The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 16, 1986 Page: 1 of 8

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THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
Valley Mart
Circulars,
Inside
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Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
NO. 11, THURSDAY, JANUARY 16,1986
FIFTEEN CENTS
Port Lease Arrangement
if
I highlights Frfeeling
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
The effort to work out a new
arrangement for leasing of the
Roma port facilities to the General
Services Administration was
foremost on the minds of the
County Commissioners at their
regular meeting Monday.
The new lease arrangement with
GSA becomes possible due to a
recent decision by Congress to
allow annual rent paid by GSA to
be raised above $500,000, or 15
percent of all revenue.
Bond expert Eugene Vinyard
started his presentation by saying,
"Based on the most recent infor-
mation from GSA, as a result of the
prospectus they sent Congress last
spring; they are now permitted to
pay in excess of $500,000." He then
recommended that a new offer be
made to GSA.
Vinyard said the original offer
called for GSA to pay $17.05 per
square foot, with the offer now
being prepared calling for the
agency to pay $17.95 per square
fool.
Vinyard said the new offer calls
for GSA to lease the port facilities,
due for an expansion and mod-
ernization costing close to $4
million, for $671,910.27 annually. He
said that "GSA will pay electric
bills direct." The county would pay
the maintenance and operating
expense, with GSA reimbursing the
county for that on an annual basis,
said Vinyard.
Vinyard stated, "What we've
asked GSA to pay is $10,000 less
than the annual payment on the
bonds." He said the proposals calls
for tolls to be raised somewhat for
automobile and trucks, plus their
passengers.
Those toll increases would be as
follows: Automobile driver, 35 to 50
cents; auto passenger, 10 to 15
cents. The rate for pedestrians
Board Discusses Exit
Test Results
B> KENNETH ROBERTS
Discussion of the implications of
the recent exit level test taken by
eleventh graders was foremost on
the minds of the Rio Grande City
CISD board of trustees at their
regular meeting Tuesday night.
Superintendent Dr. A.E. Garcia
said. "We had a high percentage of
students who were LEP (Limited
English Proficiency)." Both he and
Assistant Superintendent Efrain
Garcia noted that 60 percent of the
Rio Grande City High juniors
taking the test were LEP, com-
pared to the 17 percent average in
Region One.
Efrain Garcia said that the mean
grade level for the juniors was 8 4
for Language Arts and 9.1 for
Math He indicated that 73 percent
of the students taking the test were
below grade level in Math, with 69
percent falling below grade level in
Language Arts.
But Garcia said that on the
positive side, 94 percent of non-
LEP students in Rio mastered the
Language Arts portion, compared
to 88 percent regionwide In Math,
89 percent of Rio non-LEP students
mastered the test, compared with
the 87 percent average for Region
One
In Language Arts, he said that 53
percent of LEP students in the Rio
Grande City CISD passed, com-
pared to 56 percent regionwide. In
Math, 59 percent of Rio LEP
students passed, compared to 64
percent regionwide
Trustee Tony Falcon asked,
"What accounts for 'he very low
scores," compared with the Valley
and the rest of the state." Efrain
Garcia said. "They have less LEP
students than here," noting that
many of the LEP students have
crossed over from Mexico.
Trustee Francisco "Paco"
Tarate asked why the rate of LEP
students wasn't comparable with
Hidalgo County and particularly
Brownsville. Efrain Garcia said,
"In those cities, they stay for a
year or two and then move on."
Falcon asked, "Are these people
graduating?" Efrain Garcia said
they weren't receiving their
diplomas until they passed the exit
level Texas Assessment of
Minimum Skills (TEAMS) test.
Diana Pena, Guidance Director
of the Curriculum Office, said,
"It's an exit level test," designed
for high school juniors and seniors.
She said that in February, third,
fifth, seventh and ninth graders
would be taking their versions of
the TEAMS test.
When the status report was given
on construction projects, the super-
intendent said that the architect of
the Ringgold Elementary cafeteria
had needed to change his plans,
and plan to build seven, instead of
six, classrooms on top of the
cafeteria.
