Cont. from front page

PAN city councilors

PRD city councilors

The City Council session

At the extraordinary city council session, most of the members voted in favor of Correa’s resignation, with the exception of the three PRD (Revolutionary Democratic Party) members. Juan Rosario Licea, one of the PRD councilors, said that he personally did not agree with the idea of leaving such an important position that the people of San Miguel had entrusted to Correa, but that he “was nobody to obstruct his political career,” and he congratulated Correa and wished him luck.

The law allows any public functionary to leave his position to seek another political post. Three years ago, former mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal also left office to run for the Senate. Correa, who was then city secretary, left his position to run for mayor. Former city secretary Cristóbal Finkelstein Franyutti left his position just a month ago to contend for a spot on the mayoral ballot. He was recently replaced by José Luis Hernández Rodríguez, a San Miguel lawyer. 

PT (Labor Party) city councilor Jesús Rangel Bautista said it had been a privilege to work with Correa and encouraged him to continue his political career. “I think all the city council members have worked together for San Miguel, and although there have been some differences, we have set aside the colors of our party to make the best decisions for San Miguel,” he said. He announced that he will also campaign for his party’s nomination for deputy. 

Gerardo Arteaga, PAN (National Action Party) city councilor, also congratulated Correa and commented on all the achievements of his administration, such as four universities; a new sports center, a library at Fraccionamiento Insurgentes and slaughterhouse; 200 paving of streets; a new paved road to the rural community of Palo Colorado; a first-place standing in state sports competitions; UNESCO World Heritage status; the new road infrastructure and investment in the shrine at Atotonilco. 

Correa thanked his city councilors for having helped him during the two and a half years of his administration and said it was because of joint decisions that all the achievements were possible. He then proposed that assistant mayor Rodolfo Jurado Maycotte be named interim mayor. Most of the city councilors agreed with the proposal. The PRD members requested a short recess so that Jurado could explain his plans to them. Afterward, Jurado was unanimously accepted as interim mayor.

Rodolfo Jurando and Jesús Correa

The past and present mayors

Correa pointed out that most of his goals have been achieved, such as furthering education by opening new universities and a new library. He said that one of his main worries was the traffic problem on Libramiento Manuel Zavala and Calzada de la Estación. “I could not leave these two bridges unfinished—an overpass above Calzada de la Estación and the access bridge to Infonavit Malanquín,” he said. “That is why we asked for a loan, which has already been approved by the city council. The bridges will be finished in six or eight months.”

He also referred to public security and tourism. “I have always said that tourism and public security must not decrease in San Miguel. When I began my administration, the Public Security Department was not what it is now. Crime might have increased, but under the direction of Daniel Trujillo, the Public Security Department has been able to fight against it. Tourism has increased, and although some might doubt that, and it can be proven by the 2 percent increase in occupation taxes paid by hotel owners.”

Correa said that he wants to be a deputy to continue serving San Miguel. “I know the problems mayors have in some areas, such as with tax collection. The law is quite clear on this issue. I would like to propose a law that improves tax collection.”

However, he said that if he is not elected he will return as mayor. He added that the people of San Miguel must have confidence in Rodolfo Jurado, who has been involved with the city and its problems since the beginning of this administration, and he will do a good job. 

Jurado added that at the moment he does not have any new projects in mind “since this is not a new administration, but a continuation of the same one.”