Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 21, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
October 21,1999
86th Year, Nc
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127 Rail Rd
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-paper Serving the People of South Texas
Aldermen okay budget;
discuss school projects
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
on Wednesday night, Oct. 13, the
Rio Grande City Board of Aldermen
voted to approve the 1999-2000
budget and approved in principle the
idea of helping, at no cost to the
city, with patching of streets within
the Rio Grande City CISD's Fort
Ringgold complex.
Near the end of their meeting, the
aldermen discussed the matter of an
interlocal agreement with the
RGCCISD for the city to assist in
patching of streets wtihin Fort
Ringgold. City Administrator Jose
Escamilla led off discussion by
saying, "We were approached to do
some minor patching. They ( the
RGCCISD) would pay for whatever
is done. It would be done on a
piecemeal basis, not att at one
time."
Alderman Lauro Lopez insisted,
"I'm striclty against it. The school
collects taxes, which we don't. We
need to focus on city needs first."
Alderman Fred .Margo rssponded,
"Our kids are important." Mayor
Baldemar Garza commented, "This
will not cost the city anything. The
school is the jewwl of our
community. I don't see any
problem with reaching out in this
way."
Lopez contended, "The school has
a board to take care of their needs."
Alderman Manuel Canales
expressed support for the idea "as
long as we don't ac^Icct eity
needs."
The aldermen then unanimously
approved the interlocal agreement
with the understanding that there
will be no cost to the city and that
the work will be done on an
intermittent basis so city projects
won't be neglected.
Earlier in the meeting, the
aldermen discussed the status of the
joint city-RGCCISD project to
pave the parking lot at the entrance
of Fort Ringgold. Escamilla stated,
"Mr. Gracia (the engineer)
approached A&E Paving and was
told that this can be done for
roughly $28,000. This is
considerably less than first
projected. The caveat is that we
would have to contribute to the
sub-base."
Lopez asked. "What's the bottom
line dollar figure for the city?"
Engineer Robert Gracia responded,
"At most, the total output would be
$32,000." Mayor Garza
emphasized, "We would be saving
at least $20,000 to $25,000. We
can move forward as soon as the
school district is ready."
Escamilla later told The Rio
Grande Herald, "Costs can be cut by
dramatically reducing moving (of
materials) costs by our helping."
The trustees heard a brief
presentation on the 1999-2000
budget by Financial Director Hector
Solis. Solis noted, 'We are
proposing a balanced budget, with
small surpluses. This is true in all
three funds, as well as the Public
Utility Department."
He indicated that General Fund
revenues are projected at roughly
$2.8 million and expenses are
predicted to be approximately $2.7
million.
The aldermen approved the budget
as recommended, subject to any
needed changes or amendments
being made to ensure accuracy.
Solis noted, "We had a fund
balance of $734,000 in the General
fund as of Sept. 30, 1999."
The trustees approved a request
that a Caterpillar be leased in order
to mine caliche. Escamilla later
said, "It will be used to work on a
number of projects such as the
airport, utilities, efc."
After brief discussion, the
aldermen authorized the
administrator to move forward in
(See ALDERMEN, Page 6)
RGC trustees discuss ideas
on superintendent search
At their regular monthly meeting
on Tuesday night, Oct. 12 at Rio
Grande City High School, *v: Lio
Grande City CISD board of trustees
discussed ideas on whether to
proceed with a superintendent
search, with a consnsus reached that
public notice be provided that
Acting Superintendent Roel Smith
will continue in the position
without a search process being
initiated.
Board President Basllio "Bacho"
Villarreal, Jr. later stated to The
Rio Grande Herald, "The majority
of the board voted to stay with the
present situation. For something
like 30-45 days, Mr. Smith's name
has to be announced to the public.
After that, the board can ratify the
action. Several principals suggested
(at the meeting) that Mr. Smith
remain."
Roel R. Smith was named
Acting Superintendent by the
trustees on March 17, 1999.
The trustees received status
reports on four facility projects.
Villarreal declared, 'The Agriculture
Barn (at the high school) and the
Grulla Middle School fieldhouse
had already been approved. They
should start vety soon and these
projects should be completed by
March or April."
