Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 55, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 2, 1980 Page: 1 of 16
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TA
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
★ ★ ★ ★ /?/o GRANDE * * * *
E R A L
VOL. XXXV
No. 55
October 2,1980
FIFTEEN CENTS
Starr
Trek
BY MARCELO SILVA
EDITOR
Rio Drinking Water Fails Limits
"I want to stand up and be counted, as long as I remain anonymous." Anonymous.
Starr County Judge BlasChapa, former Starr County Democratic Chairman Benito
Saenz Jr., and Democratic Primaries Sheriff Candidate Homero Salmon and his wife
have returned from attending the Texas Democratic State Convention which was held
in Houston Sept. 26 and 27. Saenz served in the nominations committee which selected
Party officers.
'Hie Herald hat is off to the United States Army Reserve Supply and Service
Company. The local unit has just returned from a two-weeks tour of duty in the
Federal Republic of Germany. This is the first time the local citizen soldiers have
been selected to participate in overseas training exercises. Our information is that
only a few Reserve units were selected nationwide. Their readiness is obviously A-l.
They have spread a good word for our community to other parts of the world.
Garbage collection fees are up from $5,600 in August to $7,300 in September.
About 1,1)00 households are still not paying for the service, however, according to
Patricio Hernandez, coordinator of the Community Improvement Project. Another
$1,200 in fee collections will make the program solvent, he said. If everybody would
l>a>, however, the program could afford new trucks, uniforms, better pay for the
workers, he said.
"If the C.A.C. (Community Action Council of South Texas) decides '•ot to continue it
in December, at least the County will have a good program to go on," Hernandez said.
Senate Bill 621 as passed by the 66th Legislature created some changes in property
tax administration for both the state and local levels. At the state level, the School
Tax Assessment Practices Board was replaced by the State Property Tax Board
effective Jan. 1, 1980. At the local level, the Starr County Tax Appraisal District
replaces other local tax bodies in the appraisal process.
On Jan. 1 of this year the Board of Directors of the new Starr County Appraisal
District took office. The five members are Heberto Barrera (Rio Grande City Con-
solidated Independent School District Tax Assessor-Collector) from Roma, chair-
man; Jorge I. Guerra I Rio schools business manager, assistant superintendent, and
secretary to the board of trustees) from Roma, secretary; Arnoldo F. Gonzalez
iStarr County Commissioner) from Rio Grande City; Amando Pena (Starr County
( ouimissionen from Roma; and Bias Pedro Saenz from San Isidro.
This tax appraisal district board has met twice recently, on Sept. 25, and again on
Sept.30. Tuesday night there was an informal meeting at the Rio schools auditorium
■ if a few people representing the various taxing districts of the county. They met to
discuss a budget and other matters concerning the tax appraisal district.
The appraisal district has to commence work on Jan. 1, 1981, to have all county-
values equalized by 1982, according to Barrera. The proposed budget, as presented
Iiv Barrera at the Tuesday meeting, calls for $447,200 for the first year work of the
district. The funds, whatever amount is finally approved, is to be shared on a
IHnrated basis by the different local taxing entities
Barrera said that public hearings will be announced whenever the board decides on
a proposed budget.
The question has come up whether or not the Starr County Water Control and Im-
provement District No. Two and the Starr County Gas System should perform work
normall) done by independent contractors. The water district laid the lines in a
trailer |>ark being built by Guadalupe Villarreal, who is the auditor of Starr County.
Villarreal said he will pay for the work. F.frain Duran, water district manager, said
that tv peof work is normal procedure for the district. Margil Sanchez maintains that
the owner of a development should hire an independent contractor, plumber in this
rase, to do the work.
Villarreal said that the trailer park water lines will become the property of the
water district, but that he will not make the road public.
Ovidio Pena, manager of the Starr County Gas System, said that he was ap-
proached bv Villarreal to put in the gas lines in the development, and that this was the
normal procedure. However, he said, he had requested a legal opinion from the
( ountv Attorney Alex Gabert. Pena said that he could see Sanchez' point, that to do
work in pi iv ate property was interfering in the private economy. The Gas System is
owned In Starr I'ountv.
The water of the Starr County Water
Control and Improvement District No. Two
failed to meet turbidity requirements
during the month of August.
Dr. Ramiro Narro, county health officer,
received a copy of a letter from the Texas
Department of Health concerning the
failure.
The letter, which is dated Sept. 22, arrived
at a time when there were many comments
and complaints about the Rio Grande City
drinking water. Whitewing hunters had
reportedly become ill, blaming it on the
water. Also, some complained that the
water was very dirty.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, personnel at the
water plant denied having heard of any
complaints and insisted that the water was
good. Two samples were allegedly taken at
different parts of town at that time, and the
results were reportedly good.
