Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1996 Page: 1 of 10
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ly «n Rio, Gi%nde City, Texas every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
VOL. 83, NO. 14 THURSDAY, April 4,1996
25 cents
#1
IBC RECEPTION HONORS VOLUNTEERS- International Bank of Commerce held
a reception for all volunteers in the Starr County Fair during the week of the 1996
Fair. Their first-ever reception honoring those who work to put on the fair was held
at the new bank on Highway 83. "Cooperation from the entire community is what
makes the fair the success that it is," stated Roy Cantu, IBC senior vice-president,
"and it is our wish to recognize this and to express our appreciation for the efforts
of the volunteers." Pictured are, l-r, Ruben Chapa, vice president of IBC-Roma, Fair
Association President Roberto S. Margo, 1996 Fair Queen Amanda Narro, Roy
Cantu, and James Peterson, 4-H representative to the Fair board.
Empowerment Zone Board
holds meeting in RGC
By KENNETH ROBERTS
9 The Board of Directors of the Rio
Grande Valley Empowerment Zone
approved several empowerment
zone projects during their meeting
Thursday night at the Multipurpose
Center in Rio Grande City.
The proceedings began when Rio
Grande City Alderman Baldemar
Garza told the board members, "1
^welcome all of you to Siarr
County. We feel these projects will
have a great impact.''
Bonnie Gonzalez, Chief
Executive Officer of the Rio Grande
Valley Empowerment Zone
, Corporation, noted that Jose
Escamilla, Sam Vale, Elisa Barrera
and Cris Salinas all represent Stan-
County on the entity's board of
directors.
W Among the local sub-zone
directors are Baldemar Gar?a, Thalia
Munoz, Ruben Chapa, Albert
Marias and Alonzo Perez.
Elisa Barrera noted that $500,(XX)
is being sought for funding a Boys
and Girls Club in Rio Grande City.
She emphasized, "This will be
essential to the well-being of young
0!>eople."
Barrera indicated, "The Clinton
Administration is trying to persuade
Congress to adopt a second round of
funding (for empowerment zones).
We have $40 million to spend over
two years. The funds have been
benchmarkcd. Camcrcm and Hidalgo
Counties let go of some of their
funding at the beginning to enable
f he two smaller counties to have
more meaningful funding."
Barrera emphasized, "We are the
lead empowerment zone in the
entire country. The eyes of
everyone arc upon us. The purpose
is to empower everyone to have
better jobs and a better quality of
life."
Barrera rioted, "We have worked
with the city in preparing the
application for the Boys and Girls
Club facility. We are dealing with
an architect."
Operations Director MichacI
Morales said, "Hidalgo County
United Way has extended their
services into Starr County. They're
suggesting a multipurpose
community center of which th<
Boys and Girls Club is a ke>
component.
Bob Corneliuscn, Vice-Chairman
of the Board of Directors, stated,
"We have a similar project in
Cameron County. There as here
sustainability is a key concern.
We're looking for partnerships to
move this forward. United Way will
want to ensure that money is spent
correctly."
About other Starr County
projects, Barrera said, "We have
creek flood control (for Los Olmos
Creek). You recall the flooding that
took place in September. We will
submit an application for affordable
housing rehab. We have
(applications for) construction of a
juvenile detention center and a an
elderly community center."
Board member Larry Rinconcs
Probe continues into
drive-by shootings
The Sheriffs Department is
continuing to investigate drive-by
^hooting episodes that took place in
the Las Lomas subdivision and in
Fronton over the weekend.
Sheriff Gene Falcon indicated that
at approximately 1:20 a.m. on
Saturday, March 30, deputies were
dispatched to the Las Lomas
subdivision in reference to rocks
being thrown at a residence.
Falcon said, "Three male subjects
standing in the intersection of
Juarez and Las Lomas (Streets) were
discharging firearms toward the
residence. The family noticed three
male subjects and saw them get in a
passenger vehicle and leave at a
high rate of speed."
The sheriff stated, "Many casings
were recovered, including casings
from .22 and .45 caliber
^andguns...Several shots hit the
wall and several hit the roof trim."
Falcon noted that "the case is
under investigation. We're asking
for the public's health in solving
this crime."
An arrest warrant has been issued
in connection with another drive-by
shooting episode that took place in
Fronton on Sunday afternoon,
March 31. Falcon indicated that a
warrant has been issued for the
arrest of Jaime Cisneros of fronton
on a charge of deadly conduct. The
sheriff noted that Cisneros' vehicle,
a Ford four-door vehicle, was
impounded by the Sheriff's
Department.
