History

Cozumel Remembers it’s First President

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Cozumel Remembers it’s First President

Remembering Germán García Padilla Dedicated Cozumel Public Servant

Photos Courtesy of Jorge Castro Noriega.com

Last week, Cozumel residents fondly remembered Don Germán García Padilla, who recently passed away.  Germán García Padilla was appointed the first Municipal President of Cozumel, from 1975 – 1978 and then later from 1993 – 1996. In fact, he is the only person who has ever repeated a Presidential term in Cozumel.  While not President of the island,  Don Germán García Padilla remained a dedicated public servant and held many positions throughout his lengthy career.

Although he was born in Chetumal, on May 28, 1941,both of his parents were Cozumelenos, so he already held strong ties to the island.

On October 8, 1974, Quintana Roo ceased to be a Federal Territory to become a Free and Sovereign State, it became necessary to appoint a Municipal President and Germán García Padilla was chosen by the provisional Governor of the State, and served as President from 1975 – 1978.

Afterwards he was a Local Deputy (1978 – 1981), Secretary of Public Safety (1981 – 1987), a Delegate of Immigration and also a Representative of the Port Authority: APIQRoo.

Photos Courtesy of Jorge Castro Noriega.com

His second term as Municipal President was from 1993 – 1996.  Afterwards he became a representative on the State level. He was considered to be a very kind and humble man to all that knew him, and he was famous for a cheery disposition and anecdotes that he passed along. He is survived by his wife, three sons, grandchildren as well as a large assortment of other relatives.

Cozumel recuerda a su primer presidente municipal

Recordando a Germán García Padilla, un dedicado servidor público. . .

Los habitantes de Cozumel recordaron afectuosamente a don Germán García Padilla quien falleció en fechas recientes. Germán García Padilla fue el primer presidente municipal de Cozumel por el periodo de 1975 – 1978, y posteriormente de 1993 – 1996. De hecho, él fue el único que ocupó el cargo de presidente en la Isla en dos ocasiones. Don Germán García Padilla continuó prestando sus servicios delicadamente como servidor público y ocupó diversos cargos a través de su larga carrera.

Photos Courtesy of Jorge Castro Noriega.com

A pesar de haber nacido en Chetumal el 28 de mayo del año 1941, sus padres eran cozumeleños por lo que ya tenía fuertes lazos con la Isla.

El 8 de Octubre de 1974 Quintana Roo dejo de ser territorio federal para convertirse en Estado Libre y Soberano por lo que era necesario designar a un presidente municipal y el entonces gobernador interino eligió a Germán García Padilla para ocupar dicho cargo, donde sirvió de 1975 a 1978.

Después ocupó los cargos como diputado local (1978-1981),  Secretario de Seguridad Pública (1981-1987), delegado de migración y representante de la autoridad portuaria, APIQRoo.

Su segundo periodo como presidente municipal fue de 1993 a 1996. Posteriormente se convirtió en diputado estatal. Quienes le conocieron lo consideran un hombre muy amable y humilde, famoso por su carácter alegre y anécdotas que  contaba. Le sobrevive su esposa, tres hijos, nietos y una gran cantidad de parientes.

Laura Wilkinson
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An ex-Connecticut Yankee who has called Cozumel home for over 18 years, Laura ran away to the Caribbean years ago, bumped around the islands teaching SCUBA diving, lost some time in Jamaica, and finally stopped in Cozumel for a 2 week vacation that hasn’t ended yet. With a degree in Journalism from a fancy private college she convinced her parents to pay for, Laura writes, edits, and creates the weekly Cozumel 4 You news, social media, and promotional articles about the island, as well as moderates the Cozumel 4 You Facebook group, which currently has over 25,000 members. Her long suffering husband, Fabian, has long since resigned himself to having zero private life, as he’s been involved in her various schemes and plots since his arrival. Proud parents to a variety of rescue dogs and cats, Laura continues to be the bane of her traditional Mexican mother-in-law’s existence, as she muses her way through life in the Mexican Caribbean. ______________________________ Una ex yanqui de Connecticut quien llama hogar a Cozumel desde hace más de 15 años. Laura escapó al Caribe hace años, desplazándose de una isla a otra dando clases de BUCEO. Se dedicó a perder el tiempo en Jamaica y finalmente se detuvo en Cozumel para pasar unas vacaciones de 2 semanas que aún no terminan. Convenciendo a sus padres que pagaran una elegante universidad privada, obtuvo su título en Periodismo y Laura crea semanalmente Cozumel 4You, medios sociales y artículos promocionales sobre la Isla y también es moderadora en el grupo Cozumel 4 You en Facebook que actualmente cuenta con 25,000 miembros. Fabián, s umuy tolerante marido, desde hace mucho tiempo se resignó a no tener vida privada, pues se ha visto implicado en los diversos proyectos y planes que urde Laura. Son orgullosos padres de diversos perros y gatos rescatados. Mientras contempla su paso a través de la vida en el Caribe mexicano, Laura continúa siendo la pesadilla en la existencia de su muy tradicional suegra mexicana.

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