City of Laredo Readies for Paisanos
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Nov 5, 2009, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Earlier today, the City of Laredo hosted a meeting with various local and Nuevo Laredo government agencies to begin planning the annual Paisanos Rest Stop, which helps Mexican citizens returning south for the holidays to stop, stretch their legs, get some refreshments, use the restrooms, and get valuable information about the remaining leg of their trip.
“This will be the 12th year the City of Laredo will host the rest stop,” said Blasita J. Lopez, Interim Director for the Convention & Visitors Bureau, the lead City agency that coordinates the rest stop. “Along with local, state and federal officials on both sides of the border, we have made the trip for our paisanos a welcoming, inviting experience for them.”
Items discussed will focus on planning proper traffic control routes for not only paisanos , but also, for local Laredo residents.
“The City of Laredo wants to develop a proper traffic control route so that paisanos can get where they need to go, and Laredo citizens can get to where they need to, into and out of downtown,” said Jesus Olivares, Assistant City Manager. “We want to avoid the gridlock that shuts down traffic and business. Of course, we all need to recognize that there will be much more traffic and so that everyone will have to be a little more patient about trying to get about town,” he concluded.
Additionally, local law enforcement are working together now to put an end to fraudulent businesses regarding nationalization of vehicles going into Mexico.
This unique bi-national project is offered only in Laredo, Texas. The City of Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau works with the Mexican General Consulate each year the set-up of the Paisano Rest Stop; however, there are a multitude of city, state and federal departments and agencies from both sides of the border who come together to provide this service to the traveling paisanos, including the Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Texas Department of Transportation; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Webb County Sheriff’s Office; together with Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, MEX authorities, and other Mexican agencies, as well as the Nuevo Laredo Bridge department; Immigration; Customs; and Banjercito.
This year, the Paisano Rest Stop will be set-up at on IH-35, just off Mile Marker 13 and is set to begin Friday, December 18, at 12 noon and ends at 12 noon on Sunday, December 20, 2009.
