An Inconvenient Consulate, Part III
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: November 21, 2012
MIDLAND-- Moses Martinez is more than just the 23 year owner of Martinez' Bakery in Midland.
"About 4 years ago, I belonged to the Mexican Consulate," said Martinez. "I was in charge of CCIME, or the Institute for Mexican's abroad."
Now Martinez offers up his restaurant once a month to the Mexican Consulate, so they can better serve Mexican Nationals in the Midland Region.
"For me it's a satisfaction and a matter of pride," said Martinez. "To have a Federal Government agency of my country using my facilities."
Because the permanent Mexican Consulate in Presidio is so far away, hundreds of people say they have to come to the temporary consulate at Martinez's each month.
They show up in the early hours of the morning, and if they get one of the coveted 130 numbers that are served, they end up waiting all day.
"A lot of people need a lot of papers," said Fernando Torres who was waiting in line at Martinez Bakery. "And coming in one time a month is not enough."
This is one of the many reasons why Consulate Representative Mary Martinez-Gonzales is working to get a permanent consulate set up here in the Tall City.
"I'm working with business people," said Martinez-Gonzales. "I'm working with the Mexican government, and I'm working with some elected officials."
Midland Mayor Wes Perry is one of those elected officials, and says he's completely on board.
"I think we should have a consulate here," stated Mayor Perry. "We used to and I'm not sure why they went away. But obviously we have a large Hispanic population, and to be able to have that opportunity to have some communication would be good."
"I just don't know that anyone has pushed it," said Martinez-Gonzales. "You know, real heavily. So that's what I'm doing."
Since the decision remains in the hands of the Mexican government, Martinez says until things change, he'll continue to let the Consulate use his restaurant. Because he just wants to help out any way he can.
"This is the reason why I allow them to use my facilities," said Martinez. "To benefit all Mexicans living in this part of the country."
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"About 4 years ago, I belonged to the Mexican Consulate," said Martinez. "I was in charge of CCIME, or the Institute for Mexican's abroad."
Now Martinez offers up his restaurant once a month to the Mexican Consulate, so they can better serve Mexican Nationals in the Midland Region.
"For me it's a satisfaction and a matter of pride," said Martinez. "To have a Federal Government agency of my country using my facilities."
Because the permanent Mexican Consulate in Presidio is so far away, hundreds of people say they have to come to the temporary consulate at Martinez's each month.
They show up in the early hours of the morning, and if they get one of the coveted 130 numbers that are served, they end up waiting all day.
"A lot of people need a lot of papers," said Fernando Torres who was waiting in line at Martinez Bakery. "And coming in one time a month is not enough."
This is one of the many reasons why Consulate Representative Mary Martinez-Gonzales is working to get a permanent consulate set up here in the Tall City.
"I'm working with business people," said Martinez-Gonzales. "I'm working with the Mexican government, and I'm working with some elected officials."
Midland Mayor Wes Perry is one of those elected officials, and says he's completely on board.
"I think we should have a consulate here," stated Mayor Perry. "We used to and I'm not sure why they went away. But obviously we have a large Hispanic population, and to be able to have that opportunity to have some communication would be good."
"I just don't know that anyone has pushed it," said Martinez-Gonzales. "You know, real heavily. So that's what I'm doing."
Since the decision remains in the hands of the Mexican government, Martinez says until things change, he'll continue to let the Consulate use his restaurant. Because he just wants to help out any way he can.
"This is the reason why I allow them to use my facilities," said Martinez. "To benefit all Mexicans living in this part of the country."
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
