Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 2004 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
Rio Grande
January 15, 2004
91st YEAR No. 3
#215
HOAG BOOK BINDERY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPRINGPORI, Ml 49204
/ONI 6
HERALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
GMS helps with Feast of Sharing
Grulla Middle School employees are pictured above lending a helping hand during the Rio Grande City Feast
of Sharing held on Dec. 5, 2003. Local organizations such as the Rio Grande City Rotary Club and Rio
Grande City Jaycees organized this event that H-E-B sponsored. Many members of the community volunteered
their time in helping make this event a success! Pictured are Grulla Middle School Principal A1 Solis and his
staff. (RGCCISD photo).
New courthouse elevator
project moving forward
Bv KENNETH ROBERTS
The ongoing project of
constructing a new elevator in the
Starr County Courthouse is almost
halfway to completion, with the
new elevator expected to be far
superior to its predecessor in the
areas of safety and convenience.
County Judge Eloy Vera
emphasized to The Rio Grande
Herald on Monday, "I believe the
final product will be very pleasing
to th3 eye 1 believe the taxpayers
and lsers *.)f the courthouse will be
pleased with the finished product."
"We had the realization even a
year or two ago that the
performance of the previous
elevator was considerably below
par," commented the judge. "It had
become a maintenance nightmare."
E e d e r a 1 / S t a t e Programs
Coordinator Elisa Beas declared on
tjesday, "I feel it's an essential and
helpful project that is long
overdue...Safety was a very big
concern."
Vera noted that construction of
the new elevator "began in early
December and should be complete
in late February."
Vera explained, "The decision to
go with a new interior elevator was
probably arrived at about six
months ago...I thought the
potential for a major problem (with
the old elevator) was getting to be
too great. We were cited for not
having a phone, not having bells,
and the opening of the door was too
small according to ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act)
standards."
"The reason 1 decided to present
this idea to the Commissioners
Court is because 1 was concerned
about the growing hazard we iiuci,
he stressed. "It was taking too long
to complete its journeys It stopped
several times between floors, and
the passengers were pretty agitated.
In those cases, the doors were
forcibly opened."
Vera declared, "Our first approach
was to try to repair what we had.
That alone would have cost
$100,000 and would not have met
ADA requirements. We scrapped
that idea and decided to go with an
entirely new elevator."
"We explored the possibility of
an elevator on the north side of the
courthouse," added the judge. "That
would have required a tremendous
amount of remodeling. The decision
to go with a new interior elevator
was probably arrived at about six
months ago."
Vera commented, "We regret the
inconvenience to the public, but the
safety and welfare of the people
using the elevator is of primary
concern. Ultimately, convenience
for everyone will be greatly
increased."
(See ELEVATOR, Page 61
RGCCISD to observe School
Board Recognition Month
RGCCISD News Release
Governor Rick Perry has pro-
claimed January as School Board
Recognition Month and Rio Grande
City CISD is joining other districts
across the slate to gratefully acknowl-
edge their commitment to our com-
munities and schools.
"Texans benefit every day from the
dedicated energies and countless
hours devoted by a group of more
than 7,(K)() men and woman across
the state. These public servants are
Salmon seeking re-election
as Precinct Four Constable
H o m e r o J. Salmon has
announced his candidacy for re-
election to the position of Precinct
Four Constable in the upcoming
Democratic Party Primary Elections
on March 9, 2004.
Salmon stated, "My goal has
always remained constant I have
always dedicated myself 'to protect
and to serve.' I dedicated 21 years of
my life to military active duty
service plus nine years as a retired
military reservist for a total of 30
years of obligatory military service.
After military retirement, 1 was
assigned as the Starr County
Veterans Service Officer for seven
years."
Salmon indicated, "I later attended
and graduated from the Lower Rio
Grande Valley Police Academy. I
successfully passed the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement
Officer Standards and Education
(TCLEOSE) examination. I am a
certified lawman and presently hold
an advanced peace officer's
certificate. In accordance with the
Homero J. Salmon
TCLEOSE Certification
requirements chart, my peace
officers proficiency records has
listed me as having acquired 1702
TCLEOSE training credit hours."
"1 am a Korean conflict era
(See SALMON, Page 6)
County receives report
on pending projects
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
on Monday morning, Jan. 12, the
County Commissioners received an
update concerning several job-
creating projects for which the
construction phase is scheduled to
begin before the end of January
Starr County Industrial
Foundation Executive Director
Rose Benavidez told the
commissioners, "H-E-B Superstore
(in Rio Grande City) will start
construction in aboui a week. They
definitely will go with a 94,000
square foot facility. Jobs will
increase from the current 125 to
200."
"Ringgold Shopping Center is
already under construction," she
added. "It's a $2.9 million project
and 55 to 75 jobs will be created."
This development will be located
near the Best Western Hotel and the
planned Holiday Inn Express Hotel.
Benavidez indicated, "Holiday Inn
Express will start construction
before the end of the month The
project's value is $3.1 million, and
20 to 25 new jobs will be created."
Benavidez noted, "KFC
(Kentucky Fried Chicken)/Long
John Silver should get underway
later this month. Fifteen to 20 jobs
should be created. This project is
valued at $1.1 to $1.2 million."
She emphasized, "All these
projects should be up and running
sometime in October (2004).
Basically, the existing Starr Plaza
will be knocked down to be replaced
by the new plaza. The existing
plaza should be up until late
summer, giving ihe businesses
time to move into (heir new
quarters."
