Eagle Pass Fire Fighters & Police Civil Service Proposition Approved, Yolanda P. Ramon Wins City Council Election

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

The voters of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas have overwhelmingly approved the Fire Fighters and Police Officers Civil Service Proposition casting 1,710 (80.09%) votes in favor with only 425 (19.91%) votes against while political newcomer and educator Yolanda P. Ramon upset local real estate developer Paco Mondragon for City Council Place 3, incumbent Gloria E. Hernandez won re-election unopposed, and City Charter Amendment Propositions Nos. 2 and 3 were easily approved at the May 9, 2015 City Elections.

“We like to thank the voters of Eagle Pass for their loyal support of our local Fire Fighters and Police Departments and the men and women who work in these public safety positions in approving the Civil Service Proposition,” said Eagle Pass Police Officer Raul Gonzalez, Jr.

Local educator and businesswoman Yolanda P. Ramon received 1,373 (57.74%) votes compared to Paco Mondragon’s 1,005 (42.26%) votes to win City Council Place 3 position.

Mondragon was supported by Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo in his bid for election to City Council Place 3. Ramon defeated Mondragon easily despite his heavy political support from local political interest groups.

Incumbent Gloria E. Hernandez easily won election to a full term for City Council Place 1 with 1,575 votes in favor out of the total ballots of 2,407 counted.

City Charter Amendment Proposition No. 2 to allow the City Council to appoint a Council member in the event of a vacancy instead of holding a special elections was approved with 1,502 (74.95%) votes in favor compared to 502 (25.05%) votes against.

City Charter Amendment Proposition No. 3 to allow the City Council to hire a City Auditor was also approved with 1,519 (75.42%) votes in favor compared to 495 (24.58%) votes against.

The total voter turnout for the May 9, 2015 City Elections was a dismal 2,407 ballots cast compared to over 12,000 registered voters in the City of Eagle Pass.

Eagle Passans and Maverick Countians once again demonstrated a strong voter apathy toward participation in the local democratic process. Local citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with local governmental entities raising taxes, appraisal values, and the largest corruption and bribery investigation in the community’s history involving Maverick County public officials and individuals.