Several Odessa City Councilmembers who are planning to circumvent the voters by issuing $95 million in taxpayer-backed debt have announced their intention to consider censuring Mayor Javier Joven after the mayor came out strongly against the debt issuance this past week. The censure is being spearheaded by Councilman Steve Thompson, who has claimed the censure […]
Posted inLocal
Odessa City Manager Plan will Circumvent Voters with $95 Million Debt Issuance
A proposal by Odessa City Manager Michael Marrero’s office to circumvent Odessan’s right to vote on major public funding projects by exploiting a loophole in state law is moving forward, with the first public hearing on the debt issuance set for this Tuesday. The certificates of obligation totaling $95 million will be the second debt […]
Posted inState
DPS Report Reveals Staffer in Landgraf’s Office Made False Accusations
Investigators with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) have released their report finding an allegation of date rape that led to a lobbyist’s reputation being ruined was false – and that the staffer who lied to law enforcement and made up the story did so to cover up her sexual affair with another legislative staffer. […]
Posted inLocal
Odessa Economic Development Official Raises Open Meetings Act Concern
During the May meeting of the Odessa Economic Development Corporation (ODC), one of the most recent appointees to the board of directors that governs the city tax corporation raised concerns that a subcommittee that is heavily involved in reviewing public funding proposals may be operating illegally in violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA). Odessa […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
Poll: Odessa Water Infrastructure Should Be Priority Over New Animal Shelter.
The results of a telephone phone conducted by Odessa Headlines over the weekend are in, with 75.4% of the 378 (or 285) registered Odessa voters polled responding that they would prefer the Odessa City Council prioritize critical water infrastructure spending versus using debt to build a new multi-million-dollar animal shelter. The Odessa City Council is set to […]
Posted inTexas Legislature
Landgraf ‘Intended to Vote No’ After Voting to Establish Islamic Holiday in Texas
A bill that cleared the Texas House of Representatives last week to establish an Islamic holiday had a Republican lawmaker from Odessa writing that he actually meant to vote “no” after voting for the bill during final passage in the House chamber. The bill, HB 1231 by State Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) would establish […]
Posted inLocal
Rhodes Unseats Quiroz in Hospital Board Race While Stanley Keeps School Board Seat.
Results of the May 1 local elections in Ector County are in, with two non-partisan local offices seeing contested races on the election ballot.
Posted inPolitics
‘Pro-Life’ Rally to be Held in Odessa
A movement sweeping across Texas that has cities passing ordinances that seek to ban abortion providers has made its way to Odessa – with a rally to advocate for Odessa to become a pro-life sanctuary scheduled to be held on May 8.
Posted inOpinion
Mayberry: Commissioner Gardner’s Town Halls Display True Public Service
(Editor’s note: The following is an opinion commentary submitted to Odessa Headlines for publication.) Ector County Commissioner Michael Gardner held his first town hall meeting since his election keeping a major campaign promise. Following the lead of his father Freddy Gardner who held quarterly townhalls Gardner plans to hold them across multiple locations to make […]
Posted inLocal
Fact Check: Did Odessa City Council Candidates Fail to Disclose Republican Party Support?
A media report claiming that three newly elected members of the Odessa City Council, and one former candidate, failed to disclose in-kind contributions from the Ector County Republican Party (GOP) has stirred up controversy – and now the Party and the accused are saying the report is entirely false.