Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1972 Page: 1 of 24
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editorial •••
Side-stepping issues and using anything other than
the truth is left for politicians .... not for talks be-
fore the Rio Grande City Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Lino Gutierrez and Resident Engineer Ruben
Guerra should be put on notice that they must face the
people in Starr with the truth and nothingbut the truth.
Side-stepping and deceitful talks are not something we
expect of the Texas Highway Department.
At a meeting of the Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Guerra attempted
to speak on the new proposed routes to be taken by the
Texas Highway Department when final approval is
gained for the expressway that will come through or
around Rio Grande City.
In attempting to present their talks Mr. Gutierrez
presented a picture which gave the local Chamber the
idea that nothing had been done thusfar into the plan-
ning of the expressway with the exception of the whole
affair being in the discussion stages.
When members of the chamber informed Mr. Gutier-
rez and Mr. Guerra that snch a plan did actually exist
on paper and that a route had been discussed before
the commissioner's court Mr. Gutierrez then informed
the chamber that he was not actually up to date with the
project. Mr. Guerra said that the expressway was
still in discussion when lie was corrected by a member
of the chamber.
From this point the two started side-stepping ques-
tions from the various chamber members.
The truth of the matter is that such a map does ex-
ist as witnessed in this issue of the Herald. Along with
the map we have printed a picture showing Highway
Engineer Raymond Stotzer, Commissioner E.A. Duran
and County Judge Mario E. Ramirez discussing the
map. We have copies of the map available in case the
Resident Engineer does not have a copy.
The truth of the matter is that in the regular meet-
ing of the Starr County Commissioners Court, the full
court passed on a motion by Commissioner Reynaldo
Alaniz a motion which Highway Department Engineer
Raymond Stotzer, (Mr. Guerra'sboss), requested. The
minutes of that August meeting read; "Commissioner
Reynaldo Alaniz moved that the County accept the pro-
posed plan as prepared and presented to the Starr
County Commissioners by the Texas Highway Depart-
ment at this meeting for a four lane expressway, which
highway would go through the outskirts of the township
of Rio Grande City to the north; subject to public de-
sire. The motion passed."
A meeting at which Mr. Guerra was present and
took an active part in the presentation of the map and
plans. A map and plans which you denied the Rio
Grande City Chamber of Commerce and plans which
you denied were even on paper. Better check your re-
cords or drop by our paper and I will give you a copy
of the tape recording of the meeting, Mr. Guerra.
The chamber then heard more side-stepping by the
two highway men when asked about the proposed change
in the re-routing of the El Sauz Road to pass by the
proposed new hospital.
Mr. Guerra said that he was not aware of such a
plan and Mr. Gutierrez denied knowing anything about
the proposed re-routing but did know that El Sauz
Road was up for paving.
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS ... . that on the
request of Starr County Judge Mario E. Ramirez and
after much discussion of the matter (at which Mr.
Guerra was present) the court on a motion which
reads in the Starr County Commissioners minutes of
the same date as the above reads; "The County Judge
moved that the Texas Highway Department be informed
that the Commissioners Court wishes them to change
the proposed routing ofthe Farm-to-Market Road from
El Sauz to Rio Grande City to a point which passes by
the Starr County Airport but cuts across to a point to
pass by the proposed new Starr County Hospital." The
motion passed on yes votes by Commissioners Aman-
do Pena, J.M. Longoria and Reynaldo Alaniz. E. A. Du-
ran voted no."
We must clarify that the Herald has not taken a posi-
tion on the route we feel is best for this community or
on the proposed re-routing of the El Sauz Road. We
are merely complaining about the manner in which the
representatives of the Texas Highway Department at-
tempted to dilute the truth on the entire matter.
We are quite irate that Mr. Gutierrezand Mr. Guer-
ra would attempt to provide the Rio Grande City
Chamber of Commerce, a good cross-section ofbusi-
nessmen of this community, with anything but the
truth.
If you Mr. Gutierrez were not informed of this is
excusable to a point. If you agreed to speak to the
chamber on the expressway then you should have in-
formed yourself of the above details.
That you sat there and denied the exisitents of such
maps and plans, Mr. Guerra, is inexcusable.
We request that you sit down and writu a letter of
apology to the Rio Grande City Chamber of Commerce
for what We feel was a blatant attempt to side-step a
subject which is close to the interest of the commun-
ity and especially the business community. We find
that you acted in a manner un-becoming of a Texas
Highway Department representative and will file such
a complaint if such an apology does not arrive at the
local chamber.
We think that if you are going to inform the Rio
Grande City Chamber of Commerce and the people of
Starr County you have to take but one step .... a
step towards the truth .... even if it hurts.
RIO GRANDE
Serving over 5000 readers for over 50 years TPA Award Winning Newspaper
Ten Cents
\ ol. \\\l No. 11* lli ti \ . Ml. |'I72
Hio (frantlr Ti xuh
Board president resigns;
Doc Garza named head man
by RAUL TREJO
Herald Managing Editor
The Rio Grande City Indepen-
dent School District Board of
Trustees meeting in their re-
gular monthly session approved
plans for the reconstruction of
the auditorium, accepted the
resignation as president of the
board from Arnold F. Gonza-
lez and elected new officers.