Concerning another issue,
Federal/St :ite Programs Coordinator
Elisa Beas introduced Oscar
Ramirez, All Hazards Planner with
the South Texas Development
Council, who spoke to the court on
(he status of $167,000 in funding
for Starr County entities to help
prevent or deal with emergency
problems caused by terrorism. The
commissioners expressed concern
and even irritation that the funding
has not been forthcoming and
seems unlikely to be provided in
the near future.
Ramirez, declared, "We've
submitted a list of equipment with
TEEX (Texas Engineering
Extension Service). The major
holdup is with TEEX and the delay
is administrative. Basically, they
received an overload of information
and requests. Now they're seeking
requests of highest priority. I'll find
out if there's a delay in
communication between Starr
County and TEEX."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr. complained,
"We were told we needed to provide
justification for our priority list.
When was this grant approved?"
Beas stated, "The grant was
approved in July (2003); a contract
was approved in late October."
Ramirez declared, "The purpose of
the gran' is to provide emergency
equipment." Precinct One
Commissioner Jaime Alvarez
insisted, "I have a hunch a lot of
the money will be depleted on
salaries." Ramirez responded, "The
money is specifically designated for
Starr County."
Pena questioned with clear
irritation, "What if an emergency-
happens while we're waiting for
needed equipment? I could have
bought the equipment myself."
Beas declared, "I asked Oscar to
come here and explain the situation
because we and other counties are
feeling the same frustrations At
some point, we'll need to visit in
person."
(See PROJECTS, Page 6)
CACST to receive $5.5
million Head Start grant
elected to serve by local citizens and
receive no compensation for iheir
tireless efforts. These men and
women are the local school board
members of Texas," said Roel A.
Gonzalez (RGCCISD Superinten
dent).
"These people unselfishly contrib-
ute their time and talents toward the
advancement of public education,"
said Gonzalez. "They represent a
continuing commitment to local citi-
zen control and decision making in
education. Even though we are mak-
ing a special effort during January to
show appreciation to our school
board members, we recognize their
contributions reflect a year-round
commitment on their part," Gonzalez
said.
"We proudly salute these education
advocates as they provide leadership
for student achievement, academic-
programs, dislrict funding, and
school facilities. Their service en-
sures that decisions about local pub-
lic schools are made by those most
familiar with the needs of the
community's children and families,"
said Gonzalez. "These individuals
deserve recognition and thanks for
their dedication to the continuing suc-
cess of our students and schools," he
said
The men and woman serving Rio
Grande City CISD are; Basilio D.
Villarreal. Jr. (President)- 8 yrs of
service, Francisco G. /.irate (Vice
President)-24 years of service; Jose
Luis Garza (Secretary)- 8 years of
service; Roberto "Bobby" Gutierrez
(Member)- 31/? years of service;
Silvina S. Hinojosa (Member)- 4
years ol service; Cesar Gonzalez
(Member)- I year of service and
Ruben Klein (Member)- I 1/2 years
of service
WASHINGTON - The
Community Action Council of
South Texas, based in Rio Grande
City, has been awarded a Flead
Start grant of $5,456,480, U.S. Sen.
John Cornyn announced Thursday,
Jan. 8.
"The Head Start program is a
key part of leaving no child
behind," Cornyn said. "This
funding will help ensure that the
children of the area are well
prepared when they enter
elementary school, a critical step
towards future educational
achievement."
The discretionary grant,
awarded through the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services, will help cover the cost of
living and quality of life expenses,
enabling this organization to
continue providing important
education services to the children it
serves in the area.
"This funding gives the
organization the support it needs to
help children grow and develop so
they can achieve full educational
success," Sen. Cornyn said. "I
believe it's important that Head
Start programs apply accountability
standards to ensure these resources
are used wisely to prepare children
for school, and that the funds are
atilized where they are needed
most."
Head Start is a comprehensive
child development program for
preschool children, pregnant
women and their families It is
designed to increase school
readiness for young children in
low-income families.
The Head Start grant comes as
the nation marks the two-year
anniversary of President Bush
signing the No Child Left Behind
Act. Cornyn said the important
legislation set high federal
standards for public education to
(See HEAD START. Page 6)
RGC meeting canceled
due to lack of quorum
The regular monthly meeting of
the Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen scheduled for Thursday
night. Jan. 8 was canceled because a
quorum was lacking.
When the roll was called. Mayor
Baldemar Garza and Alderman
Hernan R Garza III were present
and Aldermen Manuel Canales.
Ruben D Saenz, Frank Gutierrez
and Ruben O. Villarreal were
absent
Mayor Garza slated, "1 got a
message at 2 or 3 (p.m.) today from
Mr. Canales that he would not be
here. Later on. Mr. Gutierrez and
Mr. Saenz indicated they couldn't
make it. I talked with Mr Villarreal
and told him three aldermen would
likely be absent. He indicated that if
a meeting would not be held, he had
another meeting to attend."
Oscar E. Ramirez, All Hazards
Planner for the South Texas
Development Council, briefly
addressed the officials that weie
present. He declared, "I've been
(See QUORUM, Page 6)
P
RGC tennis team wins district co-championship
The Rio Grande City High School boys tennis team recently won a District 3I-5A co-championship The
2003-2004 hoys tennis team members are Jose Solis, Cesar Riojas. Juan Garcia Jorge Pena. Jason De I a
Cruz and Esequiel Sosa. Their coaches are Abel Laurel (Head Tennis Coach) and Juan Gonzalez (Assistant
Tennis Coach). (RGCCISD photo)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 2004, newspaper, January 15, 2004; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196251/m1/1/?q=no+child+left+behind: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.