Mayor Norma Sepulveda’s win ushers in new generation of leaders
HARLINGEN — In a historic election, Mayor Norma Sepulveda’s stunning victory capped off a drive for change that swept City Hall. During the long campaign leading up to her victory, many residents called for change in the election pitting her against five-term Mayor Chris Boswell — the city’s longest-serving mayor. “I’m a mayor for all of Harlingen,” Sepulveda, an attorney specializing in immigration law, said. We want a government and mayor for the people.”After a year of sweeping change at City Hall, Sepulveda’s stunning victory had crowned the drive which ushered in a new generation of leaders. During his first years as mayor, the city opened its new police station and municipal courthouse complex while developing its sprawling soccer complex.
myrgv.comHarlingen mayor to hold fundraiser in Edinburg
HARLINGEN — Newly-elected Mayor Norma Sepulveda is holding a fundraiser at noon Wednesday at her friend’s Edinburg law firm. On May 26, she held her first fundraiser following the campaign at The 83 Winery in Harlingen. The fundraiser’s set contribution levels at $500, $1,000 and $2,500, according to the event’s invitation, which added checks can be made to the Norma Sepulveda Campaign. “Despite any differences with past mayors, we all agree that Harlingen’s success requires a regional approach,” Sepulveda stated. “My public schedule remains public and transparent, as do my timely financial reports,” Sepulveda stated.
myrgv.comSepulveda victory caps drive for change
After a year of sweeping change at City Hall, they believe newly elected Mayor Norma Sepulveda’s stunning victory is crowning the drive. We have evolved as a city and with that comes new people with a desire — a craving for change.”Sepulveda’s victory caps the new city commission’s drive for change, Commissioner Rene Perez said. “Norma’s election is the culimination of the recent change,” Perez, whom commissioners appointed mayor pro tem Wednesday, said. “Now we have this government inclusive of the people.”Commission push for change led up to Sepulveda victoryThe new commission drove changes that helped lead to Sepuleveda’s victory, Perez said. “Things are fundamentally changing in Harlingen.”The election’s high voter turnout shows residents are calling for change, Perez said.
myrgv.comChange: Harlingen voters appear tired of political bickering
It looks like voters wanted change, and that was Sepulveda’s primary campaign message. Not necessarily change in political ideology, but in the contentious atmosphere that has sullied Harlingen governance in recent years, and arguably slowed the city’s progress. The change Sepulveda promises is in the tone of city governance. Of course, it takes two to fight, and such battles aren’t unique to Boswell or to Harlingen. We hope officials in Harlingen, and all across the Valley, heed Sepulveda’s call for civility and cooperation.
myrgv.comSepulveda takes oath as Harlingen’s first female mayor
Vowing to serve as mayor for “all of Harlingen,” Mayor Norma Sepulveda took the oath of office Wednesday, becoming the first woman to win the city’s highest elected position in a historic election in which she pulled 60 percent of the vote amid one of the biggest turnouts here.
myrgv.comBoswell leaving behind 24-year legacy
HARLINGEN — For 24 years, Mayor Chris Boswell has worked to help transform the city. During his tenure, Boswell helped lay the foundation for the new Harlingen, known for its growing medical complex, which has opened hundreds of higher paying jobs. Years of accomplishmentsDuring his first years as mayor, the city opened its new police station and municipal courthouse complex while developing its sprawling soccer complex. In 2011, the city lured Bass Pro Shops, anchoring the new Harlingen Heights business district, drawing Sam’s Club. Since then, Boswell battled the commission’s new majority through a grueling year that rocked City Hall.
myrgv.comSepulveda sets goals as ‘voice of the people’
Things are changing.”Sepulveda called it a historic victory in a city where voter apathy has marred elections. “When you’re running against a candidate that has been in municipal government for 24 years, it’s no easy feat,” she stated. “But I believe there is a movement all across the country to elect people with real-life experience to public office.”Breaking the glass ceilingIn October, six months before the election, Sepulveda boldly announced her candidacy near the steps of City Hall. “I am so proud to be a Latina today and every day and I’m incredibly honored to be the first Latina mayor of Harlingen. As mayor, Sepulveda vowed to “listen” to the people as she leads the City Commission.
myrgv.comSepulveda efeats Boswell for mayor in historic election
Sepulveda efeats Boswell for mayor in historic electionHARLINGEN —In a historic election drawing heavy voter turnout, attorney Norma Sepulveda pulled 60 percent of the vote to defeat five-term Mayor Chris Boswell, becoming the first woman to win the city’s top elected position. Meanwhile, City Commissioner Richard Uribe and challenger Ford Kinsley are headed for a runoff in the commission’s District 1 race. I’m a mayor for all of Harlingen. “I want to congratulate my opponent Norma Sepulveda in her election as mayor of Harlingen,” he said. PropositionsIn a special election, voters passed three amendments to the City Charter.
