Reprint from the Progress Times - March 2, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Mayor, J.B. Townsend Are Inducted Into Walk Of Fame

Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas and J.B. Townsend were among 41 Valley leaders inducted into the Hidalgo BorderFest Walk of Fame at a recognition dinner held Thursday, March 1, at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo.

The new inductees will have bricks containing their names placed in the Walk of Fame in the Dodge Arena.

Each Valley city gets to nominate two persons each year - one in the city category and one in the chamber category. Salinas was the city nominee and Townsend the chamber choice.

Last year's Walk of Fame honorees from Mission were June K. Brann, publisher and editor of the Progress Times before her retirement in 2003, and Ben Cavazos Sr., a successful business leader, who is involved in many civic organizations.

Salinas and Townsend had both received honors at the 2006 Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce banquet. The mayor was named "Mr. Mission" and Jo Beth (J.B) Townsend was honored as "First Lady of Mission."

Salinas has already announced his plans to seek a fourth term as mayor in the upcoming May 12 election. He is being challenged by City Councilman Dr. Armando O'cana.

With his re-election campaign underway, focus has been placed on the continuing economic growth of Mission under the years of Salinas' tenure as mayor.

In his campaign announcement, he pointed to numerous accomplishments in the city, including:

- Tax relief. The rate has been cut several times, falling from 62 cents per $100 valuation in 2002 to the present 55.66 cents.

- The growth of the business sector in Mission, including opening of Target, Home Depot, Walgreens, Denny's, and Chili's with a new H-E-B Plus opening soon.

- Better pay for police and firemen and a 19 percent drop in the city's crime rate.

Under his leadership, new facilities have been built, including fire stations #3 and #4 and a new Public Safety Building.

On the same night as the Walk of Fame program, the mayor also was honored at an appreciation dinner held at the Corinthian in Mission. Keynote speaker for that event was Texas Secretary of State Michael Williams.

Like Salinas, Townsend has an exemplary record as a civic and church leader. A past member and president of the Mission Junior Service League, she headed "Project Abuse" which involved visits to schools to teach children about "bad touches."

The first female Mission Rotary Club president, she also has been chair of the Mission Regional Medical Center Board.

One of her more unique accomplishments was organizing and participating in medical missions to Honduras.

She also is well-known as the "voice" of the Texas Citrus Fiesta, serving as announcer for the annual Coronation and Product Costume Style Show.