The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 27, 1989 Page: 1 of 10
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THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Published weekly in Rio Grande City, Texas, every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 79, No. 24, Thursday, April 27,1989
FIFTEEN CENTS
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Port Isabel Major Baldemar Alanli Is pictured above at a Ringgold Jr. High
assembly marking the observance of Youth Crisis Week at the school. Three
youthful offenders from the Port Isabel area accompanied him to warn the Ringgold
Jr. student body about the danger of drugs.
Youth Crisis Week Begins
At Ringgold Jr. High
The observance of Youth Crisis
Week at Ringgold Jr. High School
in Rio Grande City began Monday
with a variety of activities.
The week is designed to focus on
such matters of concern to today's
youth as drug prevention, alcohol
and substance abuse, teen suicide,
teen pregnancy, sexually
transmitted diseases, and other
contemporary concerns.
On Monday morning, some of
the speakers were Dr. Mario E.
Ramirez, Hon. Judge R. Garcia, and
newscaster Letty Valadez.
At 11 a.m., a War Against Drugs
concert was held involving "Mazz."
On Monday afternoon, Port
Isabel Mayor Baldemar Alaniz
appeared before the assembly of
students to speak on the danger of
drugs. Accompanying him were
three youthful offenders from the
Rio Grande Marine Institute at Port
Isabel.
Alaniz briefly spoke to the
students, warning of the
consequences of drug abuse. He
said, "The penitentiary is a bad
scene."
The first young offender described
the horrible conditions of detention
centers and jails. He said,
"Everything started with alcohol."
He urged the students, "Treat your
teachers like they were your
parents. Come to school and learn."
The second young offender
indicated that his parents had been
deeply involved in trafficking drugs,
with his father being sent to the
state penitentiary for narcotics
offenses. He noted that his father
Court Approves Motion
On FmHA Project
At their emergency meeting
Tuesday afternoon, the County
Commissioners considered the
probability that the construction
cost for work on the Roma port
facilities infrastructure is up to
$25,000 greater than a loan
obtained from the Farmers Home
Administration.
Federal Program Coordinator
Javier Margo first noted that the
bids had been opened on
Wednesday, April 19.
Ted Miller of Pan-Tex, the
construction management firm
overseeing the entire Roma port
facilities modernization and
expansion project, told
Commissioner Amando Pena,
"Roughly looking at the numbers,
it looked like it would be
$300,000. But it just worked out
that the construction cost would be
5325,000."
Miller noted that approximately
SI 1,000 of this cost will be for toll
collection equipment.
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
contended, "When we take as much
time as this, costs will go up."
Margo said, "We'll have to pay the
bond attorneys, architects, ctc."
Martinez said. "The bottom line is
that we're short $25,000." Miller
contended "It won't be quite that
much."
Auditor Jose Guadalupe Villarreal
said, "I don't sec the $20,000 being
an immediate problem. We could
borrow money from the bridge and
repay it when we have a surplus."
He added his evaluation (hat any
problem could be dealt with in next
year's budget four months later.
Miller and architcct Danny
Boultinghouse recommended that
all low bids be accepted and the
commissioners agreed to that
suggestion.
The motion also indicated that
arrangements will later be made, if
needed, to make up any shortage of
money for the FmHA financed
project.
Commissioner Pena moved that
(See FmHA, Page 7)
Cano Prepares To Assume
Superintendent Position
was killed in a drug-related shooting
in Lubbock six years ago.
The youth said, "I haven't done
drugs," but noted that his violent
temper has led to frequent brushes
with the law. He said, "My father
died because of drugs. My mother is
about to die because of drugs." He
indicated that he he and his mother
had hern abused by his father <•
youngster.
He told the students, "You have
an edjeation to look forward to.
You can move on to better things.
Obey your parents and love them;
they're the ones that brought you
up."
The third offender indicated that
he was first introduced to the drug
scene at age six. He said, "Doing
drugs doesn't do anything for you
except put you where we are now."
He added, "I stole everything my
mother owned to get drugs. I should
have cared when people came to
warn me against drugs. Stay away
from the people trying to give you
drugs. I've done so many burglaries
to get drugs it's pathetic."
He concluded by telling the
students, "Stay in school and stay
away from your negative peers."