Falcon stated that a 9-millimeter
wcapn was fired at a residence in
Fronton at roughly 3 p.m. on
Sunday. He said, "The house had
many rounds fired into it. As
deputies arrived on the sccnc, they
chascd a subject on foot and
recovered a 9-millimeter weapon
and a cellular phone."
Trustees okay high
school dress code
said, "Willacy County is in much
the same situation as Starr County,
somewhat lacking an established
business infrastructure. The key has
been partnerships, for everyone to
work together closely. For a Boys
and Girls Club, the key is bringing
people together in partnership.
Sustainability is another essential
ingredient."
Rolando DePau said, "Our board
that is working on the Boys and
Girls Club is diversified."
Board member Humberto
Rodriguez said, "Leveraging is
another important step. We have
taken politics out of the
empowerment zone. The purpose is
to help people at the grassroots
level help themselves." Sam Vale
commented, "Cooperation among
entities in Starr County involving
the empowerment zone has been
exemplary."
One member of the audience
asked, "Who qualifies for the
homeowners assistance program?"
Barrera responded, "It would be
within the zone, from Fairgrounds
Road north to Eisenhower." She
told the citizen, who lives outside
the zone, that "you might be able
to qualify for other programs
through other agencies."
Humberto Rodriguez emphasized,
"Schools in the empowerment zone
will be able to gel into the Internet
more quickly. This will give you
leverage in obtaining information.
Two schools in your zone (within
Rio Grande City) will soon be on
the Internet."
Rio Grande City CISD
Superintendent Ramon Hinojosa
noted the district's cooperation with
South Texas Community College
on a planned health education
program at the high school as an
empowerment zone project. He
said, "We arc looking forward to
having facilities available to STCC
on our new (high school) campus."
Bonnie Gonzalez indicated,
"Many law enforcement people will
be attending a conference in
Baltimore that comprehensively
discusses juvenile problems. Javier
Vela is the Starr County sub-zone
(See ZONE, Page 6)
Beef Syndicate
to meet Thursday
The Rio Grande Beef Syndicate
will meet on Thursday, April 4 for
the purposes of electing officers and
planning fundraising activities.
The meeting will lake place
Thursday at 5 p.m. at the
Fairgrounds. Everyone is urged to
attend this annual meeting of the
Beef Syndicate.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
on Tuesday evening, March 26, the
Rio Grande City CISD Board of
Trustees approved a new dress code
for the high school as proposed and
carried out an intense discussion
about the quality of the district's
ongoing technology programs.
High School Principal Mike
Villarreal commented, "I see this
dress code as an umbrella that will
cover everything."
Superintendent Ramon Hinojosa
later told The Rio Grande Herald, "I
think diis is going to help the
administration to control gang
activity to a certain extent. They
(the high school) had a dress code,
but some things have been added."
He emphasized, "We have to join
forces, not only to improve things
in the schools, but also for the
community."
The superintendent declared,
"There was some discussion about
the dress code, specifically on the
items of hair length and jewelry.
They wanted clarification of what
'excessive jewelry' meant. One
question asked was if employees
would follow the dress code and the
answer was yes."
Hinojosa added, "We're looking
to see if this can be applied at the
middle school...We're looking for
students to come to school neatly
groomed and not wearing loose
clothing where weapons can
possibly be hidden."
He noted that one provision
declares that "the school discourages
the wearing of expensive jewelry.
The school is not responsible for
loss or theft." Hinojosa said, "It
Starr GOP will
hold runoff
Tuesday, April 9
The Starr County Republican
Party will be holding runoffs on
Tuesday, April 9.
Candidates in the runoff statewide
will be as follows: JUDGE,
COURT OF CRIMINAL
APPEALS, PLACE ONE- Sue
Holland and James (Daniel) Boone;
PLACE TWO- Paul Womack and
Pat Barber; PLACE THREE-
Cheryl Johnson and Tom Price.
All persons that voted in the
Republican Primary are urged to
come out and vote. Early voting is
taking place in Rio Grande City at
the courthouse, and will end Friday,
April 5.
Anyone who missed the early
vote will have another opportunity
to vote. Voting in person for the
runoff will take place on Tuesday,
April 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Republicans will have three
(See STARR, Page 6)
was mentione.i that jewelry over
$100 was Ler,r'„d expensive."
