Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 22, 1979 Page: 1 of 10

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"The Largest Paid
Circulation Going
In Starr County "
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RIO GRANDE
VOL. XXXV No. 10
November 22,1979
FlFTtEN CENTS
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Another Rattler Band
First Division
RIBBON CUTTING- Ceremonies were held at
12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, officially opening the
Fort Hinggold Motor Inn, Restaurant and Golf Course
in Rio Grande City. In the front are owners Mr. and
Mrs. Pete Diaz Jr. and their inunediate family, and
from the right, State Representative Ernestine
Glossbrenner, former Fort Ringgold soldier Santos
I^jpez, State Senator John Traeger, and Congressman
Elijio "Kika" de la Garza. Numerous civic and
business leaders from throughout the Valley and
northern Mexico were in attendance.
Alfredo Cortinas Named Parade Marshal
Parade Marshall Named
For 1979 Annual Christmas Parade
The Knights of Columbus, School. Cortinas is the son of
De Saules Council No. 2597, Celso G. Cortinas and
of Rio Grande City, Beatriz Rivera de Cortinas
announces the 1979 Xmas of Taft, Texas.
Parade Marshall, Alfredo He was born December
"Al" Cortinas, band director 29,1945 at Taft, Texas. After
at Rio Grande City High attending elementary, junior
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Cortinas
high and senior high at Taft
he attended Del Mar College
where he was a member of
the Viking Concert Bands. He
attended the University of
Houston and Texas A&I
University receiving his
Bachelor of Music degree in
1972. At A&I he was a
member of the Stage Band
and woodwind ensemble and
marching band. He attended
Houston University and
Texas A&I on scholarships.
His teaching career began
at Sterling Martin Junior
High as the first band
director of that school. Then
he took a similar position at
Crystal City and from there
he came to Rio Grande City
where he first worked under
Nick Gonzalez. In 1976 he
was promoted to head band
director for the Rio Grande
City High School and the
school system.
Among his many ac-
complishments at Rio
Grande City are the
following: 3 years Sweep-
stakes at the Junior High
level; in 1976 Junior High
Band placed 6th at the State
Level; 2 years Sweepstakes
at the Rio Grande High
School; Outstanding Band In
the Buccaneers Day Parade
at Corpus Christi; Out-
standing Band in the
Festival of Palms Music
Festival; and participated in
the "Six Flags over Mid-
America" Contest (National
Band Competition), 1st
place.
Cortinas is a member of
the Texas Music Educators
Association, Texas Band-
masters Association, Phi Mu
Alpha Music Fraternity and
the Band Boosters Club and
the Quarterback Club
The Mighty Marching
Rattler Band did it again. On
Saturday, Nov. 17,1979, they
participated in the Annual
U.I.L. Pigskin Jubilee
Marching Contest and
received the coveted First
Division Trophy.
The Rio Grande City High
School Band was one of two
16-AAA bands to receive the
top rating. Brownsville Pace
High School was the only
other school in 3A to achieve
the first division rating.
"We are extremely proud
of our students' per-
formance. They certainly
generated continuous ex-
citement from the crowd
that gave us a standing
ovation after our per-
formance," commented
Alfredo Cortinas,Rattler
Band director.
"I would like to thank all
the people from Rio that
attended Pigskin to support
our Band. This is really a
comfort to see so many
people behind our band. We
really appreciate your
support," Cortinas said.
Cortinas said he was
especially thankful to his
fine staff-Carlos Ruiz, Roel
Elizondo, Rudy Martinez,
and Rene "Pito" Villarreal.
"These gentlemen are
constantly at my side of-
fering criticism and advice.
They deserve a lot of credit
for the amount of work and
time they devote to our band
program," Cortinas said.
was very grateful to the
band boosters "for all they
have done for us. They are
always there when we need
them."
