Reprint from the Progress Times - June 1, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

La Joya School Board Election Contested

By Kathy Olivarez

La Joya Independent School Board Trustee candidates Elma Garza, incumbent, and former trustee Domingo Villarreal, who ran again for the board, have contested the results of the May 12 election. While little is being said publicly about what is happening, rumors in the community say that the election is being contested because of voter claims of being pressured to vote a certain way.

Attorney Ramon Garcia said the depositions are currently being taken on the case in District Court 275 and were expected to last all week. A summary judgement, a partial judgement and a motion to strike were filed after allegations arose.

Persons being called to give testimony included Sofia Villarreal, who was an early voting judge for the district. Also called was Aida Rivas, early voting clerk at Bentsen Elementary in Palmview.

Irene Garcia was identified as a politiquera who actively supported the candidates of Arturo Gonzalez and Esperanza Ochoa.

Aleida Saldana, Gloria Amador and Linda Tijerina worked as election clerks at Bentsen Elementary and E.B. Reyna Elementary.

Maxiliano Montelongo was identified as a politiquero for Arturo Gonzalez and Esperanza Ochoa.

Isaac V. Sulemana was identified as a poll watcher for Arturo Gonzalez and Esperanza Ochoa.

Ana Farias worked as an election judge.

Amalia Duque was an employee of the La Joya Independent School District who worked at E.B. Reyna on election day.

Ricardo Ochoa and Arturo Gonzalez were identified as the campaign treasurers for Arturo Gonzalez and Esperanza Ochoa.

The executive director of the radio station FM 89.1 was also called to bring copies of all invoices and ad copies placed by the Arturo Gonzalez and Esperanza Ochoa campaigns.

Others called to testify included Arturo Gonzalez and Rita Uresti.

Under the open meeting act the Progress Times officially requested the May 12 election results from La Joya ISD but they were not delivered. The unofficial results printed in the Monitor are as follows: Esperanza Ochoa received 2,651 voted for place five to incumbent Elma Garza who received 2,258, a difference of 393 votes. Domingo Villarreal received 2,286 votes for place four while Arturo Gonzalez Jr. received 2,597 votes, a difference of 311 votes.