myrgv.comCameron County wants an arena; Early voting shows divide among voters
That funding was put before voters in Saturday’s election as Cameron County Proposition A. Shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m., early voting totals were released, showing nearly a 50-50 split, with the proposition failing by 18 votes. In Harlingen, where some of the night’s most contentious elections included the mayoral race, early voting totals showed strong support for challenger Norma Sepulveda (2,621 early votes), who was ahead of incumbent mayor Chris Boswell (1,744 early votes) by a margin of 877 votes. For Commissioner, district 1, in Harlingen: Early voting resulted in 326 votes for Richard Uribe, 313 votes for Ford Kinsley, and 278 votes for J.J. Gonzalez. In Port Isabel, early voting granted a lead in the mayoral race to Martin Cantu Jr. (494 votes) who is opposed by J.J. Zamora (272 votes).
myrgv.comFire simulator to train high school students as firefighters
Here in Harlingen, students of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District’s Firefighters Academy will soon begin training at a fire simulator. Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, Harlingen Fire Chief Rafael Balderas and Superintendent Alicia Noyola attended the event along with city firefighters and students of the Firefighters Academy. Noyola spoke at length about the partnership in which city firefighters have taught cadets at the Firefighters Academy. Balderas said the new training structure will be great for both the school district and the fire department. Along with ladder training.”The structure will be used not only for training new firefighters but also for continuous education of veteran firefighters.
myrgv.comHarlingen voters to settle heavily contested election
HARLINGEN — Voters are going to the polls today to decide a bitterly contested election that could change the city’s leadership while shifting the commission’s balance of power. Across town, politicos are calling the election the city’s most pivotal contest in more than 20 years, sharply dividing voters. “It’s very important for the future of Harlingen,” Dr. Mitchell Hughston said at City Hall before casting his ballot during early voting. The record early voting turnout shows the election’s drawing new voters to the polls. While 886 residents cast early votes in District 1, District 2 turned out 643 votes, county records show.
myrgv.comRiofest set for comeback as Harlingen’s ‘signature event’
The popular festival will be making a comeback Nov. 11-12 at the Harlingen Baseball Park and nearby Lon C. Hill Park. “This is Harlingen’s signature event that has not happened in a little bit of time, actually since 2008,” said Cassandra Consiglio, director of Visit Harlingen. “The event will be a two-day, paid entrance event with a carnival and more exciting things that we’re going to reveal later on. Riofest was just one of a half-dozen major city events announced at a press conference Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn next to the Harlingen Convention Center. It’s because this Harlingen Convention Center serves thousands and thousands of people that have been coming in through our doors since we opened this convention center,” he said.
myrgv.comEarly voting opens with strong turnout
Across much of Cameron County, the election was drawing higher turnout than most match-ups in other cities, Remi Garza, the county’s elections administrator, said Monday. Voters speak outAt four voting places here, residents were casting ballots in the hotly contested election that’s tearing rifts across much of the city. PropositionsAs part of a special election, the ballot includes three proposed amendments to the City Charter expected to boost voter turnout. The charter’s amendment would move May’s elections to the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November beginning in 2024. Early voting runs through May 3.
myrgv.comCity’s biggest election in more than 20 years
HARLINGEN — Six months after some politicos launched their campaigns, early voting opens Monday in the May 7 election, the city’s biggest in more than 20 years, with nine candidates battling for seats on the City Commission and three propositions on the ballot. This year, city commissioners contracted with Cameron County to conduct the election for $47,630, expanding poll hours to help draw more voters. “I think this is going to be a very active election,” Remi Garza, Cameron County’s elections administrator, said. Boswell, an attorney, served on the city commission from 1998 to 2007, when he won the city’s highest elected office. PropositionsAs part of a special election, the ballot includes three proposed amendments to the City Charter expected to boost voter turnout.
myrgv.comGrammy-winning mariachis visit Valley
HARLINGEN – The young musicians exploded with a powerful rendition of “Popurri de Sones”, their energetic mariachi rhythms welcoming the visitors. Those visitors were members of “Mariachi Los Camperos”, a three-time Grammy-awarding winning ensemble that had just arrived at Valley International Airport. The Los Angeles-based Mariachi Los Camperos had arrived for a two-day festival in Brownsville consisting of workshops, competitions and concerts. “Whoever is doing the violins will teach the violin workshop.”Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell welcomed “Mariachi Los Camperos” to the Valley. “I think it’s a fabulous opportunity for these young students of mariachi to be exposed to these great mariachi musicians,” Boswell said.
myrgv.comMayor’s State of City address goes into law book
HARLINGEN — After decades, the mayor’s annual State of the City address is going into the city’s code of ordinances, where the event is moving from noon to after 5:45 p.m. Earlier this week, the city commission’s majority called for the change in the event’s schedule to give more working residents a chance to attend the address featuring the mayor’s annual report on the city. Since 2019, the club has hosted the noon event at the Harlingen Convention Center to raise money for charities. During Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioners Rene Perez and Frank Puente said holding the event after the work day would help draw more residents. I don’t have the ability to take off in the middle of the day to attend the event.
myrgv.comFinancial review finds no ‘criminal activity’
In response to Commissioner Michael Mezmar’s question regarding whether the firm had found any “criminal activity,” Cisneros confirmed the review had found no criminal activity. Uribe claimed the report shows the firm found “inappropriate activity.”“There’s a difference between criminal activity and inappropriate activity,” Uribe told Mezmar. In February, Uribe, Puente and Commissioner Frank Morales voted to hire Safe Track for $80,000 to conduct the financial review. Meanwhile, Frost National Bank offered a rate of 0.0001, TexPool offered 0.147, BBVA Compass offered 0.20, Lone Star National Bank offered 0.3 percent and the U.S. Treasury offered 0.12 percent, he said. During the meeting, Boswell and Mezmar argued Safe Track didn’t have the experience or staff of certified public accountants and attorneys to conduct a financial review.
myrgv.comPerez, Puente move to change mayor’s annual speech
HARLINGEN — The city’s law book may be getting ready to regulate the mayor’s annual State of the City address. Revising traditionFor decades, the Rotary Club of Harlingen, which has sponsored the event, held the address at noon at Casa de Amistad. Now, Perez and Puente are calling on commissioners to push the event to 5:45 or later on a weekday to give more residents a chance to hear the mayor’s annual report. Mulling other changesWhile the proposed amendment would change the time of the event, commissioners have been mulling other revisions. This year, the city spent $14,395 to help put on the event, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said.
myrgv.comPrivate firm to release report on city of Harlingen investments
Firm’s findings hushedAt City Hall, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said the firm had not disclosed its findings. On Monday morning, City Commissioner Frank Puente, who agreed to hire the firm, said the company had not disclosed its findings to him. “It depends on what’s in the report and if the report sticks to the subject matter or goes beyond it,” he said. Meanwhile, Frost National Bank offered a rate of 0.0001, TexPool offered 0.147, BBVA Compass offered 0.20, Lone Star National Bank offered 0.3 percent and the U.S. Treasury offered 0.12 percent, he said. Amid discussions, Morales said he wanted to review any connection between the city and Texas Regional Bank, which employs two airport board members.
myrgv.comOfficials want mayor’s State of City speech after work hours
HARLINGEN —The annual State of the City address might be changing. This year, the city spent $14,395 to help put on the event, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said. On Monday, Boswell denied he’s used the State of the City address to promote his record as mayor. Noting the election’s a month away, he said he believed politics was behind the commissioners’ call to regulate the city’s annual event. “It’s also an opportunity to distribute the city’s annual report that the city management produces.”Like the president of the United State’s annual State of the Union Address, many cities hold State of the City events.
myrgv.comGov. Abbott visits Harlingen
HARLINGEN – Gov. Greg Abbott was in town Wednesday night to support military and local law enforcement. Abbott was an invited guest to the Gen. H.M. Smith Commemorative Ceremony at the Harlingen Convention Center, a sit-down dinner coordinated by the Marine Military Academy. Harlingen city commissioners, members of the health care community and other local dignitaries were in attendance. “It’s always great to have the governor here in the City of Harlingen,” Boswell said.
myrgv.comMayor Chris Boswell: Harlingen’s finances stand strong
Fitch “reports that Harlingen has solid revenue growth prospect, superior financial resilience,exceptionally strong gap-closing capacity and moderate fixed costs. Fitch predicts Harlingen will continue to have strong reserve levels with a strong operating performance.”Sales tax climbingA strong retail sales tax revenue stream is helping to fuel the economy, he said. “Another strong indicator of Harlingen’s rapid growth is our retail sales tax revenues,” he said. “That growth means that the economy in our city is strong,” he said. “There are approximately 1,232 health care facilities in Harlingen employing over 12,038 employees.
myrgv.comPuente: Firm to review Harlingen’s investments, CDs moved into Texas Regional Bank
While Puente and Commissioners Richard Uribe and Frank Morales voted to hire the firm, Commissioners Michael Mezmar and Rene Perez voted against the proposal. During the meeting, Mezmar and Mayor Chris Boswell stood behind Finance Director Robert Rodriguez, who said his investments complied with the city’s investment policy along with state and federal laws. While Texas Regional Bank offered its rate of 0.46, Frost National Bank offered 0.0001, TexPool offered 0.147, BBVA offered 0.20, Lone Star National Bank offered 0.3 percent and the U.S. Treasury offered 0.12 percent. Amid discussions, Morales said he wanted to review any connection between the city and Texas Regional Bank employees who sit on city boards. Meanwhile, Mezmar questioned whether the review was aimed at investigating a “political connection” between the city and Texas Regional Bank, which employs two airport board members.
myrgv.comPrivate firm to review Harlingen city policy
HARLINGEN — A private investigations firm is being hired to conduct a “compliance review” of the city’s investment policy and its investments. After two weeks of debate, city commissioners last week voted 3-2 to hire Safe Track, a McAllen firm, for $80,000 to determine whether the city’s investment policy and its investments comply with state law. We couldn’t possibly be able to get every single bank.”“There’s not a minimum or a maximum in the investment policy. After the presentation, Boswell questioned the company’s experience in conducting investment policy compliance reviews. “I agree this needs to be done,” he said, referring to the compliance review.
myrgv.comHarlingen set to call May election; mayor, District 1, 2 seats on ballot
HARLINGEN — City commissioners are set to call what’s shaping up as a hotly contested match — the first under newly drawn district voting lines. On Wednesday, commissioners are expected to order the election in which the mayor’s seat and the commission’s District 1 and 2 positions are up for grabs. District 1 raceThe election marks the city’s first under new single-member district boundary lines which the commission’s new majority redrew based on districts’ demographics such as income level. In the race for the commission’s District 1 seat, Commissioner Richard Uribe, a restaurant owner who serves as the city’s mayor pro tem, is expected to file for a third term in office. In November, commissioners argued November elections would draw more voters to the polls when they would run alongside national and state elections.
myrgv.comBoswell asks commission to scrap map
HARLINGEN — The city’s new voting district boundaries might be going into the law books. On Wednesday, commissioners are planning on putting the new district boundaries into the city’s book of ordinances. Boswell requests commissioners rescind mapBefore commissioners consider voting on the ordinance, Boswell plans to request they reconsider adopting the new district lines. Commissioners plan to set boundaries into booksMeanwhile, Puente said commissioners plan to go ahead with setting the new boundaries into the ordinance book. Meanwhile, critics accused Perez, Puente and Uribe of redrawing the districts’ boundaries to give them political advantages.
myrgv.comChiefs take playoff experience into Sunday night vs Steelers
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, Tyreek Hill was a wide-eyed rookie wide receiver, Chris Jones was learning the ropes at defensive tackle and Travis Kelce was just becoming one of the NFL's best tight ends.
Harlingen city leaders question new district map’s effect
HARLINGEN — City leaders are questioning whether the redrawing of Harlingen’s five single-member districts’ lines could change the balance of power on the City Commission. However, Mayor Chris Boswell downplayed the role the new district boundaries will play on the commission’s makeup. “There’s a notion that all the people moved from District 3 to District 2 are affluent, upscale voters,” he said. Since a previous commission drew up the city’s original single-member district map in 2008, District 2’s upscale area spawned candidates who dominated some elections, Puente said. In his proposal, Rios described each district’s “ideal” population as totaling 14,366 based on the new Census that set the city’s population at 71,829.
myrgv.comSplit Harlingen city commission draws new district map
Earlier this week, Commissioners Richard Uribe, Frank Puente and Rene Perez voted to redraw the district map while shifting much of District 2’s upscale bloc into District 3, which includes the Treasure Hills area. On Thursday, Puente said shifting the affluent bloc out of District 2’s working-class area makes District 3’s demographics more uniform. “It’s more fair representation,” he said, referring to the new district map during an interview. Original map proposalThe law calls on commissioners to realign boundaries to try to balance the five districts’ population numbers. During the last 10 years, growth also swept across District 3, which numbered 14,757 residents, and District 1, with 14,135 residents.
myrgv.comNew residents fuel Harlingen’s housing market
Fast trackDuring the last decade, Harlingen’s growth soared by nearly 11 percent, with the city’s total population climbing from 65,074 to 71,829. “The population growth is contributing to the need for additional housing.”The area’s growth is driving a record housing market. Record housing marketFrom 2019 to 2020, housing starts jumped from 198 to 262, with their total construction value climbing from $24.9 million to $34.4 million, the city’s construction reports show. Then from October 2020 through September, developers broke ground on 256 new homes with a total construction value of $38.8 million. I’ve been in the business for 30 years and that’s the first time I’ve seen it in our market.
myrgv.comHarlingen set to redraw district lines as census shows west side population boom
HARLINGEN — The City Commission’s district boundaries are up for their biggest shift since they were mapped out more than 13 years ago. On Wednesday, commissioners are set to consider redrawing the city’s district boundary lines based on new Census figures boosting the city’s population from 65,074 to 71,829 from 2010 to 2020. “I think it’s more significant,” Mayor Chris Boswell said Tuesday, referring to the biggest population shifts since voters adopted single member district representation in 2008. “Roughly, they have to have the same population,” Boswell said. Growth also swept across District 3, with 14,757 residents, and District 1, with 14,135 residents.
myrgv.comThe Latest: Steelers place Haden, Ebron, Marsh on COVID list
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Shell had a close contact with someone who tested positive but that Shell had tested negative. Carroll said on Friday the team was still trying to determine if Shell would need to go on the COVID list. ___A second Cleveland Browns coach has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's big game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea previously tested positive and will be replaced by team chief of staff Callie Brownson. Goodson and Malcolm Smith, safety Andrew Sendejo and tight end Harrison Bryant will miss the Steelers game after testing positive.
Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)Dwayne Haskins gets his second consecutive start for Washington with quarterback Alex Smith out again because of a right calf injury. Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackon is active against Dallas after missing two months with an ankle injury. Harrison being inactive against the Rams comes as the Seahawks welcome defensive tackle Bryan Mone back from injured reserve following a lengthy stint because of an ankle injury. The Rams were without rookie running back Cam Akers, who had already been ruled out with an ankle injury. Washington: QB Alex Smith, RB Lamar Miller, WR Terry McLaurin, OT David Steinmetz, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB Thomas Davis.
Surprise! Washington ends Pittsburgh's perfect season 23-17
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) celebrates with JuJu Smith-Schuster after scoring on a 50-yard pass play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers spent three months shaking off whatever 2020 threw at them. pointing out time and again the only thing perfect about them was their record. Washington won the Super Bowl that season. The Bills beat the Steelers — minus Roethlisberger — 17-10 at Heinz Field last December to lock up a playoff berth.
Steelers overcome rust, short-handed Ravens to move to 11-0
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell (24) runs away from Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker L.J. So while the Steelers stayed perfect with a disjointed 19-14 win over the undermanned Ravens in the first NFL game on a Wednesday in eight years, their play was anything but. “To be bluntly honest, I’m really disappointed in our performance tonight,” he said after Pittsburgh improved to 11-0. But the Steelers were able to drain the clock behind a third-down grab by James Washington, eliminating the Ravens from repeating as AFC North champions. “The way the game went, obviously we wanted to win,” Griffin said.
Injured Big Ben rallies unbeaten Steelers past Cowboys 24-19
The limp was gone as the 38-year-old engineered a fourth-quarter comeback that kept Pittsburgh as the NFL's only unbeaten team. Those are the four games Dallas has been without star Dak Prescott, out for the season with a broken ankle. Roethlisberger's first touchdown came after he injured his left knee after a throw on a hit from defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. “Someone hit me right on the side of the knee, kind of bent my knee a little bit,” Roethlisberger said. “Just had some discomfort.”Gilbert's first touchdown pass was a 20-yarder to Lamb for a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.
Defense, Snell, Big Ben carry Pittsburgh over Giants 26-16
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) comes down with a touchdown pass against New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Defense, Snell, Big Ben carry Pittsburgh over Giants 26-16
Roethlisberger, who missed the final 14 games last season after elbow surgery, threw for three scores in a 26-16 win over the New York Giants at an empty and eerie MetLife Stadium on Monday night. The defense, while not quite on the level of the famed Steel Curtain, was plenty stingy and physical. It not only held Saquon Barkley to 6 yards on 15 carries, it also swarmed him in the backfield nearly all night. Even though the Pittsburgh defense broke down as the Giants marched 87 yards on 19 plays in just under nine minutes in the third quarter, it still came up with a major stop. Roethlisberger then took Pittsburgh 62 yards for the field goal and a 19-10 lead.