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Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Citizens speak up on Collazo’s suspension
Published March 19, 2008
SEGUIN — Accusations of conspiracy and a plot to crucify Seguin Police Chief Luis Collazo were made during City Council’s regular Tuesday meeting.
Dr. Terri Quebedeaux, a 13-year resident of Seguin, said she was shocked with the newspaper’s report of allegations recently made against Collazo, who was placed on administrative leave March 11 by City Manager Douglas Faseler.
“He has been an asset to the kids in our community. Where’s the due process, where is the evidence?” Quebedeaux said, referring to what she called one-sided coverage of the situation.
Collazo is scheduled to make his case in a closed session with Faseler and City Attorney Ross Fischer on Thursday, March 27.
He has been accused of sexual harassment, the creation of a hostile work environment and preferential treatment to certain members of the public and employees.
More than 20 residents crowded into the City Council chamber Tuesday to show support for Collazo, who has been on the job for the past four years.
John Jeffrey said he was one of the first residents of Seguin who met Collazo when he came aboard as police chief. He said Collazo spoke to him about his plans to make the Seguin Police Department better than it had ever been before.
“It’s been better than anytime before. Collazo works with kids and he donates his personal time for our children,” Jeffrey said. “He makes things easier for people who are having a hard time. He knows my name and he has since the day I met him.”
Jeffrey accused police department personnel of having a vendetta against Collazo.
“Maybe it was a disciplinary action. Somebody had to start that snowball effect,” Jeffrey said. “I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think it’s right. We’re crucifying the chief ... give him his day in court. He can’t be crucified,” Jeffrey said to enthusiastic applause.
“I rise to speak to you about the right of privacy,” former District 7 Councilman Patrick Nitsch told the council.
Nitsch, a retired Houston lawyer, referred to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the due process and privacy rights it sets out for individuals.
He said that documents released to the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise and to KWED 1580 radio station should have been redacted in places before they were released, and that Faseler should have consulted with the state attorney general’s office before they were released.
“If a document relates to sensitive matters and I believe the letter to Chief Collazo was a sensitive matter, the information was not going to be beneficial to Chief Collazo,” Nitsch said.
He said the attorney general would have redacted or struck out information in the documents that were released to the media. He also said the documents have hurt Collazo’s reputation and other police department employees who were mentioned in them.
“You are dealing with the reputations of individuals and you should be careful how you treat those individuals,” Nitsch said.
Nancy Frick said the situation reminded her of when the city sought to sell the old Stagecoach Road landfill in 1999 to reopen it as a waste disposal site.
“The city (residents) became angry because of the way it was handled. I’m terrified that it’s happening again. Act on this matter in an intelligent and responsible way before you completely destroy the good Chief Collazo has done for this community,” Frick said.
Frick said Collazo took a personal interest in every child and every child felt that interest.
“Kids will say that Luis Collazo made a difference in my life,” Frick said.
She compared the Collazo suspension to an active volcano that is erupting in the community.
“The lava is already flowing and we’ll be reduced to ashes,” Frick said.
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