We begin tonight with a Troubleshooters Special Report.
People in Jim Wells County want to know how and why a constable is still getting his full salary and benefits, yet he hasn’t worked in months.
As we found out, constable’s are elected officials.
And the people who vote for them…are the ones who can petition to have them removed.
71 year old Jesus ‘Chuy’ Salinas just re-elected to his 4th term as Jim Wells County Precinct One Constable.
Vietnam veteran.
Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.
After that, 28 years with the Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office.
And constable for the past 12 years or so.
But he and his wife Elvira told the Troubleshooters he spends most of his time these days in this chair.
"I’m going crazy just being here," Salinas said.
He says he just can’t work
But he’s still getting his full salary and benefits from the county.
He says the insurance benefits.
"Can you tell me what your medical issues are ? They can’t find nothing out. I fall down. Lightheaded. I feel dizzy and all that. How long have you had that ? It’s been awhile."
About 2 months or so he says.
Salinas is an elected official, so the only answers to the people who put him in office.
"Discuss and consider to designate a person to facilitate the serving of papers for for constable Precinct 6 Precinct 1 office."
Last week Jim Wells County Commissioners approved a stipend for somebody else to do the work normally done by Salinas, who told us he really wants to get back to work as soon as doctors tell him he can.
"Has Mr Salinas asked y’all for help ? No. No," County Judge Pete Trevino Jr. told the Troubleshooters.
Trevino said he’s not even sure what Salinas’ medical issues are.
However "the community elects that individual, and in all actuality they are the people that can do something about it also."
Salinas says if doctors advise him to retire, he will.