Youth Crisis Week at Ringgold
Jr. High will conclude with
presentations by Planned
Parenthood and the Valley AIDS
Council on Thursday, and by the
U.S. Border Patrol and U.S.
Customs on Friday.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
Dr. Leobardo Cano, who will
assume the position of
Superintendent of Schools of the
Rio Grande City CISD on May 1,
says that his foremost objective
will be to maximize educational
opportunity for every student.
Cano said, "I consider myself a
man with a mission, and my
mission is to provide every child
with a quality instructional program
in which learning cart be nourished.
All of this has to happen in a
caring atmosphere. I believe that
every child can learn and must
learn."
Cano, who was chosen for the
position by the Rio Grande City
CISD board of trustees in late
March, commented, "I consider Rio
Grande City to be one of the best
school districts in the Valley, but
we have the potential to be the best
school district in the state. One of
my goals is to make it the best in
the state."
Cano, who served as a Texas
Education Agency official in Austin
for the past two years and served in
various capacities with the Fort
Worth ISD from 1973 to 1987,
will be succeeding the retiring Dr.
A.E. Garcia, who has served as
RGCCISD Superintendent since the
summer of 1974.
Cano arrived in Rio Grande City
on Monday, April 17. He indicated,
"I wanted a couple of weeks to get
an idea of how the school district is
run. I'm fascinated, and I love the
community...I'm very happy to be
here."
He added, "I've been impressed
with the friendliness and warmth of
the community. I'm overwhelmed
with the reception that I've had. I
arrived here on Monday, April 17.
On that day, I introduced myself to
the central office staff. Later that
day, I had another meeting with
principals, coordinators and
directors."
Cano noted that as of Tuesday
afternoon, April 25, he will have
made a personal visit to every
school within the RGCCISD.
Cano commented, "I'm impressed
with the cadre of teachers, staff and
aides that we have here. They are all
very qualified people. The teachers
are obviously eager, enthusiastic
and professional."
He emphasized, "They (all
employees) are the system. Every
single one performs a role that is
needed."
Dr. Cano contended, "It is people
La Union Elementary
Welcomes Dr. Cano
On Monday afternoon at 3:30
p.m.. La Union Elementary
Learning Resource Center was the
setting for the school personnel to
meet and socialize with the new
Superintendent designee. Dr.
Leobardo Cano.
At the entrance of the building
where Dr. Cano walked in was
lettering depicting the wording
"Welcome, Dr. Cano."
He was accompanied by Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction Mr. Efrain Garcia and
Personnel Director Mr. Gilberto
Garcia. The trio was met at the door
by Mrs. Felicia G. Garza, Principal
of the highly rated school.
After a short tour of the
impressive main building
classrooms, the group proceeded to
the Learning Resource Center where
the anxious La Union personnel
awaited.
Mrs. Garza led the group to the
main table where the gToup was
joined by Dr. A.E. Garcia, retiring
superintendent; and Mr. Romeo
Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for
Business.
Mrs. Garza welcomed the group
and stated to the dignitaries present
that she had taken the liberty to
invite the PTA Executive Board
which was the nucleus of the
school.
After persons introduced
themselves, Mrs. Garza asked Dr.
Cano to say a few words. He
addressed the group and specified his
mission with Rio Grande City
C.I.S.D. He feels that the school
district is one of the best in the
Valley but can become one of the
best in the state if we all work
together toward a same goal.
His emphasis will be in
curriculum and instruction and from
what he has observed, we have the
caliber of people to make it happen,
"But it takes the effort and
cooperation of each and everyone
employed by the school district he
concluded.
Dr. A.E. Garcia was asked to say
a few words which he accepted and
said he had enjoyed his years with
this district and that he hoped the
that make a strong school district.
People care for each other here.
They don't let everyday activities
get in the way of caring for
others...I think the caring
atmosphere is the strong point of
this school system."
He stressed, "I urge the Rio
Grande City community to take an
active role in the educational
process of their children."
About his early plans, the
incoming superintendent said, "To
be a good leader, you have to be a
good listener. Then, I plan to make
changes gradually, as needed...I'm
still learning about the situation
here."
About the standing of the district,
Cano said, "Not only is this school
system good, but it is being
perceived by others as good."
He emphasized, "I want to push
very hard for this school district to
receive the recognition that it
deserves. I want us to be
frontrunners, so other school
districts will want to imitate the
things we do to achieve academic
excellence and outstanding
instructional practices."
