Judge asks for back pay from city

Elia Cornejo-Lopez, a recently-elected state district judge, wants back pay for months that she claims she should have been municipal judge.

The topic was broached in Tuesday's City Commission meeting, but was tabled. Cornejo-Lopez raised a sex discrimination complaint against the city in 2007 after the municipal position was given to Rolando Olvera.

The complaint she brought against the city was resolved to her, the city's, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) satisfaction. The issue, however, appeared to be controversial during Tuesday's meeting.

"I think the (appointment) process was fair," Commissioner Charlie Atkinson said, before City Attorney Jim Goza told commissioners that there should be no discussion on a tabled issue.

"There are things that need to be discussed," Atkinson said to Mayor Pat Ahumada.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, Commissioner Anthony P. Troiani discussed his meeting with agents from the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol.

"They are getting ready to present the city with an alternative to the border wall," Troiani said. "It's hard to know until we see anything in writing, but hopefully there will be something we can look at and revise in the next few weeks."

The meeting also included eight proclamations. Among those recognized were municipal clerks, elder abuse prevention advocates and the mayor's appointed advisor for ecological development, Sandra Garcia.

Ksieff@brownsvilleherald.com