October 26, 2022 714 PM
Cinderela Guevara (R)
What will you do to fast track overdue construction on the Presidio Ojinaga bridge?
The overdue construction is due to a memorandum of understanding between Secretariat of Infrastructure (SRE), the Federal Toll Roads and Bridges and Related Services, also known as CAPUFE, of the United States of Mexico and the state of Texas (Governor/Texas Department of Transportation). At this time, TXDot is waiting to hear back from Mexico officials to finalize the agreement and obtain the endorsement from the parties involved. This agreement is required by the state in accordance with Sec. 792.006 of the Texas Government Code. Once the agreement is finalized, TxDot predicts that it can have the project completed in about three months. I have repeatedly reached out to our Senator’s office for assistance in obtaining updates, and Senator Blanco has been more than helpful. I will continue to reach out if necessary. The last update I received from TxDot was 10-13-22, informing myself and another commissioner that the agreement was expected to be signed no later than 10-21-22. At that time, I requested for a TxDot representative to be present at our next commissioner’s court meeting (10-26-22) for an official update. If during the update, the commissioners court is informed that it has not been signed, then I am willing to travel to Mexico to make the request in person on behalf of all the residents of Presidio County.
Do you support access to abortion services via telehealth or other avenues in Presidio County?
I am in support of all telehealth services used in the practice of saving human lives.
How will you support the expansion of water infrastructure to everyone in the county?
At the present time, Presidio County, along with the City of Presidio, the City of Marfa and the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District have been working with an experienced grant writer and have submitted a list of 23 projects to the Texas Water Development Board for consideration to obtain a $5 million grant from the single largest investment in clean water that the federal government has ever made. Over $50 billion is going over to the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen the nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. Funding initiatives focus on “underserved” and “low income” communities. Projects listed include: extension of water and wastewater services to Las Pampas, to Marfa Airport; drinking water/wastewater upgrades for Candelaria, Ruidosa, Redford and Shafter; drinking water/wastewater services to Antelope Hills residential area, to East Heights section to Marfa, Fort D.A. Russell section of Marfa, other underserved areas of Marfa; replacement of Presidio municipal well #8; rehabilitation of million-gallon standpipe City of Presidio; other underserved areas of Presidio, Chinati State Natural Area rehab and monitoring; Marfa Municipal Well #5, municipal well inside Marfa, remove defective monitoring equipment that is jammed in the well and install new monitoring equipment; drill monitoring wells at identified sites of interest throughout the county and install new monitoring equipment; 3D geological model and aquifer management framework for Presidio County West Texas Bolsons and Igneous Aquifer; installing rainwater catchment infrastructure on homes and businesses throughout the county; water-efficient residential fixture replacement program; aquifer storage and recovery; La Junta De Los Rios restoration and wetlands project; natural systems along the Rio Grande; water storage tank monitoring system program for ranchers and landowners; water tank upgrades and improvement study; program to replace defunct pumps on existing wells with solar pumps in exchange for permission to monitor wells; and a tree planting program.
All of these projects are represented by a resident of the different communities and make up what is called the “Steering Committee.” I am very proud of this committee because they are strongly committed to the goals at hand and see the bigger picture.
What steps will you take to improve healthcare for folks in Presidio County?
Healthcare is definitely an economic driver in small communities. At the present time Presidio County has pledged $279,000 in matching funds to support a USDA Tract Two Grant application to increase and sustain access to healthcare in Presidio, Texas. With this grant there will be after hours and weekend paramedicine services offered for those needing access to healthcare without a 144-mile round trip to the hospital in Alpine. Presidio County teamed up with Big Bend Regional Hospital District and Brewster County to obtain the USDA Emergency Health Care Grant. This grant together with Congressman Tony Gonzales’ $1.7 million grant funds from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services for Presidio County Health Care Services should go a long way in helping our rural population.
Also, Presidio County has awarded Marfa EMS and Presidio EMS $50,000 of American Relief Planning Funds to assist in the purchase of new ambulances. Presidio County is also in the process of receiving and donating a free, slightly used, ambulance to the City of Presidio EMS. This ambulance donation was made by Winkler County and secured through Commissioner Knight.
How can Presidio County residents and leaders work together across the party divide?