Judges were Fred Junkin
of Victoria High School,
Rodney Klett of Georgetown
High School, and Terry
Anderson of Kingsville High
School. Junkin wrote:
"Good fundamentals of
Corps style drill work.
Excellent ideas-nice pretty
pictures on the field on
opening setup-beautiful
uniforms, great visual ef-
fect..." He criticized the
band for "going overboard
on the drum corps sound."
Klett wrote: that spacing
was "the only real problem
thru entire show." He stated,
"Excellent general effect,
excellent appearances,
excellent discipline Great
band, good dedicated work."
Anderson wrote, "the
performance is o over-
trombone soloists were
Mauro Garza and Balde
Diaz," Cortinas said.
"I know our whole band
went through a lot of
pressures but these students
had to be out there and
whelming- great, great job." perform a solo at one time or
He also wrote, "I really like another throughout our
your uniforms-beautiful, Contest Show and they really
excellent nag work " did a beautiful job," Cor-
"I would like to thank tinas added.
some students who went
through a lot of pressures The band director also
because of soloistic duties said the drum major, Carlos
they had to perform," Garcia, did an excellent job.
Cortinas said. The flag corps also received
"Doing a great job for us very positive criticism,
wee Dionicio Ramirez, "Those young ladies cer-
trumpet; Harry Brown, tainly put in a lot of hours of
trumpet; and Ricky extra work besides the
Longoria, trumpet. Our regular band rehearsals,"
Cortinas said.
Miss Claudina Canales
spent long hours working out
a major portion of the flae
work on the field, Cortinas
said.
"I would once again like to
thank all of our Band
members and their parents
for their cooperation in
willing to work together with
us, the directors, to have the
kind of band that we have
here in Rio. Thank you also
to our board, school ad-
ministration, teachers, staff,
and to the Rio Grande City
school communities for their
support," Cortinas con-
cluded.
Two Streets Left Hut
The Starr County Comm-
sisioners Court, during
Regular Term Meeting
Friday, awarded a paving
contract to El Quiote Paving
Co. for $175,000, the budgeted
amount.
El Quiote's original bid
had been for $274,817.90 for
the second action year
paving under a Housing and
Urban Development Grant
for the Rio Grande City area.
The streets to be paved for
the $175,000 are: Gonzalez,
Cortinas alsc the bend Guerre, East, Fifth,
Columbus Lincoln, and un-
named street between Old 83
and Bluebonnet.
The two streets which
were deleted from the
contract to bring the cost
down were Clarke and
Martinez Streets. Joe
Gallegos of Consolidated
Engineers and Architects of
Roma said those two streets
could be paved later with
excess funds.
El Quiote Paving Co. was
the only bidder for the
project. Bilo Alvarez.
C -
contacted later, said he felt
the reason other paving
contractors did not par-
ticipate in the bidding
process was because they
knew he could underbid
them
Alvarez said his company
is local, all his equipment is
in the area, so it does not cost
him as much to move
equipment and personnel as
it does a company from
elsewhere.
In other matters, the "La
Florida" road was discussed
with much citizen par
ticipation. Gilberto and
L«onel Saenz, Garciasville
brothers, explained that La
Casita Farms was con-
tinuously obstructing the
road. The road goes through
La Casita Farms north of
U.S. Highway 83.
County Judge Bias Chapa
said he was concerned about
the matter. He said he
remembers traveling on that
road to his family's property
since he was about ten years
old.
"This court will never
allow any rich company to
take advantage of poor
people," Chapa said.
County Attorney Alex
Gabert is to investigate the
matter.
County Auditor Guadalupe
Villarreal informed the
commissioners court that all
county debts had been
liquidated, except for a
$190,000 note to the First
National Bank of Rio Grande
City.
Villarreal said it might be
possible to pay pff more than
half of that note by the end of
the year.
The court also approved a
buried telephone cable to the
Housing Authority project
under construction at Los
Garcias.
