The preceding scene would be one that occurred several times a week around 6 months ago. It’s no mystery that the typical hotheaded El Paso teen knew about the freedoms Mexico offered in concerns to drinking. Whether or not their actions were good or bad are irrelevant. The truth was, and to some extent still remains, that Juárez drew a sizable amount of young adults under 21 to our bordering neighbor to unreservedly enjoy a drink.

After a year into the troubling and intense drug war, that same sect of the population whom looked across the border for alcoholic drinks is now left to find other choices. Those alternatives have led to effects that impact the El Paso and Juárez nightlife.

The grizzly stories of warring drug cartels have led to a drastic decrease in tourism for Juárez, especially in the amount of money restaurants and clubs pooled into the city’s economy amid the civil unrest. The opinion over the fear of Juárez has angered some Mexican nationals, claiming that the media has sensationalized an otherwise pleasant Mexican city. Whether or not the decrease in night life activity is due to exaggerating news or true violent civil unrest still leaves the fact of the matter truly noticeable—many people have avoided Juárez.

As a result, many restaurants and clubs have had to find new ways to survive. Many restaurants and clubs have already made the transition to El Paso, including Maria Chuchena, a restaurant, News, a night club, and Leprechauns, a bar; all enterprises that grew in popularity across the border. Having these great social places coming over will create a notable influx in El Paso’s nightlife, if it already hasn’t begun.

Octavio Gomez, owner of the Vanilla and 1914 nightclubs located in downtown’s developing Union Plaza, as well as the new Crave restaurant on Cincinnati, spoke about the changes he has seen in our city’s social scene. “You’re seeing different things in El Paso. Not only is the music different, but the way people dress has changed.” With the incoming of businesses that focus on offering unique Mexican trends, such as food, music, and clubs, El Paso’s downtown has truly seen a growing level of sophistication, extended Gomez.

Octavio Gomez was one of those El Paso teenagers who went to Juárez to visit clubs and bars. One of the more popular during his time was the La Serata. When asked about his motivation to open his clubs during a time when the El Paso downtown was still a quiet and dull area, Gomez answered that it came from his desire to see a lively and exciting night life come to existence in El Paso. During the past year Gomez expresses that there is an overall increase in activity downtown. He cites that not only is there an increase in attendance from young adults, but also an increase in the amount of Mexican-oriented businesses and Mexican businessmen who have arrived in attempts to continue the success their enterprises experienced in Juárez.

Unfortunately, the tragedies that have plagued Juárez have become opportunities for businesses trying to draw a crowd during the later hours of a weekend evening. Octavio Gomez mentions the fact that his advertisement and marketing plan has relatively stayed the same, but business activity level has increased, warranting the possibility that the fear shadowing Juárez violence has led to an increase in economic development for El Paso.

The streets of Juárez remain quiet and tranquil, in startling contrast to a year ago when cars would line across the busy club area from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am; the club area where parents would drop off their teenagers to inspect the hype over the latest new club. It could be that the drop in Juárez nightlife activity is only a temporary slump. Yet, when clubs and businesses begin testing the grounds for success in El Paso, it might be that the grass will be proven greener on the north side of our border community, in regards to security and wealth.

El Paso is growing in size and in unison the demand for higher-end entertainment is rising. The city has a sizable group of young teenagers and adults who are looking for night clubs and restaurants—the supply is already on the move to meet the demand. El Paso could become the home of disenfranchised businessmen and women leaving Juárez searching for success. It just might turn out in five years that Juárez will be craving the lucrative night life in El Paso.

Many things are still uncertain. How long will the violence in Mexico continue? Has the violence dwindled? Has it dwindled enough? This is just another battle, one involving the intricacies of politics and economics… one in which the prized possession will be the vibe of social clubs, restaurants, and the nightlife bustle.

When Lee Mendez begins talking about the issues concerning him most, his youth fades into a stern look of confidence and assurance in knowing the platform he pursues. The “Three I’s” are the focus of his campaign, those being Industry, Infrastructure, and Innovation. When speaking of El Paso, Mendez strongly asserts that industry is a leg of the stool El Paso must gain once again in order to replace low-wage service jobs within the city by bringing industry back into the larger picture. “After NAFTA, many textiles were lost to Juarez and Mexico; yet, the city never renewed the industry sector with other higher-paying skilled job.” Mendez states that he is determined to bring high paying companies to El Paso to offer the strengths we can offer as a city.

Infrastructure is another issue that Lee wants to tackle; one that has been brought into a large focus in recent months after the Smart Bus Route along Oregon was introduced. He points to the fact that there has been a lack of foresight when it comes to city planning and development. “New York and Chicago are big cities because they planned their development in ways that allowed them to become big cities. El Paso’s quick-buck mentality is what led to inefficient government costs. The 2006 storm water disaster is a clear example.”

