Co-op to hold special meeting
A special meeting of the Socorro Electric Cooperative’s board of trustees to address personnel issues has been called for Friday, Aug. 13.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the co-op board room, 310 Abeyta St., but it is likely the public will not be allowed to sit in on the proceedings.
Personnel matters are one of the exceptions cited in the Open Meetings Act as a reason for the board to meet behind closed doors in executive session.
Co-op President Paul Bustamante confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 10, the meeting would center around a complaint filed by a co-op employee with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Co-op accountant Kathy Torres issued such a complaint last month, having accused District 5 trustee Charlie Wagner of sexual and racial discrimination.
Torres states in her complaint that she’s been subject to sexually discriminating remarks from Wagner and that he’s made derogatory remarks about Hispanics. Torres also states that she fears Wagner will use his influence on the board to have her fired.
A letter dated July 22 addressed to the board from co-op attorney Dennis Francis, and obtained by El Defensor Chieftain, urges the board to investigate the matter immediately. He recommends the board compose a “position statement” to be submitted to the EEOC and state Human Rights Bureau. He also suggests that Torres be offered a contract “for a period of years” to provide her with job security.
Wagner has been accused of racial discrimination by other trustees and former co-op attorney JoAnna Aguilar.
In her letter of resignation in November 2009, Aguilar names Wagner as the reason she decided to quit. She wrote that Wagner has made discriminatory remarks about Hispanics and created a hostile work environment.
In May, the board voted to censure Wagner based on the allegations.
Wagner has said all along that the accusations against him are unfounded and part of a smear campaign orchestrated by his fellow trustees in an effort to discredit him.
Wagner was a leader in a successful reform movement that radically changes the way the board goes about its business.
All of the reform-related bylaws he championed were overwhelmingly passed by member-owners at the annual meeting in April. Many of the changes directly impact the board of trustees.
Among others, the new bylaws:
• Call for the board to conduct business in accordance with the Open Meetings Act
• Limit trustees to serving no more than two consecutive four-year terms
• Puts a cap on the amount of compensation trustees can receive annually
• Reduces the size of the board from 11 to five members
Contact T.S. Last