Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 4, 1980 Page: 1 of 6
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I
TEXAS PRESS
* * * * RIO GRANDE * * * *
E R A L
VOL. XXXV
No. 51
September 4,1980
FIFTEEN CENTS
★
★
★
Starr
Trek
B V MARCELO SILVA
EDITOR
Time is fast running out on us. Those of us in positions of leadership recognize the
urgency. Birthdays come too soon. Grey haii s clearly show the mark of time on us.
The trek of the years is clearer, however, on our conscience, with the realization that
the problems of our communities were created by us, and that if we fail to make
corrections, the exodus of our children will continue.
We enjoyed out of town guests these past two weekends. "It seems your community
leaders don't care," they remarked, upon seeing our unpaved and dirty streets, piled
up garbage, arid generally unkempt appearance of our area.
They only saw what lies on the surface.
They did not see the fear in the hearts of our people when it comes to jobs. With
industry practically non-existent, the people depend largely upon the county, the
schools, and the federal programs for their bread and butter. And those government
jobs are obtained, as the saying goes by "licking boots."
They also did not see that in Rio Grande City we have no collective bargaining
power- to protest high rates for water, gas, garbage, and electricity.
Our leaders are ripe with age and riches, although this our guests did not see.
Hopefully, when they return to the Republic of Starr, our guests will see some
improvements in these areas. There is already a move toward this direction-nut
from the old politicos, but from a new breed of dedicated citizens who wish to truely
improve the community.
More or less, this is what the goals of these civic minded Rio Grande City in-
dividuals are:
Bargaining power for Rio Grande City to obtain adequate fire and police protec-
tion; to have a say so in utility rates; to obtain federal grants; to attract industry; to
unify Rio Grande City with common goals and objectives; to plan for future social and
economic security.
One possible beginning point being discussed is the placing of a referendum in the
Nov. ballots to incorporate Rio Grande City, from the hill at I.a Ladrillera to the new
homes bv the hosoital. and from the River to the cattle auction. By setting those
boundaries a sound tax basis would be included, while enclosing the maximum
possible population numbers which would mean federal grants.
What kind of city charter? One that would provide for a mayor and four coun-
cilmen, all elected at large, who would receive no more than a token $1 per meeting.
No pay would mean they would serve for the community, and for themselves only.
The charter would also provide for a city manager type city.
Where? City hall would be established at the Rio Grande City Volunteer Fire
Department. That department has always been composed of volunteers from Rio
Grande City. It has been only of late that manpower participants have been placed
there. So rightfully, and dutifully, the County would turn over this land, building,
and equipment, to Rio Grande City.
Fire protection would be provided to rural areas also, on a fee basis until Starr
County would organize its own county-wide fire protection department.
Who would lead the city? The charter would provide for staggered terms for all
five elected officials who would select the mayor from among themselves. The
charter would also allow for two year terms of office, and only one reelection
possible. The charter would also provide that none of the elected officials would be
local, state, or federal employees.
Who would pay for the city? You and 1 would pay for the city. It is obvious that if
we need a new car, we have to pay for it. However, with tax rebates, possible
federal grants, and mostly volunteer work, the cost to all of us would be minimal.
Who would benefit0 You and I, and all other residents of Starr County would
benelit if Rio Grande City becomes incorporated. But those who would most benefit
would be our children, and generations to come.
You and 1 will gradually see improvements in our environment. Rural areas of
the county will see more work in their areas as Starr County is let loose from the
obligations it has in Kio Grande City. Our children and generations to come might
just decide to stay and carry on, as they see that there really is a future here. The
city will generate industry and tourism, international trade, maybe a community
college.
Of course, this is all just food for thought at the moment, but let's not think about it
too long. Should we continue as we are, under the Starr County Commissioners Court,
w ith apparently no place to go, or should we set our own course? If we fail, at least we
tried. What have we not to lose?
1 invite your comments, for or against.
