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Ron Jackson elected chair of City of El Paso Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee in 4–3 vote
Summary
The City of El Paso Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee elected Ron Jackson chair for 2025 in a 4–3 vote; Donna Juarez was chosen vice chair and George Esser was elected secretary by voice votes.
The City of El Paso Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee elected Ron Jackson as its 2025 chair on Jan. 16 after an open roll-call vote that ended 4–3.
The vote came during the committee’s organizational meeting as members carried out nominations for secretary, vice chair and chair. Rubén Ramirez nominated Jackson for chair; George Esser nominated Donald Brown. Members then cast open votes by announcing their choices. Rubén Ramirez, Ron Jackson (who voted for himself), Melissa Hartcrow and Donald Brown voted for Jackson; Brian Kanoff, Donna Juarez and George Esser voted for Brown, giving Jackson the majority. "So with a vote of 4 to 3, Ron Jackson, you are the 2025 chair," the presiding official announced.
The committee also filled other officer posts. George Ellis Esser was elected secretary after a nomination and second and a voice vote; Donna Juarez was elected vice chair by voice vote after accepting the nomination. The chair, vice chair and secretary roles are defined in the committee bylaws; staff explained that much of the administrative work—drafting agendas and minutes—is performed by the Veterans Program Coordinator and that the secretary’s duties are primarily administrative or to act if chair and vice chair are absent.
Members discussed the voting method before the chair election. One member requested anonymous paper ballots; staff responded that the Texas Open Meetings Act requires open votes for this context. The chair election proceeded with members answering aloud when asked how they would vote.
The committee convened with a quorum, completed roll call, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and moved through organizational business before adjourning at 12:55 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Chair — Ron Jackson elected (4–3). Nominated by Rubén Ramirez; George Esser nominated Donald Brown. Voting was conducted openly by roll-call. No formal recorded tally sheet beyond names announced in the meeting transcript. - Vice chair — Donna Juarez elected by voice vote. Nominated by a committee member and seconded. - Secretary — George Ellis Esser elected by voice vote after nomination and second.
The committee will continue its business at the next scheduled meeting in February 2025.
