Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo is responding to yesterday’s city council vote to move forward with a hearing on a petition to remove her from office.<\/p>\n
The council voted five to three to hold an April 14 meeting to begin preliminary and procedural matters related to the petition. Resident Rachel Caballero, a long-time critic of the mayor, filed the petition in August of last year.<\/p>\n
Caballero accuses the mayor of misconduct, incompetence and willful neglect in the performance of official duties.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, Guajardo said this action is about two issues: stopping desalination and fighting for our democracy. She also stated that she was elected to make hard decisions and stand for the people of Corpus Christi.<\/p>\n
“I will not be bullied and I will not back down. I will continue to work to secure water for our future,” Guajardo said.<\/p>\n
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READ THE MAYOR’S FULL STATEMENT: <\/p>\n
Five members of the City Council who voted against desalination acted yesterday to begin the process to remove me as your Mayor. This is about two issues: permanently stopping our desalination and fighting for our democracy.<\/p>\n
First and foremost, this is about your vote.<\/p>\n
The people of Corpus Christi elected their Mayor citywide. No group of five council members has the moral or legal authority to remove a Mayor from office in a scheme to promote their anti-water, anti-growth agenda. That is not how our democracy works. If they succeed, they will set a dangerous precedent: that the will of the voters can be discarded over political corruption.<\/p>\n
That is wrong. It does not stand. And I will fight for what is right.<\/p>\n
This is about power. Your power. The right of the people of Corpus Christi to choose their leadership, free from political maneuvering behind the dais, and special interest.<\/p>\n
Second, let\u2019s be honest about why this is happening.<\/p>\n
This is about water and it is brought by the special interest that want to make money off our water supply.<\/p>\n
It is about stopping the city\u2019s desalination, stopping Corpus Christi from building a water supply permanently. While our city faces a real and growing water crisis, instead of working toward solutions, they have chosen to block Corpus Christi\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n
Desalination is a necessity for our coastal city that intends to grow and protect its residents. Turning away from desalination puts the people of Corpus Christi\u2019s entire future at risk and I won\u2019t back down.<\/p>\n
I will not stand by while Corpus Christi\u2019s democracy is undermined and our future is in serious jeopardy.<\/p>\n
I was elected to lead, to make hard decisions, and to stand up for the people of Corpus Christi, and that is exactly what I will continue to do.<\/p>\n
I am standing with you, I will not be bullied and I will not back down. I will continue to work to secure water for our future.<\/p>\n
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