Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 1, 1973 Page: 1 of 28
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RIO GRANDE
Serving over 5000 readers for ever 50 years TPA Award Winning Newspaper
Ten Cents
Vol. XXXI No. 8 ThurHday, March 1, 1973
Rio Cirancie City, Texan
Commissioners asked for cut of funds...
by RAUL TREJO
Some 200 Sturr County res-
idents packed into the county
courtroom some to watch oth-
ers to ask the county commis-
sioners for some of the funds
that the county has received
from revenue sharing funds.
Starr County Judge Mario
Ramirez opened the meeting
telling those present that the
meeting was for the sole pur-
pose of hearing each citizen's
recommendations to the com-
missioners, that the requests
were being recorded both by the
local paper and by his secre-
tary for reference in making a
budget for the revenue funds
and that they had each five
minutes in which to make their
recommendation.
"Thusfar the county has re-
ceived $352,808.00 and this is
what the county's share was for
1972 and approximately the
same amount will be received
in 1973," Ramirez said.
"This money was sent by the
federal government and there
are guidelines of how it can be
spent and they are; mainten-
ance and operation, public safe-
ty, including law and order,
fire protection, building code
inspection, environmental pro-
tection including sewage dispo-
sal, sanitation and pollution,
John Pope 111 files
for school hoard race
Former County Attorney
Johnny Pope in has filed for
the school board of trustees
for the Rio Grande City School
District.
pope filed for position oneon
the board. The post is pre-
sent ly field by County Attor-
ney Alex Gabert who has also
filed for re-election. Julio
I arralde a former trustee for
the local district has filed for
position one too.
Tn other school races Ar-
noldo Gonzalez has filed for
reelection to the board and he
faces J.M. (Junior) Martienz
Martinez and Charles La-
Grange. Dr. Roberto Margo
has filed for his position but
has not drawn any opposition.
The school race wi 11 be held
in Ap ri L
tell if
like it
is..
5/0
RAUL TRtjO
HERALD MANAGING
EDITOR
A few weeks ago a young student called our office to call
our attention to a problem which she felt needed to be
brought before the public.
The problem .... over-loading of school buses.
This editor has made it a point to be on the road at 5:30
a.tn. every morning since that complaint to see first hand
the procedures used by the local district in transporting
children to and from school.
Our finding was not only surprising but something par-
ents should really worry about . . . since it is your chil-
dren in some of these school buses.
The first week we found that at least every bus is packed
to capacity and that students have to stand in the aisle to
the tune of 20 and 30 students. Many of these students have
to ride this way all the way home for lack of sitting or rath-
er the over-loading of buses.
The second week we found bus drivers that make U-turns
almost anywhere, especially on U.S. Highway 83, many
times when there is insufficient clearance. We plan to pre-
sent pictures of this being done to the local school board
for their information and necessary action.
We also found buses loaded with students attempting to
pass other vehicles on a busy highway and then fall back
into the traffic pattern when the driver felt he couldn't
make it.
We could go on, but we feel that we have made o u r
point and now we expect the board of trustees to look into
the matter and bring about any necessary action.
The high school principal and the superintendent of
schools according to the Rio Grande City High School sen-
ior that filed the complaint have done little to satisfy her
request that they look into this matter.
We suggest that all bus drivers be given annual lessons
on traffic safety. Constable Adolfo Ramirez is the local
traffic officer and we feel certain that a class for the dri-
vers could be arranged for them.
We feel strongly that this type of transportation should
not be continued. There have been many Incidents where
young students have been killed while "in a school bus
right here in the state of Texas and let us not have to have
a tragedy before we open our eyes to this problem.
traffic systems and roads,
health, recreation, libraries,
social services for the aged and
financial administration," Ra-
mirez said.
"I'd like to add that I feel
that some of this money has to
be spent on operational expen-
ses so that the county can free
some money it has for opera-
tion for payment of old debts."
he added. "So that by the end
of the year the county can be
completely in the black," Ra-
mirez concluded.
Ramirez hoped that at least
50 per cent could be freed to
pay old debts. He told those
present that presently the coun-
ty is behind in operation about
one calendar year. In other
words, paying for this year what
should be paid for by this year's
revenue. It is presently paying
for iast year and will pay for
tliis year's next calendar year.
First to speak was Lucio
Galvan who asked that the en-
tire prelude to the meeting be
interpreted into Spanish. The
judge translated.
First to speak was Bobby
Rich, representing the Rio
Grande City Fire Department
who asked for the following,
We hereby request to the hon-
orable court that we be given
priority on the revenue shar-
ing funds which have been ap-
propriated the County of Starr.
It is our belief that the safety
of lives and homes of great
concern to everyone.
On February 11, 1973, we sub-
mitted a letter to the court re-
questing the items which are
greatl.v in demand. We have
since then revised that list and
a new list has been attached
to this letter. We have also quo-
ted prices in order that you
may know what our money de-
mand" is. Being that we are" 2"
non-profit organization, the
success of our department in
the future will be determined by
the decision you make. Our or-
ganization depends mostly on
donations and projects for its
operations, and this is one rea-
son we have appeared before
tills court. Our department con-
sists of young, dedicated volun-
teer men, but without the pro-
per equipment, little can be done
in saving lives and homes. I am
sure that you are aware how our
community businesses are ex-
panding; and if the occasion ev-
er occurred of a huge fire, our
department would be hindered
in fighting such a fire, due to the
lack of proper fire fighting
equipment.
