The Eagle Pass High School Eagles swept the potent San Antonio Johnson High School Jaguars in two consecutive games in the UIL Region IV Semi-Finals Baseball Championship by the scores of 13-3 in Game One on Friday, May 24, 2013 and by 8-7 in Game Two on Saturday, May 25th, at the Alice Coyotes Baseball Sports Complex in Alice, Texas, earning the right to play next week for the Region IV Finals Baseball Championship against the winner of District 29-5A nemesis Laredo United High School Longhorns and the San Antonio O”Connor High School Panthers.

Over 300 loyal Eagles baseball fans from Eagle Pass and throughout Texas attended the Eagles series against San Antonio Johnson in Alice, cheering the Eagles on to victory.

The Eagles combined the pitching arms of starter Gilbert Villalobos, reliever Chris Perez, and starter but used as a reliever Devon Torres to shut down the potent Jaguars batters in the second game 8-7. The Jaguars starting ace pitcher Tate Huebner hurled the complete seven innings for San Antonio Johnson in taking the hard fought loss.

The Eagles trailed early in the game by scores of 2-0 and 6-4 in the fourth inning but managed to rally against the Jaguars’ pitcher Tate Huebner finally hitting him in the latter innings to score 8 runs and calling senior hurler Devon Torres to come in relief for the final one and two-thirds innings to save the victory for the Eagles.

A full and complete report is forthcoming in the Eagle Pass Business Journal.

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Live from the Alice Coyotes Baseball Sports Complex

The Eagle Pass High School Eagles crushed the San Antonio Johnson High School Jaguars by a score of 13-3 via the ten run rule in the bottom of the sixth inning in Game One of their scheduled best of three series for the Region IV Semi-Finals Championship on Friday, May 24, 2013, at the Alice Independent School District Coyotes Baseball Sports Complex in Alice, Texas, in a rain-delayed game which did not start until 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24th, and ended at 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, May 25th.

Game Two of the best of three series is scheduled on Saturday, May 25th, at 2 p.m. at the Alice Coyotes Baseball Sports Complex and, if necessary, Game Three will be 30 minutes following Game Two at the same field.

Eagles standout southpaw pitcher Devon Torres went the distance (6 innings) to earn the victory allowing only six hits, nine strikeouts, two walks, and three runs. San Antonio Johnson ace pitcher Jerod Vick took the loss going five innings and was relieved by Ryan Watson and Clayton Purvis allowing 12 Eagles hits, four walks, four errors, and 13 runs in total.

The Eagles batters punished the San Antonio Johnson Jaguars pitching corps for 12 base hits including two towering solo home runs by Eagles third baseman Juan Lopez over the 375 feet sign in left center field in the third inning and Eagles catcher Diego Gaona over the 310 feet left field sign in the fifth inning to clinch Game One of the best of three series.

In the first inning, both teams got the playoff jitters aside as both failed to score any runs.

In the top of the second inning, Eagles pitcher Devon Torres struck out the side to retire the Jaguars middle part of the batting lineup.

The designated home team Eagles exploded for four big runs in the bottom of the second inning which pretty much set the tempo of the game as standout Eagles third baseman Juan Lopez led off the inning with a double to the center field fence, R.J. Ruiz flied out for the first out, Javy Cardona stroked an RBI single up the middle scoring Lopez, Jacoup Roiz belted a single down the third base line advancing Cardona to third base, Kevin Chisum hit a hard infield groundball resulting in Roiz put out at second base but the throw to first base was an error scoring Cardona for the second run, Chisum stole second base and scored the third run on two throwing errors by the Jaguars, Eric Gonzalez slammed a single to right center field and scored the fourth Eagles run on two throwing errors by the Jaguars again to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead which they would never relinquish.

In the top of the third inning, Eagles pitcher Devon Torres continued to baffle and dominate the Jaguars batters with his breaking curve ball, change up, and fastball going three up and down to protect the Eagles 4-0 lead.

Eagles standout third baseman Juan Lopez belted a towering solo home run way past the 375 feet left center field fence sign with two outs to add another run and give the Eagles a commanding 5-0 lead in the third inning.

The San Antonio Johnson Jaguars scored one run in the top of the fourth inning narrowing the score 5-1 on a lead off base on balls and a single and groundout. The Eagles went three up and down in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Jaguars once again scored one run in the top of the fifth inning to narrow the score 5-2 on a base on balls, sacrifice bunt, and an RBI double by Jaguars right fielder Nick Mireles.

