Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 14, 2001 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
June 14, 2001
88th Year, No. 24
Herald
#215
IIOAG BOOK BINDERY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPR1NGPORT. Ml 49204
ZONE 6
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
GMS awards ceremony honors reading contest students
Grulla Middle School held an awards ceremony recently in which students that excelled in the Spanish
Reading Contest were recognized. The honorees were as follows: 8th grade- Jessica Y. Garza, Maricela
Guerrero and Alejandro Salinas; 7th grade- Miguel Lopez, Lizbcth Garza and Elizabeth Solis; 6th grade-
Roberto Verastegui, Roel Solis and Jessie Montalvo. (RGCCISD photo).
Commissioners told about
proposed Workforce change
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The County Commissioners were
informed at their regular monthly
meeting Monday morning of a
proposed change at the state level
that would place Starr County under
the jurisdiction of the Hidalgo-
Willacy office of the Texas
Workforce Commission.
County Judge Eloy Vera
explained, "We will be going to
Austin Friday. Testimony will take
place on the issue of redesignating
Starr County on the Texas
Workforce Commission from Webb
County to Hidalgo-Willacy
Counties."
"We had a little problem with the
Workforce Commission," contended
the judge. "In my opinion, we were
not allocated our fair share of
funding. Even if everything works
out and the governor signs off, it
probably won't become effective
until next September (2002)."
"Basically, I think our people
have more in common with the
Valley, especially in education," he
commented. "This would enhance
the educational support services
(involving STCC and UT-Pan
American)."
Vera noted that a ceremony was
recently held in Austin "to honor
the 20 best law enforcement officers
throughout the state. One of our
own. Captain (now Constable)
Homero Salmon, was honored for
Heat intensifies after
rains give slight relief
A late spring heat wave
intensified late last week after
thundershowers Thursday night
brought brief relief to some areas of
Starr County.
Thunderstorms spawned by
remnants of Tropical Storm Allison
rolled through much of Starr
County late Thursday afternoon and
early Thursday evening, prompting
the National Weather Service to
place the county under a severe
thunderstorm warning. At the
Thursday night meeting of the Rio
Grande City Board of Aldermen,
Fire Chief Javier Garcia indicated
that Rio Grande City had been
placed under a tornado warning.
The Rio Grande City Fire
Department recorded .40 of an inch
in the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m.
Friday. Dr. Roberto S. Margo
indicated that .70 of an inch fell at
his residence in Rio Grande City.
Margo added, however, that his
ranch in northern Starr County did
not receive any rainfall.
NRCS District Conservationist
Arturo Ibarra declared, "The eastern
part of Rio Grande City got about
one inch. Some areas in western
Rio Grande City got up to two
inches. Some areas near the airport
(See HEAT, Page 6)
valor. He was honored for an arrest
he made several years ago in which
he was shot at. We congratulate
Mr. Salmon and the Sheriff's
Department."
Concerning the redistricting
situation, County Attorney Romero
Molina told the commissioners,
"We got the maps in last week. 1
took the maps to Ridgeway's to get
them copied. There's a lot more
work to be done."
Vera indicated, "The COG in
Laredo will hold a workshop on the
Census numbers. They want to
guide us on what we need to do. I
don't think they have hard and fast
numbers."
The court considered a request
from the City of La Grulla for the
Conation of any surplus equipment,
especially vehicles, to the La Grulla
Police Department.
The Grulla Police Chief
explained, "We're in need of an
extra car. We're requesting if the
Sheriff's Department can donate a
surplus car or any surplus
equipment. Revenues don't allow
us to purchase a car right now."
Vera commented, "I think it's a
good thought, but if we do it for
them, we have to do it for all."
Molina emphasized, "We're
prohibited from just donating, but
it could be done through an
interlocal agreement. There has to
be the desire and the availability."
Sheriff Reymundo Guerra
indicated, "A car could become
available in 30 to 45 days." Vera
suggested, "We can start working
(See WORKFORCE, Page 6)
RGCHS students receive over
$76,000 in local scholarships
(RGCCISD News Release)
The Rio Grande City High School
Counseling Department is proud to
announce that over $7ft,(XK) in local
sliolarships were awarded to gradu
ating seniors. The list of scholarship
recipients are as follows:
A.R. Sanchez Memorial- Ana
Bazan and Mayra Lopez A.A.U.W.
