Sullivan City holds swearing-in ceremony for two new councilmen

Members of the new Sullivan City Council posed for a photo on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Sullivan City Hall. From left to right: Councilman Ramon Moreno, Councilman Ruben Villalon, Mayor Alma Salinas, Councilman Nick Cerda and Councilman Rene “Cuate” Peña. (Photo by Dave Hendricks / The Progress Times.)

Sullivan City held a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday for two new councilmen.

Nicolas “Nick” Cerda Jr., 35, a teacher at Juarez-Lincoln High School, and Ruben Villalon, 50, a local businessman, joined the City Council on Tuesday.

“I was told once: ‘If you’re in a position to make a change, take the change,’” Cerda said. “So that’s what I’m doing now.”

Cerda replaced Julian Peña, who clashed with other elected officials and was removed from his position after missing three City Council meetings.

“I’ve always loved to serve. Unconditionally,” Cerda said. “My biggest reward is to serve without knowing who I’m serving for. Just serve. That’s it.”

Cerda graduated from La Joya High School in 2007 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

“When I got out of the service I went to school,” Cerda said. “I got my welder’s certification.”

Cerda, however, struggled to find a welding job, so he accepted a position with the La Joya Independent School District.

He started as a security guard and later became a police officer. After visiting a friend’s classroom, Cerda discovered that he enjoyed teaching more than law enforcement.

“To me, that was more fulfilling than just being a cop. I wanted to serve,” Cerda said. “Being a cop, you see a lot of bad stuff. So I wanted to do change — positive change.”

Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios administers the oath of office to Sullivan City Councilman Nick Cerda on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Sullivan City Hall. (Photo by Dave Hendricks / The Progress Times.)

Villalon replaced City Councilman Jaime Villarreal, who couldn’t run for re-election because he submitted an incomplete ballot application.

The Progress Times offered Villalon several opportunities to discuss his background, why he ran for City Council and what he wanted to accomplish. Villalon declined.

“You see that he shies away because he feels like, well, Commissioner Cerda, he was in the service. He was a police officer. He’s a teacher,” said Mayor Alma Salinas, adding that Villalon may feel like his resume isn’t as impressive.

Villalon, though, is well known in Sullivan City, where he owns Ruben’s Tire Shop and the El Pinto Drive Thru.

“I’ve known Mr. Villalon since he was a kid and he has a good heart,” Salinas said. “And he hasn’t had it easy, but life itself is a school. And I think he has the best school of them all.”

Life offers people the opportunity to learn, Salinas said, and Villalon always learned from whatever problems life presented him with.

“He doesn’t think like us. And I like that,” Salinas said. “Having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, that just makes our commission bigger.”

Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios administers the oath of office to Sullivan City Councilman Ruben Villalon on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Sullivan City Hall. (Photo by Dave Hendricks / The Progress Times.)

Sullivan City held a swearing-in ceremony for Cerda and Villarreal on Tuesday afternoon.

About 30 people showed up, including Peñitas City Councilman Jose Roel “J.R.” Flores, Peñitas City Councilman Osiel Ramos and Peñitas City Councilman Guadalupe “Lupe” Moreno Jr. They were joined by Palmview City Councilman Joel Garcia and Palmview Fire Chief Jerry Alaniz, who serve as municipal judges in Sullivan City.

Cerda and Villalon returned to City Hall on Wednesday to meet with the mayor and city administrators. They discussed the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, ongoing projects and how local government works.

“Disregard any negative stuff. Because that doesn’t count,” Salinas said. “What counts is all the positive that happens in this community.”