Julio fue un mes lleno de actividades para los residentes de esta población, quienes iniciaron con la celebración del Día de la Independencia que fueron dos días de festejos que fueron totalmente gratuito a las familias locales.
Las actividades iniciaron en lunes dos de julio con una junta especial del Concilio de la Ciudad, en donde se hizo la toma de protesta de los nuevos Concejales de la Ciudad que fueron electos el pasado mes de Mayo por la comunidad.
Los Concejales que ya se integraron al cabildo fueron Raul Cardenas quien estará en la posición General, y Jim Dereus quien estará representando el Distrito II de esta población.
Las actividades de la celebración del Día de la Independencia arrancaron el tres de julio con un concierto en el Anfiteatro Alfredo Gutiérrez a la orilla del arroyo de San Felipe, donde se presentó el conocido cantante Raulito Navaira.
El cuatro de Julio los festejos iniciaron a las 8:00 de la mañana con la ya tradicional carrera de 5K denominada Color Run, que fue a la orilla del arroyo de San Felipe, uno de los primeros lugares de este recorrido fue para el Mayor Bruno Lozano quien cada año participa, asimismo se felicito al acuñense Rene Arreola quien finalizo en los primeros lugares.
A las 10:00 de la mañana se dio cita a las familias locales en el centro histórico, donde participaron en la decoración de las banquetas de la calle Main, para hacer esta área mas atractiva para el día de la independencia.
A las 11:00 de la mañana inicio el recorrido el tradicional desfile del día de la independencia, donde se tuvieron mas de 60 vehículos alegóricos, y la participación de autoridades tanto del Condado como de la Ciudad y corporaciones de seguridad.
Todos continuo a las 2:00 de la tarde con en el anfiteatro Alfredo Gutiérrez, donde el Mayor Bruno Lozano tuvo como invitado especial al Alcalde Ramsey Cantu de la Ciudad de Eagel Pass, para la ceremonia de bienvenida a las actividades del municipio.
Se ofrecieron actividades para toda la familia, también música en vivo al igual que venta de comida, a las 10:00 de la noche dieron inicio el show de fuegos artificiales que tuvieron una duración de mas de 30 minutos.
Durante este día se llevo a cabo el Car Show que organizo el Del Rio Classic Car Club, donde se premiaron a los mejor autos clásicos y vehículos modificados.
Durante el mes de julio las familias locales también disfrutaron del evento de Noches Musicales que se llevan a cabo en la Plaza Brown, cada viernes de manera gratuita para que todos puedan convivir y conocer el talento que tienen los grupos locales.
Durante este mes se tuvieron actividades ara las familias esto debido a que aun se está disfrutando de la vacaciones de verano.

Little do many people know, Lemons should be a part of every healthy diet. Loaded with beneficial nutrients that are good for our overall health.
  Many of us include lemons in our everyday diet but we usually juice them or just eat them when we should in fact freeze them and consume them frozen.
  There is a god reason for freezing our lemons because we can later use them along with their peel. In case you didn’t know, the highest concentration of important nutrients is actually in the lemon peel.
  The biggest mistake we make with lemons is that we throw away the peel but to get all the benefits from them we should consume the whole lemon peel and all because that’s where all the good stuff is.
  This citrus fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, E and B6 and minerals like potassium, zinc and iron and also contains a good deal of fiber and protein.

  Additionally, lemons are rich in limonoids and flavonoids, nutrients that make your cells stronger and fight the free radicals in your body, preventing a great number of diseases.
  Recent studies show that the wide array of nutrients this tropical fruits contains can help in the prevention and treatment of different kinds of tumors, lower your risk of diabetes, get your blood sugar and blood pressure under control and even boost weight loss.
  Studies also show that lemons have more than 22 compounds with cancer-fighting properties like pectin, limonene, vitamin C and glycosides.
How to freeze lemons and consume them to get the most out of them?
First, wash the lemons thoroughly and dry them with a towel.
Secondly, Place them in a plastic bag and toss them in the freezer.
  Then, when they’re completely frozen you can start using them. Grate or crush them into smaller pieces then add them to your drink, smoothie. You can sprinkle the grated lemons on top of your favorite salad as well.
  They will Not Only enhance the meal’s flavor but boost its health benefits too. Put the rest of the lemons back in the freezer for later use.
  Try this out the results will be amazing. Your drinks and meals will taste better and you’ll flood your body with all kinds of beneficial nutrients good for your overall health.

