Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 12, 2001 Page: 6 of 6
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, April 12, 2001, Page 6
Water
Continued from Page 1
firm commitments for $1.2 million
for funding as per the TNRCC
agreed order," stated Madera. "For
water alone, the needs are projected
at $59.5 million (to a large extent
under the water treatment plant
extensive distribution plan)."
Citizen Horace Cardenas asked,
"What happens if money allocated
is not spent or utilized?" Madera
responded, "Normally we will
require that they pay that (loans)
back. There is monitoring of
expenses. Our agency will monitor
financial, environmental, and
engineering aspects."
About the Las Lomas Project,
Madera stated, "This change order
allows upgrading at the wastewater
plant to gain additional capacity in
Las Lomas, allowing you to add
additional connections."
Father Amador Garza asked, "Are
there federal and state requirements
for hiring an engineer? If we didn't
get it right, will we not get funds?"
Madera replied, "There are
requirements for procurement,
especially concerning federal funds.
There are also state requirements."
Dalinda Escobar questioned,
"What are the deadlines for this
year?" Madera declared, "The city
met the first deadline of Feb. 5.
There probably won't be another
deadline until the intended use
program is adopted and Rio Grande
City is ranked in order of priority.
That is expected to happen in
September at a meeting of our
board. We encourage committees to
start getting their paperwork done."
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares said, "Civic infrastructure
or knowledge of how to run a city
is lacking. We do have a (public
access) channel available. We are
about to finalize an interlocal
agreement with the Rio Grande
City CISD (concerning use of the
channel)."
Father Garza insisted, "1 think we
should remain focused on the water
and wastewater issue. I don't know
where we're going on this."
Garza asked Olivares, "Did we
follow procurement guidelines in
hiring of an engineer? I ask this of
our city attorney." Madera stated,
"Fees up to the time of application
would not be eligible. We would
ask the city to reprocurc following
those guidelines."
City attorney Rene P. Montalvo
indicated, "We are looking into this
particular issue. This began on
March 5. The mayor requested that
this be looked at. 1 believe there
will be an answer pretty soon."
"We are looking into this,"
explained Olivares. "A lot of
serious legal issues have been
raised. I expect an opinion pretty
soon. We will brief the board in
executive session and go from
there. We want to be sure
everything was done right. We want
to follow all applicable laws."
Fernandez stressed, "The needs are
obviously great in Rio Grande
City. Our job is to finance and help
you build these projects. Let us
help you; don't go off on a tangent
We coordinate with all federal and
state agencies. If we don't know the
answers, we will put you in contact
with knowledgeable parties."
Fernandez added, "If the city's
going to embark on $90 million
worth of projects, you're going to
need all help possible. We're here
to provide that help. A lot of
paperwork and procedures are
required."
Joel Guerrero cited several
scenarios regarding subdivisions,
questioning whether any deviation
from the model rules would mean a
cutoff in state and/or federal
funding.
Madera responded that funding
from the Economically Distressed
Areas Program would certainly be
lost. He added that funding from
other programs would possibly be
jeopardized, noting that "several
programs have model rules
regulations."
One member of the audience
shouted thai Guerrero was out of
order in talking about subdivisions.
Fernandez said, "I can't say whether
these instances (mentioned by
Guerrero) are violations." Dario
Garza argued, "I think Mr. Guerrero
is trying to find something to derail
these projects."
Victor Gonzalez responded,
"Nobody in the Good Government
League is trying to derail anything.
There are concerns about
procurement. We're concerned about
the possibility that procurement
problems could affect our chances
for funding for infrastructure."
Escobar asked about effects on
water districts in the county.
Madera responded, "The state
legislature in recent years authorized
the development of regional water
plans. From this, a statewide water
plan is likely to be developed.
Industrial, livestock and agricultural
needs will be considered. There's
nothing that requires consolidation
into a regional plan."
Father Garza questioned, "Isn't
the city supposed to set up a
committee to review engineering
applications?" Madera indicated,
"There is something to that effect
in the guidelines. A committee is
supposed to rank and score the
applications and then have an
interview process."