Board President Rafael Carrera
complained. "If the plan was for
six rooms and the architect messed
up, it's his problem," and lamented
the board had been kept in the dark
about the matter. Garcia said the
plan for seven classrooms is still
"tentative."
Carrera asked, "How can the
rooms be smaller, and still provide
a good learning environment?
Garcia replied, "They'll be func-
tional and meet our needs...They
don't have the go-ahead yet."
Carrera said, "We need to get
together with the architect."
About other construction, the
superintendent said, "We're still
withholding" payment on the roof-
ing of the high school, due to some
problems, and added that the
Ringgold Jr. High Resource Center
"will be finished very soon.1' The
coaches' office, he said, "is prog-
ressing very well."
About planned construction in th"
near future, the superintendent
said "We're in the range of $30,00u
per classroom. Tne plans are for
six classrooms at Roque Guerra
Elementary, two at La Union
Elementary, four at Grulla Ele-
mentary, and two at Grulla Jr.
High. The rooms at Grulla Elemen
tary will be constructed with
federal money provided from the
emergency immigrant program,
while the other rooms will be
constructed by district personnel.
Trustee Abel N. Gonzalez, Jr.,
moved, and Bobby Gutierrez sec-
onded, that the school calendar for
1986-1987 be approved as presented.
Efrain Garcia then made a
lengthy presentation about the
Student Discipline Management
Plan required by House Bill 72. He
said "it includes training of teach-
ers and principals to carry out the
program." The RGCCISD's plan
was recently submitted to the
Region One Board for its com-
(St-p TEST, riipr f>)
JP Perez Announces
Candidacy For Re-election
Precinct Four Justice of the
Peace Hector "Ivo" Perez has
announced that he is a candidate
for re-election in the Democratic
primary this May
Perez said, "This is the people's
court, it belongs to anybody who
comes in Everyone will be treated
equally I have done that for the
past three years, and will continue
to do so "
Perez added. "I've accomplished
the 12 goals that I set, and I intend
to continue to abide by them I
came in with the Intention to be a
fulltime JP. and that's what I've
done I think the judge should know
the people, we're not just a
Hector "Ivo" Perez
licensed fine collector for the
county."
He said, "I'm trying to work with
two other JP's on a night court. I
have gone out to other precincts
when needed. I'll make a home
visit if they call me...As Justice of
the Peace for the people of
Precinct Number Four, I have
maintained my duties and carried
out my responsibilities as noted
above in a 24-hour work day,
including weekends and holidays."
Perez iists court activity during
his term in office as follows:
Collection of Fines, $146,892.85;
5000 convictions; 200 dismissal
cases; over 750 county cou.'t
complaints; over 190 district court
(felonies) complaints; 15 peace
bond hearings. 44 inquest proceed-
ings conducted; 166 drivers license
hearings; 15 examining trials
(hearings held prior to indictments
by grand jury).
Also, 927 statutory warnings
administered (guaranteed con-
stitutional rights); over 400 mar-
riage vows prepared; 2000 out-of-
court settlements (civil, criminal
and domestic); 30 juvenile proceed-
ings; two emergency commit-
ments. five jury trials; 4731 traffic
violations filed in court; 1244
non-traffic violations. 20 forcible
entry and detainer cases, and four
small claim suits
Perez is the son of the late Ivo
Perez, Sr., of El Sauz. and Olivia
R Perez of Rio Grande City
Raised in the El Sauz area, he
graduated from Roma High School
in 1975 He attended Texas A&I
University in Kingsville and ma-
jored in Law Enforcement. In 1981,
he attended Pan American Univer-
sity.
Perez is married to the former
Clarissa A Gonzalez, the daughter
of Antonio "Tony" and Esther
Gonzalez of Rio Grande City They
have one son, Hector, Jr., and a
daughter, Stephanie Brigette.
Perez lists his education and
civic involvement as follows: 100
hours, Jurisprudence Education out
of Southwest Texas State Universi-
ty; 420 hours, advanced law
enforcement out of Texas A&M; 40
hours, crime prevention, San An-
tonio Police Department; member
of Advisory Board of Associated
Texans Against Crime.
