Tulare City Councilman Jose Sigala has issued a press release regarding his request for an agenda item for the June 5 council meeting allowing an open discussion for council with regard to reorganization of the mayor.
It reads:
“This morning Tulare Council Member Jose Sigala made a formal request to the City Manager Willard Epps, to place the reorganization of the Mayor on the next city council agenda.
Council Member Sigala would like to have the item on the agenda to provide the council the opportunity to have an open, transparent and public discussion about the leadership of our city.
The City Manager has the authority to place items on the agenda.
If you agree with Council Member Sigala, please call the City Manager today to support his effort.
He can be reached at 559-684-42000 or by email at wepps@tulare.ca.gov.”
This is the fourth time Sigala has approached the subject. The last time he made the request to former city manager Joe Carlini who placed it on the agenda, but it was omitted by the Mayor Carlton Jones. Sigala subsequently asked council to vote on having the item placed on the agenda – it was shot down 3-2.
This time Sigala is asking for community support in their letting Interim City Manager Epps know their feelings.
“I’ve been getting a lot of calls from those in my district and outside of my district,” Sigala told the Voice. “I heed to their calls.”
Sigala said he recognizes the recent upset within the agricultural community with Mayor Jones in regard to remarks made on Facebook by Jones. However, it is not the only reason for his bringing the mayor restructuring up again.
When the Voice reached out to the city earlier this afternoon, it had received some 15 phone calls from concerned citizens – some anonymous, others leaving their names, asking Epps to place Sigala’s request on the agenda
“Councilman Sigala has made the request,” Epps told the Voice. “I, as city manager, will honor a councilmember’s request.”
Epps further stated that he asked the city attorney to provide counsel to him on the subject.
“In the past the mayor has made the final decision,” Epps said. “I am waiting legal response.”
Mayor Jones was contacted for comment, but once again hung up on this reporter.