By Gloria Bigger-Cantu

Kleberg County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to classify the Veteran’s Service Officer as a full time position at a meeting Monday.

This action will allow the county to advertise for the postion.

The vote was taken after some heated comments were exchanged during the discussion of this office.

At the last Commissioners Court meeting Kleberg County Veterans’ Service Officer Tomas Sanchez was relieved of his duties. He served in this office on a part time basis along with being a part time emergency management coordinator for Kleberg County since 1989.

Retired Texas A&M University administrator Arturo Pecos was appointed as the temporary part time replacement for Sanchez at a previous county meeting.

Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza made the motion and was seconded by Roy Cantu, Precinct 3 county commissioner. De La Garza wanted to include a salary figure; however, it was agreed to find out what the salaries are in area counties comparable to Kleberg County.

Precinct 4 County Commissioner Romeo Lomas, who defended Sanchez in the previous Nov. 23 meeting, commented that De La Garza wanted to give his friend a full time job for a $100,000 salary referring to Pecos.

Sanchez said that one man who never visited the veterans office made complaints against him.

Precinct 1 Commissioner David Rosse also criticized Sanchez for his behavior at the previous meeting. He said four people had contacted him concerning his behavior to the judge and the court. “They expressed displeasure at your demeanor,” Rosse said.

Sanchez replied that he was upset because he was losing a job that he really loved. Prior to taking action the agenda item, De La Garza asked Sanchez to clarify the statement that he was going to retire. He told him he could not retire because he was relieved of his duties. The judge told Sanchez he worked it was his responsibility to appoint him and remove him.

“You work directly under me,” De La Garza said.

Then Lomas interjected that the county made the budget referring to Sanchez’s salary. “He has done two jobs for the price of one and he has done a good job,” Lomas said. “There are always two sides of the stories.”

“He has too much damn power,” Lomas said referring to De La Garza.

Lomas said the county made a mistake years ago when it made the veterans office position and the emergency management offices part time positions.

De La Garza said veterans wanted a full time office, and the commissioners court agreed to their request.

Israel Mendiola, commander for America’s Last Patrol, expressed concern that a full time veteran’s service officer was needed. Lomas agreed there was a need for a full time office. Sanchez has worked at the veterans’ office four hours in the morning and four hours at the emergency management office in the afternoon for 21 years.

De La Garza said the reason the position was listed as a part time office is because that was all the budget allowed. He said he does support a full time veterans service officer position.