The Travis D. Kelly Hydroelectric Power Plant Naming Ceremony held by Maverick County Water Control & Improvement District No. 1
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Over 75 people attended the Naming Ceremony of the Travis D. Kelly Hydroelectric Power Plant hosted by the Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 Board of Directors on Friday, November 4, 2016, at 9 A.M. At the MCWCID No. 1 Headquarters located at 1622 Maverick Industrial Park Road in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Master of Ceremony for the naming ceremony was Humberto “Beto” Garza of Eagle Pass. The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegance by United States Merchant Marine Academy Cadet Paola Garcia Zuazua Mancha of Eagle Pass. An invocation was presented by Pastor Brouning Lentz of Quemado, Texas.
MCWCID No. 1 Board President Javier Mancha presented the extraordinary contributions of Travis D. Kelly during his 12 years of service on the Board of Directors, including his leadership in purchasing, financing, and paying off early the bank note on the acquisition of the Hydroelectric Power Plant. Mancha stated that Kelly was worthy of having the hydroelectric power plant named in his honor for his significant contributions to the local water control and improvement district and its members.
MCWCID No. 1 General Manager Cynthia Martinez noted that Kelly and the Board hired her as the General Manager four years ago and that she enjoyed working with Mr. Kelly during his 12 years on the Board of Directors. Martinez thanked Kelly and his Board for the trust and confidence bestowed upon her as General Manager, one of a few women general managers among water control and improvement districts throughout the United States.
Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3-C Jeannie Smith of Quemado, Texas recalled growing up in Quemado and having Kelly as the Deputy Sheriff of Quemado and how he always helped the youth and citizens to obey and comply with the law. Judge Smith stated that everyone in Quemado often consulted with and sought advice from Kelly due to his common sense and wise experience in law. Judge Smith noted that Kelly actually worked with his father in the construction of the Maverick County Water Cotnrol and Improvement District No. 1 Main Canal and Laterals.
Local retired banker and Master of Ceremony Humberto “Beto” Garza, also brother-in-law of Kelly, detailed the history of how the MCWCID No. 1 purchased and financed the acquisition of the hydroelectric power plant several years ago. Garza stated that Kelly’s leadership led the MCWCID No. 1 to pay off the bank loan only 26 months out of a 20 year loan, saving millions of dollars to the MCWCID No. 1 in loan interest. Garza added the purchase and acquisition of the hydroelectric power plant has been a great investment for the local farmers and ranchers as well as the MCWCID No. 1.
Honoree Travis D. Kelly, himself, stated that he was glad that the MCWCID No. 1 Board of Directors approved the purchase of the hydroelectric power plant. Kelly stated that he was deeply honored and humbled by the naming of the hydroelectric power plant in his name and honor.
Accompanying Kelly at the Naming Ceremony were his wife, Olivia Kelly, daughter Cathy and grandson together with many family members, friends, former Board members, MCWCID No. 1 employees, and guests.
The over 75 guests attending the ceremony gave Travis D. Kelly a standing ovation on having the hydroelectric power plant named after him and the significant contributions to the communities of Quemado, Eagle Pass, and Maverick County.
After the ceremony, guests were treated to hor’s d voures, pastries, and refreshments.
The Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 Board of Directors is composed of President Javier Mancha, Vice-President Gabriel Garcia, Secretary Yolanda L. Mauricio, and Board members Beyer Junfin and Juan Manuel Garcia, Jr.