Jerry Lozano, who served as
Interim City Administrator from
early December 1999 through April
2000, declared, "I followed the
guidelines as determined by our city
attorney at the time. 1 also had
consultation with the City
Secretary. 1 had nothing to do with
ranking."
Garza asked, "There was no
prioritization then? Does this mean
we would not be eligible for federal
or state funding?"
Madera replied, "It doesn't mean
you won't be eligible for funding.
It just means the city will need to
go out and reprocure."
After die state water officials
departed, there was brief discussion
of other issues, especially the issue
of televising meetings. Father
Garza sharply questioned the yearly
fee of $12,000 proposed by the city
to charge the county for airing
Commissioners Court meetings.
Olivares responded, "The county
proposal is based on cost recovery.
This is a negotiating position. I'm
for the county airing its meetings.
There's a proposal for the school
district to set aside some money for
promoting the channel. The same is
true for the city."
Olivares contended that some
legal issues concerning public
access need to be considered. Mayor
Baldemar Garza commented, "For
videotape, there can be no editing
for public access. We need to check
the regulations on public access."
Customs
Continued from Page I
Inspector referred a 1985 Chevy
Chevette for a secondary
examination. The driver appeared
nervous and had no identification
documents. During secondary
examination, a density-measuring
device detected discrepancies in the
tire area. Customs Canine "Laika"
also alerted to the tires. A scan by
the X-ray imaging system
confirmed the discrepancies.
Upon further examination, U.S.
Customs Inspectors discovered 49
pounds of marijuana hidden in
compartments in the tires. The
marijuana has an estimated street
value of $49,000. U.S. Customs
Inspectors arrested the driver, Erika
Isela Viesca de Contreras, 24, a
Mexican citizen residing in Roma,
and turned her over to U.S.
Customs Special Agents, who
obtained federal prosecution on
charges of possession with intent to
distribute a controlled substance. A
passenger in the vehicle was
released. Viesca de Contreras made
her initial appearance before a
federal magistrate in McAllen last
week.
U.S. Customs Inspectors made
four other marijuana seizures
totaling just over 300 pounds in the
past month. In addition, U.S.
Customs Inspectors arrested three
fugitives and recovered a stolen
vehicle and a stolen backhoe.
U.S. Customs Port Director Cris
Cantu praised his inspectors for
their enforcement successes. "The
Inspectors caught quite a few dope
smugglers this past month using an
effective combination of experience
and non-intrusive inspection
technology," Cantu said.
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Congressmen Hinojosa and
Rodriguez and Senators Gramm and
Hutchison and their border issue
staffers. We will be meeting with
US DA Rural Development and
possibly with EDA."
Sheriff Reymundo Guerra
indicated that March revenues for
the Detention Center were
$184,224, with $179,040 coming
from the U.S. Marshal's Office. He
noted, "Today there are 193 paying
prisoners and 81 non-paying
prisoners. This is nine over
capacity."
"We're doing well in spite of the
fact that Falfurrias opened a 500-bed
facility last month," added the
sheriff. "The contract requires us to
make 180 beds available. They're
not required to use the beds. I'll
keep you advised."
Gucrra concluded, "We're right on
track for operating expenses. I'll
have a full report on revenues and
expenses on Monday."
Library Director Norma Fultz
stated, "We had 1705 patrons
visiting our four sites. We had
1085 items circulating. Each of our
branches are now connected to the
Internet. We'll be getting six
computers in July."
Foundation
Continued from Page 1
Precinct Two Commissioner
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr., declared,
"We're building a 40 by 100 foot
building that will house the library
at the County Park. It will also
house the Tax Assessor's (satellite)
office and a Justice of the Peace
office. This involves roughly 2560
square feet."
Starr County Gas System
Manager Ruben D. Saenz noted that
the price per MCF was $10.11 in
January-February but declined to
$6.53 in February-March. He
stressed, "The rate went down
nationwide."
Saenz continued, "I've contacted
Falfurrias, Roma and other entities.
We can adjust on such things as
meter deposits and reconnection
fees. We can't adjust rates bccause
it's variable." Judge Vera suggested,
"It might be wise to distinguish
between industrial and commercial."
