Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 10, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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WEEKLY EDITION
June 10,1999
86th Year, No. 23
25 cents
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Rate cut below 2000 gallons
Aldermen okay cut
in base water rates
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Thursday night, the Rio Grande
City Board of Aldermen approved a
rate reduction of just under 20
percent for the first 2000 gallons
used in one month, as well as a
reduction of 25 percent in the water
factor in sewage use during the
summer months.
City Administrator Jose
^ Escamilla began the discussion by
declaring, "I feel some changes need
to be made. 1 recommend dropping
from $10.50 to $8,50 for the first
2000 gallons used (per month).
This helps the most needy."
The Administrator added, "We're
retaining some sewage fee, but
during the summer, we suggest that
^ water figured into sewage be reduced
■ to 75 percent (from 100 percent). "
The aldermen then approved a
motion reducing the base rate for
use of the first 2000 gallons of
water from $10,50 per month to
$8.50 per month. The motion also
incorporated the suggested reduction
of 25 percent (to 75 percent) in the
water factor for sewage during
summer months. The motion
passed without dissent.
Escamilla later explained, "This
involves no change (in water rates)
per thousand gallons above 2000
gallons."
A few moments later, Public
Utility Department Manager Ruben
Klein gave a monthly update. He
indicated that 2000 acre- feet of
water rights were available at the
beginning of May. Usage figures
reduced that total to 1717 acre-feet.
The available acre-feet figure was
further reduced to 1356. Klein
explained, "After proration, we
were reduced to 1356 acre-feet.
Everyone lost some water rights."
Escamilla said, "We're working
with the Houston-Galveston COG
(Council of Governments) (on the
water rights issue)."
Catholic group to
provide utilities help
Catholic Social Services will be
providing assistance with utilities
lor families from Starr County
who qualify under the 1999 Federal
Poverty Guidelines.
The assistance will be provided
on Tuesday. June 15 from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. at Immaculate Conception
Parish Hall, located at 103 Briiton
in Rio Grande City.
The following information is
required for assistance:
* Picture ID and/or other
identifying ID.
* Social Security Number.
Proof of income including:
income from wages, unemployment
compensation, Social Security
benefits, disability income,
retirement income or any other
income.
* Benefit Letter if receiving food
stamps or cash assistance.
* Utility bill that is in arrears
(must be in the name of the person
requesting assistance). The utility
bill MUST show amount due for
one month only or get an itemized
bill from the utility company for
the last three months.
All cases will be handled on a
first come, first serve basis. For
more information, call Eddie at 1-
956-702-4088.
Boys & Girls Club units
begin summer session
Have nothing to do? Bored and
have nowhere to go? Parents, are
you looking for things for your
children to do this summer?
Look no more. The Boys and
Girls Club of Starr County began
its summer session on June 7,
1999. Club hours will be 8 a.m. to
4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Youths must be between the ages
of six to 18 year s of age..
Summer fees will be as follows:
one child $15 per week, two
children $25 per week, three or
more children $35 per week. Free
lunch will be provided at the
cafctena
Registration is now available.
Please come by either one of the
two Boys and Girls Clubs today.
Roma Unit is located on Juarez
Street and Flores Street; contact
Leticia Estrada at 849-4617 or 849-
4848.
Rio Grande City Unit is located
inside Fort Ringgold (Lee Circle)
next to the Robert E. Lee House;
contact Elisa Garcia at 716-6764.
There will be a variety of
programs offered and lots of fun for
youth of ail ages. Do not wait; join
in the fun now.
Klein indicated that the peak daily
usage during May was 2,992,000
gallons. The minimum daily figure
was 1,968,000, and the average
daily usage figure was 2,562,000
gallons.
Escamilla emphasized, "It is my
understanding that all three water
supply corporations are exceeding
allocations. We need to meet with
them on a staff level."
On another subject, Escamilla
said that the Public Utility
Department "has an older computer
system. This is the only system (of
the city) that needs to deal with the
Y2K problem."
After brief discussion, the
aldermen approved a bid for a used
motor grader. "We have one bid
from Holt for a Caterpillar used
motor grader," noted Escamilla.
The administrator added, "There's
a buy-back provision possibility
after five years. This is top of the
line equipment." The total purchase
price comes to $116,000, he said.
