Eagle Pass businessman Saul Fernandez registers candidacy for Mayor
By: Jose G. Landa
Eagle Pass Business Journal©
Eagle Pass businessman Saul Fernandez, together with his lovely family and over 75 supporters, registered his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas with City Secretary, Mary Velasquez, on Friday, February 8, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers at the Eagle Pass City Hall.
After taking his oath of candidacy before City Secretary Mary Velasquez, Saul Fernandez introduced his family, including his wife, Rosantina, and his children, Mauricio, Rosantina, Diego Alejandro, and Saul, who lives out of state. Fernandez addressed his supporters and members of the community on why he is seeking the Mayor’s post and what he would like to do to improve the community. Fernandez told the audience that what got him interested in running for Mayor was a conversation he had with his son, Saul, Jr., who works in New York, on when was he going to return to Eagle Pass and his son replied to him “How can I go back if there is nothing in my field of work. There is nothing for me to do Dad.”
His son’s comments motivated Fernandez to do something to improve the community so that its children can return to live and work here and be reunited with their families. “We have a community based on family traditions. We are a united family. Family is the basis of our society,” said Fernandez. Fernandez asked himself “What’s going on in Eagle Pass?” He and his family discussed for the past six months what he could do and whether to run for Mayor to try to change the community. After six months, Fernandez decided to run for Mayor of Eagle Pass to help it grow and so that its families can be reunited.
Fernandez stated that what Eagle Pass needs is bring more private industry and businesses to our community.”There is a balance between private industry and public government needed,” said Fernandez. When “private industry grows so does the taxbase and the community,” said Fernandez. “Everybody benefits, so that our children can grow into what they want to be,” added Fernandez.
“I decided that unless someone does something about it, we are going to be stagnant for another four years,” Fernandez said. Fernandez decided to run for Mayor of Eagle Pass “so that our community can grow and thrive.” Fernandez said that “there are a lot of opportunities surrounding us, just look at the Eagle Ford Shale” oil and gas boom.
Fernandez highlighted that “we have a certain mentality of not accepting certain companies, we put them back and once you do that companies stay away. I want to change that.”
Fernandez cited that there are many organizations like the “Chamber” and “MCDC” that are working together to bring new private industry to the community. He stated that he has 26 years of experience in private industry including 10 years as a plant manager, manufacturing, warehousing, managing up to 400 people, and l5 years owning his own business in the community. He also cited being a director at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, President of the Maverick County Development Corporation, and volunteering at his church and its school.
Fernandez stated that he welcomes any person who wants to join his campaign for Mayor of Eagle Pass.
