Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 25, 2003 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
December 15, 2003
90th YEAR No. 51
Rio Grande
HEFLAL D
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
lOAG BOOK BINDERY
127 RAH ROAD
SPRINGPORT. Ml 19201
Youngster donates to children battling cancer
Michelle Lyan Olivarez, a five-year-old student at Roque Guerra Jr. Elementary School, recently decided to
donate her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children who have cancer. Pictured with
Michelle is Joel Trigo, Jr., Roque Guerra Jr. Elementary Principal. Michelle's proud parents are Michael and
Rosie Olivarez.
Youngster donates hair to
children suffering from cancer
On April 28, 1998, a miracle
became a reality for my husband
and I. God blessed us with a
beautiful Imicjpii-which we named
Michelle Lyan Olivarez.
Unfortunately? our little angel
was born with a terrible disease
called tuberculosis. As the years
went by and with all the prayers
from our friends and family, she
was healed. Michelle had a
tremendous recovery. Michelle is
now a beautiful five-year-old girl
and is attending Roque Guerra, Jr.
Elementary
Her teacher at Roque Guerra, Jr.
Elementary is Ms. Dora Olson We
would like to thank Ms. Olson and
Mrs. Garcia for being so wonderful
to our daughter.
Michelle has been letting her hair
grow since she was one year old.
On Dec. 4, 2003 she decided to
donate her hair to the Locks of
Love organization. This
organization makes wigs for
children who have cancer. We
believe this is her way of giving
thanks to the Lord for blessing her
with a tremendous recovery.
We would like to thank Mi Joel
Tugo, Jr. for helping us send
Michelle's braid to Locks of Love.
Also, we would like to thank our
friends, family and teachers who
have helped us with our little angel
Michelle L. Olivarez.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Rosie
Olivarez (Proud Parents)
Rio Grande City, Texas
9 RGCEDC board elects new officers;
f delays action on executive director
At their meeting on Tuesday
evening, Dec. 9, the Board of
Directors of the Rio Grande City
Economic Development
Corporation voted to elect new
officers for the coming year and
also delayed action for the time
being on selecting an executive
director for the EDC.
Early in the meeting, board
member Frank Gutierrez nominated
Leo Lopez, Jr. to serve as the new
EDC President. The motion,
seconded by board member Ruben
D. Saenz, was unanimously
approved.
Lopez commented, "I
congratulate the new board
members. I know 1 have big shoes
to fill. I thank you for your faith in
me. I thank the Board of Aldermen
for their faith in us. I'll do my best
to lead this organization in a
positive direction."
Rafael "Rudy" Montalvo was
nominated to once again serve as
EDC Vice President. The
nomination received unanimous
approval. Montalvo declared,
"Hopefully, we'll be able to share
each other's talents and abilities" in
working for the progress and
economic development of Rio
Grande City.
Gutierrez nominated Lauro L.
Lopez to once again serve as EDC
Secretary, and the nomination
received unanimous approval. Laura
Lopez emphasized, "We've made
good progress, but we have a long
way to go. 1 think we can make
Rio Grande City the best city in the
Valley."
The nomination of Ruben D.
Saenz to serve another year as EDC
treasurer gained unani
approval. Saenz stressed. "I look
forward to working with our new
members. I know we can move
forward."
When the issue of selecting an
EDC Executive Director came up
late in the meeting. RGC City
Administrator Leonardo Olivares
indicated, "We are in the process of
hiring an executive director. We
have one applicant; we're trying to
sec if we can secure some additional
applicants before the board makes a
decision."
RGC Mayor Pro Tem Manuel
Canales, an ex-oficio member of
the EDC, questioned. "What was
the reason for not taking action at
this time'.' Was it advertised
before?" Olivares responded, "It was
advertised before." Canales asked,
"Why wasn't action taken when it
was advertised before?"
"The board could take action, but
prefers to wait to see if there's a
chance lor additional applicants,"
answered Olivares. "We think that
would be fair. We do intend to
move quickly. We think this would
be the best way to have the most
qualified applicant. We're trying to
do this according to the law on job
notices."
Olivares told Canales "there's no
gua.antee" that there will be
additional applicants for the
position.
The board discussed drainage and
brush issues in some detail.
Olivares indicated, "Several months
back, EDC approved funding for
drainage and brush cleanup. It's a
never ending battle, so I would
request funding from EDC for more
activities of this nature "
The administrator added, "We can
only maintain public roads, so
(See ELECTS, Page 67
Rio Grande City Postmaster
Gustavo Escobar, Jr. wishes to
announce to all postal customers
the holiday hours for the Rio
Grande City Post Office.
The hours for Christmas Eve will
be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The
Post Office will close the lobby for
purchasing stamps and sending
packages at 12 noon. Mail will be
delivered as a normal workday.
The side door inside the Post
Office will be available to pick up
parcels or certified mail till 6 p.m.
on Christmas Eve.
. be
osed CTrismias Day, Dec. 25 to
allow for postal employees to spend
Christmas with their families.
The Post Office will reopen for
service on December 26.
The hours for New Year's will
also be the same. New Year's Eve
lobby hours are from 8 a.m. to 12
noon. The side door in u ; the Post
Office will be available lor parcel
and certified mail pick up until 6
p.m. on New Year's Eve. The Post
Office will be closed New Year's
Day and reopen on Jan. 2, 2004.
Escobar emphasized, "On behalf
of all the employees from the Rio
Grande City Post Office, we would
^ like to wish you and your family a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year."
