PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES

La Salle County Precinct 1 commissioner (L-R) Gilbert Ayala and Abel Gonzalez were the only two out of a slate of seven in two races to put in an appearance at the first in a pair of public forums hosted by the Brush Country Chamber of Commerce in the AB Alexander Convention Center in Cotulla on Tuesday, February 6. Moderator John Keck of Laredo directed discussion topics based on questions submitted in advance by county voters. The candidates discussed their career and public service records and outlined issues they believe are critical to county government, including cooperation between county, city and school governing bodies, improved infrastructure and services for the elderly, and attracting developers to the county for housing, retail and grocery stores, and healthcare facilities, as well as improving the county’s workforce by attracting skilled laborers and licensed professionals to new commercial and service enterprises. The Democratic and Republican party primaries will be held Tuesday, March 5. The Chamber’s second forum on Tuesday, Feb. 13, was open to all those running for their party nomination as sheriff. A third forum for all those vying for election in city council and school board races, originally scheduled for Feb. 20, will instead be held later in the spring.

(CURRENT Photos: Marc Robertson)