The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 22, 1979 Page: 1 of 16
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Pharr Memorial Libr^y
130 E. Caffery __
THIS WEEK
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Answer Line: Choking Jn Cars
Q. I’m against the bridge. There’s no reason to bring
more traffic into the Valley. Why doesn’t the city do
something about the traffic problems that already exist
before they go ahead with their project and create more
problems?
A. Yours is a pertinent question. Abridge would
necessitate more construction and traffic control, but
proponents of the project argue that so would the lack of
one. As one official put it, “We’re going to have traffic
problems no matter what happens. We’re growing and that
increases traffic. What we need is the money to get better
roads, more traffic lights, more police, and the like. The
bridge is the best way to increase our wealth so that we can
control traffic properly.” Answers to your question raise
new questions whieh require serious consideration. Lets
hear from more of you on this matter.
The Press welcomes any questions readers may have for
this ‘Answer Line’ column. Phone the Press at 787-2291 or
write to P.0. Box 710. The newspaper reserves the right to
be selective in which questions would be of general interest,
and the editor vows to do his best to answer them.
Offbeat: Pharr Far Ahead
Pharr received a check for $115,912.72 as its share of the
one percent sales tax rebate to cities for January;
Apparently the State Comptroller’s office accidently gave us
the full five percent of our sales tax, rather than just taking
four percent for itself. In effect, we were overpayed $79,300.
Adjustments willbe made in the following rebate, but for
now we’re on record as having made a 208 percent increase
in our sales tax revenue. That’s about 172 percent over the
state average or the actual figure. But, the illusion of wealth
was nice while it lasted.
What to Do: Eat Out
FRIDAY
The Pharr Memorial Library will present the film “Chulas
Fronteras” Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.
The new story for the library’s Dial-A-Story is “The
Golden Cobwebs.”
J~>7
Thieves, Burglars Strike in San Juan
Thieves hit San Juan over
the weekend.
Saturday morning a Police
Officer investigated a burglary
which occured at the Grove
Trailer Park located on East
Business 83.
Entry was gained through
the door located on the
west-side of trailer home.
Bedroom furniture was taken
along with other items.
The approximate value of
items taken is unknown and the
burglary is still under investi-
gation.
Monday morning the owner of Estimated value is $228.00.
a 1978 Buick Regal reported the Later on Monday, the owner morning the owner noticed the
theft of four hub caps (spoke of a 1968 Ford reported to an vehicle’s battery missing,
wheel covers). According to Officer the theft of his vehicle’s Estimated value is $36.00.
the owner, the vehicle was
parked in the driveway of the
500 block, West 10th Street, on
Sunday.
The next morning the owner
noticed his hub caps missing.
battery.
The vehicle was reported
parked on the Southwest
section of San Juan Village
Apartments, located on East-
Bound Frontage and Express-
way on Sunday and the next
Sales Tax Up 36% Over Last Year
AUSTIN-State Comptroller
Bob Bullock said February 15th
rebates to Texas cities of the
local option one percent sales
tax are up a big 36 percent this
month over the same period
last year.
Bullock said Texas cities will
receive a rebate of some $25.5
million this month, compared to
a net payment of about $13.7
for February last year.
The 1979 year-to-date pay-
ments for city sales tax rebates
have climbed to $43.7 million,
compared to a two-month
figure last year of $32.2 million,
an increase of $11.5 million.
Pharr will receive
$115,912.72 for this reporting
period, compared to a payment
of $21,366.47 during February
of 1978, or a whopping increase
of 208 percent for this year.
Alamo’s check for February
will be $4,120.81, up 20 percent
over last year. San Juan will
get a check for $4,504.01, an
increase of 23 percent over last
year.
Donna is up 49 percent,
Edinburg 19 percent, McAllen
36 percent and Mission 44
percent.
Houston will receive $5.4
million for this reporting
period, compared to a payment
of $2.8 million during February
of 1978, or an increase of about
30 percent.
Fort Worth’s check for
February will be $954,490
compared to $542,741 received
by the city during February
last year.
Dallas will get a check for
$2.4 million, which is 25 percent
more than the amount paid
during the same period in 1978.
The rebate check for San
Antonio will total $1.3 million
or an increase of 35 percent
over the 1978 allocation for
February. T"
Over 909 Texas cities will
receive rebates as their share
of the city sales tax.
