>David Victor Sorola is with the City of Del Rio, according to state bar data. Sorola graduated in 1995 from Northeastern University and was licensed the following year.

>Sean Paul Belleville, of Brownsville and Rancho Viejo, graduated in 1995 from St. Mary's University and was licensed the following year.

>Mark Sossi, of Brownsville, is an attorney that the city frequently contracts. He graduated in 1987 from St. Mary's University and was licensed the same year.