Deep into the summer and we’re deep into some great summer movies to enjoy.

First, at a theater near you is the latest Denzel Washington flick and the second or sequel to his first EQUALIZER.

Equalizer 2 from Columbia Prictures; “If you have a problem and there is nowhere else to turn, the mysterious and elusive Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) will deliver the vigilante justice you seek. This time, however, McCall’s past cuts especially close to home when thugs kill Susan Plummer -- his best friend and former colleague. Now out for revenge, McCall must take on a crew of highly trained assassins who’ll stop at nothing to destroy him.”

Equalizer 2 is Rater R and Runs 129 Minutes.

Also at a Theater near you right now from Universal Pictures is, Here We Go Again; In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University -- leaving Donna free to embark on a series of adventures throughout Europe. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam -- the latter whom she falls in love with, but also the man who breaks her heart. In the present day, Donna’s young daughter Sophie now dreams of renovating a taverna while also trying to figure out who is the biological father of her unborn baby.

Rated PG13 ad Runs 114 Minutes.

Coming in September, The Predator from 20th Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Silver Pictures; “From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. The universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.” Rated R.

See you soon At The Movies.

Story By Bob Corbell

Voter apathy is not a new phenomenon to Del Rio or for that matter the rest of the country.  However in the last three elections held in Val Verde County, the lack of turnout has passed way beyond epidemic acute proportions.   It is chronic and dire.  Maybe the explanation is that of the affects of self medication with illegal drug use or alcohol.   It’s too easy to become hooked after the first nip, or high.  That first taste of not participating in an election gives one the sense of control and euphoria all wrapped into a sublime feeling.  Meanwhile the crash, hangover, or depression after the high of not voting leads to a pattern of cynicism over someone’s name they’ve never read on an election ballot.
This is the story of 85 percent of the registered voters in Val Verde County.  They’re the ones who say they give a damn, but they really don’t.  The majority of registered voters in Del Rio spit at the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th, Amendments of the U.S. Constitution;   95 percent can’t define any of the specifics.  Well since you slept through civics class, or were sick that day, let me give you a quick reminder.  Between 1870 and 1971, these amendments ensure you the right to vote no matter your race, color, or previous condition of servitude (Amendment XV 1870).  It doesn’t matter what sex you were born; you can vote in America (Amendment XIX 1920, the woman’s right to vote).  You no longer have to pay a poll tax.  Voting in the United States is free of charge (Amendment XIV 1964, the beginning of the end of Jim Crow).  If you are 18 years of age at the date of an election, or older, you can vote. (Amendment XVI 1971).  
Unless you fall under the category of felony disenfranchisement due to a conviction or are not a United States Citizen, there is absolutely no excuse for not casting a vote in any election, period.   Every law, tool, time, and resource is more than adequate for you to participate within your government.
According to the Val Verde County Clerk Office, there are close to 27-thousand registered voters on the rolls.  In the May 2018 City of Del Rio election, slightly fewer than four thousand people took time to cast a ballot.   So, why the apathy?  
One reason could be the convoluted, an excessive number of elections that we do have.   General elections, bond elections, primary’s , special elections, county elections, county-primary run-off elections, city elections, hospital board elections, school board elections, school board bond elections, and city run-off elections.   A total of 11 elections since November 2016. That is a one per month election average which is quite byzantine for most of the voters.  The resolve would take both legislative action and city-county effort for cohesive and simplified voter solutions.  
Another reason might be a bit subjective to the age of the voter, but let’s face it; times are changing on how a candidate’s message is presented.  Social media has become the coffee-shop-feel-good-trendy-way of an office seeker to present his message.  Quite frankly, it’s not personal for the voter.  Yes, the message might be presented well, with some near instant feed back, but it does not carry into a one-on-one conversation.  
When I see political messages on social media, I scroll through the news feed.  If I continue to receive them, they are blocked or removed.   I would much prefer to be addressed by a person seeking office either by taking the effort of knocking at my front door (block walking shows sincere concern) or speaking with me as I seek them out at a political debate or forum.  I don’t want robo-calls six times a day or illuminating my Face Book news feed like it’s the Las Vegas strip.  I believe I’m not in the minority when it comes to this intrusion.  Thus, the more these messages are seen, the less participation on Election Day.  
Voter revolt is another reason for not turning out to the polls.  Many feel the person running for office is not adequate to fill the shoes.   Poor representation from previous elected officials, unreliable administration, excessive taxation when not necessary, and an unclear message of how to resolve issues have folks resorting to apathy at the polls like it was crystal meth.
The eighty five percent who do not vote in Val Verde County cannot be totally blamed for their dependence of the voter apathy drug addiction.  There are those who are the enablers.  Some which are politicians themselves.   For they do the research and know within a percentage point how many votes it will take to get them in the big red chair.    Apathy, or the lack of turn out on Election Day, is what a few count on to seize the power.    It’s much easier to win a low voter turn out election than attempt to reach all of those registered to vote.  It’s also a cheaper campaign.  It takes less mailers, and is easier on the feet for those long, hot, and tiring block walks.  
For those who are looking for voter apathy addiction intervention for a loved one, or might be seeking rehabilitation for themselves; there are very capable people to get you the help that is needed.  All one has to do is to go the United States Post Office or the Val Verde County Court House and ask for a Voter Registration Card.   As for support groups within the election process; contact either your Republican or Democrat Party.  For those few who wish to overcome apathy through self help study, might I suggest the Libertarian Party.  Those choices are up to the individual.