Venessa Pefia. Alberta S. Vela
Foundation- Jesus A. Garcia and
Gema Lopez. ATPE- Israel Bazan,
Virginia Cantu, Liza Escobar,
Kassandra Garcia, Lysel Guerra.
I.eia Lopez, Christina Naranjo, Jen-
nifer Resendez, Omar Riojas, Noe
Rodriguez III , Fric Smith and
Priscilla Villarreal Barrera Broth-
ers Carolina Peria. Basilio
Villarreal Memorial- David Porras,
uti<! (liana Rodriguez1 Beta htaTau
Kith Kainking Student Mayra
Lopez Beta Fta Tan Legacy
loclda Alvarez and Sarah Falcon.
Beta Theta Iota Luisana Barrera.
Beta /.eta Omicron- Maria Negrete
Canales Brothers Memorial
Javier Andrade and Michelle Cantu.
Carruth and Associates- Mark
Urbina. Catholic Daughters-
Nelida Carrera, Karen Garcia,
Ruben Teran. Chapter I Migrant
Parental Involvement- Leticia
Galvan, and Santiago Vela. Cindy
Leal Memorial Scholarship (Spon-
sored by Jose de Escandon
Knights of Columbus/
Escobares.Tx.)- Mary Lynn Flores
and Priscilla Villarreal. Colonias
I'nidus- David Lopez, Jr. Commu-
nity Action Co. of South Texas .
Reyvan Flores. Daniel Villarreal
Memorial Miriam Martinez and
Christina Rivera Klla Lou Saldana
Mentor lal- Leia Lopez, and Margot
Villarreal. Eloy Lopez Memorial
Scholarship Clarissa Salinas. Elvia
M. Olivarez- Christina Rivera Flo-
rence J. Scott Study Club- Gema
Lopez. Future Hispanics in Medi-
cine- Reyvan Flores. Grande Gar-
bage- Amy Reyes, and Violeta
Zarate. Grulla Middle School-
Maria E. Alalia, and Iliana
Rodriguez. HEB Vanessa Alanis,
and Margot Villarreal.
Homero\s Carpet Service- Javier
Andrade, and Maricela S.
Rodriguez. International Good
Neighbor Ana Elizondo. Jose
Ovidio Pefia Memorial Israel
Bazan, Alex Gutierrez. Carlos
Gutierrez, Edgar Martinez, David
Porras, Eric Smith and Eduardo
Villarreal KCTM FM 103-
Shantelle Colvin. Ester Flores and
Juanida L.ope/ Kids, Education
and Dreams- Jesus A. Garcia. David
Porras, Iliana Rodriguez. Selina
Saenz. Christian Urbina, and Mark
Urbina. Knights of Columbus
(See SCHOLARSHIPS, Page 4)
RGC aldermen take action
on redistricting issues
BY KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly
meeting, the Rio Grande City Board
of Aldermen took two actions
pertaining to redistricting and the
2000 Census, including the
decision to join a lawsuit filed
against the U.S. Department of
Commerce by Hidalgo County and
22 cities within that county.
The meeting was the most
harmonious held by the aldermen in
many months. During the meeting,
severe thunderstorms were dropping
sometimes heavy rain on the Rio
Grande City area. Fire Chief Javier
Garcia announced at one point that
the city had been placed under a
tornado warning.
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares told the aldermen
concerning the redisricting issue,
"We still have a shot at it. The
state did not adopt any plans
concerning congressional, state
legislative, or State Board of
Education redistricting."
"(State) Senate and House
districts will go to the Legislative
Redistricting Board," added the
administrator. "They have 90 days
to meet after the legislature
adjourns and 60 days after that to
adopt a plan. Congressional
districts can be done by a special
legislative session."
Olivares emphasized, "We would
like Starr County to stay as one.
We have passed a resolution to that
effect before." Mayor Baldemar
Garza asked, "Shouldn't we do
something in conjunction with th?
county?" Alderman Ricardo
Gutierrez commented, "I'd hate to
wait, but I think we need to work
hand in hand with the county."
Garza declared, "Right now, we
don't know Rep. Rangel's
feelings."
Alderman Ruben D. Saenz
moved, seconded by Alderman
Lauro Lopez^ that a resolution be
passed advocating that Starr County
remain in one district for state
legislative positions and hopefully
remain in the same legislative
districts. Gutierrez noted, "This
doesn't pertain to congressional
districts."
