Chapala mayor-elect Joaquin Huerta Barrios promises that public security strategies and austerity in managing city finances will be the top priority issues addressed by his administration.
Spelling out his vision to local reporters at a July 12 press conference, Huerta stressed his deep concern to govern effectively on public safety matters, stating, “Where there is security, there is employment, there is investment, prosperity and happiness.”
Without revealing his short-list for naming the chief of the municipal police force, he indicated that he will seek expert advice on beefing up local crime control and law enforcement.
Huerta announced that he is equally committed to keeping a close check on the municipality’s expenditures, especially in regard to payroll expenses. He intends to downsize the city hall staff and nix salary raises for city councilors and department head appointees. In selecting members of his cabinet, he will give preference to local people who are best qualified fill the posts, mentioning the possibility of reappointing officials noted for outstanding service under the current administration.As yet, the mayor-elect has not felt any pressure to dole out positions to National Action Party (PAN) loyalists who will be losing their jobs in other parts of the state.
In the wake of the PAN’s electoral debacle, hundreds of top-level Jalisco bureaucrats will be cut loose in the coming months. The party will relinquish control of the state government in March 2013 after 18 years of continuous rule. PAN candidates won only 22 Jalisco mayoral races this year, compared to 63 in the 2009 elections. Chapala is one of just 12 municipalities where the party will retain power over the next three years.
Queried on whether he worries about the implications of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) victories in the presidential and gubernatorial elections, Huerta said he does not anticipate that his government will suffer funding cutbacks or other repercussions due to his political affiliation. “My wife asked me the very same question,” he replied with a chuckle. “Chapala stands out as one of the state’s most important municipalities. We will present good projects and continue the worthwhile ones that are already in motion. There is no reason to think they won’t receive full support from higher levels of government.”
Huerta said he and his political advisers will dedicate the month of August to analyzing the local government’s operations and mapping out a path for the future.
He takes office on October 1.