The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 25, 1985 Page: 1 of 8
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"•Rr i •"igpor t, Michigan 49204'-
Grulla nesiuents Petition To Keep Principal
By NORA LOPEZ
Rio Grande Herald Staff
Rio Grande City School Board
members promoted Walter Watson
from assistant principal to prin-
cipal, but of which school remains
to be seen in light of a petition
from La Grulla residents who want
to keep their present Junior High
principal.
About 150 La Grulla residents
signed a petition stating they did
not want their La Grulla Junior
High principal, Jose Maria
Longoria Jr. to leave. The petition
was presented to the school trust-
ees at their regular meeting on
Monday, July 22.
Earlier this summer, the school
board, at the superintendent's
recommendation, named Longoria
principal of the Ringgold Middle
School while Ringgold Junior High
Principal R C. Salinas was named
to take over Longoria's duties at
La Grulla At Monday's meeting
the board was to have chosen
SaJinas' replacement, but delayed
their decision when confronted with
the petition.
Watson was named principal at a
special meeting on Tuesday, July
23.
According to school board presi-
dent Rafael Carrera, no decision
was made on which principal will
be placed where due to the
unexpected petition.
"We're going to take it (petition)
into consideration," he uid. He
added the board would probably
reach a decision by their August 6
meeting.
In the meantime, La Grulla
residents who were present at the
meeting said they would prefer for
Longoria to retain his position but
would accept anyone else-as long
as it was not Salinas.
Salinas, they say, is not wanted
in La Grulla.
According to one resident,
Magdalena Cruz, Salinas is not
liked because of a negative state-
ment he once made of the La
Grulla community.
"He said that the La Grulla
people's kitchens smelled only of
beans," Cruz said in Spanish.
"We're poor, not rich. Since he's
rich give his job to the poor.''
Others who were present, Josefa
Guerra, Armandina Reyna and
Eusebio Saenz echoed her senti-
ments.
According to them, if they do not
succeed in convincing the board,
they will take the matter all the
way to the department of educa-
tion They are also threatening to
send their children to some other
school.
Longoria, who was also present,
said he would respect the board's
decision on where he would be
placed.
"I'll stay wherever they assign
me," he said. Salinas was out of
town and not available for com-
ment.
The board did name Arturo
Trevino, a bookeeper at Zarsky's
Lumber, as the new transportation
director at Monday nights meeting.
In other business, the school
district's business manager Romeo
Lopez informed the board that
there are about 16 administrators
and coordinators who are locked
into their present salary because
they are already on step ten, the
highest salary level of $26,000.
He added that while the state has
mandated a $114 monthly increase
for those educators who are on pay
grades nine and below, this does
not apply to those who are already
on step ten.
Lopez is therefore recommending
that these administrators also be
given the same $114 increase.
"It is an attempt to give equity to
the different positions," Lopez said
"Otherwise some individuals will
lose money."
Lopez is also recommending a
local supplement of $3,000 for those
educators who are on steps 0-5 and
a $3,200 supplement for those on
steps 6-10.
His other recommendations in-
cluded a six percent across the
board salary increase for mainte-
nance
In discussing the budget, Lopez
has recommened that the board
f.Sci' Petition, I'tiflf 2)
Roma All Stars
Win District
THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
Valley Mart
Circulars
V h,- , .
Inside
Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday, By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
No. 38, Thursday July 25.1985
FIFTEEN CENTS
Subdivisions, Projects Highlight Meeting
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Bs KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
Friday's special meeting of the
County Commissioners was
highlighted by discussion about the
requirements for approving subdi-
visions and arrangements for pay-
ing the county's share of the
airport runway repair project.
County Attorney Henberto Silva
said, "We need to address the
approval of subdivisions in
general." The specific plat before
the court was the Saenz Subdivision
at El Arroyo Ranch. Silva said,
"The plat is old, I don't think it
meets the minimum requirements
of recording."
Another demerit, said Silva, was
that none of the roads and streets
had been dedicated for public use.
Silva said, "You have the
authority to set standards on
facilities. The problem now, is we
don't have any standards. What are
the minimum requirements for
easements, roads, side streets,
alleys, drainage, etc.?"
