The Mexican consul here is criticizing the city’s mayor for some remarks he made during recent media interviews about the proposed expansion of the Douglas/Agua Prieta port of entry.
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He referred to an article, written by the Douglas Dispatch on July 29 and republished by the Herald/Review on Aug. 3, in which Gomez stated that federal funding was supposed to occur in 2011 but has been pushed back to 2012.
“Part of the problem is in Mexico where there is political fighting over where the new port should be — at the existing port site on Pan American or moved over closer to Kings Highway,” the article states.
“Until a final decision comes from Mexico on its location, it is going to be difficult to get a funding commitment. Right now, we are waiting for a letter of support from Mexico City,” it continues.
Gomez allegedly made similar statements last week during an interview on the Douglas KDAP-FM 96.5 radio station.
De la Torre said it is up to the U.S. government to support the city of Douglas. The Mexican government, meanwhile, must support the city of Agua Prieta.
A proposal to expand the port at its current location in the city is being considered. But the idea of building the port out in the county at Kings Highway is not even on the table at this time, he added.
“On the Mexican side, we are working, and until we finish the process, we cannot tell you when it will start and when it will finish. The most important thing is we will try to match the times of starting and finishing with the American times,” he said.
Natalio Sabal, a former Douglas mayoral candidate, told the Herald/Review “it blew my mind” when he heard Gomez state on the radio that he wants to develop the port of entry at Kings Highway.
He started a recall petition against Gomez on Aug. 3, citing several reasons, including “Failing to recognize that Agua Prieta and northern Mexico are economic lifeblood of community.”
Gomez said the reaction to his statements in the Dispatch and on KDAP was “unfortunate.”
“My goal with those comments was merely to set in motion a renewed spirit of cooperation between the two nations in an effort to join our parallel efforts and bring this important project to fruition,” he said.
The overall port of entry expansion project on federal land will cost about $40 million to $60 million, he explained. The cost of Chino Road improvements from Fifth Street to International Avenue along the border will be about $2 million. The city currently has allocated $800,000 and still needs $1.2 million.
He maintains that during the newspaper and radio interviews, he simply stated that the city needs to get funding from state or federal officials to finish Chino Road and it needs a commitment from Mexico for the port expansion.
“I never talked about any other site. We have been concentrating on this port of entry being right down behind Walmart.,” he said
“It was not my opinion when I said Mexico had not made a commitment,” he added. “All I did was relate that two GSA (General Services Administration) members said we need a commitment from Mexico or the timelines will be delayed.”
Gomez, who left his seat as a councilman to run for mayor in late 2007 and was elected in March 2008, said since early in his term as mayor, he has fully supported and has worked diligently to bring the port expansion project to the current site. “I have never voted against the port at the present location,” he added.
According to city records, then-Councilman Gomez cast the lone dissenting vote on Aug. 8, 2007, on a “discussion/decision to demonstrate agreement and support the Douglas port of entry feasibility study — 95 percent submittal prepared by the U.S. General Services Administration.” But, Gomez said, any large port expansion job goes through many planning stages, and the 95 percent feasibility study “contained wrinkles.”
“These wrinkles have since been straightened out and the current Douglas administration is in full support of the 100 percent feasibility study and proposed port project expansion,” he added.
Comments
anonomous wrote on Sep 5, 2009 11:40 PM:
Yep wrote on Sep 1, 2009 10:50 PM:
Harry wrote on Sep 1, 2009 11:09 AM:
Mayor Gomez needs to encourage the council to involve themselves in the decision making and not have a certain councilman bad mouth or demean another council member or by all means anyone else attending a council meeting. It is my belief most of the councilmen are reserved in participating different views or dispute any concern. They are either shy, ignorante, or afraid to speak up. These councilmen that are speechless--step down if you can't handle outspoken individuals. You don't belong in City Hall representing me. I am sure we have other interested individuals ready to take your positions. Come on guys and gal you are educated individuals--do your job! "
Alex G Cruz Silva for mayor wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:41 PM:
Dan wrote on Aug 29, 2009 9:56 PM:
WTF wrote on Aug 29, 2009 7:59 PM:
Kinda Agree wrote on Aug 28, 2009 6:00 PM:
Sad State wrote on Aug 26, 2009 11:15 PM: