By ARABELLA SERRATA
Staff Writer
The Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce held a Valentine’s Choir Performance at Josephine’s Kitchen and Coffee Shop. The event featured a performance from Derry and Garriga Elementary choir students.
At the event, Port Isabel Mayor Martin Cantu Jr. announced various projects and updated the public on the progress of the ongoing ones. Commissioner Carmen Rios and City Manager Jared Hockema also appeared
at the event.
Cantu began his presentation by thanking the public works department for their critical hand in the city’s beautification. Cantu reported the road pavement project along Garcia Street and North Shore was nearly
completed.
According to Cantu, some businesses coming to the area include a car wash establishment currently under construction and a Tex-Best travel stop being built in the Brownsville area. Cantu added that there were
talks about building a road near the Amigo Pawn shop that would run behind Walmart.
Cantu also mentioned the Laguna Madre Youth Center renovations, which were made possible with the assistance of a $1.5 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Cantu announced street repairs at East Maxan Street near the restaurant Josephine’s and the Port Isabel Post Office. Cantu stated the Port Isabel Cemetery renovation to add additional spaces was “almost completed.” According to a previous PRESS article, the City is installing double-depth lawn crypts to accommodate additional human remains.
Cantu announced that the city was beginning street improvements around Garriga and sidewalk improvement projects around Derry Elementary. According to Cantu, the city recently met with the Texas Historical Commission in Austin and received approximately $1.6 million to improve the area around the Lighthouse historical site and the Keeper’s Cottage.
After the project updates, Rios thanked the teachers and students for their efforts in the performance.
“To the educators, I offer you this reminder: your dedication has the opportunity to inspire, educate and uplift. The impact you have on our children will be the lasting legacy that shapes their future,” said Rios. She
then stated she would retire after eight years of service to the city. “Thank you so much to all of you who gave me the opportunity to be your commissioner for eight years,” said Rios.