Dear Families and Businesses in the thriving Community of Weslaco,

It has always been my goal to ensure that the youth of our great city has the opportunity to get the best education possible. I also believe that along with a great education we need to ensure that our youth can obtain gainful employment in our great city. This can only be achieved by ensuring the continued growth of new businesses in the retail, high-tech manufacturing and medical field that translate into new long-term Jobs. We also have an obligation to ensure that continuing education and training is available for our existing workforce to ensure that they can remain employed to effectively support their families in this rapid changing work environment.

In the Mid Valley Weslaco is centrally located which leads itself to continued growth and strong Economic Development due to our transportation system and proximity to the border. In the past several years, we have focused our sites on several new developments such as the 400,000 sq ft HEB retail support/distribution center, JC Penney’s, Lowe’s and many others. We have also strategically located fire stations throughout the city to increase response time and reduce insurance key rates for both residential and commercial businesses. It is also my intent to incorporate police substations in these strategically located fire stations in the future. It is imperative that we develop planned and controlled infrastructure to ensure continued growth in both the residential and business sector.

As a father, husband, pharmacist, employer and Mayor of the City of Weslaco I have always strived to improve the quality of life for every individual in the City of Weslaco. I have always believed that it is a moral imperative for city leaders to coordinate with educational institutions within and outside our boundaries to ensure that we can assist in improving the education of our children in any way possible. I believe our educational institution WISD has proven their excellence at home and across the state. I also believe with a strong mind we must also ensure the health and development of teamwork. Our youth and our athletic departments have seen state finalists in football, basketball, track and field. As the Mayor of Weslaco and as a business owner in the medical community I have seen a tremendous growth in training facilities at our local schools and private schools that are giving our youth an opportunity to enter the medical industry. This will also ensure that our youth remain in the City of Weslaco.

I’ve also worked with the commission to develop our Weslaco Park system. Our park system offers residents of the Mid Valley state-of-the-art softball fields and walking trails, not to mention a new skate park. These state-of-the-art facilities provide excellent playing grounds for local and state sporting events. Weslaco also features two privately owned golf courses, the championship golf course at Tierra Santa and the Village Executive Golf Course.

Weslaco is fortunate to be the home of three nature centers that share a wealth of wildlife and nature habitats. The Valley Nature Center, Frontera Audubon Center, and South Texas’ newest state park, Estero Llano Grande State Park and World Birding Center, offer guided tours and activities throughout the year for all ages. Our children are fortunate to have these facilities available for their educational and personal enjoyment.

I also believe it is important to promote products and services that are Weslaco-based by assisting in the marketing of products and services through promoting Weslaco’s Onion Festival held the first Saturday in April. It’s our sweet celebration of the Texas 1015 Onion developed hear in Weslaco featuring our very own 1015 onion blossoms, dancing horse shows, and musical entertainment! I also believe it is important to have other city events like the Mid Valley Lighted Christmas Parade and the Fourth of July Celebration.

Weslaco continues to be famous for its chain and local family-owned and operated eateries that satisfy everyone’s appetite from American to International cuisine as well as our entertainment facilities. I also believe we have an obligation to support our unique historic downtown shopping center where we can find a variety of vintage antiques, jewelry, apparel, hardware, repair shops and gifts. We are also fortunate to have live theatre that awaits you at the Tower Theater just a few blocks from City Hall.

Our library has been utilized by many adults and children throughout the Mid Valley including mine. Our library facility is a Spanish style two-story building. The beautiful courtyard and the adjoining Mayor Eugene A. Braught Memorial Theater are a tribute to our community. We should all be proud of the dedicated staff that continuously help our children on a daily basis.

Our city is 10 minutes from Nuevo Progreso. I believe we must continue to foster good relations, trade and border security between our great cities and countries.

I am asking for your support and vote during the runoff. With your support and vote I will be able to continue the push for transparency in city government. It is no secret that I fought for many years to have our city meetings broadcasted on KWES. I urge you to watch these meetings so you can truly see that I have all our residents and businesses interests at heart. It is clear to see what my position was on various issues.

I fought others in the commission that wanted to privatize our sanitation department. With the support and votes of a few dedicated Commissioners we were able to stop the privatization of our sanitation department. The privatization of our sanitation department would’ve cost the city millions of dollars in the years to come. It would also have jeopardized the jobs and retirement of many employees that faithfully worked for the citizens of Weslaco for many years.

I’m asking for your continued support and respectfully ask for your vote during early voting or on election day. Help me Keep the Momentum going.

Sincerely,

Buddy de la Rosa,

Mayor of the City of Weslaco