Seven Candidates Register for Four Posts at Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustees
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
A democracy is only as strong as its democratic political system. Many men and women have sacrificed the ultimate to allow the United States enjoy a democratic form of government. Yet, only seven local candidates registered for four positions on the Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) Board of Trustees election on November 4, 2014.
In Place One, appointed EPISD Board of Trustee Benjamin Rodriguez, III, registered as a candidate to a full three year term while drawing two opponents in Humberto Torralba, Jr. and Mashyell Calderon.
Place Two incumbent EPISD Board of Trustee Ramon Ramirez registered for re-election to a second three year term while retired and former Eagle Pass High School Principal Rudy Bowles registered as a candidate against Ramirez.
In Place Three, appointed EPISD Board of Trustee Hilda Martinez-Caballero registered as a candidate seeking election to a full three year term while drawing no opposition, literally guaranteeing her election to the post.
Place Four incumbent EPISD Board of Trustee Lupita Fuentes registered for re-election to another three year term while drawing no opponents. guaranteeing her election to the position.
One local citizen, who requested anonymity, told the Eagle Pass Business Journal that genuine and dedicated professionals and citizens in the community do not want to run for political office due to the recent FBI investigations and federal grand jury indictments of local publicly elected officials concerning bribery, kickbacks, and corruption. The local citizen stated that the corruption indictments and guilty pleas by local publicly elected officials have caused a chilling effect on highly qualified and competent citizens from running for public office.
Despite the low registration of candidates and unopposed positions on the EPISD Board of Trustees, the public owes credit and support to the candidates who did register to run for the School Board election on November 4th. All of the seven candidates have qualities and skills which will benefit the local school district if elected. The decision to run for public office is a difficult one which is often consulted with the candidate’s family, friends, and supporters before deciding whether to run. Public service is the most noble cause in a democratic government and society.