Do you ever wonder, cause sometimes do, if in attempting to be So Politically Correct we aren’t Violating One Our Most Sacred Rights? I’m talking about The FIRST Amendment, The Right To Freedom of Speech. Could we be just annihilating it in theory at least if not in strict legality.
  If someone writes that they think I look like a Monkey or a character from “Planet of The Apes” which, by the way I probably do or have looked like on several occasions, how can anyone have the right to ASSUME that they mean it as a Racial Slur?
  Not to mention, in doing so, destroy a persons livelihood and their ability to earn a living without truly knowing if that’s what they meant at the time they wrote that about me.
  After pondering all that for a while now I can’t say that I’m not 100% sure that what America has done to Rosanne Barr may be morally and / or legally right. After all, this is America land of the free home of the brave where our soldiers fight wars in places far, far away to protect our right to be free even in our speech.
  The way I see it, unless you can prove without a benefit of the doubt that what you think someone said at any given time they wrote something was true, there is no case.
 It then all become assumption, conjecture. Nothing more than someone giving credence to a rumor, a belief someone has, and certainly Not A Truth.
  I’ve looked at a picture of the person Rosanne supposedly besmirched on that infamous Tweet and I must say I have to agree. If you put a Picture of her next to a picture of Dr Zira (one of my favorite characters from “Planet Of The Apes”, there is a slight resemblance. But then again if you put a picture of ME next to a picture of Clyde the orangutan from the Clint Eastwood Movie “Every which Way But Loose” you’ll have to admit there is a slight resemblance as well. How can we prove that those are  Racist comparisons though? According to researchers, “The great ape families are the species most closely related to our own”. So, Come On now, can we all just try to Relax and live together without being So Sensitive?
  As Christians, we’re even worst. We sanctimoniously pick and choose which parts of the Bible we want to follow on any given day and which ones we just run over with a Mac truck. We violate Bible verse every day without giving it a second thought but when we catch someone in the public eye doing it, OMG you would think it was the end of the world. Tie them to the stacks and stone them in public.
  The truly sad thing is that in thousands and thousands of years we still have not learn to get along as one people. That we still don’t realize that the more we choose to segregate ourselves by the color of our eyes, our skin, race, heritage, geographic origin, etc, etc, etc WE WILL NEVER achieve that goal. We must set all our bad history aside and accept to see and treat each other as Equals. Only then will we that happen.
  Don’t get me wrong and don’t put words in my mouth. I’m not saying we can’t be proud of who our ancestors and our heritage. Let’s how ever stop using what our ancestors went through and learn from it instead of using it to continue to separate us as One People.
  We don’t have to like or agree with something someone else says but then again we don’t have to start a huge campaign to ruin their world either. Leave that to Karma.
  Just another Point of View.