Also approved was the
purchase of two gasoline
tanks with pumps from
Ricardo Reyes. Each tank
and pump will cost $400 and
will go to precincts one and
four, with the cost divided
equally between the
precincts.
County Girls
Among Delegates
Vasquez Departs ESC
The local Electronic
Security Command com-
munity has bade farewell to
one of its most diligent
members. Helen Monica
Vasquez, GS-7, Hispanic
Employment Program
Manager, left the San An-
tonio area recently to accept
a new position.
On Monday, Nov. 12, Ms.
Vasquez assumed a GS-9
position as the Equal Op-
portunity (EO) specialist for
the EO district office in
Birmingham, Ala.
Ms. Vasquez, a Gar-
ciasville, Texas native,
came to ESC in March of
1977. Prior to coming here
she worked with the Mexican
American Unity Council.
Her duties here included
managing all Hispanic
programs, ensuring the
work force was comparable
to Hispanics in the com-
munity, and serving as a
principle advisor on
Hispanic subjects to the ESC
commander.
In her new job, Ms.
new job will bring me closer
to reaching that, and it will
also offer me the chance to
get involved in the decision-
making process. Working
liere has been a real
rewarding experience and I
regret leaving the com-
mand. But, my future
locations will be determined
by wherever the need is the
strongest."
The work of Ms. Vasquez
over the last two years was
lauded by Jamie Cormier,
ESC Equal Employment
Opportunity officer. "Hel-
en's Affirmative Action
efforts have affected
change," Ms. Cormier
stated. "Positive proof of
this is the very minimal
amount of complaints by
Hispanics in the last two
years, and Helen's excellent
management of the Hispanic
programs. Her community
involvement was extensivse.
We're going to miss her "
ANOTHER FIRST FOR RGC BAND- One hundred
thirty-eight Rattler Band members are shown hard at
work in preparation for Pigskin Jubilee. Many long
hours were spent in preparation for this event, and it
all paid off with a top rating at the Jubilee, another
first division. (Photo compliments Rio High Annual
Staff)
All On Schedule For C Of C
Banquet, Festival
IVfonira Vasquez
Committee heads reported
Tuesday that everytliing is
on schedule for the Rio
Grande City Chamber of
Commerce Banquet and the
Christmas Festival.
Rodolfo "Roy" Cantu,
presided over the luncheon
meeting at the Brass Bull
Restaurant.
Humberto "Beto" Garcia
reported that everything is
ready for the Chamber of-
Commerce Banquet this
Jury Finds Suspect Not Guilty
A Carnargo, Mx. man was
found not guilty of
possession of almost 300
Vasquez will work with plan pounds of marijuana by a
compliance She will review 92nd District Court jury in
all Affirmative Actions plans Edinburg Tuesday,
presented to the EO council Juan Garza Hernandez
by military installations and tad been charged with three
civilian agencie3 in the oUler men of having 296
at e
k* m
Birmingham area
In departing, Mrs.
Vasquez said, "One of my
goals In life is to be a
professional and I feel this
pounds of the weed
McAllen home.
The other men, two from
McAllen and one from
Roma, pleaded guilty
Monday to the charge and
were sentenced to four years
probation and a $2,000 fine.
According to prosecutor
Doug Yancy, U.S. Customs
officials acted on a tip and
went to the McAllen home of
Johnny Harper Aug. 14.
The officers allegedly
found the men using a trash
compactor to compress the
marijuana into bricks.
Hernandet reportedly
claimed he had gone to pick
up one of the men at the
Harper residence when law
enforcement officials ap-
peared.
In addition to Harper,
Theodore Robison, also of
McAllen, and Juan Fuentes
of Roma were sentenced in
connection with the raid.
The jury took two days to
hear the case and return its
not guilty verdict against
Hernandet
coming Saturday, Nov. 24, at
the Fort Ringgold Motor Inn.
•) He said thebanquet start:
with a cocktail hour at 7 p.m.
