COUNTY LIFE
38 years after he arrived in the U.S. Bowie man takes oath as a new citizen
Ricky Delao poses for a photo with Lady Liberty after he took the oath of citizenship during recent ceremonies. (Courtesy photo)
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Thirty-eight years after he arrived in the United States as an eight-year-old boy Ricky Delao held up his right hand and gave the “Oath of Allegiance” to the United States of America.
He gave up his long-held green card and became a naturalized American citizen excited to enjoy all the rights and benefits that come with that designation.
Delao, 46, from Bowie celebrated this landmark day with his children, Monica, Lexis and Colby, who were visibly proud of their dad. He joined 42 other immigrants on July 23 in a naturalization ceremony in Irving.
When asked why it took him so long to seek out citizenship, Delao does not hesitate to say he should have done it a long time ago, but he decided more than a year ago it was finally time.
“I have been here a lot of years and I should have done it before because it has so many opportunities that come with it, such as voting,” said Delao.
Delao was born in Juarez, Mexico just across the border from El Paso. His father traveled into the U.S. every day on a work visa to provide for his family returning home to Mexico each night. His mother was a stay at home mom who with her husband would raise six children, all boys. Two of those boys were born in the United States.
“My dad made much better money coming over here and he wanted to save as much as he could to bring us to the United States. That happened around 1980 when I was eight,” recalls Delao.
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The Saint Jo City Council was scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on April 9 in Saint Jo City Hall for the regular monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a permit request from Amy and Troy Allen for property located at the corner of Meadows and N. Meigs lots one and two. City Secretary Debbie Dennis will make a request to consolidate the water and sewer fund into a general fun for the purpose of creating a consolidated cash account. This is based on a recommendation from Accountant Josh Harman and Fundview, which is the new records management program now being used by the city staff.
An executive session is planned to discuss the possible hiring of a new police officer. Any action would be taken back in open session.
The agenda concludes with minutes, monthly bills and written reports from the mayor, police, fire, water and sewer and the city secretay.
Members of the Nocona City Council were scheduled to meet at 5 om. on April 8 in council chambers.
The councilor will receive the annual financial report for 2023-24 from its outside auditor.
A resolution approving the Nocona Economic Development Corporation (Type A and B boards), to spend $2,250 in funds for L&M Barber and cigar shop signage will be considered.
A second resolution is set to allow the two NEDC boards to participate in a grant of $19,225 to the Indian Oaks Golf Advisory Committee for equipment, aerifying and top dressing greens, plus batteries in the rental carts.
The third resolution would allow the boards to participate in a grant of $20,000 to the Nocona Chisholm Trail Rodeo Arena Committee to build new concrete bleachers, railings, fence and a platform. And the final resolution would allow the boards to expend loan funds of $5,000 to Studio 940 (Circle F Salon) for furniture and equipment.
The council will consider reappointing Kevin Kirkpatrick for the NEDC Type A Board for a three-year term.
During the workshop agenda, the council was going to discuss a new date for the Nocona Gas Junkies Car Club race moved from April 19 to April 26.
The city council also has an item where it will act as the building commission to discuss a request from Bradley and Barbara Lawrence to install a new 2024 manufacture home at 605 Travis.
Michael Bohling, chief meteorologist from Channel 3 in Wichita Falls, will have a presentation at the Montague County Courthouse Annex Community room in Montague from 7-8 p.m. on April 8. It is sponsored by the Montague County Amateur Radio Club.
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