District 5 trustee seeks re-election

District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate will seek re-election to the Alamo Colleges board of trustees.

The District 5 seat is one of three spots on the board on the May 12 ballot. Seats in District 6 and 7 will also be on the ballot.

Zárate said he submitted his application Friday, and board liaison Sandra Mora said she received Zárate's application today.

He was first appointed to the board in August 2003 to finish a term left vacant by Jesse Gonzales after Gonzales was convicted of accepting a $5,000 bribe from architect Louis Cruz. Zárate was elected in May 2004 for the remaining two years of the term and re-elected in 2006.

Mora said Zárate is the only sitting trustee who has submitted an application for inclusion on the ballot May 12.

District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez told The Ranger Thursday that she would not seek re-election. She joined the board in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Charles Conner when he resigned. She was first elected in June 2010 for the remaining two years of the term.

In a phone interview Thursday, Fernandez said her family and Tuggey Fernandez LLP, the law practice she established in May, prevent her from dedicating the time necessary to serve on the board.

"I'm juggling too many things," she said.

Fernandez said she supports Yvonne Katz, former Spring Branch ISD superintendent and president of Vision Into Action Associates, to fill the District 7 seat.

In a phone interview Wednesday, District 6 trustee Gene Sprague said he would submit his application within a few days.

He joined the board in May 1994 and won re-election in May 2006.

Applications can be filed for a place on the ballot 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. through March 5 at the office of the chancellor/board liaison, at 201 W. Sheridan.

Residents can mail applications to 201 W. Sheridan, office of the chancellor/board liaison, San Antonio, TX 78204.

To view board responsibilities, visit www.alamo.edu, click "Board of Trustees" under "About Us," then "Board Policies" and see B.5.1 board responsibilities.

For more information, call Mora at 210-485-0030.