Water District Manager Efrain Duran has
reportedly teen on vacation.
An employee at the water district office
Tuesday said the problem had been that a
turbidity meter was off, resulting in the
faulty readings.
rhe letter from Ronald C. Catchings, chief Standards'" established Maximum Con-
of the Enforcement Branch, Division of
Water Hygiene, Texas Department of
Health, reads as follows:
"The Safe Drinking Water Act" (P.L. 93-
523) and this Department's 'Drinking Water
taminant levels (MCL's) for treated sur-
face water turbidity. The limits established
were 1 NTU I NephelometricTurbidity Unit)
daily average, and no consecutive days with
an average turbidity greater than 5 NTU.
Barbecue, Parade To Highlight
Fire Prevention Week
Those who will be asleep at 8 a.m.
Saturday will awake to the wail of many
sirens.
About 40 fire fighting vehicles will be
parading through town to initiate Fire
Prevention Week in the Valley. The
caravan will then move on through other
Lower Rio Grande Valley Communities, to
bring attention to Fire Prevention.
Forty firemen will come from the Valley
Saturday morning. They w ill be hosted to a
chorizo and egg breakfast by the local fire
department at the Fire Station. O.F.
"Speedy" Guffey will prepare the goodies at
T
JHR
1200th STUDENT AT RIO HIGH—Principal Ruben Saenz and Student Body
President Roberto Garcia welcome Adela Gomez a senior, as the 1200th student to be
actively enrolled at Rio Grande City High School this year This is an all-time high
enrollment at Rio High School.
Quarterback Club Inducts Hall 01 Famers
I wo former Battler greats. Robert A
Peterson and Ernesto Vela, were inducted
lo the Battler Quarterback Honorary Hall of
Fame during half-time ceremonies Friday.
Making the presentation of their plaque was
.lu.se Allan ••Coche" Garcia, Quarterback
Cluli vlee-presulent.
Uoliert ■Bob" Peterson was an out-
>!anciiii(.: olfensive tackle and defensive end
lor tin- Battlers during the 1956-1960 school
years. He earned All-District Honors in 1959
and i960. Bob was the recipient of the
coveted Sportsmanship Award during his
M inor year. In 1960 he was selected to the
second team All-State as a defensive tackle.
Peterson attended Texas A&M and
graduated in 1%4 with a B.S. degree in
Agriculture Economics. He is married to
the former Diana Payne and is the proud
lather of two lovely daughters, Deann and
Adri. Bob lives in Bio Grande City and is
currently the general manager of the Starr
lYoduce Company.
Ernesto Vela is the third inductee to the
Battler Quarterback Hall of Fame. Vela
was an athletic standout during his school
years of 1948 through 1952.
Vela earned four varsity letters in foot-
ball, basketball, baseball and track in each
of Ins four high school years He was All-
I Mstrict in football in 1950,1951 and 1952. He
was All-District in basketball in 1951 and
1952. Vela was also All-District in baseball
in 1952.
Ernesto Vela attended Sam Houston State
University on an athletic scholarship and
played with two I/me Star Conference
championship teams. He is the only former
Rattler player to participate in a bowl
game. In 1956 Sam Houston State met
Middle Tennessee State in the Refrigerator
Bowl in Evansville, Indiana.
Returning to his high school alma mater.
Vela served as Athletic Director for three
years. For the past five years he has been
supervisor of elementary physical
education. It is commonly known that our
present success in football in all levels can
be attributed to the foundation feeder
program implemented by Vela.
Ernesto is married to the former Abbie
Resendez. They are the proud parents of
I,ee Vela, outstanding Freshman quar-
terback; George Vela, a standout in junior
high athletic activities and Carlos Cecilio
who plans to follow in the footsteps of his
famous father and brothers
The first inductee to the Honorary Rattler
Hall of Fame was Ramon Elizondo, Jr. He
was enshrined during half-time ceremonies
of the Hattler-IJoya football game Sep-
tember 6. Ramon was an outstanding right
guard during the last Rattler championship
team of 1933. That Rattler team was un-
defeated and unscored upon.
Two more former Rattler greats will be
inducted to the Hall this Friday night during
half-time ceremonies. Ail Hall inductees
will be presented to the Rattler football
team during the Rattler Football Banquet to
tie held December 2, 1980 with Cactus Pryor
as speaker and with Hector Guerra as its
coordinator.
The Rattler Quarterback Club holds its
meetings every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m.
at the High School Cafeteria Everyone is
urged to attend. The Rattlers need your
support.
