Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 23, 1998 Page: 1 of 6
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Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
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RGCCISD secretaries attend TESA convention
The Rio Grande City CISD secretaries pictured above recently attended the 1998 Texas Education Secretaries
(TESA) Convention in Austin. Pictured left to right are Cynthia Fucntes, Lupita Garcia, Becky Ybarra, Elia
Chapa, Superintendent Ramon Hinojosa, Maria G. Villarreal, Noelia Solis, Diana Solis, Edna Bazan, Sonja
Smith and Juanie Garza. Not pictured is Elia Escobar. (RGCCISD photo)
Starr County cities show
increase in July tax rebate
Rio Grande Herald Staff
Starr County cities that col-
lect the state sales tax each regis-
tered ir.creastsin tie amount of
sales tax rebates returned to them
this month by State Comptroller
John Sharp.
The July 1998 sties tax rebate
checkfor Rio Grande City jumped
by nearly 15 percent from last
year's totals at this time.
Thi* ta *
iucludc local sales coilccted in July
and reported by Starr County busi-
nesses filing monthly tax returns in
Jane.
Comptroller Sharp sent Rio
Grande City a July rebate check
for $134,284 or 14.63 percent
more than last July's check. R o's
July 1VVB tax rebate check *as
S17,1 f>3 bigger "han :ts July 1997
check
Sharp delivered his monthly
sales tax reoatc. totaling $159 6
million to 1,091 Texas cities and
118 counties, a 13.5 percent in-
crease Over the $153.7 million al-
located to ct:ies tnd counties in
July 1997.
"A robust economy, driven in
large part by high employment in
the Texas job market and a steady
demand for construction of hous-
ing and apartments, continues
across the state." Sharp said." Ycar-
to-date, rebates to cities and coun-
ties are up to I i 3 percent over last
Sharp delivered monthly sales
tax rebates totaling SI59.6 million
to Texas cities. 13.9 percent higher
than last July s payments of $140
million. Rebates of Si4.9 million
to Texas counties were 9 45 per-
cent higher than allocations of
$13.6 million in July 1997. An-
other S3 million went to 33 social
pu-pose districts around the state
Local totals
With tne July 199 b sales tax
rebate check of S 134.264. Rio has
received year-to-ilate, 51,0(1,538
in monthly sales Ux rebate checks
or about 11.13 percent mote than
last year at this time
The city of Roma's July rebate
check vas $45,335, an increase of
27.12 percent from last July. Rorna
has received SS352.32S year-to-
dace. an increase of 10.57 percent
over last year.
The July rebate check for Grulla
was $355, an increase of 1' 06 per-
cent from la*t lulv. Orulla has **■-
ceived $3,010 year-to-date, an in-
crease of 5.98 percent over last
year
The ne: July 1998 tax payments
for Starr County is S179,986. which
is 17.55 pcrccnt higher than July
997 net payments.
Total payments to Starr County
ycar-to-date are $1,368,876 for
the year, an increase of 10 98
percent.
The Comptroller's next sales tax
allocation is scheduled for Friday,
Aug. 14.
RGCAAU summer tracksters
qualify for seminationals
The Boys and Girls Club AA
q Track Team of Rio Grande City
competed in San Antonio on July
3-4, with the athletes atempting to
qualify for the AAU National
Qualifying Meet that was to be held
in San Antonio on July 17-18.
The team performed very well,
bringing home several medals in a
variety of events. The top four
finishers in each event for each
different age division qualified for
% the next meet and the top three
received medals. The results were
outstanding as the RGC athletes
brought home eight medals and five
of them qualified for the Region 9
meet. The results were as follows:
10-YEAR-QLD DIVISION:
Vanessa Acevedo, 400-meter
dash, first place; Kcndra A'anis,
£ long jump, third place; 400-
METER RELAY- Vanessa
Acevedo, Joanna Guerrero,
Priscilla Peralez and Kendra
Alanis, third place.
13-14 YEAR-OLD
DIVISION: Eloy Perez, 800
meter dash, third; 1500-meter run,
third.
A team supporter emphasized,
"Everyone was a winner regardless
% of the results. Each individual
should be proud of themselves
because it takes great sacrifice and
dedication for one to give up their
summer and participate in one of
the most demanding sports one will
ever endure. On behalf of your
coaches, (Erasmo Montalvo, Jorge
Montalvo, Ron Sanchez, Rachel
^ Montalvo and Alvaro Venencia), we
thank you for the many wonderful
memories you gave us this
summer. Remember that we love
you and will see you next year."
