Reprint from the Progress Times - March 9, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Large Crowd Turns Out For Dinner Honoring Mayor

They came to praise Beto Salinas.

And that's just what they did as speaker after speaker spoke in glowing terms of the mayor's leadership and the growth that Mission has enjoyed during his three terms in office.

The occasion was an appreciation dinner in Salinas' honor Thursday, March 1, at Corinthian. Present was an enthusiastic crowd of about 500, according to Ruben Plata, chairman of the committee which organized the event.

Plata termed the appreciation dinner as very successful, adding, "The Mission community knows how to honor those who are deserving."

The lineup of those offering comments on the mayor was impressive - Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, who gave the keynote address; State Representatives Kino Flores and Veronica Gonzalez; Dennis Burleson, Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority chair; Joe Roseland, president of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, and perhaps, the most entertaining of all, the mayor's wife, Yvonne.

In addition, both Texas Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Senator John Cornyn sent video tapes congratulating Salinas.

Perry, noting the mayor is a certified workaholic, said he is an important partner in building a better Texas.

Cornyn called Salinas a good friend and a "wonderful representative of the people of Mission," adding he's forthwright and direct.

Flores praised the mayor for his willingness to take stands "because it's the right thing to do." He crossed the line a bit on keeping the dinner non-political when he expressed full support for his re-election.

The keynote speaker observed, "He doing a fantastic job for the state and the district. It's a great night for the state and Mission."

Williams said Salinas builds bridges - "figuratively and literally." This was a reference to the new international bridge which is on the drawing board linking Mission to Reynosa, Mexico.

He added Mission has "a great future ahead," with new opportunities on both sides of the river.

In his response, Salinas, who spoke from no notes, cited lower taxes, pay raises for city employees, and addition of numerous new facilities during his tenure.

"We have the best police department in the Valley and the best chief," he said.

The mayor noted that he was born and raised in Sullivan City and had served as Precinct 3 Hidalgo County commissioner before becoming mayor.

"I am busy every day, but it's going to get busier," he said, adding that ground likely will be broken for the new international bridge in May .

Salinas' wife, Yvonne, was the final speaker of the evening. She drew the loudest laughs of the night when she noted the mayor had never believed in gifts for birthdays or other occasions and she had once purchased a ring on his credit card without telling him.

She said when he later learned about the purchase, he confronted her and she asked if he really wanted her to return it. His reply? "Let your conscience be your guide." She kept the ring.

Mrs. Salinas noted they have four children one of them a daughter from her first marriage. "He loves and admires my daughter like his own and that's a special gift," she said.

She said when her husband gets up each morning, he wants to do good deeds and help people. "He lives and breathes the City of Mission," she added. "I've learned beautiful things from him."

Sponsors for the appreciation dinner were Hidalgo County Commissioner Joe Flores, L&G Engineering and Melden and Hunt, Inc.

The committee chaired by Plata had 17 other members.