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Ex-mayor Ramirez takes leave from water post
Borderland Thursday, July
24, 2003 Former El Paso Mayor
Carlos Ramirez, who was named commissioner of the International Boundary and
Water Commission in July 2001 by President Bush, is taking a leave of absence
because of an undisclosed medical condition, commission spokeswoman Sally
Spener said Wednesday. Spener said
Ramirez, 52, is taking leave to undergo medical tests but would not discuss
the natu! re of the problem that led Ramirez and his family to the decision.
"The Ramirez family requests that their privacy be respected with regard to
his medical condition," Spener said. During Ramirez's absence, Deputy Commissioner and Principal Engineer Debra
Little will serve as acting commissioner. The commission is a binational agency responsible for applying the water
boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico and for
settling boundary and treaty differences when they arise. The U.S. division of the agency, which is based in El Paso, has 300
employees, 13 offices and a liaison office at the State Department in
Washington. Ramirez receives a $142,000 salary, which he will be paid while on leave.
Asked whether paid leave will be indefinite, Spener said, "Commissioner
Ramirez serves at the pleasure of the president." Ramirez's appointment came at the conclusion of his second term as mayor.
During the 2000 campaign, he openly supported the! n-Gov. George W. Bush's
candidacy for president and campa! igned for him, starting with the first
Republican primary in New Hampshire. David Crowder may be reached at
dcrowder@elpasotimes.com
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