Garcia said the program'
"will be short and to the
point" allowing ample time
to the speaker, Cactus
Pryor. Tickets are $8 per
person, and may be pur-
chased from Garcia at Starr
Produce Co.
A feature event of the
evening will be the the
recognition of the Out-
standine Citizen of Rio
Grande City.
R. C. Salinas reported lhat
everything is ready for the
Christmas Festival the
following week starting Nov.
28.
Marco A. Garza, In charge
of bringing the carnival,
said everything was ready,
and has tickets on sale at
the Rio Grande Department
Store. Garza said advance
tickets are three rides for
one dollar, while at the
carnival rides will go for 50C
each.
Oeorge Boyle reported
that the Historical Tour will
be conducted on schedule on
Sunday, Dec. 2. The tour is
made to points of historical
interest on both sides of the
Rio Grande River. The fee
will be $10 per person if they
go on the bus, or $5 per
person if they go on private
vehicles, Boyle said.
The Grande Parade is
being handled this year by
the Rio Grande City Knights
of Columbus. Prizes will be
given for first, second and
third place entries.
Cantu reported that he
had spoken to State Senator
John Traeger and State
Representative Ernestine
Glossbrenner concerning the
possibility of a hotel tax to
generate some income for
the Chamber of Commerce.
Cantu said they both were
receptive to the idea. Since
Rio Grande City is not in-
corporated, the matter has
to be done through special
legislation, Cantu said,
explaining that a precedent
has already been set by
rjwther Valley community
Forty-six Texas 4-H
members will travel to
Chicago for the 58th National
4-H Congress, Nov. 25-30,
courtesy of some 70 private-
scctor donors who are
providing more than $18,000
for travel expenses. The
youth are state winners in
some 50 awards programs.
The expense-paid trips are
made possible by the support
of corporations, foundations
and other private-sector
organizations as well as
individuals through the
National 4-H Council and
Texas 4-H Foundation,
points out Dr. John T
Pelham, state 4-H and youth
leader with the Texas
Agricultural Extension
Service, Texas A&M
University System.
"4-H continues to enjoy
support from the private
sector because it provides
solid and practical life skills
Dr. Bruno Trevino, of the
Starr County Industrial
Foundation, reported that he
is working with the South
Texas Development
Council for construction of a education. The strength and
firemen's training facility in
the locality. The Chamber
went on record endorsing the
project.
The only way to fund such
a facility is through the
county commissioners court,
and must be set on their bst
of priorities, Trevino said.
TYevino also reported that
the Starr County Industrial
Development Authority has
been created, and that now
industrial bonds may be
issued, to attract industry.
The Chamber also en-
dorsed a program to control
golden weed in Starr County.
depth of future leadership
that 4-H provides is a major
reason for the long-standing
support of the program by
many of America's leading
corporations," notes
Pelham.
With the theme, "Ex-
panding Horizons," the 1979
National 4-H Congress will
focus on vital national
concerns of energy,
economics, jobs and careers.
Some 1,800 outstanding 4-H
members from across the
nation will attend the five-
day Congress at Chicago's
Conrad Hilton Hotel.
Anita Villarreal and
Adriana Juarez, both
members of San Isidro 4-H,
are among the selected
delegates. Anita's awards
program area is health, and
Adriana's is safety. Their
parents are Mr. and Mrs.
Tomas Villarreal and Mr.
and Mrs. Eloy Juarez.
OFF TO CHICAGO— Anita Villarreal, left, and
Adriana Juarez sign travelers checks bought from
Maria H Alicia H Garza, center, of the First National
Bank in Rio Grande City as they prepare to travel to
Chicago for the National 4-H Congress. Anita, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Villarreal, and Adriana,
daughter of Mr and Mrs Eloy Juarez, are both
members of the San Isidro 4-H Club. They have been
recognized at state for their projects in Health and
Safety respectively.