Just a Thought: Tino Duran, La Prensa Publisher
By Steve Walker
Last week at the Diez Y Seis
celebration at Avenida Guadalupe, the 34th Annual Parade took over
two hours to wind its way down Guadalupe Street. This year more schools,
businesses, non-profits and veterans groups participated in the celebration.
One of those entries included some La
Prensa staffers and Publisher Tino Duran who rode in the parade. I was there to
take photos for the Walker Report with my La Prensa press pass securely around
my neck. It was exciting to see my La Prensa family there in the parade!
As a columnist for La Prensa for over
four and a half years, I think it is certainly appropriate this week to write once
again about my long-time friend, mentor and the man who approves my La Prensa
columns, Publisher Tino Duran.
Ironically my first encounter with
Mr. Duran and his wife, Millie, was in the nineties, at a local department store
located in Crossroads Mall. The Mall is now called Wonderland of
the Americas in Balcones Heights.
My wife Linda and I were shopping in
the Mall when we literally ran into him on that chance meeting. I knew who he
was and so I walked up to him and introduced Linda and myself to him and his
wife, Millie.
Since we lived
in Balcones Heights at the time, we did much of our shopping at
the Mall. On numerous occasions after that first encounter we would run into
them walking the mall and chit chat for a few minutes and then move on. Linda
would visit with Mrs. Duran and I would visit with Mr. Duran.
Eventually I was elected a City
Councilman in Balcones Heights. Mr. Duran would attend part or
all of a council meeting on occasion. Again we visited before or after the
meeting and he was always encouraging in offering good advice on a number of
issues. Since he knew I had previously been a reporter, he told me I could
write and submit articles pertaining to Balcones Heights. What an
honor!
When I chaired a Salute to Balcones
Heights Veterans in 2003, not only did La Prensa cover the event, but Mr. Duran
attended and sat on the stage during the ceremony with other dignitaries. Guest
speakers included Ret. Army Col.
Bob Howard, a Medal of Honor Recipient and two retired Generals.
Colonel Howard has since passed.
When our council voted to install Red
Light Cameras in the city in 2007, I wrote some articles on the controversial
cameras. At the time he offered me the opportunity to write an on-going column.
For some strange reason, I declined at the time.
Later when I became Justice of the
Peace, he offered me a second chance to write a column. Needless to say I
jumped at the opportunity and “Ask the Judge” ran successfully for two years
before “Just a Thought” took its place in January 2013.
I was also honored to cover his 80th
birthday party at the La Prensa office, which drew a full house of well-wishers
and long-time friends.
A spiritual man, Mr. Duran has always
shared his faith with me as well as others. A few years ago at an event at the
Plaza Club downtown, he quietly handed me a 3x5 card with the encouraging
words, “What moves the Lord is not the size of your need, but the faith you
have to meet that need.” I still keep that card close to remind me when I am
down that better days are ahead.
His La Prensa Foundation, which
includes his wife, Millie, awards annual educational scholarships and honors outstanding
women in the community. It also recognizes business and civic leaders who make
a difference in people’s lives. He is someone I look up to and admire and also
consider a mentor.
Since I have been actively involved
with Mr. Duran as a friend and La Prensa contributor, I consider myself a
better man for it. I am also humbled that he has faith in my writing ability to
publish my column every Sunday for La Prensa.
Anyway, as always, what I write is
“Just a Thought.”
Steve Walker is a Vietnam
Veteran, former Judge and Journalist.
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