The Hargill 2009 Cook-Off

The Cook-Off.
The Cooking Team.
The Head Cook.
Our Victory Enforcement Caucus.

A South Texas Cook-Off

Today I am taking part in the Annual Hargill Cook-Off. Each year we put together a team and do our darndest to win one of the various cook-off categories. Mainly, it's just eating and having fun, South Texas style. Here is a photo slideshow from 2007.

I'll update you later on how we did.

A Legislative Tour of Texas A&M - Kingsville

Dr. Steven H. Tallant, President of Texas A&M University-Kingsville visited my Edinburg office earlier this week. There he invited me to personally take a tour of the Kingsville campus. Today I followed up on that invitation. I was joined by Kingsville Representative Tara Rios Ybarra and Marisa Marquez of El Paso.

After listening to their legislative priorities I pointed out that the current Valley delegation has committed to a regional perspective and that Kingsville and the university were important elements to a healthy and prosperous South Texas.

I further asked for specific statistics regarding the percentage of students from the Valley attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville. As I suspected 50% of the students attending the university come from deep South Texas. Approximately 1/3 come from the Valley. As you can see in the YouTube video we spontaneously asked the question where people where from.

My thanks for the hospitality and valuable information.

A Hopson's Choice

My dear friend, Representative Chuck Hopson has scheduled a press conference in which he will announce that he is switching parties. Hopson, a conservative Democrat, follows a number of other East Texas Democrats who have recently converted to the Republican Party.

The phrase "A Hobson's Choice"

. . . is a free choice in which only one option is offered, and one may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not; "take it or leave it."

Because of the mood of the country, and the changing political demographics of his district, the Representative may have seen this as his only option to survive a competitive election and to still reflect the views and values of his conservative district.

My best wishes to the good Representative.

Our Prayers Are With Them

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte Honored As A "Legend of Success"

San Antonio State Senator Leticia Van de Putte will be honored today at a noontime gathering of the Rio Grande Valley's Dress for Success organization. She will be joined by two other recipients: Dora Brown of IBC Bank and Yvonne Gonzalez of Workforce Solutions.

The three women will be given the organization's Legend of Success award for their commitment to the mission of the organization.

The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Today's event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the McAllen Country Club in McAllen, Texas. Tickets will be available at the door.

Keynoting for the RGV Builders' Association

I've never joined a noontime toastmasters, a fact that I always regretted because of an innate shyness I've always had toward public speaking. As a public official however, I think I am asked to give so many speeches to local groups that I think I far surpassed any number I would have been able to attain in a local toastmaster club. Today I added another to the long list. Builders, like everyone else, were concerned today about the economy and the recovery from the recession.

The Greening of Our Community

Headed over to the UTPA campus to participate in the a ceremony where TXU was donating a large number of Burr Oaks to the university and the cities of Edinburg and McAllen.

Texas Teachers' Organization in Downtown

As I walked around our city square today with our visiting city planners, I was invited in to one of our newest tenants in downtown Edinburg. Luis Tovar and Armando Gonzalez gave me a quick look into the offices of the American Federation of Teachers on University drive. Good folks! I'm sure to return soon.

Edinburg Master Planners Inspect Downtown

I got up early to join a group of master city planners that had arrived in the city of Edinburg to view the city center. Our intention is to come up with a master city plan to improve the conditions in our city center. We walked from city hall to the edge of our university and then back around the city square. Here are a few photos.

Launch Date For The Texas Tribune

The Edinburg Housing Authority Celebrating 60th Anniversary

The Edinburg Housing Authority will be celebrating its founding 60 years ago with a slew of events starting Tuesday, Nov. 3 as part of its 60th anniversary celebration.

Mrs. Estella L. Treviño, executive director for the agency for the past 37 years, said she is excited about the milestone event. “We have been working very hard to prepare for this great event and I cannot wait for it to happen,” said Trevino, whose staff began preparations for the anniversary months ago.

Edinburg Housing Authority Board Chairman Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez echoed Mrs. Trevino’s sentiments. Said Ramirez, “This is something special for us – to mark the agency’s creation 60 years ago by inviting the public to join us in this auspicious occasion. That’s quite an achievement.”

The Edinburg Housing Authority was founded 60 years ago in November 1949 following the United States Congress passing the United States Housing Act to provide for low-income families. The housing authority is a unique entity established by a combination of federal and local action. While the mayor appoints the five member board, the housing authority is an independent agency. The current board consists of Chairman Ramirez, Vice-Chairman Ciro Trevino, and Commissioners Sissy Slayton, Rachel Heriford and Joe Rodriguez. They meet every fourth Thursday of the month.

The anniversary celebration kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 3 at noon with a party kick-off luncheon at the University of Texas-Pan American Technology Building. Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia will be the keynote speaker.

The celebration continues the same day at 6 p.m. at the same place with a mixer party. Entertainment will be provided by the Edinburg North High School jazz band.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, there will be a continental breakfast at the UTPA Technology Building for all attendees.

On the same day and place, but at 6 p.m., the public will be entertained by the UTPA and Edinburg Economedes High School mariachis and folklorico dancers as part of Noche Mexicana. Also at the event, former residents of public housing who have gone on to become successful professionals and productive citizens will be recognized. Former educator and public housing resident Dr. Alejo Salinas heads the distinguished group of public housing ex-residents.

The 60th anniversary celebration wraps up with lunch Thursday, Nov. 5 at the ECHO Hotel and Conference Center. Former housing commissioners, mayors, city commissioners and US Department of Housing and Urban Development officials will be honored at the event.