PCT. 4 COMMISSIONER TO BE SWORN IN, SANCHEZ OUT

By Juan Montoya

With any luck, the next agenda of the meetings of the Cameron County Commissioners Court will be the last time we will see the name Dan Sanchez as commissioner for Precinct 4.

Sanchez, who resinged by announcement that he was seeking the county judge's chair, has been in  a holdover mode since November 10. Although the Texas Election Code calls for the county judge to appoint someone to fill the seat of the resigning commissioner "as soon as possible," Pete Sepulveda – an appointee himself – decided to ignore the statute and did not appoint anyone to represent the residents of the precinct until the primary results between the two candidates was nover.

That ended on March 1 when attorney Gus Ruiz was elected over Basilio Sanchez.

But, as befits the County of 1,000 Slumberers, Sepulveda has been reluctant to cut Dan Sanchez off from his county salary, vehicle allowance, and perks of office. It has been more than 122 days since the Nov. 10 announcement on the steps of the Cameron County Judicial wing and we still have not had a replacement.

Now we are in receipt of a fancy announcement from Pct. 4 winner Ruiz where he invites all his fans to attend his much belated swearing-in ceremony in the La Feria Annex Building Saturday, March 19.

Add another eight days to the 122 and it will be 130 since the residents of the precinct have been waiting to have someone represent them on the court. "As soon as possible" takes on an entire different meaning here.

We had heard that Ruiz was content to let the portly commissioner remain in office and that he was actually reluctant to be placed on the commissioners court until Dan got good and ready to depart in a blaze of triumphant glory.

Speaking of glory, Ruiz wrapped himself in the mantle of patriotism and military service during his campaign for commissioner and the theme is carried over into his invite for his wearing-in.

"Honor, Courage and Commitment" are the bywords on the card.

We must remember that Ruiz also happens to be the Public Defender for Veterans Court which is presided over by Dan's brother, 444th District Court Judge David Sanchez.

In fact, Ruiz is a staunch Dan Sanchez supporter and has been actively campaigning for him to beat former Brownsville mayor Eddie Treviño. Treviño and Sanchez are in the runoff for the Democratic Party nomination for county judge. There is no Republican candidate for that position in November.

Treviño out-polled Sanchez 12,935 to 10,705. Elizabeth Garza, the third candidate, drew 5,769 and forced the runoff between the two.

In order toe make up the 2,230 vote difference, Sanchez will have to campaign hard before the May 24 runoff. Will Ruiz, now as county commissioner, use his bully pulpit to actively campaign on behalf of his predecessor?