Escamilla stressed, "I think
ultimately we have saved over
$180,000 through the Eisenhower
(Street) project." The aldermen then
authorized the purchase of the used
motor grader.
Police Chief Guadalupe Marque/
introduced five new police officers.
Mayor Baldemar Garza told them,
"We expect great things from you."
Fscamilla later indicated, 'The;- are
basically replacement officers
(brought into the department over
the past year)."
Marquez indicated that the
department recorded 777 calls and
123 arrests during May.
Task Force Sergeant Investigator
Lalo Saenz indicated that 8551
pounds of marijuana valued at
$4,865,519 were seized during
May. There were 16 total cases and
five arrests, Three vehicles were
confiscated, and $21,700 in
currency was seized. The Task
Force held an auction on May 12,
with the proceeds amounting to
$23,000 and being deposited to the
Program Income Account
Fire Chief Javier Garcia reported,
"There were 56 calls, none
involving major fires. There were a
lot of bee calls. There were seven
accidents, five of them major."
Escamilla declared, "We haven't
been paid for county fire calls. We
need to get on the agenda for their
meeting. The main thing is to talk
to the county. I'm sure we will
work it out."
About the subject of FM 755 and
possible creation of an interlocal
agreement for a countywide
Transportation Master Plan,
Escamilla suggested, "FM 755 is
(See ALDERMEN, Page 4)
I
DECA students help Pre-K, Kinder students
The RG( ( IS I) DECA students, under the sponsorship of Mrs. Constancia Pcna, went on a field day recently
to assist the Pre K Kinder students in enjoying a fun day in observance of the Week of the Young Child held
at the Stan County Youth ' lirgrounds. (RGCCISD photo: publicinfol0@yahoo.com)
i.
I.C.S. Elects Officers for 1999-2000
Immaculate Conception School is proud to announce its Parent Teacher Organization's newly-ek> ted
officers for 1999-2000 At the last meeting of the school year, held in May. the outg. ing ol'fu : l<
1998-99 were thanked lor their excellent leadership of the organization during this very successful school
year, and the new officers were congratulated. Recognized were, outgoing officers seated I r. President
Sonata Sanchez, Vice-president Jerri Shu ford, Secretary/Homeroom Chairman Yolanda Perm (re-elected
secretary), and Mario Lopez; new officers standing l-r, Homeroom Chairman Hollv Guerrero. Vice
President Eva Olivarez, Reporter Esther Stow, and Treasurer Jesse Garza. Principal Sister Helen Rottier,
CSJ, standing at right, congratulated them all for their willingness to serve their children's school in
such a meaningful manner. Not pictured are outgoing Parliamentarian Joel Guerrero, new President
Carmen Pena, and new Parliamentarian Eddie Saenz
Man convicted of negligent
homicide in 1996 traffic fatality
A Starr County jury voted on
Friday, Mayj28 to convict a Rio
Grande City man of criminall
negligent homicide in connection
with the death of a Rio Grande City
woman in a July 1996 traffic
mishap in Rio Grande City.
Andres Jesus DeLeon, 22, had
been charged with manslaughter by
recklessness in the July 12, 1996
accident that killed Myrna Ramos,
24. Ramos' daughter, Victoria, 4,
died six days later at a McA'len
hospital.
Shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday,
May 28, the jury reached a verdict
after approximately three hours of
deliberation. District Attorney
Heriberto Siiva commented, "I feel
the verdict was supported by the
evidence."
Silva stated, "Due to a quirk in
the state law (at the time of the
accident), the judge is obligated to
assess the sentence of probation,
but he can set a number of
conditions, which can include jail
time. The Probation Department is
conducting a presentencing
investigation."
The case was tried in the 229th
District Court, presided over by
District Judge Alex W. Gabert.
DeLeon was defended by Rio
Grande City attorney Calixtro
Villarreal.
Silva explained, "Criminal
negligent homicide is a lesser
statute that does not involve
recklessness. Recklessness means
tfiat there was an unjustifiable risk
of death or serious bodily injury,
and that this risk was consciously
disregarded by the
defendant.,.Recklessness means
conscious disregard of risks."