The dress code prohibits the
wearing of sunglasses, unless
prescribed by a doctor. Such
headgear as bandanas, caps and hats
have been ruled out.
Such hairstyles as ponytails and
ducktails are ruled out by the new
dress code. The code states that
"hair must be clean and neatly
combed. Boy's hair length is not to
exceed below the lobe of the ear and
is not to extend below the bottom
of the collar of a regular collared
shirt when the student is in a
normal upright sitting position
The code also prohibits "designs
shaved and/or cut into hair," with
the principal allowed discretion to
determine what is prohibited.
The dress code prohibits
"excessively loose pants", as well
as "bib-overalls." Under the rules,
"pants must fit securely at the
waist." The code also prohibits
multiple-finger rings, as well as
excessively large pendants, chains,
and bracelets. The code forbids long
overcoats during warm weather.
As discussion continued at the
board meeting, school attorney
Isabel Trevino said, "If something
is prohibited, it needs to be
prohibited across the board."
Trustee Jaime Ramirez moved that
the dress code be approved for the
1996-97 school year. At trustee
Juan M. Cantu's request, a
provision was added to the motion
calling for the schooi attorney to
review the document. The motion
was then approved without dissent
Villarreal Liter told The Herald, "I
firmly believe that it (the code) is
going to help establish a safe and
educationally conducive
climate...To some degree, this was
an addendum (to previous
policies)."
The principal stated, "We wanted
to move away from the excessively
loose pants, excessively long shirts
and eliminate any gang-related
T-shirts."
Villarreal declared, "A few
months ago, the gang situation
made the school environment
increasingly distractive and
disruptive. Things have
considerably improved in recent
weeks due to a partnership between
the city, the school and religious
entities. The Sheriffs Department
has helped tremendously by
providing one full-time deputy."
Villarreal concluded, Overall, the
students welcome ihe change
(improvement)...I'm tremendously
pleased with the (new) city curfew
(for juveniles)."
A report was given on
districtwide technology by
Technology Director Eddie Saenz,
sparking sometimes intense
discussion between him and some
trustees.
Saenz read a recent letter he wrote
noting the growth in technc'ogy
and also noting frequent and
continuing problems in computer
labs He noted the recent meeting of
the District Technology
Committee. He said, "Freezes and
restarts happen on a daily basis in
most labs."
Saenz stated, "No one takes
responsibility for computer errors.
Hardware and software companies
blame each other ..Computers are
all idle at Roque Guerra, due to
sen-ice on file servers " He said that
the Technology Committee tas
indicated that companies have been
given 60 days to remedy problems.
Trustee Basilio "Bacho"
Villarreal, Jr., emphasized, "The
bottom line is that we want all
computers to work." Saenz said, "In
some cases, there's up to 20 freezes
and restarts a day."
Cantu asked Saenz, "Why were
you astonished? Shouldn't this have
(See TRUSTEES, Page 6)
Tax Assessor runoff
to take place Tuesday
The Democratic Party runofl
election on Tuesday, April 9 will
feature only one local race-- the
contest for County Tax
Assessor-Collector.
Carmen A. Pcna and Jose D.
"J.D." Martinez will be competing
to fill the position that has been
held by Maria Ofelia Saenz since
1983. Saenz was not a candidate for
re-election and will Ik- retiring when
her term expires in January 1997.
In the March 12 primary, Pena
received 3791 votes to 3102 for
Martinez. Dario A. Guena finished
a strong third with 2634 votes.
Absentee voting at the County
woinitxj IORS
437-8421 -
WTO BE IN
Courthouse will take place on
Wednesday and Thursday, April 3
and 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each
day. Absentee voting began at 8
a.m. on Monday, April 1. All
polling places in Starr County will
be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
on Tuesday, April 9.
!n statewide elections, the race
attracting the most attention will be
the contest for the Democratic U.S.
Senate nomination. Victor Morales
of Mesquite and Congressman John
Bryant of Dallas will battle to
determine die November opponent
for Republican U.S. Senator Phi)
Gramm.
Boy Scout Troop 93 of Rio Grande City was given a 1991 Cargo Van by the
I.aMantia Family and I.&F Distributors for their scout activities. In the back row,
from right to left, are Miguel A. Lope/., Raudel Rodriguez, Abel Gonzalez of I &F
Distributors, Committeeman Javier Margo, Committeeman Encarnacion Garcia and
Jesus A. Garcia. In the front row. right to left, are David Ibarra and Fidel Garcia.
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1996, newspaper, April 4, 1996; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195542/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.