The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 6, 1989 Page: 1 of 12
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THE MO GRANDE HERALD
Published weekly in Rio Grande City, Texas, every Thursday by The Rl<\Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 79, No. 34, Thursday, July 6,1989
25 Cents
Cynthia Alvarez, left, was named Checker of the Year for the H.E.B store in Rio
Grande City. Lydia Piper, right, is the "Spirit of H.E.B." winner for the entire year.
Pictured above in the background is the new "talking register" which has been
installed by H.E.B. recently. The register details each grocery item for the
customer's convenience.
Commissioners Vote
To Seek Prison Location
By KENNE TH ROBERTS
At their spccial meeting Monday,
the County Commissioners voted
to go on record as favoring the
location of a state prison facility in
the La Casita area and working to
persuade the state to that effect.
Commissioner Amando Pcna
said, "State officials, including
State Representative Irma Rangel,
arc requesting the opinion of the
court. I think it is important for the
court to express our feelings."
Pcna contended, "People were not
aware of the real facts when this
was rejected before (in 1980). There
is a detention center less than two
blocks from here (the courthouse),
and no one has complained."
Pcna stressed, "A correctional
facility would hire locally more
than 500 workers of all kinds.
There arc communities built next to
prisons throughout the suite. That
shows it is safe...This (seeking the
court) is not a political deal."
Pcna continued, "Kingsvillc is
begging to get a state prison in
there. We will have to fight for it
now. I ask the whole Starr County
community to get behind us."
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
indicated that approximately 130
communities from throughout
Texas arc applying for the
construction of new prison facilities
in their areas.
Martinez, indicated that the city of
Hondo is seeking a prison facility
that would mean 800 new jobs.
Three Rivers, he said, has landed a
prison facility that will mean the
creation of more than 4(X) jobs.
Martinez quoted what a local
business leader had told him, "A
spirit of law and order would spread
through the community," as a
result of the large number of jobs
that would be created by a prison
facility.
Martinez, noted to the court that
he has discussed the subject with
several local agcncics and clubs,
including the Rio Grande City
Rotary Club, and the Roma
Chamber of Commerce. He noted
that both of those organizations
unanimously endorsed the idea of
seeking the location of a prison
facility
Martinez said, "I plan to go
before the Roma City
Commission, the Roma school
board, and the San Isidro school
board. I want to ask them their
opinion about a prison."
Martinez concludcd, "We have
been endorsing the efforts of other
counties and citics, including
Karnes County and Bee County.
The cily of Hondo is asking us to
support their application for a
facility."
Precinct Four Commissioner
Reynaldo "Moreno" Alaniz.
commented, "I think it would be a
great deal for Starr County. We
certainly need the jobs. The
economy of the county would be
helped by all the prisoners being
visited by their families."
Alaniz said, "We would be
looking for a minimum security
prison, with non-violent offenders."
Pcna then moved, seconded by
Alaniz, that the court go on record
as supporting the attraction of a
correctional facility to Starr
County. The motion passed
unanimously. Commissioners Jose
Maria Alvarez and Eloy Garza were
absent from the meeting.
On Monday, the Board of
Directors of the Starr County
Industrial Foundation voted to go
on record as supporting the efforts
to attract a prison facility. Details
of that discussion arid decision are
detailed elsewhere in this edition of
The Rio Grande Herald.
Martinez noted, "We have been
contacted by the Community
Action Council concerning the Heat
Stress Relief Plan," which is
available from the Texas
Department of Human Resources.
Pcna suggested and the court
passed his motion to the effect that
the Council be asked to take over
administration of that program.
Foundation Okays Industrial
Park Construction Bid
At their luncheon meeting
Monday, the Board of Directors of
the Starr County Industrial
Foundation voted to approve the
low bid for construction of the
infrastructure of the planned
industrial park cast of Rio Grande
City.
Also at the meeting, the directors
voted to endorse the county
government's effort to bring about
the location and construction of a
prison facility in Starr County.
Four companies submitted bids
to carry out the infrastructure
construction at the industrial park.
The bids ranged in price from
$219,808 to $293,000.
The low bid of $219,808 was
submitted by Zack-Burkett
Company of Graham, Texas. The
subcontractor is Med-Loz, located
in Zapata.