Ernesto Vela
k
\
Robert IVterson
Valley Delegation Searches For Industry
Dr. Bruno Trevino. executive director of
the Starr County Industrial Foundation, is
representing the Starr County area this
week on an industry search tour to Chicago,
Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul
area.
The Starr County foundation is one of 11
organizations participating in the tour
sponsored by the Valley Industrial Com-
mittee. The program is coordinated by the
Valley Chamber of Commerce, which
handles the planning and administrative
work.
Dr. Trevino serves as a member of the
standing committee and as a resource
person at the luncheon meetings when
questions are asked about the border twin
plants program, where firms put plants in
I with Mexico and adjacent U.S. border cities
Bill Card of Harlingen is heading the 26-
member delegation that left Sunday and
Monday and will return Thursday and
Friday. Russell Willis, executive vice
president of the Valley Chamber of Com-
merce, arrives early in each city to com-
plete arrangements for the luncheons and to
make sure all equipment is in order for the
Valley presentation.
The group has had luncheons and
meetings with top management of leading
industries in Chicago Tuesday , Milwaukee
Wednesday and the final luncheon is slated
for Minneapolis-St. Paul Thursday.
In addition to a 15-minute slide presen-
tation about the potential of the Valley for
new plants or expansions, each guest will
receive a packet of information containing a
profile of each participating area, a
publication on doing business in Texas from
the office of Bob Bullock, State Comptroller,
and a Vacation Guide to the Rio Grande
the Speedyburger.
After the parade the local firemen will be
busy giving the final touches to barbecue
chicken. Plates will lie served from 11:30
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fire Station.
Donations will be $3 per plate.
Smith Printing Co. donated the tickets for
the barbecue.
The turbidity values must be measured
daily at representative entry point!s) into
the distribution system. Your w ater sy stem
exceeded the above standards with a
monthly average of 1.8 NTU's for the month
of August, 1980.
In view of the above, the Starr County
WC'ID No. 2 must notify in writing all
customers of the failure. The notification
must be mailed to the customers with the
next water bill or by a separate mailing, (if
bills are issued quarterly or less frequen-
tly). A sample customer notification is
enclosed for your information. Ad-
ditionally, you are required to notify the
news media within the area served in ac-
cordance with the attached News Media
Instructions and Notification Procedure
Sheet."
The Herald has not received any official
notification concerning this matter
Army Reservists
Return From Germany
The 961st Supply and Service Company ,
with headquarters in McAllen and a detach-
ment in Rio Grande City, returned Sunday
after a two-weeks training tour in Germany
in Reforger '80.
The Valley company performed supply
and service functions in the combined
military exercises. It was the first time a
local unit was chosen to participate in this
ty pe of overseas manoeuvers
The advanced party flew from McAllen to
Germany on Sept. 9, to make preparations
for the main body of troops. Those in the
advanced party were I.t. Jorge B. Gonzalez,
SFC Rene J. Gonzalez, SSG Juan J Nassiff,
and SP4 Jose Luis Olivarez
SSG Noe Olivarez was to have gone with
the advanced party but was unable to make
the trip due to illness.
The main body of troops departed for Fort
Hood by bus on Sept. 12, and from there flew
to Kaiserlautern, Federal Republic of
Germany. They were quartered at Ein-
siedlenhof, which is about 130 miles from
Frankfurt.
The personnel making the trip with the
main bod- c' '"fops were. ( W2 Orlando
Reyes; STC Ovidio R. Acevedo; SFC
Fernando A. Guzman; SSG Ricardo E.
Recio; SSG RenatoB Chavez; SSG Gustavo
Hernandez; SGT Santos Carrion Jr.; SGT
Joseph Ellert; SGT Jesus Escobar; SGT
Rafael Garcia Jr.; SGT Roberto Martinez
Jr.; SGT Robert Perez;
SP5 Jose M. Bazan; SP5 Guadalupe
Arellano Jr.; SP5 Reynol Canchola; SP5
Odon Cavazos: SP5 Hector Cruz. SP5 Mario
A. Escobar; SP5 Romeo Garcia; SP'5
Aureriio Garza Jr.; SP5 Roel R. Gonzalez;
SP5 Dario A. Guerra; SP5 Jose Angel Cruz;
SP5 Gorgonio Guerra; SP5 Jose A.
Guerrero; SP5 Fidencio Lara; SP5
Reynaldo Ramirez, SP5Jo.se A. Riojas; SP5
Heriberto Rivas Jr.; SP5 Arcadio Salinas
Jr ; SP5 Ruben H. Teran;
SP4 Eloy Bazan; SP4 Jorge J. Escobar;
SP4 Horacio J. Garcia; SP4 Jose L. Gon-
zalez; SP4 Isaias Lopez Jr ; SP4 Jose D.
