Controversy and Heated Discussions in First Meeting of the “New Maverick County,” Repeal Name of Ramon Saucedo, Jr. Maverick County Courthouse
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2023 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The first official public meeting of the new Maverick County Commissioners Court under County Judge Ramsey English Cantu held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 5 pm started off with controversy and heated discussions regarding certain agenda items, but none more than Agenda Item No. 16 concerning the “discussion and appropriate action to rename 500 Quarry Street to Maverick County Courthouse and repealing the Maverick County Commissioners Resolution dated October 4, 2021” dedicating and naming the Maverick County Courthouse in honor of former County Judge Ramon Saucedo, Jr., the first Latino to be elected and serve as Maverick County Judge.
Agenda Item No. 16 was placed on the January 4, 2023 Special Meeting agenda by Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz.
During the Citizens Communications and Recognitions part of the Agenda, Ricardo Saucedo spoke in opposition to repealing the naming of the Ramon Saucedo, Jr. Maverick County Courthouse approved by Maverick County Commissioners Court on October 4, 2021 by Resolution under the leadership of former County Judge David R. Saucedo, son of former County Judge Ramon Saucedo, Jr.
Ricardo Saucedo stated the new Commissioners Court is seeking to take an unprecedented step in repealing the name of the Ramon Saucedo, Jr. Maverick County Courthouse based on “personal animosity and jealousy “ as well as “erasing our past and hobbling into the future” by destroying the legacy of the “emergence of Latino political power” in Maverick County.
Maverick County Democratic Party Chairperson Juanita V. Martinez congratulated the members of the Commissioners Court elected at the November 8, 2022 General Election and how Maverick County citizens voted for Democratic candidates and keeping Maverick County a “Blue” county despite the fielding of Republican Party candidates in eight of the county races for the first time.
Martinez added that Agenda item 16 was “petty and vindictive” and a “disservice to the citizens of the county” and should not have been placed on the Agenda.
Ignacio “Nacho” Saucedo, son of the late County Judge Ramon Saucedo, Jr., stated he was “surprised” with Agenda item 16 seeking to repeal the naming of the Ramon Saucedo, Jr. Maverick County Courthouse. Saucedo added that the Agenda item 16 demonstrated a “lack of class, an inflated ego, and a lack of maturity.” Saucedo noted the late County Judge Ramon Saucedo, Jr. was the first Latino elected as Maverick County Judge. Saucedo stated this Agenda item will establish a precedent to repeal other community buildings and facilities named in honor of past public servants.
Commissioner Roberto Ruiz stated “politicians come and go.” Ruiz added when the State of Texas created Maverick County in the 1800s it named it Maverick County and the courthouse as the Maverick County Courthouse. Ruiz noted the Maverick County Courthouse is “sacred” and should not be named and changed. Ruiz concluded “don’t mess with Texas.”
Commissioner Gerardo “Jerry” Morales stated ”why do we want to go this route” in establishing precedent in repealing names of dedicated public buildings and facilities. Morales added he opined that this action “is not right and a lot of people also feel it is not right.”
County Judge Cantu stated when speaking about politics one should look at “how much was spent” in the naming of the county courthouse. Cantu added that the courthouse was named after former County Judge Robert Bibb but that ceremony was never held except certain ones. Cantu noted that in naming public facilities one has to “be cognizant of what is and what will come with it.…We need to do what is right and in the best interest of the community.…”
After discussion, Ruiz made the motion to approve Agenda item 16 and was seconded by Commissioner Olga Ramos and approved by Cantu, Ruiz, Ramos, and Commissioner Rossana Rios while Morales voted against it.
