By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members bid farewell to outgoing District I Councilman Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. during a special meeting on June 27.
Carranza did not seek re-election to the District I council seat during the 2022 city elections.
Council members said their formal goodbyes to Carranza following a canvassing of the ballots of the June 18 runoff election.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano, who relinquished his own seat later in the meeting, recognized each council member in turn.
Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez told Carranza, “Thank you for your service to the city council and the city of Del Rio. As you know, with us council people, it’s mostly volunteer work, so thank you for all your hard work.”
Councilman Steven Webb said, “It’s hard to say things about you because we go back quite a ways. I’ve relied on Mr. Carranza several times to guide me, help me, give me advice. Some I’ve taken, some I haven’t. We’ve had our debates and still come through as a team. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for the city.
“This is not where it ends, and if I need to reach out to you, I will. I always value opinions, and I think it’s great that we were able to be on this council together. I appreciate it,” Webb added.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez said, “Mr. Carranza, I came in under your wing. I looked to you, and you guided me. You helped me. You showed me what was right and what was wrong and for me to have an open mind, and I appreciate that of you because I always thought you had an open mind. I know you are here for the citizens of Del Rio, and that’s what I’m here for too, so I want to thank you for the service that you gave here to the city of Del Rio.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Jim DeReus said, “Fred, unlike some of the others, we didn’t know each other until about four years ago, and I have really enjoyed spending time getting to know you, working with you. We haven’t always agreed on every topic, but we have been able to communicate, and we’ve still remained friends afterwards and I really appreciate that.
“This isn’t your first time volunteering and serving the community, and I’m sure it probably won’t be your last, and I just want to say thank you for everything you’ve done for Del Rio,” DeReus added.
Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said, “We both have a passion for downtown, even though I don’t represent that district, I represent District III. You were very open-minded and very supportive of downtown, and we worked together very well. We had a few differences, but we worked together and I wish you the best in anything else that comes your way. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
City Secretary Mari Acosta thanked Carranza for giving her the opportunity to serve as city secretary and said she appreciated everything he did to support the city staff.
City Manager John Sheedy said, “Councilman Carranza, I also want to thank you for the support and encouragement you provided. I know sometimes we tried your patience, but you did stay on us and again, I appreciate that continual support and encouragement.
“It was frustrating for us sometimes not to be able to make projects move faster, but we’re going to continue to refine and try and get better and better, but I thank you. I’ve enjoyed working with you, and I do wish you all the best,” Sheedy added.
Lozano told the councilman, “On the dais, you’ve been a father figure to me. I know your family and all of us are really close, running the campaign when I did and having your support when I was running. I also know that we haven’t agreed on everything, but at the end of the day, we had our hearts in this for the long term and for a vision of a better Del Rio.
“I know that we’ve had heated discussions on responses for some of the events that have occurred, but I do feel that we’ve supported each other through and through, and we see each other not just as council colleagues, but also as friends. I admire the support you give all of your children. That’s something that I saw with my father supporting his kids,” Lozano said.
Carranza addressed the community after everyone had spoken.
“First of all, I want to thank the citizens of Del Rio, for allowing me to serve you. It’s been an honor and a privilege. I do want to address the council members also, because we did have a great working relationship. You heard everybody say we didn’t always agree, because we didn’t agree on everything, but I didn’t keep my mouth shut. You have to stand up for what you believe, and I felt like I tried to do that all the time, but at the end of the day, what was most important was what was best for Del Rio. Period. That was what was the determining factor for me always to speak up for what I believed in,” Carranza said.
Carranza then spoke to each council member individually, thanking them for the years of working together.
Carranza also thanked his wife Delia, who attended the meeting. Carranza led the council and audience members in a round of applause to recognize her for her support. He also thanked his children.
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