Getting The Business...

 

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McAllen, Texas | Well, at least he's out and about, mining for business of the sort The City of Palms lives on - pesos and more pesos from Old Mexico.

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos was in Tampico the other day.

Here's what he said about it on his Facebook page: [ . . .Economic development and tourism are an integral part of a successful community. Our team travelled to Tampico in an effort to promote both our cities.  Tampico is an amazing city that is not very far from McAllen. It is one of the cleanest cities I’ve seen in Mexico, and I believe is a very safe area. We will work in establishing a relationship beneficial to our communities. A great thank you to Mayor Chucho Nader for making us feel right at home. ]

Love the editorial comment about Tampico being safe, although maybe it is - from drug cartel dangers our mayor likely meant to add. It's still a crapshoot, we say.

But being extra-positive about these things is important. Both the U.S. and Mexico engage in big business daily. That's a fact.

The 55-year-old Villalobos, a Republican by his own admission, likes the pomp of the job. He's a busybody and go-getter, apparently.

McAllen as a city does well with well-heeled Mexican shoppers at its popular, ever-expanding La Plaza Mall. That is historical now. Sales tax revenue from the mall is huge and important for the city budget. Villalobos being in Tampico is to be expected.

Where he'll go next is the question...

-30-