Project Director and Engineer
Tom Martin said, "They
(Zack-Burkett) have submitted a bid
bond; the payment and performance
bonds will be submitted later. EDA
has checkcd all the bidders out."
Martin and Foundation Executive
Director Rene Montalvo indicated
that the construction should be
carried out over a period of 120
calendar days. It was noted that
construction is expected to begin
around Aug. 1.
Concerning the quest for a stale
prison facility, Board Member and
County Commissioner Reynaldo
"Moreno" Alaniz. said, "We have
started moving on this. We have
one of the best prospective sites in
the state. It (the site) is a place
where the food could be raised."
Alaniz added, "It would create
about 600 jobs. That's what we're
shooting for; jobs for the
community."
(See FOUNDATION, Page 4)
Hospital Directors
Discuss Various Issues
The Board of Directors of the
Starr County Hospital District
discussed a variety of issues at their
regular monthly meeting on
Thursday, June 29.
Administrator Thalia Munoz
noted that the Hospital District
received a letter from the Appraisal
District on May 17 that provided a
certified preliminary estimate of
1989 valuations.
She said, "They've indicated a
gain in valuations of S6,773,000
(in the preliminary estimate). That
should make very little or no
difference in the tax rate."
Munoz indicated. Were not
setting a tax rate for budget
Commissioners Hear Report
On Highway Projects
At their special meeting on
Wednesday, June 28, the County
Commissioners heard a detailed
report from the Highway
Department on the status of various
ongoing highway projects.
Highway Department District
Engineer G.G. Garcia reported to
the commissioners about the work
that has been carried out in Starr
County in the past year.
Garcia mentioned the widening of
U.S. 83 within Rio Grande City at
a cost of $1.4 million, and the
widening of 10 miles of FM 755
north of Rio Grande City at a cost
of $1.3 million, and the widening
of U.S. 83 from Garceno to Roma
to include a continuous left turn
lane, at a cost of $600,000.
Garcia reported that the Highway
Department wants to know wh;<t
the commissioners consider to be
the top priorities in highway
construction in Starr County,
especially concerning Farm to
Market roads and possible
construction of new roads.
The commissioners indicated four
projects that they consider as
important. They stated their support
for the idea of widening FM 649
from U.S. 83 at Garceno all the
way to the Jim Hogg County line.
Precinct Four Commissioner
Reynaldo "Moreno" Alaniz,
requested that FM 2294, which runs
through Delmita, be extended from
intersection with FM 1017 all
the way to FM 755.
The third stated request was the
widening of FM 1430 in the
Garciasville area. Fourth, the
Highway Department was asked to
consider the possibility of widening
FM 2360 from Alto Bonito to La
Grulla.
Garcia asked ^hc commissioners
to prioritize these projects in an
order of considered importance. The
commissioners indicated that they
would work out the prioritization of
these projects in the near future and
then make a report to the Highway
Department.
Highway Department Resident
Engineer Frederic Pachcco told the
court, "We do not have sufficient
funds to work out all four projects.
These funds would come from Farm
to Market funds."
Pacheco told the court that the
Department, in the next few
months, would be widening the
existing shoulders on U.S. 83
between the FM 649 intersection
and Roma. Pacheco said, "Right
now, we have a two-foot shoulder
We want to add an additional six
feet."
Commissioner Jose Maria
"Chema" Alvarez asked Pacheco the
status of the planned paving of
close to one mile of north San
Antonio Street within Rio Grande
City.
Pacheco responded that the
Highvay Department in Austin has
given its approval to the project.
He added that the Department will
be carrying out the necessary
surveying and engineering work in
the near future. Pacheco said,
"Hopefully, within a year we can be
working on this (construction)."
Garcia reported on efforts to
obtain the needed right-of-way
easements for the remaining
widening of U.S. Highway 83. He
indicated that the right-of-way map
for the section from the Hidalgo
County line to Alto Bonito is
roughly 95 percent complete.
He said that the right-of-way map
for the section from Alto Bonito to
2.5 miles west of Alto Bonito is 75
percent complete. The map for the
remaining stretch of 4.6 miles to
the railroad track crossing of the
highway is 40 percent complete.
Pacheco told the court, "Our big
problem has been identifying land
titles."
Garcia asked the commissioners
to consider a Highway Department
plan to acquire an additional
100-foot strip of right of way,
increasing the total right-of-way
frontage from 200 to 300 feet.