1980 G.E.D. Graduates
The McAllen LSD Hidalgo-Starr Adult
Coop. CKTA API, Program, and the Rio
Grande City CISD Adult Education
Program announce their 1980 GED
graduates. Joe Herrera, Chief GED
examiner for the Rio Grande City High
.School GED Testing Center, announces the
following graduates from: RIO GRANDE
CITY: Esmeralda F. Cantu, Odeth
Covarrubias, Lamar K. De la Cruz, Arcadia
G. Garza, Noemi G. Garza, San Juanita
Garza, Norma Linda Garza, Rosa Garza,
San Juanita Gloria, Marta Alicia Her-
nandez, Cecilia Mata, Cynthia I. Marroquin,
Lilia G. Ozuna, Mary S. Perez, Carmela C.
Saenz, Clarita Del Socorro Saenz, Eva S.
Silva, Rebecca R. Sepulveda, Elizabeth G.
Alvarez, Rafaela Buentello, Antonio T.
k Carrion, Alma G. Garcia, Veronica V.
San Isidro Opens
Against Hidalgo
Like the Rio Grande City Rattlers, the San
Isidro Tigers are under new management.
Former Rio head mentor Oscar Perez
• took over the Tiger reigns in late June,
replacing Frank Alvarado.
The District 16-A Tigers start off the
season entertaining the two-year old teams
of Hidalgo, a District 32-3A squad.
The Tigers are returning only five let-
teniien from last year's squads. Most of the
Tigers w ill see double duty as they go for
victors in the small Starr County school.
The Bengals will see tough duty against
the stronger Pirates, who are under the lead
inentorsliip of Joe Welps.
9 Follow ing this Friday 's game, the Tigers
meet Banquet Sept. 12, the R.G.C, J.V. Sept.
Rattlers Face Coyotes Friday
The Rio Grande City High School Rattlers
will battle with the La Joya Coyotes at 8
p.m. P'riday in Rattler stadium.
Both teams were in District 16-3A last
year. Reclassification of the teams have
placed the Rattlers in 1&4A while the
Coyotes are now in District 32-3A. So
Friday's game will be non-district play for
the two old rivals.
The season opener finds the Rattlers
ready and eager for combat under their new
head coach, Alex Leal, who comes to Rio
with a winning tradition from Rattler rival
Raymondville.
I>eal is assisted by Coaches Chico
Jimenez, Walter Watson, Tom Watt, John
Solis, Pat Saenz, Jose Perez, Darrell
Earhart, Ramiro Villegas, Rene de la
Garza, and Edelmiro Venecia.
The 34 man Rattler roster includes 23
juniors. The team members are: Jorge
Aguilera. FB, Sr.; Leroy Balderas, C, Jr.;
Lupe Cabello, TB, Jr.; Americo Cantu, G,
Jr.; ReymundoCantu, S, Sr.; Robert Cantu,
G, Sr.; Richard Ceballos, CB, Jr.; Marin
Chapa, FB, Jr.; Ignacio Cruz, TE, Sr.; Saul
Garcia, G, Jr.; I/eoGarcia, RT, Sr.; Pancho
Gomez, LB, Jr.; David Gomez, T, Jr.,
Arnold Gonzalez, G, Jr.; John Guerra, QB,
Jr.; Paul Guerra, WR, Jr.; Paco Guerrero,
C., Jr.; Arnold Longoria, LT, Jr.; Esiquiel
Ixipez, T, Jr.; Rene Lopez, DT, Jr.; Carlos
Lopez, G, Jr.; Noe Mendoza.TE, Jr.; Ricky
Montalvo, TE, Jr.; Robert Navarro, FB,
Jr.; Javier Olivarez, LG, Sr.; Ovidio Pena,
QB, Jr.; Mike Porras, LB, Jr.; Abel
Rodriguez, DT, Sr.; David Saenz, LT, Kr.;
Pat Saenz, FL, Sr.; Ricky Saenz, TE, Sr.;
Eddie Sanchez, LG, So.; Cande
Sepulveda, DT, Jr.; Adolfo Solis, FB, Jr.;
Eric Solis, WR, Jr.; Mark Trevino, WR, Jr.;
Jaime Villarreal, FB, Sr.; Tony Ybarra,
WR, Jr.
