PASADENA, Texas — Confusion in Pasadena led to disappointment for two students after the city revoked their $500 college scholarships. Now, the community is coming together to support those students raising thousands of dollars to help them pay for college.
The two students were awarded the new scholarships from the community Tuesday night, but the council member who wanted to help them in the first place now has questions for the city and his colleagues.
Pasadena City Council Member Emmanuel Guerrero shared his frustration during Tuesday morning's meeting.
“Is it wrong to invest in our future and help two young ladies?" he said.
Guerrero said he was disappointed after the pair of $500 scholarships promised to two Pasadena students were revoked and he said it was done in his absence with no explanation.
He said the funds were from his personal operating budget that is supposed to be used for the promotion of public health, education, security or property.
“Try to give back from my small budget of 3,600, it's not a lot, but it's something two 500 scholarships to give back to these girls, to show them that we believe in them," said Guerrero.
Last week when KHOU 11 News first reported on the issue, the city of Pasadena told us the scholarship checks would have potentially violated the Texas State Constitution and possibly been illegal.
“We have a city attorney to clarify the possibility, but that was not handled in that direction,” said Guerrero.
Advocates like Cesar Espinosa, of Fiel, chimed in asking for transparency from the city.
“We are asking for you all to ask the city council members, why did they decide to make, a show of this and ask them what they have used their discretionary funding for?” said Executive Director of Fiel Cesar Espinosa.
Espinosa also called for change.
“We are asking specifically for Jay Dale to step down as the city attorney of Pasadena because he does not represent what Pasadena stands for, and he should not be representing Pasadena in these matters,” said Espinosa.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, a member said this incident shows that the council member's spending needs to be reviewed.
“There have been a number of things done over the years that are probably not for public purpose and now that this has become an issue, we'll be looking at this,” said Council Member Pat Van Houte.
KHOU 11 News reached out to the city attorney and mayor. The mayor’s office shared the same statement they did last week, and the city attorney’s office has not gotten back to us.
Community members and organizations eventually came together to raise money to replace the scholarships taken away from the students. A total of $9,100 was raised.