Over 100 lose City Hall jobs under new broom mayor

The  predicted blood letting at Panama’s city hall has begun, with over 100 municipal employees learning that their contracts will not be renewed.

The job slashing was anticipated after the fall of the House of Bosco (Vallarino) the former mayor, who resigned  after a confrontation with President Ricardo Martinelli, on the eve of a Supreme Court decision about the constitutionality of a National Assembly move to retroactively reinstate his Panamanian citizenship. He ran for mayor while holding a US passport.

Vallarino a Panamenista Party member, had a rocky two years in office and was replaced by a Democratic Change party  founder mebmer and insider, former deputy mayor Roxana Mendez, who has been working alongside President Martinelli.  Mendez announced the dismissals (non renewals) on Tuesday, February 28

According to Mendez, evaluations were conducted to determine what type of positions held by contract people were required in the various departments and found that some were not needed, and their contracts were not renewed in January.

"We found we required even less people in  City Hall," said the mayor. She said there were too many official in City Hall, a statement that might be challenged by those waiting in line for service.