Our priority on the list is
the need for a new Pumper
Truck. At the present time, our
department is equipped with a
1950 Ford Pumper Truck, which
is 110 longer dependable. In the
past, we have experienced ma-
jor mechanical problems vith
it, and some are no longer re-
pairable. We are also equipped
with a 1907 International Boos-
SEE COURT PAGE 12
Starr County Youth Fair
to be best ever
1
The Starr County Youth Fair
opens for their eighth annual
affair next neek with a variety
of exhibits, demonstrations,
crafts and a world of fun and
excitement for everyone.
The fair this year is headed
by Javier D. Margo and co-
chaired by David Sandefer,
Mrs. Ida Perez and Joel Guer-
rero Jr.
The fair runs March 9-10-
11 with the first event being
held at the Rio Grande City
Multi-Purpose Center Thurs-
day afternoon .is the Rio Gran-
de City High School Future
Homemakers of America
Chapter and 4-H members pre-
sent thei rdress revile of cloth-
ing that will be in exhibit dur-
ing the fai r.
Friday will mark the first
day of the 'official' fai r as ttie
exhibits are admitted into
competition.
Saturday marks the first full
day of activities as the fair
opens with weighing-in will
be held at 7:00 of all iive-
st ock entries.
The day moves on with the
judging of the youth projects.
This judging is done prior to
the public getting the chance
to vi ew the exhibits.
The Starr County Youth Fail
Parade will take the spotlight
at 9:30 a.m. with lavish floats
and entries including the col-
or cuaid being handled by the
Army. Parade marshal for the
Redisricting
plan approved
The Starr County Commis-
sioners Court met in anemer
gency session Tuesday morn-
ing to put their seal of ap-
proval 011 a redlstricting plan
to be filed with Federal Dis-
trict Judge Reynaldo Garza.
The plan was ordered by the
judge after RafaelCarrera and
the Texas Rural I egal Aid
filed a redistricting suit In
federal court against theStarr
Court officials. The suit
seeks to equalize all the com-
missioners precincts by shift-
ing voting precincts around in
the county.
Tuesday morning Commis-
sioner Hector Iozano moved
to approve the preliminary
plan with the understanding
that the plan can be altered
when the official census come
in from the federal govern-
ment.
The redistrictingsuit affects
Commissioners Roque Guer-
ra of precinct one of Com-
missioner Reynaldo Alaniz of
precinct four.
Copies of the plan submittal
by the court Tuesday will goto
Attorney II. Hardy of San An-
tonio and to the attorney for
the Texas Rural egal Aid.
The plan must be filfri with
the federal court by March 1.
After the plan was approved
the court also approved the
take over of 173.3 acres of
land located near Fa Icon Dam.
The property had beenoffei ed
to the county by the federal
government as surplus. The
property has some bui ldings
on it which wi 11 be utilized by
the county as soon .is a plan
is completed.
Commissioners were also
questional by Starr Bridge
Manager Ernesto Trevino on
a lease of the first floor for a
customs broker of the port of
entry bui Hing in Ho ma.
Trevino argued that the lease
left him no room for regular
b ridge business.
He also questioned why the
contract read that the lease
was for H.J. Brady when the
court had agreed to lease to
Ronnie Guerraof Itoma, Coun-
ty Judge Mario Ramirez ap-
pointed Trevim, Commission-
ers Amando pena and Reynal-
do Alaniz to look into thesitu-
atton.
parade will be Mrs. Randal
Nye. Special attractions dur-
ing the parade will be a pla-
toon of Army personnel out of
Fort Hood that wi lib ring their
1890 Cavalry Unit that will
ride in the parade. Duringthe
parade the 1890 Cavalry Unit
will present mock sabre fi ptits
and othei demonstrations.
During the parade three heli-
copters wi 11 descend to the al-
titude of 100 arid '0 200 feet
and paratroopers wi lldescend
without parachutes along the
parade route. Among the
helicopters will be an attack
Cobra helicopter that gained
much fame during the Viet-
nam conflict. The free fall-
ing demonstration will also
be performed at the fair
grounds as will the 1890 Cav-
alry Unit.
The Marine Military Acade-
my of Harlinget: will also
participate in the parade.
The U.S. Army willhavea
special display of weapons
captured during the Vietnam
conflict. Along with the dis-
play will be a special exhibit,
of U.S. military weapons.
Eleven o'clock willbringthe
judging of livestock and this
will be followed by the Rio
Grande City Volunteer Fire-
men's Bar-B-Que.
After the noon meal the Mar-
ine Military Academy of Har-
lingrn will present their de-
monstration with the drill
team and drum and bugle
corps.
The schedule calls for pre-
sentation of a awards and par-
ade of champions at 2:30 p.m.
with the auction of top food en-
tries and the fat lamb auction
at 1:00 p.in. The fairgrounds
will close at G p.m. with a
western dance at the Knights
of Columbus Hall at 9 p.m.
Tickets to the event are $5.00
per couple.
Sund ay th e fai r co 11c hid es wi th
the Starr County Roping Club
featured their annual Rodeo
with stock being provided by
the King Brothers of Wes-
SEE FAIR PAGE 12
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Trejo, Raul. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 1, 1973, newspaper, March 1, 1973; Rio Grande City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194395/m1/1/: accessed May 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.