Foundation:
Cayey's (kei-YAI) history goes back to an Indian village called Toíta on the borders of the river Río La Plata. It was mentioned for the first time in 1519 and later in 1532 at the settlement of Juan González, in 1645 by Bishop Fray Damián López de Haro, in 1757 in two baptism records, and in 1765 within a document with instructions to the governor. The name was written before as: Cayey, Cahey, Cayei, and Caiyey. In 1805, the town's name was Calley, but since then it is Cayey. On the June 2, 1773, the local population was empowered to found the town. Juan Mata Vázquez founded the town on August 17, 1773, becoming its first mayor. He probably donated the lands that today form part of the town. Cayey had between six to seven houses and one church. The church was a wooden structure and by 1787 a chapel had been constructed. In 1850 Cayey was considered a second class municipality.
Three legends support the origin of the name. It came from:
The Mountain range of Cayey
The name of Cacique Cayey (Chief Cayey)
The governor Miguel de Muesas, who had sympathy for the town, making the town also known as Cayey de Muesas.
Location:
Cayey is located in the mountainous region, towards the southern coast. It is bordered by: Cidra and Caguas on the north, Salinas and Guayama on the south, Aibonito and Salinas on the west, and Caguas and San Lorenzo on the east.
Area:
130.0 sq km / 50.0 sq mi
Population:
47,370 (census 2000)
Population Density:
364.3 per sq km / 947.4 per sq mi
People are known as:
Cayeyanos
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Cayey is also known as:
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Ciudad de las Brumas (Mist City)
Ciudad del Torito (Torito City)
Ciudad del Coquí Dorado (Golden Coquí City)
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Wards:
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Census 2000:
Population by Wards - Cayey
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Habitants
|
|
Beatriz
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1,986
|
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Cayey Town
|
15,706
|
|
Cedro
|
777
|
|
Cercadillo
|
827
|
|
Culebras Alto
|
68
|
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Culebras Bajo
|
292
|
|
Farallón
|
623
|
|
Guavate
|
1,491
|
|
Jájome Alto
|
654
|
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Jájome Bajo
|
637
|
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Lapa
|
234
|
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Matón Abajo
|
1,184
|
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Matón Arriba
|
1,034
|
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Monte Llano
|
3,874
|
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Pasto Viejo
|
654
|
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Pedro Ávila
|
178
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Piedras
|
59
|
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Quebrada Arriba
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1,134
|
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Rincón
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5,909
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Sumido
|
729
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Toíta
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6,291
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Vegas
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3,029
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Total
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47,370
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Source:
Census 2000
Political Division - Administrative:
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Matron:
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Nuestra Señora de Asunción
Apartado 372887
Cayey, P.R. 00737-2887
(787) 738-2763
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Topography:
The mountainous terrain forms part of the mountain ranges of Cayey and Jájome, which are part of the Central Mountain range (Cordillera Central). The population is mostly based in the valley areas.
Hydrography:
The Plata, Chiquito, Guavate, Matón rivers that flow towards the Atlantic Ocean, and the Majada, Jájome and Lapa rivers that flow to the Caribb
Economy:
Manufacture (food products, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment), agriculture (cattle) and telecommunications.
Average Salary:
$327.70 weekly (1998)
Flag:
The flag derives its design and colors from the Coat of Arms, which is in the center of the flag encirled by a solid black ring. The centered Coat of Arms and has four triangles pointing to it, two white and two red.
Coat Of Arms:
The Coat of Arms has a three tip mountain, a red bull, and a waving blue stripe representing the abundant water in the zone and also in reverence to the primitive Matron of the town of Cayey. The shield is topped with the silver lamb symbol of San Juan of Puerto Rico, and a red book.
The colors red and gold symbolize the Spanish tradition and it's founder. The green color represents the landscapes and Cayey mountains. The black color indicates antiquity, solemnity and seriousness. The shield is a creation by Dr. J.J. Santa Pinter, associated professor of the Colegio Universitario de Cayey.
Public Schools sorted by educational levels.
