7 minute read
EDINBURG IS FOR EVERYONE
By Dr. Kimberly Selber
Deafening cheers, celebratory tears, and huge hugs all around.
That was the scene on June 9th in Denver, Colorado, at the 75th annual All-America City Awards Announcement— Edinburg had secured its fourth designation. While the formal presentation only lasted a short 10 minutes, for the City of Edinburg, this was no quick win.
Since 1949, the National Civic League’s All-America City Award has been recognized as the nation’s most prestigious civic honor, acknowledging innovation, leveraging collaboration, and inclusiveness to address local issues successfully. The award is bestowed on 10 U.S. cities annually; only a small percentage of communities have received the award multiple times, with Edinburg receiving the designation in 1968, 1995, 2000, and again in 2024. Edinburg, San Antonio, and El Paso are the only communities in Texas to receive the award four or more times.
“Winning our fourth All-America City Award is a testament to the incredible spirit and dedication of our community,” said Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our residents, who come together to make Edinburg a place where innovation, inclusivity, and resilience thrive.”
This year’s national competition theme, “Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation,” spotlighted communities that find creative ways to equitably engage members in activities that enhance local democracy, such as making voting more accessible, promoting community involvement, and encouraging leadership.
“Every year there is a different theme,” Mayor Pro Tem Daniel “Dan” Diaz remarked. “When I heard this year’s theme, I thought, ‘WOW! The stars are perfectly aligned. It’s asking for Edinburg’s 2040 Strategic Initiative.’”
The Path to Recognition
Leading up to competition day, the presentation team worked together for six weeks to craft the story, rehearsing until they had a highly polished, heartwarming, high-energy show.
Twenty-five delegates took this show on the road, including Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr., city manager Mayra Ayala, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaquero mascot, a pair of Folklorico dancers from Conceptos, the city’s dance team, Viva, a cheerleader from Capable Kids, several chairs of the Edinburg 2040 Strategic Initiative, and Edinburg city staff.
Their moving presentation didn’t just highlight key initiatives demonstrating Edinburg’s commitment to democratic engagement and community inclusivity, the competition’s theme. The delegation painted a beautiful, colorful picture, weaving a story of Edinburg’s families, community festivals, and celebrations of the city’s diverse cultures. They also shared their intentional inclusivity in civic engagement, ensuring that Edinburg was a community for everyone.
Edinburg 2040 Strategic Initiative
This visionary project was born from a fundamental question: How can city leaders ensure every resident has a voice in our city’s future?
Edinburg 2040 is a 20-year citizen initiative to craft a long-term vision for the city, piggybacking on the Edinburg 2020 plan initiated in 2000. Through bilingual town hall meetings and surveys, over 2,000 residents contributed to forming eight committees focusing on addressing critical aspects of the city’s growth—from parks and public safety to government transparency to planned growth and infrastructure. Citizens chair each of these committees, and volunteers make up committee membership. All community members are encouraged to join a committee, and there are no barriers to joining.
City leaders have listened carefully to the committees’ visions and integrated many proposed objectives into the city budget.
“We are listening. It is important that the city staff, the council, and the community are all on the same page for where we want to go and how we want to treat people,” said Councilmember David White.
“Solving problems, not winning arguments, is how we get things done,” stated Councilmember Jason De Leon. “Working with the 2040 committees helps everything stay focused on the grand plan.”
Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)
The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council’s primary function is to provide Edinburg’s young adults with the necessary tools, training, and trust to apply their creativity and skills to better their community. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Youth Council, exposing them to City government and learning about our community,” said Mayor Garza.
The City wants to ensure that our younger generation’s voice is heard in their local government. The 39 high school students on MYAC participate in city meetings and are involved in community functions, like cleaning up the only African American cemetery in the country. This inclusion fosters a new generation of informed and active citizens who will hopefully establish a pattern of civic involvement that will continue into adulthood; this also includes understanding the importance and power of voting.
Cultural Festivals and Inclusivity
Celebrated as a vibrant cultural crossroads in the Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg has long been known for its broad collection of regional events and festivals, which attract tens of thousands of community members and visitors annually. Recognized as a Film-Friendly Certified Texas Community by the Texas Film Commission and honored as a MusicFriendly City by the Office of the Governor in 2022, Edinburg has firmly established itself as a City of Festivals and a hub of artistic innovation.
The City and Economic Development Council have significantly invested in building a home for Edinburg’s cultural arts—the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center (ACE). Harnessing Edinburg’s creative assets to fuel business growth and economic development, the ACE offers a state-of-the-art facility with dance and art studios, a digital design lab, and gallery spaces. The ACE is home to Edinburg’s many festivals and the place to gather for creative innovation, celebration, and collaboration.
But the festivals aren’t just about entertainment. They are about acknowledging and celebrating the community’s diversity and creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Frida Fest, Juneteenth, and Culture Fest are just three of the many ways Edinburg brings people together.
The new Summer Concert Series has brought multigenerational families out to enjoy the music and each other. “Listening to music I enjoy and sharing that with my kids is wonderful,” said Councilmember David Salazar, who spearheaded the project. “It’s all about working together and bringing the community together.”
Inclusivity
When Melanie Watson, co-founder and president of Capable Kids, shared their goal of bridging the gap in inclusive services available to children with disabilities and their families with the City of Edinburg, they were met with open arms and open hearts. “We collaborated [with Edinburg] to design inclusive parks, including the first inclusive water park in our area with aquatic wheelchairs and an accessible pirate ship,” remarked Watson. At the Vanguard Academy Beethoven City Park, Edinburg installed the first in Texas “We-Go” wheelchair accommodating swing.
It is also important to note that the parks and facilities are open to all and where the interaction of people with different abilities can cultivate diverse friendships. “It isn’t just one park,” said White. “We have been installing inclusive equipment in our parks so that there isn’t a distinction between them, and the children can play together.”
Further, Edinburg had Watson’s team train the Parks and Recreation staff so kids of all abilities could take advantage of their programs. Events such as the Edinburg Miracle Mile bring hundreds of individuals of all abilities together to cross the finish line—walking, running, or rolling—together.
“In Edinburg, diversity isn’t just celebrated; it’s who we are,” Mayor Garza stated.
A Community United
Edinburg’s recognition as an All-America City demonstrates the power of civic engagement and community-driven initiatives. It underscores how local action and innovation can strengthen democracy and create a more inclusive, vibrant society.
Roxanne Lerma, the city’s Director of Communication and Media, summarized their presentation by emphasizing the teamwork and unity that define Edinburg. “We’re getting our kids involved in city government, removing barriers to inclusion, and creating a stronger sense of community,” Lerma affirmed. “That’s who we really are.”
Indeed, Edinburg is for Everyone.
Edinburg City Council
