Residents Fight to Save Neighborhood the El Paso Historical Landmark Commision Suggests the City Reconsiders Arena Location
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University of Texas at El Paso DigitalCommons@UTEP The rP ospector Special Collections Department 11-8-2016 The rP ospector, November 8, 2016 UTEP Student Publications Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/prospector Part of the Journalism Studies Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons Comments: This file is rather large, with many images, so it may take a few minutes to download. Please be patient. Recommended Citation UTEP Student Publications, "The rP ospector, November 8, 2016" (2016). The Prospector. Paper 263. http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/prospector/263 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections Department at DigitalCommons@UTEP. It has been accepted for inclusion in The rP ospector by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UTEP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VOL. 102, NO. 12 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO NOVEMBER 8, 2016 Union Plaza residents fight to save neighborhood The El Paso Historical Landmark Commision suggests the city reconsiders arena location MICHAELA ROMÁN / THE PROSPECTOR Flor de Luna Gallery is located at the corner of Chihuahua street and Overland street. It is in the center of the city officials approved arena location. The gallery sits next to the last-standing former brothel in El Paso. BY MICHAELA ROMÁN sion. Commissioners William sy amongst El Pasoans because Sun Metro Transit Authority, ness and residence sits just The Prospector Helm, Edgar Lopez and Don it will displace residents and where author John Peterson outside the arena footprint. Luciano recused themselves business owners in the area. amongst others found 18 sites Patino spoke to both city Editor’s note: This is the second part of from the vote. The motion and structures in the Union council and the HLC to defend a three-part series on the Save the Union then passed with no opposi- Plaza that they claimed should his neighborhood. Plaza efforts. tion followed by cheers from be deemed historic. Seven of “I’m glad we are recognized as The El Paso Historic Land- supporters in the crowd. these can be found in the area a historic community,” Patino mark Commission met again City Attorney Sylvia Borunda approved for demolition. said. “We’ve shown that it’s a on Tuesday, Nov. 7 to hear both Firth and City Manager Tommy There’s plenty of Borunda Firth is unsure why victory for people that do live in city officials and residents Gonzalez, along with Deputy a survey was never conducted the area to give them some kind from the Union Plaza neigh- people in opposition City Attorney Theresa Cullen after this study came out. of calmness to their nerves.” borhood to arrive at a formal spoke and explained why they in my neighborhood to “For the record—I’m gonna Patino considers his neigh- stance on the city’s proposed chose this specific location. say it again—I didn’t say there bors he would lose from the arena location. actually say we’re not After considering four differ- was nothing historical. I said arena as family. This followed a previous ent locations, each failed for for sale there was nothing in there with “They wouldn’t call the po- meeting on Monday, Oct. 24 reasons such as closures of ma- a historic designation,” Borun- lice. They would call me ‘Ay where a few HLC commis- jor streets and exceeding the da Firth said. some creep is on the porch.’ sioners felt they did not know established budget. In the end, Members against the demoli- That’s the unity we have in our enough about the history of the El Paso City Council ap- tion of the neighborhood mur- neighborhood,” said Patino. the area and would postpone - Michael Patino, proved, in a 7-0 vote, on Oct. mured disapprovingly follow- Advocates against the arena making any decision. 18 that the $180 million down- Owner of ing Firths remarks. got together Friday, Nov. 4 at Commissioner Charles Sta- town arena—supported by the Rock House Café and Gallery Owner of the Rock House the Rock House Café to lis- pler made a motion to recom- Quality of Life Bond voters ap- Café and Gallery that sits on ten to stories from residents mend to city council that they proved in 2012—would be built In her presentation to the the 400 block of Overland as they fight to stay in their “reconsider this particular in the Union Plaza district. HLC, Borunda Firth dis- Street, Michael Patino, was homes. The event was hosted by project” and Commissioner Jo- The decision to enact eminent cussed the 1998 Archaeologi- amongst those satisfied with see PLAZA on page 3 seph Longo seconded the deci- domain has caused controver- cal Technical Report for the the HLC’s decision. His busi- Featuring 3435 N. Mesa St. ( Next to Wendy’s) Open 7am-10pm Breakfast Sandwiches PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 8, 2016 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OPINION MICHAELA ROMÁN, 747-7477 Ending the stigma associated therapy and counseling BY RENE DELGADILLO People who visit a therapist are not The Prospector weak. Deciding to see a therapist is a cou- rageous act and you shouldn’t judge any- I was lost and no one’s decision. People who go to therapy one was there to have a lot of courage because counseling understand what I was going through. means exposing yourself to a stranger and No one knew expressing your deepest problems, emo- about those nights tions and thoughts. when I cried alone Don’t treat us differently just because in my car; nor did we’re seeing a therapist. I’m just a guy they know that my who is trying to do better in school and in stress was destroying my physical and life, and I’m sure that is the case in many mental health. other people around you. Don’t be afraid I was having the biggest mental break- of having a conversation with us, don’t down of my entire life, and I was cry- ing so much for so many days that I felt make us feel different, because if you do quitting was the best option. I was going avoid us, you’re just contributing to the through depression once again in my life, stigma that already exists. We’re not going and I had no idea what to do. to harm anyone. We can actually be very Everything that I was doing was helpful because we understand how dif- wrong and bad stuff happened to me ficult life can be. without a reason. I had no time to sleep Your counselor will never fix your or finish my homework, family fights problems. It will always be up to you were happening and my mom, who died 14 years ago, was always on my to do better. He or she will respect your mind making me cry even more. thoughts, decisions, mistakes and ef- I had to face the fact that I needed help. forts. You don’t have to fake who you I needed to break the stigma that I had are while you’re in counseling. There is ADRIAN BROADDUS/ THE PROSPECTOR toward going to therapy. no necessity for masks during your vis- But it was not easy, when I was about to it. Being in counseling can help you be open the door to the counseling center at in contact with yourself, it can be a tool UTEP, I started crying. People were look- that helps you be aware of your feelings. ing at me as if I was crazy. I had a stress It can teach you that what you feel is attack, and I couldn’t open that door be- cause I felt ashamed and weak. perfectly okay and that you shouldn’t With tears running down my face, I left be ashamed because of it. the building, but midway down the stairs I accept that there are bad counselors I stopped. I decided to open the door and out there, but if you have a bad experi- talk about my problems with someone ence, don’t be afraid of trying again. I who would be unbiased. It’s been two know it can be difficult, but always re- months since my first visit and I have to member to have this as an option that can say it has been a life-changing experience. help you out. I have learned that I’m not a weak person, I’m capable of overcoming I don’t intend to say that all people have everything that I’m experiencing. I’ve to visit or need a counselor. But if you feel learned that crying is perfectly fine pinned down in a corner, you should look and that I shouldn’t be ashamed by it. I for healthy and positive ways in which got to know myself better, I finally un- you can benefit. derstood who I was and who I could I know how it feels to be alone. I under- become in the future. stand your anger, sadness, frustration and Counseling allowed me to recognized fear, but please do not give up. I believe my fears, goals, mistakes and skills. I was finally in contact with my emotions. in you. I know you’re capable of doing But I want to end the stigma and the great things with your life, I know it sucks stereotypes that people have toward to be in your shoes right now, but don’t people like me. be afraid of opening your emotions to a I’m not crazy dude, I’m not on medica- stranger.