Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 17, 1980 Page: 1 of 8
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TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
★ ★ ★ ★ ft/o GRANDE * * * *
E R A L
VOL XXXV
No. 44
July 17,1980
FIFTEEN CENTS
Paving Project At Standstill
Due To Overpayment
Rio Graduating Class Of 1950
Class Of 1950 Celebrates
Thirtieth Anniversary
On Saturday, June 21, the RGCHS class of
1950 gathered to celebrate the 30th an-
niversary of their graduation.
The group started their evening together
by first attending 7:00 p.m. mass at Im-
maculate Conception Church. Mass was
celebrated by Father Michael Moore, OMI.
Lupita Canales, Iris Garza, and Melissa
Garza sang several special selections.
Melissa's mother, Imelda Garza, is a 1950
graduate.
After mass, the group met at the Brass
Bull Steak House for a social hour and
dinner. As they registered, each class
member was given a name tag with their
class picture on it. They also received a
souvenier booklet entitled, "Noche de
Kecuerdos." Roberto (Paro) Garza was
Master of Ceremonies. Guest of Honor was
Miss Emma Solis. After the invocation by
Mrs. Mabel B. Ramirez, H.P. Guerra III
welcomed the following ex-alumni, their
spouses, and guests: Mr. and Mrs. Luis
Arzamendi, Ted and Carmen Amaro,
Sebastian and Alicia Anaya, Jorge A. and
Kaquel Arredondo,Glenn and Nydia Borg,
Courtney and Pat Bryan, Elma G. Cano,
Rodolfo and Emma Carrera, Juan and
Carmelita Caro, Catarino and Ada Escobar,
Victor and Elma Fonseca, Arturo and Elva
Garcia, Jose and Margarita Garcia, Arturo
and Imelda Garza, Roberto and Alicia
Garza, Rolando A. Garza and Rosemary
Benavidez, Josie Guerra, Fred and Zenaida
Labar, Cipriano and Josefa Lopez, Barbara
G. Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Leal,
Humberto and Dina Munoz, Guadalupe and
F.lia Munoz, Romeo and Emma Lilia
Munoz, Santiago and Josefina Olivarez,
George and Minerva Quiel, Odilia E.
Mendoza, Oscar and Mabel Ramirez, teofilo
and Francis Ramirez, Romeo and
Guadalupe Rodriguez, Oscar and Mabel
Ramirez, Wesley and Teresita Rollins,
Roger and Ruth Rosenquist, Leonel Saenz,
Homero and Yola Saldana, Aurelio and
Maria Luisa Sanchez Pete and Hazel
Shuford, Thelma M. Torres and Delia G.
Yarborough.
The tables were set with place mats made
by the reunion committee. These were
made from copies of the class' com-
mencement program mounted on con-
struction paper. The other side of the place
mat held a picture of the old Central
Primary School. Lace fern and large
colorful paper flowers adorned the tables.
Lalo and Esmeralda Munoz from Mission
entertained the group throughout the
evening with a wide variety of sorigs. Their
first song was Alberto Barrera's, "Mi Lindo
Rio Grande."
Mastor of ceremonies Paro Garza read a
note from Col. Robert Haltiner of Alexan-
dria, Va. in which he expressed his regrets
for "having missed the first RGCHS class of
1950 reunion..." Col. Haltiner was the class
president. (Other class officers that year
were; Nydia Gutierrez, Vice President;
Barbara Goss, Secretary; Horace Guerra,
Treasurer; Buddy Bates, Parliamentarian;
and Santiago Saenz, Sgt. at Arms. Honor
Graduates were: 1. Barbara Goss 2. Nydia
Gutierrez 3. Buddy Bates 4. Horace
Guerra 5. Rolando A. Garza 6. Pat May 7.
Robert Haltiner 8. Betty Jean Mayes 9.
leonel Saenz 10. Teofilo Ramirez)
Miniature trophies were presented to the
following: Ruth Bates Rosenquist for
having traveled the longes ddistance;
Zenaida Saenz Labor for having the most
children; Rolando A. Garza, for being the
boy who changed the most; Pete Shuford,
the boy who changed the least; Delia G.
Yarborough, the girl who changed the most;
Barbara G. Martin, the girl who changed
the least. They received, also, a comical
sketch depicting the recognition they
received.