Silva added, "When you don't
comply with the statute, there is no
penalty for failing to get approval
on a subdivision. Ycu would have
to enjoin them from starting the
subdivision. Some federal statutes
come in, depending on the number
of lots. HUD has a disclosure
requirement, failure to get approv-
al of the Commissioners' Court is
regarded as intent to defraud "
Precinct Two Commissioner
Amando Pena said he felt penalties
in these cases shouldn't be "too
stiff," adding that "we should be
happy these subdivions are being
w
Ir
Starr County Commissioners
,veed to amend the budget and
allow the county judge and the
county auditor to appropriate some
$75,000 for garbage and utilities at
a special meeting on Tuesday, July
23.
The amendment came after a
presentation by county auditor Jose
G. Villarreal who said he needed
the money in order to keep on
operating:
Villarreal said that when the
budget was formulated in July,
1984. a fixed amount was set aside
for utilites However, not all of the
projected revenue in taxes is in,
resulting in a shortage of funds
Villarreal said the necessary
funds will be taken from two line
items, capital outlay and payment
of old debts
"It is the only remedy I can see
unless we reduce all other
services," Villareal said.
The commissioners also
approved travel and expenses for
four employees to attend a man
datory election work-shop
Three persons from the county
clerk's office and one frm the tax
collector's office will attend a
madatory election work-shop in
Austin on August 21-23 The Com-
missioners approved a $40 per
diem, $35 registration fee and
20-cents a mile reimbursement for
each of the employees
A request from Marcos Pena of
the San Isidro area for a road and
cattle-gaurd to be erected at his
ranch entrance to avoid hardship to
bus students was also taken into
consideration.
After discussion, the board
agreed to erect the cattle-gaurd but
not a road since it was private
property
Claims that were approved were
$1,689 for air conditioning and $200
to ENS Insurance Agency
In other business, the commis-
sioners read a draft of the letter to
be presented to the Grand Jury in
response to the juries request on
May 17, 1985 that the county set up
an employee policy manual
The juries request was a result of
an investigation earlier this year in
which Precint Two County Com-
missioner Amando Pena was in-
vestigated for alledly using a
county employee to do private
work for him
While the Commissioners have
been folowing state guidelines, it
was recommended that they im-
plement their own county policy
manual No action was taken on
the letter until after the commis-
sioners have had a chance to read
it over
State School Aid Increased
et-
State aid to local schools in-
creased by $1 billion last sear to a
total of $4 6 billion To p. > for it,
the special session of the
legislating last summer enacted
the largest tax bill in the state's
history
Not to be outdone school trustees
in the 1.068 local school districts
levied the largest school property
tax increase in history--$519 mil-
lion for a total tax bill of $4 1
billion
Locally, the Rio Grande City
Independent School District's tax
levy was increased by 4 3 percent
for 1984-85 as compared to a 14.3
percent increase for the average
school district in Texas
The figures come from the latest
issue ol "Bench Marks (or 1985-86
School District Budgets in Texas",
an annua! publication of the Texas
Research League, an Austin based,
educational corporation engaged in
governmental research.
School budgets adopted last year
called for spending $3,103 per
student for current operation Rio
Grande City CISD's budget pro-
vided for $3,370.28 per student
based on the 4,765 students in
average daily attendance in
1983-84
Pour of each five of these dollars
were spent for salaries Statewide,
payroll expense averaged $2,487
per student, as compared to $2,690
in Rio Grande City's school 'lis
trict Payroll expense is a eombi
nation of salary levels and staffing
patterns
built and that the county is
growing." The main concern, he
said, should be whether building is
carried out in a flood-prone area.
Silva replied, "We're just talking
about having some standards.''
Precinct One Commissioner
"Chema" Alvarez said that at a
minimum, caliche should be
applied to roads in new subdivi-
sions. County Judge Bias Chapa
suggested that the County Right Of
Way Officer be consulted in such
matters.
Judge Chapa said that amending
of the budget would have to wait
until a later time. Auditor Jose
Guadalupe Villarreal said that the
main aspect of amending the
budget will be adjusting to the
fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1.
