By Blasita J. Lopez

You'll more often see him in a white-shirted uniform with a badge on his chest that gives him the authority to tell you to clean up your act, literally.
He can also be seen after hours and on weekends supervising other projects, like graffiti clean-up campaigns.
"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it, bud," serves as a guarantee and resonates familiar to all those who have sought his services.
Raul "Roy" Garcia works as a Code Enforcement supervisor for the City of Laredo Community Development Department and embodies a work ethic of yesteryear.
"Roy has always been a very dedicated individual," said Cynthia Collazo, Assistant City Manager. "He is always the one to organize any efforts we are looking to put forth. Whatever you need done, you can count on Roy. If you need paint or hot dogs to feed volunteers, he gets it done. If he could, he would give you the shirt off his back; that's just the type of person he is."
His duties center on enforcing city codes regarding lots, illegal dumping and similar violations. However, his job doesn't end at five o'clock.
"He is excellent at working with kids and excellent at organizing community service events," stated Judge Hector Liendo, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1. "Roy doesn't just organize projects for punishment or service hours these kids have merited; it's a counseling session. His impact on the community and on Laredo's kids is immeasurable. Students' lives have been touched by his efforts. The cleanups provide an opportunity for us to talk to them, communicate and try to find the problem. Roy has been instrumental throughout the four years I have worked with him."
Garcia provides assistance to many local organizations and agencies, which often require people to fulfill community service hours. He combines his knowledge of eyesores around the City with these able-bodied workers to make an area spic-and-span again. He also works closely with the City of Laredo Public Library Non-Profit Management and Volunteer Coordination Center.
"We work on a variety of projects from graffiti removal, to trash pick up downtown, to painting senior citizens' homes and providing lawn care for those who qualify. Roy is there every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. to pick up the volunteers," said Christina Fracchia, Volunteer Coordinator.
Weather permitting on any given Sunday, you'll find Roy Garcia leading a group of volunteers in beautifying their neighborhoods and those of others. It is a process that instills a certain pride in those volunteers who work on the projects.
"Roy is genuinely committed to working with and educating our local youth to ensure future generations know the importance of maintaining a clean environment by learning not to litter and actively participating in community service," said Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development Director.
Judge Liendo remembers removing graffiti from the Chaparral Park area, and he says that during the volunteer work sessions there is an opportunity to communicate with the participants and make them realize how they are not there to be punished, but rather to improve their own community.
"Roy has a way with kids. I like to go back and look at it [Chaparral Park] and see that it's still clean. The kids respect their own work and they take Roy seriously and respect him," said the grateful Justice of the Peace.
Garcia has worked on a variety of projects from Project Redirectory, West Laredo Graffiti Clean-up, East Laredo Clean-up, LISD Graffiti Clean-up, and the Southgate Graffiti Clean-up, to maintaining the mural on Clark Boulevard. Over the past decade, Roy Garcia has worked with an estimated 5,000 community service volunteers and collectively logged over 16,000 hours of service, if not more.
According to the Mayor, this kind of work should be recognized and applauded.
"When it comes down to protecting the environment and what it takes to make that happen, it boils down to the people involved. People can't make general statements criticizing the City without taking into consideration the hard work of people like Roy Garcia and others," said Mayor Betty Flores. "Policy makers and leaders have to give him tools to fulfill his duties in the community. We are working to increase the funding base for this, but basic needs come first. When I think in terms of an industry being criticized, I think about the faces behind it and their employees. It comes down to the people and how hard they work to make it better and do their jobs."
Although most people associate Garcia with graffiti cover-up campaigns, the Code Enforcement supervisor also preserves the environment by collecting an amazing number of discarded tires.
"I remember the last recycling and hazardous waste disposal drive we had, Roy brought in about 1,000 pounds of used tires," exclaimed John Orfila, Public Works recycling coordinator. "He organized everyone into bringing as many tires as they could for proper disposal. That type of effort goes a long way in eliminating eyesores."
Another community service project in which Garcia delves includes the annual Avery Johnson basketball camp. The only requirement for the participants usually involves a beautification project like the painting of the Meadow Street bridge.
"You can take a drive down Mann Road, Taylor Street or the Meadow bridge and see firsthand the work accomplished through the efforts of Roy, the Code Enforcement crew and the Parks and Recreation Department," said Johnson Committee Chair and Justice of the Peace Danny Valdez. "He's the contact for securing an area for the community service project, and he's the one who gets the many gallons of paint used for the beautification project."
With beautification in mind and a strong dedication for his purpose and the City, Roy Garcia has made a positive impact on his community that few people know of because of his humble attitude.
"There isn't a more deserving person than Roy for this recognition. He has worked for years in the background, and while he takes great pride in what he does, sometimes it's a thankless job," added Collazo. "Going out and telling people they have to cut their grass or remove something some of us would consider junk can become very volatile."
Roy Garcia has carried out his job duties and partnered with other leaders in the community in his efforts. And while he seldom takes any credit for the work he does on or off duty, the fact remains that he is the one common denominator for many projects. Through his actions, Roy has demonstrated his commitment for his hometown and the premise that there is always room for improvement. And one act at a time he is making a difference, cleaning his community and touching many lives in the process.