Edinburg Auditorium Debates...Part One

Edinburg, Texas. "All-America City". The road sign at the edge of the city limits reads population 48,465. Edinburg is also the county seat of Hidalgo County. I was headed north on Business 281 that becomes Closner the closer one gets to the town's center square where the courthouse sits. I turn west, then north, then west again on University Drive inching my way to a convenience store on a corner which the sign reads "The Party Barn". I turn north on that street, and drive two blocks to McIntyre. On the corner, an old building. The Edinburg Auditorium. I park across the street in a lot that is usually reserved for potential jurors from Monday through Friday. 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is 5:35 p.m. on a Thursday, the sun is still a good hour from touching the horizon, and the sky is just beginning to fade into violet. The violet of an evening sky above the Rio Grande Valley. The temperature was warm this Thursday, unseasonably even by Valley standards. We're in the midsts of a drought, and judging by the clear warm sky on February 2, 2006, it looks like the Valley will get the worst of it before it deserves the better. As I make my way up the sidewalk to the entrance, there is a statue of Tejano music legend Roberto Pulido facing the building. Tejano music, a genre that at it's peak saturated the airwaves of every home, car, or business just ten years ago. A weathered statue that marks a peak that has passed what seems like ages ago. A peak that culminated with the death of Selena Quintanilla of "Selena y Los Dinos". A peak that one time 'super' Tejano groups like "La Mafia", and "Grupo Mazz" tried in vain to keep going. A peak that gave way to a new genre for a new audience that was tired of hearing "our parents" music. Norteno and Musica Regional have all but clinched an unflinching grip on radio stations all over the Valley. Music by the likes of groups such as "Intocable", and "Control", now mark what's 'in' to listen to nowadays. The death of our parents music, and for that matter anyone over the age of twenty five. Death was on my mind as I entered the auditorium, and the rumors of it were spreading like wildfire from the menial crowd that had gathered to listen to a debate sponsored by "The Young Democrats" in Hidalgo County. A debate that would feature candidates for County Judge, County Clerk, and the 92nd District Court. But like I said, the news of death and tragedy were spreading quickly as I could hear bits and pieces of information regarding the passing of one of the candidates father's, Mr. J.D. Salinas. Death is never an easy issue to deal with, no matter how many times you witness it, been involved in funerals for, etc. It may be harder to grasp when the news is about a child or young person dying simply because we as a society view youth with optimism and possibility. But the same feeling gets stirring in your gut when you get that phone call in the middle of the night, or see a relative walk up your driveway with his head held down, and the air of sorrow following too close behind. That lump in your throat is the same for everybody, and I for one was saddened to hear the loss of Mr. Salinas' father. May God deliver you and your family the strength to hold on to his memories, and the courage to move forward. Until next time, to be continued.....