Olivares indicated, "Rio Grande
City did not fare well in the
Census. Hidalgo County has filed a
lawsuit; twenty two cities have
signed cn as plaintiffs. The cost
share is by population."
Gutierrez suggested, "We have
nothing to lose and everything to
gain (by joining the suit)."
Gutierrez then moved, seconded by
Lopez, that Rio Grande City join
the lawsuit filed by Hidalgo County
against the U.S. Department of
Commerce that alleges significant
population unda/counts. The
motion to that effect was
unanimously approved.
After some discussion, the
aldermen approved a resolution
supporting the idea of submitting
an application to the Texas Main
Street Program. Olivares noted,
"This is operated by the Texas
Department of Commerce and the
Texas Historical Commission. The
city worked with Main Street
several years ago. I suggest we
reapply."
"The commitment would be
$60,000 (annually over a three-year
period) and would be used to hire a
Main Street Coordinator," declared
the administrator "Weslaco and
Harlingen have realized big returns
from this program. It is an
excellent avenue for economic
development."
Olivares added, "It is a three-year
program at 560,000 per year. We're
(See ALDERMEN, Page 6)
Commissioners hear advocacy
of property tax abatements
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their special meeting on
Tuesday, May 29, the County
Commissioners heard a presentation
by the Rio Grande City
Administrator advocating the
adoption of property tax abatements
as a means of igniting economic
development and historical
preservation initiatives.
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares declared, "We asked about
a month ago to be placed on the
agenda. What kind of economic
development can we hope to have?
What has been the economic impact
of historical preservation in Texas."
"Competitive advantage enables
some counties and citi s to do
better economically than others,"
the administrator explained. "Cities
need to do what they're best at
doing."
Olivares continued, "Starr
County has more ranches than
anywhere else in the Valley. The
Chisholm Trail (used to move
cattle in the 1800's) started here.
Ecotourism is a unique advantage
that the county has to offer. The
hills meet the river; ranchland
meets farmland. We were here
before Harlingen and McAllen
started."
He emphasized, "Historical
designations improve property
values by 20 percent. Thirty Texas
cities offer property tax incentives.
This results in millions in
reinvestments and millions in new
jobs and wealth. Private businesses
are the ones who are the driving
force behind reinvestment."
A 1999 report put together by the
Center for Urbap Policy at Rutgers
University and the LBJ School of
Public Affairs at UT Austin
contains many interesting facts
about the benefits of historical
preservation, said Olivares. He
added, "Rehabilitation activities
created 4200 jobs (in one year).
Historical preservation overall
creatcd 42,000 jobs in one year
alone in Texas. These are direct and
indirect jobs. This will help
everyone in Starr County ."
"The LaBorde restoration of the
early 1980's needs to be duplicated
elsewhere in the downtown area,"
suggested the administrator. "Up to
18 to 20 jobs were created. A
survey in the mid-1990's showed
that Rio Grande City has 629
historical buildings, 74 of them
high priority. Rio Grande City has
some of the most significant
historical and architectural resources
in South Texas, but they are in
grave danger from neglect,
deterioration, and the threat of
demolition," according to a report
of the RGC Historic Resources
Survey.
Olivares concluded, "Eventually,
after a few years, revenues will be
even greater. We will make similar
presentations to other taxing
entities. We hope to get this
underway by September. We're
trying to offer incentives such as
tax abatements to bring about
preservation."
Olivares later commented to The
Rio Grande Herald, "Property
owners will have a building that
will be worth more to them.
Taxing entities will gain more
revenue when the abatement ends.
The community will experience
more job creation, more sales tax
revenue, and more economic
development."
County Judge Eloy Vera stressed
at the meeting, "We will lose a
(See ABATEMENTS, Page 4)
F ' ' . i |j|l WW1 #
Alto Bonito students enjoy Book Parade
Alto Bonito Elementary students recently participated in a Book Parade. Teachers and students were dressed
like character, from the books they had been reading They were dressed in characters from books such as El
Rojo es Mejor, Nursery Rhymes, Bcmice the Barnacle, The Cat and the Fiddle, There was an Old Lady who
Swallowed a Fly, and many more. Pictured arc Mrs. Vela's Pre-K students in an alphabet theme from their
book Alphabet Fun. (RGCCISD photo).
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 14, 2001, newspaper, June 14, 2001; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195888/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.