HARLINGEN — From historic Silk Stocking Row and the Jackson Street business district to blocks of old neighborhoods, District 2’s residents get their chance Thursday to speak out during a town hall meeting aimed at addressing their concerns.
The so-called “listening session” marks the fifth of a series of meetings within the city’s five single-member districts this summer, part of a program in which residents’ feedback is set to help commissioners draft the city’s new comprehensive plan guiding officials into the next decade.
The city will hold Thursday’s listening session from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall at 118 E. Tyler Ave.
For more information, call City Hall at 956-216-5001.
“We are excited to gather feedback from District 2 residents,” Commissioner Daniel Lopez, who oversees District 2, stated Wednesday. “Their thoughts and recommendations will play an important role in improving our neighborhoods for years to come, especially as our citizens are in the best position to explain what they need and want in terms of infrastructure, public services and economic development.”
Meanwhile, more meetings are being planned, stated Lopez, who is counting on “a positive and collaborative town hall meeting, one of many to come.”
Spanning distinct areas
Sprawling across the heart of the city, the district includes a wide range of distinct areas.
“District 2 is in a unique position as it is the heart of Harlingen,” Lopez stated. “It encompasses historic neighborhoods like Fair Park and ‘Silk Stocking Row,’ our original industrial park and Jackson Street, where we hold great events like ‘Downtown at Sundown’ and ‘Market Days.’ We really span the spectrum.”
Facing challenges
Across the district, residents are facing challenges including drainage and street lighting problems along with illegal dumping, Lopez stated.
“I believe the biggest challenges facing District 2 are infrastructure and public services,” he stated. “This ranges from flood mitigation to street lighting and improvements to curbing illegal dumping.”
Lopez vowed to work to help address residents’ concerns.
“Though these issues plague every city, I know that if we work together, we can build a better Harlingen para todos,” he stated, referring to his campaign slogan, “Together we can build a better Harlingen para todos,” or for all.
Coming off campaign trail
During months on the campaign trail earlier this year, Lopez’s block-walking style helped him pull far ahead of other candidates in a four-man contest.
In a June 14 runoff following incumbent Commissioner Frank Puente’s defeat in the May 7 election, Lopez, an attorney who serves as the Cameron County Commissioners Court’s litigation counsel, won 438 votes to defeat Ernesto Cisneros, a retired U.S. Border Patrol agent who drew 283 votes.
Fifth listening session
Thursday’s meeting will mark the city’s fifth listening session of the summer.
As part of Mayor Norma Sepulveda’s plan, commissioners have been holding town hall meetings within the city’s five voting districts, planning to use residents’ feedback to help develop a new comprehensive plan.
