Teens talk with mayor, offer advice

McALLEN — They may not be old enough vote, but the mayor’s newest group of advisers could help influence the face of the city.

Mayor Richard Cortez has assembled a group of about 20 high school students to advise him on how to improve the city’s image and help retain young people.

Other Texas cities have assembled teen advisory groups, but this is a first for McAllen and seems to be unique in the Rio Grande Valley.

City administrators are included in the discussions, the group’s recommendations have been distributed to commissioners and Cortez has referred to their insights during city meetings.

“All of our department directors are at your disposal,” Assistant City Manager Wendy Smith told the students at the group’s meeting last week.

Cortez hopes by tapping the minds of the city’s youths, the city will be able to address the area’s “brain drain” — students fleeing McAllen upon college graduation.

“What we’re looking for is input,” Cortez said. “We can’t ignore a single part of our community and not provide services to them.”

The group convened for the first time last month, with Cortez and City Commissioner Hilda Salinas attending. The group will be tasked with formulating recommendations to the city over the next six months.

At the group’s meeting last week, the students said they wanted the city to focus on “going green” by providing expanded opportunities for recycling and increasing public awareness about energy reduction. The students also wanted to expand the city’s monthly music events at the McAllen Convention Center.

“I was surprised at the interest (Cortez) has taken,” said Bari Rabinovich, a junior at McAllen Memorial High School.

She said the city has already shown it’s serious about considering the students’ ideas.

“They’re supportive and they’re willing to back us up.”

Luciana Milano, 17, said she was glad to be selected for the group. Students were selected by teachers, principals and counselors.

“I wanted to be active, but I didn’t know how,” said Milano, a junior with the International Baccalaureate program based at Lamar Academy. “It’s interesting to be involved.”

Cortez said when he met with the students for the first time last month, it was immediately clear the city had a problem. When he asked the group if they planned to return to McAllen after graduating from college, half of them said no.

“‘Obviously, our community is not attractive enough to make you want to stay here,’” Cortez recalled telling the group. “‘That’s precisely the information I’m seeking from you — what are missing from the community?’”

The move fits in with the city’s goal of attracting the “creative class” — young, educated people who place a priority on quality-of-life issues when selecting a city to call home.

Some urban experts believe that retaining those people is key to promoting economic development in cities.

And with a median age of 27, the greater McAllen area has the eighth-youngest population in the country. That makes seeking the input of young people especially important, Smith said.

The students have also recommended an expansion of bus routes to South Padre Island, a new skate park, an outdoor theater and more pedestrianfriendly communities.

After attending the group’s initial meeting, Cortez said he plans to stay hands-off, allowing the students to form sub-committees to evaluate potential projects before he reviews their ultimate recommendations.

He may have also helped spawn the next generation of Valley politicians.

Mark Hanna, a senior at McAllen High School, said he now plans on returning back to the city after graduating college.

“(Cortez) motivated me to want to come back and run for mayor,” Hanna said.