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Background
The eighteenth annual Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) Medical Mission to Mante, Mexico occurred over the period of January 30-February 9, 2008. This year marked the eighth anniversary of the formal Sister City relationship between our two cities. We are grateful to Tom Eldridge of the Boulder City Council who served as liaison to the Boulder Mante Sister City committee for many years, and to Susie Ageton, who served as liaison to our committee following Tom’s death. We now welcome Angelique Espinosa who will serve as council liaison for the next two years. We would also like to express our thanks to Susan Kohl, in the city manager’s office, for her continuing role in supporting Boulder’s Sister City program.
The constitution of Mexico has a unique provision regarding terms of elected public officials at all levels of government. That is, officials are elected for one term only and then must step down. The President of the country as well as Governors of each state are elected for one six year term. Likewise, local Mayors, (more commonly known as city Presidents) are elected for a three year term and then relinquish their post. January 1, 2008 marks the beginning of a new three year term of office for Dr. Hector Lopez. By virtue of his election to office, his wife, Dr. Silvia de la Garza, becomes head of the DIF (an acronym which indicates the area health and social services agency). Dr. Lopez formerly served the state of Tamaulipas as state health director. Given the professional background in health fields of both of these public servants, it is anticipated that a high priority of their administration will be a focus on prevention, detection and the provision of basic health services to all in need in the Mante community.
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