| Francisco R. Zayas Seijo | |
|---|---|
| Mayor Francisco R. Zayas Seijo | |
| Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 9, 2005 – January 12, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Delis Castillo (Interim) |
| Succeeded by | María "Mayita" Meléndez Altieri |
| Representative 25th District Ponce, Jayuya |
|
| In office January 2, 1993 – January 2, 2004 |
|
| Succeeded by | Piro Reyes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1951 Santurce, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party (PPD) |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Colón |
| Children | 4 (Francisco Rafael and 3 others) |
| Alma mater | College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts University of Pennsylvania (MD) |
| Profession | Veterinarian, Politician |
Dr. Francisco R. Zayas Seijo, D.V.M., also known as Ico (born October 4, 1951), is a former member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives and mayor of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. During his 4-year mayoral term, Zayas Seijo established the Mariana Suárez de Longo Library and Historical Archive of Ponce, the Museum of Puerto Rican Autonomism, the Centro Ponceño de Autismo[1][2] (English: Ponce Center for Autism), the Agüeybaná II "El Bravo" Plaza, and also expanded the Julio Enrique Monagas Family Park. He gave birth to the concept of the Ponce Convention Center and the Ponce Aquarium. However, neither one saw fruiction before he completed his term in January 2009. He was, however, instrumental in the development of the Parque Lineal Veredas del Labrador.[3][4]
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Zayas Seijo was born on October 4, 1951, in Santurce, Puerto Rico[5] to Héctor Zayas Chardón and Dr. Esther Seijo Tizol. Both his parents were actively involved with former Governor Luis Muñoz Marín. He is a first cousin to journalist Jorge Seijo.
When he was 16 years old, Zayas Seijo enrolled at the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts of Mayagüez where he obtained a bachelor's degree in agronomy. Afterwards, he was accepted at the Veterinary School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1975 where he completed his doctoral degree in veterinary medicine at age 23.
Upon marrying Nancy Colón in 1973, they moved to Ponce, Puerto Rico.
In 1975 he established a successful veterinary clinic in Ponce. He also worked at several universities and gathered much recognition for his work. In 1980, he was selected as Distinguished Youth by the Who's Who in Young American People.
Zayas Seijo got involved in politics in 1984 when Raúl Ramírez, mayoral candidate, recruited him to be part of his team. Even though they were defeated, Zayas established himself as the minority spokesman. He remained in that position until 1991.
That year, his uncle, Humberto Zayas Chardón, retired from politics and vacated the seat he occupied in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. Zayas ran for the post and was elected by the party. He represented the 25th Representative District (Ponce and Jayuya) for 13 years. He presided the House's Comisión de Hacienda (English: Treasury Commission) during the administration of governor Sila Calderón.[6]
In 2000 he presided over an important commission that investigated government financial procedures a few months before the general election. The work he did garnered him all sort of criticism from his political opposition.
In 2004, Zayas Seijo was elected unanimously as the official candidate for the mayoral seat in Ponce, after the death of long-time mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago. On November 2, 2004, he was elected mayor of Ponce by an ample margin. He was sworn into office on January 9, 2005.
On November 4, 2008, Zayas Seijo lost the election to the candidate of the New Progressive Party, Dr. María "Mayita" Meléndez Altieri and was succeeded on January 12, 2009.
Zayas Seijo is best remembered for the establishment of the Biblioteca y Archivo Histórico de Ponce Mariana Suárez de Longo (Mariana Suárez de Longo Library and Historical Archive of Ponce)[7] at a cost of $10.5 million USD. He also established the Museum of Puerto Rican Autonomism at Panteon Nacional Roman Baldorioty de Castro in 2006.[8] He started construction of the Ponce Convention Center[9] and gave birth to the concept of the Ponce Aquarium.[10][11] However, neither one was completed by the time Zayas' administration came to an end in January 2009. In October 2008, Zayas Seijo inaugurated Plaza Agüeybaná II "El Bravo" at the intersection of PR-123 and PR-2 in the Caracoles sector of barrio Playa, Ponce. A plaque at the site marks the inauguration of the park dedicated to the memory of the leader of the last Taino battle against the Spanish invaders in 1511. Zayas Seijo is also credited with expanding the Julio Enrique Monagas Family Park in October, 2008, and with the establishment of the Ponce Center for Autism during his tenure.[12]
Zayas has been married to Nancy Colón since 1973. They have four children together.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Delis Castillo (Interim) |
Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico 2004–2008 |
Succeeded by María Meléndez Altieri |