Mayor Webber, my people have endured centuries of rule under Spanish, Mexican, and now American governance, adapting to the ebbs and flows of time through silence and sheer survival. We have learned to persist, not by raising our voices, but by enduring. We wait in the belief that our resilience alone is enough.

However, our silent community, who sees little reason to participate in municipal elections, bears witness to the meth and fentanyl use in front of our restaurants. We lament the repair costs incurred from neglected roads and we have to clutch our keys a little tighter as we walk to our cars, praying that we won’t be the next victims of a violent crime. And yet, we remain silent, convinced that our ability to withstand whatever travesties history hurls our way is evidence of our historical bravery.

History has conditioned us to hold our fears and hopes close to our chests. Our ancestors reassured us that time heals all wounds, but I know this is a lie. Silence is not a cure; it is a weapon through which tyrants subdue their subjects. And you, Mr. Mayor, are one of those wielding said weapons. You proclaim your tenure a success, yet you withhold the very data that could prove it, despite your legal responsibility to share such information. I have filed multiple IPRA requests seeking transparency, but I receive nothing in return. Obfuscation is not a foundation upon which trust is built. You have failed my community. You have failed me.

For this reason, I implore you—on behalf of both myself and a population suffering in silence—to forgo seeking a third term. I have wished upon every star imaginable that somehow you are held accountable. I strongly suspect that that your adminstration has made misleading claims about audit data. Furthermore, I suspect that your tacit approval and support for the destruction of the Plaza obelisk made it possible. But there is nothing I can do except beg you to keep your name off the ballot.

You have opponents ready to challenge you, but I fear that they cannot match the financial firepower of your supporters. Plus, they do not speak with a unified voice. Your opponents reflect the division within our community; division that will no doubt work to your advantage. I urge you to do the moral thing and relinquish your grasp on this city. Enough is enough.

I will cast my vote against you, Mayor Webber, though I recognize that, under our stupid ranked choice system, my single vote may do little to halt your continued rule. But I will not remain silent. You may have thrived on our silence, but silence is no longer an option.