Pueblo Councilman absent from convocation and pledge in three straight meetings

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo District 4 City Councilman Vicente Martinez Ortega is drawing ire from some citizens after being absent during the council's convocation and Pledge of Allegiance in three straight meetings.

Martinez Ortega, who made headlines for a criminal case related to vandalism at the city's Christopher Columbus statue before he was even sworn into office, wasn't present for convocation or the Pledge on Jan. 10, Jan. 24, and Feb. 14.

Frank Cirullo, a Vietnam veteran who served in 1968 and 1969, says he has been going to City Council meetings and has noticed the Councilman walk into a nearby break room and then exit at the conclusion of the convocation and pledge of allegiance.

"To me, that is a slap in the face to all veterans that have served," Cirullo said. "It bothers me to see the disrespect that has been done to our veterans by not standing and not participating."

KRDO reached out to councilman Martinez Ortega on three separate occasions after each meeting to ask him questions regarding his decision and inquire about his beliefs. He declined to comment, stating that it was "personal." On another occasion, he stated he did not believe his actions were "newsworthy."

Pueblo has long been called the "Home of the Heroes," and Cirullo believes the large contingency of veterans in Pueblo should be outspoken about this, encouraging veterans organizations to get involved.

Michael Coffee, a citizen who grew up in the Bessemer District 4 area, is upset over the Councilman's inaction.

"You have someone who actually hides during the pledge of allegiance and the convocation," Coffee said. "I understand if you aren't religious, standing behind and bowing your head, but for him to not say the Pledge of Allegiance, there are a lot of questions there."

Coffee told KRDO that he wants Martinez Ortega to be outspoken about his reasonings, not leave it up to speculation.

"If you aren't willing to comment on it and are saying it's just a personal opinion, then you are just leaving it open to speculation," Coffee said. "[The] speculation for the majority of us is that there are ties to anti-American beliefs there, and that makes me angry."

Martinez Ortega's actions are not unlawful, and they do not break any part of the Pueblo charter.

KRDO reached out to Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar regarding Martinez Ortega's actions. He declined to comment. We reached out to multiple city council members, but they declined to comment.