Cano said, "There are a lot of
things ready to bloom (in the
RGCCISD). There are so many
good things that can happen. It just
requires commitment, initiative,
and keeping the community
involved. I honestly believe that the
people of the community want to
be informed and participate."
He commented, "I would like to
see our school district receive
recognition on a state and national
level. To a limited extent, it does
now, but I want to expand that."
Cano said, "One of my roles as
an instructional leader is to
mobilize people and resources. I
believe in participative
management, which means that you
need to have input from those
people who will be impacted by our
decisions."
Cano continued, "Decisions
usually come from the top and filter
down. In making a final decision, I
will want input from those whom
the decision will impact."
About curriculum, Cano said,
"What we have now in curriculum
is ercellent. What I'm trying to do
is to fine tune the instructional
focus in that program."
Cano stated, "One of my goals is
to strengthen commitment to the
educational programs that we have
now and increase commitment to
academic performance. That should
determine the instructional focus of
the district. This goal should
inspire academic excellence.
Cano added, "I think we are
moving forward in academic
performance. TEAMS scores have
been improving for the past three
years."
He emphasized, "I feel that
athletics belong in the schools, but
I feel that academics, especially UIL
competition, deserve their proper
recognition and status. I feel that
such recognition is long overdue. I
feel that academic excellence and
achievement needs to be recognized
and rewarded. On the whole, the
state is moving in that direction."
Expounding on the matter of
curriculum, Cano said, "Every child
is entitled to a varied and diverse
curriculum, as mandated by Chapter
75. I feel that curriculum should
take into consideration the needs of
all children and provide for
(See CANO, Page 3)
Grand Opening
Planned
For Las Lomas
Post Office
A grand opening ceremony for
the new Las Lomas sub-Post Office
is planned for Tuesday, May 2 at 11
a.m.
The public is invited to attend the
ceremony. Among those on hand
will be the Rio Grande City
postmaster and the U.S. Postal
Service Area Supervisor from
Corpus Christi.
Anyone seeking further
information should call Irma Doria
at 487-6443.
Rattler Football Spring
Practices To Begin Monday
The Rio Grande City Rattler
football team will begin spring
workouts on Monday, May 1.
Head Football Coach George
Pena indicates that a full-fledged
spring football practice schedule is
a first for Rio Grande City.
The activities will come to a
climax on Friday night, May 19
with a spring football game. Pena
said that the entire community is
invited to attend the Red vs. White
football game. He indicated that the
band and cheerleaders will be on
hand to ignite school spirit.
Pena said that the workouts will
be held each weekday beginning at
6 p.m. He stressed that the public
is invited to attend both the
workouts and two inter-squad
scrimmages that will be held, on
Saturday, May 6 and Saturday, May
13.
Anyone seeking further
information should contact Coach
Pena at 487-5591 at the High
School Athletic Fieldhouse.
wonderful cooperation continued
under the new leadership. He
thanked each one for their fine work
and promised to continue viewing
the success of R.G.C.C.I.S.D.
Mrs. Garza recognized Mrs.
Hilario Guerra, president of the
PTA, who welcomed Dr. Cano,
expressed her interest in
improvement and assured him that
the organization to fulfill his goal.
To conclude the short program
Eloy Garza, Chairman of and also
County Commissioner Precinct 3,
presented Dr. Garcia a plaque in
appreciation for his dedication and
years of service and another plaque
to Dr. Cano to commemorate this
memorable event, Garza said.
The group then enjoyed a platillo
of blue star-shaped chicken salad
sandwiches, chips and a cake that
depicted the word "Welcome to
R.G.C.C.I.S.D., Dr. Cano from La
Union PTA, faculty and staff. Hie
platillo was served by Mrs. Lconor
Garza and Mrs. Eva Saenz members
of the PTA. All of this was catered
by Bazan's Bakery of La Casita,
w-.v a
Incoming Rio Grande City CISD Superintendent Dr.
Leobardo Cano, far left, was welcomed with a social
Monday afternoon by La Union Elementary faculty and
parents. Standing in the middle is La Union Principal
Felicia Garza and retiring Superintendent Dr. A.E.
Garcia.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 27, 1989, newspaper, April 27, 1989; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195182/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.