Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 29, 1996 Page: 8 of 10
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—
RIO GRANDE HERALD-Thursday, February 29, 1996, Page 8
Project
behalf of the bondholders."
ViUarreal said, "As I understand,
the district will make payments of
$1 million this year, $2 million
next year and $2 million the next
year. Should the district have made
the project $10 to $12 million?"
Ashmos replied, "You can't sell
bonds for a partial project"
Ramirez commented, "At the
time, the seven members decided it
was best to build a high school. If
we need to do other schools, we
need to find the monies and do it.
The principal is debating that the
new high school needs more
rooms."
Villarreal contended, "I think we
should have used the money
ourselves as the project progressed."
Ashmos responded, "You still
would have had to kick in fairly
close to the same amount, even
with a reduced scale project"
Villarreal insisted, "In actuality,
we're kicking in this money before
we actually get into the complex."
Jorge Garza, a representative of
Stephens, said, "This is lease
purchase. There's not a tax pledge
behind the bonds. The bondholders
want to see annual appropriations
because there are not tax pledges."
Villarreal asked, "What will the
high school cost us after everything
is complete?" An investment firm
representative said principle would
total $17,660,000 and interest
would amount to $10,939,228.47,
bringing the total to $28,599,228.
Lopez indicated that 95
classrooms are planned for the new
high school. RGCCISD Business
Manager Diana Pena said, "There
are 106 rooms at the current
facility. The figure (of 95
classrooms) for the new high
school does not include 22 rooms
for the vocational program."
Allen Jacobs of C.F. Jordan said,
"We advertise in The Monitor and
The Rio Grande Herald and a
number of trade publications. We
try to use as many local contractors
as possible. We try to determine if
the quality of the contractors is
what is needed for this project. We
plan to start construction on April
1. The main building will start
first and the band hall second. C.F.
Jordan has put performance and
payment bond in place."
Continued
A Jordan representative stated,
"We will report to Landmark
concerning bids." A Landmark
representative said, "We have the
ability to negotiate and realize
savings for the school district. The
main period will be 60 days."
Ashmos stated, "The $28 million is
being spent over time."
Jose Lopez said, "The main
building will include a commons
area, an administrative area, a full
service cafetorium, a complete
library and a complete counseling
area. There will be an entire music
facility, a full-service gymnasium
and a separate ficldhouse."
Villarreal asked, "What did the
high school addition two to three
years ago cost?" Pena said, "The
total cost was around $1.6
million." Lopez indicated that the
total construction area (for the new
school) is 239,500 square feet.
Zarate asked, "What is the square
footage at the old high school?"
Ashmos said, "We sold bonds
based on a specific project. We told
the investors and rating agencies we
were building a high school at a
particular site. The average net
from Page 1
interest cost is 6.83 percent. Bonds
are non-callable for the first 10
years, which reduces the interest
rate."
Arnulfo Garcia asked, "How
many times did you meet with high
school personnel?" Lopez replied,
"We met with everybody who was a
department head. We met 10 to 12
times with people at the high
school and 10 to 12 times with
people at our office." A Landmark
representative said, "There was
constant communication."
Ramirez contended, "I haven't
heard concerns from any board
members. The rates were pretty
good. I don't think we should hold
the project any longer." Villarreal
responded, "We're just asking
questions. We're not talking about
stalling the project"
Lopez said, "We met with people
(at the school) just as often as any
other project. We had to work
within a budget."
Several times during the meeting,
members of the audience attempted
to ask questions both of corporation
members and design, financing and
construction representatives.
Joyce Jillson's Horoscope
Your forecast for the coming
week:
In poker, this week's astrologi-
cal lineup would resemble a full
house. All the bodies — except the
moon in Leo — are in the signs
from Sagittarius to Aries. This
bowl-like configuration empha-
sizes growth and strategy, and all
conditions become intensified. As
we move toward the full moon on
Tuesday, tensions increase, favor-
ing the underdog.
AH1ES (March. 21-April 19)
From over your shoulder comes
word that someone has been se-
cretly enthralled by you. On Mon-
day, use this power to open social
or business doors. A child needs
different cares this week — pre-
pare. Money from a new business
partner is less than needed or ex-
pected.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Alluring people, bragging new lov-
ers and interesting start-up busi-
ness offers all are lucky — but not
until you've researched their histo-
ries. Revelations are not terrible,
but be sure to take off your rose-
colored glasses. You'll get power
from relatives.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You
are astounded by news, but if you
think cleverly, you could turn this
into a money-maker. Forget advice
from less motivated pals. In love,
allow your partner a long leash —
otherwise, he or she might try to
break up. Volunteer all week.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) By
Tuesday, a crisis is over. Don't
jump to conclusions — especially
if you are dealing with relatives or
children. Step-kids need special
attention. Short trips after Thurs-
day lead to jobs and a potential
move to a new city.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Trouble
comes your way, but you don't have
to run away from it. Getting angry
may help you sort out priorities.
You'll encounter luck on Thursday
when you impress authorities. Ro-
mance bubbles under the surface
on Friday — take things slowly.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
New courage tells you that you
should make a move now. You'll
have remarkable results in May
from a job started two years ago.
Your money months are June and
September. You'll have good luck
from offers, loans and real estate in
October. Moves are best in late
'96. You'll receive a career boost
through the intervention of an old
friend in August. Find iove with a
Taurus or Capricorn.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Peace of mind comes this week as
a heavy burden is lifted. Contact
old pals, relatives — your new life
heals old wounds. By Friday, new
negotiations and reunions are
likely. Share power over the week-
end with an almost lost lover.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) This
is a week of growing power, finan-
cial clout and a dream-come-true
dalliance. Keep your head, but do
enjoy or use your newfound status.
