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.