County supervisor honored by Mexican gov’t
Porchas receives Ohtli award for community service
Yuma County Supervisor Martin Porchas has been honored by the Mexican government with the Ohtli award for his community service.
The award, which takes its name from a word in the ancient Nahuatl language meaning “pathway,” is given by the Mexico Foreign Ministry to individuals whose efforts contribute to the well-being and progress of Mexican nationals and people of Mexican descent living in the United States.
Eusebio Romero, Mexico’s consul in Yuma, presented the honor to Porchas at the recent Fiestas Patrias celebration at the Yuma Civic Center.
Porchas, 48, was elected to the Yuma County Board of Supervisor in 2016 after having served as mayor and a city councilman in Somerton.
Born in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., Porchas came to Somerton at age 2 when his family immigrated to the United States. He grew up in a large family, one with 10 children that traveled between the Yuma area and California to harvest crops.
“My parents have always taught me the value of work and of sharing what one has and helping others,” he said.
Saying he was surprised to be the latest recipient of the award, Porchas added: “I have done work for THE community, but there are many more people who probably deserve it more, who work harder than me. I feel proud to have been born in Mexico, honored to be recognized and even more committed to helping the people.”
Porchas began his community service at age 14, working as a volunteer in various capacities for the Somerton Parks and Recreation Department. He was elected to the Somerton City Council 12 years ago, later running for and getting elected mayor.
Looking back on his years as an elected official in Somerton, he said what has been most satisfying to him were “the services we have brought the people, and being able to change the attitudes of youth, showing they can accomplish them and guiding them along the right path.”
Apart from his duties as an elected supervisor for the district that takes in northwest Yuma and Somerton, Porchas works as research specialist for the University of Arizona’s Yuma Agricultural Center.