My Report on Shoreacres, TX City Council Meeting Held 9/10/12

During the public comments section of the Shoreacres, TX city council meeting held on September 10, 2012  I addressed the fact and expressed concern that a member of council, Alderman Connie Ramirez, does not and has not resided in Shoreacres since Hurricane Ike made landfall in September of 2008. Ms. Ramirez has resided in LaPorte since the Hurricane- a well known fact.  I referenced that the address listed on Alderman’s council application in 2011 did and continues to show improved square footage of  ZERO sq.ft. [HCAD 2011 and HCAD 2012] I have no direct knowledge of any permits obtained.

I also brought to attention to council; the mayor, Dolly Arons; and the city administrator, David Stall what the Texas Municipal League (TML) has to say about residency requirements of an elected official in a General Rule type A city.  The elected official must reside in or show “reasonable intent” to reside in said city.  Also all present were made aware of the repercussions of a challenge found to be valid as to the residency of a sitting member of council.  According to TML, one challenge could jeopardize and possibly nullify all votes where Alderman Ramirez was a deciding (swing) vote; all would have to be re-visited.  That revisit would be quite difficult as council has changed with two new members. I do not understand why our city is placing itself in such a vulnerable position.

The city of Shoreacres has been requiring the [very few] residents still in post-Ike FEMA trailers to provide council with constant updates showing proof of intent to rebuild.  This has been an on-going practice in order to extend citizen’s permits. As of June 2012, when I left council, the same proof of progress and intent was not required of Alderman Ramirez.  It amazes me that residency requirements are not enforced to obtain a position as a representative for citizens in a city that Alderman Ramirez has not slept in [her vacant lot that she claims to be home] in over four years.  

Nancy Schnell

Shoreacres, Texas