Following an executive session
on another issue, Federal Program
Cooi Jin; tor "Jak ' M jrgo s?id t
letter from Pan-Vex had been
received advising of who the low
bidders are for the many
categoric:- of the port facilities
project.
He urged that the non-low
bidders be returned their cashier's
checks that they submitted as part
of their bid bonds. Amando Pena
urged against this, saying "we may
rebid again." Margo agreed that it
would be better to wait until the
30-day deadline ol July 27. If bids
are not approved by then, the low-
bidders as well will have their
cashier's checks returned
Margo said that the repair work
on the airport runways had been
finished on Wednesday. But
Villarreal complained vehemently
that no bills or documents had been
submitted to his office.
Alvarez criticized Engineer
Pablo Pena, Jr., saying, "We're
tired of this being brought at the
last minute. We do it, why don't
you do it?" He was referring to the
need to present claims and bills to
the Auditor's office.
Pena said, "I asked the con-
tractor to submit his estimate, and
he did not return my call." He said
he hoped the estimate would be
available would be available
Monday Both Margo and Airport
Board President James Van Nest
said that the final inspection still
needs to t>e m sdo by the s* ate
Villarreal said thai what he
needs is a copy of the grant, "so I
can open an account, and request
them (Texas Aeronautical Com-
mission) to send a check to Starr
County."
Upon a motion by Alvarez,
Villarreal was given this
authorization and Chapa was
authorized to make the necessary
appropriations of the county's 20
percent share. Chapa told Pablo
Pena, "Take whatever claims you
have to Mr. Villarreal "
' The engineer then told the court
that when he called the Texas
Department of Health, he was told
that the approved pool plans would
be sent here this coming week He
said the plans had been sitting, in
Austin for a month.
At Pena's request, the commis-
sioners passed a change order
rescinding a previous change order
of Jan. 14, 1985. That change order
called for an increase in water
pressure to supply the trees being
planted in the boulevard median
with more water
Upon a motion offered by Com-
missioner Reynaldo Alaniz, sec
onded by Pena, Precinct Three
Commissioner Eloy Garza was
named to supervise the Fort
Ringgold Parks.
Ir, other action, "m.
Departii"nt wa.- ,:r:> 'ed $3:15 tor
Sheriff Gene Falcon and another
official to attend the Association of
Sheriff's Conference from July
28-31.
On the issue of closing the west
part (dead end street) of La Posta
Street and the west end of Alvarez
Street, reverting the land to the
original owner, Silva said there had
to be a minimum of 21 days notice
through publication Silva added,
"If there's any affected landowner
it's up to him to come in."
Ambulances Equipped With Radios
Chon Garza, Zarsky's Lumber Co. manager, saws through a board signifying the Grand
Opening of Zarsky's on Saturday, July 20. Various Rio Grande citizens were on hand for tlie
grand opening ceremonies as well as the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
County Budget Amended
The average salary for
classroom teachers paid by Rio
Grande City's CISD in 1983 84 was
$18,614 The average among all
school districts in Texas was
$20,117 per classroom teacher.
There was an average of one
teacher for 17 9 students in the Rio
Grande City CISD compared to a
statewide pupil teacher ratio of 1 to
16 2. Because of small classes,
especially at the high school level,
and abbreviated tea -ched
ules, many classes h& uore than
the average number students
The new law requires m more than
22 students in kindergarten firs!
or second grade classes next year
School property tax rates in
(Sri1 Sltilr I ill, I'liifr 8)
Bn KENNETH ROBERTS
The Board of Directors of the
Hospital District dealt with a
number of issues in their regular
meeting Thursday night, including
equipping the new ambulances with
radios.
Administrator Thalia Munoz told
the board, "One of the vehicles is
here, the other should arrive in two
to three weeks (from Southwest
Vehicles, a Dallas firm > She added
that the Emergency Medical
Technician class was completed
July 13, and the results of testing
are still unknown
The issue came up of who and
how many persons would staff the
hospital's ambulance service.
Munoz said, "I'm thinking of hiring
at least six," adding the hospital
has tried to recruit nurses for the
EMT classes with mediocre re-
suits, mainly due to scheduling
conflicts.
