The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 158, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 17, 1992 Page: 1 of 10
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Allegations of illegal session denied
Court rescinds raises;
hears report on rabies
RATTLER DEFENSE STOPS WARRIORS- The strong defensive stand taken by
the Rio Grande City Rattler basketball team took its toll on the Nikki Rowe
Warriors in a District 31-5A contest on Dec. 8. Pictured left to right, Celso Garza,
Guy Peterson, Mike Margo and Ramiro Lopez set up to defend the basket against
Rowe's aggressive offense. Peterson scored 22 points and Margo added 17 in the
60-56 win over Rowe on the Rio home court. (RGCCISI) Photo).
Rio trustees focus on TAAS
scores, plans to improve
At their regular monthly meeting
on Wednesday night, Dec. 9, the
Rio Grande City CISD board of
trustees focused on the recent
TAAS test scores and considered
district programs already launched
for the purpose of realizing
substantial improvement in student
performance.
Superintendent Ruben Saenz
noted, "We had some declines from
last year in two areas."
Saenz added, "Of eight campuses
tested, four showed improvement.
One campus, Ringgold Elementary,
improved in all three areas. North
Grammar and Roque Gucrra
improved in two of three areas, and
Grulla Jr. High improved in one
area."
Saenz indicated that throughout
the district, third graders
demonstrating mastery of Writing
decreased from 52 percent in 1991
to 39 percent in 1992. Third graders
mastering Reading fell from 69 to
52 percent, but mastery of
Mathematics increased from 74 to
75 percent.
Throughout the RGCCISD,
seventh graders showing mastery of
Writing declined slightly from 30
to 29 percent. The percentage of
seventh graders mastering Reading
decreased from 25 to 14 percent, and
mastery of Mathematics declined
from 21 to 18 percent.
Saenz noted, "In the spring, the
new grades, the even-numbered
grades, will be tested. This (the
September 1992 test) is the last
time the third and seventh graders
will be tested. Fourth, eighth and
10th graders will be tested in the
spring," and from this point
forward.
The superintendent commented lo
The Rio Grande Herald, "I'm
disappointed that we did not show
districtwide improvement and that
all campuses did not show
improvement."
Saenz stressed, "We have placed a
number of system changes that
should mean substantial
improvement in the future. There's
no quick fix for student performance
improvement. I feel very confident
that in the long-term future, this
district will absolutely see major
improvements in student
performance."
Saenz added, "Improvement will
most likely be gradual; it won't all
happen overnight. I think this has
challenged us to do even better than
we're doing. We're facing this
challenge with confidence...We
know that we're headed ultimately
in the right direction."
Saenz, emphasized, "In the last
few months, we have looked for
things in the system that are
impeding student progress. We have
identified things that need to be
correctcd to optimize student
performance."
Among the four major system
changes, or changes in the
"paradigm", is grouping of
students. Paradigm, noted Saenz,
"is the mode of operation. We're in
the process of shifting some
methods of operation."
Saenz pointed out, "One item of
change is the way we have grouped
students. For decades, we have
grouped students homogenously, by
level of ability. Starting this year,
we are grouping all students
heterogenously and grouping
students with different abilities
together."
(See TAAS, Page 6)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday, the County
Commissioners voted to rescind for
the time being all pay raises granted
in recent months to county
employees and officials.
Two executive sessions that
lasted for a combined total of
almost two and one-half hours
became controversial when The
McAllen Monitor newspaper
charged that the sessions violated
the Texas Open Meetings Act,
alleging that the commissioner
discussed several matters other than
those listed on the official agenda.
The allegation of an illegal session
was strongly denied by the County
Judge.
The agenda stated that the
purpose of the executive session
was for "consulting with altorneys
on possible litigation involving the
County."
At the end of the first executive
session, which listed approximately
90 minutes, County Judge J.M.
Martinez said, "We have had some
complicated matters to tend to."
