AND THE ELECTION TRAIN ROLLS ON!
We had an excellent candidate forum at January’s meeting with the candidates for El Paso City Council Representative District 2. Everyone was able to get a good “read” of the candidates. In the end, less than 2000 voters out of over 40,000 registered voters elected Dr. Josh Acevedo as the new Representative. Dr. Acevedo represented our area on the El Paso Independent School District Board and has spoken to us several times. We congratulate him on his election win and look forward to working with him in his new role.
I feel compelled to join the chorus of those who decry the lack of participation in elections. When someone complains about city issues, our response should begin with “did you vote in the last election?” I often take this approach and when the response is in the negative my response is usually “then you have no reason to complain.” I don’t happen to believe that just having many voters makes a good election. I would rather that those who have not bothered to educate themselves on the issues not vote. However, what helps to ensure the working of the democratic process and the thwarting of special interests is a swarm of educated voters. These candidate forums are our contribution to this education effort.
AND ON AND ON!
My mailbox, door knob and doorbell runneth over (as I’m sure does yours). I guess it will be turkey-time (ascribe any meaning you choose) before the USPS and the forests can rest easy. As our part to move the process (a favorite term for El Paso City Government) along, we will have—wait for it– a candidate forum this month!
Though we decry and ridicule the personal visits, emails, texts, robocalls, literature dumps etc. that have become an integral part of our country’s elections, our right to determine the course of our government at all levels is precious, rare in the world and paid for with the lives of countless men and women. We have an obligation to respect this right and do our part to exercise it with an educated vote.
This month the four candidates in the Democrat Primary for the Texas House of Representatives District 77 election have accepted our invitation to participate in our candidate forum. And, since there are no other parties putting up candidates, the winner of the Democrat Primary will in essence be the Representative. This is a particularly important election considering the issues to be confronted at the state level: TXDOT’s plans for I 10, school funding, property tax relief, immigration issues just to name a few of the most “hot button” ones.
We will be honored to have Alexsandra Annello, Norma Chavez, Vince Perez and Homer Reza presenting themselves and their positions and answering your questions starting promptly at noon this Wednesday. So please come earlier than your usual times to be sure that you don’t miss anything.
NEIGHBORHOOD RESURRECTION
As a teaser, I want to let you know that there is major effort going on to promote the “rebirth” of the Eastside-Central El Paso neighborhood encompassing the area from Paisano to Five Points and Jefferson High School to the intersection of Alameda and Piedras. Some of the area is within the city-recognized boundaries of the Five Points Development Association and the District 8 Representative is thinking about some sort of “overlay.” Lots of pieces in this effort that in general I applaud including a museum built around Ms. Estine Davis’s Eastside Barbershop and a resource center for small business development. I am a part of their planning group and have been meeting with the Coalition. We will have more information, maybe a program, in the future once plans are more settled. It is interesting to note that their initial efforts have had support from Chase Bank and the El Paso History Museum and they are looking at many other institutions to support their initiative. Interesting times.
HOW BIG IS MY ASSOCIATION?
Speaking of boundaries, do you know our Association boundaries? They are between the railroad track and I 10/US 54 from Cotton to the convergence of the tracks and US 54—a huge area. Our focus has been on the traditional Five Points business area. We should be reaching out to the entire community within our boundaries. I have spoken to a leading resident on Trowbridge who says he will attend our meetings. It’s a start and your Board will be working on a program to reach those residents and businesses in the northeasterly part of our Association.
PROGRAMS TO COME
As a last item, Dinah Kilgore and I are looking at future programs. We are planning on Alex Hoffman to talk about the Five Points Master Plan; John Balliew of EP Water to talk about storm water, rates, development charges, the new water feature in far northeast; EPCAD to bring us up to date on changes in property valuations and related issues; and possibly El Paso County Sheriff’s candidates. If you have suggestions, let us know.
See you Wednesday with your guests!
– Fred Evans, president