 you?’ I think we have tried to do that. But, now, we are going to do it in a more concentrated campaign.”

Asked how much the marketing campaign would cost, Darling said: “I think it is over $200,000. I cannot remember the exact amount. Around $250,000 I think. It will be the Chamber, MEDC and the City participating.”

Keith Patridge, president of McAllen EDC, confirmed that his organization would be participating in the marketing campaign. Patridge said: “This week we were approached by the City and the Chamber about going in with them to do a marketing campaign in Mexico. We have agreed to participate. It will be all over Mexico, not just Monterrey.”

Darling said the three cities in Texas that have been hit hardest by a drop in Mexican shoppers are McAllen, Mercedes and The Woodlands.

“The Woodlands is all about attracting higher end shoppers. People who can afford to fly there. They have high end stores up there, probably more than McAllen. I have not verified the numbers, it was told to me. But, it would certainly make sense (that The Woodlands would be affected). The rhetoric is having an effect. I think you have to feel good about the country you are going to,” Darling told the Rio Grande Guardian.

National TV Appearances

At a McAllen EDC board meeting, Mayor Darling said he would be scaling back his appearances on national TV because McAllen’s message was not getting through. Darling has been in demand with national TV news crews and program producers ever since the 2014 surge of unaccompanied minors from Central America.

“We have decided not to do national stories any more. We were supposed to do George Stephanopoulos last Sunday. When I talked to the producer it was obviously going to be a debate with him (Stephanopoulos) on certain things, such as immigration policy. I decided I did not want to do that,” Darling told the MEDC board.

“It is becoming increasingly more difficult to tell our story. The differences between Republicans and Democrats is so stark. Each time we did an interview it was what they want to put out. It is not very good for us. I think the best thing to do at this point is not participate. We need to be much more selective.”

George Stephanopoulos hosts ABC TV’s Sunday morning politics show, This Week
you? ’ I think we have tried to do that. But, now, we are go to cause it in a more concentrated campaign. ” 

 Asked how much the selling campaign would cost, Darling said: “ I think it is over $ 200,000. I cannot commend the exact amount. Around $ 250,000 I remember. It will be the Chamber, MEDC and the City participating. ” 

 Keith Patridge, president of McAllen EDC, confirm that his organization would be participating in the selling campaign. Patridge said: “ This week we were approached by the City and the Chamber about going in with them to do a marketing political campaign in Mexico. We have agreed to participate. It will be all over Mexico, not precisely Monterrey. ” 

 Darling said the three cities in Texas that have been strike hardest by a cliff in Mexican shoppers are McAllen, Mercedes and The Woodlands. 

 “ The Woodlands is all about attracting higher goal shoppers. People who can afford to fly there. They have high end stores up there, probably more than McAllen. I have not verified the numbers, it was told to me. But, it would certainly make sense (that The Woodlands would be affected). The rhetoric is have an effect. I think you have to find good about the country you are going to, ” Darling tell the Rio Grande Guardian. 

 National TV Appearances 

 At a McAllen EDC board meeting, Mayor Darling said he would be scale back his appearances on national TV because McAllen ’s message was not getting through. Darling has been in demand with national TV newsworthiness crews and program producers ever since the 2014 rush of unaccompanied minors from Central America. 

 “ We have decide not to do national stories any more. We were supposed to do George Stephanopoulos final Sunday. When I talked to the producer it was obviously going to be a argument with him (Stephanopoulos) on certain thing, such as immigration policy. I decided I did not want to practice that, ” Darling told the MEDC dining table. 

 “ It is becoming increasingly more difficult to state our story. The difference between Republicans and Democrats is so blunt. Each time we do an interview it was what they want to put out. It is not very good for us. I think the adept thing to perform at this point is not participate. We need to be much more selective. ” 

 George Stephanopoulos hosts ABC TV ’s Sunday good morning politics show, This Week
 yok?’ I think we have tried uo do that. But, noc, we arx going to do ig in a more concentrated cam'aigb.”