Either John Guerra or Ovidio Pena will
start the Rattlers in the quarterback
position. Other backfield starters include
laiibaek David Saenz, fullback Jaime
Villarreal, and flankers Saul Garcia and Pat
Saenz.
Ricky Saenz and Eric Solis will lead with
the reception team. Starters in the lines are
David Gomez, I/eo Garza, and Arnold
Ixingoria,
Guard prospects are Javier Olivarez,
Eddie Sanchez, Robert Cantu, Mike Porras,
and Le Roy Balderas.
The season opener this Friday will be
followed the following Friday, Sept. 12. with
another non-district game against Mission.
After that the Rattlers will face McAllen
Memorial Sept. 20, before starting District
Play against Brownsville Pace Sept. 26.
The La Joya Athletic Director, Manuel T.
Barrera, looki forward with optimism to the
1980 season, and has welcomed the
classification drop as an asset. The Coyotes
did not have much success the past two
years in 16-3A.
hi their district role, the Coyotes this year
face Port Isabel, La Feria, Los Fresnos,
Lyford, Sharyland, Rio Hondo, Santa Rosa
and Hidalgo.
The Rattlers this year face Donna,
Brownsville Pace, Mercedes, Falfunias,
Raymondville, Laredo United, and Ed-
couch-Elsa.
Four County Parks Near Completion
Abelardo Solis, director of the Starr
County Yout.i Adult Conservation Corps
(YACC) projects, reports that first year
work will be completed on Sept. 30, 1980.
"A lot has been accomplished during this
year," Solis reports.
"We have constructed four parks. The
Kennedy Park and County Pet. no. 4 Park in
Rio Grande City. Roma Service Center
Park and River Walk Park in Roma,
Texas."
"At the Kennedy Park we have con-
structed six picnic tables, twenty benches,
three barbecue pits, one seesaw, one swing
set, one side walk 200 ft. x 4 ft. to control soil
vegetation erosion, had seed ground with 20
pounds of grass seed and planted thirty
healthy trees.
"At County Pet. no. 4 Park located close to
the Rio Grande City Cons. Ind. School
District grounds we have constructed
twenty (20) concrete picnic tables, forty
concrete benches, ten concrete barbecue
pits and planted grass seed and trees.
"At the Rorna Service Center Park we
have constructed twenty concrete picnic
tables, forty benches, one large barbeque
pit, ten small barbecue pits, one side walK
200 ft. x 4 ft. to control soil and vegetation
erosion. We planted thirty trees, seed
ground with twenty pounds of bermuda
grass, install 800 ft. of 3i wide PVC water
line for irrigation of vegetation and ground
cover. We constructed a stone retaining
wall of approximately 275 ft. x 3 ft. to control
soil erosion.
"At the River Walk Project we con-
structed a stone fence 160 feet, long to act as
a retaining wall, one walk way made of
cement steps with hand rails from the river
to picnic area, approximately 160 ft., ten
cement picnic tables, twenty benches, and
seed ground with twenty pounds of bermuda
grass.
"We will like to thank the U.S. Dept. of
Agr. and U.S. Dept. of the Interior for
funding us for this year's YACC Program
"The honorable Starr Co. Commissioners
Court; coordinator of Federal Programs,
Mr. Javier Margo; and Supervisors Amador
Gonzales and Beto Alvarez have worked
very hard to make this year's ac-
complishment come true," Solis concludes.
