– From the President –
Fred Evans
Outstanding Programs to Finish the Year
It may seem a little early to announce the end of the year but we all know it will be here before we know it. Your Five Points Development Association is ready! Let me lay it out. First, our program schedule:
September’s program will be Dr. Josh Acevedo, EPISD Trustee for District 3 which includes the Five Points area. In his previous appearance before us he was quite candid about the district and his presentation was well-received by the members. Many of you have received a copy of an email by Dr. Max Grossman, a local activist, with some penetrating question about the district. We have furnished Dr. Acevedo with a copy and are looking forward to an interesting program.
October’s program will be Col. (Ret’d) Cary Westin, El Paso’s Interim City Manager. I have heard Col. Westin on several occasions since he was appointed and have spoken to him personally. He has resided in El Paso for over 20 years, has a long career in El Paso municipal government and has expressed his desire to make the most positive influence he can during his time as Interim City Manager. I find him to be much different than the previous city manager both in style, manner and outlook. I think all our members will find Col. Westin’s presentation informative and welcome.
November’s program will be Alex Hoffman with El Paso’s Capital Improvements Department. Alex is no stranger to FPDA, having spoken to us on many occasions. He is with planning for the department and will be speaking to us on the Five Points Master Plan now being developed by the city by foreign consultants. He will also bring us up to date on many questions we have been asking about our part of town such as the future of the police department facilities once they move, the entertainment district, the changes on Piedras Street and any other questions you may have, so be prepared.
December’s program will be our annual Christmas party! Your board, led by members Tony Labrado, Kristin Perez, Tracy Carter and Dina Kilgore are already working on this year’s event. With their combined talents I know it will be another success.
Other FPDA Mileposts:
We have been invited by Manhattan Heights Neighborhood Association to participate in a Fall Event being planned for October 28th that may include food trucks, games, a movie etc. This will be an opportunity for FPDA to promote itself and there may be a provision for business booths or table too. We’ll keep you posted.
Your Board of Directors is working on our bylaws. Because of a disruption in the management of the Association some years back, there is a concern about the apparently most recently adopted document including the date and some provisions that need to be revised. Our intent is to provide FPDA with a properly adopted document that meets our current needs. Plans are to present our recommendations to the membership at the October meeting and the vote for adoption will be taken at the November meeting. Copies will be provided to all members in good standing prior to the vote and your board asks that you thoughtfully review it and make any suggestion you feel are important.
November is election time—not just for political entities but for FPDA too. Over the coming month your board will be presenting the candidates and process to the membership in preparation for the vote at November’s meeting and installation at the Christmas party in December. New board members will take office January 1st. In the meantime, members should consider any interest they may have in serving on the board and letting current board members know of that interest.
Business of the Month
Our “Business” of the Month for September will be what is probably the longest operating “business” in Five Points, Zion Lutheran Church led by Pastor Stephen Heimer, FPDA Past President and current Board Member. Zion is celebrating 125 years as a part of the El Paso community and 100 years as a part of Five Points. We are pleased to recognize Zion Lutheran Church, a member of FPDA, on this momentous anniversary and are proud to have the service and participation of Pastor Heimer as a part of FPDA.
Mixer
We continue our mixer on the Fourth Tuesday of The Month at Aviators in Five Points. Come join us at 5:30 for a little relaxation and good conversation about a wide and ever-changing variety of subjects.
End of an Era
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Rita Maranto Rodriguez, the long- time owner and operator of perhaps the longest running commercial enterprise under continuous family ownership in Five Points, The Italian Kitchen. She passed away August 25th at age 92. Sam Maranto opened the Italian Kitchen in 1948 and married Rita in 1954. Sam died suddenly in 1969 and Rita ran the business alone until she married Marco Rodriguez in 1978. She continued her hands-on management of the restaurant until her health no longer permitted. Today, The Italian Kitchen is owned by Santiago Alonso III, one of Rita’s grandsons. Our deepest sympathies go out the family and many friends of Rita Maranto Rodriguez, a true pillar of Five Points.
Epilogue
At our last board meeting, members discussed FPDA’s accomplishments so far this year and what we want to do by year’s end. We’re pleased with what FPDA has accomplished so far and think we’ll be able to say it has been a successful year when we publish our results in December. With the support of our projects by all members, increasing regular attendance at monthly meetings and recruitment of new members I’m sure that will be the case. See you on Wednesday at noon and bring a friend!