‘Sonny’ Alvarez Octavio Xavier (Sonny) Alvarez is announcing his candidacy for the position of Precinct 2 Kleberg County Commissioner in the Democratic 2010 March primary.

“As such, I see numerous opportunities before us, and I am ready to join the Kleberg County Commissioners Court as a viable team player ready to work for the betterment of all our county residents,” Alvarez said.

“I feel I am capable and prepared, and I have the desire to work full-time to address all issues with the serious resolve and intent to find solutions,” he said.

“It is my desire to be of service, accountable, available and responsive as I listen to the concerns of Precinct 2 and all Kleberg County residents,” Alvarez said.

He noted these issues as taxation without representation; protection, support and growth of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and NAS Kingsville; safety in neighborhoods; improved discipline in schools; availability, responsiveness and accountability of all elected officials.

He also cited issues that include improved library facilities and services; consolidation of duplicated efforts; future availability of quality water; flood control; brush control, trash removal & disposal; increased job & career opportunities for residents of Kleberg County; improved county and city parks services and addressing the quality of life in Kleberg County.

“It is my intention to establish a web page available to all residents of Kleberg County where they may express their opinions and concerns for everyone to view and have input,” Alvarez said.

“Of the total tax dollars being paid to the county by taxpayers living within the city limits of Kingsville, how much of that money is being used to provide services to them? I have been told that residents of Rivera are asking similar questions,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said there are concerns with Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

“We have choices to make. The future is before us, and it is there for us to do with it as we deliberate and choose. Some 15 years ago, I personally addressed the Kingsville City Commissioners,” he said.

“I expressed our need to work together because I was aware of people in Corpus Christi wanting our university to be there. I was remiss in mentioning to the city commissioners, that when I addressed ‘those people’ informing them of the possible devastating economic circumstances that would impact the community of Kingsville, they reacted with a “so-be-it attitude.” he said.

“I further continued to express to our then city commissioners that so long as we continued to be incongruent among ourselves we would be distracting ourselves from directing our best efforts to protect, nurture, support and grow our excellent university, “ he stated.

“Corpus Christi still wants our fine university. This David vs. Goliath scenario will continue for many years to come, and I believe that one of the best tactics to utilize is to work with TAMUK, our State Representative and centers of influence, as we continue to find ways to strengthen its current programs, and look to identify and establish new and unique programs that are not offered by other universities in South Texas. Build it, and they will come,” Alvarez stated.

“I believe we as individuals must join TAMUK in its vision for the university and find ways to become part of that vision to make it a reality. We must get involved and contribute in whatever way we can. He said.

Alvarez said NAS Kingsville has been a great stable source providing strong economic input into our community.

Alvarez stated there is crime in our county and that neighborhoods are being vandalized, and robberies occur even in broad daylight.

“Yes, but that occurs everywhere in the USA.” I do not live everywhere. I live in Kleberg County (within the city limits of Kingsville), and I want to feel safer. I want to feel secure, and my tax dollars are supposed to provide that for all of us in Kleberg County. Who is responsible, and what are they doing to eliminate the criminal element here in Kleberg County? It is still here and must be dealt with harsher consequences as necessary.” he said.

Alvarez would like to see improved library facilities.

“First of all, let me say, that as a member of the board, I believe the staff at the Robert Kleberg Public Library, under the Library Director, Mr. Robert Rodriguez, is doing an excellent job in serving Kleberg County and the surrounding communities, including the students at TAMUK, residents of Kenedy County and even some in Nueces County,” the candidate observed.

However, Alvarez said he wanted to see more residents have better access to a more centralized library, with expanded services, such as a community meeting room, increased Internet computers, further expanded services by the Kleberg County Literacy Council.

Given a choice, Alvarez said he would like a new library built somewhere in that area, while leaving the present library building as a branch.

“Doing so will also further facilitate accessibility to our library to the residents of Ricardo and Rivera. I will work to see that become a reality, “ said.

He said there is a need to consolidate responsibilities and eliminate or at least minimize duplication of services as we look to find a better way to improve services for all residents while continuing to improve the quality of our life and decrease taxes.