Door prizes were won by the following
people: Yola L. Saldana, a painting by Ruth
Rosenquist; Delia G. Yarborough, a silver-
plated dish; and Raquel S. Arredondo a
silver-plated party dish. Imelda Garza was
surprised with a beautiful flower
arrangement presented to her by the
reunion committee as a gesture of ap-
preciation for her help.
For "old times sake," the Elizondo
sisters, Minerva and Odilia, teamed up and
sang a couple of "oldest but goodies,"
"Nochecita" and "Lloraras."
After what seemed an all too short
evening of handshakes and hugs, renewing
old friendships, exchanging autographs and
addresses, passing around family snap-
shots, and shedding a few tears, the group
parted with a promise to meet again in five
years.
The paving of streets in Rio Grande City
under a $1.5 million Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) is presently
at a standstill due to an overpayment to the
engineering firm, the Starr County Com-
missioners Court learned Monday at their
Regular Term meeting.
As a result of the overpayment, Starr
County mast refund $3,806.70 to the Com-
munity Development Block Grant program
of HUD before work can be initiated on the
third action year of a paving and utilities
project in Rio Grande City.
Starr County Judge Bias Chapa said Joe
Gallegos of Consolidated Engineers and
Architects of Roma and McAllen, had been
overpaid. The matter was tabled until 2
p.m. today, Thursday, July 17.
The Commissioners Court approved
payment of a bill from Frank Randall Nye
Jr., attorney, for $5,858.87 for services in
connection with the international bridge.
Auditor Guadalupe Villarreal reported that
payments to Nye concerning that project
now totaled $15,488.22.
Nye reported on the progress concerning
the acquisition of lots for the international
bridge, and the demolition of the old
suspension bridge.
Nye said the special commissioners have
been appointed to hear the condemnation
proceedings for the lots. The com-
missioners are Hererto Barrera, Benigno
Escobar, and Arnoldo Guerra.
The Commissioners Court also approved a
request from Assistant District Attorney
David Almaraz for a resolution in support of
a grant application for that office.
The Court also approved Garza's Hillside
Haven Subdivision in Rio Grande City as
presented by owner Marco Antonio Garza.
Fred Labar, commander of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post, approached
the Court concerning the position of County
Veterans Service Officer. Labar said a full-
time person should be hired to serve the
needs of the veterans. "This is the third
time we come to the Court with this mat-
ter," he said. He said veterans had been
having problems with the present Veterans
Service Officer, Pablo A. Saenz Jr.
"We just want a service officer who can
be available, not involved in politics,"
I^abar said.
Adolfo Ramirez also spoke on the need for
a full-time service officer.
George Lund presented the Com-
missioners Court with a petition "highly
recommending Homero Salmon for the
position, awarded full monthly payments
for services rendered, fully reimbursed for
time he served without compensation."
Commissioner Hector Lozano said
Salmon had been "impersonating a service
officer" and had never been appointed by
the court.
After some discussion on the matter,
concerning telephone service, manpower
positions, and the work done by Saenz, it
was agreed to table the matter until
Thursday when Saenz would be asked to be
present.
The court approved two other sub-
divisions, El Bosque Subdivision No. 1 and
De I,a Cruz Subdivision, arid approved an
amendment to the Falconaire Unit I Sub-
division.
The Commissioners also approved $250 to
be used as petty cash by the County Judge.
Free bridge passes at the Roma In-
ternational Bridge were approved for the
following: Roma Mayor Irma Yunez, Roma
Commissioner Jose Carlos Saenz; Roma
Commissioner Gabriel Benavidez; Roma
City Administrator Antioco Canales; and
Reymundo Javier M. Sandoval. A similar
request from Alfredo Barrera was tabled.
The Board of Equalization hearing was
delayed from Aug. 18 to Aug. 25 at the
request of Thomas Y. Pickett.
The tax assessor-collector was allowed
$2,000 for postage.
The matter of reimbursing Mrs. San
Juanita P. Lara for a survey on .033 acres on
Porcion 78 was tabled.
The appointment of County Election
Officials was also tabled for Thursday.
There was a question whether or not elec-
tion officials could be county employees.
Also tabled for today was the naming of
assistant traffic officers in County Com-
missioners' Precinct No. Two.
