Oscar Aguilar, Place 3 candidate

Name: Oscar Aguilar

Family information: I was born to Manuel and Maria Aguilar and I’am the 7th of 12 children. I was born in Douglas, Arizona.

I’m grateful for the support of my wife Remedios Aguilar, children, and extended family.

Occupation, brief job description: I hold a Texas Funeral Director & Embalmers License for the past 30 years. As I write this on January 26, 2024, today is my 30th Anniversary that my license was issued. I work locally at West Oaks Funeral home and at Delta Funeral home in Cooper and Sam B. Harvey in Mt. Vernon.

Years you have lived in the city: I have lived in Sulphur Springs, Texas since June 22, 1969, with a two-year stint in the 80’s in the Dallas area.

Education, training, special skills: I graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1980. I attended East Texas State University for a year and a half before realizing that my passions lay elsewhere. I then began working in various industries before finding my calling in the funeral business. I began working at Tapp Funeral Home under Dian and Mike Emerson ownership, performing handyman duties. I quickly expressed interest in the business and began attending the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and graduated in 1992.

I was raised in the construction industry with my father and brothers. Worked with my brother in the HVAC business. I received his 25-year service award in 2019. I have been Secretary-Treasurer and President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association and on the Board of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. I was awarded the East Texas Funeral Director Association’s Funeral Director of the Year in 2020.

I don’t meet a stranger and I feel I’m an asset in being a bilingual director.

I’m involved with St. James Catholic Church, involved with the Hopkins County Rodeo Committee for 25 plus years, and currently serve as President of the Committee. I have been a bullfighter and rodeo clown as well. My favorite part of the Rodeo is the Handicapable Rodeo, which benefits over 300 children in Hopkins and the surrounding counties. I was awarded the UPRA Committee Man of the Year in 2016 and the Hopkins County Rodeo Committee was inducted into the UPRA Hall of Fame in 2022.

Reasons for seeking this office: I’m seeking Re-election to continue the progress that our city is moving in. I have been on the city council since I was appointed in 2006 until 2018 (Mayor 2008). And re-appointed in 2020 to the present. I feel strongly that I’m qualified with the process of the city budget hearings and council meetings on making the proper decisions for our community to improve the lifestyle of all our citizens.

Identify what you consider the most significant area(s) of interest, need or concern in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address the concern(s).

With the city’s capital improvement fund that has been implemented, we are seeing a great impact on our continued area wide street improvements.

We are gaining on the total infrastructure of our city. With the complete total repairs of some of the major streets and we are replacing almost 40 to 50 plus years of old sewer and water lines. The completion and addition of the wastewater treatment facility will allow us to add new growth in business and industry. Our next major repairs which are in the process is to our water treatment facility. With this facility gaining more volume of treated water again we can help bring in new business and industry.

We are starting to see more growth and it’s coming toward us. Water and Sewer need to be at their best. Especially with all the new housing additions that are being proposed within the city limits. We need housing and most of all we need schools, we must be able to educate our people to maintain a steady workforce and growth in our area.

With the addition of the Coal mine property the future of Sulphur Springs looks very rewarding. Lots of good prospects are in the works to develop that land, but we must once again have the infrastructure to make it accessible to all involved in developing.

I will continue to work with the city manager and assistant city managers and staff to purchase and maintain the vision and growth for our city.

We have improved the Pacific Park area into a great place to gather. The Senior Activity Center is going to make a major impact on our city and allow our seniors to enjoy their activities.

Give a brief statement about your candidacy — what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:

I’m just Oscar Aguilar, a simple young kid that grew up walking the streets selling the “Grit” in one of the best communities in Texas, Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs USA. I am proud to say I live in Sulphur Springs. I will continue to do the best for our city’s growth and development for the future of our children and grandchildren and those to choose our community their place to live.