Pacheco told the court that
current trends indicate that the
Highway Department will go out
for bids in approximately one year
on the section of U.S. 83 from the
Fort Ringgold Inn to the railroad
tracks. This section of road, he
indicated, will include a continuous
left turn lane, curb and gutter, and
drainage culverts.
The commissioners proceeded to
pass a motion supporting the
Highway Department's plans and
procedures.
Garcia thanked the
Commissioners' Court for their
cooperation in the past, and both
parties indicated that the Highway
Department and Starr County will
work together closely on future
endeavors, like in the past.
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
indicated that the commissioners
would be holding a workshop in the
near future to decide what the
priorities should be for Farm to
Market road construction.
Saenz To Resign As
Rio High Principal
Rio Grande Cily High School
Principal Ruben Saenz has
announced his intention to resign
from the position he has held for
the past 19 years, effective Aug.
25.
Saenz indicated his intention to
resign in a letter to Superintendent
Dr. Leobardo Cano dated
Wednesday, June 28.
The Rio Grande City CISD board
of trustees must vote on whether to
accept Saenz's resignation. The
board is scheduled to take up that
matter at their regular meeting on
Friday.
In a brief interview with The Rio
Grande Herald, board president Dr.
Antonio Falcon expressed his
opinion that Saenz has been an
outstanding principal at Rio Grande
City High School, and called him
one of the finest principals in
Texas.
During Saenz's tenure as Rio
Grande Cily High Principal, total
enrollment increased from
approximated 800 students to more
than 1800 students.
Superintendent Dr. Leobardo
Cano told The Herald, "He informed
me that he was planning to resign
because of his need for personal
growth. This is a loss for the
district.We cannot hold him back.
He will be missed. It was a decision
he made on his own."
Saenz told The Herald, "There are
some opportunities out there that
I'm looking at... My happiest 19
years have been here. The
RGCCISD has been very good to
me."
Saenz said, "I think it's time for
our high school to have a change
in leadership. The time has come
for me to look for new challenges
and move ahead with career goals."
He stressed, "I want to make sure
that this high school has a smooth
transition. I hope to work to help
my successor become fully oriented
as to how things have been done. If
(See SAENZ, Page 5)
Ringgold Teacher, Students To
Attend Tech Study Program
purposes until we have the final
figures."
In discussing the quality
assurance report, Munoz. discussed
Allied Pharmacy, the current
managers of the hospital's
pharmacy. She said, "One
pharmacist came in through the
agency, stayed six weeks and quit.
The past week and a half, we've had
a very qualified temporary
replacement from the agency."
Munoz said, "There will be
another temporary pharmacist" She
indicated that the hiring of a
permanent pharmacist docs not
seem imminent.
(See HOSPITAL, Page 5)
Ringgold Intermediate teacher
Ben Bcnavidcs has been selected to
participate as a counselor in a
summer study program at Texas
Tech University.
A full tuition scholarship has
been awarded to Ben by the Institute
for the Gifted at Texas Tech.
Fifteen applicants were chosen
from throughout the slate. Their
duties range from being in charge of
10 students to actually assisting the
university professors in the various
courses offered.
Also attending the program are
three Ringgold Intermediate Gifted
and Talented students; Kevin
Sandefer, Cary Caro, and Olga
Garcia.
These students were accepted into
the program because of their
outstanding academic achievements.
They will be taking two three-hour
college prep courses each day.
This two-week program, which
begins on July 22, is designed to
develop the students by exposing
them to opportunities not
commonly found in the school. All
statewide participants are housed on
the Texas Tech campus.
According to the schools
administration. Patricia Espinosa,
Ringgold Intermediate Gifted and
Talented sponsor, has worked very
hard with the rest of the
Intermediate staff to establish a
financial assistance scholarship.
As a result of this work, two
full-tuition scholarships have been
provided by Ringgold Intermediate.
Julio Saenz, Ringgold
Intermediate Principal, indicated
that he would like to express a
special note of thanks to all who
helped Ringgold Intermediate
achieve this successful endeavor.
Ringgold Intermediate teacher Ben Benavides, second
from left, will be a counselor for a summer study
program at Texas Tech University. The students
participating in the program are Kevin Sandefer, Cary
Caro, and Olga Garcia.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 6, 1989, newspaper, July 6, 1989; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195192/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.