By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members on Tuesday bid a fond farewell to outgoing Councilman Raul C. Ojeda.
Ojeda, who served on the city council for four years, did not seek re-election to his At-Large, Place C, seat, which he relinquished to his successor, Ernestina “Tina” Martinez, after the council canvassed the ballots cast in the May 7 city election.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano asked each council member if they wished to speak before Ojeda stepped down.
“I do know that Raul is a person who cares about the city of Del Rio and he has strived to work, especially in the area of our parks, making suggestions and giving ideas of what we might do. That’s a totally different area for me, but I know his heart has been in this job, and he’s done the best job that he can do. I hope he doesn’t go far because sometimes we need to reach out to people with experience, who have new ideas, so I just want to thank him,” Councilman Steven Webb said.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez thanked Ojeda for his four years of service on the council.
“I’ve come to you at different times to pick your brain. We do need that guidance. I need that guidance, as one of the new council people here. I didn’t come here knowing everything, and I still don’t know everything, and I’ve looked to all of you all to guide me a little bit. I appreciate you. I know your heart’s here, and I know your family’s here, so I wish your luck in your endeavors,” Sanchez said.
“Raul, I’ve really enjoyed our time together here on council. We got to know each other, but what I really appreciate is seeing you grow up in these last four years. I think when you came on council, you were a little quiet, that’s just your nature, but through the years as you’ve progressed, you became outspoken, and I really appreciated seeing you grow and mature that way, so best of luck in the future, and I know we’ll remain friends for a long time,” Councilman Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. said.
“We met four years ago when we were both running for council, and I got to meet your family, and I enjoyed that. I appreciate the fact that you stepped forward to represent and do everything that you could, and I look forward to seeing where you go next, as well as continuing the friendship we’ve had these past four years,” Mayor Pro-Tem Jim DeReus said.
Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said she and Ojeda come from the same neighborhood in south Del Rio.
“I’ve known you for a lot of years and who knew we would both be up here? I’ve only gotten to work with you for two years, and I know we’ll be seeing each other because we’re both from here, and our families know each other, so thank you very much for the last four years that you’ve dedicated to your position, and that is going to be very well noticed. Good luck in whatever you do,” she said.
City Secretary Mari Acosta also thanked Ojeda for everything he has done for the council and community.
City Manager John Sheedy added his thanks.
“You have a unique way of looking at things. Sometimes you have a tendency to turn things over and over, and I appreciate some of the insights that you shared with me and some of the things that you were able to accomplish. It was always pleasant working with you, and I look forward to continuing the projects that you were passionate about. I wish you great success,” Sheedy said.
Lozano noted he and Ojeda grew up together and have known each other since they were small children.
“I known him for most of my life, and when I think about from where we’ve come to putting our names on the ballot to today, we’ve definitely tried to move mountains, and the last four years, I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish as much without you by my side, so I want to thank you for putting your name on the ballot alongside mine four years ago,” Lozano said.
“It’s been an incredible journey and as my council colleagues mentioned, I have seen you grow a lot, and I value our friendship and I know that you have many things ahead of you in life, and I look forward to seeing all those ventures come to fruition,” the mayor added.
Ojeda also spoke, saying, “It’s been quite the journey. And I’m sure for the rest of us, anybody on council. You realize things. You see things, and you have these constraints that you wish you could just break through, but you can’t, you’re not supposed to, so my journey was always solution-driven, because there’s always a problem, no matter what.
“The world is already broken, as it is, so I feel that our job here is to help make things all be alright. To help people where they don’t know how to help themselves, and this place – not the building itself – but us, when we congregate here, this is really special, and it’s sacred.
“And I say the word sacred because of the country we live in, and the values that we hold so firmly in our hearts that we send people out to battle, and they don’t come back. That bloodshed is so that we can come here together and help, to make things all be alright,” Ojeda said.
He spoke about how challenging it was to be on council during the pandemic and during the blizzard of 2021.
“Being up here is a very humbling experience, and I wish you all the best. Please take care of yourselves, your minds and your hearts,” Ojeda said.
Lozano presented Ojeda with a basket of snacks and other council mementoes, like his council nameplate, as well as a glass plaque thanking him for his service to the city. Ojeda then stepped down to a round of applause from council and audience members.
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