DRUG TESTING RUFFLES WEBB COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Drug and alcohol testing was a part of the communications discussion
in Monday's Webb County Commissioners Court meeting, but became more
of a personal battle between two commissioners.

Commissioner Felix Velasquez asked Risk Manager Juanita Puente to
discuss the county position on drug testing but Commissioner Jerry
Vasquez was offended that it was not listed on the agenda.

Puente said the county had been testing employees required to have
commercial drivers' licenses since May 1996. In 1998 they added
safety sensitive positions, which includes all who drive for Webb
County or conduct Webb County business while driving, peace officers,
and hazardous material handling or supervision.

But the program only applies to people who work under the commissioners court.

If they refuse a test, it might lead to a dismissal.

Vasquez and Velasquez got into a heated battle of words on the
importance of the item being in the communications section of the
meeting.

Velasquez requested the report by letter to County Judge Mercurio
Martinez, but it was not listed on the agenda.

Vasquez indicated by his remarks that the discussion had something to
do with the previous meeting's jail discussion and the sheriff's pay
raise denial.

Vasquez said there had been a public relations battle since last
meeting, though he did not elaborate, when he voted against the
sheriff on hiring an attorney. Velasquez had voted against the item.

"I am not for sale," Vasquez said.

Velasquez responded.

"If talking about drug testing makes the commissioner nervous, so be
it," he said.

Pepe Salinas, the sheriff's chief administrator stepped to the podium
and, when recognized by Judge Mercurio Martinez, said the sheriff had
nothing to do with the drug testing being on the agenda.

Vasquez noted in the meeting when the attorney was hired that that
Garza was his uncle, but that would not keep him from pursuing
justice.

During the discussion at commissioners court, Vasquez said that he
would submit to a drug test any day. Velasquez asked that he be
included in the county random selection. Gutierrez said she had been
tested four times already.

People who are identified with drug or alcohol are removed from their
job immediately, Puente said. If department heads approve,
rehabilitation may be the next move.