Lara selected new
Rattler football coach
Bv KENNETH ROBERTS
At their special meeting on
Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, the
Rio Grande City CISD board of
trustees unanimously voted to
select Gregorio Lara as the new Rio
Grande City High School varsity
head football coach.
Lara told The Rio Grande Herald
Thursday afternoon, "I believe I can
make a positive impact on the
football program. I'm definitely
focused on stirring new interest in
the football program...1 want to stir
new pride in being a Rattler."
"I'm going to do my very best to
restore the winning tradition to Rio
Grande City," added the new coach.
"The kids and community are
hungry for this. I know it will take
a lot of hard work I intend to get
the job done."
RGCCISD Athletic Director
Ricardo Lopez indicated Thursday,
"The recommendation was made by
the superintendent, and the board
unanimously approved the
recommendation."
Lopez noted that Lara "has 32
years experience; he has 27 years
experience in the RGCCISD. He's
been the RGCCISD middle school
coordinator for six years."
Lara indicated, "I have coached
both offense and defense. I was a
varsity assistant from 1990 to
1994."
Board President Basilio D.
Villarrea', Jr. Stated Friday
morning, "This gentleman (Lara)
has been with the RGCCISD for
many, many years. He's coached in
both the Grulla and Rio Grande
City areas. His players have called
him an exceptionally good
motivator and a great leader.
Hopefully, this will translate into
success at the varsity football
level."
"He's very low-key; hevery
student-oriented," stressed Lopez.
"He's had success at the middle
school level. The kids have already
responded to his hiring very well."
The Athletic Director predicted, "1
believe the community will support
him very well. I think he'll stir
new excitement for the program."
"He's in the process of evaluating
the current coaching staff," noted
Lopez. "He's already met with the
returning varsity and junior varsity
players. He's spoken in generalities
about his hopes for next year."
Lara stressed, "We need to
evaluate the program, get the right
people in the right positions, and
get coaches who will do the best
possible job."
Lopez declared, "I believe he's a
good teacher; he's a good mentor
for the other coaches He has
excellent leadership skills."
"He (Lara) has the ability to
really motivate and inspire these
kids," commented Villarreal. "He
knows most ol the kids, and most
of the kids know him He will go
into the varsity position one step
ahead of the game. He knows their
abilities, and I believe that will pay
great dividends."
The board president emphasized,
"I'm told he has an exceptional
mind for football. I believe he will
bring a new perspective and
hopefully ignite new interest
among the students and the
community."
Villarreal concluded, "I believe
that under Coach Lara our football
programs will move forward.
(See FOOTBALL, Page 6)
Guillen lauds Saddam capture;
urges support for troops in Iraq
AUSTIN - State Representative
Ryan Guillen said today that he
was very happy to hear about the
capture of Iraqi leader Saddam
Hussein by U.S. forces.
"I am very proud of the way our
troops have performed in Iraq and
over their success in tracking down
a tyrant by Hussein who has
committed countless crimes against
his own people and someone who
poses such a threat to mans free
nations across the globe," Rep.
Guillen said.
"Many of our sons and
daughters, brothers and sisters and
husbands and wives are serving in
Iraq today. This is dangerous duty
which we all hope will lead to a
better and more peaceful world, a
better life for residents of Iraq, and
a safer America as well." Rep.
Guillen commented.
Rep. Guillen also announced he
is working with local leaders to
rename a South Texas Highway as
Gen. Ricardo Sanchez Highway in
honor of the South Texas native
who is now the top U.S.
Commander in Iraq. Sanchez was
in the news conference from Iraq
and helped plan the mission which
caught the Iraqi leader.
"Gen. Sanchez is an example of
the many leaders from South Texas
that have gone on to serve their
county, their state and their nation.
We need to show our strong respect
for his accomplishments and hold
him up as an example to: our
young people," Guillen said The
representative added that he will be
presenting a bill in the legislature
for the name change when the next
session meets.
"Only time will tell if our hopes
and prayers come true, but in the
meantime I strongly urge all
citizens to support our men and
women in uniform, wherever they
are serving, and to keep them in
your prayers," Rep. Guillen asked.
"Regardless of how people feel
about the reasons presented and
decisions made by the
administration at the start of the
war, I believe that we must, as a
nation, support our troops and the
actions that will bring them home
safely and w ith honor. We owe that
to them for the sacrifices they
voluntarily make for us each day,"
Guillen explained.
"I also want to take this
opportunity to wish a Merry
Christmas to all the residents of
Duval, Starr, Webb and Zapata
counties. This is the time when we
must draw close to our families and
we should all remember our fortune
that we live in a nation with
freedoms and opportunities that are
the envy of the rest of the world.
Life is not perfect, and sometimes
it is hard to get by. But today we
have more opportunity than we
have had in the past, and I will
work in the legislature to make sure
those opportunities and needed
services are expanded for all
Americans," Guillen pledged.
RGC Post Office
announces holiday hours
RGC High students experience Career Day
The Rio Grande City High School Career & Technology and Counseling staff organized Career Fair 200 "' on
Dec. I, 2003. Students were exposed to business representatives from the community and technology
programs from the high school. They received an inside look at each program in order to provide them w ith
information and generate interest for next year Pictured left to right is the Counseling stall for 2003-2004
(Seated) Azalea Villarreal and Jessica Rios; (Standing) Gloria Smith. Jose Hcrrera Nora Escobedo. 1 isa
Gorcna, Nucha Vasquez. Barbara O/.una, Elsa Garcia and Roxannc Garza <RGCCISD photo)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 25, 2003, newspaper, December 25, 2003; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196248/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.