The term “Conflict of Interest” is heard often when describing what has been happening in the City of Sandy Oaks since incorporation.
A conflict of interest is a situation in which a person (or organization) is involved with more than one set of interests and where one of those interests can negatively affect the person’s responsibilities.
The City of Sandy Oaks defines the very example of what “conflict of interest” means.
Jim Clement: Both Mayor and WPPOA President
Jim Clement is both Mayor of the city and the president of the Waterwood Park Property owner’s association.
At the illegal WPPOA vote that Clement set up on January 15, 2015, a woman in the audience told Clement he couldn’t be both president and mayor at the same time that it was a conflict of interest. In response, Clement shouted back “Yes, I can! No, it’s not!”
But it certainly is a conflict of interest to be in both positions. The Waterwood subdivision makes up about 90% of the City of Sandy Oaks. When it comes to the interest of residents, Clement will certainly be partial to how the Waterwood community is affected.
As Mayor and WPPOA president, Clement is at the leadership of 2 different entities in which people must pay large amounts of money. As Mayor, he is responsible of the city budget and forming a property tax. As WPPOA president he is responsible for collecting the yearly assessment fee. The fee used to go to the Waterwood Development Company, but they supposedly turned over the ability to collect to the WPPOA. No one is really sure, however, because Clement refuses to share details and legal documents.
The city government would typically be the entity that would hold a POA accountable, but Mayor Clement cannot really be expected to hold President Clement accountable.
Charlotte Rabe: Both City Clerk and WPPOA VP
Charlotte Rabe claims to be the VP of the WPPOA. She has also been selected as the Sandy Oaks City Clerk.
Again, 1 person has access to two different monetary accounts in which people in the community pay into.
Martinez de Vara: SOSO City Attorney and Mayor of Von Ormy
Art Martinez de Vara wins the prize for being able to wear the most hats at once. And for representing the largest conflict of interest.
Martinez de Vara was the attorney for the WPPOA, the Committee to Incorporate Sandy Oaks (CISO), the Sandy Oaks Political Action Committee (SOPAC), and now he’s the City Attorney. At the same time, he’s also the Mayor of Von Ormy.
When Martinez de Vara has to choose who to help first, he is not going to choose Sandy Oaks over Von Ormy. He represents a conflict of interest simply because he does not, as City Attorney, have the City of Sandy Oak’s interest as his main priority.
City Council is Complacent
All of the members of the City Council are complacent about these conflicts of interest. In fact, they’re directly responsible for the conflicts happening.
Of the 5 Aldermen, not 1 of them has spoken out publicly against Clement being in 2 different positions of power.
Each of the 5 Aldermen voted to make Martinez de Vara the City Attorney even though they knew that he was also the Mayor of Von Ormy.
Some have chosen to ignore these conflicts of interest. Here’s what Alderman Doug Tomasini told a citizen in an emal in August of 2014:
I am unaware of any conflict of interest with our Mayor as head of the WPPOA , the City Attorney, and the city of Von Ormy. If you have any specific example or complaint, please advise.
Now, WPPOA President Clement has decided to give over the community park to Mayor Clement. The attorney for both entities is the same person: Martinez de Vara. But again, not a single Council member is talking about the giant red flags.
Citizens in the city are raising questions about these conflicts of interest and it is the responsibility of the City Council, as representatives of the public, to speak out. None of them are doing so, and that is why they are responsible for making the City of Sandy Oaks into the best definition of what “Conflict of Interest” means.
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