FAREWELL TO A FRIEND: City says goodbye to Jalomo after 47 years

(Photo by T.J. Tijerina) Assistant City Manager Hector “Chuck” Jalomo is seen outside San Benito City Hall with a proclamation from the San Benito City Commission recognizing his 47 years of employment.

(Photo by T.J. Tijerina)
Assistant City Manager Hector “Chuck” Jalomo is seen outside San Benito City Hall with a proclamation from the San Benito City Commission recognizing his 47 years of employment.

By JACOB LOPEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

On Wednesday evening, the City of San Benito celebrated the career of longtime employee Hector “Chuck” Jalomo, who retired Friday, Oct. 31.

Jalomo, who has been employed with the city for 47 years and served the last 11 as assistant city manager, received recognition for his years as a public servant.

City officials and citizens of San Benito gathered to honor and thank Jalomo for his commitment to San Benito.

“I feel very happy, but on the same token I feel very sad,” said Jalomo. He expressed happiness for reaching such a milestone but knew that he would be leaving behind a position he loved.

“Thank God for guiding me all these years in my career with San Benito,” he said. “I plan to spend all my time with my wife, my children and my grandkids,” Jalomo added as he embraced his wife.

Mayor Celeste Sanchez said that Jalomo has played a major role in helping the City Commission resolve .

“He’s a walking history book,” said Sanchez. “I don’t foresee that he will stay away for very long. I foresee that we will be calling upon him to do some contract work for us, or some consulting work…”

“He [Jalomo] recalls how things were done, or how an ordinance was passed or the thinking at the time of (why the) ordinance was passed,” Sanchez added about Jalomo’s knowledge of existing city ordinances and the circumstances at the time.

“I foresee that I will still be calling on him,” said Sanchez.

What’s more, Sanchez said she had mixed feelings about Jalomo’s retirement. While she knows the commission will miss Jalomo’s contributions, she was also pleased that “Chuck” will now have more time to spend with his family.

City Manager Manuel Lara, who has spent the past six years working with Jalomo, sees it as a “new beginning” in which he will have more time to spend with his children and grandchildren.

“We are so grateful, and so blessed, to have someone that has dedicated 47 and a half years of his life to … San Benito,” said Lara.

Furthermore, Lara explained that Jalomo played a big role in helping him understand the needs of San Benito six years ago when he first began working for the city. “Mr. Jalomo is a very valuable asset. He … was one of my best resources in getting situated here …”

Bill Elliott, projects coordinator for the college of science, math and technology at University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB), who served as a member of the City Commission from 2009-12, said, “I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Jalomo, not only as a member of the City Commission, but also as a leader of the Economic Development Corporation and as a citizen … Chuck Jalomo has always been a solid rock of support for this community.”

He referred to Jalomo’s knowledge as an “encyclopedia of support” for the City.

Attending Thursday’s event were local and state officials, including past and present city employees, and Alex Guajardo of State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr.’s office, who presented Jalomo with a certificate of recognition as well as an American flag that was flown over the state capitol.

Also, Sanchez presented Jalomo with a city proclamation declaring Oct. 30 as Hector Jalomo Day in San Benito.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/10/31/farewell-to-a-friend-city-says-goodbye-to-jalomo-after-47-years/

4 comments

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  1. Asst. City manager Art Rodriguez should RETIRE.What I hear he is not doing his JOB. Does PERJURY RING A BELL ?

    • Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer on November 3, 2014 at 8:59 pm
    • Reply

    Unfortunately the wrong asst. city manager is retiring.

    There are pending lawsuits, reported by the San Benito News, against the city of San Benito because of alleged actions by the other asst. city manager Art Rodriguez. Good Luck to Mr. Jalomo. He is now free to speak up in a court of law without fear of retribution.

    Former Mayor Joe Hernandez and the city commission at the time gave the city manager two assistant city managers and an executive assistant and what has he delivered, nothing worth bragging about. What tax-payer really cares if the city is recognized for excellence in financial reporting? How much is the city really paying for this recognition?

    What we, the taxpayers, got in return is a bloated city administration with bloated salaries to match.

      • A Voter on November 4, 2014 at 9:58 am
      • Reply

      Whatever happened with the China trip.
      $ Why was there never any accountability for these monies; just so they could all have a vacation?
      $$ Why did the City Manager’s girlfriend and the Mayor’s wife go, if this was a City ‘business trip’?
      Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer:
      $$$The City pays a fee for getting certified as transparent. Why not just BE transparent??

    • Mary L. Saldana on November 2, 2014 at 1:14 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you Mr. Jalomo for your outstanding job that you did for the City of San Benito. Now you and your lovely wife enjoy retirement. You have earned it and may God bless you and your family. Once again, THANKS!

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