Chairman Murray_9.19.2011 September 19, 2011
Good afternoon Chairman Murray and members of the Parks, Recreation and Beautification
Advisory Board:
I am Isabella Pina-Hinojosa a Denton resident for the past 36 years. Today, I represent the
Denton League of Latin American Citizens as President of Council #4366 who submitted a
nomination request to the Denton city government to rename South Lakes Park to G. Roland
Vela-South Lakes Park.
The service of our citizens recognize the value of community service as exemplified by Dr. Vela
prior to elected as the first Latino member to the city Council in 1979 and continuously
thereafter as his leadership qualities were further demonstrated during his tenure as listed on
the first attachment to the packet you've received. Several community members of Denton will
share their thoughts of Dr. Vela's contribution to the City of Denton. Mine began as a university
student at North Texas State University in 1975. As our university sponsor to the few Latinos on
campus, Dr. Vela welcomed us into his home giving us hope to pursue our education in Denton
and stressing community involvement with City of Denton.
His leadership served as a founding member of the Firehouse Theater Group, now known as the
Campus Theater that continues as one of Denton's historical features.
Thereafter, Dr. Vela sat on the Board of Directors for the Texas municipal Power Agency as
Secretary Reasurer; Finance Committee; and Personnel Committee during a period of eleven
years.
G. Roland Vela participated with the Citizens'Committee on Traffic Safety and the Civil Air
Patrol . As a member of the Denton Municipal Airport, he was twice named Chair of the Airport
Advisory Board which advises the city council and/or city manager on airport operations to
include lease agreements, development policy, grant projects and/or the budget.
In addition to his civic involvement G. Roland Vela distinguished himself, highlighting the City of
Denton, as a honorary professor and elected to the Fellow American Academy of Microbiology
in 1975, an honor given to only 300 of the nearly 2000 distinguished scientists in a 50 year
history.
It is due to G. Roland Vela's legendary devotion to the city of Denton and values that are at the
core of the Denton community that the League of United Latin American Citizens requests
renaming South Lakes Park to G. Roland Vela-South Lakes Park a fitting reminder to all present
and future citizens who serve our city and those who avail themselves in our multiple city
services of the standard for academics and civic involvement that G. Roland Vela set during his
long tenure of service to the City of Denton and the University of North Texas with excellence.
Sincerely,
AYRI.
i8a-Hincrjoaa
LULAC Denton Council President