The commissioners approved a
request by Precinct One
Commissioner Jaime Alvarez to
amend the budget of Fire
Department Number One in La
Rosita. Alvarez explained, "I need
to protect fire trucks from the sun.
I'm obtaining materials for a,roof.
The sun really causes the trucks to
take a beating. Regulations call for
trucks to be under a roof, so we've
been in violation of Texas Forestry
Service regulations. They don't
have to be in an enclosed
environment, just under a roof."
Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen
A. Pena reported, "We got (the
year) 1980 inputted into the
system." The 20-year statute of
limitations was noted by two that
were present. Vera said, "Some
years were not on the rolls as put
together by the previous attorney.
Some say they're getting billed for
the first time."
Pena indicated that the grand total
collected for March was
$383,346.87. The county's share
for the current year (2000),
including County and FM/FC
entities only, was $162,230.71.
The county's share for delinquent
years, including only County and
FM/FC, was $99,957.76.
The commissioners were
informed that International Rridge
revenues for March were
$236,204.50, an increase of
$6581.50 from March 2000. Vera
commented, "It's a good increase.
|The bridge is right on target."
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME
By JIM HAILEY
The Monte Mucho Audubon
Society held its second field trip on
April 7. The group assembled at die
town square in San Ygnacio where
we found a large flock (over a
hundred all together) of Cedar
Waxwings.
These small birds are very
gregarious by nature and form large
flocks which feed on berries. I am
sure that a large crop of mulberries
must be located nearby. A very
striking bird, the Cedar Waxwing is
covered in warm brown tones across
most of its body. They are
distinguished by a small crest,
black eye band and yellow
underbelly. At close range one can
see a small yellow tip on their tail
and sometimes a small red spot or
folded wings. Look for these birds
atop berry bearing trees of various
types throughout our area. They
breed along the northern tier of
states and diroughout Canada.
In addition, several Couch's
Kingbirds could be seen and heard
from our vantage at the square. As a
side note, the citizens of San
Canceled
Continued from Page 1
March 29 agenda. Garza indicated
that the item had been placed on the
agenda for the scheduled meeting
that evening (April 5).
The agenda stated that these grant
applications were proposed to be
submitted to the Border
Environmental Cooperation
Commission (BECC), North
American Development. Bank
(N.A.D. Bank), Rural
Development, and the Texas Water
Development Board.
City attorney Rene P. Montalvo
declared, "Last week, I don't think
the item (eliminating mayoral
powers on agendas) referred to
special meetings." Guerrero said,
"As I understand, the motion voted
on did not refer to special
meetings."
The mayor and two aldermen
present reached a consensus to
reschedule die regular April meeting
for Tuesday, April 17 at 6 p.m.
Convention
Continued from Page 3
Perez. I issa Peterson, Lydia Saenz.
Maria Ofelia Saenz, Abbie Vela,
Lucinda Vi I larreal, and Ofilia
Villarreal. they were thrilled to see
Mandy Pena, past district president.
Other members helped in many
ways, collecting door prizes and
gills for the convention bags,
making decorations, and helping
with the pre-eonvention plans.
The clubs are very graieful to
the many individuals and businesses
that donated gills for door prizes
and for the convention bags. They
were a big hit and helped make the
event very special to all those
attc^dine.
Ygnacio should be commcndcd for
the outstanding job they have done
in landscaping and maintaining
their square. Good job, San
Ygnacio.
From the square we were taken
by Joel Ruiz to his bird sanctuary
in progress found at the end of
Washington Street. Joel is doing an
outstanding job in preserving this
part of the Rio Grande flood plain
for birds and wildlife. II your visit
there, please pay the donation
requested for entry to the sanctuary
to help Joel defray the cost of bird
feed and improvements to this
pristine habitat.
Here we were in search of the
elusive White-collared Seedeater.
Erasmo "Rowdy" Montemayor
from Hebbronville was determined
to add this bird to his life list and
he succeeded. About 10 a.m. we
were treated to a nice White-collaret
Seedeater atop the Carrizo along the
river. He was singing, thus his
laying claim to his territory. This
small bird is a highly sought after
species found only along the Rio
Grande River in the United States.