The Eagles hit parade against the Jaguars starting pitcher Jerod Vick continued in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring two runs on a booming solo home run by standout Eagles catcher Diego Gaona over the 310 feet left field sign with one out, standout Eagles freshman first baseman Mando Lopez belted a single to left field and Olexis Gutierrez came in to pinch run for Lopez, Juan Lopez slammed a single down the third base line advancing Gutierrez to third base and Lopez got into a run down going to second base for the second out causing Gutierrez to score on the run down sliding underneath the Jaguars catcher’s tag at home plate for the second run, giving the Eagles a 7-2 lead and chasing Jaguars starting pitcher Jerod Vick out of the game.

The Jaguars tallied one run in the top of the sixth inning to make it a game at 7-3 on a bunt single, fielder’s choice, and an RBI fly to center field by Randy Stuart.

The Eagles feasted on Jaguars relief pitchers Ryan Watson and Clayton Purvis in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring seven runs to win via the ten run rule as Jacoup Roiz was hit by a pitch with one out and promptly stole second base, Jack Acuna came in to pinch hit for Kevin Chisum and received a base on balls and Kevin Chisum re-entered the game to run for Acuna, Eric Gonzalez received a base on balls advancing Roiz to third base and Chisum to second base and Fernando Garza came in to pinch run for Gonzalez, Devon Torres hit an infield ground ball throwing out Roiz at home while getting on base on the throw to home and advancing Chisum to third base and Garza to second base, with bases loaded Diego Gaona slammed a 2 RBI single to left field scoring Chisum and Garza, Mando Lopez continued the Eagles hit parade belting an RBI single to right center field scoring Torres and advancing Gaona to second base, Juan Lopez received a base on balls after hitting a home run earlier in the game, and R.J. Ruiz stepped up to the plate and blasted a 2 RBI single to left field scoring Gaona and Mando Lopez to win the game via the ten run rule by the final score of 13-3.

Leading the Eagles offensive firepower were standout third baseman Juan Lopez batting 3 for 3 with one home run, a double, a single, one RBI, and scored three runs; Diego Gaona went 2 for 4 with one home run, a single, three RBIs, and scored two run; R..J. Ruiz was 2 for 4 with two singles, RBIs, and one stolen base; Mando Lopez hit 2 for 4 with two singles, one RBI, and scored two runs; Javy Cardona batted 1 for 3 with one single, one RBI, and scored one run; Eric Gonzalez went 1 for 2 with one single and scored two runs; Jacoup Roiz hit 1 for 2 with one single and one stolen base; Kevin Chisum scored two runs; and Devon Torres scored one run.

The Alice Independent School District School Board, Alice High School, Athletic Department and Director, and field maintenance crew did an incredible job of keeping the infield covered with a tarp, draining water from the outfield and foul territory, and redoing the pitcher’s mound and home plate area with new, dry sand and dirt to prepare the field for the game despite a steady rain in Alice, Texas from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..

Originally, Game One was scheduled to be played in Eagle Pass on Friday, May 24th, at 7 p.m. but an unexpected thunderstorm struck Eagle Pass at 7 a.m. for about an hour making the Eagle Pass ISD Student Activity Center Baseball Field unplayable, forcing the series be moved to a neutral site at Alice, Texas. The same thunderstorms which hit Eagle Pass traveled east towards Alice and the Corpus Christi, Texas area jeopardizing the Eagles Game One and best of three series against San Antonio Johnson, but the outstanding job done by the people of Alice ISD made the game possible tonight/this morning. Thank you, Alice ISD.

Both teams will square off later today, Saturday, May 25th, at 2 p.m. to resume and play Game Two of their best of three series. The Eagles will seek to carry their Game One victory momentum and confidence to close out the series in Game Two. Probable starters for Game Two are standout Eagles senior right hander Gilbert Villalobos and Jaguars ace right hander Tate Heubner. Eagles reserve pitchers Dillon Elguezabal and Chris Perez are ready if called upon to come in relief of Villalobos.

The Eagles Baseball Playoff Series will be played in Alice, Texas. The first game will be played tonight Friday, May 24, at 8:00 p.m. with the second game to be held on Saturday, May 25, at 2:00 p.m.

If necessary, a third game will be played 30 minutes after the second game ends.

