Sandra Martinez, formerly of Beeville, became the new city manager in George West on Monday, May 10. Martinez grew up and graduated from high school in Beeville. She went on to Southwest Texas State, now Texas State University, and earned a bachelor of science degree in political science.

For the past three years, she was the city administrator in Driscoll and prior to that she sat on the Mathis City Council for five years. Martinez said, “I feel my experiences in Driscoll and Mathis will help me better understand what our mayor, City Council and city employees want for the community.

One of the first things Martinez plans to do is sit down with the council and ask them write down their short-term goals and long-term goals for George West. “I did the same thing with the department heads. I want them to guide me as to what they are want to see happen here in George West. I came here to make a positive impact on the quality of life of all the citizens and visitors,” Martinez said.

“I know that Storyfest is a huge event here as well as hunting. So, what is stopping us from attracting more visitors and hunters? I want to see the hunters bring their spouses. Have them shop here. Have them fill up our hotels and motels. Have them raise the hotel occupancy and consequently the city will earn more taxes. We could kill two birds with one stone. That is what I visualize here, a sort of mini Fredericksburg,” Martinez continued.

Martinez said she already had a talk with the city department heads and will visit with the City Council and other city leaders to make sure they all understand why they are there. She said, “The citizens of George West have given us their public trust and public assets in order for us to provide quality public services. We need to make sure we remember that.”

Martinez has already met with Becky Allen, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, and she feels they already have a good working relationship. They both want to improve economic development and tourism in George West and revitalize downtown.

“I want to help the merchants that are already here and bring in some more merchants to keep the tourists here, not just for one day but maybe several weekend trips. By golly, we want people coming down from Dallas or San Antonio that are going to the coast to stop in George West. This is something easy we can shoot for,” Martinez said.

Before revitalization of George West can begin, Martinez believes the city must work on its infrastructure. She said so far she has heard that citizens want curbs and gutters. She added that she agrees they are having problems with the streets and others like water and wastewater. She wants to bring in civil engineers to give the city an assessment of what needs to be done in terms of these municipal problems.

“Once we know what needs to be done, we can work on getting the money to fix the problems. I am willing and able to look for resources, like grants, to help us get where we need to be. But, I can’t say for sure without getting an assessment. Ideally, we would like to fix all the problems without raising taxes,” Martinez said.

One of the first places Martinez toured when she arrived in George West was Cactus Park and the swimming pool. “Even though the park is in need of work, I see so much potential for it and all of George West. But first, we need to get our priorities straightened out. I believe there is strength in numbers. It is going to take all us working together to make George West a popular tourist spot and elevate the economy. But we can do it.”