They are abundant in Mexico and
throughout Central America.
However, our area is one of the few
places they are found in the United
States and birders from all over
come to see this endemic species.
Small is the watchword for this
bird; in all they are a scant 4 1/4
inches long. They are usually found
foraging in river cane and only
infrequently are in full view.
Sporting a black cap and a partial
buffy collar, they are gray-brown
below. Two conspicuous wing bars
stand out on the daik wings and a
small breast band can be found on
the male. They have a small conical
beak, indicative of their seed eating
habit. Fortunately, our bird gave all
a good look.
Besides the usual Red-winged
Blackbirds, Mockingbirds, Great-
tailed Grackles and a large group of
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks,
other species were liard to come by.
Migrant species were in especially
short supply for the season. High
winds of late have assisted many
migrants in overflying our area.
Good for the birds on their way to
their nesting grounds, bad for the
birders who want to sec them. We
Mercedes
Continued from Page 4
ecologically and socially
sustainable. Environmental Quality
Control Points include forage
management, soil fertility, pesticide
use and dead animal disposal.
"Participating in the Texas Beef
Quality Producer program is one
way to show our customers,
whether they are calf buyers or
consumers, that Texas cattle
producers lake every step possible
to raise beef for them responsibly,"
says Dudley, a purebred Hereford
brecdci.' Furthermore, Beet Quality
Assurance isn't just a fccl-good
thing anymore; the market is
did, however, get a glimpse at two
other unusual species — Yellow-
breasted Chat and Hooded Oriole
Both of these birds are pleasing
to look at. The Yellow-breasted
Chat lives up to its name — bright
yellow throat and breast, white
undertail coverts, gray head and
back and bold white spectacles
make this bird easy for even a
novice birder to identify. Our bird
was perched on top of cane and
singing its melodious song. This is
a spring migrant on its way to its
northern breeding grounds.
Lastly, but not least, was the
exquisite male Hooded Oriole. A
bright orange hood and under body
is set off by the black throat, mask
and wings making for a striking
contrast. This bird is distinguished
from the similarly marked Altamira
Oriole found also along the Rio
Grande by the white patch on its
wing instead of the orange patch
found on the Altamira. The Hooded
Oriole is one of my favorite birds
and I always look forward to seeing
them and hear them sing in the
spring.
Well, if you missed this trip,
please plan to join us for our next
outing on May 5. We will be
looking for warblers and other
migrants on the private ranch
owned by Mr. Willie Cavasos (El
Rancho Lobo) just outside of
Laredo. Don't forget the next
regular meeting of the Monte
Mucho Audubon Society in
Hebbronville on Wednesday, April
18 at the First National Bank in
Hebbronville. Meeting time is 7
p.m. and Dr. Tim Brush will
present the program on Audubon's
Orioles. For additional information,
contact me at Box 177, Realitos,
78376 or 361/527-3833 or email
irasciblej@GrandeRiver.net. Keep
your eyes open for the beautiful
birds now passing through our area.
53
eck Out
ese Web Sites:
Here are a few web sites you
may want to watch:
The Abilizer Employee Portal
at www.Abilizer.com.
RealHome University at
www.realhome.com.
Onyx Software may be found
at www onyx.com.
A new online radio show
called Netting Dollars is found
at www.NettinKDoll.irs.com.
Tweety's High Flying Adven-
ture-themed books are at
www.looneytunespresent8.com.
WinProxy is at www.win
proxy.com.
Interim Health Care is at
www.interimhealthcare.com.
Information on the Maran-
Graphic Visual series of books is
at www.idgbooks.com.
Julann Griffin at www.Boxer
ja m.com.
VersaTray at www.versatray.
com.
Kentucky Fried Chicken at
www.kfc.com.
Operation Playground is at
www.target.com.
To read an excerpt from Hals
in tin drain, a hook that looks
at price fixing scandals visit
www4wHv "■">
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 12, 2001, newspaper, April 12, 2001; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195841/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.