Longtime educator and community activist Robert "Archie" Archuleta, who lost a close Salt Lake City Council race to Van Turner last year, finally worked his way into the City & County Building as Mayor Rocky Anderson's administrative assistant for minority and community affairs.
Wednesday Anderson announced that Archuleta will replace Frances Gomez, who left the mayor's office Tuesday as part of a recent exodus including senior assistant Mike Melendez and special-projects assistant Dave Owen."I'm really proud to be chosen," Archuleta said at a press conference.
Members of the Hispanic community group La Raza praised Anderson for appointing Archuleta. But former president of Centro Civico Mexicano Robert Gallegos critically questioned the mayor for allowing Gomez and Melendez to leave. Both are Hispanic.
"I mean, firing two minorities, come on, that's ridiculous . . . ," Gallegos said after the press conference. "You can't tell me Mike was incompetent. He had a doctor's degree, for Pete's sake."
Actually, the "firings" are a little more complicated. Melendez, for example, was not fired but resigned for unspecified reasons.
Gomez, who had been unhappy in the administration for some time, last week announced that she too would resign at an unspecified time in the future. But a combative encounter with Anderson during a television interview Tuesday spurred the mayor to terminate her immediately.
Anderson said he was able to offer the job to Archuleta so quickly because he had seen for some time that things weren't working out with Gomez, and "I was working through in my mind who would be the best person to take on that job."
During Wednesday's press conference Gallegos grilled the mayor about a perceived lack of city administrative positions open for minorities. Anderson responded that he is working to rectify the perception he inherited from the former administration.
"You will see more minority participation in city government than you have ever seen," he said.
It is ironic that Anderson should be attacked on the question of ethnic diversity. Before he took office he loudly touted the diverse makeup of his transition teams and repeatedly emphasized that diversity in appointments was a priority.
Archuleta's position will be somewhat redefined to work specifically with minority communities. He will begin work Thursday. Anderson continues to seek replacements for Melendez and Owen.
On the other side of city hall, City Council members have been observing the entire terminations saga since it began last month with media relations director Phil Riesen being fired.
"If it's a working-out-the-bugs phase that's OK, but I would be concerned if it's a continuing trend," Council Chairman Carlton Christensen said. "Ultimately, (Anderson) has to answer for his administration. For us to second-guess him is inappropriate."