By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published in Texas Border Business newsprint edition February 2019
Ellie Torres is known as the lady that took everyone by surprise. Her campaign delivered a message that voters understood and were in agreement. She was elected last year during an electoral war, that it was difficult to tell who was going to be the winner.
In the end, things became clear, and she arose victoriously. This year, on January 1, 2019, she was among the first elected official to take the oath office during the beginning of the year. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez administered the oath.
Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen, and elected officials. I would like to begin by thanking God; his guiding light has brought many blessings and has surrounded me with beautiful people. Just looking around here today is a testament of his presence amongst us,” she told the crowd that attended to witness the ceremony.
All the Torres’ family was present for such an important and historic event except her son DJ and daughter-in-law. Her son became a father for the first time last night. “My daughter-in-law, Jennifer, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy,” she said happily. Even her eldest daughter Robin was present, she traveled 5,000 miles to celebrate her mom’s significant accomplishment. She thanked DJ because thirty minutes after she announced her candidacy, he put up the very first campaign sign.
“I want to thank my husband, David, he is my strength, my rock, my life companion. I remember you telling me ‘being a public servant takes heart and sacrifice. You serve for the greater good of the community’,” she said.
She pointed out that those words stayed with her and gave her the courage and vitality to continue to serve the people.” She also thanked her youngest daughter Jaimie and son-in-law Rick for all the support.
As she was running for county commissioner, Ellie came to realize that what we do today will have a lasting impact on us all.
She wants to build a better today for a bigger and brighter tomorrow, through hard work. A year ago, she made a promised to block walk the first day of the year. She said, “The first day of the year came, and it was the coldest, rainiest day ever.” For a moment she asked her herself, will her block walker show up? They did.
Ellie said that during that day the high was 45° and the low was 36°. “It felt like 20° to a Valleyite!”
She also announced that her priorities are to focus on maintenance, improvement, and top-quality customer service among all departments, including Parks, Sanitation, Drainage, Community Resource Centers, and Roads and Bridges. “We will implement effective and efficient methods to stretch every taxpayer dollar and maximize resources,” she said
She takes seriously the oath stated at the beginning of the ceremony that states that she solemnly swears to execute the duties of the office faithfully. To preserve, protect, and defend. She told the audience that she takes that to heart. “Today and every day as I take office.”
She recognizes that over the years, Precinct 4 has grown and developed into a thriving community. “I want to extend and expand the services and quality of life to all constituents, working together with the diligent efforts of the Precinct 4 team,” she said.