I/Opez; SP4 Jose F. Moraida; SP4 Ruben E.
Pro; SP4 David A. Recio; SP4 Maria G
I^eal; and PV2 Elma Lopez
PROMOTED—Homero Escobar was
promoted to Assistant Manager at Rinugol;;
Motor Inn. He is a 1974 graduate from Rio
Grande City High School and attended
Texas A&M University for 2 y ears He has
been at the Motor Inn since it was
inaugurated in November 1979 Homero is
the son of Mr. and Mrs Manuel M. Escobar
froru Rio Grande Citv
Housing Authority
Holds Open House
Valley, an 80-page publication of the Valley
Chamber.
Card, who has headed each of the four
search trips since 1977, said participating
groups feel the tour is helpful in acquainting
executives in cities visited with the potential
of the Rio Grande Valley for industrial
growth, especially for clean, labor-intensive
plants.
He said that several plants have been
located in the Valley as a result of the
program, and that additional prospects are
still active
By Dr. Bruno Trevino
The Housing Authority of Starr County
held an Open House Monday September 29,
1980 in its newly constructed Turnkey
Housing Project Texas 396-002
In September of 1978 the Housing
Authority of Starr County was informed by
the Department of Housing and Urban
Development that a Program Reservation
for this Project, based on our application for
a low-income housing project, had been
made for our Housing Authority
The Housing Authority advertised for
developers at that time and the Alfred D.
Hughes Corporation of Round Rock Texas
submitted the lowest Bid The Alfred D.
Hughes Corporation submitted its proposal
to provide a completed Project including
site.
HUD approved the lowest bidder, the
Alfred D. Hughes Corporation to construct
and finance the project. The factors con-
sidered in accepting the proposal were site,
cost, design, the developers experience and
other evidence of ability to i omplete the
project. Once all of the details were ap-
proved by HUD, the Alfred D Hughes
Corporation contracted (.he Gerrico Con-
struction Company to construct the project.
Then the Housing Authority of Starr County
entered into a Contract of Sale with the
Alfred D. Hughes Corporation to purchase
.the Project upon its completion
During the construction phase of the
Turnkey Project the Developer, the Alfred
D Hughes Corporation was fully respon-
sible for all development and construction
including the provision of the necessary
financing Upon completion of the Project
in accordance with the Contract of Sale, the
Housing Authority of Starr County pur-
chased the project from the Alfred D.
Hughes Corporation, the Developer
As of June 30,1980, the Project was ready
for Occupancy and, as of this date, all units
have been filled in the Project. The Project
consists 34 units of w hich 8 are one bedroom,
14 are two bedroom and 12 are three
bedroom Of the 14 two bedroom units, two
are for disabled families.
To place qualified families in the low-
income housing programs the Housing
Authority of Starr County maintains a
ii a local
id Urban
Waiting List of all qualified applicants
applications are made To fill in the i i i t
for the Turnkey Housing Project
Housing Authority of Starr County ha
Waiting List of over 350 qualified applicai
From these waiting list, qualified
plicants were considered for admissi
some accepted and some were not
terested in housing assistance any moi
And in this way all 34 units wen filled i
very short while.
The total cost of the Project to the Hous
Authority was $1,219,364 00. Tf
Authority of Starr County receii
from the Department of Housing
Development to purchase this pi
paid during a period of 40 year •
Contributions Contract will bt ei
between the Housing Authority
County and the Department of ii
Urban Development to admir
project Maintenance is requl
sustained by rents charged to I
families who qualify to secure 1
housing.
The Housing Authority of Starr
Board of Directors and the
Director, appreciate th<
cooperation it has received from thi
community during the construction
•income
-income
Executive
excellent
w hole
>f this
Project. The Board if Directors of the
Housing Authority of Starr County are Joel
Salinas, Chairman, Rafael Carrera, Vice
Chairman and Commissioners Rodrigo
Palacio, Rene Contreras and Abraham
Gonzalez Jr . In 1978 when the application
for this Housing Projott was initiated the
Chairman of the Board of Directors was
Noel Benavidts from Roma
The Housing Authority of Starr County
also appreciates the tremendous help and
support it has received from the Com-
missioners Court of Starr County in Rio
Grande City Each Commissioner has
shown a special interest in the programs
being developed by the local Housing
Authority Deep appreciation is also ex-
pressed to Javier Margo, Director of
Federal Programs who continuously
reviews the Housing Assistance Plan for
Starr County to assure that Starr County has
its requests and nl#h« far <wM«>
with the Deparunent of Housing and Urban
I Jeielopment
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Silva, Marcelo. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 55, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 2, 1980, newspaper, October 2, 1980; Rio Grande City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194787/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.