In the past month, the city of Dilley has selected a city administrator and a chief of police to replace the interims that held each position.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Political drama often defines the council and city administrator relationships in the state of Texas, and Dilley has been no exception. Since 2016, five people have filled the Dilley city administrator position, including interims.
Rewind seven years, and that city administrator faced the council for “incompetency, corruption, misconduct, or malfeasance” before she turned the tables by resigning with six city employees and taking the story to KSAT12.
The aughts were similarly tumultuous for Dilley city admins, but the new city of Dilley council hopes that legacy ends with their latest hire: Juan Estrada. Estrada fulfills two of the council’s wish list characteristics: an experienced grant-writer and someone who lives locally.
POLICE CHIEF
Dilley has a similar record of police chief turnover. Since 2008, at least six chiefs have served the city of Dilley, including interims. Well… 5 people, and 6 chief tenures. Lemme explain…
On June 25th, 2019 the city of Dilley hired Armando Romo, marking Romo’s second stint as Dilley police chief. Romo had previously served as chief until 2008 and while I’d really like tell that story- I’m gonna have to ask for consent from the parties involved, hoping that some day, we can all look back and laugh.
For now, Romo must feel a sense of vindication in his return to Dilley, departing the Sheriff’s Office to revamp the city police force’s approach, starting with a revival of communication with the public via Facebook: Dilley Police Department Facebook.
–written by Jose Asuncion.
Jose is currently the Precinct 4 Frio County Commissioner.