Pearsall to name City Hall after Segovia

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Pearsall to name City Hall after Segovia

By Breyana Segura

Pearsall city councilors voted unanimously on Monday evening to name City Hall after former mayor Roland Segovia.

The building is a former bank on the corner of Ash and Comal streets that was bought by the city two decades ago for conversion into the seat of government. While it is still signposted as City Hall, municipal staff refer to the building as an annex, choosing instead to refer to a recently built suite of offices on Ash Street as City Hall. That building has been named after former city administrator Jose G. “Pepe” Trevino.

Segovia, who served on the city council until he succumbed to heart disease earlier this year, had placed his name on the ballot to run for mayor in the May municipal elections.

“Roland did a lot,” Councilor Davina Rodriguez said. “Our relationship was a love-hate relationship, but at the end of the day we cannot forget what he did for the city of Pearsall.”

The former councilor began his political career in the late 1990s when he decided to run for mayor, winning his campaign and serving in the seat for six consecutive years.

Local citizens and elected officials have described Segovia as a dominant force on the city’s political scene and are crediting him with a number of charitable and humanitarian efforts, including the provision of resources for the elderly.

Councilor James Leal said the naming of the building was a great discussion for the council to have, adding he supported the idea of naming the building after Segovia. Leal said, however, that he would like the city to consider a way to recognize individuals when they are still alive to appreciate the honor.

“This is not the first time or the last time our government body will want to name a building after someone who has passed,” Leal said. “We need to start a monument for these people and recognize the people when they are still able to receive the recognition. We only recognize the people when they have passed and I want to recognize them when they can enjoy the recognition.”

Following a break in politics, Segovia was re-elected in May 2019 and was the driving force behind a number of council decisions, including the push to start a coronavirus hotline.

Never shy to share his concerns with the public, Segovia took pride in his involvement with the construction of the HEB grocery store beside IH-35. In fact, according to his wife, he regarded it as his greatest accomplishment while serving the city of Pearsall.

“Most people do not know Roland’s date of birth and most will not remember the day he left us,” Mayor Mary Moore said in an interview shortly after Segovia’s passing. “However, what will be remembered is the difference he made in the lives of those he helped. The man truly was a selfless servant when it came to people of this community.”