As for innovation, Lee Mendez describes a certain missing link between the city government of El Paso and the University of Texas at El Paso. Recently, talks have come into light about the construction of a new international bridge along the border, the problem he notes is that the lack of a firm network between UTEP and El Paso has not allowed for collaboration for the project and instead has been outsourced to a company outside El Paso to possibly construct the bridge. “This can be a great experience for engineers and students from UTEP to work and gain experience, but there isn’t the cooperation between the city and the university we need.”

When it comes to Lee Mendez’s age, it might be the most repeated attack on his capabilities as mayor of El Paso. However, when people say he still doesn’t have his bachelor’s degree Lee calmly responds, “I haven’t finished my degree yet, but I am not uneducated.” He cites his Navy enrollment as a strong showcase for his leadership abilities and his knowledge and familiarity with the working class El Pasoan. In fact, Mendez says his age is an actual advantage! Noting the large young population in El Paso, mostly mid-20s to mid-30s, he feels his candidacy carries a unique and young perspective on how we can manage this city to foster the talents and innovation its young residents can offer.

On top of his 3 I’s platform, Lee feels that the mayor of a city musts be the strongest and loudest spokesperson for their city. “With our unique population, I’d like to get on the road to command attention from companies and to show them the people we have in our city.” Job with high wages and benefits are some of the features he would like to see come to El Paso sooner rather than later.

In discussing UTEP Tier1 status, Lee emphasizes that although Austin and El Paso emulate different cultures, it should not be a reason to be ostracized from the decisions that affect us as a city and a region. “UTEP has the largest graduation rate for Hispanics, the UT system receives a lot of money for that accomplishment; yet, we don’t see much of that money being spent in West Texas. Instead, it is used and kept towards East Texas, and we never see the amount of money we bring in as UTEP.”

Lee Mendez shows great enthusiasm when it comes to the possibilities that surround the large acreage that will be left at the ASARCO site for future use. “El Paso has a great natural resource—the Sun! I know it might seem like a crazy idea, but those crazy ideas are the ones that can improve our city substantially.”

“We should focus on using the power that is available to city government to change the way we perceive our city; green industry among other things are ways of doing that. Despite the outcome of the election, the youth of the city must keep up the momentum that has been building. Just because you’re young does not mean you cannot do certain things. Take initiative and pursue what you want!”

When it comes to taking action, Lee Mendez certainly is taking that step in his career and life. It’s important to note that when most mayors receive funding through dinners and donations, Lee has bootstrapped his own venture, using bake sales and other creative fundraising activities to fund his campaign personally.

The Ri wishes this young UTEP student the best of luck!

Tuesday, March 24

The national tour event, Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, came and was a success for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization at UTEP. The event, which brought young and successful entrepreneurs from around the U.S., took place at the Magoffin Auditorium where students from the College of Business, Liberal Arts, and Engineering, among others, were able to listen and take advice from those who have already traveled the tough and uncertain road of entrepreneurship.

Two keynote speakers made the event an exciting lecture filled with both humor and wisdom. Rahim Fazal began his career like many other American teenagers, finding a job at a burger place. But working in the freezer of the local McDonald’s was not his idea of a dream job. Rahim created a start-up and was able to sell it, becoming one of the youngest “dot-com millionaires.”

Eric Corl, a 23 year old, also found success as a young entrepreneur who began with a humble bank account amount and was able to work with a team of three to grow to a $6 million valued company. His newest company, Idea Buyer, is an internet business which focuses on making intellectual property more available for those interested in developing and extending an idea for which they need business or financial help, mostly using purchasing and licensing agreements.

“The event was a great learning experience,” said Job Navarette, a College of Business student, the feeling was shared among those who attended; a further indicator that the local C.E.O. chapter at UTEP held a successful event, due in part to the local funding provided by the Kauffman Campus Initiative. An event which had a variety of age groups within its audience, from older and more experienced businessmen and women to young students thinking about creating their own company, was able to inspire and encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship, an independent mentality which shines across the university through its students.

When looking at some of the possibilities, a sizable majority of UTEP students would like to see the UT system in El Paso extend its campus. Some call for more dorms to be built for students, others say classrooms could be planned for professional studies that still cannot be found at UTEP, such as architecture and law. The amount of space for the university to grow seems to be shrinking as the school has taken record breaking enrollment rates and improving levels of education for undergraduate and graduate degrees. With the ASARCO site being blocks away from the current campus, some students can’t resist thinking of adding another part to their expanding university.

Some across the city have called for the acreage to be allotted for a park. When thinking of the features of sophisticated metropolitan cities such as Chicago and New York, their city’s park, Millennium Park and Central Park, are areas where residents and tourists can enjoy their leisure time, have a walk or a jog, read and talk, or simply relax. A park in the former smelting land could be an improvement to the lifestyle within the city, but the considerable size of the site can also bring in a hefty amount of property taxes to those interested in purchasing and using the land. In that aspect, a park’s bid may not be the highest.