In other matters, the Court agreed to
appropriate $1,000 to buy gasoline for
Sheriff's cars.
The Court also approved payment of
$1,000 to Attorney Neal Duvall for fees in the
case of Hermelinda G. Doria VS. Starr
County Sheriff's Department. It was not
mentioned what the case was about or who
Duvall represented.
In other business the Court refused to
continue the employment of the secretary of
the Federal Program's Coordinator, Javier
Margo. It was mentioned the secretary's
position under manpower ends this month.
Margo said he had money in his budget for
a secretary, but that the money was being
used by the Court to pay Roberto Pena's
(county road superintendent) secretary.
Commissioner Lozano moved to continue
to hire Margo's secretary, Norma Escobar,
but the motion died for lack of a second.
Margo also reported that preliminary test
findings were bad news in the proposed
county dump site at the Jesus Tamez
property at La Puerta.
The County Y.A.C.C. Project received
very high marks, Margo reported, and work
will commence to complete the park behind
the water plant.
Also, Margo reported on the Hou^ine As-
sistance Plan and a proposed county-wide
sewage project. Judge Chapa said he was
very much in favor of a county-wide sewage
project.
Rio Trustees Deny Hearing Request
The Rio Grande City Consolidated In-
dependent School District Board of
Trustees denied a hearing to four teachers
who wanted to know why they had not been
hired for summer employment.
The action came during the Board's
Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 8 at the
Multi-Purpose Center. The teachers, Maria
Nela Sanchez, Amanda Solis, Constancia
Pena, and Enriqueta Garcia, were
represented by Edinburg attorney Ramon
Garcia.
After a general discussion by the Trustees
on the matter, a motion was made by
Trustee Jesus A. Solis and seconded by Abel
N. Gonzalez Jr., to grant the request for a
hearing.
When the motion was put to a vote,
Trustee Ricardo Reyes abstained from
voting, and voting against the motion were
Trustees Juan J. Mills, Noel Gonzalez, and
the President of the Board, Francisco
Zarate. The motion did not pass.
In other matters, the trustees approved an
agreement with Pan American University
for teacher trainees to do their practice
teaching at Rio Grande Citv schools.
Also, the trustees approved the G.E.D.
testing service with Jose Herrera as
counselor.
School district maintenance labor will be
used to remodel two special education
rooms, it was agreed. Materials will be
provided by the Special Ed program.
The trustees approved final payment to
Rio Radio for communication work done on
the re-cycling of buildings program. Bills
pending from D&F Industries and Republic
Glazing were not approved for final
payment. It was mentioned that they had
not completed work.
Final payments to D&F and Republic will
be held back on the suggestion of Trustee
Mills until a report of work completion is
made by Alan Taniguchi, enginner for the
pioject winch saw the re-modeling of
several buildings of the school district.
Trustee Reyes said they should be "more
careful with Alan's suggestions."
The work by Rio Radio had been certified
as completed. The final payment was for
$4,786.00.
The president and the secretary of the
board, Jorge I. Guerra, were authorized to
negotiate a loan to complete the 1979-80
fiscal year.
Zarate was appointed delegate to the
Texas Association of School Boards meeting
in October in San Antonio. Trustee Francis
T. Howard (who was absent) was chosen to
be the alternate delegate.
Also approved was a TB testing policy and
a policy on the assignment of students to the
classes.
Eduardo Lopez had requested the use of a
school swimming pool for teaching swim-
ming for a fee. Trustee Solis made a motion
to approve the request. There was no
second to the motion. Trustee Noel Gon-
zalez said, "If you grant permission to one,
to use school facilities to make money, you
are going to have to continue."
Reyes suggested that the board should
establish a policy concerning the use of
school property.
A small bus was approved for use by the
Little League for a trip to Los Fresnos. The
request had been made by Arthur Piper.
The new Income Poverty Guidelines for
1980-81 free and reduced lunches was ap-
proved.
The trustees were informed by Dr. A.E.
Garcia, superintendent, that the U.S.D.A.
had sent the district a certificate because of
the participation by the school in a
nutritional study.
Dr. Garcia also informed the trustees on
the projected enrollment growth for the next
few years, and the new certification
requirements for teacher aides.
Garcia said teacher aides will now be
certified, just like teachers.
