By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A number of city departments and employees played key roles in opening warming
centers for the community during two recent cold spells, City Manager Shawna Burkhart
said.
Burkhart publicly acknowledged the contributions of those employees and the
departments where they work during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
She told the council, “I would like to take a moment and acknowledge some of our city
staff that have been instrumental in making sure that we had a good turnout for our
warming center last week when we had such a cold spell.”
Burkhart noted the city most recently opened a warming center in the Cottonwood Room
at the Del Rio Civic Center from Jan. 19 through Jan. 25. The city manager also thanked
employees who had opened a warming facility at the Joe Ramos Center gym earlier in the
month.
She asked any employee whose name she called to stand and be recognized, beginning
with Nutrition Center Director Josie Balderas.
“She helped us when we opened the initial warming center over at Joe Ramos,” Burkhart
said.
She next thanked Transportation Director Esther Avila “and the transportation group.”
“Esther and her transportation group provided all the transportation necessary for those
clients using our warming center,” Burkhart said.
Joining Avila at the meeting was Rosa Isela Cruz, assistant to the transportation director.
Burkhart also thanked Community Services Director Esme Meza, as well as
Emergency Management Coordinator Amanda Aldaco and Priscilla Fuentes, emergency
management administrative assistant.
“Esme oversees nutrition as well as transportation, and Amanda and Priscilla, the long
hours they spent as managers, if you will, of our warming center. Thank you very much
for all of your hard work,” Burkhart said.
She also lauded Leno Hernandez, civic facilities manager, and his staff at the civic center.
“I would also like to acknowledge Peter (Ojeda) and his media staff. They did a great job
of publicizing our warming center to our community,” Burkhart said.
Ojeda serves as the city’s communications and marketing director.
“We had, on average, I believe, between eight and 12 clients at any given time at our
warming center. Thank you very much for everyone’s hard work,” the city manager said.
Burkhart also thanked the Del Rio Fire Department, whose personnel filled in for Aldaco
and Fuentes when they were not available.
“We always had someone there on-site, especially in the evenings, so thank you to our
fire department personnel for that,” Burkhart said.
Burkhart and Mayor Al Arreola then led the council and audience in a round of applause
for the employees.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
