EDINBURG, RGV - While Rolling Stone magazine reported on America’s dirtiest cops being from Hidalgo County, the county’s top administrator said the vast majority of county government workers are good, honest and hard-working.
“After serving two terms as your county judge, and as I prepare to begin my third term, I can assure you that – although they don’t make headlines – 99.9 percent of the employees of Hidalgo County are hard-working public servants. They provide quality services to our communities and deserve the public’s trust,” Garcia said, after being sworn into office.
Attorney Ramon Garcia was sworn into office Monday for a third term as Hidalgo County Judge.The Rolling Stone front cover story is titled “America's Dirtiest Cops: Cash and Cocaine on the Texas Border.” It focuses on disgraced former Panama Unit leader Jonathan Treviño, son of disgraced former Hidalgo County Sheriff Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Treviño.
The story is bound to have a big impact. Rolling Stone has 1.5 million subscribers, just under four million "likes" on its Facebook page and around three million followers on Google Plus. Click here to read the Rolling Stone story.
Hidalgo County suffered another black eye recently when JP Jose Ismael "Melo" Ochoa resigned shortly before being indicted on charges of bribery, money laundering and organized criminal activity.
Judge Garcia’s comments came in a news release issued immediately after he was sworn into office for a third term as county judge.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but the spirit of collaboration, transparency in government and working for the public good will see us through,” Garcia’s said.
Garcia’s swearing-in ceremony was held in private at the offices of 332nd District Court Judge Mario E. Ramirez Jr., the county’s senior justice, at 12 p.m. Monday.
Among his goals for the upcoming four-year term of office, Garcia listed providing exemplary services, being proactive in planning for the County’s continued growth and prosperity, and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.
“I will continue to stress fiscal responsibility in all areas and know that I have the support of the four commissioners. Hidalgo County taxes have not increased for 13 years, and I will work with Commissioners Court to see that we accomplish our goals without the need for additional taxes,” Garcia said.
Commissioners Court will have a new look in 2015 following the election of Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu. Hidalgo County also has a new District Attorney, Ricardo Rodriguez, and a new Sheriff, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra. Garcia said he is looking forward to working with each of them.
Rodriguez, who was sworn into office on New Year’s Day, said he plans to set up an anti-corruption task force. “We're going to investigate corruption and prosecute it to the fullest of our ability. It's not going to happen overnight, but we're going to try our hardest,” Rodriguez said.