The sales tax is collected by
merchants and other sales tax
permit holders along with the,
state sales tax and is rebated
monthly to cities in which it is
collected by .the Comptroller’s
Office. '
DON'T LET THE HEAD ROLL--Jack King, emergency medical
services instructor here in Pharr, checks to make sure this
patient’s head is well strapped to the stretcher. King taught a
28-hour course at the Pharr Police Department over the past two
weeks. King has a weekly column in The Pharr Press. More
information and pictures on page 3B.
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JUHiOR HIGH SCHOOL
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COME AMD GET IT -The Engles are holding another
delicious Shrimp Boil at their lodge at 210 S. Cage from 4 to 8
p.m. Donations for the generous servings are $3.50 per
plate. There will be plates to go. All are invited. Proceeds go
to the Eagles Charity program. Preparing for the boil are,
from left, Ina Sullivan, Balde Cantu, Lupe Closner, Seth
Kornegan, Rose Gerrick and Martin Gerrick.
Valley Baptist Academy is sponsoring a Mexican Supper
on the campus at 3700 East Harison, Harlingen, Texas, on
Friday, February 23, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Plates will be generously served with delicious Mexican
foods, including drink and dessert, and will cost $2.50 for
adults and $1.50 for children under 10 years of age. There
will be a double serving line, and orders to-go will also be
available.
Tickets are available at the school office, phone 423-0632,
from students of the Academy, or at the door.
SATURDAY
Registration for the City of Pharr’s courses in guitar,
cheerleading, macrame, twirling, cake decorating and self
defense from Feb. 26 to April 27 will continue Feb. 24th. All
interested may register at the Pharr Civic Center from 9 to
12. Information is available from Eliud Trevino Jr., phone
787-5981.
UPCOMING
A study of all hawks crossing the Rio Grande River will be
made on Sunday, March 25, from 8-5:30. Volunteers are
needed to man specific sites. If you can tell a hawk, you’ll do.
Mrs. Gladys Donohue, Regional Editor of Hawk Migration
Association of North America, is coordinating the count.
She will conduct a seminar on hawk watching on Sunday,
March 4 at 9 a.m. at Rancho Chiquito. Contact her at Route
6, Box 616D, Mission, Texas 78572 for further details on both
events.
People: Comings and Goings
Arthur Hale is still at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston,
Texas. He is doing as well as can be expected. Friends can
send cards in care of Mrs. Dennis Bell 7502 Corporate Drive
Apartment #95, Houston, Texas 77036.
Sidney Ford suffered a heart attack at home in San Juan.
He was dismissed from the hospital on February 13th, and
continues to recuperate at home under doctors ord'ers and is
confined to the house with limited activity for a period of ten
days.
February 28th was officially proclaimed HALLIE MAULE
DAY in Pharr. Mrs. Maule, an early city pioneer, is
celebrating her 100th birthday this day.
The PSJA Class of 1955 is planning a 25 year Reunion. If
you have not been contacted, please call Ann Veltman
Rogers at McAllen 682-1958 or write her at 6801 North 17th
Street, giving your mailing address and phone number.
Anyone knowing some information on out-of-Valley grads
please help by forwarding above to Mrs. Rogers. All
volunteers will be appreciated.
Congratulations to Royal Millen, who signed with the
University of Houston Wednesday afternoon.
The Pharr Press congratulates Mr. and Mrs. Faustino
Hernandez of San Juan on the birth of a son February 15th
at McAllen General Hospital.
Commission Meeting:
Annexation Hot Issue
„ v ^ ........... ............ .
OPEN HOUSE AT L.B.X JR. HIGH-The new
L.B.J. Junior High School in Pharr will have a
Dedication Ceremony and Open House this
Sunday, February 25 at 500 East Sioux Road.
The ribbon cutting will take place at 3 and the
open house 'will follow until 5. The PSJA Jazz
Band is scheduled to play from 2:45-3:30. The
public is invited. Refreshments will be served.
Pictured above are: James Davis, Assistant
Principal; Olivia Cantu, Secretary; Margie
McCarthy, Assistant Principal; Diana Sandoval,
Counselor; Minnie Schmitz, Visiting Teacher at
L.B.J. and Austin Jr. High Schools.
Colon ias Win Regular Bus Service
by Chris Flores
The Hub City, in its efforts to
progress and to grow, may
often forget about the wants
and needs of its surrounding
communities; in this case, I
refer to ‘las colonias’.
A governmental agency
located within the city of San
Juan is in constant contact with
these colonias and their
prob’^ms. The agency is known
as “Colonias Del Valle Inc.”
One major problem which
has faced many of the citizens
of ‘las colonias’ is transporta-
tion. This problem was thought
to be a hopeless case by
colonias citizens; for the city of
Pharr, no progress was being
made to help obtain transpor-
tation of any sort.
Given this information,
Colonias Del Valle set out on
this mission to obtain transpor-
tational facilities.
Mr. Concepcion Vasquez, a
colonias leader, and Mr. Jose D.
Hernandez, “Colonias Unidas”
representative in the organiza-
tion, were the originators of the
project.
They requested the Colonias
Del Valle Director and Pedro
Flores to see if V.T.C. services
could be provided.
After a series of meetings
between the two groups, it was
concluded that such service
could, and would be provided
for colonias citizens.
According to Mr. Rios,
V.T.C. Company representa-
tive, V.T.C. Schedule bus
service will be available
between Pharr and Hidalgo by
way of South Highway 281 to
include Colonia Hidalgo Park,
Colonia Evans, and Colonia Las
Milpas.
Thnjagh the combined ef-
forts of “Colonias Del Valle
Inc.”, its Director, Amancio .
Chapa Jr., and Local Project
Director Pedro Flores; and Mr.
Rios, V.T.C. representative,
this project was accomplished
in less than six months.
Fare is 65 cents from Pharr
to Hidalgo and in between
points, and the same from
Hidalgo to Pharr.
Scheduled bus stops: Colonia
Evans-La Favorita Store/Gas
Station, Colonia Hidalgo Park-
281 Drive In Store, Colonia Las
Milpas-Mr. Perez’s Store.
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5:15 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Annexation muddied the
waters at the City Commis-
sioners’ meeting Tuesday
night.
A dozen or more citizens
were on hand to protest Pharr’s
proposed annexation of lots 387
through 394 in the Kelly-Pharr
Subdivision west of Fays
Corner along U.S. 281.
The properties in question
extend to within 1320 feet of
Jackson Road.
The Commission had re-
ceived letters from affected
property owners, who include
Benito H. and jFrancisca Garza,
James W. and Cecilia Dyer,
Benito and Angelita Hernan-
dez, W.E. Lucas, Maria de la
Paz Ramirez, Olivia Ramirez,
and William Busch, who was
represented at the meeting by
Newt Dyer.
The letter from William
Busch sums up many of the
feelings of the property owners
involved.
“I can see no benefit at all to
the landowners concerned,” it
states, “as you can offer us
nothing for many years to
come.
“I feel this is only a fight for
power between you and
McAllen and see no purpose for
us, the landowners, to be your
battering ram.”
“If you are really interested
in systematic expansion, why
not annex all the property
south along Highway 281
including Evansville, Milpas
and Hidalgo Parks Estate,
where you could supply water
and sewer and police protection
and accept some of your
responsibility as a growing city,
instead of first reaching out to
grab power so far from town.”
W.E. Lucas opened the
questioning by asking the
Commission to state its position
on annexation.
Mayor Quentin Newcombe
answered by saying “We want
the bridge and wish to protect
development in this area and
along 281. We want develop-
ment that will enhance
development.”
Newt Dyer asked for a show
: of hands from the audience on
: the number of people who
: would rather be in the Hidalgo
: School District, rather than
: PSJA’s. The request was
i denied by the Commission,
saying that was not the issue
under consideration.
James Dyer then added that
the legality of the annexation
could not be questioned, but
that the action would bring no
benefit to the people who would
be affected.
“We would rather be with
Hidalgo,” he said; “it’s closer.”
Newt Dyer reiterated that
the “people who need protec-
tion (Las Milpas, Hidalgo Parks
Estate and Evansville)” should
first be annexed.
Mayor Newcombe replied
that the City of Pharr was
concerned with access to Pharr
from all directions and that a
study for future development
was in progress from the city
all the way south to the Rio
Grande.
Then W.E. Lucas informed
the group that cities used to
extend their city limits without
levying taxes in the annexed
areas.