Before the second session which
lasted about an hour Monday
afternoon, Martinez stated, "We are
in final negotiations with all parties
involved in the jail expansion.
There is some disagreement
between the county and two of the
parties."
Martinez told The Rio Grande
Herald Tuesday evening, "I think it
(ttie allegation of an illegal session)
is a lot of baloney. There is no
violation. Contract negotiations are
an exception to the Open Meetings
Act, according to what our
attorneys advised us."
Martinez took particular aim on a
purported anonymous statement by
a county official, who reportedly
stated, "There's a right way to do
things and a wrong way to do
things. Then there's the Starr
County way of doing things."
Martinez insisted that "the
statement is an asinine statement."
On Tuesday afternoon, County
Attorney Romero Molina told The
Herald, "I plan to start an
investigation to see if there was a
violation. 1 need to consult with the
District Attorney and see when the
grand jury can be convened."
Molina added, "In that event,
subpoenas could be issued to the
commissioners and other
participants in the meeting."
On the pay raise issue. Auditor
Joaquin Gutierrez told the
commissioners, "Delinquent taxes
are not coming in as projected.
There may be some litigation
involving money sent to the
insurance company. The amount in
question (for the insurance) is
$230,000; some may eventually
come back."
Gutierrez indicated that there was
a shortfall of $115,000 in
delinquent taxes actually collected
for 1991-92 compared to the
original projection.
Gutierrez declared that the
(See RAISES, Page 7)
Puppy proven rabid
in Los Garcias
The 12th rabies case of the year
in Starr County was confirmed last
week as a puppy in the Los Garcias
area was officially proven to have
been a carrier of the deadly virus.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S.
Margo indicated that the
five-month-old puppy was a family
pet living on old U.S. Highway 83
about three blocks away from the
Catholic Church in Los Garcias.
Margo indicated, "The puppy was
bitten by some animal with rabies.
He was bitten around the nose. The
ii&d ix fvtCf iuid vhISJ^cd
lymph nodes. He howled and
whimpered some as if it was in
pain."
Margo noted that "the owner was
exposed by handling the animal and
is starting vaccinations."
He emphasized, "These kinds of
rabies cases, where the symptoms
are not as obvious, are especially
dangerous."
There have been 12 confirmed
cases of rabies in Starr County in
1992, and 91 confirmed eases and
one human fatality since the
outbreak started in September 1988.
There have been more than 100
confirmed cases in 1992 alone in
the South Texas area.
Margo stressed that
Vw~'
it is more
anpofiarU Uian ev;:
owners to keep the vaccination uf
their pels up to date on an annual
basis. He also warned citizens to
completely avoid strange animals
and allow unwanted strays to be
humanely disposed of.
Dedication ceremonies held
for CACST Founders Depot
Bank introduces new
product for Christmas
A ribboncutting ceremony was
held Friday in Rio Grande City for
the new Founders Transportation
Depot of the Community Action
Council of South Texas.
Participating in the ribboncutting
were the CACST Board of Directors
and staff, officials of the Texas
Department of Transportation, the
project architect, general contractor,
the Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce and other dignitaries.
The Depot is located adjacent to the
Fort Ringgold County Park.
The welcome was given by Juan
M. Cantu, Director of Operations.
The invocation was given by board
member Gavina Escobar. The
benediction was given by Rev.
Emilio Moreno of Victory
Outreach.
Platform guests were introduced
by CACST Executive Director
Francisco G. Zarate. Later in the
program, Zarate spoke in detail
about the history of the
Community Action Council of
South Texas.
Eli Ramirez, Director of
Transportation Programs, focused
on the history of the project to
bring about the Founders
Transportation Depot.
Trees were planted in honor of
four individuals that played active
roles in the development of
CACST throughout the years.
Honored in this way were Dr.
Arnulfo Martinez, Gustavo Garza,
Roberto Chapa and Emilio F.
