Recognitions at City Council Meeting
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Apr 21, 2010, 2 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas made several proclamations this week during the City Council meeting, promoting various issues important to the citizens of Laredo. During the City Council meeting, several local organizations were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments.
He kicked off the afternoon with a proclamation for Voz de Ninos Week, stating that the citizens of Laredo, Texas stand firmly committed to advocating for the abused and neglected children in Webb County, the bests interests of all children, and the importance of permanency in the lives of foster children, and the impact volunteer advocacy has on the lives of the children and families in crisis. Joining Mayor Salinas are from Voz de Ninos: Cindy Ramos, a Master Social Work intern; Fred Santos, Board Member; Tina Trevino; Denise Longoria, Board Member; Edgar Ricalde, Executive Director; and San Juanita De Luna, Master Social Work intern.
Mayor Salinas also recognized the countless volunteers whose contributions to the City of Laredo are invaluable; celebrating National Volunteer Week. “Throughout history, there have been individuals willing to voluntarily give of the their time, effort and resources to help their community,” says Mayor Salinas. “It is the City of Laredo’s pleasure to honor them.”
The City of Laredo Nonprofit Management and Volunteer Center encourages and provides opportunities for citizen participation in city government operations, as well as assisting local nonprofit organizations, while improving the quality of life in Laredo.
In 2010, the City of Laredo Nonprofit Management and Volunteer Center recruited and placed 349 volunteers who worked over 32,640 man hours of service for the citizens of the city; and the value of the work performed by these volunteers represents a savings to the city and the community of $218,363 in hourly wages. This past Saturday, the Volunteer of the Year, Star Volunteer and other volunteers were recognized at their annual banquet.
Joining Mayor Salinas at the proclamation are Ronnie Acosta, Director, City of Laredo Community Development; Diana Fullerton, coordinator for the City’s Non-Profit and Volunteer Management Center; Eloisa Vedia and Irma Gonzalez, both Children’s Technician, Laredo Public Library and countless volunteers with the Laredo Public Library.
Reminding traveling motorists that they should pay special attention to the “signs of change,” alerting them to work taking place on state roadways this week during National Work Zone Awareness Week; Texas Department of Transportation officials and Lupita Zepeda of AT&T joined Mayor Salinas to state that TXDoT maintains more than 80,000 miles of highway with more than 1,000 construction or maintenance projects underway at any given time, therefore making it all too common for motorists to encounter work zones; and each year in Texas, there are approximately 20,000 crashes and 175 people are killed annually in highway construction and maintenance zones. Since 1938, there have been 268 TxDOT employees killed in work zones. Pictured here with Salinas are, from TXDoT: Raul Leal, Public Information Officer; Jorge Rodriguez, District Traffic Section; Zepeda (AT&T) and John Charles, District Safety Officer.
Salinas also held a mini press conference with the students of the Sister Cities Youth Committee and Donna Magnon, of the City Secretary’s Office who coordinates the group, promoting the upcoming 2nd Annual Fernando Salinas Sister Cities Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010, to be held at the Casa Blanca Golf Course. To participate as a golfer or a sponsor, please call the City Secretary’s Office at 791-7313.
Representatives from Border Media Partners (BMP Radio) were recognized for their 13th Annual St. Jude Radio-A-Thon, which raised $281,000 in two days for the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The group highlighted the continued support of City Council and a celebrity donation by George Lopez who gave $5,000.
The outstanding students from Harmony Science Academy were also recognized. First, the HSA Elementary Boys Basketball Team was congratulated for their 2009-2010 undefeated season, and also, the HSA Middle School Robotics Team for their selection as South Texas Champions.
Finally, the Green Committee of the Lyndon B. Johnson High School National Honor Society gave a presentation on their Earth Day project.
John Galo will run again and this time he will win!
mayor bolitas loves the camera but he won’t get my vote