Updated: 08/07/2003
Caguas Region
Cayey District
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Name
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Level
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Telephone
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Address
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Elementary
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AGUSTÍN FERNÁNDEZ COLON
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K-6
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(787) 738-5761
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PO Box 372040, P.R. 00737-0000
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BENIGNO CARRIÓN
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K-6
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(787) 738-3087
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PO Box 373275, P.R. 00737-0000
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CONSUELO LÓPEZ BENET
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1-6
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(787) 263-2999
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PO Box 373332, P.R. 00737-0000
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EMERITA LEÓN ELEMENTAL
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K-6
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(787) 738-2410
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PO Box 372966, P.R. 00737-0000
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FÉLIX LUCAS BENET
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K-6
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(787) 738-3830
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PO Box 373362, P.R. 00737-0000
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JOSÉ GUALBERTO PADILLA
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K-6
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(787) 738-7847
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PO Box 373503, P.R. 00737-0000
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JULIO VIZCARRONDO Y CORONADO
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K-6
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(787) 738-7111
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PO Box 373503, P.R. 00737-0000
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LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA
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K-6
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(787) 738-2621
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PO Box 371156, P.R. 00737-0000
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MANUEL CORCHADO YJUARBE
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K-6
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(787) 263-0101
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PO Box 373503, P.R. 00737-3503
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MIGUEL MELÉNDEZ MUÑOZ (ELEMENTAL)
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K-6
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(787) 738-2058
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PO Box 373392, P.R. 00737-0000
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RAMON FRADE LEON
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K-6
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(787) 738-2847
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PO Box 10000 Suite 123, P.R. 00737-0000
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SALVADOR BRAU
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K-6
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(787) 738-3190
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PO Box 10000 Suite 135, P.R. 00737-0000
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VIRGINIA VAZQUEZ MENDOZA
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PK-6
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(787) 263-4635
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PO Box 2617, P.R. 00737-2617
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Intermediate
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BENIGNO FERNÁNDEZ GARCÍA
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7-9
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(787) 738-2626
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PO Box 373274, P.R. 00737-0000
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DR. RAMÓN EMETERIO BETANCES
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7-9
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(787) 738-3745
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PO Box 371119, P.R. 00737-0000
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EMERITA LEÓN INTERMEDIA
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7-9
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(787) 738-2440
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PO Box 370573, P.R. 00737-0000
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Secondary
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SU EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS
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K-9
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(787) 738-5866
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PO Box 372528, P.R. 00737-2528
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SU GERARDO SELLES SOLA
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K-9
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(787) 263-0490
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PO Box 6400 Suite 455, P.R. 00737-0000
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SU REXFORD GUY TUGWELL
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K-9
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(787) 738-5482
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HC 44 Box 13591, P.R. 00737-0000
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High School
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BENJAMIN HARRISON
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10-12
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(787) 738-1309
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PO Box 3246, P.R. 00737-0000
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CENTRO ADIESTRAMIENTO
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EE
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(787) 263-1480
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PO Box 2345, P.R. 00737-0000
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MIGUEL MELÉNDEZ MUÑOZ (SUPERIOR)
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10-12
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(787) 738-3078
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PO Box 3160, P.R. 00737-0000
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Hymn:
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Alma Boricua
By Clodomiro Rodríguez
Dejé en los campos de la patria mía
un paraíso, un verdadero edén.
Encuentro al mundo un campo frío y desierto
al compararlo con mi borinquén.
¡Viva mi patria, mi bello país!
¡Viva por siempre glorioso y feliz!
Yo veo riquezas en esta tierra extraña.
Yo veo bellezas muy dignas de admirar;
pero hace falta no-sé-qué de encanto
que solo tiene mi terruño ideal.
Dejé al salir de aquellas playas níveas
mi hogar querido, el nido de mi amor.
Dejé dos ojos que me lloran siempre,
dos ojos claros, limpios como el sol.
Yo soy boricua. Mi amor es Puerto Rico.
Para mi islita no encuentro parangón.
Nací en los montes del centro de mi tierra.
¡Yo soy boricua de sangre y corazón!
