Margarita Rodriguez has taken the reins of the Centro Civico Mexicano, pledging to make the beleaguered organization more politically involved and more welcoming to non-Mexicans, including both Latinos and Anglos.

"I know we've had a rough last year," Rodriguez said Monday at a news conference to introduce Centro Civico's new leadership. That rough year included a vote last August to oust former president John Renteria, who had been jailed on a violation of his probation for misdemeanor traffic violations, and who was criticized by some former board members for creating "an atmosphere of hostility and intimidation."

"First of all," Rodriguez said, "we want to be taken seriously in the community." The most important thing for the center, she said, "is that it be transparent. We want the public to know we're doing things on the up and up."

At the press conference, conducted both in Spanish and English, Rodriguez noted that past leaders have shied away from political action. But immigration and other issues, including the current complaints of local taco vendors, will be part of Centro Civico's new agenda, she said. The group is also looking into adding legal aid and perhaps a health clinic, in addition to its English classes and a new bilingual computer class.

Rodriguez, who has lived in Utah for 20 years, is a graduate of the University of Utah and has been a member of the Utah Coalition de La Raza. For some of those years, she says, she was a critic of Centro Civico.

For starters, she said, "I didn't like the fiestas," referring to the center's two well-known celebrations, Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo. "We have much more to offer. And our food is not just tacos."

Centro Civico Mexicano, founded in 1939, is located on 600 West, not far from the glitz of the Gateway but still in an unadorned, industrial part of town. Newly elected treasurer Tomas Perez noted that the board would like to make the center more inviting but that the group will need more financing and more volunteer help.

Newly elected vice president Raul Lopez Varga said that the group hopes to bring more of the rich and varied culture of Mexico to Salt Lake City, including Mexican film, ballet and photography. He moved to Salt Lake City from Mexico City two years ago and has a degree in anthropology.

---

E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com