Mexicali city councilmen approved Thursday night a resolution to cancel property tax owed by home owners.
Property owners have until June 30 to apply for the benefit.
Property owners who had already paid their taxes might get a reimbursement or a break for next year’s payment.
The measure cancels all taxes owed until last year.
The proposal was introduced by City Treasurer and is included on the 2017 budget.
Council members voted 13-4 in favor of the resolution.
Members of the Mexicali Resiste movement called traitors to those voting for the measure.
One of the protestors even took the microphone from Mayor Gustavo Sánchez hands.
City Secretary and Council Clerk Antonio López called attendants to remain silent.
Mayor Sánchez said the measure applies to all property owners and not just big debtors as the protestors denounced.
Environmental working groups created
A state official said five working groups were created during a meeting held to address environmental issues in Mexicali.
Secretary of Environmental Protection Thelma Castañeda said the groups were formed during the Second Special Meeting of the Nucleus Committee of the Program to Improve Air Quality in Mexicali.
The committee is composed by local, state and federal officials, as well as public college representatives and non-profit organizations.
The working groups will address topics like the reduction of pollution sources, health prevention and protection, training and international cooperation, Castañeda said.
Committee members discuss all matters involved in air pollution in order to prevent the problem from becoming a public health issue and to avoid from reaching the levels reported in other cities that had implemented drastic measures and programs, the secretary said.
Man arrested on vehicle reported stolen
A 21-year-old man was arrested early Friday while driving a vehicle that was reported stolen, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 6 a.m. police officers arrested Edgar Manuel “Doe” at Paseo del Palmar Street and Mar de la Plata Street at Fraccionamiento Villas del Palmar in eastern Mexicali.
The suspect was driving a black 2006 Chrysler 300 with California plates.
The driver passed on a street light and police officers stopped him.
Police agents found the vehicle was reported stolen.
The suspect was transported to the police headquarters.
Man arrested for robbery
A man was arrested Thursday night for his alleged involvement in the robbery of a convenience store located in Eastern Mexicali, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said the robbery was reported at 11:29 p.m. at the Oxxo store located at Champotón Avenue and San Pedro Mezquital Street at Colonia Cóndor neighborhood.
The reporting party told agents the suspect approached her and brandished a gray firearm to demand money.
The suspect fled the store with 1,000 pesos or about $50, two packs of cigarettes and a bottle of liquor.
Police agents found a man who matched the description provided by the victim, authorities said.
The suspect was arrested in possession of the robbed items, the police said.
The man was transported to the police headquarters.
