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Council marks youth cheer national title, American Heart Month and Engineers Week; public speakers urge library, transit and fiscal caution
Summary
The council presented proclamations for the Edinburg Youth Cheer national champions, American Heart Month, and Engineers Week. During public comment, residents urged voter engagement, criticized tax increases, asked for transit connections to social services, and argued for a dedicated public library.
The Edinburg City Council presented three recognitions: the Edinburg Youth Cheer team was honored as NCA High School National Champions (12U division) with coaches Jacqueline Martinez, Emily Maureen, Billy Rodriguez and Eva Bustos named in the proclamation; the council proclaimed February 2026 as American Heart Month at the request of South Texas Health System; and the city proclaimed Engineers Week, with City Engineer Marlo De Reynoso accepting the recognition and noting growth in the engineering staff.
During the public‑comment period, six speakers addressed the council. Jacqueline Baez Lugo, who identified herself as a Republican precinct chair, urged Republican turnout on a slate of propositions. Fern McLeod criticized bond issuances and tax increases, said the council previously raised water rates by 67%, cited Hidalgo County median household income ($54,334) and asked why planning rules and variances frequently change; she also thanked local hospitals for lifesaving care. Ricardo Gomez asked the city to consider bus routes or shuttles to link indigent care, SNAP/WIC and workforce centers to improve access for residents with limited mobility. Diane Teeter, a professor at STC, said UTRGV’s university library cannot substitute for a public library and urged a fully resourced city library to serve children, seniors and jobseekers. A speaker identified only as Daniel praised the city’s RFP process for EMS and described operational capabilities; Obed Montoya offered neighborhood thanks for public works improvements.
Speakers urged clarity on policy implications: commenters pressed the council on the effects of variances and bonds, equitable access to services, and the need for a publicly accessible library that meets community needs.
