José G. Tormos Vega


José Guillermo Tormos Vega, known as Joselín, was a Puerto Rican politician and Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico from 2 January 1977 to 22 February 1984. Tormos Vega is credited with establishing, during his term as mayor, Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes as a museum.

Elections

In the November 1976 elections, Tormos Vega defeated the incumbent mayor, Luis A. Morales, by more than 3,000 votes. He was re-elected in 1980.

Mayoral term

Among the public works projects that took place in the city during his tenure are the construction of the Cruceta El Vigía, the renovation of City Hall, and the Coto Laurel village square. He is also credited with establishing, during his term as mayor, Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes as a museum.
In 1983, Tormos Vega honored long-time local legend Carlos Garay Villamil for his contributions to the traditions of the city of Ponce in his capacity as a horse-drawn carriage coachman. A plaque has since been added to the front facade of the Ponce City Hall to commemorate the event.

Charged with extortion

Tormos Vega quit his position in 1984 upon being charged with extortion. He was replaced by José Dapena Thompson who, two and a half years later and in the midst of a hotly debated electoral campaign was forced to resign allegedly to dodge potential criminal prosecution for corruption. Tormos Vega died in jail a few years later.