On the issue of jobs and careers, Alvarez wants economical support for Kleberg County. He cites employment sources like the county, city, TAMUK, NAS Kingsville, NAS Kingsville, Kingsville ISD, Celanese, the Border Patrol, the State Troopers, the Department of Highways, the windmill company in Kenedy County and private business. He questions how much money leaves the county.

“We need to support and buy from our local businesses for our good and benefit, and it is the responsibility of each one of us to do so. This concept has been expressed periodically over and over but we just don’t get it,” he said.

“If you are going to work here, I believe you must live here, “ he stated.

He would like to see more improvements at Kleberg Park and more familyoriented activities held at the J. K. Northway Coliseum.

He stated he wanted to work and contribute to finding viable solutions for the benefit of all residents of Kleberg County as the next County Commissioner of Precinct 2.

“First of all, I believe we need a Long-Term (minimum 30 years) Written Plan that will serve us as a map to track and guide our progress to our destination,” he said.

“To begin, I believe the Kleberg County Commissioners Court needs to have workshops to meet and discuss ideas, while knowing what their respective tax payers want, so we can know and understand our mission, our purpose, the end-result we are seeking,” he said

“By voicing their wants and identifying those as our destination, we can start to work our written plan for its successful accomplishment. We must set priorities, strategize our plan of action, be sensitive to what is working, making adjustments as necessary, and always be focused on the desired end results we are seeking to accomplish, supported by our resolve to arrive together,” he stated.

“ What I am proposing is to be a cooperative team player to work for what I believe is a viable approach, and that in spite of whatever unknown or unforeseeable challenges we may face, will produce the desired positive end results for our tax paying constituents. I suggest that the only way it will fail is if we quit. If any member of the Kleberg County Commissioners Court has a better idea, I am ready to listen and work,” he said.

“To the taxpayers and residents of Precinct 2 in Kleberg County, I pledge my hard work and dedication by being proactive, available, responsive and accountable for my actions as your Kleberg County Commissioner for Precinct 2,” he said.

Alvarez graduated from H. M. King High School in 1962. He attended Texas College of Arts & Industries, the University of Mexico in Mexico City, the University of Texas, and graduated from North Texas State University in 1967 with a double major in Spanish and French and a minor in Secondary Education with a BA Degree.

He taught Spanish, French and English at M. B. Smiley High School in Houston from 1967 to 1969. Upon being drafted during my second year of teaching, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and served during the Vietnam Era and was honorably discharged on December 12t, 1971.

He worked for IBM as an Advanced Marketing Representative from 1972 to 1984 and later for Merrill Lynch and Houghton Mifflin.

He has operated a home based business for almost 13 years in marketing educational products to schools and libraries nationwide.

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2623 where he served in various elected positions. He served on the City of Kingsville Planning and Zoning Board as president for two years. He was actively involved in efforts to bring a law School & Hoggie baseball to TAMUK.

“Elements in our community were not convinced the proposed Law School was in our best interest, and certainly elements in Corpus Christi openly campaigned against it,” he said.

He helped direct efforts of the board to establish Casa de Paz, a $775,000 20-unit, housing project for the psychologically handicapped, which was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 2623.

He attends St. Martin’s Catholic Church. He currently serves on the board of the Robert Kleberg Pubic Library.

His wife, María, has been a teacher at St. Gertrude Catholic School for 20 years. They have been married for over 28 years and have three children: Omar Xavier, Justín David, and Elís Chemín. Elís is married to Rick Mendiondo II, and they have a son, Ricky III, who is called Champ.

Alvarez’s is the oldest son of Octavio, ( Tavo) Lopez Alvarez and Eufemia, (Fema) Ortegon Alvarez. His father worked as a KISD schoolteacher for over 30 years. His mother owned Fema’s Beauty Salon for numerous years. She is 95 years old and lives in Kingsville. Alvarez has a brother Ivan, 61, and a sister, Judy, who isa counselor with San Diego ISD.