'A Greater South Texas' Is Conference Theme
A South Texas-wide comprehensive
conference will be held on September 8-19,
1980 at the Holiday-Inn Emerald Beach
Hotel in Corpus Christi. The Conference
"Focus on a Greater South Texas" is being
sponsored by six Councils of Governments
(State Planning Regions) which service
South Texas and include the South Texas
of Laredo, Alamo Area of San Antonio,
Costal Bend of Corpus Christi, Golden
Crescent of Victoria, Lower Rio Grande
Valley of McAllen, and Middle Rio Grande
of Carrizo Springs); plus the Texas
Department of Human Resources, Region 8
Headquartered in Edifiburg and Region 9
Headquartered in San Antonio and many
other state and federal agencies and
organizations.
The purpose of the Conference is to ex-
plore the major issues facing South Texas in
the 80's including local-state and federal
intergovernmental cooperation, the plan-
ning and delivery of human services, and
the development of a South Texas-wide
consensus on future coordinated direction in
this decade.
Panels at the conference will include
South Texas legislators, colleges and
university presendents, directors of major
human service agencies and programs,
representatives of local governments and
school districts, and other community
leaders. State officials will include various
state commissioners and directors, the
governor's office, representatives of special
legislative committees, and elected and
public officials.
Seminars and workshops, where South
Texas issues will be discussed and
recommendations developed, will focus on
target risk groups such as the handicapped,
migrants, elderly, juvenile problems such
as drug abuse and alcoholism. Other
sessions will deal with South Texas health,
rural and urban transportation, housing
higher and continuing education, public
assistance and social services, and public
school education.
Besides mayors, county judges and other
elected officials from the 123 cities and 46
counties in the South Texas Area, guest
speakers invited include the Governor, Lt.
Governor, Attorney General and speaker of
the House from the State level, and U.S.
Congressional Representatives and officials
from the Federal Regional Council in
Dallas. Special invitations have also been
issued to President Carter and Republican
Presidential Candidate Ronald Reagan.
The conference will be open to the public.
For more information on registration fees
and other details, contact Julie Saldana,
South Texas Development Council, 512-722-
3995.
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Porras Heads Local
Heritage Project
The Texas Heritage Project, a statewide
educational and patriotic program designed
to strengthen a spirit of pride in and
renewed patriotism for all Texans, was
launched during official ceremonies this
week at the State Capitol.
This dynamic program is a cooperative
endeavor of the Texas Historical Foun-
dation, a nonprofit group formed to
preserve, promote and protect the heritage
of Texas, and the Texas Historical Com-
mission, the state preservation agency.
Funds were made possible by a grant from
the Moody Foundation of Galveston.
Governor William P. Clements, Jr. en-
dorsed the Texas Heritage Project, "It is
one of the finest programs to be started in
Texas in many years. An emphasis on the
rededication and celebration of Texas
patriotism is what the people of Texas need
to rekindle the unique spirit of Texas. I
particularly commend the increased em-
phasis that is being placed on future ob-
servances of Texas patriotic days."
To kick off this patriotic rededication,
Governor Clements issued a proclamation
designating September 1-7 Texas Navy
Week and called upon all Texans to
celebrate the important role that the Navies
of Texas played in achieving our freedom.
The comprehensive and promotional
Texas pride project has as one of its goals
the revival of interest in such other Texas
patriotic days as Confederate Heroes Day,
Cinco de Mayo, Emancipation Day, Texas
Pioneer's Day, Stephen F. Austin
SLOW DOWN
THEY DEPEND ON YOU
Day .Texas Independence and Flag Day and
Battle of San Jacinto Day.
The Texas Heritage Project hopes by-
reviving an interest in such days a wider
appreciation and observance of Texas
patriotic days will be encouraged within the
local communities.
Another significant contribution of the
Texas Heritage Project will be the com-
piling of business histories and biographical
sketches of early Texans to be housed in the
State Archives enabling all Texans access to
research material. This goal of the Texas
Heritage Project will bring neglected
periods of time back into focus and will
serve to illustrate the vital role that our free
enterprise system, Texas Style, has served
in the growth and development of the South-
west.
