Early voting for the City of Laredo runoff election continues through December 13. Election day is Saturday, December 17.
At stake is the choice for the next Mayor of Laredo. a contest between former District III Council member Mercurio Martinez III and physician Dr. Victor Treviño, a political newcomer.
In the District 1 runoff, Webb County administrative assistant Patty Tijerina San Miguel faces Webb County correctional officer Gilbert Gonzalez for the seat formerly held by Rudy Gonzalez.
In the hotly contested District 6 runoff outspoken community advocate Vish Viswanath and physician Dr. Tyler King vie for the Council seat held by Dr. Marte Martinez.
City Council candidates who took their races by a majority in the Nov. 8 General Election — Daisy Campos Rodriguez of District 2 and Melissa R. Cigarroa of District 3 — have been sworn in.
Rodriguez and Cigarroa took a moment to share the roles they will take in shaping the City’s future.
District 2 Council member Daisy Campos Rodriguez
“Orientation was critical to learning how we will work with management and how important it is to understand one another. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the City Charter and the importance of working with our departments without micro-managing their moves. The most important thing in this process was familiarizing myself with the City’s budget, understanding better how it works, and the important line items that need to be addressed for the City’s future,” Rodriguez said.
She characterized this Council as “a new start with fresh ideas” and said, “Having four women for the first time in the history of Laredo sitting at the table will be something good to look forward to. Five seats were also up for election, which means that we will have new representation without any fights or gossip, just the drive to work for a better City.”
She stressed that communication, respect, and professionalism are the key factors for this Council to change the narrative of the City.
Rodriguez said that addressing traffic safety in District 2 was one of her priorities. “The number of accidents on a daily basis at the intersection of Hwy. 83 and Zoria in the Santa Rita is a clear indicator that the problem is significant,” she said.
Water, she stressed, is her most important city-wide priority. “Everyone – north, south, east, and west – deserves good quality water.”
District 3 Council member Melisse Renteria Cigarroa
“City business runs at a fast pace,” said District 3’s newly elected City Council member Melissa R. Cigarroa, adding, “I am so impressed by City management’s input to orient new Council members and the time spent doing so.”
Cigarroa, a community activist and an environmental steward, said she will work to signal change in the culture of City government to maintain a citywide focus rather than individual districts functioning as fiefdoms.
She said the need for that shift in focus was reiterated at a recent meeting with members of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation in a discussion that addressed economic opportunities and the potential for growth citywide.
“How do my actions fit into that plan? I have to widen my lens as I define my role as a decision maker. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The City’s Comprehensive Plan is the map,” Cigarroa elaborated.
“There is a great deal of power vested in City Council members. Our decisions, including the ones we make for our own districts, need to benefit the entire City. We on the Council need to understand how we all fit together and how we will work together” she continued.
Cigarroa said, “The eye-opening look at City policies and procedures has revealed that there is much to address in procedures not being followed and a lack of enforcement. This is a concern in many departments and important to many City employees. It is also of great concern to the taxpayers to whom City government is accountable.”
Cigarroa stressed that the selection of the new City Manager will be crucial to professionalizing the operations of the City.
“Personally, I will look for a candidate who is competent, certified, and who will conduct him or herself with respect, objectivity, and transparency. I prefer a candidate who is proficient in Spanish, though the lack of proficiency will not be a disqualifying attribute. The new City Manager needs to see Council as a partner in establishing a professional, ethical, and efficient workplace. By holding everyone accountable to this standard, I believe Council can focus on the pressing policy issues the City faces and must address to work towards a sustainable and vibrant future.”