The Mission Sharyland Independent School District Board of Trustees approved to file a lawsuit in State District Court in Travis County, Texas (Austin) against the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and the Eagle Pass High School Eagles seeking an injunction to stop the Eagle Pass Eagles from playing San Antonio Johnson High School Jaguars in the Region IV Semi-Finals Baseball Championship this weekend and forcing the Eagles to replay the Mission Sharyland High School Rattlers at a special and/or emergecny School Board meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2013.

The Mission Sharyland School Board decided yesterday to approve filing the lawsuit after UIL did “not find any evidence to warrant immediate action from the League or the UIL State Executive Committee” against the Eagle Pass Eagles coaching staff on the method used to select the umpires for the Eagles Region IV Quarter-Finals Baseball Championship last Friday, May 17, 2013, at the San Antonio Harlandale Indepencent School District Frank M. Tejada Sports Complex Baseball Stadium, which the Eagle Pass Eagles won 10-9 in extra innings in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and bases loaded on a called balk by the third base umpire against Mission Sharyland Rattlers pitcher Pancho Martinez.

Mission Sharyland Independent School District Board President Fernando Ramirez stated that the School Board wanted to do the right thing for their students who did not receive the relief they sought from the Incident Report filed with UIL on Monday, March 20th, in Austin, Texas. Ramirez stated that although the possibility of a State District Court granting an injunction against the Eagle Pass Eagles and UIL are small, the Mission Sharyland School Board wanted to exhaust all legal remedies available for the benefit of their students because what happened in San Antonio on May 17th with the selection of the umpires being hand-picked by the Eagle Pass Eagles coaching staff was not fair and right. Ramirez stated that in the event the injunction lawsuit is not granted, the Mission Sharyland ISD School Board will file other complaints available to them.

Two weeks ago, the Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustees filed a similar injunction lawsuit against UIL and the San Benito High School Lady Greyhounds softball team following the reduction of their best of three series to a one game series with the San Benito Lady ‘Hounds winning 2-0 and a Travis County District Court dismissed Eagle Pass’ injunction petition.

A Court hearing is scheduled for today (Friday), May 24th, at 2:30 p.m. at a Travis County District Court in Austin, Texas, to be assigned the case. Meanwhile, the Eagle Pass Eagles Regional Semi-Finals Championship best of three series against the San Antonio Johnson Jaguars will continue as scheduled with Game One being today at 7 p.m. at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center Baseball Field and Game Two on Saturday, May 25th, at 3 p.m. at the San Antonio Northside Independent School District Blossom Athletic Center Baseball Field and, if necessary, Game Three will be 30 minutes following Game Two, unless a Travis County District Court were to grant Mission Sharyland an injunction this afternoon before the commencement of the Eagles versus Jaguars series. Although the possibilities are remote that a Travis County District Court may grant Mission Sharyland an injunction, there is always that remote possibility until the Court hears the lawsuit and makes its decision.

In response to an Eagle Pass Business Journal inquiry, the UIL has made the following response:

Mr. Calderon,

The UIL has received incident reports regarding how the officials were
selected in the Mission Sharyland vs. Eagle Pass baseball game on May 17.
At this time, the UIL has gathered information and has not found any
evidence to warrant immediate action from the League or the UIL State
Executive Committee. Eagle Pass will play its scheduled playoff series
with San Antonio Johnson this weekend.

The officials for any contest are to be agreed upon in advance by the
schools involved in that contest. However, the UIL Constitution and
Contest Rules is clear in that once a school begins a game with officials,
they have agreed to those officials.

The following rules from the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules apply in
this situation:
“Section 1204:  OFFICIALS
(a)  AGREEMENT. All officials must be satisfactory to both parties and
agreed upon in advance. However, beginning a game with an official
constitutes agreement.”

And section 1204 (q) of the Constitution and Contest Rules:
“(q)  NO PROTESTS.  A protest based on a game or contest official¹s
decision will not be considered.”

If an officiating error occurs, it must be corrected at that time. Once
the game is over, the outcome cannot be overturned. UIL rules do not allow
any type of protest based on an official’s judgment or decision.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me.

Best,
Kate Y. Hector

Media Coordinator
University Interscholastic League
pr@uiltexas.org
www.uiltexas.org

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is announcing today the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, a commitment by its top national, regional and community lenders to collectively increase their lending activity to veterans by five percent per year for the next five years.

Oftentimes, veterans face challenges in raising capital or have trouble receiving a conventional loan. With the support of SBA’s top 20 national lending partners, and approximately 100 additional regional and community lending partners across the United States, SBA expects to assist an additional 2,000 veterans obtain loans to start or expand small businesses by increasing lending by $475 million over the next five years. This equals a five percent increase above historic veteran lending activity by the SBA.

