Sam I Am

State of the City 5/8/2019

Blog by Liz Ramos

This would be my first State of the City function in which I have ever attended, anywhere. So that is nice. Ol’ Girls Kitchen supplied everyone with their nummy meatloaf they serve on Mondays. I actually went there Monday and had exactly that. So, meatloaf times 2! I would say about 85%-90% of the people there were from the city. Some were business owners and a couple citizens like myself.

On that note, although it was held in the middle of the day, I wish I saw more “citizens” like myself. I ain’t got no jobby job so I was able to attend. I get that. So I cant entirely point the finger at anyone. I wish there was more citizen participation.

It was my second time seeing Mayor Fugate outside of City Hall. Remember, I am very new here. Most, if not all of these people I have never met, still don’t know what they do for the city, and what has transpired in the city in the last decade or what not. So, I am still learning. This is the fun part for me. I always keep myself with wide eyes, and I think positive about everyone I meet. Then I start slowly figuring out who is wanting to push this or that to line their own pockets or try to leave a very expensive legacy behind and push their agenda. I moved from Brownsville and there are some decent bloggers down there, a daily newspaper, and a great social media presense to allow me to keep up with what is happening. Not so much here which is making it difficult.

So far, I like Sam! I usually loathe Mayors in the places I live, but I have a good vibe about him. I think Kingsville has done some work this year which is visible. I wish communication with the public was better but with help from the community and community envolvement, that can happen.

If you don’t know what is going on within the place you live, go find out. I like the fact that the city commission meetings are posted pretty timely online, along with the agenda packet which helps the community get an idea of what is going on at the meetings and the minutes of the meetings are usually posted with the following agenda. So if you don’t have time to go to those meetings, take a moment and look at them online. This way you can publically participate at a meeting if you want the Mayor and commissioners to hear your voice.

*Side note-I wish KISD put up their agenda packet and a video or unapproved minutes online so the public can know what is going on and the decisions that are being made. Time will tell if they put my request for transparency on the upcoming regular agenda!!!! I will update that as well.

For a small town like Kingsville there is a lot to do. The Mayor touched on that at the end of his talk. He is right and I’ve stated that on my announcement. There is so much to do here, please don’t complain. You aren’t looking. Or you arent on my page daily to find out! Maybe you should join? Uh! Hu! That is why I made it!

He touched on stuff that is happening. A lot of it is coming along slowly but surely. It will be nice to see what else Kingsville has in store next year for everyone here.

I sent a letter to Parks and Rec and let them know I’d like to be on the Advisory Board. I probably won’t get it, but that is okay. I have tons of ideas, minor solutions, and I keep my ear out with the public to listen to their wants and needs. I have my own. I guess they will be mine to keep. I will still post any new news about Parks and Rec when I can. Especially this summer!

Bray’s Smokehouse will be opening soon! I got a glimpse of the inside and when they open everyone needs to tell them how fabulous the place is! They really have done an excellent job!

They are still working on their street repair plan. Parkway improvements are in the works. I am sure Festival de Loteria will be even better next year. There are some things to look forward for this year and I can’t wait to post and/or blog about them.

Mayor also touched on KISD. He made a point to point out that they hired a new superientendent and I couldn’t agree with him more when he stated something along the lines of: You hire someone of that capacity and you let them run with it. You allow them to do the job you hired them to do.

They will soon be working on hiring a new City Manager for Kingsville. This should be intersting. Lol Charlie Cabler from the Valley lost his Mayoral bid, or is in a run off with Trey Mendez, so when he looses, maybe they will hire Cabler? Lol

Would you eat Ol’ Girls Kitchen here or there? In a box with a fox? In a house with a mouse? Ol’ Girls Kitchen’s meatloaf is so good, so good, you see!