After an executive session, the trustees
approved the following teacher
resignations: Roberto Pena, Blanca
Corona, Celeste Sanchez, and Esther P.
Gonzalez.
Trie resignation of nurse's office
secretary, Elia G. Guerra, was also ac-
cepted.
Teachers employed for the 1980-81 school
year were Ricardo Lopez, Maria Rita
Alcazar, and Juan Luis Andrade.
Cesario Barrera was employed as a part-
time employee at the tax office.
SCS Promotes
Raymundo T. Margo, Jr.
Roma School Trustees Approve Pay Hike
A local pay increment for all professional
personnel was approved by the Board of
Trustees for the Roma Independent School
District at the regular meeting held on July
9, 1980.
Eleuteio Garza, Jr., school superin-
tendent, reported that the increment will be
based on teaching experience. All
professional personnel with 0-10 years of
experience in the district will get $600.00.
Personnel with 11 years or more will receive
$700.00.
Roma I.S.D. previously paid state
minimum salaries only. "This action by the
Board will certainly help us recruit new
personnel," Garza stated. "Our staff will be
elated when they hear about this," he
added.
Other items of business taken up by the
Board were: approval of bids for con-
struction of four portable classrooms for the
elementary grades; approval of athletic
budget; awarding of contract for in-
stallation of 24 air units for Roma In-
termediate; approval of income guidelines
for Free and Reduced Lunches for 1980-81
and new personnel.
Raymundo T. Margo, Jr. has been
promoted to State Conservationist for the
USDA-Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in
New Mexico. The announcement came
from Norma A. Berg, SCS chief,
Washington, DC.
Margo's promotion became effective June
29, when he assumed respon ibility for SCS
operations in New Mexico. Margo replaced
A.W. Hamelstrom who retired from federal
service in May 1980.
Margo began his career with SCS in 1956
as a soil conservationist in Benavides,
Texas. He also served in the same capacity
in Edinburg, Texas from 1959 to 1961. He
has served as district conservationist in
Zapata, Benavides, and Laredo, Texas and
as area conservationist in Alice, Texas.
Margo became assistant state con-
servationist for operations in Albuquerque
in 1976 and deputy state conservationist in
April 1980.
A native of Rio Grande City, Texas, Margo
graduated from Texas A&M University with
a BS degree in animal science in 1956. He
served two years in the U.S. Armv.
Margo and his wife Maria Minerva Garcia
have five daughters, Sheila, Maricella,
Yvonne, Carol, and Joann.
Margo is a member of the Soil Con-
servation Society of America, the society for
Range Management, the Knights of
Columbus, and Image of Albuquerque.
Gallegos' Trial Might Be In August
Former Maverick County Surveyor Joe
Gallegos might be tried here next month in
connection to a charge that he committed
forgery.
That charge has been awaiting trial in
Starr County since Feb. 28,1978, when it was
filed in County Court.
On May 5, of this year, Gallegos pled "no
contest" in Maverick County to a charge of
forgery.
Assistant Starr County District Attorney
David Almaraz Tuesday said the case here
might be tried in August. He had originally
set the case for trial on June 4 of this year
but did not have a judge to hear the case.
Almaraz said County Judge Bias Chapa
does not want to try the case, and Glenn
Ramey, who Chapa had named for the
task, refused also.
Gallegos was found guilty and fined $300
plus court costs for the offense which had
been charged by the State Board of
Registration for Professional of engineering
practices in connection with the Vista
Hermosa subdivision in 1974 and 1975 in
Eagle Pass.
The State Board alleged that Gallegos
performed the involved engineering
ostensibly as a business partner of J.S.
Martinez of San Antonio, who had been a
registered engineer but whose license had
expired several years earlier.
Gallegos, who from Aug. 14, 1974 to Aug.
16, 1975, had been a resident inspector for
the Starr County Water Control and Im-
provement District No. Two for a major
project, was accused of providing services
which are required to be done by registered
engineers. He was accused of forging the
professional engineer seal and signature of
Martinez on the related drawings provided
to the client, Sin-Tex Development com-
pany, and filed with the County Clerk.
The State Board of Registration for
Professional Engineers maintains that
Gallegos is not an engineer nor a public
sureyor, but is a licensed landscape ar-
chitect, employed by Consolidated
Engineers-Architects of Roma. Gallegos'
business cards represent him as being the
executive vice president of that firm.