 La educación es el proceso a través del cual la persona analiza, asimila y adquiere conocimiento, a la vez que asume las formas de comportamiento del entorno en que se desarrolla.  Que importante que comprendamos que la educación debe ser no solamente la ilustración intelectual sino la formación de la persona en los valores y los principios que deben regir su vida en relación con el Ser supremo, consigo mismo, con los demás y con el medio ambiente.  
Según José H. Prado Flores, en su folleto Formación de discípulos, “Los maestros en Israel (anteriores y contemporáneos de Jesús) eran laicos competentes que enseñaban  a los demás a vivir de acuerdo a la voluntad de Dios… Más que teorías o doctrinas, un maestro enseñaba la sabiduría para vivir rectamente, encontrando el sentido de la existencia y la forma de cumplir la propia vocación… Para un hebreo era mucho más importante “saber vivir” que vivir”.  
Hoy nosotros, tomando este buen ejemplo de los maestros de Israel, deberíamos preocuparnos no solo por enviar naves espaciales, porque el hombre llegue a la luna, porque las nuevas generaciones dominen la informática, las redes sociales, la ciencia y la técnica (que es algo importante), sino que también nos preocupemos, y con mayor razón, por preparar la nave que nos lleve a nuestro prójimo, que nos permita relacionarnos e interactuar con él, que nos permita conquistar nuestro propio entorno, que aprendamos a amar, a respetar, a ser seres en relación, a valorar, a ser tolerantes. Que nos ayude a comprender que en esta era maravillosa de la informática y de las comunicaciones rápidas y globales somos capaces de escuchar personalmente al otro, de sensibilizarnos de su situación, de ser incluyentes, de compadecernos, de ser, de estar y de  actuar de cara a la realidad. Que no nos suceda que en la era de las comunicaciones estamos incomunicados.  Que no seamos los presentes ausentes, los solitarios en medio de la multitud, los mudos que no quieren responder, los sordos que no quieren oír a los que llaman y los ciegos que no quieren ver a los presentes.   
Pienso que como dice Àlex Rovira, hoy es urgente tomar consciencia de “la importancia de trenzar dos grandes universos, el de la educación y el de la formación. Hay personas que han tenido acceso a una muy buena formación pero que son maleducadas, porque no tienen corazón. Y hay personas que no tuvieron el privilegio del acceso a una buena formación, pero que son extraordinariamente bien educadas. Creo que en la escuela nos deben formar y deben complementar la educación que se da en los hogares, y creo que en los hogares debemos crear las circunstancias para que la educación florezca y complementar la formación que se da en las escuelas. Y en ambos contextos, tanto maestras y maestros, como madres y padres, debe haber esa mirada apreciativa que dé alas”.
Pienso que hoy los gobiernos, algunas corrientes psicológicas, los medios de comunicación y los padres de familia no deben seguir haciéndole daño a la niñez y a la juventud, desautorizando a los maestros, impidiendo que se dé una formación integral donde se piense no solo en lo intelectual, lo tecnológico y lo científico, sino que también se advierta la urgencia de la formación del corazón y la conciencia, de los valores y los principios cristianos porque la fe y la ciencia no están contrapuestas. No puede hablarse de una persona madura, autentica, inteligente, libre, honesta, si no ha tenido una formación integral, si no ha sabido integrar los valores humanos y cristianos.  Por no comprender esta realidad es que vivimos en tantos desaciertos.
No nos contentemos con almacenar datos intelectuales en nuestra mente.  Preocupémonos también  por ir formando buenos hábitos y recopilando valores y principios en nuestro corazón. Concluyamos con una bella enseñanza que nos ofrece un cuento del cual no sé quién es su autor:
“Tres estudiantes no estudiaron para un examen y decidieron no presentarlo; ellos elaboraron un plan... se ensuciaron con grasa negra, aceite y nafta y fueron con el docente: “profe, pedimos disculpas, pero no pudimos venir al examen, pues estábamos en una boda y, de regreso, el carro se accidentó. Por ello, estamos tan sucios, como puede ver”.
El buen docente entendió y les permitió presentar en un par de días para que se preparen bien. Pasados los días, ellos fueron al examen muy bien preparados porque ahora sí habían estudiado. El docente los ubicó en aulas separadas y aplicó el examen con solo *4 preguntas:*
*1. ¿Quién se casó?*
*2. ¿A qué hora se accidentó el carro?*                                                         
*3. ¿Dónde exactamente se descompuso?*
*4. ¿Cuál es la marca del vehículo?*