To accomplish these facets of the Texas
Heritage Project will be the achievement of
the volunteers in all of the counties of Texas.
In Starr County, the County Historical
Commission Chairman is Abel Porras.
Garcia, Nancy R. I^ara, Nora R. Mendoza,
Noelia G. Salmon, Lydia G. lxipez, Noemi
Pena, Luz Bella Balderas, Beatrice Adame.
GRULLA Lydia V. Flores, Yolanda
Flores, Amalia S. Garza, Amanda Medelez,
Jovita Reyes, Manuela C. Solis, Candida D.
Sandoval, Brenda C. Villarreal, Heliodoro
Zarate, Juventino Hernandez, Oscar Solis.
ROMA: Eden E. Canales, Delma A.
Escobar, Isaias Vidal, Santa Guadalupe
Moreno, Ma. Medelina Garcia, Lourdez G.
Gonzalez, Teresa G. Perez, Viola R. Perez,
Zolia G. Perez, Valentin Garza, Carmen Sue
Perez, Hermelinda Munoz.
ZAPATA: Jose Luis Guevara, Patricia
Salazar.
For further information concerning GED
evening classes or the next GED test date
call P A. Gonzalez at 487-4566.
Dumping Days
The Community Action Council of South
Texas Community Improvement Project
formerly the Starr County Garbage
Collection and Disposal Unit announces that
the Disposal grounds will be opened every
Wednesday from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The public is hereby advised of this action
in order to provide access to the dumping
facilities to individuals who may wish to
dipose of their own household garbage. The
following fees will be in effect for the use of
the grounds:
Family cars, $1.50; and small pick-up,
$3.00.
No large vehicles such as large trucks on
or trailers will be allowed. No exceptions.
Residents of Rio Grande City are asked to
take note of this action and help keep Rio
Grande City a clean place to live.
Littering in public property and in private
property without the consent of owner is
against the law.
Tr
19, the Laredo Martin JV Sept. 25, the
Laredo Nixon JV Oct. 3, McAllen Memorial
Oct. 10, Mirando City Oct. 24, Bruni Oct. 31,
Ben Bolt Nov. 7 and close out the regular
season Nov. 14 against Agua Dulce.
The Tiger backfield includes Jose Angel
Garcia, quarterback; Ricky Garcia,
wing back; Mickey Laurel, tailback; and
Hector Ortega, fullback.
Heading the top of the line list are tackles
Jaime Cruz and Eugenio Vela, guards Roel
Pena and Armando Beltran, and center
Rene Garcia.
Receiving tasks will be assigned to split
end Juan Garza and tight end Tino
Villarreal.
Herald Relocates
To Britton Avenue
The Rio Grande Herald
has moved its offices to 109B
North Britton Avenue, Rio
Grande City, according to
Marcelo Silva, editor and
general manager.
The new offices are
located in a more .centralized
location, across the First
National Bank. The move
was made over the Labor
Day weekend, Silva said,
adding that all Herald
business is now being
transacted at the new
location.
All newspaper boys and
girls are to wait at the
Kiosko on Wednesday af-
ternoons. Silva said.
•5WSS
NEW SCORF.BOARD-The First National Bank of
Rio Grande City donated an $11,000 scoreboard which
will be used starting this season at Rattler Field.
Pictured are (L-R) Jose Adan "Coche" Garcia,
Rattler Quarterback Club vice-president; Ruben
Saenz, high school principal; Alex W. Gabert, Quar-
terback Club president; Rodolfo "Roy" Cantu, First
National Bank president; Alex Leal, head football
coach and athletic director; Rene Rolando I pez,
Quarterback Club secretary; Herbie Villarreal,
Quarterback Club director. We extend our sincere
gratitude and appreciation for the bank's efforts to join
in the support of our school activities," Gabert. Club
president, said
1
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Silva, Marcelo. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 4, 1980, newspaper, September 4, 1980; Rio Grande City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194783/m1/1/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.