The team and its supporters wish
to thank the Boys and Girls Club of
Starr County, Prime Time texaco,
RE Supplies, Sanchez Funeral
Home, Garza & Montalvo, Ft.
Ringgold Motor Inn, and Erasmo
Montalvo Hauling for sponsoring
the athletes, and the Rio Grande
City Fire Department for helping
host the fundraiser. Everyone
wishes the athletes the best of luck.
The Boys and Girls Club AAU
track team of Rio Grande City
competed in Edinburg on June 27.
This meet was very important
because the athletes were
attempting to quality for the AAU
South Texas Championships that
were scheduled to be held in San
Antonio on July 3-4.
The team performed very well in
Edinburg, bringing home several
ribbons in a variety of events. The
top four finishers in each event for
each different age division qualified
for the meet. The results were
exceptional because 23 of the 25
RGC athletes qualified to run in
San Antonio. The results were as
follows:
EIG H T AND UNDER
DIVISION: Molina Cruz,
long jump, second; Ayssa
Peralez, long jump, fourth;
Kristina Guerra, 800-mcler run,
second; Myranda Montalvo,
100-meter dash, third; 400-mctcr
dash, third.
NINE-YEAR-OLD
DIVISION: 400-METER
RELAY- Andrea Guerra,
Alyssa Montalvo, Melissa
Fuller, Nelly Cruz, fourth;
Melissa Fuller, long jump,
third; 200-meter dash, third;
Priscilla Perales, 100-meter
dash, first; Andrea Guerra, 100-
meter dash, fourth; Alyssa
Montalvo, long jump, fourth;
400-meter dash, first
10-YEAR-OLD DIVISION:
Venessa Acevedo, long jump,
first; 400-meter dash, first; Kendra
Alanis, long jump, second; 100-
meter dash, second; Joanna
Guerrero, long jump, fourth;
Nelly Cruz, 800-meter run,
second.
400-METER RELAY- Vanessa
Acevedo, Joanna Guerrero,
Priscilla Peralez and Kendra
Alanis, first.
Anthony Montalvo, 100-
meter dash, third; long jump,
fourth; Severo Vela, long jump,
second; 200-meter dash, second.
400-METER RELAY-
Anthony Montalvo, Severo
Vela, Johnothon Garcia and
Justin Peralez, first.
11-YEAR-OLD DIVISION:
Adan Daniel Castillo, long
jump, first; 100-meter dash, first;
200-mctcr dash, sccond.
13-14 YEAR OLD
DIVISION: Sabrina
Montalvo, long jump, first; 100-
meter dash, first; 200-mctcr dash,
first; Eloy Perez, long jump,
sccond; 800-meter dash, sccond;
400 meter dash, sccond, 1500-rneter
run, second; Omar Zarate, long
jump, fourth; 400-meter dash,
fourth; 200-mctcr dash, third;
Melissa Cantu, 400-meter dash,
(See TRACKSTERS, Page 3)
2020 committees move
toward initial draft
By CARLOS L. MARGO
Rio 2020 Project
Coordinator
Many of the Rio 2020
committees are finalizing their
share of the plan's initial drafL
The Public Safety committee met
recently to discuss possible
recommendations for the Rio
strategic plan. The group, led by
vice-chairman James Van Nest,
gave careful consideration to the
fact that Rio Grande City and the
surrounding area need a regional
emergency response plan.
Rio Grande City Police Officer
and committee member Pedro
Castillo maintained, "Citizens need
to be aware of emergency plans not
only in response to natural
disasters, but in cases of hazardous
spills as well. The public may not
be aware of it, but there are a lot of
trucks carrying extremely dangerous
materials through Rio Grande."
Castillo also expressed the
importance of ensuring proper
communication with an emergenc
plan such as the proposed one. "It
(emergency plan) should include
telephone and page.' numbers of all
on and off duty personnel involved
in such cases," he suggested.
Other members such as Arnoldo
Gonzaiez III recommenuid
organizing a citizen-volunteer
emergency response team. This
would include use of volunteer
equipment such as four-wheel drive
vehicles and possibly tractors.
Gigi Garza and the Rio 2020
Tourism committee discussed ways
to improve local tourism as they
enjoyed lunch prepared by Lucinda
Villaneal, a member of the
committee. One of the committee's
recommendations was to "develop
and implement a marketing plan to
promote tourism." "Adding
'welcome' signs on highways 281
and 16 and other major entrances
would make a difference," said
committee member and Extension
Agent Ronnie Zamora.