The initiative also complements SBA’s existing partnership with the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) VetLoan Advantage strategic initiative that offers small business financing discounts and training to veterans who own businesses or are interested in small business ownership.

“Our service men and women have made incalculable contributions and sacrifices for our country, and supporting them as they pursue their dreams to start or grow their own business is one of SBA’s highest priorities,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.  “Through this partnership with national lending partners and regional and community lenders across the U.S., we stand ready to serve veteran entrepreneurs with loan-guarantees, entrepreneurial training, and resources that are critical tools to help them start businesses, drive the local economy and create jobs for themselves and their communities.”

Veterans make up a large number of successful small business owners.  Nine percent of small businesses are veteran-owned.  These 2.45 million veteran-owned businesses employ more than 5 million individuals.  In the private sector workforce, veterans are more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed.

Administrator Mills is announcing the Initiative today at Ft. Bragg, NC, together with representatives of the SBA lending community from across the country, the U.S. Army and transitioning service members who have chosen to participle in SBA’s Operation Boots to Business (B2B) Program, an initiative to train veterans and transitioning service members in business entrepreneurship.

SBA currently engages veterans through its 68 local SBA district offices, 15 Veterans Business Outreach Centers nationwide, and its partnership with 1,000 Small Business Development Centers and some 12,000 SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Businesses volunteers. Each year SBA helps more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists.  To learn more about additional opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, please visit the website at www.sba.gov/veterans.

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013

Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas residential single family property owners are shell shocked regarding the exorbitant and unconscionable proposed 2013 Maverick County Appraisal District’s 25.19% to 26.96% increase of residential property appraisal valuations from last year’s 2012 certified appraisal valuations. Many taxpayers have expressed disapproval and disappointment with the whopping residential property valuations proposed for 2013 by the Maverick County Appraisal District.

In a May 9, 2013 article in the Eagle Pass Business Journal announcing the proposed 2013 real property appraised valuations, Maverick County Appraisal District’s Chief Appraiser Victor Perry stated that state law mandated the local appraisal district to conduct a study of fair market values based on actual sales prices and an out of town appraisal valuation company was hired to conduct the study. Based on current real estate sales prices in Maverick County, the residential property appraisal valuations are being raised by 25.19% for City of Eagle Pass residential properties to 26.96% for Maverick County residential properties, causing a whirlwind of complaints and upset Maverick County taxpayers.

Chief Appraiser Victor Perry stated that any taxpayer that disagrees with the proposed 2013 residential property appraisal valuation should first stop by the Maverick County Appraisal District Office, located at 2243 North Veterans Blvd., in Eagle Pass to discuss and review their appraisal valuation to ensure that the information contained therein is accurate and correct. If an agreement is not reached at this meeting, then the taxpayer needs to file a formal Property Tax Protest and Appeal with the Maverick County Appraisal District Office by no later than May 31, 2013, or, 30 days after a notice of the appraisal valuation was mailed to the taxpayer, whichever is later. Perry suggests that any taxpayer who has a question or would like to schedule a meeting with the Maverick County Appraisal District may call them at (830) 773-0255 or stop by and visit them at 2243 North Veterans Blvd. office before May 31st.

Newly re-elected Eagle Pass City Councilman Luis E. Sifuentes, who is a Board Member of the Maverick County Appraisal District as the City of Eagle Pass representative, stated after his swearing-in on May 21st that the proposed 2013 appraised valuations are based on supply and demand of residential properties in the City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County with the market showing a strong demand for and a lack of supply of residential properties, causing current real estate sales prices to be significantly higher than in 2012 as reflected in the study conducted by the private out of town appraisal company.

Councilman Sifuentes recommended that all taxpayers check their property appraisal valuations for their accuracy as to the information and size of one’s property and then go visit the Maverick County Appraisal District Office for a review of their appraisal valuation, and, if one does not agree with the Maverick County Appraisal District’s valuation then the taxpayer should definitely file a Property Tax Protest and Appeal for a hearing with the Appraisal Review Board. The deadline to for a taxpayer to file a protest and appeal is May 31st or 30 days after their appraisal valuation is mailed to them. Sifuentes noted that he used to never check his appraisal valuations until one year he did and learned that the information on his appraisal valuation was incorrect and causing his appraisal valuation be lowered as a result thereof. Sifuentes checks his appraisal valuations every year now.

