Video: half a century of dedication to the service of citizens

 

She began working at the City Council 50 years ago, in 1972. Pino Méndez, auditor of the Agüimes City Council, municipal treasurer for most of her professional career, has been serving half a century as a public official serving citizens. This Friday, on her retirement day, she received recognition from her colleagues, in an emotional tribute ceremony held in the municipal Plenary Hall.

 

Flowers, gifts, applause and the occasional tear presided over the farewell ceremony for someone who throughout five decades of service has always been an exemplary civil servant. This was highlighted by some of the people who spoke to remember the figure of the honoree. Everyone highlights Pino Méndez for his work ethic, his values ​​and his loyalty to the institution to which he has dedicated most of his life.

 

A native of Agüimes, she started working at the Town Hall of her town when she was only 16 years old, forming part of the so-called Women's Social Service, which during the last times of Franco's rule was carried out by young women, as long as they were single, as a requirement to be able to access to paid work, among other prerogatives. After a period of voluntary work, she was hired by the institution to take charge, for a salary of 3.000 pesetas per month, of various administrative tasks. That first experience allowed him to go through practically all municipal departments, acquiring a deep knowledge of the mechanisms and procedures of the administration.

 

A restless and nonconformist woman, she was able to combine her work with university studies to complete a degree in Law, a degree that allowed her to sit for competitive examinations, obtain a position as a general administration technician and, from there, assume greater responsibilities. Rigorous, visionary, decisive, throughout her five decades of service she has been directly involved in the progressive modernization of the institution, since the time when municipal taxes were collected house by house or supplier invoices were paid with bank checks. to the current electronic administration, which is more comfortable, simple and effective.

 

At the tribute ceremony, the mayor of Agüimes, Óscar Hernández, wanted to highlight his pioneering character and his great determination, thanks to which, at the beginning of democracy, he was able to break the glass ceiling of a sexist society and an environment male-dominated institution. He knew how to use his knowledge, training and experience to not only assume positions of maximum responsibility but also set the guidelines for daily work in the administration, lead human teams and play a fundamental role in the strategic decisions that led to the growth and improvement of the company. municipal administration. Among his recognized merits is also the creation of the Commonwealth of the Southeast, an organization of which he was a key figure from its beginnings, in February 1990. He was part of the small group of public officials who shaped the Commonwealth, carrying out treasurer and general secretary at different stages and contributing with her efforts to the radical improvement in public services and basic infrastructure that the region has experienced in the last 30 years.

 

 

In this desire for constant improvement, Pino Méndez is considered a teacher and advisor to several generations of civil servants, whom she has deeply influenced in their vocation for public service. With more than demonstrated honesty, integrity and efficiency, he has stood out for passing on his impeccable work ethic to his colleagues, helping to create the culture of service that today distinguishes the Agüimes City Council, a reference for other public administrations and pride for its neighbors.

 

With the modesty that characterizes him, after the affectionate words and the loud applause of his colleagues, he stated that he felt that “they are not talking about me.” “I don't feel like a special person, I have simply done everything I could and knew how to learn, improve and enjoy every day,” he added. He apologized if his character could have offended or bothered anyone at any time and asked municipal workers to "not stagnate, take courses, study, improve, evolve, because with enthusiasm and pleasure the work is done better." “Public administration – he concluded – needs people involved to maintain its services and improve its functioning.” In involvement, dedication and vocation for public service, few can give lessons to Pino Méndez, former treasurer and former auditor of the Agüimes City Council, an exemplary official.