Former City Representative called out

the job … so he resigned. but larry romero continues to get a paycheck from the city. tonight, efforts continue to get romero off the city’s payroll. 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 commison’s questions after mayor oscar leeser asked him to cooperate. romero admitted he did not disclose his prior relationship with the firm he wanted to bring in. abc-seven’s complete coverage continues tonight with city rep. claudia ordaz calling out romero for going on a vacation … … when he’s collecting taxpayer money for a job he no longer has. abc-7’s darren hunt is live with the story … darren. rick and estela, 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 righ that he continues to receive a paycheck at taxpayer expense.” that’s why city rep claudia ordaz hopes to soon put an end to larry romero’s 29- thousand dollar salary … which he continues to receive despite stepping away from council months ago for medical reasons amid controversy. “we got a briefing at our las 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 these pictures of romero at the master’s this week on his son’s facebook page. local blogger jaime abeytia also posted this pic of romero boarding a plane on tuesday. “i understand he wants to dedicate some of his time to his family, 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’ son, mike, told me over the phone the trip was a present for his dad’s 60th birthday. “give the fact my dad had a stroke in the summer, this is something we had always talked about doing together.” when i asked him if his father was healthy enough to travel, he said: “hi condition is more of a stress related thing than it is a physical thing.” cit 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.” “does it change your thinking now at all knowing he went to the master’s?” “well, the impression now i that he is able to get about, so yes, i would have to say it does.” noe told me he’s unsure if he will vote not to excuse romero’s absence at the next meeting. but vote not to excuse romero’s absence at the next meeting. but did say he thinks either romero should start attending the meetings, or give up the salary. rick/estela.