By Sylvia Hernandez
The new face of District 3 for the San Antonio City Council is Leticia Ozuna, a cyber security analyst and mother of two. Appointed by unanimous City Council vote on Jan. 12, Ozuna replaced Jennifer Ramos, who relinquished her seat to pursue a position on the Commissioners Court.
Ozuna grew up in San Antonio, in a civic-minded family deeply rooted in the community. Among their various achievements, her parents were instrumental in the establishment of a community center for their parish.
A relentless advocate of education, Ozuna said her uncle, George Ozuna Jr., was a key player in establishing Palo Alto College on the South Side of San Antonio. His efforts were recognized in 1997 when the college named its library after him.
Councilwoman Ozuna wants to follow in her family’s footsteps. She said she sees her appointment to the District 3 seat not only as a privilege but also as an honor; a chance to make a difference.
“It has always been my plan to get involved with City Council,” said Ozuna. “I was just waiting for a window of opportunity to present itself. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.”
Ozuna graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, a high school that also produced two recent mayors for the city of San Antonio. Ozuna stated that former Mayor Ed Garza and present Mayor Julián Castro hailed from her alma mater.
Councilwoman Ozuna obtained her undergraduate degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her graduate studies in geographic information systems and urban development at Texas A&M-College Station.
The councilwoman brings to her newly appointed position a wealth of plans, ideas and an overwhelming eagerness to serve. Childhood obesity, graduation rates, affordable code-compliant housing and fair employment practices are just a few of the issues she would like to address.
“I want the community to know that the South Side is a little engine striving to wake up and be recognized,” said Ozuna. “I want to show the public that the South Side is a good place to work and play.”
Because a lot of her education and work experience lie in the technical field, Ozuna is very open to the vast possibilities that fiber optic communication systems have to offer. Her biggest desire is to see San Antonio move in the direction of acquiring a fiber optic network.
“It’s extremely fast, reliable Internet. It’s simple with huge rewards,” said Ozuna. “What it means for us is the capability of tapping into live video streaming.”
Ozuna said a fiber optic communication system would make it possible to create, for example, a 20-classroom network all connecting with universities across the country for classroom instruction through simultaneous feed.
“I want to bring the best of what I’ve seen in other places, here to San Antonio,” she said. “I don’t want to change the city’s core. I want to make it better.”
According to the San Antonio City Charter, council members may serve up to four 2-year terms.
