Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 2, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
December 2,1999
86th Year, No. 48
215
Hoag Book BLridery
127 Rail Rd
Springport,, MI 49204
(Zone 6)
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
RGC workshop airs dispute over procedures
By KENNETH ROBERTS
A workshop of the Rio Grande
City Board of Aldermen late
Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 23 was a
stormy event filled with
controversy and conflict over a
proposed meeting for Nov. 24 that
did not come about and also
concerning what procedural rules for
aldermen and city officers and staff
are currently and should be for the
future.
Alderman Manuel Canales
heatedly argued with obvious
irritation that Mayor Baldemar
Garza had been wrong in not calling
the meeting for the following day
(Nov. 24). Garza insisted that the
meeting had merely been delayed for
the regular meeting in early
December
Gar/a indicated that the purpose
of the proposed meeting had been
stated as seeking the firing of
several city officers and staffers.
Canales also heatedly argued that
he was confused over whether the
event was a workshop or a meeting.
In that vein, he denounced the
presentation of an action item
calling for approval of a letter to
the slate that would allow the
reimbursement of sales tax funds to
the city under the "enterprise zone"
program. Canales insisted that he
and his fellow aldermen of like
mind had been kept in the dark
about the matter. Garza replied that
the matter had been presented
because of the pressure of time due
to a Dec. 1 deadline. When
Aldermen Ricardo Gutierrez moved
CO
that the city send a letter of
approval, but his motion failed for
lack of a second.
For his part, Garza insisted that
he was trying to protect the best
interests of the city and also ensure
that officers or staffers who might
be targeted for firing should have
the chance to publicly defend
themselves if they so desire.
Garza later told The Rio Grande
Herald, "The meeting was not held
(on Nov. 24) because one of the
aldermen had previously indicated
he was going to be absent. Legally,
my recourse was to delay the
meeting. I thought it would not be
wise to hold such an important
meeting without all the aldermen
present."
Garza added. "After the verbal
request, they submitted a request in
writing on Friday, Nov. 19. 1 told
Rotary (members) (that day) I
hadn't made a decision. After lunch,
I talked with Mr. Daraling (the city
attorney). Later that day, 1 decided
to object."
City attorney James Darling
explained his interpretation of the
duties of such city officers as the
City Adminitrator and the legal
roles and responsibilities of the
mayor and aldermen. Some of the
aldermen expressed their desire to
change the ordinances dealing with
the role of aldermen.
In discussing the enterprise zone
proposal, City Administrator Jose
Escamilla declared, "We're trying to
get the three bridges (in the
county)Jncluded in the border
infrastructure project
They're asking for an extension
of FM 755. This is basically
asking for a letter of support. This
is a letter from Bonnie (Gonzalez)
of the Empowerment Zone saying
it's running. We've already been
granted an extension of 90 days."
Escamilla added, "We weren't
notified at first, so we started out
late. This involves applying for
rebates for incentives for economic
development. Five projects are
allowed over seven years. If we
don't submit by Dec. 1, any
construction over the past three
months will not be eligible for
rebates "
Mayor Garza contended, "It's an
economic development tool to try
to attract new business. It doesn't
cost any money to the city, it
doesn't cost the city anything."
Escamilla stated, 'This involves
up to 10 square miles within the
city. A county can have up to three
10-mile zones. The enterprise zone
needs to be in an area with potential
economic commercial development.
They allowed us to go back
retroactively 90 days. They (the
bridge) have decided to donate to the
downtown economic development."
The administrator added, 'It can
be ratified Dec. 2. The zone will be
intact for seven years; the bigger
the projects, the more materials, so
the bigger the rebates. The money
would come back to the contractor
who would make a donation back to
the city."
Alderman Ricardo Gutierrez:
emphasized, "We need the enterprise
zone (to spur economic
development)." Garza indicated,
"The next cutoff date is March 1."