Member, Mexican-American
Democrats; 1983-1984, Nominated
for Top Justice of the Peace in
Texas by the Association of Texans
Against Crime; 1984, Who's Who in
America; Member, Mothers
Against Drunk Drivers, Member,
Knights of Columbus of Rio Grande
City; Member, Rio Grande City
Jaycees, Member, Southwest Tex-
as Basketball Official's Associa-
tion; Member, Fort Ringgold Golf
Association.
Member, Valley Ambassador
Golf Association. Mission, Texas,
Member, Justice of the Peace and
Constables Association of Texas,
for three years; Member, Justice
of the Peace and Constables
Association of South Texas for two
years; Member, National Associa-
tion of Latin Elected and Appointed
Officials
would stay at 10 cents, while a
two-axle truck would be 90 cents
and a three-axle truck would be
$1.10.
County Judge Bias Chapa asked,
"Could a flat rate be made for
vehicles?" Auditor Jose Guadalupe
Villarreal agreed with Chapa,
saying, "What is the possibility of a
flat rate for vehicles, regardless of
passengers? It will make it easier
to audit the revenues," and provide
better accountability."
International Bridge (at Roma)
Manager Ernesto Trevino said, "A
lot of these bridges have a flat fee
on a unit basis." Vinyard re-
sponded, "We can look at that."
Vinyard added that based on 1984
figures, the new tolls would bring
in approximately $493,000, com-
pared to the roughly $325,000 that
the current tolls would bring in."
Chapa asked Vinyard, "Why don't
you ask for the whole $681,000 from
GSA9", noting the statement that
the proposed annual rent would be
about $10,000 less than the annual
payment on the bonds.
Vinyard told Chapa, "GSA will
either pay what we ask or less "
Trevino said, "It will be hard to
make the payment of $10,000 from
toll collections." Precinct Two
Commissioner Amando Pena
expressed the hope that "we may
not need a toll increase." due to the
increased traffic generated by the
modernized facilities.
Vinyard said. "You're going to
have a lot of revenue coming in
with this bridge, compared to what
you've been getting," even without
a toll inc ase.
Vinyara suggested the possibility
of charging $1.50 per ton of freight,
compared to the current 50 cents.
Trevino warned, "Other ports are
charging the same as we are now
I'm warning you now, don't price
yourselves out of business."
Chris Vela, of Texas Capital
Markets, asked, "What is the total
debt service needed to retire these
bonds on an annual basis." Vinyard
said projected income would be
$1,165,000, with net income amoun-
ting to $928,000. Vela then said,
"Assuming there is no surplus, if
the bridge system cannot pay for
itself, what are the alternatives?"
Vinyard replied, "Raise the tolls,
number one." Commissioner Pena
then moved, seconded by Commis-
sioner "Chema" Alvarez, that the
court be authorized to execute the
new offer to lease the port facilities
to GSA for $671,910.27 Judge
Chapa was authorized to execute
the offer.
Attorney Frank Randall Nye, Jr..
then said. "We have two lots to
finish buying. Everybody's ready
to go, all we need is the money
($80,000)
A representative of Dill and
Reed, the Dallas firm that will
underwrite the bonds, said, "With
the bonds so far, we have better
than 1.2 coverage. When GSA
approves, we'll be much closer to
(Srv I.EASE, 1'iifir 6)
Dr. Mario E. Ramirez of Rio Grande City was sworn
in Monday as one of the Board of Regents of the
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Dr. Ramirez Sworn
In For Services Post
Dr. Mario E. Ramirez of Rio
Grande City was sworn in Monday
to a position of the Board of
Regents of the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences.
Ramirez was nominated to the
post by President Reagan in late
September, and was confirmed by
the full U.S. Senate in December
After being sworn in by officers of
the school, he was scheduled to
participate in his first meeting.
Ramirez will serve a six-year
term that will expire in 1991, and is
one of nine regents. The board will
meet quarterly at Bethesda Naval
Hospital.