*NOTA:* Si las respuestas son idénticas, estarán aprobados   
con la máxima calificación. *¡Buena Suerte!*
SER HONESTO significa *elegir* no mentir, no robar, no engañar sea cual sea el modo. Cuando somos honestos, desarrollamos la fuerza del *carácter* y tenemos la confianza  de las personas que nos rodean. ¡Excelente enseñanza para todos!”.  
Que la mentira y los demás antivalores no nos hagan causar el accidente de quedar en el ridículo y de perder la confianza que nos tienen nuestros seres queridos.  Preocupémonos por buscar una formación para nosotros y para toda la sociedad donde se incluyan los valores.    Dios los bendiga.  Sady Pbro.

“Lo que buscamos como miembros del United San Felipe es volver a hacer historia en el barrio de San Felipe, con la construcción del Arco de Bienvenida y marcando el lugar en dondo todo dio inicio para esta población y una era para cientos de mexico-americanos que sobresalieron a nivela nacional e internacional” expreso Andy Porras quien encabeza este movimiento.
Durante el mes de julio se llevo a cabo la ceremonia de inauguración de la construcción del arco de bienvenida que será colocado en la principal entrada del área de San Felipe, el cual se estará haciendo gracias a fondos que se recabaron con la venta de ladrillos conmemorativos, y placas conmemorativas que fueron adquiridas por comercios locales.
Andy Porras ex alumno del distrito escolar de San Felipe, informo que es residente de California, pero cada año regresa a lo que aun conoce como su barrio, recordar anécdotas y reunirse con  sus antiguos compañeros de escuela y alumnos.
Las reuniones anuales no fueron suficientes, por lo que se hizo este proyecto, la construcción de un arco de bienvenida a San Felipe, el cual tendrá un costo de 55 mil dólares, y será costeado con diferentes actividades.
En el mes de Julio se llevo a cabo la ceremonia de inauguración de esta obra, en donde se realizo la “primer palada” en donde participo el Juez Efraín Valdez, Al Padilla Asistente del Condado y miembro de United San Felipe, Andy Porras y el Comisionado artin Wardlaw.
Se agradeció el apoyo del Comisionado Martin Wardlaw quien dono su tiempo y el de su personal y el material para hacer los cimientos para este arco, y así arrancar esta obra que hará historia para e barrio de San Felipe que se fundo desde 1964 cuando empezaron a llegar lo trabajadores para la construcción de los arroyos para la siembra.
Se espera que esta obra se tendrá lista dentro de cuatro meses, y se volverá a tener una ceremonia de inauguración en donde se espera contar con la participación de ex estudiantes del distrito escolar de San Felipe, también de residentes de este sector, ya que con este arco será histórico.
“Recibimos el apoyo de las autoridades del Ciudad y del Condado, para llevar a cabo este proyecto, pero mas que nada fueron los residentes de San Felipe, las familias que crecieron aquí, quienes aunque no estén radicando en Del Rio buscan mantener la historia de su barrio y están dispuestos a volver a revivirlo” expreso Andy Porras de United San Felipe.

Del Rio High School graduate (2016), and fleet of distance foot, Olivia Flores, is a runner. Was. Is. Will be. Presently, her running transpires on the stage of NCAA Division I cross country and track and field. To compete at that level, running must partially or wholly inform your life. What compels her to run? It’s all explained below. Flores, who will begin her junior year at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) at the end of the summer, graciously participated in a Q&A Face to Face interview via email. (Please note that the answers have been edited for space.)

FTF: What does running mean to your life?

