By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Alfinio “Al” Flores is seeking the Republican Party nomination for the office of Val Verde County Commissioner Pct. 1.
Flores will be the sole candidate for the office on the ballot of the March 5 Republican Party Primary Election. He will then face the winner of the seven-man race in the Democratic Party Primary Election.
Flores was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was four years old. He attended public schools and graduated from Del Rio High School in 1987.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen as a teenager.
Flores attended Texas State Technical Institute (now TSTC) in Waco, Texas, and earned a degree in automotive technology. He then returned to Del Rio and helped his father, who owned and operated a small mechanic shop.
Soon after, he joined the Del Rio News-Herald as circulation district manager, then as an advertising account executive. Flores said he is grateful to Joe San Miguel for giving him an opportunity and encouraging him to continue growing professionally.
“Today I’m in the auto recycling business,” Flores said.
Flores decided to utilize his education and venture into the auto recycling business. He opened Flores Automotive in 1996, which he still owns and operates.
“We take pride in providing excellent quality new and used affordable auto parts to customers locally and nationwide. We also take old, un-driveable cars out of our communities and off our streets for scrap metal. Automotive recycling is a big business committed to handling end-of-life cars in an environmentally friendly manner,” Flores said.
“Customer service has been key for serving our community for the past 28 years,” he added.
Despite his success, Flores remains grateful for his humble beginnings and credits his hardworking parents for instilling in him a strong work ethic.
In addition, Flores and his wife Dalilah have raised three children, Cassandra, Dariela and A.J., who are all university graduates.
Flores said he is a devoted Catholic and conservative, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the A.C.T.S. Community and a member of several other parish ministries.
Flores said he decided to seek the county commissioner seat because he understands the issues and challenges affecting Precinct 1 residents.
“In my business, I see people from all walks of life, and a lot of them live in Precinct 1. In conversations with them, they talk about the issues they’re facing, and a lot of those issues I face too, because I’m in the precinct.
“I’ve always wanted to serve my community; however, I prioritized focusing on my family and business. But I love the county, and I am now ready to commit to serving. I feel like at this point in my life, it’s time to give something back to the community,” Flores said.
“I have no special interest, no hidden agenda, just to better the county. I want to see the county grow and of course, make it better, and I know that I can make a positive difference,” he added.
Flores pledged to prioritize transparency and accountability.
“I believe in government transparency and accountability. We all need to know exactly how our tax dollars are being used. I want to enhance the security and well-being of our citizens by increasing funding and training for our law enforcement and emergency services.
“We need to pay our deputies patrolling our county better so we can retain them longer, and we need to hire more, especially now that we’re facing this border crisis. I think that’s one of the priorities for the precinct, and of course, improving the quality and safety of our roads and repairing what needs to be repaired, attracting new businesses, which creates more jobs, upgrading our water infrastructure by partnering with local, state and federal agencies and being a strong advocate for our farmers and ranchers by protecting their rights and interests,” Flores added.
“I’m not a politician. I’m a hard-working business guy. I don’t believe in spending money we don’t have to spend. I want to spend on investments in our community. I want to serve the people and the community. If I’m elected, I will work with the people and the community to help Val Verde County grow,” Flores said.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
