Texas Border Business
Sent by: Chris Ardis
My entire life has been centered on taking care of my family, serving our community, my faith, and my clients. As your mayor for eight years, I was able to put my education, experience, work ethic, and family values to work for you to make a better McAllen for us all.
I have decided to seek election to the District One Commissioner’s seat vacated by the tragic loss of my friend and colleague Scott Crane.
The McAllen City Commissioners, under the leadership of Mayor Jim Darling,
work in key careers, giving each an important perspective on city issues involving the law and our courts, education, construction, and marketing. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I will bring my years of experience in financial accountability and fiscal responsibility to the team.
As many McAllen residents know, I lost my wife of 47 years on December 31, 2014. Deciding not to run for re-election after two terms as mayor of McAllen allowed me to spend a great deal of time with Elva over the past two years and to stay right by her side throughout her illness. Some have asked why I would choose to run so soon after her passing. Now that my beloved wife is no longer with me, I am able – and would be honored – to devote the time needed to serve McAllen citizens. I love this city and know my job experience, along with my vast experience serving our city (as Mayor, as a McAllen Public Utilities Board Member and former vice chairman, and on McAllen’s three-member Audit and Investment Committee), make me the most qualified candidate for McAllen City Commissioner District One.
Because of my years of service to the City of McAllen, I will have no learning curve.
I can hit the ground running on important city issues and projects, such as the McAllen Performing Arts Auditorium, border security, UT-RGV, parks, roads, city/school/county bond issues, city-school partnerships, and many others.
I live in District One, as do two of my children and their spouses and seven of my grandchildren. Our district will be impacted by the tremendous growth expected to occur in Northeast McAllen. Careful management of our city resources will be critical to our district, and to our city.
Voters in District One played a significant role in electing me both terms I served as mayor. I respectfully ask for your vote for me, Richard Cortez, for McAllen City Commissioner District One and thank you for the trust you have placed in me over the years. I look forward to serving on the McAllen City Commission team under Mayor Jim Darling.