OF: Running always has and always will hold a special place in my heart...It may just seem like a recreational activity for many people, but for us distance runners, it’s a way of life and a perfect metaphor for life. It has taught me that you can’t go out too fast or else you will burn out and you can’t go too slow or else everything will pass you by...it’s simply about picking a pace in your life and enjoying the scenery.

FTF: What events do you compete in at UTSA? Was it a difficult or fairly easy transition from high school to college?

OF: My main events are the 3k Steeplechase and the 5k flat race. As for cross country, I’ve had the opportunity to participate at the Conference USA (5k) meet both years, but this past year was my first time competing at the NCAA regionals cross country meet (6k) which took me by surprise but now I’m looking forward to my junior season. My goal for my 2018 XC season is to just build off my weak spots...and placing at least top 35 in the conference...2019 track season is to make it to the conference indoor meet for the 3k flat race with a 10:10 time (there’s no steeple race) and for
outdoor, my end goal is to medal at conference in the 3k steeplechase. The transition from high school to college was fairly easy besides the fact that I still had lots to learn. I wasn’t such an expert at distance running in high school and surely wasn’t the best...I went into distance running not knowing anything about it, not knowing how to take pace and how many miles were supposed to be kept on a pair of running shoes, I injured myself one year with a stress fracture, but I quickly learned from that injury.

FTF: How did participating in cross country and track at Del Rio High School prepare you for the collegiate level?

OF: College running has looked very similar to my high school days, the only thing different that I wish I could tell 16-year-old Olivia is that Sunday long runs are very crucial and every day of the week counts, even weekends, I never knew what the coaches in high school were talking about.

FTF: Can you tell us about your family?

OF: I grew up with my mom (Leonor Torres) and my sister (Bernice Flores)...who have been my main anchors of support just by picking me up when I failed at little things. My dad (Javier Flores) who is still a part of my life but remarried, has also helped me a lot by being the smarter voice in my head, getting me to reach for bigger goals like college, which five years ago, I didn’t think I was good for.

FTF: Your major at UTSA?

OF: I’m currently majoring in Criminal Justice, with a minor in digital forensics, where I hope to accomplish my dreams of working my way through the Federal world and eventually become an FBI agent.

FTF: What is most important in your life and why?

OF: The most important thing in my life is to always remember the person I do these things for and that is my Lord and Savior, it is by His grace that I am who I am, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s just a matter of constantly trusting the plan because He knows exactly what He’s doing.

A band that has sold 26 million albums in the U.S. alone, but have never had a #1 record. Why most people would think that they were a southern rock band because of their theme about bayous, catfish,the Mississippi River,gave people the idea that they were from down south. Actually the Creedence Clearwater Revival are from El Cerrito California.
In the early years from 1959-1967 it was Fantasy Records label co-owner Max Weiss who gave the group the name The Golliwogs after a childs character. Some names that were rejected before becoming Creedence Clearwater Revival were Muddy Rabbit,Gossamer Wump, and Credence Nuballand the Ruby. Althought the band never had a #1 single in the U.S., the song Bad Moon Rising is the only one song to hit #1 in the United Kingdom during September and Ocober in 1969.Their live performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival were not included in the film nor in the Soundtrack because John Fogerty thought that the sound quality was inferior,also most people don’t remember that the Creedence Clearwater Revival were actually the headliners for the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
By 1970 Creedence had more success with two sided singles than any other band to that point except for Elvis and the Beatles. The bands original name was to be Clearwater Revival Creedence, but a record printer named Brinson Buttercourt misread and misspelled the name. Although they never had a #1 in the U.S. as a single they did have a #1 album here in the states, he album Green River hit #1 and went triple platinum. Creedence were the first band to sign a contract to perform at the 1969 Woodstock Festival,they were paid 10,000 dollars to perform and were scheduled to play at 3 A.M. on Sunday morning.
Learn more about the Creedence Clearwater Revival as KWMC 1490AM presents them as artist of the month on the Little Red Rooster Show. All know facts and stories of Artist Of The Month are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