Canales heatedly insisted, 'This
was supposed to be a workshop.
Why weren't we notified of this
before now?" He questioned with
obvious aggravattion why the
special meeting had not been called
for Wednesday, Nov. 24. Garza
responded, "I didn't want to hold a
special meeting to fire people.'
Newly elected alderman Juan
DeLuna complained that paperwork
was lacking concerning the
enterprise zone.
Garza later told The Herald that
the entrprise zone matter had been
discussed by the aldermen ata two
previous meetings.
Gutierrez then moved that the
submission of the letter to the state
supporting the enterprise zone be
approved. His motion failed when
no other alderman seconded the
motion.
In discussing city procedures in
response to questions from Canales
and other aldermen, attorney James
Darling stated, "The board of
aldermen has the right to hire and
fire city officers. The City
Administrator has been given
oversight over city officers under
the city code. The mayor, absent
the administrator, has oversight
over city officers and employees."
Darling continued, "Three
aldermen at a specially called
meeting can put anything on the
agenda.The mayor has the right to
express objections in writing. After
that, you could go to court to get a
mandamus."
(See dispute, page 4)
ST
'
RGCCISD trustees approve
vision and mission statement
At their regular monthly meeting
on the evening of Nov. 9, the Rij
Grande City CTSD boarda uf
trustees voted to approve a vision
and mission statement for the
district to express the entity's
educational purposes and goals.
The trustees also approved the
District Improvement Plan for the
1999-2000 school year. Board
President Basilio "Bacho"
Villarreal, Jr., later explained, 'The
vision statement involves goals of
educational excellence for every
child."
The Vision Statement reads as
follows: "We are an educational
organization that exemplifies
achievement, credibility, and
commitment in preparing all
students to meet the academic,
creative, and social challenges AND
responsibilities of our society."
The Mission Statement reads as
follows: "As an educational
organization committed to
preparing all students to meet the
academic, creative and social
challenges and responsibilities of
our society, we will"
"Implement a rigorous,
integrated, technological and
comprehsnsive curricula from Prc-K
to post secondary;
" "provide school facilities that
are conducive to a safe and orderly
learning environment;
" "attract, retain, and develop
qualified and effective personnel;
" "provide and maintain an
effective and efficient fiscal
management system; AND
" "embrace school/community
partnerships,
" By focusing on cooperation and
communication, delivering quality
service, and having high
expectations, all students will
acquire the marketable job skills
and/or post-secondary prerequisites
to aucceed in our dynamic tHnhai
society."
On another issue, the " trustees
received an informational report for
E-Rate approval. VillarTeal statacd,
'The E-Rate is a grant we got for
over $500,000 for the conductivity
and lines to have access to the
Internet"
The trustees approved a bid for
installation of an irrigation system
at the high school baseball field.
Villarreal predicted, "Using the
irrigation system will save a lot of
water, money and labor."
John and Olive Hinojosa
Elementary, North Grammar
Elementary and Roque Gucrra
Elementary all received special
recognition for the migrant
programs at their schools.
(See STATEMENT, Page 4)
RGCHS srydebts attend HOnor Studnet BanquetA The
25 students from Rio Grande City High School that attended the Valley Honor Student Banquet on Nov. 17 at
Roma are pictured above. Fourteen juniors and 11 seniors from RGC High School attended the event. Also
pictured above is Dr. Mario E. Ramirez, who founded the event as an annual tradition in the early 1960's, is
fourth from left in the front row. Standing at Dr. Ramirez's left is Banquet Co-Chair Romeo Lopez. At Dr.
Ramirez's right is University of Texas System Chancellor Dr. William Cunningham. (RGCCISD
photo:publicinfo 10@yahoo.com)
Possible terminations to be
discussed at city meeting Thursday
The monthly meeting of the Rio
Grande City Economic
Development Corporation is
scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at
City Hall. Information will be
provided on a Texas Border
Infrastructure meeting with TXDOT
(Texas Department
Transportation) on Dec
Laredo.
The Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen will hold their regular
monthly meeting Thursday, Dec. 2
at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, loeated at
101 South Washington in Rio
Grande City.
After five items in the open
meeting, an executive session will
be held to discuss and take possible
action on the possible termination
of the City Administrator,
Discussion and possible action are
also schcdueld on the matter of
possible termination of the City
Financial Officer. Discussion and
possible action are also scheduled
with respect to three city
employees.
The executive session agenda also
calls for discussion and possible
action on the matter of appointing
an interim City Administator.
In the meeting prior to the
executive session, discussion and
possible a^-.ion is scheduled
concerning the Police Department
computer system. Discussion and
possible action are also scheduled
on possible adoption of part of the
city as an Enterprise Zone.
Duscussion and possible action
are scheduled concerning the
possibility of establishing a city
garbage collection system within
the city. Concering another item,
authorization will be sought to
purchase a used sweeper.
of
12-13 in
RGCHS students attend
Valley honors banquet
RGCCISD News
Release
A total of 24 Rio Grande
City High School students
att4ended the Valley Honor
Student Banquet at Roma on
Nov. 17
A total of 25 studenys, 14
juniors and 11 seniors,
attended the banquet. Each
student attending the banquet
Miss RGC pageants set for
Saturday night, Dec. 4
1999 Miss RGC to crown successor
Priscilla Ann Rcqucnez, Miss RGC for 1999, will crown her successor in
the Miss RGC Pageants Saturday night, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort
Ringgold Auditorium. The pageants will feature competition in four
divisions.
RGC City Hall - The Miss Rio
Grande City Pageants will take
place Saturday. December 4 at 6:30
at the School Auditorium at Fort
Ringgold.
The pageant will consist of four
divisions, the Petite 4-7 years old.
Pre-teen 8-11 years old. Teen
12-14 years old and Miss 15-19
years. Each contestant must be
enrolled as a student in a local Rio
Grande City school program. Each
Petite Miss contestant must be at
least 4 years old at the time of the
pageant. Each Miss contestant
must be enrolled as a student at
Rio Grande City High School.
University and college students
cannot compete. The contestants
will be judged on beauty, poise and
attire by a panel of out-of-town
judges.
The entry fee for the pageant is
SI5.00 for the Petite, Pre-teen, and
Teen divisions, and only an
evening gown/dress is required.
I ne Miss 15-19 division entry
fee is $25, and a cocktail dress and
evening gown are both required.
The winner of the Miss division
will go on to represent a Duchess
at the Borderfest Court in 2001
Applications for the pageant are
available at the Rio Grande City
Chamber of Commerce located at
the La Horde House Hotel offices.
For more information, call the
Chamber at 487-3024 or City liall
at 487-0672
was accompanised The
following Rio Grande City
High School juniors attended
the Honor Student Banquet:
Theresa M. Calderon, Ana
Alicia Elizondo, Sarah E.
Falcon, Gladys Garcia, Jesus
Alberto Garcia, Krystal A.
Macias, Gema L. Lopez,
Mayra J. Lopez, Enedelia
Rodriguez, Griselda Salinas,
Lucia Y. Salinas, Christina
Schwartz, Vanessa Pena,
Christian Urbina.
The following Rio Grande
City High School seniors
atended the banquet; Melissa
Andrade, Roxanne Garza,
Sara Gonzalez, Daniel Ixipez,
Karma Martinez, Mary
A.Rodriguez, Venessa Solts,
Veronica Solis, John Urbina,
Elias Vasqucz.
The valley Honor Student
Ranquetis an annual event that
honors academically
outstanding high school
juniors and seniors from
Starr, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg and
Zapata Counties.
(PubIicinfol()@yahoo.com)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 2, 1999, newspaper, December 2, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195733/m1/1/?rotate=90: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.