Palmview city commission restructures
EDITOR’S NOTE: The article was originally published with the incorrect date for the start of early voting. Early voting begins Monday, Nov. 23. We apologize for this error.
A new face appeared in the Palmview City Commission Tuesday following the results of the November 2020 general election after Mayor Pro-Tem Linda Sarabia lost her Place 3 seat to a newcomer.
Alexandra Flores, a counselor for the La Joya school district, beat Sarabia after receiving nearly 52% of the vote during the election.
Sarabia was recognized for her achievements on the city commission and thanked her council members for their work.
“It’s been a great, humbling experience and I’m appreciative of the growth we’ve seen in the city,” Sarabia said. “These last few days have been an outpouring of love and encouragement that confirmed this path I’m on is the right one. I am ready to continue to serve the city, I pass on the baton to my successor and am here to help you in any way I can.”
Flores ran against Sarabia in the “A New Palmview” slate where she and three other LJISD employees, Adrian Canales, Guadalupe Alonzo “Wally” Barrera Jr. and Velia “Vel” Gonzalez, challenged incumbents Javier Ramirez, Sarabia, Joel Garcia and a spot vacated by sitting councilman Anthony Uresti.
Flores was the only person in her slate that won her race. The election for Place 4, which Gonzalez is part of, will be going into a runoff election next month after neither candidate received the majority 51% of the votes.
“The campaign was a great learning experience that I wouldn’t change for anything,” Flores said. “I am a public servant at heart and hope to continue whatever growth Palmview has coming.”
Jose Luis Perez was elected to replace Sarabia as the Mayor Pro-Tem.
“I thank the council members I will be working with to continue the growth in the beautiful city,” Perez said. “We have opportunities and plans coming for the city and residents. I’m looking forward to being part of the team in this capacity.”
Council member Ramirez lamented Sarabia’s loss at the election after being sworn in.
“I just wish things had been different, but it is what it is,” Ramirez said. “We’re ready to serve and I’m anxious and excited to get started. I love serving my community, that is my passion and I want to thank the voters for their support. I’m ready to work.”
Place 5 Commissioner Garcia promised to continue serving the voters.
“Even the ones who didn’t vote for me, “Garcia said. “A lot of my colleagues have done good things for the city and we’re not done yet. We will finish our projects and start new ones and not let you down as we continue this progress.”
The runoff for the Place 4 special election is set for Tuesday, Dec. 8 with early voting starting Monday, Nov. 23.
