MERCEDES — Hernan Gonzalez didn’t mince words in his defense of supporting the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.
The executive director of the Development Corporation of Mercedes recently admitted to being taken aback by criticism from City Commissioner Jose Gomez over the corporation’s monetary support of the event.
Specifically, the corporation granted $300,000 to assist the stock show with $2.5 million worth of upgrades, which will include a parking lot expansion to accommodate nearly 4,000 vehicles as well as drainage and lighting improvements.
“Obviously the stock show is a big part of Mercedes and a big part of our identity, so the improvements being done would make the venue better,” Gonzalez said.
“But it’s a misunderstanding of the value of the stock show to narrow its impact to a 10-day event, even though it’s the only 10-day event south of San Antonio. I see a regional venue used year-round because it has a tremendous location, and with improvements to the parking and drainage, it will help attract more events to the stock show grounds.”
Gomez’s concerns, however, focused more on the show’s impact on the local business community as well as the discussion to approve the funding being held in executive session at a recent commission meeting.
“My thing is transparency, and it wasn’t put in the regular agenda,” Gomez said. “It was discussed in executive session, and to me, people should know what we’re doing with their money. It doesn’t matter how they put it or slice it, when it’s discussed behind closed doors, the public doesn’t have an opportunity to know what’s going on.”
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