Leadership Edinburg To Host Photo Contest

The Leadership Edinburg Class and The Edinburg Chamber will be holding a photo contest. The name of the contest is "Reflections of Edinburg". The contest is open to amateur adults as well as youths. The awards and prizes are money and an opportunity for the winning photographs to appear in an annual publication called "Reflections of Edinburg Magazine". The categories are culture, people, places, and nature. The key to the contest is that all photos must be taken within the city limits. I think its a good idea! You don't have to have the expensive photo equipment to take a photo of your favorite Edinburg spot, any digital camera will work. Start coming up with ideas! For more information call Letty at the Chamber 383-4974 or Myra at City Hall 383-5661. Registration deadline is December 15th. Good Luck!

A Gentle Giant Has Left Us!

Got word Saturday that my friend Arnold Vera has gone to be with our Lord. Arnold was one of my greatest supporters. He was a friend, supporter, and my city advisor when I had questions about drainage, streets, and politics. He had been fighting leukemia in Houston for sometime. Arnold always had time for anybody that needed help. After one of those hard rain storms Arnold was always the first person out on the streets checking on our city ready to help. I remember calling him whenever I had received a concern from a citizen. His response was a always happy "I will make sure it gets done today". Arnold was a caring man, he loved his family, Edinburg, and his friends. It's amazing, as I type I can see his face and smile clearly. God bless his family and all the people he touched with his heart and wisdom.

I Can See A New Sunrise Soon!

EWBC "Into The Wetlands"

Went by to support our Edinburg World Birding Center fundraiser. This was my sons first time he has given back to his community. He donated several photos from his portfolio to the silent auction. To our surprise the photos and my son drew a lot of attention. The supporters in attendance could not believe a 12 year old boy had taken them. I must say my son was really humbled with the attention. The author of Hummingbirds of Texas Mr. Mark Klymn asked my son to autograph the photo he won in the auction. That photo is the one on top of this posting. Congratulations go out to the staff at the birding center for doing an outstanding job on an event that is sure to be a yearly event. For those of you that have not made it out to the center, right now is a great time! The first and third picture were taken at the EWBC, and the second photo was taken at Ebony Golf Course.

Councilman Fred Longoria Passes Away

I received word this morning that my friend Fred Longoria has gone to be with the Lord. I just asked his daughter about him last week. Strange how things happen. I met Fred when I first started serving on city boards and committees in 1985. Fred severed on the city commission with my Uncle now Judge Charlie Espinoza. In 2002 I ran against him, not because he was doing a bad job but because I had some ideas I wanted to put into play. This is a perfect example of politics is politics and friends are friends. After that election Fred continued to be a supporter of mine. I always remember when Fred had his place of business on the south side of the square. The black and white photo in the newspaper with his pants rolled up standing in knee high water will be remembered as the campaign photo of that race. Fred was a good man, he would always say remember how and who made this city. Referring to the leaders before him. I know that I didn't get to see him very often these past years, but I made it a point to ask his family for his well being. In my 2008 election I ran into him coming out of the polls. He looked at looked at me and said, Geno, I came to vote for you. To the Longoria family, God Bless You, and I will pray for your peace. Remember God will never give us anything we can't handle.

Congrats To Returning Council

The filing deadline has come and gone. It looks like Councilman Gus Garcia,and Councilman Noe Garza will be returning with no opposition. Former Mayor Richard Garcia will be back as the top elected official of Edinburg. I believe after May you will have an entire council that has the whole city at heart and mind.

Edinburg Casa Cultura

The non-profit and by-laws are finalized and getting processed for this great venue. The Casa Cultura committee has been meeting to prepare for the next stage of this arts center. Anybody wanting to be part of this happening should call Letty at 383-6246 at our Edinburg Sekula Library. I think this is going to be a great anchor for what is soon to be a make over of the area around the square. I will reveal more of my ideas for the square in a later post.