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Events:
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Regional Fair - April
Torito Olympics - April
Matron Festivities Nuestra Señora de Asunción - August
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Places To Visit:
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Comsat Station
Sismograph
Ramón Frade Museum
Guavate
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Distinguished Citizens:
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Don Miguel de Muesas
Don Juan Mata Vázquez
Félix Lucas Benet
Agustín Fernández Colón
Baltazar Mendoza Martínez
Miguel Meléndez Muñoz
Julio César López
Pedro Montañez
Emérita León Candelas
Eugenio Fernández Méndez
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Cayey Mayors 1773 - Present
|
Year
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Mayor
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Year
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Mayor
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1773
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Juan de Mata Vázquez
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1897
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J. Franqui
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1784
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Tomás Vázquez
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1898
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N. Rodríguez
Amador Trias Silva
Luis Muñoz Rivera
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1826
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Francisco Capó
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1899
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Manuel Morales
Arturo Díaz
Chacal
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1828
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Tomás Pacanis
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1900
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Pedro Rivera Collazo
Jesús Hernández
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1846
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Juan López
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1901
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Cornelio Ortíz
A. G. Agüero
Francisco Candelas
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1853
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Sebastián Colón
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1904
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Pedro Rivera Collazo
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1855
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Francisco Sicardó
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1907
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Cesar María Ortíz
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1859
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Juan López
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1914
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Heracleo Mendoza
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1864
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Lucas Vega de Alicea
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1921
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Cesar María Ortíz
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1867
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Boscana
|
1924
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Benigno Fernández García
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1868
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José Muñoz
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1927
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Abelardo García Méndez
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1870
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José Nogueras
Francisco González
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1929
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Baltasar Mendoza
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1872
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Fernando Vera
Marcelino Romaní
Luis Venegas
Ruperto Carpena
José Félix Franco
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1932
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Bernardino Vázquez
|
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1873
|
Justo Venegas
Justo Vidal
Emeterio Colón Marren
|
1934
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Francisco Fernández
|
|
1874
|
Manuel Núñez
|
1935
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Pedro Quintana Vázquez
|
|
1876
|
Vega
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1941
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José Mendoza
|
|
1879
|
Emilio Castaños
|
1946
|
Roberto Díaz
|
|
1880
|
Pedro Pastoe Egea
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1948
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Francisco Colón Julia
|
|
1881
|
Cayetano Graner
Luis Bas
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1957
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José Juan Meléndez
|
|
1884
|
Benito J. Polo
|
1962
|
Santiago Berrios
|
|
1890
|
Manuel Morales
Benito J. Polo
|
1965
|
Rafael Coca Navas
|
|
1891
|
Manuel Morales
|
1973
|
Leonides Toledo Rivera
|
|
1893
|
Juan José Baldrich
Luis Muñoz Morales
|
1988
|
Daniel Oquendo Figueroa
|
|
1895
|
Juan Ortíz
|
1996 - Present
|
Rolando Ortíz Velázquez
|
|
1896
|
Vicente Rodríguez
|
|
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Source: Municipality of Cayey
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Mayor:
|
Hon. Rolando Ortíz Velázquez (PPD)
P.O. Box 971330
Cayey, P.R. 00737
(787) 738-73211
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2004 General Election Results
Municipality of Cayey
|
|
|
|
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
Percent
|
|
|
ROLANDO ORTIZ
|
16,460
|
62.94%
|
|
|
GUILLERMO GAVILLAN REYES
|
8,460
|
32.35%
|
|
|
EDGARDO 'GARY' CORDERO
|
910
|
3.48%
|
|
|
*OTHERS
|
323
|
1.24%
|
|
|
Total
|
26,153
|
|
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Breakdown of Others
|
|
Reported Voting Centers Participation
|
|
Direct Nomination
|
48
|
|
Registered Voters
|
32,721
|
|
Blank
|
147
|
|
Votes
|
26,153
|
|
Null
|
128
|
|
Participation Percent
|
79.93%
|
|
Reported Voting Centers: 105 out of 105 for 100.00%
|
|
Total Registered
|
32,721
|
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Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico
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