Audit says City of Devine is financially stable

Devine Mayor Butch Cook, left, issues the oath of office to new District 4 council member Adrian Valle during the March 17 council meeting. Valle, the only candidate on the May ballot for the District 4 vacancy, is taking the position early since former council member Josh Ritchey has already left the community. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Adrian Valle, unopposed candidate for the Devine City Council, took the oath of office nearly six weeks early during the March 17 regular session to fill the District 4 vacancy left by the resignation of Josh Ritchey submitted in January.
On a motion by District 2 council member Michael Hernandez, seconded by District 1 council member Ray Gonzales, the council voted unanimously to approve appointing Valle to fill the council vacancy. The council also unanimously voted to cancel the May general election since the other two council races on the ballot involve unopposed incumbents.
Mayor Butch Cook had pushed to fill the District 4 vacancy since Ritchey’s resignation.
“In order for us to do our business and since (Valle) will be taking over as councilman it is my proposal that we bring him on board right now,” Cook said…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!