Pearsall examines ideas for new city logo

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The city of Pearsall may soon change the design of its symbol, and councilors have agreed to begin gathering input from residents for a logo.
City Hall is also considering hosting a contest for local artwork that may be incorporated in a new design.
The current logo was created in 2016 and has train tracks surrounding the outer circle, with a steam engine running through the middle. Painted on a train car is the Texas flag; in the background is an oil derrick, a whitetail deer, potatoes, and peanuts. Across the bottom is the slogan, “Bringing the pride back.”
“This is an open conversation,” Public Information Officer Bianca Ortiz said of a possible design change during a Tuesday, June 14, meeting. “I am open to comments, suggestions, anything you would like to see, I am hear to listen.”
Ortiz said she is looking for a simpler design that would look good on letterhead, uniforms and caps. She said the city is currently using the city seal on letterhead and uniforms.
“We are wanting to change things to improve things,” Ortiz said.
The public information officer presented councilors with four possibilities she has been working on that consist of a logo, “A taste of the country life,” and different variations of font and coloring.
The first design would have the logo, which Ortiz noted was derived from the agricultural focus in Pearsall. It would have a Texas map in the colors of the Lone Star flag with a star where Pearsall is located.
A second option would have the train tracks and the word ‘Pearsall.’
Ortiz said the third option has been popular among those who have seen it, a green Texas map outline with black lettering and a star where Pearsall is located.
Councilor Davina Rodriguez said she disagrees with the current design of the city logo.
“I take offense to ‘Taking the Pride Back,’” Rodriguez said. “The pride has never left Pearsall. I take offense to that; the railroad tracks I take offense to that; and Texas flag I take offense to that.
“We are a diverse community; if we say a diverse community and by saying ‘a taste of the good life.’ we are not being diverse,” Rodriguez said. “We come from the Wintergarden, the city has always been known as the Wintergarden by putting a railroad, a Texas flag on the emblem it is not being diverse in identifying our community. I do not think we should have a slogan under our name. ‘A taste of good life’ is not speaking on behalf of our culture.”
“It is up to the council, I have never anticipated the Texas flag as sign of anti-diversity,” Mayor Ben Briscoe said. “We are a very diverse culture and I do not think that indicates that. Idea is to get something a little simpler.”
Councilor James Leal agreed with the mayor and questioned the use of font color to make the wording on the logo stand out.
“I personally like the Texas there,” Leal said. “I am very proud of my state, and Texas is very diverse. Did you all try and put another color around Pearsall and see if Pearsall will stand out?”
Councilor Ramiro Trevino suggested giving the task of developing the logo to the community as a contest, adding that he believes the logo represents the people of Pearsall.