Mayor Newcombe stated
that “Our purpose is not to add
to the city’s tax rolls, but to
control development.” He
added that the affected
property owners would go on
the tax rolls Jan. 1, 1980 and
would have to pay in October of
1980.
He further said that the
question of whether or not the
property owners would have to
pay taxes was now being
investigated.
“Within three years the city
must provide services such as
water, sewers, police and fire
protection, and brush removal,”
he said. “Not all of these would
have to be provided, but
enough to demonstrate the
seriousness of our intentions
for annexation would be
required.”
Commissioner Keith Con-
quest added that county lands
have special problems because
of lack of planning. “Many of
these problems could be
avoided through the proposed
annexation,” he stated.
James Dyer commented, “If
this is so, then why don’t you
annex the whole strip, not just
the land at the southern end?”
Lucas then said the Commis-
sion should be fair in its
decision.
“I hope like heck you get a
bridge.” he commented. “I’ve
got 287 acres there. But I just,,
say treat us right.”
Commissioner Escobar re-
plied, “We don’t want to hurt
anybody; we want to protect
our sizeable investment in the
bridge.
“We’ve got to prove in
Mexico that we have the land.
They want to know if we’re
sincere about this.” ” ”
“Eventually Jackson Road
may be a truck bypass, so we
have to consider these
problems now.
“If the bridge doesn’t go
through, I would be all for
deannexation,” he said, adding
that services will admittedly be
difficult to provide.
“We’ve got to do the right
thing,” Escobar concluded.
“The only thing that’s making
us go now is proper planning
for the bridge.”
Newt Dyer asked for a
resolution by the Commission-
ers which would plainly state
that if the bridge proposal fell
through, deannexation would
be considered.
“We can’t do that,” Mayor
Newcombe said, and added,
“It’s not a matter of if Pharr can
build a bridge, but when.”
The Commission voted on the
annexation ordinance and it
passed unanimously on the first
reading.
The next reading is schedul-
ed for March 6th.
In other action, the Commis-
sion approved a resolution
authorizing the City Manager
to ask for bids for a new riding
mower. ... ...
me mower would be paid for
with money from the General
Fund and is requested by the
Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment.
The Commission also ap-
proved a resolution for the City
Manager to ask for bids for a
1979 1,000 lb. pressure fire
truck.
Funds for the purchase have
been budgeted in the General.
Revenue Sharing current-
budget. < :
In addition, a proclamation;
was made declaring February:
28th Hallie Maule Day.
Mrs. Maule will celebrate her
100th birthday that day. (More
details are available on page 7B:
of today’s Pharr Press.
mm
Bridge Projects Are Under Wav
The State Department of
Highways and Public Trans-
portation received five bids on
a bridge replacement project in
Hidalgo County. The bridge on
FM 907 (Alamo Road) 1.5 mile
south o SH 107, is to be
removed and replaced by a 40
foot by 70 foot bridge.
On FM 1423 (Val Verde
Road) 1.6 mile south of SH 107,
the existing 60 foot bridge will
be removed and replaced by a
40 foot by 75 foot bridge.
The two existing bridges are
narrow- 22 feet and 24 feet
wide-with wooden piling.
The new bridges will be
safer, according to District
Engineer G. G. Garcia, and they
also are being strengthened to
accomodate the future Valley
County Drainage Plan.
Withers Construction, Inc.
submitted the apparent low bid
of $462,909.28. A tabulation of
other bidders is as follows:
(2) Motheral contractors, Inc.
485,315.08; (3) Dodds &
Wedegartner Construction,
Inc. 487,360.97; (4) A. M. Vogel,
Inc. 583,494.54; and (5) Watkins
Bridge Company 678,570.50.
The State Highway and
Public Transportation Com-
mission will meet soon to
review bids and act on
awarding the contract.
The project is expected to be
completed in about 180 working
days, according to Bob Beattie
of Pharr, the department’s
engineer in charge of the work.
■■ ii 1L
MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE-The Pharr Gar- observance. An error in last week’s Pharr Press
den Club observed Arbor Day at the Civic omitted three names from the ™.em°n*
Center Feb. 7. Pictured here are the friends and They are Mr. J.B. Hancock, Mrs. isa . g
relatives of the people included in the memorial and Mrs. Mary L. McQueen.
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Lowry, Jack. The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 22, 1979, newspaper, February 22, 1979; Pharr, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth867000/m1/1/?q=music: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Pharr Memorial Library.