City council weighs next steps in legal battle over Mayor Guajardo’s removal

Public comment drew residents on both sides of the issue, with several calling for transparency as the process moves forward.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The legal battle over the removal of Paulette Guajardo took center stage during Tuesday’s Corpus Christi City Council meeting, serving as the final item on the agenda.

Public comment drew residents on both sides of the issue, with several calling for transparency as the process moves forward.

“If I was sitting in the mayor’s position right now, I would welcome this process,” one resident said during Tuesday’s public comment period.

The agenda item focused on procedural discussions, including the appointment of former Nueces County Judge Terry Shamsie and the potential selection of witnesses.

Those discussions were held in executive session, but before council members went behind closed doors, residents voiced frustration and concern over the ongoing process.

“We hold you guys to a higher standard. Ethically, you should do what’s right,” another speaker said.

Mayor Paulette Guajardo said she could not comment directly on the case, but described the situation surrounding the petition as “interesting.”

“The charter reads in a way no one ever thought until something like this happened, so as the mayor of Corpus Christi, I of course feel strongly that five people should not be able to remove any elected official,” Guajardo said.

For now, the mayor — along with residents across the city — is waiting to see what happens next.

“Democracy is important in this situation. So we’ll see where it goes one day at a time,” Guajardo said.

City council is expected to revisit the matter next Wednesday.

Tags: