Mayoral contenders enter ring with ‘unity’ message

A rocky and dividing political landscape welcomed Mayor Eddie Treviño Jr. in 2003.

Four years later, the outgoing mayor is exiting the city stage on equally shaky ground.

Some of the issues then: Communication among commissioners and cost and deadline overruns over the location for the Sports Park.

Some of the issues now: Unresolved impact fees, up-and-down utility rates and communication among commissioners.

“I, and a long list of other people, have been disappointed in the tact that certain people have used in trying to use an issue which needs to be addressed, but making it a divisive one in trying to color it in terms of poor versus rich and the haves versus the have nots. That has been extremely disappointing,” Treviño said.

“The rank-and-file people and the citizenry I hear from don’t have the venom for this issue that certain groups — on both sides — seem to have created,” he said. “We can solve it, we can address and move forward to benefit the entire city.”

These won’t be the only issues facing city leaders elected today, including the third mayor in eight years.

Voters will choosing from a familiar roster of once and future city leaders including Commissioner Sally Miniel Arroyo, former mayors Henry Gonzalez and Pat M. Ahumada Jr., and former commissioner Ernie Hernandez Jr.

On the eve of today’s election, the candidates made a final push for victory, championing unity and a “work together” approach — once this four-horse race is over.

“My assessment is that we really, really need to come together,” Arroyo said of local government.

“And I mean not just the city, but all the public entities need to come together; the county, school district, university. The community has been telling me that they want to see the city continue progressing, with momentum and movement and they want a change,” she said. “I’m offering that.”

Ahumada has seen the view from the mayor’s chair, which he vacated in 1993. He’d like to see it again.

What’s missing from city government, he said, “is working together.”

“I know that it’s hard, people take things personal. Too many people take sides. I’m hoping to bring everybody together. I’m going to try.”

Ahumada envisions inheriting a city divided, “and I want to go and unite it.”

He and Hernandez, usually on political poles, agree on at least that.

“The most important thing is that we identify the issues that we agree on and then work on the ones that we disagree on,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes it takes different people different ways to achieve the same goals.”

If elected, Hernandez — in his third run for the office — plans to meet privately with commissioners, talk about their philosophies and what is important to them.

“We need to be open-minded about issues, debate and agree to disagree,” he said.

Gonzalez held the mayor’s seat from 1994 to 1999 and has been the quietest among campaigners for the office this year. He was not available for comment at press time Friday.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other offices up for election are the At-Large A and B, District 1 and District 2 seats.