By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Mario Cervantes resigned as the Chief Professional Officer for the San Benito Boys and Girls Club on Friday, June 21.
Cervantes confirmed that he had submitted his two weeks’ notice on Friday but deferred all questions to Darrell B. Hester Juvenile Justice Center Chief Executive Officer Tommy Ramirez Jr. Ramirez serves as the President of the Club’s Board of Directors.
“It’s a personnel matter, but it has a lot to do with our funding situation right now,” said Ramirez. “We’re in a funding crisis and we’ve had to make some changes fiscally. At this time it is in his best interest to resign. We’re going to sorely miss him because he’s done a good job and he has a lot of compassion for the kids in the programs.”
Cervantes had served as CPO since 2009 and has been involved with the Boys and Girls Club of San Benito for several years. Ramirez explained that the program has a responsibility to the children who participate in the club, therefore the club must find a way to stabilize itself financially in order to remain open.
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6 comments
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It was in his best interest to resign, that alone says it all. Wasn’t his wife doing the books, when there already was a financial person there. And where was he when theywere asking the city to help them out? I understand it, one commissioner was questioning his lack of participation in the talks. Tommy Ramirez was doing all the talking. Just my opinion.
Thank you Mario! It’s real sad to see the club struggling. My father Roy Garza started that club back in the day for the city of San Benito. When i was young me and him were the first ones in and the last ones out. The people/city should come together and figure out a solution to the problem. My plan is as soon as I’m done serving in the Marine Corps and our country is to become the executive director of the club, and do everything I can to keep the club running. Just like me and my father used to do.
Mr. Garza:
Your father was great. He would have never this happen. To his credit, Mario did what he could but was bullied out of the way. While your ambition is admirable, in reality the situation will not get any better until the B/G Club board of directors puts on their big-boy britches and rids themselves of their REAL problem. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on that one.
Good luck! We can’t wait for you to follow up on your plan.
A revolution of fund raiser will help out tremendously hard work fund raising and donations from corporations like the Exxon, Mobil oil companies or Bill Gates foundation. But it would be more of a learning experience and pride in the boys and Girls Clubs of the youth would be involved more in raising funds to keep their club active thus bring up responsible and caring young. Tournaments. Outdoor activities with an entrance fee . Heck brig in the Clowns!
Thank you Mario for all the dedicated years that you gave to the children of San Benito.
Hmm. You can bet there is more to this story. Ask yourself, what and who is this story really about??