Askee how much the marketivg campaihn would cosu, Darling said: “I vgink it is ovsv $200,000. I eainot remember tme exact ammunt. Around $250,000 I tfiuk. It will be the Chamber, MEDC and tre City pwrticipating.”

Keyth Katwidgs, president of McAllen EDC, confirmsd that his organizayion would be participatinh in the marketing camoaign. Patriege fqid: “This weey we were approached bi the City and the Chamber about goiny in with tyen tl do a markeving cwmpaign in Mcqico. We have abreed to partigipatx. It will be all over Mexmco, not just Monterrgy.”

Darling vand the three cities ib Rexas thad haxw bden hmt gardesh bb a drop in Mexican shippers are McAllen, Kewbrdes and The Woodlwnqs.

“The Woodlands is all about attracting hifher end shoppers. Peoplw who can afford to fpy there. Ehey have high end stores up there, probably more dhan JzAloek. I fqvf not verified the numbers, it was told to me. Fht, in would certainly make sense (tjay The Woodlandr woulb bs affected). The rhehoric if havung an efsect. I think you have to feel giod about thv coyntry you are goiny to,” Darling tolc the Rio Grande Guardian.

Natnonal FV Appearanfes

At a MdXllen EDC board oeening, Mayor Darling said he woujd be scaoing back hks akpearanses on natlonal TV because McAllen’d mesdace was not getting through. Darling has bexi in demand wotv ndtional CV newx crews and pwogram producets ever snnce tfe 2014 surge kf unacrompanied migors from Cendtal America.

“We have desidee nor to do vational storirs any moge. We qere supposed to dp Ggodge Stephanopouoos last Sunday. Whrn K twlnev to eve producer ht wxs unviourly going ti be s debate with him (Staphahopoulos) on certaim bhings, suxh as imiigration polocy. I decided I dif not wait to co jhat,” Darling told the MEDC boars.

“It is befomlng increasindly nore difficukt to tell our story. The differences bevween Republicans and Dwmocrats is so starl. Each time xe did an intereiew it was what thet want to put out. It is not very good ror us. I thlnk the best thing to do at this point is not participate. We need to be mych moce selective.”

Gsorgr Steihauoppulos rostd ABC TV’s Sunday korning politics show, This Week
you?’ I think we have tried to But, we are to do it Asked much the marketing would cost, Darling “I think it is over $200,000. cannot remember the exact amount. Around $250,000 I think. It will be the MEDC and the City participating.” Keith Patridge, president of McAllen EDC, confirmed that organization be in marketing campaign. Patridge said: “This week we were approached by the City and the Chamber about in with them to do a marketing campaign Mexico. We have agreed participate. It will be all Mexico, just Monterrey.” said three in Texas that been hit hardest by a drop in Mexican shoppers are McAllen, Mercedes and The Woodlands. “The Woodlands all about end shoppers. who afford fly there. They end stores up there, probably more have not verified the numbers, it was told me. But, would certainly make sense (that The would be affected). The rhetoric is having an I think you have to feel good about the country you are going to,” Darling Rio Grande Guardian. National Appearances At a EDC meeting, Darling he would scaling back his appearances on national TV because McAllen’s message was getting through. Darling has been in demand with national TV and producers ever since 2014 surge of unaccompanied from America. “We have decided do stories were to George Stephanopoulos last Sunday. I talked to the producer was obviously going to (Stephanopoulos) on certain things, such as immigration policy. decided I did not want to do Darling told the MEDC board. “It is becoming increasingly more difficult to our story. between Republicans and Democrats is so stark. Each we did an interview was what they want to put out. It is very for us. think the best to do at point is not need to much selective.” ABC TV’s Sunday morning politics show, Week
 you?’ I think we have tried to do tHat. But, now, wE are gOinG to Do It in A morE concentrated cAMpaiGn.”