The meeting opened with
Trustee Alex Gabert objecting
to a portion in the minutes of
the last meeting which stated:
That a teacher of administra-
tion official must first acquire
or obtain permission to call
the Texas Education Agency,
on school business. Gabert
wanted the minutes to read that
his motion must only inform the
administration that they intend
to call the TEA. They do not
need to obtain permission as it
reflected in the minutes.
The motion to clarify the min-
utes was approved.
Trustee Dr. Gilberto A. Gar-
za also wanted the minutes to
reflect that he had voted against
a motion to settle the J. M.
Martinez case or try to settle
the case out of court for an a -
mount not to exceed $0000.00.
Trustee Garza said that the
board president had also voted
against the settlement. The
minutes were changed but the
Margo
named
Dr.Roberts. Margowasnamed
to the board of trustees of the
Rio Grande City Independent
School District.
Dr. Margo was educated in Rio
Grande City Schools and is a
doctor of vetenary medicine, in
private practice.
Dr. Margo is married to the
former Minerva Hernandez and
the couple resides at G01 West
Sixth Street with their three
sons, Ricky, Eddie and Carlos.
He is an active member ofthe
Rio Grande City Jaycees, The
Knights of Columbus and the
VFW. He is also a member
of the American Veterinarian
Association as well as the Tex-
as and Rio Grande Valley Asso-
ciations.
Dr. Margo has lived in Rio
Grande City all his life with
the exception of his absence
during his formal education.
Other members of the board
are Dr. Gilberto (Nene) Garza,
Raul Guerrero, Dr. Ramiro
Narro, Alicia McLellan, Alex
Gabert and Arnoldo Gonzalez.
motion had passed at the last
meeting.
Trustee Dr. Ramiro Narro
made a motion that Dr. Roberto
S. Margo replace Heberto Bar-
rera on the board of trustees.
Barrera resigned at the last
meeting after being convicted
of a felony which disqualified
GONZALEZ
DR. GARZA
DR. MARGO
GUERRERO
Munoz will
seek pet. I
post...
Humberto Munoz of Rio
Grande City has announced that
he will seek election in Novem-
ber for Starr County Commis-
sioner Precinct One. He will
oppose Democratic candidate
Roque Guerra.
Munoz is 41 years old and is
a rancher. He has operated his
ranch for over 22 years. He is
married to the former Dina
see MUNOZ page 2
him from serving on the board.
Alex Gabert seconded the mo-
tion and Dr. Roberto S. Margo
was sworn in by school Board
Attorney Glen Ramey.
Trustee board president Ar-
noldo Gonzalez then gave Sup-
erintendent S.P. Cowan a letter
which spelled out his resigna-
tion and reasons for resigning
the position of board president.
Also submitting her resignation
as board vice-president was
Alicia McLellan.
The letter stated that the posi-
tion of president had taken up
much of his time, more time
than that required of a non-
officer member of the board.
Gonzalez said that his desire
to succeed at his new employ-
ment (Officer manager for La
Casita Farms Inc.) far out-
weight any other considera-
tions.
After the motion to accept
the resignation of Gonzalez and
McLellan, Dr. Narro moved that
Dr. Gilberto (Nene) Garza and
Raul Guerrero be named as the
new president and vice-presi-
dent respectfully.
The motion carried with Alex
Gabert going agains the new
officers.
The board then approved raises
for Abrian Vela for $200. for
the sponsorship of the pep
squad for the season. Also re-
ceiving a hike in raises, were
Irene Olivarez, Apolinia Duran
for $315. retro active and $25.00
for Mrs. Raymond Martinez, of
the high school staff. Also in-
cluded in the pay hikes were
$50.00 hike for Arnoldo Gon-
zalez and $50. for Mary Ann
Cummings.
Glenn Ramey was hired as
tax-delinquent attorney for the
school district from October
12, 1972, October 12, 1975.
The board approved a re-
vised contract for J.D. Villar-
real Jr. as part time evaluator
for the Bilingual Program, for
half a day and three classroom
classes in his field in the high
school for half a day, and $1800
for supervision of the adult
basic tutorial program.
Alex Gabert, Samuel Ramos
and Alberto Barrera were
named to a committee to seek
funds for lighting the baseball
field.
The board then heard Noe R.
Sanchez request the Multl-
Pupose Center for December
25 and December 31 for a
Christmas and New Year's Eve
Dances. The dances would be
open to the public and liquor
would be on premises. Sanchez
told the board that liquor had
been allowed for another priv-
ate party and if this was the
new policy of the board then the
JCs would like to use the hall.
Board President Dr. Gilberto
(Nene) Garza told Sanchez that
the board had discussed the
matter in executive session and
that It was the unanimous de-
cision of the board that no li-
quor be allowed In the hall or
near school grounds. Texas
law prohibits the consumption
of alcohol on school grounds or
within 300 feet of school
grounds.
The board did approve use of
the hall for a teen dance on
December 1. The approval was
tentative to scheduling of-the
center.
The board then heard an ex-
tensive report on the recon-
struction of the auditorium.
The board heard a report on
the alr-condltloning of the band
hall. The report was just a sum-
mary of what has been done by
SEE SCHOOL PAGE TWO
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Trejo, Raul. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1972, newspaper, October 19, 1972; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194377/m1/1/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.