When the citizens of McAllen went to the polls to vote for a city charter change, one thing was overwhelmingly clear - we care about our city. That's the McAllen that I love... where I was born, raised, educated, live and where I practice law and raise my children. The citizens of McAllen have been forced during Leo Montalvo's term as mayor to join forces and organize to get things done because of his lack of leadership and lack of accountability of our elected city officials. We've been forced to act in spite of - not together with - our city hall. Four years ago, when we last had a mayoral election, Leo Montalvo's supporters told the people of McAllen that Othal Brand was guilty of using his position as Mayor to earn a $36,000 commission on a land transaction with the city. Because of that revelation, we elected Leo Montalvo as Mayor and believed that favoritism and self-dealing would be eliminated from our city. We were wrong. We're in danger of losing our position as the economic, educational, cultural and life-style hub of the Valley. We've missed some great opportunities. We've wasted money by hiring professionals and ignoring their findings. We're reacting-not acting. We're covering bases and not planning. Leo doesn't feel the pulse of the City of McAllen and all it's citizens. Leo Montalvo is, in fact, the least qualified individual, in his own words, "to lead the city's transition to single member districts." I believe in "we, the people" of McAllen and I believe our city government should be responsive to the needs of "we, the people." Whether it be collective bargaining for our policemen and firefighters or single member districts, it is the job of our elected officials to be at the forefront of the decision-making process rather than forcing the people to petition for special elections to see their will carried out! As Mayor of McAllen, I pledge to eliminate the nepotism and favoritism of our current administration. We will have a code of ethics and those who insist on business as usual will find themselves out of luck and out of work. We, the people of McAllen, will have a voice in my administration.. and that voice will not go unheeded.