Good Government League

April 1, 2004

Contact:    Marissa G. Martinez

 

Good Government League Charges Election Fraud in Encinal and Urges Official Investigation

 

Laredo, TX -- Marissa Martinez spokesman for the Laredo, Texas based Good Government League (GGL) has charged Encinal city government with election fraud and malfeasance. Among GGL's charges: Despite city rules mandating elections every two years, voters have not been to the polls since 1998.

 

"I have gone to the Texas Rangers and the District Attorney's Office and urged them to begin official investigations into Encinal leaders and their mismanagement of the business of the people," said Martinez.

 

She said that the Good Government League has done an in depth investigation of the city's activities and has discovered that none of the current city council members have ever appeared on a ballot in a general election. Martinez says that among GGL's allegations:

 

·        Encinal Leaders have cancelled every election since 1999

 

·        Public Officials who should have been elected to office were instead appointed by city leaders

 

·        These "public officials" were illegally paid with government funds since they were not elected by the people of Encinal

 

·        City leaders improperly failed to call an election in 2002, after two incumbent candidates for office, including Mayor Javier Mancha filed "Declarations of Write-in Candidacy" forms. Pursuant to the state election code, an election cannot be cancelled if a candidate has filed as a write-in. However, Mayor Mancha sponsored a Resolution effectively canceling the 2002 elections.

 

Martinez also alleges that she was systematically denied access to public information and records.

 

"Throughout my correspondence, Encinal city officials repeatedly denied legitimate Open Records Requests. In addition city leaders failed to provide me with the City Charter and the Articles of Incorporations when I requested the information. "

 

On behalf of GGL I would strongly urge the D.A., the Rangers and the media to examine Encinal City Government behavior, said Martinez. 

 

"At best the City Government is sitting illegally as a bunch of naive, self-perpetuating cronies, She said. "At worst {Encinal City leaders} are a rogue gang, systematically undermining Democracy and certainly deaf to the will of the electorate. "

 

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