The discussion was sparked as a new ambulance services business was seeking the necessary permissions from the City to begin operating in our community.
The squabble took place during a city council meeting held on Tuesday in which a public hearing was held on a request submitted by Alpha Medical Transport LLC, owners Berenice Rodriguez and Joel Rangel, for a Letter of Approval (LOA) by the City Council of the City of Eagle Pass to provide Emergency Medical Services to be located at 1460 Industrial Boulevard, Eagle Pass, Tx.
During the public comments portion of the hearing, the City Council heard from several other Medical Transport companies requesting that the City deny approval to the new company.
In most part, the other business owners pleaded that there are already too many of these same type of businesses and adding another one would negatively affect their industry.
According to information from those individuals, there are around 14 Ambulance Services businesses that are working out of Eagle Pass.
Another reason they gave was that there is a shortage of EMS personnel and that adding another company could affect their personnel who could be courted to go work for the competition.
The discussion went on for some time as the Eagle Pass City Council also heard from Fire Chief Manuel Mello who recanted a letter of recommendation for approval and cited that after further review another agency was not needed due to a shortage of EMS personnel and other issues.
The Eagle Pass City Council continued trying to find an amicable solution to be fair to all involved including Alpha Medical Transport who has invested in their business venture.
The item was taken into executive session to consult with their legal counsel as to what kind of solution and action could be taken.
Once back in open session the Eagle Pass City Council, under a motion by Councilman Elias Diaz, approved to allow for Alpha Medical Transport to conduct business in the City of Eagle Pass.
During the discussion portion, Councilman Billy Davis spoke avidly as to what had taken place during the public hearing.
"I'm really having a hard time digesting this. I understand where everyone is coming from and their concerns for their business models and what's going on. But stepping away from my role as a council person, and as a person of business, you understand that when you enter into a business you can't control your competition. And at the end of the day, service is what wins. I believe in the American Dream and believe that we all have the right to start a business if we want to. I don't believe that I will be telling anybody you can’t create a business because you're going to create competition to somebody else," said Davis.
The item was approved on a split decision with Councilman Davis, Diaz and Mayor Rolando Salinas voting in favor while Councilman Mario Garcia and Councilwoman Monica Cruz against.