Story By Bob Corbell

June 20th, 2018 certainly was one of the worst public relations nightmares for the City of Del Rio and Mayor Bruno Lozano.   In a six hour time frame, Bruno ousted a Catholic Priest from city hall, fired the city manager without citizen comment, then had an elderly woman removed from council chambers.    While this was occurring, I could not keep from thinking of the SNL skit where the fight attendants constantly mumble the words “bub-bye” as passengers exit the aircraft.   What irony.  Bruno makes a living as a flight attendant.  During the meeting, he held an attitude that was not customer friendly at times; “bub-bye” possibly could sum up a very short political career of Bruno Lozano.  At least in the eyes of those who support  Henry Arredondo.
The day after the meeting, someone, or group, picked up a packet from city hall which contains the protocol for a recall election.   In the case of Bruno, he must hold office six months before a recall can be filed.  That’s the rule.  But since when has anyone paid attention to all those pesky rules and items such as “the city charter” in Del Rio?   It all doesn’t matter.  The wheels of recall are already churning and burning.  Oh, great.  It’s all Del Rio needs.  Another election in November and the sixth trip to the ballot box in a nine month period.  
Of course Bruno is not the only actor in the removal of Henry Arredono.   Council people Diana Salgado, Liz Elizalde, and John Sheedy were the votes which terminated the life of the city manager’s career.  No one will admit who submitted a calling for a special city council meeting for Henry’s fate.  It was submitted to the city secretary anonymously.   All seems very curious in the eyes of some citizens of Del Rio.  Time was running out for the majority vote needed for Arredondo’s removal.   The runoff of elections to fill two city council seats was just three days away.  What we don’t know is why the sudden rush to the removal of Henry.  Speaking with John Sheedy the evening after a very heated discussion (and both of us had calmed down) he did share there are certain perspectives which lead to a very hard decision that can’t always be as transparent as the public (and Henry who asked for the meeting to be held in public rather with portions in executive session) would like to be presented.  Although I don’t necessary agree, I can understand the reason for the process.
There is a lot about the removal of Henry Arredondo that bothers me.   One fact is he did not find out about the special city council meeting called to remove him until he was on a trip to Mexico City for official business.   The mayor and Councilwoman Elizalde accompanied the city manager on the trip.   Talk about your “Et Tu, Brute” moments.
Then there is the evaluation process of the city manager.  I should say the lack of a formal evaluation of Henry’s performance since January 15th 2015.   During his tenure of four years, Arredondo requested an evaluation 19 times and the city council NEVER provided a proper, formal evaluation.  Sometimes, there were not enough council members present at meetings to perform the task, some did not receive the pdf file in order to do so, etc, etc, etc.    My hope is that Henry would re submit his application with the pile of resumes for a new city manager being taken.   That would put an interesting twist and comparison with the new applicants in regards to experience.
Before the action of his removal, Henry was allowed to make a public comment.  His accomplishments over the last four years are extraordinary.    The highlights of course are the bond rating concerning the city’s finances is double A; the highest in Del Rio’s history.   The city is able to borrow money for future needs and projects along with repayment within 10 years.  The revenues of the International Bridge have almost double during his tenure and Henry delivered a much needed airline service to Del Rio without the use of any property tax dollars.  Then the infrastructure improvements that are still a work in progress.   Henry Arredondo left Del Rio in a better working order than any other city manager in a very long time.   
Bruno ran on a platform brand of “unity”.  Well, that all went out the window June 20th, 2018.    He did not allow public comments during the special meeting.  He ordered the removal of two women by the police chief; one lady was a senior citizen who was no threat at all.  Bruno’s demeanor registered the score of zero on the unity scale. Hours earlier, he called police to remove Father Clay Hunt from city hall, a meeting in which Clay was invited by Bruno.  The rumors, hearsay and chisme aren’t necessary to discuss.   However, if you are in public service in Deep South Texas and wish to continue to do so, you do not have a Catholic priest removed from your office by the police.   You might as well place your life savings in Edsel or Enron stock.  
Perception on how one act is the reality in many people’s mind.   The actions of Bruno on June 20th 2018 will never be forgotten by many of the citizens of Del Rio.  What is sad are the rumors that start and fuel fast then linger on forever.   For some folks in this town, there are red hot mad in saying “bub-by Bruno, we hardly got to know you.”    The sentiment in some camps is already to circle the wagons for another election come November. Just what we need before the Holidays.   Please hurry up 2019.  This has turned into a really rotten political year.