Ray Aguilera (October 27, 1942 – May 9, 2021)[1] was a Pueblo, Colorado, City council member and prominent business man within that community. He was a member of the Democratic party[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] He had been a member from May 23, 2003, and his current term was to expire December 31, 2023.[9] He is the recipient of several local and regional awards.[6] In 2000, he was appointed by then-Governor Bill Owens for a term with the Caring for Colorado Foundation, expiring May 2003.[10] Ray Aguilera was a commissioner representing Colorado for the Education Commission of the States. He served as president and founder of the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation, and as a board member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.[11] He was out-spoken in his support of gays.[12][13][14][15][16] He frequently also wrote editorials for the Denver Post.[17]
Awards
editRay Aguilera has been the recipient of several awards in recognition his work. He received the Pueblo African-American Concern Organization (PAACO) award in 1998, in recognition of help and support to the Black community, received the El Pomar Foundation Thayer Tutt Award in 1996, and received the Latin-American Education Foundation Annual Salute Award in 1995.
In addition to these awards, he was also named the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 1996, was named the Fiesta Day Parade Marshal in 1997, was named Latino Chamber Member of the Year in 1988,[18] and became the United States Hispanic Chamber Government Advocate in 2007.[19]
Controversies
editAguilera stirred some controversy in early 2011, when he joined conservative lawmakers across the country in giving support to an anti-union proposal in Pueblo. The measure would have weakened protections and bargaining rights for city workers. The attempt failed because it would have meant changing the city's charter.[20]
Aguilera commonly referred to himself as the "Mayor of Bessemer." He was an opponent of two 2009 City ballot measures that would have created a strong- or weak-mayor/council form of city government.[21]
References
edit- ^ Mortuaries, Angelus Chapel. "Obituary for Ray Anthony Aguilera | Angelus Chapel Mortuaries". Obituary for Ray Anthony Aguilera | Angelus Chapel Mortuaries. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Strescino, Peter. "Mayor proposal defeat analyzed – The Pueblo Chieftain: Local". Chieftain.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Council at Forefront of Cingular Talks – Business News". redOrbit. April 12, 2006. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Pueblo Officials Want to Hear More About Casino Proposal". Casinocitytimes.com. September 14, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Want a job? : Rocky Talk Live : Rocky Mountain News". Blogs.rockymountainnews.com. May 23, 2006. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ a b Honoring Ray 0 comments (September 15, 2009). "Honoring Ray – The Pueblo Chieftain: Editorial". Chieftain.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Colorado State Senate – Democratic Majority: Politics: That's what's for dinner". Coloradosenate.org. August 31, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Biography" (PDF). pueblo.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2006. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ Fletcher, Amy (June 11, 2000). "Caring for Colorado still hasn't spent any money". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Governor Owens Press Release". State.co.us. June 8, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ Aguilera, Ray (September 14, 2010). "The Angie Zapata murder trial". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ [2] Archived September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Coloradans Recognized for Making the State a Welcoming Place for Everybody". Pr-inside.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Coloradans Recognized for Making the State a Welcoming Place for Everybody". Reuters. December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Efforts to boost equality honored – Metro – Colorado Springs Gazette, CO". Gazette.com. December 3, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ Aguilera, Ray (September 14, 2010). "The devastating impact of teen pregnancy". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ [3] Archived November 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Awards & Recognition". Pueblolatinochamber.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ Roper, Peter. "Council Settles PMP Dispute". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
- ^ Strescino, Peter. "Mayor proposal defeat analyzed – The Pueblo Chieftain: Local". Chieftain.com. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
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