How about a solar plant for the Sun City? A solar plant producing energy from a renewable resource, one which is abundant and present 365 days a year in El Paso, is an innovative idea that can offer our city and region new opportunities to grow. As the nation aims towards an energy policy focused on renewable resources it is exciting to imagine our city as one of the potential showcases for the modern national direction in green technology.

Artist rendering of a solar plant in the current ASARCO site. | OFFICE OF ELIOT SHAPLEIGH

Much of our attention when looking towards projects that will improve the city and residential lifestyle revolve around the current Downtown redevelopment plan; yet, industry within El Paso must also increase in order to bring about the desired changes. A solar plant is a contemporary energy industry that is on the rise globally. Being able to allocate that land for the specific purpose of solar energy would open the doors for companies from all over the nation to bid for the acreage. The city can offer certain incentives to attract those high-level industry companies in order to secure a deal that is beneficial to the citizens and the nation, placing our Sun City in the national spotlight.

The plan for a solar energy plant can also help the burden of an overwhelming population growth in El Paso. Without a doubt, El Paso Electric, our city’s electricity provider, will be affected by the startling increase in populace and the emergent problem of supplying energy will become an issue. The proposed energy plant can supplement the quantity of energy El Paso Electric will need in order to match the demand from the city’s businesses and residents. The solar plant can place El Paso on a national scale as well as secure the energy we need in order for our progress to continue.

ASARCO is leaving with a mixed legacy; one of admiration from its former workers who appreciate the company for the jobs it once provided, while others comment on the company with harsh disdain for the environmental damages it created. No matter on what position one may have supported the fact remains that the company will close and the site is open for possibilities. It is time for the city, its residents, and the student body to begin a positive and ambitious discussion on the future of the site that can influence our city and our region.

Room 321 was filled, tightly packed with students, faculty, and staff waiting for the College of Business’ latest guest—Former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson.

Before the formal forum started, UTEP students and faculty were able to sit and listen to Mr. Paulson, the man who weeks prior was at the head of a $700 billion bailout for the financial system of America.

The opportunity to listen to Mr. Paulson came in the wake of our 43rd President of eight years leaving office. Bush’s successor, President Barack Obama, having all cabinet positions emptied and filled, allotted the former Treasury Secretary a little “off-time.”

It would be an understatement to say that Mr. Paulson was less anxious than he was months ago, kept under political scrutiny and pressure to fix the ailing economy. He humorously noted that he was forced to postpone his last scheduled visit in November for “other matters,” a detour that led the Treasury Secretary to handle affairs dealing with billions of dollars and company giants such as AIG, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns.

Fortunately, the UTEP College of Business was allowed the privilege of listening to a few words in an exclusive forum featuring the Former Treasurer.

The forum began with a brief introduction by the College of Business Dean, Dr. Nachtmann, and was followed by Mr. Paulson speaking specifically to the students in the room about his personal ideas and encouragements to young businessmen.

His message to students was simple, one that showed Mr. Paulson’s humility as a person and businessman, “If you don’t care about the people around you, you won’t get far.” It surprised me to hear such a meek thought and philosophy coming from a daunting-looking investment banker; whose resume also includes the CEO position at Goldman Sachs. It was a message that many in the American public may miss when continually exposed to the negative and “corrupt” forces behind large companies; it was a fresh idea that kept the assembly of students intrigued and curious.

Mr. Paulson studied English at Dartmouth College and afterwards went to Harvard to study his MBA, and through much use of his rhetoric and philosophy climbed onto the position of CEO at Goldman Sachs, one company that has shown incredible resilience to an otherwise disastrous climate of an economy.

The issues began to turn into the economic challenges America faces. Questions from the gathering arose, reaching topics from the local credit crunch, to the questionable Constitutionality of the federal bailouts, and even the China currency and its influences on America’s economy. It may come as a surprise to some that Paulson was hesitant, if not against, the auto industry bailout.

Economics Dean Dr. Timothy Roth introduced a Constitutional argument against the auto industry bailouts. Roth’s theory holds that the Constitution of the United States only provides monetary assistance (bailouts) to financial institutions, and believes that the auto industry receiving any money is both morally and constitutionally wrong. After Roth introduced his argument, Mr. Paulson admired the issue and admitted the conflict was a central part in coming to a decision in Washington.

At one point Mr. Paulson’s words to the crowd sounded to take form of a motif we have all heard and lived—“Embrace change.” This piece of wisdom came into light as the group’s questions veered more into how America would get itself out of the economic slump we currently find ourselves in. The Treasurer also took the phrase as a way of encouraging the youth in the room not to fear the uncertain things we face, and to continually accept change as we take it in stride and use it to motivate us and our dreams, either as individual entrepreneurs or corporate leaders.

Listening to Mr. Paulson’s words of advice for students, local entrepreneurs, and teachers brought kinder feelings of optimism and motivation; words that are a welcomed variation to the current feelings of uncertainty and struggle towards the ever growing phenomenon of economics.