Baja California Governor Francisco Vega got the lowest grade from voters in his administration in a poll released days ago by a Tijuana medium.
The news website Pluralmx said the governor received an average grade of 5.2 points of 10 possible.
Gov. Vega obtained a grade of 6.1 points a year into his six-year period.
On July of 2016 the governor got his largest grade — 6.6 points.
Gov. Vega has been criticized since January for the hike of water rates and vehicle registration renewal. Both proposals were eventually cancelled by the administration due to the massive protests.
According to the website the state’s five mayors have also suffered in the poll for issues with public safety and public services.
Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastélum received the lowest grade among the state’s municipal executives — 4.9 points.
His southern neighbor Mirna Rincón of Rosarito was the best graded with 6.2 points.
Mexicali Mayor Gustavo Sánchez got the second lowest grade with 5.4 points.
Voters were asked if they would re-elect their mayors if their names were on the ballots with 70 percent rejecting the idea.
The poll was made March 1-15 among 600 voters in every city. The margin of error is 4.5 percent.
Mayor meets Chinese officials
Mexicali Mayor Gustavo Sánchez met Thursday with officials of the Chinese city of Shenzhen at City Hall.
Mayor Sánchez recalled on his speech the city was founded by Mexicans and Chinese nationals.
The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation in culture, sports and economic development issues.
Shenzhen general manager of culture, sports and tourism Qian Quiang said his city was founded 37 years ago and has become China’s fourth largest city with 10.6 million residents.
The Asian city is also a link between China and Hong Kong and a transportation center, as well as a leader in high technology, finance services, foreign trade, transportation and creative industry.
Quiang remembered Mexicali was founded 114 years ago and is a young city in development.
He expressed his hopes that the meeting will bring new areas of opportunity in the economy and culture for both cities.
Mexicali Chamber of Commerce President Juan Ramón López said the parties have explored the possibility of exporting goods from Mexicali to China.
Authorities get ready for Holly Week
A Mexican official said authorities are getting ready to help visitors and tourists in the upcoming weeks due to Spring Break.
Department of Communications and Transportation General Manager in Baja California Alfonso Padrés said the agency will launch several operations to keep safe federal highways and bus stations for travelers.
The operations begin April 8 and conclude April 23.
Padrés said 18 mobile units will be deployed during this period all over the state to provide first aid, gasoline, water, tools and other equipment to visitors with no cost for those who need it.
The agency has also plans to check truck drivers’ health through blood and high pressure exams made in highways and bus stations by appropriate personnel.
The trucks will also be inspected by staff to avoid any mechanical problems that might lead to accidents, he said.
“All those people who have plans to go on the roads we recommend to inspect their vehicles, avoid driving tired, consume no alcohol and respect speed limits and traffic signals,” Padrés said.
Earthquake drill announced
The City of Mexicali said an earthquake drill will take place Tuesday morning at the Civic Center.
City Emergency Management Director René Rosado said the drill begins at 9 a.m.
City employees and public are invited to take part of the statewide drill by exiting government premises on that day.
With the event, authorities plan to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Easter earthquake.
Rosado said the goal of the event is to raise awareness among residents given Mexicali lies within a highly seismic zone.
The director asked residents to prepare a family contingency plan that includes all members and that adds issues like detecting risk zones at home, set evacuation routes and put all important documents in a single place.
These drills must be done at home at least three times a year and the plan must be updated.
Grupo Cadena’s 1190 AM radio station will broadcast the drill statewide for schools, businesses, companies and general public.