City Councilman Rudy Villalpando stated that many local taxpayers have approached him to complain regarding the exorbitant proposed residential property appraisal valuations for 2013 and he is recommending everyone speaking to him to file a Property Tax Protest and Appeal by the May 31st deadline. Villalpando stated that although current real estate sales prices are high in the community, it does not negate the fact that the community has a poverty rate over 30%, a high unemployment rate, a high underemployment rate, a high uninsured rate of over 30%, and the community remains among the poorest in the State of Texas and the United States. Villalpando added that he was going to look into what the City of Eagle Pass can do, if anything.

Every taxpayer is afforded the same rights to protest and appeal their residential property appraisal valuation by no later than May 31st. However, it remains to be seen just how many upset and concerned Maverick County residential property owners take advantage of their legal rights and will actually file a Property Tax Protest and Appeal by the May 31st deadline. Perry, Sifuentes, and Villalpando all recommend that any taxpayers who are unhappy and dissatisfied with their proposed 2013 residential property appraisal valuations need to take action and file their Property Tax Protest and Appeal on a timely basis by May 31st.

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013

Eagle Pass native and beauty queen, Yarah Aiza Pena Mansour, has been selected by Telemundo to host its new television game show,”The Bus Stop Game” or “El Juego Parada del Bus” in Spanish, after a national talent search in the United States.

“The Bus Stop Game” television show will have both an English and a Spanish version where contestants are asked to answer trivia questions at bus stops. The show is created by Sean Kemet and is produced in Charlotte, North Carolina. “The Bus Stop Game” will air in English on the Bounce Channel starting in June of 2013 and in Spanish on Telemundo also in June. There is a possibility that the show may also be aired on Univision in the Fall of 2013.

The beautiful native Eagle Passan model is excited and thrilled to have been selected as the host of the new television game show. Yarah Aiza Pena Mansour currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She is an international model for several international brand products such as Redken, Keratin Komplex, Keune, Lavish Lashes, and Dream Catcher’s Extensions. She is also an Axe Angel Model for the men’s hair grooming products company. She is currently represented by the elite Stone Model and Talent Agency in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yarah Aiza Pena Mansour has won over 10 beauty pageant titles, including Ms. American Rose Charlotte Princess, Ms. American Rose North Carolina State Princess, Ms. Angelic Beauty of Charlotte, Ms. Angelic Beauty of North Carolina, America’s Ms. Angelic Beauty, and Miss Starshine Beauty of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mansour has also started acting to expand her career opportunities and has appeared in the Showtime series “Homeland,” the movie “The Hunger Games, and has acted on Telemundo’s show “Caso Cerrado.” She also does acting in many commercials for companies such as Cadillac, Toyota, Chevy, and McAlister’s Deli.

Yarah Aiza Pena Mansour is the daughter of Eagle Passan Leticia Pena Mansour and Mansour Fawzi Mansour and is the granddaughter of Ofelia Pena and Humberto Pena of Eagle Pass, Texas.
Her beauty derives from her rich cultural heritage as a Mexican-Palestinian American descent. She attended Our Lady of Refuge Catholic School in Eagle Pass. She went on to graduate with Cum Laude honors from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish, receiving certification in Business Spanish. She also attended Texas Wesleyan School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas. She started modeling school at Clark-Jimenez Modeling School in 1994 in Eagle Pass. She also worked as a Certified Lifeguard at the City of Eagle Pass Public Swimming Pool in 1998.

Yarah Aiza Pena Mansour’s goal is to become an international model and actress and after retiring from the entertainment industry she would like to return to Eagle Pass and make a difference in the community by one day becoming its mayor.

By: Jose G. Landa
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013

The Maverick County Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8562 will host the annual Maverick County Memorial Day Ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Maverick County Lake Veterans Memorial Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, announced Ruben R. Salazar, Senior Vice-Commander.

The Maverick County Memorial Day Ceremony will honor and pay tribute to all Maverick County veterans who have been killed or died in action serving a United States armed service and whom paid the ultimate sacrifice-their lives-to protect and serve liberty and freedom in the United States and around the world.

All veterans, family members of veterans, local public officials, law enforcement agencies, and the public are invited to attend the annual Maverick County Memorial Day Ceremony. All the names of Maverick County veterans who were killed or died in action will be read out loud and a flag and floral arrangement will be placed at the Maverick County Lake Veterans Memorial Park to honor each one of them.

