Thirty-minute talk show discusses issues important to McAllen, Rio Grande Valley and how being dealt with at legislative level
Texas Border Business
As mayor of McAllen, Mayor Jim Darling frequently travels to Austin and Washington, D.C., to meet with the region’s federal and state elected officials to give input into issues that affect the area, receive feedback on their efforts to address issues legislatively and to work collectively with their counterparts to be a stronger voice for McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. He also recognizes that while many of these congressmen, senators, and representatives make every effort to stay in touch with their constituents, he also wants to help provide an opportunity for each of them to be accessible to the community.
To that end, he has hosted “Meeting with the Mayor,” (video link below) an approximate 30-minute talk show where he interviews legislative officials on those issues affecting McAllen and the region and their own respective recent efforts to address them. The shows run on the McAllen Cable Network Spectrum Channel 1300, as well as be posted to YouTube and promoted via social media.
In his latest episode, Mayor Darling invited U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, D-28 for a sit-down.
While the congressman no longer has portions of southern McAllen in his district, his district still includes parts of the Rio Grande Valley directly adjacent to the city. Additionally, his familiarity and role with border issues, such as the immigrant response, border wait times and other homeland security efforts often include McAllen in his legislation, which is why Mayor Darling felt this interview was important for the McAllen community.
“I really hope that these opportunities for us to chat about these issues show that local, state and federal leaders are all partners working for the same thing, which is to improve our community, and second, that we truly have the best-elected officials representing us, whether that be in Austin or Washington, D.C.,” said Mayor Darling.
The first of the “Meeting with the Mayor” featured U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez, D-15; Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-32; and Texas House Chairman Terry Canales, D-40.