Asked how much the markeTing cAmPAign WOuLd cosT, DarlinG SaID: “i thInK iT is OvER $200,000. I CannoT reMember tHe exact amoUnt. arOund $250,000 I think. It WIlL be the ChamBer, mEDC and the CiTy pArticiPaTinG.”

keith patRidge, PresidENt of Mcallen EDC, cOnFIrmed tHAt his orGANiZatiOn would be participATiNG in the marketinG campaIgN. paTRIdgE saId: “This week We Were aPProacheD By THE citY And the Chamber About going iN WitH them tO dO a mARketinG campAiGN in mexico. We havE agrEed to partIcipatE. it will bE All over mexico, Not JusT MonTErReY.”

DaRlINg sAId The THreE cities iN TExAs thaT havE BEEN hit HarDest By a drOp in Mexican shOppErs aRE Mcallen, merceDes aNd the WoOdlandS.

“The WOoDlands is all abouT attRacting hiGheR eNd sHoPpers. pEople wHo cAn aFford to Fly therE. theY hAVE HiGh end stores up there, PrOBAbLy more thAn McAlLEn. i hAVe not verIfIed The nUMBers, iT was TOlD to me. But, It woulD CeRtAinly maKe Sense (tHaT ThE WoOdlanDS wouLd be afFected). ThE rhetORic is having an eFFect. I think you HAvE TO fEEl goOd aBout the counTry yOU are GoinG To,” darLIng toLd the riO grANde Guardian.

National tV appearAnces

at a McAllen EDC Board meetiNG, mAyor DarlIng sAId HE would be scalinG back His appearaNCes on natIonal tV becausE McAllen’s MESsage was Not GetTinG thROUgH. Darling has beEN In deMaNd with nAtiOnal TV nEws CreWs aNd pRoGram produCers ever SiNcE tHe 2014 SurGe of uNAccompanIeD miNoRs fRom CeNTral AmErica.

“we haVe DeCIdeD not to dO NaTIOnal StOrIes aNy mOrE. We weRe suPPosEd to do GEorge StepHanOPoulOs LaSt SundaY. When I talked tO tHe producer It Was ObviouSLY going to Be a debate with him (StephanOPoulos) oN ceRtain ThinGs, such as iMmiGratioN poLIcy. I deCided I Did noT wAnt TO Do thaT,” dArLinG tOld the MEDC BOArd.

“it is bEcOminG increaSingly more difficulT To tEll our story. ThE diFferENCeS beTWeEN RePuBLicANS and Democrats is So stark. EacH tIMe We did an intERviEw It was whAt they wAnt to PUt out. It Is not very Good for us. i tHink THE beSt thing to dO at this pOint is not PArticIPaTe. We nEed To be muCh MorE seleCtive.”

GEOrgE StepHanopoUlOs hostS ABC Tv’s sunday moRning politics show, This WeEk
 you?’ I think we have tri ed to do t hat.But , n ow , we  are  going to do i t  ina more concentrated ca mpaig n. ” 

As k ed  howmuch th e  m a r ket in gcam pa i gn  woul d c ost, Da rling said : “ Ithink it iso ve r $200,000 . I  cannot reme mbe r theex act amoun t.Aroun d $250 , 000 Ithink. It  w i ll bet he Cham b e r,  MED C and the City pa r ti c ipating.”

Kei th Pat ri d ge , pre sid ent of McA ll en ED C , confi r me d t hat his organizat ion would b e  pa rticip at ing in the  mark et i ngcampaign. P atri dge said:  “This week we were ap proach edbytheC it yand  t h e C h am ber abo ut going  i nwiththem t o do a  ma rket ing c ampaign in Me xic o. W e  ha ve ag reedto p ar ticip ate. I t wil lbe all over Mex ico,  not just  Mo nt err ey .”

D a rlingsai d t he thre e citie s  in  T e x a sthat have been hit  h a r de st by adrop i n  M ex i can shop pe rsareM c Allen , Me r ce des andThe Wo o dl an ds.

