Voters decide bond issues, gas utility sale, local offices

Voters cast ballots in communities across Frio and La Salle counties last week in a series of local government elections that featured a rake of incumbents seeking new terms and key issues regarding utility service, permission to host Bingo games, and millions of dollars in bonds.

The cities of Dilley and Encinal will have new mayors sworn into office this month after incumbents were defeated in their bids for new terms.

According to records filed at City Hall, there are 4,450 registered voters living in Pearsall, and an estimated 684 cast ballots in the municipal election, representing a voter turnout of just over 15 percent.

Councilors had called for a referendum on the sale of the municipal gas system, a proposition that was narrowly defeated with 339 votes to 294, a difference of 45 votes.

Voters were also asked whether the city should allow nonprofit organizations to host fundraising Bingo games inside city limits, a proposition that passed overwhelmingly with 476 votes to 182.

Preliminary results pending canvassing show that Pearsall Councilor James Leal was successful in securing another term in office with 281 votes, defeating Edward Carrizales Sr. (213 votes), Paula Vela Manzanares (77 votes), and Johnny ‘JJ’ Rivera (113 votes). Councilors Sonia Hernandez, Ramiro Trevino and Racheal Garza will serve another term at the table, as all ran unopposed.

In the Pearsall ISD Board of Trustees election, incumbent Lionel Gandara secured another three-year term in Place 5 with 664 votes, while challenger George Cabasos earned 562, a difference of 98 votes.

The outcome of the Place 6 election at PISD remains uncertain this week, as incumbent Eulogio ‘Logie’ Rodriguez and challenger Dora Mata-Rodriguez are both presently listed as having earned 436 votes. Also on the ballot was Juanita Rendon, who earned 374 votes. The Frio County elections administrator’s office had until Monday, May 5, to receive mail-in ballots that were postmarked by 7 p.m. on election day, according to the secretary of state’s website.

The county office, which oversaw the school board election, also reported that there were six provisional ballots cast in the school board race. Four were cast on election day and two during the early voting period. Those individuals have six days to prove their eligibility. Provisional ballots are given to a voter whose name does not appear on the voter registration list at the polling location but who believes that he or she is registered to vote.

Councilors had also called for a referendum on the ballot this year with a proposition to sell the municipal gas system.

Voters decided 165-152 not to allow the sale, a difference of only 13 votes, according to preliminary tallies.

None of the city council’s incumbents prevailed over their challengers in the Dilley city election this year.

Mayor Mary Ann Obregon was defeated in her bid for a new term by a sitting councilor in last week’s election. Coming from Place 4 at the table, Alexandria Inocencio made a successful bid to unseat the mayor, taking 221 votes to Obregon’s 109. Also on the ballot for the position was Gilbert Ortiz, who earned 28 votes.

Obregon has served as mayor of Dilley for several consecutive and non-consecutive terms over the past three decades.

According to City Hall, councilors will appoint an individual to serve the unexpired term in Place 4.

At Place 1 on the council, incumbent Inelda Rodriguez lost her bid for re-election to Everado ‘Bebe’ Castillo Jr., a former councilor. Rodriguez earned 120 votes while Castillo earned 160. Also on the ballot for Place 1 was Sabino Mena Jr., who earned 71 votes.

At Dilley’s Place 2, Eric Aranda was successful in his bid to unseat incumbent Ray Aranda, 198 votes to 159.

A trio of school district propositions seeking permission from voters to sell over $35 million in bonds passed by slim margins in the Saturday election. The first included an issuance of $16 million for an upgrade to school facilities with a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building; renovation of the pre-K through second grade and middle school buildings; new maintenance, grounds, and transportation facilities; and paving throughout the district. Proposition B included a new performing arts center and band hall in the amount of $16.5 million. Proposition C authorized $3 million for a new athletic training facility that will include a weight room.

Election tallies for the multimillion-dollar construction proposals included Proposition A passing with 169 votes to 127 opposed; Proposition B passing with 154 to 137; and Proposition C passing narrowly with 149 to 142.

Three council races at Cotulla saw incumbents returned to office with significant majorities by the end of election day. The city records 2,574 registered voters, of whom 850 cast ballots in the election, representing a turnout of just over 33 percent.

In Place 3 at the council table, Gilbert Ayala was returned with 493 votes while challengers Raquel Yanez earned 193 and Noelee Niavez earned 143.

In Place 4, incumbent Alejandro ‘Jando’ Garcia was returned with 470 votes. Challengers Eloy Zertuche earned 362 votes.

In Place 5, Manuel ‘Quate’ Rodriguez earned 466 votes in his re-election bid, more than double those of his closest challenger, Billy Alvarado, who earned 210. Also on the ballot for the seat was Pilar Martinez Jr., who earned 141 votes.

Voters approved of a proposition by the school district to secure up to $10 million in bond revenues, 379 votes to 213, green-lighting plans to complete the new high school campus with an additional gymnasium and related sports facilities such as boys’ and girls’ varsity and junior varsity locker rooms. The funds will be added to a $65 million bond that was approved by voters for the new high school three years ago and is separate from a more recent $5 million bond, which was used to enhance campus safety installations district-wide.

Two seats on the school district’s board of trustees were on the ballot this year, with only one featuring challengers to the incumbent. At Place 6, Rosario Morales was returned unopposed for a new term. At Place 7, incumbent Richard ‘Ricky’ Maldonado handily secured a new term with 397 votes. Challengers Jaime Martinez earned 271 votes and Catrina Torres earned 84.

Debra Weikel has been elected the new mayor of Encinal, coming from a seat at the council table to defeat incumbent Esmeralda Arce by 78 votes.

The at-large council election at Encinal awards seats to those who earn the five highest numbers of votes. Saturday’s preliminary results show that voters chose to keep incumbent Gilberto Inocencio (124 votes) but ousted Oscar Aldaco (30 votes), Sonny Aldaco (37 votes) and Irma Arizola (48 votes). Taking their places will be Marisa Nieto (129 votes), Brianda Renteria (111 votes) and Bobby Joe Garcia (131 votes). Also on the ballot for a council seat was Maria Graciela Roath, who earned 103 votes.