EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) – Organizers behind a recall effort against Northeast El Paso City Representative Cynthia Boyar Trejo held a petition signing event Sunday as they work to collect enough signatures to move the process forward.<\/p>\n
The petition drive is tied to Trejo\u2019s June 9 vote at City Hall against an item that would have directed city staff to start negotiations with Meta and Wurldwide LLC to possibly renegotiate or end the city\u2019s Chapter 380 incentive agreement.<\/p>\n
That agreement is connected to Meta\u2019s planned $10 billion data center in Northeast El Paso.<\/p>\n
City Council voted 5-3 against the item, keeping the agreement in place. KFOX14\/CBS4 previously reported that Council Representatives Josh Acevedo, Lily Lim\u00f3n and Chris Canales were the only members who supported the item.<\/p>\n
Trejo represents District 4, where the data center is being built.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Zayan, who is helping with the recall effort, said the petition process is only the first step toward possibly putting Trejo\u2019s seat before voters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you recall someone, you\u2019re not ripping them out of the seat,\u201d Zayan said. \u201cWhat you\u2019re doing is you\u2019re forcing them to be on the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the city charter, organizers have 60 days from filing to collect signatures. The petition must be signed by at least 20% of registered voters who voted in the election when Trejo was elected.<\/p>\n
If enough valid signatures are submitted, and Trejo does not resign, a recall election could then be held.<\/p>\n
Zayan said organizers are still working to get an official count, but estimated Sunday\u2019s event brought them closer to about 100 signatures. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would say off of today\u2019s event, we’re definitely closer to about 100,\u201d Zayan said. \u201cThat\u2019s good for an event because the majority of the signatures we\u2019re going to get are from door knocking.\u201d<\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 previously reported the Office of the City Clerk received a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition for Trejo on June 17.<\/p>\n
The notice came after Trejo\u2019s vote on the Meta incentive agreement. According to the petition, organizers cited concerns tied to the regional water supply, air quality and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The June 9 vote followed nearly 200 public comments over whether the city should begin negotiations tied to the agreement.<\/p>\n
Organizers said Trejo should have supported the item because the data center is in her district, where residents have raised concerns about water, power, transparency and long-term impacts.<\/p>\n
Trejo previously defended her vote in a statement to KFOX14\/CBS4, saying in part:<\/p>\n
“Breaking the agreement at any cost was not a risk I was willing to take on behalf of our residents, especially families on fixed or limited incomes. My vote was not a vote against accountability. In fact, I stated publicly that Meta should be held accountable, but we must do so legally, responsibly, and collaboratively.”<\/p>\n
People who signed the petition Sunday said they wanted more transparency and stronger representation for Northeast El Paso.<\/p>\n
One person who signed the petition said the Northeast feels underrepresented and said residents want transparency.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the bare minimum. We want transparency, and we just don\u2019t think that she has our best interests in mind,\u201d the person said.<\/p>\n
Another person who signed the petition said residents should take part in the process whether they support or oppose the recall effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease come out here and support it for or against it,\u201d the person said. \u201cIt\u2019s really up to you. This is your choice. Make sure that your voice is heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recall effort follows weeks of debate over Meta\u2019s planned data center and the city\u2019s incentive agreement.<\/p>\n
City officials have said canceling the agreement without legal cause could expose taxpayers to significant legal and financial risk.<\/p>\n
Organizers said they plan to continue collecting signatures, including through door knocking in District 4.<\/p>\n