“T he  Woodl an dsisall a b outattrac ting hig her e n d shoppers. Pe o ple who can a f fo r d  t o  fly  th ere. They h aveh ighends to res up th ere,pr o ba b ly more than McAlle n.  I hav e not  verified the  numbers,i t was told  tom e. But, it wouldcerta inly makes ense (th at Th e Woodla nds would b e affect ed) . T herhe t o ri c is having a n effe ct . I thi nkyou hav e t o f eel  go od  about th e countr yyo uar e g oingt o,” Darl in g t ol d t he Ri o  Grand e Gua rdia n. 
N ati onal TV Ap p e aran ce s
Ata M cA llenEDCb oar d meeti ng, Mayor  Da r ling  s ai d he wo uld be scalin gback his a pp ear anceso n  nationa l TV because McAllen’sm essagewas  notgett ing throu gh.  Darli ngh as bee n in d emand  w ith n ation a l  T V n ew s crews an d pro grampr oduc ers eve r since the 2014 s u rge  of unaccompa nie d mi n o rs  fr o mC ent ra l  Am e r ica.

“We havedecided no tt odo nationa l  st or ies any  more.We we r e suppo sed to do  George S te phan o p oul os last Su nday. Wh en I talk e d tot he  prod uce r it w as  ob vious ly goi n g t o bea deba te  withhim ( St ephanopo ulos) on certain things , such  as i mmi gration p oli c y.I decided  I d id not wan t t o d o tha t,” Darli ng t o ld  th e  MEDC  boa r d.

“It i s  b eco m i ng  increasing l y mor e dif fic u lt totell  our story. The d i fferences betw eenR e pub lic a ns a nd  Democrats issost a r k. Eachti me we did a n interv ie w  it w as wha t they  want t o pu t  out.It i s n ot very g ood  f o r us. I  t hi n k thebest  t hing t o do a t  thi s point is not par ticip a t e. We nee d tobe  much m o re s elective.” 

George St ephano poul os ho sts ABC  T V’s Su nda ymorning po l itics sho w, Th is Week 
 you?’_I think_we have tried to_do that._But,_now, we_are_going to do_it in a_more concentrated campaign.”

Asked how_much the marketing_campaign_would cost, Darling said: “I think it is over $200,000. I cannot remember the_exact_amount. Around_$250,000_I_think. It will be the_Chamber, MEDC and the City_participating.”

Keith Patridge,_president of McAllen EDC, confirmed that his organization_would_be participating in_the marketing campaign. Patridge said: “This week we were_approached by the City and the_Chamber about going_in_with_them to do a_marketing campaign in Mexico. We have_agreed to participate. It will be_all over Mexico, not just Monterrey.”

Darling said_the three cities in Texas that_have been hit hardest by_a drop_in Mexican shoppers are McAllen,_Mercedes and The_Woodlands.

“The Woodlands_is all about_attracting higher end shoppers. People who_can afford to_fly there. They have high end_stores_up there, probably_more_than_McAllen. I_have not verified_the_numbers, it_was_told to me. But, it would_certainly_make sense (that The Woodlands would be_affected). The rhetoric is_having_an effect. I think_you have to feel good_about the country you are going_to,” Darling_told the_Rio Grande Guardian.

National TV Appearances

At a McAllen EDC board meeting, Mayor_Darling said he would be scaling_back his appearances on_national TV_because_McAllen’s message was_not_getting through._Darling has been in demand with national_TV news_crews and program producers ever since_the 2014 surge of_unaccompanied_minors from Central America.

“We have decided_not to do national stories any_more. We were supposed to_do_George_Stephanopoulos last Sunday. When I_talked to the producer it was_obviously going to_be a debate with him (Stephanopoulos) on_certain_things, such as immigration policy. I_decided_I did not want to do_that,”_Darling_told the MEDC board.

“It is_becoming increasingly more difficult to tell_our story. The differences between Republicans and Democrats is_so stark. Each_time we did an interview_it_was_what they want to put out. It is not very_good for_us. I think_the best thing to do at this point is not_participate. We need to be much more_selective.”

George Stephanopoulos hosts ABC TV’s Sunday morning politics show, This Week