Maverick County-Elected Officials Sworn-In on January 1st

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County public officials who were elected or re-elected in the November 4, 2014, general election were officially sworn-in on Thursday, January 1, 2015, at a ceremony hosted by 293rd Judicial District Judge Cynthia Muniz and 365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, at the Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Taking their oaths of office and sworn-in at the Maverick County ceremony on January 1st were 293rd Judicial District Judge Cynthia Muniz, 365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo, Maverick County District Clerk Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma, County Commissioner of Precinct 1 Gerardo “Jerry” Morales, County Commissioner of Precinct 2 Rosy Cantu, County Commissioner of Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz, Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez, III, Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1 Kina Mancha, Justice of the Peace of Precinct 3-1 David Castaneda, and Justice of the Peace of Precinct 4 Tere Melendrez.

Other Maverick County public officials who did not participate at the Maverick County ceremony were sworn-in and administered their oaths of office at private ceremonies on January 1st.

365th Judicial District Judge Cynthia Muniz thanked her daughter, Ana Sophia Berain, the Berain family, her District Court staff, including Court Administrator Aleida Castillo, the Maverick County Adult Probation Department, the Maverick County Juvenile Probation Department, the Maverick County District Clerk’s Office, 293rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department for allowing her to serve the public and work as a team in the administration of justice. Judge Muniz congratulated all the public officials who took their oaths of office and were sworn-in. Judge Muniz noted this swearing-in is her fifth term of office and thanked Maverick County voters for their trust and confidence in her work as a state district judge.

293rd Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, congratulated all the public officials taking their oaths of office as well as those who completed their term of office. Judge Abascal noted that he has had the privilege and honor of serving as a public official in Maverick County for over 30 years, including 24 years as a state district judge. Judge Abascal thanked his family for their love and support of him during his public service career.

Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo was re-elected to a second term as County Judge and noted that this swearing-in is his seventh as a public official. Judge Saucedo thanked his wife, Diana, and children for their love and support. He also congratulated all the public officials who were being sworn-in.

Justice of the Peace of Precinct 4 Tere Melendrez thanked the voters of Maverick County for re-electing her to a seventh term and her family for their love and support.

Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1 Kina Mancha thanked her family and the voters of Maverick County for allowing her to be re-elected to a third term as a justice of the peace. Judge Mancha was sworn-in by District Judge Abascal.

Justice of the Peace of Precinct 3-1 David Castaneda thanked the voters of Precinct 3-1 and his family for their support. Judge Castaneda noted this was his first swearing-in as a publicly elected official but his third oath of office including when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Border Patrol, and now as a justice of the peace.

County Commissioner of Precinct 2 Rosy Cantu is the first woman to be elected as a county commissioner in Maverick County although two other women have previously served as appointed county commissioners. Commissioner Cantu thanked the citizens of Maverick County for electing her as county commissioner and wished everyone a happy new year. She looks forward to representing the residents of Precinct 2 and working with County Judge Saucedo and Commissioners Court in improving the community.

County Commissioner of Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz noted that justice and integrity would be his priorities and thanked the voters of Maverick County for electing him as county commissioner and his family for their support.

County Commissioner of Precinct 1 Gerardo “Jerry” Morales thanked the citizens of Maverick County for allowing him to be elected to a full-term as county commissioner after serving as an appointed county commissioner and his family for their support.

Maverick County District Clerk Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma thanked the voters of Maverick County for electing him as District Clerk and vowed to run his office with professionalism and integrity. Vielma also thanked his family for their love and support.

Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez, III, thanked the citizens of Maverick County for electing him to a full-term as County Treasurer after serving almost two years as an appointed County Treasurer. Valdez thanked County Judge Saucedo for appointing him as County Treasurer and giving him the opportunity to serve the public in this capacity. Valdez vowed not to defraud the public and protect county funds.