Maverick County Officials Take Oath of Office at Ceremony Held on January 1, 2023
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2023, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County rang in the 2023 New Year with the official Oath of Office and Investiture Ceremony of 14 public officials elected at the November 8, 2022 General Election on a beautiful South Texas sunny and warm afternoon on January 1, 2023 at 1 p.m. on the front steps of the Ramon Saucedo, Jr. Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony was Pablo Garcia, Jr. Garcia welcomed the large audience in attendance as well as the elected public officials and their guests.
The United States Customs and Border Protection Explorer Post 2303 Color Guard presented the posting of the colors at the ceremony.
Renowned Maverick County singer Jessica Cavazos sang the national anthem while local attorney Ricardo Ramos presented the invocation at the ceremony.
Special guest at the ceremony was Norma Trevino Galindo, Mayor of the City Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.
Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio, District 19) was the keynote speaker at the Oath of Office ceremony and introduced newly-elected Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu, who previously worked with Gutierrez as a Regional Political Director in Eagle Pass.
Gutierrez congratulated all of the elected public officials and stated that the Oath of Office and Investiture ceremony is important because it reflects “transformational leadership and the transition of government.” Gutierrez added that what distinguishes the United States from all of the other countries is the transition of government, which is a time of renewal and transition decided by the people of the community through a public election.
Gutierrez noted that he was honored to present newly-elected Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu and was confident that Cantu will bring “transformational leadership” to Maverick County that will collaborate with local, state, and federal governments to improve the quality of life and make the community a better place to live and work in than before. Gutierrez encouraged the young adults in the community to participate in democracy by registering to vote, vote every election, and become involved in public government.
Following his address, State Senator Gutierrez proceeded to administer the Oath of Office and swear-in Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu who was accompanied by his parents, Raul Cantu and Byrdie English Cantu, his sister, Kimberly Cantu, and family members. Kimberly Cantu performed the official investiture of County Judge Cantu, placing his black judicial robe on him.
County Judge Cantu thanked God, his family, campaign team, and the voters of Maverick County for allowing him the opportunity to serve them as a public servant and looked forward to the “challenges, tribulations, and successes” to come with the office. Judge Cantu added that “one who is much given, much is expected.” Cantu proclaimed that as of January 1, 2023 he was starting a “New Maverick County,” with many new projects and plans to improve the community and its people where “no sector of the community will be left behind.” Cantu added that under his administration “justice will be served with integrity and honor” and pledged to provide a government with “transparency and integrity” for the benefit of all citizens in Maverick County. Cantu vowed to work with all publicly elected officials and local governments, including the City of Eagle Pass, Eagle Pass Independent School District, Eagle Pass Water Works System, and the Maverick County Hospital District, as well as the citizens of Maverick County in bringing opportunities and progress to the community. Cantu thanked Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo for attending the ceremony and pledged to work with her and all Mexican authorities in improving both sister cities and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Following County Judge Cantu was the Oath of Office and Investiture of 293rd Judicial District Court Judge Maribel Flores administered by her colleague, 365th Judicial District Court Judge Amado J. Abascal, III. Judge Flores was accompanied by her mother, Juanita Flores, who held the Bible while she took the Oath of Office. Judge Flores thanked all the voters of Maverick, Dimmit, and Zavala counties for allowing her the privilege and honor to serve them as a state district judge for a second term.
365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III was sworn-in and administered the Oath of Office by his fellow colleague, 293rd Judicial District Court Judge Maribel Flores. Judge Abascal was accompanied by his two daughters, Alison and Amber, and their respective husbands and children. Judge Abascal investiture was done by his daughters, Alison and Amber. Judge Abascal thanked the voters of Maverick, Dimmit, and Zavala counties and campaign team members for re-electing him to another term, as well as thanked his judicial staff for assisting him with administering justice and fulfilling his duties during the COVID-19 pandemic the past two and a half years.
Additional Maverick County public officials who took their Oath of Office and Investiture (judges only) included Maverick County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz, Maverick County Commissioner Precinct 2 Rossana “Roxi” Rios, Maverick County Clerk Sara Montemayor, Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez, III, Maverick County Tax Assessor-Collector Asalia Casares, Maverick County District Clerk Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma, Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Kina Mancha, Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Ernie Leija, Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3-1 Domingo Rodriguez, Jr., Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3-1 Jeannie F. Smith, and Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Tere Hernandez. All Maverick County public officials were accompanied by their respective families.
County Judge Ramsey English Cantu concluded the ceremony stating “Welcome to the New Maverick County.”
Following the completion of the administration of Oaths of Office, a luncheon reception was held in the veranda of the county courthouse.
