by ABC-7 Reporter Darren Hunt
EL PASO, Texas -- City Council was set to vote again Tuesday on a drug war resolution that includes the controversial request for an open and honest debate on the prohibition of drugs.
Mayor John Cook quickly vetoed the resolution last Tuesday after city Rep. Beto O'Rourke added that request at the last minute.
Monday, an e-mail from the mayor surfaced, urging those who are against the resolution to make sure they are heard, because "the pot heads" have sent their message.
ABC-7 obtained an excerpt from the mayor's e-mail, which was sent to Margie Velez, the former office manager for former Senator Phil Gramm in El Paso.
It states: "I can tell you that all the pot heads have sent their e-mails and they are encouraging the reps to stand by their decision. But why does the silent majority remain silent? We have certainly attracted attention to our city, but I don't think the attention is positive."
Cook told ABC-7 the e-mail was private and not meant to be forwarded to others. "Specifically, I was referring to one individual who happened to write an e-mail to me saying that he's been smoking pot for over twenty years and he thinks we should legalize marijuana in the United States ... So if calling that person a pot head is insulting to him, then I apologize."
O'Rourke had this to say about Cook's remarks in the e-mail: "I'm sure the mayor probably didn't mean for everyone to read this, but I was concerned that anyone who might support having a national open discussion on our best options in the drug war would be described as a pothead."
City Council will vote on whether to override Mayor Cook's veto of the resolution on the drug war in Juarez on Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon, council was still discussing the issue and no vote had taken place. Stay with ABC-7 for the latest updates.
Written for KVIA.com by web producer Annette Arrigucci
