MADAM MAYOR: Sanchez’ victory a landmark moment in city’s history

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

(Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez) Celeste Zepeda Sanchez is pictured Tuesday outside the San Benito Municipal Building, where she will soon be attending City Commission meetings as the community’s first female mayor.

(Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
Celeste Zepeda Sanchez is pictured Tuesday outside the San Benito Municipal Building, where she will soon be attending City Commission meetings as the community’s first female mayor.

Apparently, 1,396 cracks in the proverbial glass ceiling were more than enough for longtime educator Celeste Zepeda Sanchez to shatter her way through a historic feat on Saturday: becoming San Benito’s first female mayor.

In what many are referring to as a landmark moment in San Benito’s storied history, Sanchez defeated longtime Mayor Joe H. Hernandez, who had previously never lost a mayoral race, by a 449-vote margin – 1,396 to 947.

“I’m honored that the citizens chose me to be their next mayor,” Sanchez said. “I feel that the community had lost faith in their city leadership and they were ready for a change.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 14 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/05/13/madam-mayor-sanchez-victory-a-landmark-moment-in-citys-history/

16 comments

Skip to comment form

    • WeThePeople on May 19, 2014 at 3:13 pm
    • Reply

    The suspected haters are already at it on social media hating on our new Mayor…talking smack and speculating about how much her swearing-in ceremony will cost taxpayers. What a crock! She is paying for most of it out of her pocket.
    Before we start nitpicking someone before they take office, we should reflect on how much this past administration has cost us with ChinaGate, RaspaGate, and so on.
    GIVE IT A REST!

      • Reform San Benito on May 19, 2014 at 9:23 pm
      • Reply

      We know how this administration has abused us citizens — NO MORE!!! There is all kinds of crap about to come down on this city because of mismanagement, corruption and abuse of their authority. Those who have abused the citizens of this community will pay! Those aligned with those who have abused citizens and condone the abuse will reveal themselves tomorrow night. MARK my words!!!!

    • Senor Taxpayer on May 19, 2014 at 12:44 pm
    • Reply

    Just read on the city web page the agenda for Tuesday’s City commission meeting and it appears the old guard is still in charge. The voters elected a new mayor on May 10, 2014 but “She” will not be sworn into office until the old guard decides. The King will keep ruling as long as possible so he can make a graceful exit. The truth is the King was dethroned by the voters by a wide margin so Accept It and Get over it

    However, his running mate Commissioner Tony Gonzales will be sworn in on Tuesday. Go figure.

    The city will continue to remain stale> just like the sales tax revenues until the city is rid from those holding the city back by stretching the rules to the limit when it benefits them.

      • Reform San Benito on May 19, 2014 at 9:11 pm
      • Reply

      Senor, I read the agenda for tomorrow — thanks for bringing it to our attention. ANY Commissioner who wishes to remain a Commissioner longer than 6 months needs NOT participate in tomorrow’s meeting. The people have spoken — Joe is a has been.

      Commissioners, not having a quorum tomorrow is in your best interest if you aspire to remain a Commissioner. Embrace OUR new Mayor!! If you don’t, we WILL elect those who will in a recall election. You have been forewarned!!!

    • JOEVETTE on May 18, 2014 at 12:51 am
    • Reply

    this lady is worthless to this city

      • Denny Crane, Jr. on May 18, 2014 at 5:00 pm
      • Reply

      “Worthless” in comparison to who or to whom, take your pick.

      • SB Citizen on May 18, 2014 at 9:02 pm
      • Reply

      The citizens of San Benito voted. Actually, it’s your opinion that is worthless.

    • The Negotiator on May 17, 2014 at 6:53 pm
    • Reply

    The question is this, If the city manager has too many assistants then why is he still employed? I believe that if you’re getting paid to do a job and getting paid well, then do your job. The only way this situation is going to get better is through accountability. An employee that needs too many assistants is just dead weight, and not an asset to the city. The city to the North seems to always come out ahead, because the ones running it have the same mind set, which is to make the city more productive. Every time someone tries to open a small business here there is always some sort of red tape; it’s very discouraging to people, and this is why they are opening their businesses else where. All I see is tax revenue going to other cities instead of ours, and in turn who then will have to pay higher taxes? We the citizens of San Benito will. So I’m asking you Madam Mayor to get rid of the people who don’t have the city’s best interest at heart. With your leadership, make this city the great city it can be.

      • WeThePeople on May 19, 2014 at 8:54 pm
      • Reply

      Just for the sake of argument: The City of Edinburg, County Seat of Hidalgo County (population 81,029) has 1 City Manager, 1 Assistant City Manager, 1 Administrative Assistant, and 1 Secretary.
      From what has been related to me: San Benito ( population 24,491), has 1 City Manager, 2 Assistant City Managers, 3 Administrative Assistants, 1 City Information person and at least 2 assistants in other departments.

      Edinburg link:
      http://www.cityofedinburg.com/citymgrstaff.php

  1. Funny how the city manager boasts that he is running the city with several less employees …. Duh , so the city could provide/afford ALL his assistants! HE ‘s a smooth talker, don’t fall for it Mayor Sanchez. If he can’t hack it, show him the door, just the way he showed all those employees he fired.

      • Pepe Roni on May 15, 2014 at 5:28 pm
      • Reply

      Smoke and Mirrors…….The city may have less employees but that does not mean diddily squat when the payroll has gone up with less employees.

      That indicates the payroll is top-heavy in the administration. I believe it is referred as “Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians!”

      Time for streamline action at the top.

  2. Funny how the city manager boasts that he is running the city with several less employees …. Duh , nits so the city could provide / afford ALL his assistants! HE ‘s a smooth talker, don’t fall for it Mayor Sanchez. If he can’t hack it, show him the door, just the way he showed all those employees he fired.

      • WeThePeople on May 16, 2014 at 8:37 am
      • Reply

      There are several dirty little, (and some big ones) secrets to be revealed coming soon to a City meeting near you…all the fallout from the Joe era! There will be plenty.
      The gang that supported Joe are now looking for angles to weasel themselves into favor with the Mayor-elect.
      I agree, the City Administration is top-heavy and only interested in protecting their jobs.

        • Reform San Benito on May 16, 2014 at 7:49 pm
        • Reply

        Do tell!

  3. You go in their and take care of of BUSINESS MAYOR SANCHEZ. City Hall is running TOP HEAVY save the taxpayers some of their hard earned money. Come on three city managers NOT EVEN BROWNSVILLE the largest city in the valley has three city managers.

    • Reform San Benito on May 14, 2014 at 1:53 pm
    • Reply

    Of course this commission would wait to canvass and swear in Mayor-elect Sanchez, until the last date permitted by the state’s Director of Elections. pfffft!

Leave a Reply to JOEVETTE Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.