Munoz said. "We have personally
called a bunch of ex-workers for
Ceballos." Vice-President Ross
LaGrange said a problem with
calling former ambulance workers
is that "a lot of people who used to
work for ambulances have let their
licenses lapse " Munoz added.
"We're going to have to reschedule
another class."
Munoz called six persons a "bare
minimum" to start the ambulance
service Board member Romeo
Alaniz suggested, "Go easy on
hiring. : v-rease personnel as you
n« t o.
About the radios for ambulances,
Munoz said that two proposals had
been submitted Motorola's pro
posal calls for 110-watt. eight-
channel radios, with a scanner
Munoz called Rio Radio Supply's
radio a 'plain radio," but noted
that Motorola's cost was over twice
as high as Rio's, even without a
scanner
The issue of radios in doctor's
cars and the hospital base station
was discussed After much dis
cussion, Alaniz moved that both the
base station and radios in the cars
be checked and tuned up, if
necessary. LaGrange suggested
that the help of Lalo Saenz, the
Sheriff Department's Chief In
vestigator, be enlisted in examin-
ing the base station and radios
After much discussion, the con-
sensus seemed to be that the
hospital base station has not been
working like it should In another
motion, Munoz was given authority
to work out the best deal possible
concerning radios for the new
ambulances
Board secretary Constancio
Salinas said he had talked to three
firms in the Valley about possible
gasoline tanks. Arturo Longoria
talked about what his firm could
offer the district. He urged an
underground tank no less than 150
feet away from any hospital
buildings, with a capacity of ai
least 2000 gallons
LaGrange expressed his opinion
that a 1000-gallon tank would be
sufficient Longoria called the
2000-gallon tank "better for the
future." The board decided to table
that issue for later discussion
About the computers, Munoz
said, "Our hardware is here " She
said that Travenol will start
"in service for software on July
28
The overcharging of over $4r> 000
in water bills bv the Starr County-
Water District has been a bone ot
contention for many months At-
torney Roger Reed said, "I've
received no response, written or
oral," from Manager Efrain
Duran
Alaniz said Duran had told him
he would reject a payback on a
gallon basis President Noel
Benavides complained that Duran
had never appeared before the
board Alaniz said, "He's got a
board to answer to. also " A
consensus was reached that Reed
should try to contact Duran. and
arrange a meeting with the Water
District's attorneys
When board by-laws were dis-
cussed, Alaniz urged their tabling,
saying, "Let's put it all together in
one whack Reed said they didn't
"appear applicable to a political
subdivision. As a political subdivi-
sion, you're not required to have
bylaws as such You can ac-
complish the same thing through
policies "
After much discussion. Munoz
and the board reached the agree-
ment that a salary scale needs to
be worked out. At this time,
beginning registered nurses are
paid $8.38 an hour, with an extra
eight cents per year of experience
up to 10 years. Nurse's aides,
orderlies, and assistants begin at
or close to the minimum wage
Alaniz said he wanted a salary
scale in each category, working up
with an increase in experience
Everyone, including Munoz. agreed
that salaries should remain stable
now, pending a study
About equipment needed by de-
partments. Munoz said that needs
to be worked on more Reed said,
"You no longer have to worry
about a certificate of need. The
Texas Health Facilities Association
no longer exists. During the next
two years, you're free to do what
you can afford
Alaniz said that a longer list
should be submitted to oil compa
nies for donation requests Among
the things Board member Dr.
Robert Cortes said he favored was
an machine to freeze and analyze
tissue Right now. he said, this
must be done in McAllen, causing
inconvenience and a loss of time.
(Srr tnihiilmicf. I'mir 2)
Correction
In the July 18 issue (last weeki of
the Rio Grande Herald an article
noted that Mrs Dolores Gomez of
the County Farmers Home Ad
ministration office is involved in
working for a business school in
Rio Grande City
The county FmHA office wishes
to advise persons not to call their
office about the school, as calls
should relate to official government
business The FmHA says they are
not involved with the promotion of
the prospective school in any way
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 25, 1985, newspaper, July 25, 1985; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194986/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.