 "Photo: Peyton Coker")
City Councilwoman Sheryl Cole, Mayor Will Wynn, Councilman Mike Martinez and City Manager Marc Ott affirmed Austin's position to address the issues of minority communities Monday.
Former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia, former Texas Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos and other Hispanic leaders wrote a letter to Wynn and the city council Friday concerning their meeting with Ott. Garcia and Barrientos wanted to discuss the public firings of two Hispanic city employees, the decreasing number of Hispanic department heads and Ott's new hires' lack of knowledge of the Hispanic community.
"Unfortunately, what transpired has left us feeling bewildered, disappointed and quite frankly feeling disrespected," the letter said.
Ott told the leaders that he did not know what he had done to alienate them, that he was fearless and that he would not be intimidated, according to the letter.
Garcia said the news conference was an effort to bring unity to Austin and to diffuse the dispute between Ott and the Hispanic leaders brought up in articles by the Austin American-Statesman.
"I have great respect for the diversity that makes up our wonderful city," Ott said during the conference. "I do and will continue to have an open-door policy for all of the residents of our great city."
The conference ended with promises and guarantees but without any specific deals between Ott and the Hispanic leaders.
Garcia said he is not finished meeting with Ott and would like to continue the meetings. Ott's spokeswoman said the city manager is open to future meetings.
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