by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
Top Picture: (left to right) Pricilla Rodriguez accompanies Esperanza Vega at last week’s May 28th City Council Meeting
Esperanza Vega who is a resident on the West Side of Uvalde spoke during Citizen’s comments at last week’s Tuesday, May 28th City Council Meeting where she addressed the difficulties she and other elderly neighbors have experienced in their neighborhood. Vega, addressed council members in Spanish and was accompanied by a translator, Pricilla Rodriguez. Vega said that she and others who live on Vanessa Street need sidewalks along the street and street lights.
She went on to report there have been drivers who do donuts on the roadway at the corner of Vanessa and Farrar.
The issue regarding lack of sidewalks along a number of Uvalde’s streets is one that resonates with a number of people who live in Uvalde whose only means of getting around town is by walking.
The Uvalde Hesperian has spoken with several locals who regularly walk to work, as well as walk to get groceries and to do other errands.
Jennifer Gilliland is one resident who is regularly seen along Main Street in her motorized wheelchair which she uses to get from place to place.
“I face many challenges getting around Uvalde, sidewalks are either unfinished or do not exist leaving the only options the streets to travel which are in need of major maintenance.
I wouldn’t consider Uvalde pedestrian friendly however I have been given many graces because I am well known in the community. I’ve seen many more people on foot lately. Yes, I do go out at night. There is no reason why this city should not be accessible for all.”
The Hesperian spoke with two individuals who both work at a business located in the Uvalde Industrial Park just off Garner Field Road.
The first individual is a man in his early 20’s who graduated from Uvalde High School a few years ago. He has to be at work about 5:00 AM many mornings and sometimes earlier for his shift. The second man interviewed is in his mid 40’s and works at a similar early morning shift job. Both have to walk from one to two miles to and from work.
Both said they routinely get stopped by police officers and asked for their ID’s and what they are up to… for walking. Both mentioned that lack of sidewalks along a number of streets in Uvalde is an issue for them.
The man in his early 20’s went on to say he has been chased by homeless people on occasion while he was walking.
According to Census Data it states: “Most people in Uvalde, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15 minutes. The average car ownership in Uvalde, TX was 2 cars per household.”
The Poverty Rate listed on the Census Data for 2022 is listed as 28.2%