Supervisor’s Staff Shoulder More Job Duties in Wake of Firing

Deputy Chief of Staff Receives Expanded Job Duties

LA QUINTA — Following the termination of longtime chief of staff Steven A. Hernandez, Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez has expanded the job duties and responsibilities of his deputy chief of staff Patricia Cooper rather than hire someone new to the closeknit office.

Perez is in the midst of a reelection campaign, vying for a third term on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

The shake up in his office was not easy on anyone, least of all Perez who was close with Hernandez.

“Foremost, I want to take the time to thank the many constituents that have called with sincerity asking about the Chief of Staff role moving forward,” Perez said in a statement to Uken Report.  “As well, for the support of my office staff and my leadership as Supervisor. ”

After speaking with my office staff and the Executive office, I made the decision to stay put (with the structure he has in place now) due to the many tasks we have before us. Every staff member has stepped up for months now and we do not wish to over complicate our current momentum.

Pat Cooper is my Deputy Chief of Staff and she has taken on more responsibilities alongside office staff. I am very proud of them all. At this time, we believe that it is not necessary to disrupt the current flow of efforts. God willingly I will be re-elected in which then we will revisit the conversation.