Former city rep Larry Romero criticized for continued pay despite absence

A former city representative says a stroke he suffered left him unable to do the job, so he resigned.

But Larry Romero continues to get a paycheck from the city.

The city ethics commission investigated Romero and City Manager Tommy Gonzalez after they started the search for a new financial adviser without council’s approval. Last month, he finally answered the ethics commission’s questions after Mayor Oscar Leeser asked him to cooperate.

Romero admitted that he did not disclose his prior relationship with the firm he wanted to bring in.

City Rep. Claudia Ordaz is now calling out Romero for going on a vacation when he’s collecting taxpayer money for a job he no longer has. Ordaz is not only upset that Romero contnues to be paid, she’s also concerned about the appearance of a trip he took with his son to The Master’s golf tournament in Georgia this week.

“I just don’t think it’s right that he continues to receive a paycheck at taxpayer expense,” said Ordaz, who hopes to soon put an end to Romero’s $29,000 annual salary, which he continues to receive despite stepping away from council months ago for medical reasons amid controversy. “We got a briefing at our last meeting that within our charter, we actually do have that authority. If a member of council has three unexcused absences, council at that time has an opportunity to revoke the pay.”

What upset Ordaz even more was seeing pictures of Romero at The Master’s this week on his son’s Facebook page. Local blogger Jaime Abeytia also posted a picture of Romero boarding a plane on Tuesday.

“I understand he wants to dedicate some of his time to his family,” Ordaz told ABC-7. “But like I said, if you have no intentions of returning to work, it was the day of a city council meeting, then just don’t receive the pay anymore and just give it back.”

Romero’s son, Mike, told ABC-7 over the phone the trip was a present for his Dad’s 60th birthday. “Given the fact my dad had a stroke in the summer,” Mike Romero said, “this is something we had always talked about doing together.”

When asked if his father was healthy enough to travel, he said: “(His condition) is more of a stress related thing than it is a physical thing.”

City Rep Dr. Michiel Noe has been one of Romero’s biggest supporters through his illness.

“I’ve been a supporter of due process throughout the whole process, that’s all.”
ABC-7 asked Noe if seeing pictures of Romero at The Master’s changes his thinking.
“Well, the impression now is that he is able to get about,” Noe said. “So yes, I would have to say it does.”

Noe told ABC-7 he’s unsure if he will vote not to excuse Romero’s absence at the next council meeting. But did say he thinks either Romero should start attending the meetings, or give up the salary.