The four major teaching hospi-
tals supervised by the school are
Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Bethesda Naval Hospital, Malcolm
Grow Air Force Medical Center,
and Wilford Hall Air Force Medical
Center in San Antonio
Ramirez, in October, said of the
school, "They prepare doctors to
serve mainly in the military, but
also in tropical medicine It's a
regular medical school, but the
emphasis is on military medicine.
It deals with public and preventive
health care, also trauma and
tropical medicine.
The Annual Banquet Committee
of the Rio Grande City Chamber ol
Commerce met Thursday to dis-
cuss the upcoming annual banquet
This year's annual banquet will
be held on Friday, Jan 24, at the
Fort Ringgold Motor Inn The
banquet will start off with cocktails
at 7 p.m., and dinner at 8 p.m.
Tickets will be $10 per person and
can be purchased from any
Chamber member Tables can be
reserved in advance by calling
487-3024.
Jim Luck, Executive Vice-
President of the South Padre Island
Tourist Bureau, will be this year's
guest speaker.
Prior to coming to the South
Padre Island Tourist Bureau, Luck
worked with the Weslaco Chamber
of Commerce and Industrial
Foundation
According to Leone! Lopez of the
Rio Chamber, "Jim was in-
strumental in a lot of projects that
have changed Weslaco's economic
picture He's a hard-working indi-
vidual and he knows his business-
promotion."
Luck has over 25 years experi-
ence in the broadcasting and
publishing business He has worked
in New York. Chicago, Dallas. Los
Angeles, and Honolulu "His expe-
rience in these fields together with
promotion and advertising make
him one of the best promoters we
have in the Valley," said a
spokesman for the Rio Grande City
Chamber.
Luck is actively invoked with the
Rio Grande Valley Chamber of
Commerce, the Texas Industrial
Development Council, the Texas
Chamber of Commerce, and many
more statewide organizations
Howard Files For Precinct 4 JP
Francis T Howard, 59, of Rio
Grande City, has announced his
candidacy for Precinct Four
Justice of the Peace, a position he
held from November 1981 to
December 1982
Howard said. "My office will be
open, and I will be available for 24
hours. My main goal is to serve the
Frances T. "Sonny"
Howard
people My doors will be open to all
people."
Howard added, " I'm experi
enced, I have been there before. I
know all the people in Rio, and
they know me I want to work ver\
closely with the law enforcement
people "
After serving as Justice of the
Peace for 13 months. Howard
became Starr County Re
habilitative Coordinator in January
1983, and still holds that position
Previously, he served as Assistant
Coordinator for Starr County
Manpower Programs, from Juh
1974 to November 1981
Howard served for five years on
the Rio Grande City CISD board of
trustees, finishing his term in late
1981 He served as president of the
trustees
He was Project Coordinator and
Project Director with the National
Migrant Workers Program in Starr
County from January to October
1973. He was the Personnel Officer
for the Community Action Council
of South Texas in 1971-1972. He was
responsible for the personnel ac
tions of all personnel of the three
county CACST. and in charge of all
incoming and outgoing corre
spondence
Howard was a job developer for
the Community Action Council in
1970-1971, and was director of the
Starr County Improvement Com-
mittee in 1969-1970.
Howard noted his experience in
office and personnel management,
planning, organizing, staffing,
supervising, coordinating, report-
ing, legal technician, and court
reporting
He completed the following
courses OJT Administrator-
Supervisor ADS75000 Course in
1959 Stenographic Specialist
Course 70430 in 1960 Administra-
tive Officer Correspondence Course
7000 ECI in 1960, Military Affairs
Course 7802 iECI) in i960 and
Intelligence Operations Specialist
2041 (ECI in 1961
Howard was a veteran of World
War II and the Vietnam conflict
He first served in the Navy, and
then in the Army (serving in both
the Atlantic and Pacific)
In Vietnam he served in the U.S.
Air Force He was assigned as the
private secretary to the Director of
Military Personnel in Southeast
Asia, who manned all USAF
positions in Vietnam He retired
from the Air Koree in 1969 after
(S,-r IH>U (/</>. /'fif. ft)