On Thursday, you can afford to
spend money, so be kind. On Fri-
day, presentations go well.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Those challenging you are all blus-
ter, no brains. Follow intuitions,
stay true to your character and, by
Saturday, you'll be secure on top.
Love is best on Wednesday and
Saturday. Anything mailed, writ-
ten or signed has great potential.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec.
21) Force yourself to complete an
assignment on time. You'll be am-
ply rewarded now and in a month.
Your t.Tiing in love is off until
Wednesday — then expect the idea
of marriage to come up, with a
favorable response. Avoid over-
spending.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Jump-start your career by writing
orphoning key people. Use all your
connections — people want to help.
A family trial is over. You win by
being flexible. Sign up for classes
on Friday, where you will meet
new pals or lovers.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Join in on a group project.. You'll
end up doing most of the other
work, but eventually you'll benefit
the most. Two family or business
colleagues are spying on your ac-
tions — watch every step. On
Thursday, you receive raises or
contracts.
PISCES(Feb. 20-March20)Sort
out complications, or others use
your lack of information to best
you. Quarrels cease on Wednes-
day, when you detach emotionally.
Bet on yourself on Friday. On Sat-
urday evening, a blind date truly
enlivens your social life.
Creators Syndicate
Corporation president Garza
indicated that the public discussion
needed to be among corporation
members. He suggested that a
public forum in the future would be
a good idea
Ashmos said, "The project was
several million more on :he first
general conceptual drawing.
Standard and Poor and Fitch
Investment Service rated the
bonds."
He added, "The genesis for the
project came because Fort Ringgold
is overcrowded and moving out the
high school students will relieve
much of the congestion. The
present high school will become
the middle school. Engineers say it
will cost less to run the new
facilities." Ramirez said, "We were
thinking of children at that time and
still are." t
Ashmos stated, "The source of
these funds are Tier II funds from
the state. As student population
increases so will Tier II funds. We
were told at the beginning that two
new elementary schools, a middle
school and a high school were
needed. We told you to tell us what
was most needed."
Garcia declared, "We all agreed at
the time that some belt-tightening
was needed. TEA said we have a
bunch of positions that are not
needed."
Zarate asked attorney Isabel
Trevino, "Couldn't the public
facilities corporation itself have
handled the bidding?" Trevino
responded, "One reason (to the
contrary) was because of the extent
of the project. It requires a lot of
expertise that these people have."
Ashmos emphasized, "You can't
sell bonds unless you know how
much the product costs. A lot of
money is spent in the early stages.
Landmark and the financial parlies
are separate entities."
Zarate asked, "What's the biggest
bond issue we've ever floated?" It
was indicated that it had been a
number of years since the
RGCCISD had attcmped a bond
issue.
Stephens representative Jorge
Garza said, "The only district that I
know of in Texas that has a Triple
A rating is Highland Park in the
Dallas area."
Lopez declared, "With my
agreement with Landmark, there are
no reimbursibles for our firm,
which is not typical." Jose Luis
Garza said, "It's hard for us to
answer questions because of the
detailed financing." Jorge Garza
indicated, "I'll provide a short
document through Mrs. Pena in the
next few days."
Ashmos indicated, "The project
can't be stopped without a great deal
of cost that would be very costly to
incur." Villarreal had asked if "the
plane had taken off as far as the
project is concerned.
Superintendent Ramon Hinojosa
commented, "The different high
school departments and teachers
have been consulted. The problem,
as in most places with most
entities, is lack of early planning."
Hinojosa asked, "Are you going
to spend money on maintaining old
buildings rather than new ones? We
have a community that's growing
and students that have needs. Our
committees of the school district
need to plan for the future and use
all our resources wisely and make
decisions about where we're going." 1
Hinojosa concluded, "The
instructional needs and needs for
facilities are most important."
Villarreal asked, "After the
project is complete, who does the
inspection?" Lopez said, "We will
be at the site on a continuous
basis." A Landmark representative
indicated, "There will be a one-year
guarantee for the entire project and
10 years for the roof."
The Landmark representative
commented, "I think a public forum
would be a fine idea." At that point,
the meeting was adjourned.
Election
Continued from Page 7 I
held in the same room." Alvarez
countered, "You have a place where
ballots are present and Republican
clerks are working."
Attorney Alvarez later stated,
"They (the Republicans) are arguing
that they are supposed to be in the
same room. We basically said they
are merely entitled to be in the
same building." {
The word butterfly comes from
the Old English word buterfleoge.
meaning "butter" and "flying
creature." Buter probably
referred to the butter-yellow color
of some European butterflies.
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PI
IRMA RANGEL
Our State Representative
mp
■
sap**
•7
As leader of the House Committee on Higher
Education, she's helped all South Texans have the|
chance to go to college by:
* Working for full funding for the South Texas Initiative giv-
ing universities in South Texas the funding they deserve. ■ t
* Helping establish new degree programs at South Texas
universities.
« •
A Positive Campaign
A Proven Leader
RE-ELECT IRMA RANGEL
STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 35
March 12,1996
Paid Political Advertisement by Minnie Range) Henderson, Treasurer, 301 N. 7th, Kingsville, Texas 78364
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 29, 1996, newspaper, February 29, 1996; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195537/m1/8/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.