I have never experienced a party divide. I have only experienced thoughtful citizens, dedicated leaders and employees who are eager to work for the betterment of this community. We have all seen some very tough and confusing times, but we must remain on track and continue to face our problems head on. We owe it to those who have worked hard to get us to this point. Let’s not let them down. Let’s continue to make Presidio County even better for our children and grandchildren. Each one of us is a gift to one another, and we are all connected with purpose and connectivity.
How will you represent our area in the media and on the state and federal level?
That is a role I take very seriously. Whether that is in a state, federal, judicial or administrative level, I have a clear understanding of how government works and what we are mandated by law. I will always put the needs of the constituents first.
Jose Portillo (D)
What will you do to fast-track overdue construction on the Presidio-Ojinaga bridge?
Recently, Judge Guevara stated that the Presidio International Port Authority (PIPA) — which was, among other things, the mechanism to run interference and ensure its completion in lockstep with TXDOT — had run its course and the county funding that had been provided to that effort was stopped. The expansion from two to four lanes of passenger bridge and the completion of the railroad is the most significant project currently ongoing to the economic health of Presidio County. We have the unfortunate designation of being the poorest county currently in Texas, and it is unacceptable. Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass last year did more than $33 billion in trade with their port of entry, and El Paso and Juarez did $66 billion in trade. How can you claim that “it has run its course” when it is only getting started? We are still necked down to one lane after 39 months of what was expected to be a 13-month project. I travel to Ojinaga weekly and I assure anyone that has been stuck in traffic for hours on end trying to enter or return would not agree that it “has run its course.” This port needs to be a priority and we need to work diligently and emphasize its importance to our federal and state partners for not only Presidio County, but to the state of Texas and beyond.
Do you support access to abortion services via telehealth or other avenues in Presidio County?
Probably the most contentious and divisive issue facing our country today is abortion and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The extreme elements of the parties have each taken views so far right or so far left that it is vitriolic at best. As a God-fearing man, I would hope that every baby conceived would have the opportunity to be born and live the life meant. It is a miracle. But I am a man and understand that it is a woman’s responsibility. I also realize that doctors are a huge part of the equation, and the mother’s mental and physical health should be taken into account. It is a responsibility that I would not cherish to have to make. With that said, I would support all venues, including telehealth to consult and help people look at all the information before them to make that life-changing decision.
How will you support the expansion of water infrastructure to everyone in the county?
It is imperative that the County of Presidio take a more active role when it comes to water. It is the most precious resource that we have in the desert, and unfortunately it has been overlooked. I have seen that recently in Shafter and not too long ago in Candelaria. There are so many grant opportunities that we should take advantage of with the Texas Water Development Board, The North American Development Bank (NAD) and the USDA. Unlike the City of Marfa and the City of Presidio, which both have developed a Master Plan to help plan for their water, among other things, the County of Presidio has not. There should be an exigent and temporary plan to make sure that the water continues to flow, but a Master Plan to decide how we eventually get there.
What steps will you take to improve healthcare for folks in Presidio County?
Healthcare is a priority, and COVID really showed how desperate we are. Unrealistic and long trips by ambulance with no urgent care capabilities. We need to have long and hard discussions with the Big Bend Regional Hospital District. It is a taxing entity in Presidio County that receives a large portion of the taxes that are collected each year. We need to know how they are spending those funds and how they can improve our situation. I believe at a minimum we should discuss the creation of an Emergency Services District jointly with the City of Marfa and Presidio to imbed urgent care capabilities with our EMS services with a partnered telemedicine provider and nurses and practitioners on staff.
How can Presidio County residents and leaders work together across the party divide?
I have never seen our country so divided. It does not matter which party at the time is in charge when they get into office, they immediately destroy what the other party has implemented, even though some of what had been implemented was good. It is sad and frustrating. We cannot go on like this! It must change, and it will begin with elected officials that can work across the aisles. We must recognize that currently Presidio County has a Democratic state representative and state senator. Our governor is Republican, along with our current congressmen and U.S. senators. They are all the mechanism to get things done at the state and national level and we must be willing to work with them.
How will you represent our area in the media and on the state and federal level?
I believe this to be a strength for me. I successfully argued for major projects for the City of Presidio when I was the administrator. The truth is that a lot of grant entities at the state and national level truly want to help their communities and constituents. They ask for the reason, they want data, and they want to know that the intentions are good and result in success. Presidio County is so diverse and has so much potential, and I am prepared to shout it from the rooftops to let everyone know.