The members also committed
themselves to working with the
City of Rio Grande City to
"promote the preservation of
historic sites and buildings."
According to Cynthia Manoquin
from RGC's Main Street Program,
one would need to research the
history of these buildings and meet
with property owners in order to
help in the preservation. She also
mentioned that the Main Street
Program office is avalable for
assistance.
For a complete look at the most
recent Rio 2020 Goals and
Activities from any of the
committees, visit the Rio 2020
office located at Texas State Bank
in Rio Grande City. Information
can also be accessed by calling 488-
9311.
• • •
Aldermen okay acquisition
of two new police vehicles
At their regular monthly meeting
on Thursday night, July 9, the Rio
Grande City Board of Aldermen
voted to authorize the acqusition of
three new police vehicles through
the Houston-Galveston Council of
Governments (COG).
City Administrator Jose
Escamilla told The Rio Grande
Herald, "We had paid off the Police
Deparment vehicles. The Chief was
concerned about maintenance
problems, due to heavy use of up to
18 hours a day. He was authorized
to acquire two new vehicles through
the Houston-Galveston COG."
The administrator declared, "We
intend to let go completely of our
two oldest vehicles, and keep
another vehicle in less active
service."
Escamilla commented, "We have
ongoing service with this COG,
which sells police vehicles
throughout the state. This is the
best step financially."
Concerning the meeting of the
Economic Development
Corporation moments earlier,
Escamilla noted that the corporation
board of directors voted to allocate
$160,OCX) for the Sesquicentennial
festivities and activities scheduled
for November 1998.
Escamilla gave an update on
conservation measures and other
matters involving the water and
sewer utility. He said, ">Ve began
mandatory conservation measures in
June. We just reported that the
other water supply corporations
have been very cooperative
concerning conservation measures."
The aldermen voted to approve a
short term water supply contract
with the City of McAllen.
Escamilla said, "We acquired short
term rights, 500 acre-feet of water
at $20 per acre-foot for a total of
$10,000, from the City of
McAllen. This will help the
community through the remainder
of the year."
He added, "We bought these water
rights on a short term basis. The
need for water rights is becoming
more pressing with the continued
population growth."
The aldermen approved the
closing of a water rights purchase
negotiated on Nov. 20, 1997
between the former Starr County
Water District and Mr. and Mrs.
(See ALDERMEN, Page 3)
RGCCISD will begin
1998-99 classes Aug. 19
The Rio Grande City CISD will
begin classes for the 1998-99
school year on Thursday Aug. 19.
Early registration will be held
during the week of Aug. 10 for pre-
kindergarten and kindergarten
students. Students entering pre-
kindcrgaren and kindergarten will be
registered at the Central Cafeteria at
Fort Ringgold from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. during that week.
Classes with pre-kindergarten
enrollment are Ringgold
Elementary, La Union Elementary
and Grulla Elementary; campuses
with kindergarten enrollment are
Roque Guerra, Jr., Elementary,
North Grammar Elementary, La
Union Elementary, Grulla
E'ementary, Ringgold Elementary
and Hinojosa Elementary.
Studenis who are four years of
age on or before Sept. 1, 199§ will
be tested, assigned and admitted to
one of the campuses that has pre-
kindergarten enrollment
Students who are five years of
age on or before Sept. 1, 1998 will
be admitted and assigned to one of
the campuses that has kindergarten
enrollment
Anyone seeking further
information should call 716-6702.
The Rio Grande Herald will have
many more details about the
beginning of classes for 1998-99 in
next week's edition.
Class teaches sewing skills
Francisca Garcia-La macstra de costura graduated a group of 10 homcmakcrs from a clothing group that learned
basic sewing skills. The group met at Alvarez Community Center and the success of the group was made
possible by the support and cooperation of Precinct One County Commissioner Jose Maria Alvarez Mrs.
Florinda Benavidcz, who is a group leader with Familias Unidas of Los Trcvinos, a citizen group that works
toward the advancement and progress of the Colonia Trcvino, helped set up the classes and organize the group.
The Master Clothing Volunteer program is part of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Fall classss will
start in September at Alvarez Community Center. Homcmakcrs wanting to enroll ne 11 > notify Florinda
Benavidcz and Francisca Garcia or the Starr County Extension Office at 487 2306
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 23, 1998, newspaper, July 23, 1998; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195662/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.