Acknowledging widespread concern about the criminal violence that has plagued Chapala and the rest of the nation, new Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta Barrios said restoring tranquility in the community will be his top priority.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony held Sunday, September 30 at the Auditorio de la Ribera, Huerta squeezed in a message for local expatriates.
“I want to manifest my recognition and gratitude to the foreign community for maintaining confidence despite the wave of recent events. You are an important pillar in the development of our municipality. Thank you for your trust and for staying here with us.”
The ceremony took place under a tight-security filter put in place for the guest appearance of Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez Marquez.
The newly elected officials took the oath of office in a context of a final formal session of the out-going council. Jesus Cabrera opened the event with a heart-felt farewell to constituents and special thanks to the governor, city hall staff and his family for their support during his term.
After assuming the mantle as presidente municipal, Huerta stepped up to the podium to promise an open-door government that will work for and with the people. He called on his collaborators and the public-at-large to work shoulder-to-shoulder to help him build a better government and attend to Chapala’s greatest needs.
“I assume my commitment with a great sense of responsibility, affection and an enormous interest in serving my homeland. Here and now my colleagues and I pledge that we will not fail you,” he declared.
Taking his turn at the mike, the governor spoke of Chapala’s unique qualities, underlining the roles government authorities must play to assure that the lake and its surrounding communities enjoy conditions for reaching full potential as a thriving tourist haven.
“Chapala is a privileged spot. There are few destinations in the world of such beauty and importance with a potential market of four and a half million people living just 40 kilometers away,” he said.
In that vein, he pointed to actions and responsibilities that must be taken at all levels of government to maintain plentiful, unpolluted water for the lake, to build up infrastructure and services to satisfy the demands of vacationers, and to encourage the kind of growth that will generate employment and a promising future for the local populace.