The case in Eagle Pass had been set for
jury trial on Friday, May 9.
Teachers Credit Union
Hires Full Time Employee
Starr Inn
Receives High Marks
The new Fort Ringgold Motor Inn in Rio
Grande City has received high marks from
Best Western International, according to
Mrs. Yolanda Ijeal,' manager.
The high marks came after an inspection
by Best Western of the motel in Rio Grande
City last month. A letter from Lynn E.
Jackson, quality control manager of Best
Western, was received this month. It
states:
"We have received your property's initial
inspection performed by one of our field
representatives on June 19, 1980. After
reviewing the report and photographs
submitted to this office, we are very pleased
with the facilities offered at the Best
Western Ft. Ringgold. The property is
indeed a credit to the Best Western family.
"May we take this opportunity to thank
you on behalf of all other members for
helping to keep Best Western, Best
Everywhere. Keep up the good work."
The letter is addressed to Pedro Diaz Jr.,
chairman of the board of Diaz Enterprizes,
Inc., owners of the motel complex, the first
of its kind in Starr County.
The motel, with Mrs. Leal at its helm,
opened last November. It has 64 rooms, a
restaurant, lounge, meeting rooms, banquet
facilities, a swimming pool, and an adjacent
golf course. The golf course is also a first in
Starr County.
Mrs. Leal said the good marks received
are due largely to the efforts of her staff.
School Officials
To Meet In Brownsville
Valley school board trustees, the new
county tax assessment board members and
area legislative candidates will be meeting
Friday, July 18. in Brownsville to deal with
items of common concern.
The meeting, scheduled to begin at 5:00
p.m. in the Gladys Porter High School
Cafeteria, will start with legislative
hopefuls speaking about their plans to help
educators in the Rio Grande Valley region to
meet students' educational needs.
Russell Graham, Austin attorney and
leading Texas expert regarding the
legislation requiring Texas counties to
establish a countywide tax assessment
board, will speak to the goup. Following his
address and a period of questions and an-
swers, school trustees and tax board
members will separate into county groups
to discuss problems concerning the new tax
assessment offices.
The central focus of the county group
meetings will be establishment of a common
understanding and positive working
relationship between the tax assessment
office and each school district being served.
A barbecue to be prepared by Brownsville
school administrtors will conclude the
evening meeting.
Reynol Canchola, 24, has been hired as the
first full-time employee of the Starr County
Teachers Federal Credit Bureau, according
to Mary AnnCummings, president of the
Board of Directors.
Canchola, a native of Refugio, Texas, had
been employed by Valley Mart as
bookkeeper. He recently married the former
Irasema Rivera of Grulla The couple
reside in Rio Grande City.
The Starr County Teachers Federal
Credit Union was organized and sponsored
by the local unit of Classroom Teachers
Association and was chartered in January
1968 by five members who pitched in $5 each
to cover the $25 fee to become an official
credit union.
The Starr County Teachers Federal
Credit Union was organized and sponsored
by the local unit of Classroom Teachers
Association and was chartered in January
1968 by five members who pitched in $5 00
apiece to cover the $25.00 fee to become an
official credit union. The five members
were Arturo Montemayor, who served as
the first president of the Board of Directors,
Ruben Saenz, Romeo Lopez, Constancia B.
Pena and Silvestre Reyna. Noe L Sanchez
served as the first treasurer.
Currently serving on the Board of
Directors are Mary Ann Cummings,
president., Raul Munoz, vice-president.,
Arturo Montemayor, treasurer, Silvestre
Reyna, secretary, and members Julio
Saenz, Jr., Israel Ybarra, and Ray Carlos
Garcia.
The Starr County Teachers Federal
Credit Union, a member of the national
Credit Union Association, serves over 600
members of the San Isidro, Roma and Rio
Grande City school districts. Current assets
are over $300,000. Since its organization,
loans of over $2,775,000 have been made to
members.
With the full-time employment of Mr
Reynol Canchola, plans are to expand
services to better serve the members of the
credit union.
Revnol Canchola
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Silva, Marcelo. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 17, 1980, newspaper, July 17, 1980; Rio Grande City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194776/m1/1/: accessed May 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.