The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986 Page: 1 of 12
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Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
No. 21 THURSDAY, MARCH 20,1986
FIFTEEN CENTS
Ruling Offers Some Encouragement To Teachers
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
JOURDANTON, TEXAS- The
several hundred Starr County
teachers and educators who trav-
eled to Jourdanton Monday were
offered much encouragement by
the district judge's ruling in the
Iris Porter case relating to TECAT,
even though the "grandfather
clause" was ruled invalid.
District Judge R.L. Eschinburg
of the 218th District Court, which
covers Atascosa, Wilson, Karnes,
Frio and LaSalle Counties, said,
"You (the plaintiff) have a very
good point on 13.047. I tentatively
believe that teachers must fail both
tests before losing their certifi-
cates, and they can't be forced to
take the tests at one time.''
Judge Eschinburg told attorneys
for both sides that he would extend
the temporary restraining order
allowing Mrs. Porter not to take
the TECAT test pending a ruling on
the other issue He indicated that
he desired written briefs within a
week, and that no more public
hearings would be held on the
matter.
Eschinburg ruled, however, that
the language of 13.032 (g), enacted
in 1981, was superceded by 13.041,
enacted in 1984. The state had
contended that Section 13.032, sub-
section G, refers to an entrance
exam and/or a pre-professional
skills test, not the TECAT.
Mrs. Porter had contended that
she did not have to take TECAT
because of this phrase that was
deleted from the TEA's interpreta-
tion: "in accordance with prior
Pictured above are the buses and cars of Starr County teachers shortly before
departure to Jourdanton on Monday. Over 400 teachers from Starr County made the
trip to support Iris Porter's court case against TECAT.
★ ★ ★
★ ★ ★
★ ★ ★
Watson Speaks At
Edinburg Rally
BY GILBERT K. TAGLE
Daily Rev it-* Managing Editor
Special To the Herald
*
Starr County educators were
prominently featured in a rally
Tuesday afteroon in Edinburg to
map political and courtroom strat-
egy for fighting the TECAT test
and its proponents.
Edinburg attorney Hector J.
Villarreal rallied behind his clients
- a group of Mission teachers -- in
front of the Hidalgo County Court-
house Tuesday afternoon.
* Earlier, Villarreal had filed a
lawsuit on behalf of eight Mission
educators against the State of
Texas in challenge of the con-
troversial Texas Examination of
Current Teachers and Ad-
ministrators.
The suit was filed in the 275th
District Court, the same court to
which Villarreal is seeking elec-
tion.
Educational representatives -
' teachers from 15 Valley school
districts - were present at a rally
of approximately 600 educators
who congregated on the east side of
the courthouse lawn.
Chanting "Competent and
Certified!," the teachers showed a
spirit that has grown steadfastly
across South Texas as Valley
teachers have seemingly led a
crusade to echo their disgust with
the TECAT exam
Villarreal told teachers of the
lawsuit filed Tuesday. The suit
seeks a temporary restraining
order and injunction on behalf of
eight Mission teachers.
There are two causes of action
The first filed by plaintiffs Julian
D Carrera, David Savedra, Rachel
Carrera, Janis Matthews and
Juanita DeLeon seeks to stop the
five from having to take the
makeup TECAT test on Saturday,
March 22 Saturday's test would
serve as a makeup test day for
$
Starr County TSTA President Walter N. Watson was a
prominently-featured speaker at a Tuesday afternoon
rally at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. The
rally was attended by hundreds of teachers trying to
work out political and legal strategy against the TECAT
test.
teachers who did not take the
March 10 exam for one reason or
another
He asked the question, "Are you
proper role models?" The teachers
boisterously answered, "Yes!"
Former Edinburg educator,
Walter Watson, who is president of
the local TSTA chapter in Rio
Grande City, was asked to address
the crowds
Watson, who led a group of 400
Starr County teacher via chartered
buses to teacher Iris Porter's
hearing in Jourdanton Monday,
called on teachers to unite as a
force and to continue building that
unity all the way to the voting polls
in May
Said Watson. "Our message is
not for November, it's for May,
then in November we can make our
choices."