DeLeon was defended by Rio
Grande City attorney Calixtro
Villarreal. Villarreal told The Rio
Grande Herald on Monday, "I think
that under the facts of the case and
what the evidence showed, the jury
rendered the right decision. I think
they rendered the correct verdict A
verdict of recklessness would have
eput a serious burden on every
driver."
Villarreal added, "They claimed a
speed of 74 miles per hour, but it
was disputed. Sentencing is still
pending. This is called a state jail
felony, which could mean up to
180 days in a county jail and/or
probation."
The fatal mishap took place
shortly after 10:30 p.m. at the
intersecton of Flores and Hidalgo
Streets in Rio Grande City. Myrna
E. Ramos and her daughter Victoria
were passengers in a 1984 Ford
maroon four-door vehicle that was
driven by Billy Ray Ramos, (then)
22. The Ford vehicle was traveling
east on Hidalgo Street
The Rio Grande City Police
Department indicated in August
1996 that the Ford vehicle collided
with a 1991 white Nissan four-door
vehicle that was driven by Andres
Jesus Delxon. The Nissan vehicle
was traveling north on Flores
Street. There were four persons
inside the Nissan, including the
driver.
Silva stated, "The driver,
DeLeon, was injured and lost (sight
in) an eye. The mother was dead on
arrival at Starr County Memorial
Hospital."
Silva added, "The woman was
killed within two blocks of her
home...The speed was about 74
miles per hour."
Police Chief Guadalupe Marquez
indicated in 1996 that both Myrna
Ramos and her daughter sustained
severe head injuries. He declared
that Billy Ray Ramos suffered a
punctured lung and broken ribs.
Marquez stated in 1996 that one
passenger in the Nissan sustained a
punctured lung and lacerations to a
knee. Two other passengers in the
Nissan sustained minor injuries.
The trial began on Thursday
morning, May 27 and ended with
the jury verdict early the next
afternoon.
Customs Inspectors seize over
$170,000 in currency in 72 hours
U.S. Customs Inspectors at the
Roma Port of Entry, not unlike the
San Antonio Spurs, have been
having a streak lately. A green
streak.
U.S. Customs Inspectors
working outbound (southbound)
inspection operations at this port,
located 90 miles south of Laredo,
have made eight seizures of
undeclared currency, totaling nearly
$551,000 since May 1. In the last
72 hours, Customs Inspectors
seized just over $170,000 in two
separate incidents, over $118,000
on Saturday and over $51,000 on
Monday morning.
A Dodge Caravan van headed for
Mexico approachcd the Customs
outbound inspection lane at the
Roma-Miguel International Bridge
at about Monday, June 7 The
driver gave a negative declaration
for currency over $10,000, weapons
or ammunition to Customs
Inspectors and was referred for a
secondary inspection.
At secondary, Customs Canine
"Jake" alerted to the van's side
panels. The driver also had
currency on his person. Upon
further examination of the vehicle,
Customs Inspectors discovered a
total of $51,890.
No arrests were made. The ease
was handled under administrative
guidelines.
On Saturday morning, June 5, a
gray 1996 Ford van approached the
outbound inspection lane. The
driver gave a negative declaration to
Customs Inspectors for currency
over $10,000, weapons or
ammunition and was referred for
secondary inspection.
Customs Canine "Jake" alerted to
both the glove compartment and the
floor of the vehicle. Upon removal
of the floor carpet, Customs
Inspectors found 16 bundles and 10
envelopes containing currency
Customs Inspectors found a total of
$1 18,257 in undeclared currency.
The vehicle also was seized.
This case also was handled under
administrative guidelines. No
arrests were made In both cases,
the violators may petition for the
return of the seized currency, but
they would have to prove that the
source and intended use of the
money was legitimate.
Inspectors in Roma have seized
over $500,000 in currency since
May 1.
Port Director Cris Cantu
commended his Inspectors on the
outbound seizures. "Our inspectors
have given smugglers a run for
their money, seizing more than a
half-million dollars in undeclared
currency since May 1," Cantu said.
Cantu offered the reminder that it
is not illegal to import or export
over $ 10,000 if it is properly
declared to Customs Inspectors.
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 10, 1999, newspaper, June 10, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195708/m1/1/?rotate=90: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.