Gov. Mike Leavitt's unofficial appointment of Art Martinez as director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs is the "feather that broke the camel's back," say some members of the governor's Hispanic Advisory Coun-cil.
Six of the seven members met Monday to discuss their options, including resignation, in light of the unexpected announcement. Art Martinez, president of Image de Utah and board member of the Coalition of La Raza, was at the meeting and told the council he mistook final negotiations for an offer."I'm going to publicly say, due to my misunderstanding, I was not officially offered anything," Martinez said. But council member Jesse Soriano pointed out their anger wasn't at Martinez but at the governor's office for ignoring the process and the community leaders.
"Our issue is a greater issue," Soriano said. "I don't think the governor has the right to disparage the work of this committee. Go with the process, which gives some recognition and some respect to our pro-fes-sion-alism."
A special committee made up of members of the council was formed specifically for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the post. Three names were then given to the governor for consideration.
"If he's going to ignore this body - and the community-based organizations - I think we have no real need to have a council," said Gilbert Martinez. Many of the committee members took time off work to conduct the interviews and screen applicants. Martinez was one of the applicants screened and interviewed by the committee, but he wasn't one of the finalists.
"We submitted three names we thought would be much better," Soriano said. "I made my decision. I interviewed other individuals who I felt were far more qualified. I'm not comfortable with Art."
Leavitt's deputy for communication, Vicki Varela, said while the governor was "very impressed with Art" the announcement was premature and there are still issues to be resolved, including a discussion with the council.
All of the council members and many of the community leaders in attendance agreed that skirting the council is just one of many problems the Hispanic community has with Leavitt.
Among other problems are the lack of meaningful appointments of Hispanics to state government. Less than 2 percent of Leavitt's appointments are Hispanic. Council members also said Leavitt promised regular meetings with the minority communities but has had only one meeting with them.
Soriano suggested sending a "clear" message to the governor by asking him to work within the process designed and acknowledge the council, or they will resign en masse. Community leaders told council members that they would back them whatever their decision.
Council chairwoman Lisa Hurtado-Armstrong said a meeting had been set with the governor for Wednesday at 3 p.m. Afterward, the council plans to meet with the community at Centro Civico to get a feel for how the general population feels about the issues and the possibility of their resignations.