"If we don't make our voices
heard in May, in November they'll
say we were a lot of hot air," said
Watson
Valley teacher groups, in the
meanwhile, appear to be organiz-
ing Valley-wide with meetings
scheduled today in Rio Grande City
at 4:30 p m., in Mission at 7 p.m
on Thursday and in Mercedes as
well as P S.J A and other points in
between.
At Tuesday's rally, there were
teachers from Edinburg. McAllen,
Rio Grande City. Mission, P S.J A ,
La Villa, La Joya, San Benito,
Santa Rosa, Sharyland. Mercedes,
Edcouch Elsa, Brownsville. Donna
and Weslaco
law, is entitled to retain that
certificate." She was granted a
temporary restraining order, on
Friday, March 7, that allowed her
not to take the competency exam
on March 10.
The hearing inside the packed
district courtroom at the Atascosa
County Courthouse lasted approxi-
mately 45 minutes.
Mrs. Porter was represented by
three Pleasanton attorneys: Tom
Brite, Joe Vickers, and Cindy
Price. Brite presented the argu-
ments on her behalf to the court.
Making the presentation for the
sta'e was Assistant Attorney Gen-
era! Priscilla Champion
Brite told The Rio Grande Herald
on Tuesday morning, "We were
disappointed that the judge did not
rule in our favor on what we
thought was a vaiid point of law
(on the grandfather clause). We
were encouraged that he temporar-
ily agreed that a teacher cannot
lose a certificate until both subject
matter and reading and writing
tests are given."
Brite said it is his understanding
that Mrs. Porter wants to appeal
on the grandfather clause to the
Court of Appeals in San Antonio.
The appeal, he indicated, "proba-
bly won't be done until a final
ruling is made on this other." He
added, "She decided long ago that
she's not going to take TECAT
under any circumstances."
Mrs. Porter
Assesses ('use
Brite commented, "I think the
judge ruled that the later legisla-
tion (on TECAT) would control
over the prior law. That's a rule of
construction that has been used by
the courts before."
The Herald was able to talk to
Mrs. Porter briefly before the
hearing. She said, "I'm sorry we
didn't get started sooner. Either
way, I'm not through. There are all
kinds of issues that I've thought of
that we haven't approached."
She said, in the presence of The
Herald and other reporters, that
she would not take the TECAT
under any circumstances.
Mrs. Porter assessed the situa-
tion this way, "People were so
pent-up and frustrated that it's
given people a chance to express
their views...I believe in reform, I
believe in improving myself, but I
don't believe in the state changing
the rules in mid-stream."
About the role of the TSTA, Mrs.
Porter said, "The TSTA called and
said they'd like to join the suit, but
■
Iris Porter
we decided not to muddy the water
right at this point They fought on a
different basis, constitutionality."
She indicated, as did Judge
Eschinburg. that TSTA had filed a
friend-of-the court brief on her
behalf.
Mrs. Porter is a special educa-
tion cooperative director who is
based in Pleasanton, her home
town. She is in charge of special
education programs in Pleasanton,
Jourdanton, Charlotte, Poteet, and
Tilden.
A friend of Mrs Porter's who
was present told the Herald she has
been involved in education for
almost 30 years, and added that
she was valedictorian of her high
school class and tied for
valedictorian of her graduating
college class at Southwest Texas
State.
W alsmi StiYn
Teachers (wiiineil
Walter N Watson, president of
the local TSTA. told The Herald
Tuesday morning, "I think it was a
two-fold victory. We conducted
ourselves with class and impressed
the community and the court. The
way we acted yesterday should be
a good example to everybody ."
Watson added, "The fact that the
judge was willing to listen to the
argument that the test was illegal
opens a lot of doors." Watson thus
expressed the hope that this would
lead to the TECAT, as it stands
now, being invalidated.
Watson insisted, "It s not the test
itself; it's the fad that it was
forced down our throats wi hout us
having any input, and the fact it's
the only instrument being used tc
(SeeJOl l<l> 1 VTYJV. /'fit"' 10)
Villarreal's Widow
Named Acting Treasurer
Mrs. Jose D. (Manuela) Villar-
real was named Friday by the
County Commissioners to serve as
Acting Treasurer through the re-
mainder of this year to fill her late
husband's unexpired term.