Gutierrez.
The CACST officers and directors
participated in the tree-planting
ceremony, along with Deacon R.C.
Salinas of the Escobares Catholic
Church. Salinas commented,
"These four individuals are an
example of what can be done when
you have a vision."
The keynote speaker was Sam
Guzman, Deputy Director of
Community Affairs/Economic
Development f(?r the Texas
Department of Housing and
Community Affairs.
Guzman commented, "How
appropriate to honor these
individuals at a most recent
undertaking and accomplishment of
this organization - The Depot - for
it marks one more of the many,
many accomplishments in the 27th
year of existence of this great
(See CACST, Page 7)
"The Loan Arranger" is a new
program being introduced this week
by First National Bank of 3outh
Texas/Rio Grande City that will
offer automatic overdraft protection
on checking accounts and make
instant loans available to customers
in the program.
"We are always seeking ways to
meet the needs of the customers,"
said Larry Gonzalez, executive vice
president, "and we think this
innovative Loan Arranger will be
very popular."
Customers can apply for Loan
Arranger credit limits from $100 up
to $5000 and there is no charge for
having this credit available, he said.
The only charge is the interest on
the amount a customer borrows in
cash or to cover account overdrafts.
The overdraft protection is
automatic, he explained. Whenever
the funds in an account arc
insufficient to cover withdrawals,
the bank will automatically deposit
cash in $100 increments to cover
the insufficiency. The program is
available to customers with
personal or commercial direct
deposit accounts.
Loan Arranger customers can also
ask the bank at any time to deposit
cash from their approved loan into
their account.
The loan and interest are paid
automatically by withdrawals from
the customer's account. Monthly
payments are the larger of $20 or
10 percent of the loan, he said.
"We are pleased we could
introduce this new product before
Christmas," he said, "so customers
can write checks or use their Pulse
Card without worrying that they
have overdrawn their account.'
1992 Christmas Parade
evaluated as success
The 1992 Christmas Parade in
Rio Grande City, held this past
Saturday morning, was evaluated as
a solid success by its organizers.
The parade, an annual tracti >n,
was carried out under the auspices
of the Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce.
Serving as Parade Marshal this
year was Leopoldo "Paul" Muniz, a
well known area businessman who
is now retired.
The first place float was put
together by the Early Childhood
Center. This float, which was
awarded a prize of $ 100, carried the
title "Traditional Christmas
Memories."
The second place float, produced
by Grulla Jr. High, carried the title
of "Christmas on the Border" and
was awarded a prize ol $75.
The third place float was produced
by El Jardin Headstart and was
entitled "Christmas Unity Along
the Border." This float received a
prize of $50.
Muniz was honored for his
contributions to the community.
He is a graduate of Rio Grande City
High School and attended the
Holding Institute in Laredo as well
as the Brantly Broughn Business
College in Fort Worth, where he
studied Bookkeeping and
Commercial law.
During World War II, Muniz
served in England. He worked as
Deputy County Clerk under
Incarnat ion Salinas. He also worked
with the Huasteca Petroleum
Company in Tampico, Mexico
before opening up the Muniz
Abstract and Title Company in Rio
Grande City. Muniz sold this firm
to Joel Guerrero, Sr., upon his
retirement.
He has four children: Alicia
Muniz Schidiel, Yolanda Muniz
Garza, Lie. Rica E. Muniz and Dr.
Leopoldo M. Muniz.
Muniz keeps abreast of what goes
on in the community and believes
(See PARADE, Page 2)
The ribboncutting for the Founders Transportation Depot of the Community
Action Council took place Friday. Gilberto Uresti, CACST Board President and
Duval County Judge, is pictured above cutting the ribbon. To the left is CACSl
Executive Director Francisco G. Zarate and Director of Transportation Program*. Hi
Ramirez is on the right.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 158, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 17, 1992, newspaper, December 17, 1992; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195371/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.