After he became Mayor-elect, Mauricio Trejo published the five actions with which he would start his administration. Although four are still pending, the first, which was to return Montes de Oca street to its original state, has been completed.
Five actions and a cobble-stone street
In February of this year, Calle Montes de Oca began to change its appearance. It was closed off to vehicles because it was said that the slope represented a danger for cars. Instead, the street would have steps, fountains, and flower pots. It was later found out that a new hotel was being built there. The work was half way done when the Guanajuato Delegation of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) canceled the project. “The steep slope of this road represented a risk for pedestrians, as well as for those who traveled in vehicles through it, so the Offices of the Historic Center and Heritage endorsed that the transit of vehicles be restricted and that it be adapted for pedestrian use. The remodeling works consist of a corridor with walkways and squares for pedestrian use in the section that goes from its intersection with Camino Real a Querétaro towards the west to number 25,” the administration said at the time.
When Mauricio Trejo won the election for mayor, he created a video on social networks where he spoke about the five actions he would take after being sworn in. The actions went as follows:
Present a proposal to the council to lower property taxes. The commission is to be formed so that before the end of the year, the tax reductions will begin. There will also be a commission to review and resolve the “improper water charges suffered by San Miguel residents.”
Parque Juárez patronage will be eliminated, and the park will once again be under the auspices of the municipal government. Another action is to “immediately stop the construction of the subdivisions with illegal water feasibility. Those who do not guarantee their supply will not go back to work.”
The actions included the appointment of the director of Public Security, so that starting on the October 10, he would begin to implement plans to live without fear. “The good times must return from the first day of my government. I want you to have the certainty and security that I will not rest for a single minute until all of San Miguel lives without fear.”
Another action, which has already been taken, was to open Montes de Oca Street to vehicles, so that it would once again be “one of the most photographed streets.” Backhoes appeared on the street on October 12, and they began to demolish what had been built. The mayor assured that the work of re-paving and returning the street to its original state would be ready in 48 hours. And that is what is happening.
Mauricio Trejo also wants to build two sports centers that would operate through scholarships. These would have free swimming pools, equipment, and a teaching staff. There would be a fitness room with 110 devices. A group classroom would have 120 options for jumping or to dance. Both would have a trained and experienced staff.
Oath Taking
The official image of the new administration, which began on October 10 and will run until October 9, 2024, shows the Parroquia—the identity of San Miguel—among the Picachos mountains. Then there are curved lines representing the San Miguel countryside and the water of the city. And there is also a balanced scale that represents justice for women. This was explained by municipal President Mauricio Trejo on October 12.
On that day, the Governor of Guanajuato, Diego Rodríguez Vallejo, came to San Miguel to administer the oath to the cabinet of the new administration. Prior to his arrival, a group of people gathered in front of the old municipal presidency building. Upon the arrival of Rodríguez Vallejo, they demanded that water not be privatized nor public spaces, like Juárez Park and Zeferino Gutiérrez Park; in addition, they insisted that a substantive solution be found for the floods in Colonia Aurora. A representative of the administration scheduled a laters meeting with the protesters.
Meanwhile, businessmen, members of civil associations, government officials, and the general public gathered inside the old municipal prison to listen to local and state speeches. There, Mauricio Trejo explained the official images and also the main points on which his government will work. He agreed with the protesters outside by indicating that boards to privatize public spaces will be revoked, the deficit of five million cubic meters of water per year will be reduced, and access to water will not be given to subdivisions that “do not have a single permit.”
He remarked about “going back to the good old days,” which, he clarified, does not necessarily mean to going backwards but improving. To incite the economy—although he has not yet explained how—he said that forgotten festivals will return, and medical tourism will be encouraged, and that wellness will then come.
On security issues, before the governor, he promised to work hand in hand with the state and he said that he wants San Miguel to be an exemplary municipality on the issue of security at the national level. “San Miguel de Allende has to be the safest tourist city in the country. There are pending tasks and to return to the good times is to return to walking the safe streets. San Miguel de Allende will once again be the Jewel of America. We have to close ranks with the Secretary of Public Security and the Attorney General. There will be a mayor committed to security. We are going to have the medal for the safest city in the country,” he said.
For his part, Governor Rodríguez Vallejo, stated that during the last three years the state security forces have detained more than two thousand people from two criminal groups. He asserted that their commitment is that one can walk quietly and safely on the streets of Guanajuato. But also said that one needs to attack the root problem of drug and alcohol consumption and suggested following the pattern set by the Icelandic program Planet Youth. Through this program, Iceland managed in 20 years to significantly lower its levels of drugs and alcoholism. “It will take time, but it is possible,” said the governor.