The decision was reached by the
county commissioners following an
executive session to discuss the
appointment and another matter.
Later in the meeting, Judge Bias
Chapa told several of the late
treasurer's sons, "He (Jose D
Villarreal) served his county very
diligently. We all feel we had a
greit loss. We are willing to help
your mother in any way we can.''
Veterans Service Officer Homero
Salmon noted that Precinct One
Commissioner "Chema". Alvarez
had asked that the flag at the
courthouse be lowered to half-mast
on the day following Villarreal's
death on Monday evening, March
10.
Salmon said, "There were some
individuals expressing concern as
to the appropriateness of this
action In anticipation of possible
inquiries as to the propriety of our
flag flying at half-mast, I contacted
the Attorney General's office and I
was advised that it would be proper
and honorable and in conformity
with prevailing custom "
Following the executive session,
an agreement was also reached
concerning the garbage situation
Pat Hernandez of Grande Garbage
Collection was given 90 days to
abide fully by his contract with the
county by providing commercial
containers.
Attorney David Garza, repre-
senting A & L, a Mission firm
wishing to enter the Starr County
collection picture, inquired about
the legality of the contract. County
Attorney Heriberto Silva said, "It
(the earlier decision to entertain
proposals) was not an invitation to
a contract There is an existing
contract I did not give any legal
advice."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Amando Pena made the motion to
that effect, and it was approved
without dissent
After the meeting, Pat Hernan
dez told The Rio Grande Herald
"We have secured 100 commercial
containers, and two dumpsters. I'm
going to let my job be my contract.
We intend to do things as we've
done them before, basically."
Hernandez added, "I would like
them (the commissioners) to take
a stand in my favor. We were there
when we were needed in 1981
Where were these people in 1981'' I
feel like they took a -stand in my
favor "
(See TREASURER, Pup* 101
Suspect Being Sought
In Homicide
A 29-year-old man is being sought
for alleged involvement in the
murder of Reymundo Ramos late
Monday night in El Ranchito Bar
Ramos, 35, of Rio Grande City,
was shot five times at about 10
p.m. Monday He was hit in the
upper torso and arms, and was
pronounced dead at 11:25 p.m that
evening at Starr County Memorial
Hospital
Juan Manuel Dimas, 29. is
currently being sought on a
homicide warrant He allegedly
fled the scene on foot, and his
whereabouts are currently un
known
Ramos was the bartender at El
Ranchito, located about three miles
east of Rio Grande City in El
Arroyo.
According to the Sheriff's De
partment, the two apparently had
an argument inside the bar. and
then walked outside Five shots
were heard moments later
The weapon used was apparently
a handgun, of which the caliber
was unknown as of late Tuesday
The Sheriff's Department indicated
then that the shooting is still fully
under investigation.
On Tuesday, an autopsy was
performed on Ramos by Dr. Ruben
Santos of McAllen Ramos's body
was then taken to Sanchez Funeral
Home.
Trevino Announces
Water BoardCandidacy
Rio Grande City resident and
rancher Ernesto Trevino. Jr . an-
nounces that he will be a candidate
for board member in the upcoming
Starr County Water District elec-
tion.
"Having grown up in the Water
District, I have first hand experi-
ence and knowledge of the pro-
blems faced by the voters of the
district," stated Trevino, who is a
1969 graduate of Rio Grande City
High School He added, "Without
question, the number one issue has
got to be water conservation for
future economic development for
the creation of jobs "
Trevino, who is 35 and single, is
currently the coordinator for the
Starr County JTPA Employment
and Training Division of the South
Texas Private Industry Council
Trevino said, "As a rancher I
can appreciate the value of water.
With the droughts that have
continuously plagued us for the
past several years the district will
face unprecedented challenges just
to meet current demands I'm will-
ing to face that challenge and bite
the bullet if necessary "
Other issues of concern are "the
discontinuation of federal funds for
water and sewer improvement,
water quality and storage capacity
for future industrial development,"
added Trevino
Trevino holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Criminal Justice
from Texas A&I University at
Laredo
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986, newspaper, March 20, 1986; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195020/m1/1/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.