Keynote speaker will be former United States Marine, Vietnam War Veteran, and Maverick County Commissioner for Precinct 4, Roberto Ruiz. Also participating in the ceremony will be the Memorial Junior High Band who will play national patriotic music, the C.C. Winn High School 92nd Texas Air Force Junior ROTC who will present and retire the colors, the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas who will recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing songs, Jessica Cavazos who will sing the National Anthemn, trumpet player and veteran Sammy Lerma who will play Taps for the fallen comrades, the VFW Post 8562 Color Guard and Firing Squad who will perform a gun salute, VFW Post 8562 Chaplain Rogelio Reyna and Assistant Post Chaplain Esteban Salas, and local veterans organizations.

Salazar stated that all veterans and family members of veterans residing in both the United States and Mexico are invited and welcomed to attend the Maverick County Memorial Day Ceremony and requested to bring floral arrangements to place at the base of the Maverick County Lake Veterans Memorial Park to honor all fallen veterans. Admission is free and open to the public.

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and City Councilmen Rudy Villalpando and Luis E. Sifuentes were officially sworn-in to new four year terms after being re-elected by the citizens of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas during the May 11, 2013 municipal officers election at a special meeting of the City of Eagle Pass City Council on Tuesday, May 21st, held at City Hall, 100 South Monroe Street, in Eagle Pass amidst 200 family, friends, and well-wishers in attendance to celebrate their re-election and witness their swearing-in ceremony.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated after taking his oath of office that he liked to first thank God for providing him the blessings to run for public service, his parents, Byrdie and Raul Cantu, his sister, Kimberly D. Cantu, his aunt, Daisy English, his grandmother, Elvira English, his extended family members, the citizens of Eagle Pass, the Eagle Pass City Council, and the employees of the City of Eagle Pass for their loyal support and trust in his service to the community as Mayor.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu also stated that there is always a time for change in every community and respectfully requested the citizens of Eagle Pass to work with him in bringing change to the City of Eagle Pass. Mayor English Cantu thanked all local governmental entities, Maverick County Judge David Saucedo, Maverick County Commissioners Court, the Maverick County Hospital District, the Eagle Pass Independent School District, and Mexican Consul Ricardo Santana Velasquez for working together in providing an orderly growth and development in the community.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu also thanked the United States Customs and Border Protection and Eagle Pass Port of Entry Director Cynthia Rodriguez for working with the City of Eagle Pass in maintaining the City’s two international bridges with Mexico safe, secure, and open for international commerce between the United States and Mexico.

City Councilman for Place 4 Luis E. Sifuentes expressed his appreciation to God for placing him in this public service position to serve the citizens of Eagle Pass, his wife and children for supporting him, and the citizens of Eagle Pass for bestowing him confidence and trust in serving them. Councilman Sifuentes also thanked the citizens of Eagle Pass who took the time to vote and participated in the electoral democratic process. Councilman Sifuentes stated he is going to focus on developing new City parks and recreation areas as well as renovating the existing public parks during his new four year term. Councilman Sifuentes also stated that he is going to focus on assisting local businesses grow and prosper, including the Eagle Pass Downtown merchants and businesses. Councilman Sifuentes was unopposed in the election.

City Councilman for Place 2 Rudy Villalpando stated that he ran for re-election to serve the public and citizens of Eagle Pass. Councilman Villalpando thanked his beautiful wife, Elsa Villalpando, his daughter, Izanel Villalpando, and his granddaughter, Jaden, for their support of his public service. Councilman Villalpando also thanked the voters of Eagle Pass for coming out to vote. Councilman Villalpando stated that he is going to focus on City infrastructure projects, local businesses, public safety, fire safety, and water safety to support local citizens and commerce. Councilman Villalpando added that he welcomes comments and suggestions from local citizens and businesses and has an open door policy to hear these matters. Councilman Villalpando was unopposed in the election.

Following the swearing-in ceremony and the canvassing of the May 11, 2013 municipal election results, current Mayor Pro-Tem Asalia Casares was re-elected unanimously as Mayor Pro-Tem until the next City election. Councilman Sifuentes made the motion to re-appoint Mayor Pro-Tem Asalia Casares for another term and Councilman William “Billy” Davis seconded the motion with Mayor Cantu and Councilmen Villalpando voting for the motion.

After adjourning the special City Council meeting, guests, family members, friends, and well-wishers were invited to attend a reception in the foyer of City Hall with hor’s de voures and refreshments.