SAN ANGELO, TX – A few vocal members of the disabled community in San Angelo are not happy with the San Angelo City Council and that showed on Tuesday morning.
For weeks now ,proponents for the disabled community have been disappointed with the council for their choice on the new Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. City Attorney Theresa James has been acting as the interim ADA coordinator for weeks now.
On Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2023, an item on the consent agenda made James the official interim ADA Coordinator. The vote passed 7-0 but that did not stop citizens from voicing their opinion. Two in particular stood out.
The first was a San Angelo woman who was upset about the hiring. She said that James is not qualified, no relatable, or approachable. As an example, the woman said James said at a recent ADA town hall meeting that she could relate to someone in a wheel chair because she was used to pushing a child in a stroller. That appears to have offended the woman.
The second person was nicer about her approach but still reiterated the same issues. This woman told council that they can't get simple things, like adding an item on an agenda, with James. Below are the womens' comments.
The council did hear the issues. Despite that, council members passed the item 7-0. City Manager Daniel Valenzuela did confirm that they will address the issues with James. Also that she will work under Valenzuela while the coordinator.
As for an official coordinator, Valenzuela told the crowd that there was no money in the budget this cycle to hire a full time coordinator. Once the budget meeting begin this summer a money can be allocated so that a coordinator can be hired.
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