Mayor Leo "Polo" Palacios takes a step for better financial management...One bloggers view...cynically yours...

In a move that surprised even the hardest of cynics, myself included, the Mayor of Pharr is questioning the financial responsibility of being included among 81 delegates which will attend the National Civic League conference, according to a report out of Sunday's The Monitor. The report states that the City of Pharr budgeted $100,000 for the trip. Mayor Leo "Polo" Palacios is quoted as saying, "I didn't see why the city should spend money on five nights in hotel, plus flights, and meals for me and my wife. I think all of us should be more concerned with how we spend our money. For $100,000 I could hire a couple of extra police officers." The report continues by stating that the 81 member delegation will leave on Thursday.

Finally, another elected official stepping up to the plate to make responsible choices for the community at large. If that's the case with the mayor, more power to him and the City of Pharr.

However, I can't help bring up the question of timing. There is a run-off election in a couple of weeks between Arturo Cortez and Edelmiro "Ed" De La Garza for City Commissioner Place 1. On May 14th, The Monitor reported that Cortez belongs to Mayor Palacios' slate. Could this be a case of the mayor paying lip service to an important issue in hopes of swaying some votes for Arturo Cortez? I don't know, but the question isn't without merit. How many times have citizens in the Valley seen an elected official promise better fiscal management only to turn around and do the exact opposite. Time will tell.