By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
The City of McAllen hosted the State of the City on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 11:30 am at the McAllen Convention Center. Mayor Jim Darling and the Commissioners highlighted the city’s accomplishments and goals for the City for 2014.
The McAllen State of the City address was quite different and in a way quite spectacular. Mayor Jim Darling made his entrance on his bicycle riding around McAllen from his house to the McAllen Convention Center.
He pointed out that on the tables, there was a copy of the annual report. “This brochure highlights the 2013 annual report that is now online to download at the City of McAllen’s website – www.mcallen.net. “There is a QR code for you to use with your phone, but please do it later, not now,” he said.
Mayor Darling said that in order to put the annual report into action he invited everyone on a bike tour of McAllen and featured the City’s best of 2013 along with some special guests.
“I‘ve been fortunate to have been with the city for 36 years; this February 8th is my anniversary with the city. I’ve had the opportunity to work with people of great vision. Let me share with you some of the great visionary moments in McAllen’s history.”
Let’s begin with economic development. Years ago a small group of businessmen had a vision of McAllen as an industrial center. They changed the agriculture fields in south McAllen… And with resources and money, together they built the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). This vision created one of the most successful trade zones in the country. This vision then grew into the McAllen Economic Development Corp. (EDC) with all the rewards that were reaped on the other side of the river.
Affordable Housing:
In the early 70’s, another group of civic-minded people had a vision of providing the American dream for our citizens who wouldn’t otherwise be able to realize this dream. The vision started modestly from the removal of pit privies of many houses in McAllen…To the creation of the McAllen Affordable Housing Corporation, which has built over 1,800 homes for our low-income citizens; and is among the most successful low-income housing programs in the country.
Healthcare:
We’re very proud of the McAllen General Hospital first established in 1927. But the vision was world-class health care here at home. That vision resulted in establishing regional health centers to provide this kind of service; and now we are on the verge of a new vision with the establishment of our new medical school. Imagine some child in McAllen, in kindergarten, is going to grade school, high school, college, medical school and residency, without ever leaving home. What a great future!
Education:
Years ago, many community leaders realized the importance of a post-secondary education to help create better paying local jobs. This vision grew from a TSTC budget line item and a few EDA buildings, into the South Texas College we know today with an enrollment of over 31,000 students.
“Let me introduce my vision for McAllen.”
PROSPEROUS:
McAllen is filled with creative and innovative individuals, industries and organizations thriving with everyone educated, working and producing.
FUNCTIONING:
McAllen is a mobile city connected everywhere, supported by an efficient and well-managed infrastructure that protects and maintains our environmental resources.
ENGAGED:
Our citizens and institutions are fully engaged as a community and a region (many volunteering, voting and leading), working together in a spirit of honesty and cooperation.
PRIDE:
And Pride. McAllen neighborhoods that foster local ownership and pride with neighbors taking responsibility and helping each other improve their community. But simply put, my vision is, Houston by Day, Las Vegas by Night, and Disney on the Weekends.
Jim’s Strategies to Get There:
“How do we get there? When I was thinking about how to communicate my strategies to our staff and the community, I came up with my 6 B’s. A simple set of words to visualize my strategy to accomplish our vision.
Beg:
We will be more effective asking for money and resources from the state and federal legislature and agencies.
Borrow:
We will borrow when needed for city improvements and infrastructure instead of “pay as you go” which can cause unnecessary delays and economic challenges.
Boast:
We will share our success to everyone because success breeds success. We need to give our citizens an avenue to be proud of our city and newcomers a reason to come here. Across McAllen, there’s a story to tell.
Build:
We will support and provide our innovators, developers and entrepreneurs with our resources and cooperation to build a competitive environment for our city to grow and prosper.
Bigger:
We will work together as a region to create more opportunities for our citizens and businesses to have more success and a better quality of life.
Better:
We will examine, leverage and implement from the successes of the past so that we can improve for a better McAllen future.”
“Moving Forward in 2014”
“Of course, we can’t do all of this by ourselves. We need strong partners and alliances to help us get there. Let me introduce you to what’s in store in 2014 and beyond, with the help of some very special friends.
MEDC:
MEDC has had many successes and accomplishments over the last 26 years, and now they have a new vision for the next several years. Joining me is MEDC Board President, Ricky Longoria.
Longoria said “the world”. Opening our doors to major domestic and foreign corporations from places like Mexico, Korea, and Japan, helps position McAllen to become a global industrial leader.
BIG 4:
Jim Darling Norberto “Beto” Salinas Richard Garcia Polo Palacios
Mayor of McAllen Mayor of Mission Mayor of Edinburg Mayor of Pharr
The potential for our city is great, but for our region it’s even greater. Working together we can achieve more with cooperation instead of competing with each other. Joining me are our neighboring partners that make up the BIG 4: the mayors of Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr, Richard Garcia, Beto Salinas, and Polo Palacios, (respectively).
With our four populations combined, we’re a metropolitan of over 450,000 people, and with a population like this we can pursue opportunities together that would not be achievable independently.
PUB: (Public Utilities Board)
Many people don’t know this, but we have the only elected utility board in the state. Maybe this is why we’re the best when it comes to delivering low cost, dependable water and waster water services.
The innovation happening at the PUB ensures that we’ll have sufficient water and wastewater infrastructure and supply for a secure future.
ROADS:
We had an important bond election last November that won by an overwhelming majority for our street and intersection improvements.
I believe that our citizens will appreciate how these road improvements will create better mobility and flow around McAllen.
STC:
One of McAllen’s major success stories and an institution that has had one of the biggest impacts on our city is South Texas College. In part this is because of the great leadership at the college.
With the enhancement of the three STC facilities in McAllen, the training and education opportunities for our citizens will be better than ever.
UTPA:
UTPA has a presence in McAllen and it’s about to get a lot bigger.
It’s an exciting time for our city and our region, and we’re looking forward to working with you and our own ‘Made in McAllen’ board regent, Ernie Aliseda.
Quinta Mazatlan:
My favorite birder, besides Big Bird, is a driving force behind a new vision for one of our environmental treasures, Quinta Mazatlan.
Quinta Mazatlan’s plan for a cultural landscape is part of our green strategy being developed by the Parks and Recreation department so that we all enjoy a variety of green spaces and parks in McAllen.
Baseball parks:
Another success of the recent bond election is the funding of our new baseball and softball parks.
I can’t wait to throw out the first pitch, and then see the fun and excitement on the faces of boys and girls, not only from McAllen, but from around the state.
Performing Arts Center:
McAllen is blessed with many talented people. And two of the most talented Melba Huber and Deborah Case, who have impacted thousands of young people by passing along their love for dance and performance.
We’re excited too about the opening of the new Performing Arts Center in early 2016; and we look forward to many evenings of world-class entertainment at an incredible venue.”
MCALLEN INCUBATOR VIDEO INTRO
“2014 and beyond looks very promising. Oh, and one more thing… I continue to be amazed at the talent that’s Made in McAllen.”
Mayor Darling came back on stage wearing his “Made in McAllen” T-shirt and asked the attendees, “Do you like my t-shirt? You can have one when you exit the middle doors with a size that should fit you. It’s my gift for you to share with everyone that we’re always celebrating everything Made in McAllen.”
At that time, Mayor Darling invited all the city commissioners and PUB board members to join him. And said, “Thank you so much for being here today. Hope you enjoyed our program.”
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