He emphasized, "The Ag Barn
will be a very good thing, enabling
young people to raise livestock
projects. The new Grulla Middle
School fieldhouse will have weight
facilities, which were lacking
peviously."
The board president continued,
"The high school pavilion will be
put out for proposals in the near
future. The (Alto Bonito)
elementary school is complete in
most instances. The contractor is
working to correct the few minor
deficiencies."
The trustees voted to approve the
same tax rate for 1999. SI.4697 per
$100 valuation, as was the case for
1998.
The trustees voted to approve the
concept of a vehicle maintenance
facility. Villarreal commented,
"We approved a facility with a fuel
management system where we can
buy gasoline and diesel in bulk
quantity. With identification cards,
there will be greater accountability.
It will be a state of the art facility."
The trustees approved a working
agreement between the RGCCISD
and Communities in Schools of
Laredo, Inc. Villarreal explained,
"Communities in Schools is a
program and grant to help migrant
students in their education progress.
It is at no cost to the district."
(See TRUSTEES, Page 6)
r
• Ribboncutting for new Eisenhower Street section
RGC City Hall - A Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the newly opened and paved
Eisenhower Street was held Friday morning, October 8, at the intersection of Eisenhower
St. and Fairgrounds Rd. The new extension will provide an alternate route to I arm to
Market road 3167 for city residents traveling to Rio Grande C'ity lhgh School, South
Texas Community College and the local airport. The project was done m a joint effort by
the Texas Department of Transportation and Rio Grande City Public Works.Attcn ing
the ribbon cutting ceremony were city officials, members from the Chamber of Commerce,
and the land donors.
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Rattler quarterback scorches Eagle defense
Rattler quarterback Elias Vasquez (11) is pictured above as he completes a long run agaiast the Mission
Eagles at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission Fridc.y nighLTwo Eagle defenders are about to close in on
Vasquez, but the Rattlers shredded the Eagles for 414 total yards in winning a resounding 36-2 triumph The
Rattlers extended their district record to 2-0 as they continue to gain momentum. (Photo by Jerry Lozano)
RGCCISD will celebrate
Red Ribbon Week Oct. 25-29
RGCCISD News Release Trooper Aaron Dela Gar/a; DEA E|ementary - Monday, students
The Rio Grande City CISD is Agent Terry F-ullbnght; La Grulla wear red ribbons; ' Tuesday,
gearing up to celebrate Red Police Department, STCADA, students wear denim; Wednesday.
Ribbon Week the week of Ociober Claudia Correa from Charter students wear Halloween Masks;
25 - 29 , 1999. Palms. FBI, Child Protective Thursday, students wear team
"ALIENate Drugs from Our Services, Starr County Sheriff's shjrts and Fnday> students wear
World" is this years theme. The Department, and U.S. Border Halloween costumes
celebration kicks off with a Parade Patrol. Immigration and Customs Grulia Elementary - Tuesda
at 9:00 am in front of the Starr agents. Posler Comcst an(, Cust0ln^
County Courthouse and proceeds The Red Ribbon represents the • Canine Presentation; Wednesday,
down Main Street to the Multi light against drugs and the Mayor Kids Against Drugs; Thursday
Purpose Center. of Rio Grande City, Mr. Baldemar MeGruff presentation; Friday!
This year's Guest speaker will Garza and Mayor Alejandro Solis Scary Customs Parade.
be Letty Valadez Garza, host of of City of La Grulla signed a |,a Union Elementary -
Wednesday's Child on KRGV proclamation des.gnating the Monday, students and staff wear
TV- wcck of O^'ober 25,h through 29,h, red ni,bons; Tuesday, students and
Red Ribbon is a week long of 1999. >[aff wears a cap; Wcdnesdav
events to teach children the The following ,s a list of students and staff wears boots,
importance of being drug tree and activities by campuses. Thursday, students and staff wear
being a drug free community. Alto Bonito Elementary team shirt; La Union Wildcats,
The II campuses will feature Monday, wear red ribbons; Rattlers Cowbovs etc Friday
different events and guest Tuesday, students wear caps; Everyone wears a costume.
