George West Mayor Sylvia Steele said the council didn’t feel Ramirez had the proper leadership. “As the mayor, I don’t vote; I just call for the vote,” Steele went on to say.
Ramirez was appointed George West city manager three months ago on Nov. 16. Initially, Ramirez was received favorably by the citizens of George West with a “Meet & Greet” hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and First National Bank.
However, following the Jan. 19 City Council meeting where Ramirez gave a summary of his annexation findings, public opinion about him began to change.
A town hall meeting Ramirez set up on Feb. 8 to give the citizens an explanation on his goals for George West became increasingly unpleasant as citizens expressed their strong feelings against annexation. The next day the town hall meeting scheduled for Feb. 16 was cancelled and City Councilman Lloyd Clifton resigned.
“By charter we are going to have to appoint someone to replace Mr. Clifton. We need a citizen that can fill in until the May election,” Steele said.
Ramirez came from Laredo where he served in public administration for 13 years, working with capital improvement projects, municipal planning, water and wastewater utilities as well as other municipal programs.
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