City Plan Commission: Bonart out, former ABC-7 anchor in

Former KVIA ABC-7 news anchor Rick Cabrera is replacing Rick Bonart on the City Plan Commission.

All commission members are appointed by the Mayor of El Paso. The commission examines development proposals and makes recommendations to El Paso City Council.

“Probably, it’s related in my efforts to save the lost dog trail area and use of open space money to keep that area and keep as an open natural space. It’s petty, I would say so,” Bonart said.

Bonart told ABC-7 his removal from the commission was in retaliation to his opposition to Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 12. Council approved TIRZ 12 as a part of a plan to redevelop land in Northwest El Paso, including a section called the Lost Dog trail.

Bonart, who helped gather petitions asking Council to reconsider its approval of TIRZ 12, believes his part in the petition drive may have led to his removal. Bonart told ABC-7 he does not plan to contest his removal, admitting City Plan Commission members serve at the mayor’s appointment and will.

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said Cabrera’s appointment had nothing to do with Bonart.

“I’m going through and making changes for all my appointments as they come up, or as I see the necessity to make,” Margo said, “I’ve been making changes since I’ve been here for the last year.”

Cabrera is also an account executive at Hub International, an insurance brokerage company. Don Margo, the mayor’s son, is in charge of HUB El Paso.