speakers from the different law Wednesday, .students wear clothes Ringgold Elementary
enforcement agencies including: backwards. Thursday, students Mondav. students and staff wear
MeGruff, the Crime Dog; DPS wear TEAM shirts and Friday, red nbbons; Tucsday< sludents and
Comoral Ravmond Munsell. and students wcar Halloween staff wear caps; Wednesday,
costumes. students and staff wear colored
Cj« clinics Roque Guerra Elemental« socks- Thursday students and
, Monday, students wear red shirts; stall wear clothes backwards;
planned this Tuesday, students wear shirts Friday, students wear Halloween
t I (football, baseball, etc); costumes.
W£vlV& Wednesday, students wear caps; North Grammar - Monday,
. , i ,. Thursday. students wear students wear Red Ribbons;
Six rab.es dimes an: scheduled to Ha,|oween C0StumeJ. an(J Fri(Jay Tuesday s(udc[Us wcar co,ored
take placc in western an centra students wear denim and release socks; Wednesday, students wear
areas of Starr ounty in e nex balloons during Neighborhood caps; Thursday, students wear
week to give pet owners the Wa|k dcmm; p students wear
opportunity to vacc.nate the.r pets J()hn & {)].ye m j()sa FBRATF Paae 41
against the deadly rabies virus. (5*« CEL.EBRA IE, Page 4)
Animals should be vaccinatcd on «•< "1 9 1 1 Jl
Groundbreaking held
clinics is $7.00 for each animal r* y-* •
vaccinated Anyone seeking more j OF I vOlllcl WcltCl PFOICCt
information should call Margo A
Veterinary Clinic at 487-3623. On Thursday OcL 14, the City of officials, including Secretary ot
The schedule of clinics is as Roma hosted a groundbreaking Slate Elton Bomer and Mayor
follows: ceremony to celebrate the initiation Fernando Pena, were in attendance
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20- El of construction of its $38 millic "This project is a shining
Sauz, Benito Perez Store, 6 to 7 Colonias Improvement Project. example of how government can
p.m. The project is designed to expand and should work together in a
THURSDAY, OCT. 21- and
improve the city's water and coordinated and efficient manner to
Garccno, Silver Mine, 6 to 7 p.m. wastewater system. For the first the benefit of the people it serves,"
MONDAY, OCT. 25-Escobares, time households, or almost *a'd Secretary Bomer. "1 thank the
front of Sacred Heart Church, 6 to 7 75 percent of the 21,000 residents Texas Water Development Board,
p.m. in and around Roma, will have the Texas Department of Housing
WEDNESDAY, OCT 27- access to a centralized wastewater and Community Affairs, the U.S.
Fronton, Luis Perez Store, 5:30 to treatment facility. Department of Agriculture, Rural
6 p.m.; Salineno, La Plaza, 6 to -the city's initiative combined Development and the North
6:30 p.m.; Falcon Heights, 83 with federal and state resources will American Development Bank for
Motel and Grocery, 6:30 to 7 p.m. make a positive difference in their contributions to improving
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S. people's lives," said Congressman the lives of so many people in
Margo stresses the importance of CIro Rodriguez. "For too long, Texas
remaining vigilant against the many Roma residents have lived This project, which nas already
rabies problem, especially since without a water and wastewater received honors from the Tex
Starr County's first known rabies system many of us expect Today's Consulting Engineers Council and
ease in over three years was groundbreaking signifies tlu the Texas Section of the Americna
confirmed several weeks ago A beginning of a marked Water Works Association ;.s unique
steer at a feedyard near the Hidalgo improvement in the quality of life ,n thai the above-mentioned
County line headed toward McCook for Roma residents. Finally, people international, federal and state
was confirmed to have been infected will have access to the basics in agencies in collaboration to provide
with rabies. There have been 115 Roma. the necessary funding for this
confirmed cases and one human The celebration began at It) a m project The combined financial
fatality since the outbreak began in at the Roma Community Center package resulted in S24 million in
September 1988. where several federal, state and local WATER. Page 4)
1
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 21, 1999, newspaper, October 21, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195727/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.