Judge Ulloa leaves bench after 27 years
EL CENTRO – Longtime Superior Court Seat 1 Judge Juan Ulloa quietly retired effective March 1, marking the end of a career that saw him emerge from private practice to become among the county’s longest-serving judges.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve. The time just seemed right. I hope I’ve been able to honor the trust that people put in me,” said Ulloa, 71, of El Centro.
Ulloa was first elected in 1994 and re-elected in 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018. He retained a strong hold on the office, defeating two competitors in the 2018 primary with 54 percent of the vote. Winning more than 50 percent allowed him to avoid a November run-off.
He would have been up for re-election in 2024. He had been handling criminal matters, the court website states.
This newspaper learned
women for International Women’s Day but our actions speak louder than our words,” she said Tuesday. “There’s no problem with us being able to reward bad behavior here in Imperial County. When is it going to end with this board? You are blind and deaf to the concerns.”
No other members of the public addressed the matter at either meeting.
The three-year contract will pay Figueroa a starting salary of $200,000 per
year and will commence April 15, two weeks later than the start date announced last week. He will also receive health benefits and a $550-per-month car allowance.
If he is terminated without cause, he will receive six months’ Betty J ean severance (Bellamy) pay. He Golston, will get performance 73, of reviews Clarksville, after TN about p assed four and away eight on months February and the 26, job, 2022. as She well as was annually born o in n April November thereafter. 14, 1948 The in conEl tract Centro. ends She April 14, was 2025. the fourth Castillo of questioned e ight c hildren the salary, born to asked Leroy what and previLetha Mae Bellamy.
ous CEO Tony Rouhotas
Betty leaves her daugh
Jr.--who resigned effective
ters, LaShon P orter and
Dec. 31--earned and was
Rana S teele; s iblings, Glenda Williams and Annette Phillips; grandchildren, Kyla, Derrick, Kyra, Tajalyn, and Jaden; great
told DON it was FLOYD $180,000 SHANK per year. Dec. 26, 1940 – Dec. 31, 2021
“My motion would be to start him out at $180,000. ($200,000 would be appropriate) if Mr. Figueroa had been a CEO, but he is coming in as a city manager,” he said.
However, board Chairman Jesus Eduardo Escobar noted that when the board last year decided to advertise for a new CEO after Rouhotas submitted his resignation, it set the salary range at $200,000$250,000.
Supervisor Luis Plancarte made the motion to approve the contract and it was seconded by Supervisor Michael Kelley. While Castillo’s motion did not get a second, Escobar did not appear to formally declare it dead for that reason nor did Castillo appear to withdraw it.
The allegations against Figueroa drew harsh criticism from Plancarte, though he did indicate alleged prior acts by Figueroa when he was county Workforce Development Office director came under scrutiny.
“We did an extensive search. We saw the same documents. There was not one item that indicated
that was the case, otherwise this board would not be making this recommendation.” he said.
Plancarte added there were 20 applicants, about half of whom were qualified. Additionally, an external review committee had women members and made Figueroa one of its three finalists.
Plancarte also took exception with Camarena’s criticism of county Human Resources Director Rodolfo Aguayo over Figueroa’s hiring.
“At no point did I point out Mr. Aguayo was involved. I get tired of Ms.
Camarena bringing this up (It’s) hearsay, and to make those accusations is just ridiculous,” he said.
Castillo, who last week said he preferred an outof-county candidate, said his vote was “not against him ( Figueroa). I just voted for who I thought would do the best job for the county.”