Incumbent Mayor Ray Jaso will seek re-election. This week he submitted the following statement:

“My name is Ray Jaso and I am running for the position of Mayor of the Town of Refugio.

“I have been on the city council for 36 consecutive years and of the 36 years, the last 12 years have been as mayor of the Town of Refugio. My business as mayor is to bring people and businesses to town. The more businesses that we bring to town, the broader our tax base will be and that in turn keeps the tax rate down.

“I was also involved in Little League for 11 years with a team and 13 years as a volunteer fireman. My tenure of serving the community has been a gratifying one for me. Also, my business is to see that the town keeps moving in a forward motion and not backwards.

“In the last few years we have acquired a Best Western Hotel, an O’Reilly Auto Parts, a new restaurant opened its doors today, 3-16-09, on Alamo Street, another new restaurant opened its doors, 3-14-09, on Osage and King streets.

“The council is always looking for businesses to come in to town, which means more jobs, sales tax, etc. As I look back over the years and the programs that I have initiated and are still here, I wonder which is my best accomplishment.

“It would have to be the manner in which cable was brought to Refugio. In order to recall the year, I had to ask Hugh Gregorcyk and Eugene “Bull” Lewis.

“They both agreed that it was 1977. At Quintana where I worked, there were these sports enthusiasts who reminded me every day to call cable TV or asked, had they called? Our council and mayor were also trying.

“I spoke with seven different people from seven different municipalities and was turned down for different reasons. I have names for all these people and the town that they are from.

“Late one Sunday night, a man from Connecticut called me at the house and asked if Refugio was still interested in cable TV. We talked for a while and then my reply to him was, “you can bring cable TV to Refugio and I promise that I will do all the leg work it takes to where you won’t have to fire a shot and I will get you Woodsboro if they are interested in cable TV.”

“The rest is history. So, in closing I am asking the silent majority that has kept me on the council for 36 years, can you do it again? If my results suit you, I am asking for your vote and support.

“If you disagree - so be it. I’ll let the chips fall where they may. I have always kept the community’s interest at heart in the business that I do every day. Thank you.”