A notable statement was made during the Prescott City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (Read all about it: Suchitoto - Should It Be The Next Sister City? ) In fact, it was more than a statement, it was close to an accusation.

Rowle Simmons, the former Mayor of Prescott was the first to bring it up, "And I think it's also an insult that you refuse to meet. Mr. Melendez tried to meet with you formally after you took office. This is a public offense from a standpoint that you refuse to meet with him. He is the Honor of the Consul for the government of El Salvador, the Honorary Consul, and he does represent El Salvador and he is the official representative. And I feel that he deserves the respect and the acknowledgement of that position."

"As it was mentioned," Councilman Bob Bell said later, bringing up the tricky issue again, "Mr. Melendez has asked to present his credentials to the mayor, and that has been refused."

Wednesday morning, Mayor Wilson agreed to speak briefly with Prescott eNews. Wilson explained that the Suchitoto issue was important to him because, "Every issue that comes before council is important."

However, when he was asked about whether or not he had refused to meet with Mr. Melendez, Wilson said that it was not accurate, and that he was offended at the suggestion.

"So, you've never refused to meet with Mr. Melendez?" Wilson was asked.

Wilson explained that there was an occasion in which he and his wife were out to dinner with another couple, after he had become Mayor-elect, but before he took office. According to Wilson, Melendez did come over to his table in the restaurant, but Wilson felt that it was not the best time for a conversation between the two of them. And that was it, Wilson said.

"He has not tried to contact me since I was inaugurated," Wilson stated firmly.

Who is Enrique Melendez, and Why Does It Matter If Mayor Wilson Meets With Him?

It's important to understand that Mr. Melendez is not simply another retiree that has chosen to have a summer home in Prescott. In fact, as Mr. Melendez explained, "My exact status is that I am the Honorary Consul from El Salvador in the State of Arizona."

Mr. Melendez offers a fond farewell to then-Mayor Rowle Simmons. The photo on the screen in the background was of the Prescott delegation meeting with the President of El Salvador.

So, what's an Honorary Consul? "The Honorary Consul is an honor given to an individual and their purpose is to promote friendship, culture, trade, tourism and commerce between the two nations," Mr. Melendez said. "We have a General Consul in Nogales, Arizona, his name is Consul General Joaquin Chacon and his duties are to perform visas, passports and immigration issues. So, that's where we differ, we work very closely with each other, and we work under the Foreign Ministry of El Salvador as well as the Embassy."

And, that's where the problem comes in. Mr. Melendez describes the difficulty like this, "Under the diplomatic role that I have, I have to present my credentials to the new mayor. He has refused on two occasions to meet with me, and to accept those credentials from the State Department and President of El Salvador, indicating that I am indeed the diplomatic envoy from the country of El Salvador to the State of Arizona. The reason that is important is because of our Sister City relationship. I've done that with Fountain Hills and unfortunately, I've not been able to do that here."

As a matter of fact, Mr. Melendez cannot even attend the City Council meetings until his credentials have been accepted, which is why he was not at last Tuesday's meeting, and will likely not be in attendance this next Tuesday (May 13, 2008), either. "People are going to say, 'Where's the representative from El Salvador?' Well, I cannot be there because by protocol, having the Sister City, I have to present my credentials, which is the State Department authorizing me to represent the nation, authorization accredited by the United States of America, State Department. And a letter from the President [of El Salvador] saying that I'm the official diplomatic tie to that sister city and to the State of Arizona."

He continued, "Without that, I haven't been recognized. It's embarrassing, it really is."

Of course, in the past, Mr. Melendez presented his credentials to former Mayor Simmons, and they were accepted without problem. But, that has to happen all over again when there is a new mayor in place.

Is This Just a Misunderstanding?

On the one hand, Mayor Wilson was adamant that Melendez had not tried to contact him since the inauguration at the end of November. But, Mr. Melendez and others have been just as firm in stating that attempts have been made, and he has been steadfastly denied access to Mayor Wilson.

A copy of the letter Mr. Melendez sent to Mayor Wilson on December 3.

In the minutes of the November 27, 2007 Prescott City Council meeting, a presentation was made by Mr. Melendez. While Melendez conveyed a fond farewell to Mayor Simmons, the minutes also record the following, "Mr. Melendez said that the President also asked him to extend congratulations to the Mayor-Elect, as he also congratulates, and the new Councilmember, extending their hands of friendships and their time in the government sector. At the same time, they want to welcome them to come and visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world."

In a letter dated December 3, 2007, Mr. Melendez wrote the following to Mayor Wilson:

3 December 2007

The Honorable Jack Wilson
Mayor
City of Prescott
222 So. Marina St.
Prescott, Arizona 86303

I wanted to write a personal, handwritten note to congratulate you on your recent victory in becoming the new Mayor of the City of Prescott.

My native country of El Salvador has for the past year enjoyed a positive relationship with the Prescott City Government and its residents through the Sister City relationship between Suchitoto and Prescott.

I am hopeful that through your leadership, we can further develop this relationship.

Realizing that you will have many issues to deal with as the new Mayor, I will wait for your office to contact me to set up a formal appointment.

Respectfully,

E Melendez

Now What?

Well, the only solution to this problem is pretty obvious. Make no mistake, having the Mayor of Prescott, Arizona show cavalier disrespect to an official representative from the foreign government of El Salvador, which as a country is a staunch ally of the United States, is indeed a problem. Mr. Melendez needs to meet with Mayor Wilson and have his credentials recognized and accepted.

After all that has happened, is it even possible for the two sides to meet and set aside their differences?

Melendez nods and smiles, "Look, I am a positive thinker. Under the years I spent with Atlantic Richfield - I spent 32 years with the oil company - I went through all series of top management. I was schooled to get along with people, and take the positive approach. I look forward to whenever the conditions are appropriate, to meet with Mayor Wilson and to present my credentials and to leave what happened behind. Because life is too short."

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Prescott Mayor Wilson Questions Sister City Relationship with Suchitoto

Suchitoto - Should It Be The Next Sister City?  

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written by Nancy Shelton, May 15, 2008

It is simply not "plausible" that Mr. Melendez cannot attend the City Council Meetings because he has been able to provide his "credentials."

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