Newly installed Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta put in long hours on his first day in office, showing up at city hall early in the morning to stamp his personal mark on the operation of government business and rounding up his agenda by taking charge of the first session of the cabildo (municipal council).
“People will come in here for service. They may see the same familiar faces, but I don’t want them to get the impression that nothing has changed. I expect you to treat the public well. Folks shouldn’t have to stand around waiting for attention. And keep in mind that it’s the taxpayer who puts the food on your table,” he was overheard telling personnel at the water department.
“We’re all in this together. My administration is worth nothing without your collaboration,” he added on a softer note. “I’ll do my best to set a worthy example. I’m asking for your help from the bottom of my heart.”
Huerta was still going strong at 8 p.m. when he took the helm for the initial round of council business. The agenda was limited to two key points, starting with the ratification of two principal cabinet appointments: Nicolas Padilla Ramos as the government’s secretary general and Guadalupe Dueñas Acosta, repeating his post as city treasurer.
The rest of the two hour meeting was dedicated to parceling out the councilors’ assignments to 36 sitting committees on diverse government matters.
Lead opposition party councilman Gerardo Degollado created one minor wrinkle at the start of the proceedings by raising objection to the exclusion of a point on general affairs. He insisted that the meeting could be invalidated for omission of discussion on diverse matters brought up from the table. Councilwoman Maria Eugenia Real countered the argument, citing reference to the municipality’s organic law that labels the open point as preferable, but not obligatory. With approval by majority vote, the agenda proceeded as programmed. Degollado went on the record with his disapproval, indignant that his questions on the current state of city finances would not be immediately addressed.