Rafael de Zárate y Sequera

[5] During his two-year mayoral term, Zárate y Sequera is credited with placing fire hydrants along the route[a] from downtown Ponce to its Port at Playa de Ponce and enlarging Calle León further up northbound, both completed in 1884.

In addition, he had a bad temper and it did not take long before he started to lose the support of both Municipal Council members and the townspeople at large.

The Municipal Council reacted by stating that, though they respected the decision of the Governor, they were disappointed as three council members, namely, Juan Mayoral, Joaquin P. Valdivieso, and Federico Leon y Cortes, were qualified for the position.

In addition, it was argued, Mr. Elices Montes was "a stranger" to Ponce politics and municipal administration.

As a consequence, the municipal council approved a resolution that condemned the appointment of Elices Montes for mayor.