María Meléndez
Encyclopedia
Dr. María Eloisa Meléndez Altieri, also known as Mayita, is the current mayor
of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico
. She was elected during the Puerto Rican general elections of 2008
, becoming the first woman elected to the office in Ponce
's political history. She is also the first mayor of a party other than the Popular Democratic Party
in Ponce
since 1989, when Rafael Cordero Santiago
became mayor. This is Mayita's second candidacy in politics on the island and her first electoral win. In the Puerto Rico's 2004 general election, Mayita presented her candidacy for a senatorial seat representing Puerto Rico's 5th district, but lost in her bid for the position.
. She was the daughter of Eloísa Altieri Brau y José Luis Meléndez Mena. After graduating with a degree in dental medicine, she worked as a dental assistant until she established her own dental practice in Ponce.
(English: Urban Ecological Park) was started. She called the construction of the park one of the five "emblematic" projects of her administration.
Another emblematic project of her administration is the Sistema Integrado de Transportación del Sur (SITRAS) (English: Southern Integrated Transportation System). The five emblematic projects are: (1) The acueduct for the northern zone of the municipality of Ponce at $5 millions, (2) Sistema Integrado de Transportación del Sur (Sitras) mass transit, at $1.66 million the initial phase, (3)Parque Ecológico Urbano, at $4.5 millions, (4) Ciudad Deportiva at $4.5 millions initially, and (5) the revitalization of the Juan Bigas Building (old Plaza del Mercado
) to become "Ponce Servicios" at an undisclosed budget amount. The entire penta-project effort goes under the name "Ponce Avanza" and the permanent structures have an assignment of $177 million.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
. She was elected during the Puerto Rican general elections of 2008
Puerto Rican general election, 2008
The Puerto Rico general election of 2008, held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 was the most recent election to select the Governor of Puerto Rico.The election was won by Luis G...
, becoming the first woman elected to the office in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
's political history. She is also the first mayor of a party other than the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
since 1989, when Rafael Cordero Santiago
Rafael Cordero Santiago
Rafael Cordero Santiago – better known as Churumba – was the Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico from 1989 to 2004. Many considered him as a synonym of Ponce, being baptized as the Greatest Lion in reference to the city's nickname of The Lion City of Ponce...
became mayor. This is Mayita's second candidacy in politics on the island and her first electoral win. In the Puerto Rico's 2004 general election, Mayita presented her candidacy for a senatorial seat representing Puerto Rico's 5th district, but lost in her bid for the position.
Biography
Melendez Altieri was born in Bayamon, Puerto RicoBayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
. She was the daughter of Eloísa Altieri Brau y José Luis Meléndez Mena. After graduating with a degree in dental medicine, she worked as a dental assistant until she established her own dental practice in Ponce.
Works
Under her administration, construction of the $4.5 million Parque Ecológico UrbanoParque Ecológico Urbano
The Parque Ecológico Urbano , also known as Parque Ecológico de Ponce, is a passive park under construction in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The city stated construction of the park on 10 March 2010, and it is expected to open it in February 2012...
(English: Urban Ecological Park) was started. She called the construction of the park one of the five "emblematic" projects of her administration.
Another emblematic project of her administration is the Sistema Integrado de Transportación del Sur (SITRAS) (English: Southern Integrated Transportation System). The five emblematic projects are: (1) The acueduct for the northern zone of the municipality of Ponce at $5 millions, (2) Sistema Integrado de Transportación del Sur (Sitras) mass transit, at $1.66 million the initial phase, (3)Parque Ecológico Urbano, at $4.5 millions, (4) Ciudad Deportiva at $4.5 millions initially, and (5) the revitalization of the Juan Bigas Building (old Plaza del Mercado
Plaza del Mercado de Ponce
The Plaza del Mercado de Ponce, or, formally, Plaza del Mercado Isabel II is a historic marketplace building in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It was inaugurated in 1863 by Ponce Mayor Don Luis de Quixano. The building was designed by famed engineer Timoteo Luberza...
) to become "Ponce Servicios" at an undisclosed budget amount. The entire penta-project effort goes under the name "Ponce Avanza" and the permanent structures have an assignment of $177 million.