Commissioner Maldonado to Assume Mayoral Duties After May 7th

Mayoral and Commission Places 2,3 Filled by Unopposed Candidates; Commission Place 1 to Be Decided at May 7th General Election

La Feria municipal voters will go to the polls this May to decide between two candidates who have filed to run for the Place 1 position on the city council now held by Commissioner John Betancourt while the mayor’s race and place 2 and 3 elections were canceled after only one candidate filed for each post. The city council approved this resolution during their regular meeting Tuesday, March 22, 2016.

In a political version of musical chairs, Mayor Victor Gonzalez, Jr., whose position as mayor was up for election in this cycle, has been accepted as Commissioner Position 3, running unopposed in a Special Election for the position vacated by Olga H. Maldonado. Commissioner Maldonado, Chief of the Mercedes Police Department was certified by the council and elected mayor after she was the only candidate to file for the top job. Also declared victor due to a lack of opposition, Eric Hoff will assume Commission Position 2 after the election on May 7th. This spot was held by longtime Commissioner John Hernandez.

Of the positions up for election, the only one to be decided during the May general election will be Position 1 vacated by Commissioner John Betancourt; two candidates are vying for that position – Jesus Zuniga and Don Lee.

The General Election will be held at the old Sam Houston Elementary School on Villarreal Street on May 7, 2016 from 7 am-7pm in conjunction with the La Feria ISD. Early voting will be April 25-April 29 9am-6pm, Saturday, April 30 10am-2pm and May 2-3 8am-8pm. Ballot applications and ballots voted by mail are sent to the Clerk at the Cameron County Elections Department P.O. Box 3587 Brownville, Texas 78523.

With more than 20 years of service to the community, City of La Feria employee Martha Gonzales was recognized by the commission for her work in varying capacities at the city offices.

The commission also recognized the heroic actions of La Feria volunteer firefighter and resident Reynaldo R.J. Lopez for his brave actions assisting area resident Morgan Hoff when her vehicle came dangerously close to careening into the Arroyo Colorado over the weekend.

The Commission passed a proclamation declaring Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 as Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service to highlight the impact of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other national service programs in tackling local problems and to thank local national service members for their commitment and impact. Local representatives were on hand to receive a certificate.

The council passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of a new garbage truck for the city at the recent commission meeting.

Having no Executive (closed) business to attend to, the city staff presented financial reports for the month of February to the Commission. City staff then presented updates on several projects including the drainage improvement projects, water/wastewater improvement projects, the Unger Park grand opening ceremony, the Carmen Tinajero Memorial Tiny Town Park Rededication, the status of a funding application to Texas Parks & Wildlife, and a program and financial update for the Pony League Baseball/Softball program.

The Carmen Tinajero Memorial Tiny Town Park Rededication has been scheduled for April 20th at 10:00 a.m. The next regular meeting of the La Feria City Commission is scheduled for Tuesday April 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at 115 E. Commercial Avenue, La Feria, TX. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend.