The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 1987 Page: 1 of 10
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THE RIO GRANDE HERAlu
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
Specials,
Pgs. 5,6
Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Kio Grande Publishing Co.
No. 12 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15,1987
FIFTEEN CENTS
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Sheriff Strongly Protests
Likely Budget Cuts
Debated By Court
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Valley Mart Supermarkets have recently acquired another
store, in Mercedes. Pictured above are George Recio (left) and
Pete Diaz III of Diaz Enterprises.
Valley Mart Opening
Mercedes Store
Valley Mart Supermarkets,
based in Rio Grande City, have
recently acquired another store
(formerly Salinas Supermarket) in
Mercedes.
This addition will extend the
group of Valley Mart stores serving
the M'd and Upper Valley area to
five. Besides a full line of
groceries, meats, produce, the new
unit will also feature unique
departments such as a floral,
seafoods, gourmet, hardware,
clothing, film developing, health
and diet foods, and also a full line
H.B.A. Department.
For its customers convenience,
this Valley Mart store will also
cater money orders, and check
cashing services.
Di Rec Foods Inc., (Valley Mart)
indicates that it is very proud to be
a part of Mercedes, and is really
looking forward to serve the
Mercedes and Weslaco area to the
best of its ability with this
additional Valley Mart store.
Valley Mart will be accepting
employment location applications
to Mercedes residents. Valley Mart
plans to employ over 25 full-time
and part-time personnel.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
The County Commissioners spent
the bulk of their regular meeting
Monday debating about where the
brunt of $500,000 in projected
budget cuts should fall.
Several department heads pres
ented the case against cuts in their
departments. The strongest op
position was by Sheriff Gene
Falcon, who contended that a
$15,000 projected cut in his de-
partment's budget could pose
serious problems for law en-
forcement in the county.
At least several citizens ;n the
audience agreed with Sheiiff
Falcon that the Sheriff's Depart-
ment should be spared any reduc-
tion.
County Clerk Juan Mills was
another official who said his office
would be seriously hampered by
proposed cuts. Mrs. Adela Guer-
rero told the court that Community
Action Council day care programs
are receiving too skimpy an
allocation.
For his part, County Judge J.M
Martinez, Jr., insisted that cuts of
a major magnitude are needed to
pull the county out of a rapidly
worsening deficit He vowed that
all departments would be treated
equally and fairly.
A consensus was reached that the
meeting should be recessed until 10
a.m. Thursday, at which time the
discussion of proposed cuts will be
continued.
Judge Martinez noted the intense
Duran Granted (Contract
In Stormy Meeting
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The Starr County Water District
Manager was awarded a contract
for the first time Tuesday in an
explosive and contentious meeting
of the Water Board, over the strong
protests of two members.
The issue began to simmer when
board member Jose I. "Pepe"
Tijerina asked, "I would like to
know about how to go about getting
a two-year contract for the manag-
er (Efrain Duran)."
Legal counsel Alex W. Gabert
said, "It's just like any other
contract Heretofore, that I can
recall, no one in the Water District
has had a contract. If the district
wants to extend a contract, it's
your prerogative. I don't think you
can extend it longer than the term
of election (two years) This is
strictly a matter for the board."
Board member David Porras
questioned Duran, "Why are you
asking for a contract after 10
years'*" Duran replied, "I need to
be secure I didn't say I was going
to retire. I just want a contract. If
you don't want to do it, that's your
prerogative "
Earlier in the meeting, board
members Porras and Armando
Garcia had sharply criticized
Duran's handling of the minutes.
Garcia insisted, "There is a
discussion we had last time that is
not included Mr Tijerina asked a
question about if the manager-
would retire in June " When Duran
protested. Garcia retorted, "I'm
addressing it to the (board) presi-
dent (Cipriano Lopez)."
Duran said, "I thought he was
asking me a personal question."
Porras contended, "We don't want
any more altering or tampering of
the minutes We just want it on
record, and want a correction."
Porras and Garcia both insisted
that "we should put everything
discussed" in the minutes
Duran argued, "Only the perti-
nent matters of business are
required to be in the minutes. If
you want that in the minutes, we'll
put it there."
Garcia then moved that the
minutes be taken by legal counsel
The motion was defeated 3-2, as
Cipriano Lopez, Juan Solis, and
"Pepe" Tijerina voted no. Garcia
and Porras voted in favor.
On the matter of the contract,
Porras insisted that in the Decem-
ber meeting "He (Tijerina) asked
on behalf of the board (if Duran
planned to retire). I don't think a
new board should be bound by a
contract." Garcia contended, "I
don't think this is in the best
interests of the board "
Porras suggested, "Since he told
the board he was retiring in June,
let's just give him a contract from
January to June." In December, a
local shopper had quoted Duran as
saying to Tijerina that he would
retire in either the first or latter
part of June.
Garcia argued, "It's going to cost
taxpayers money. If he retires in
June, we'll have to pay off two
years of the contract." Lopez, the
president of the board, expressed
his belief, "To me, he's done a
good job."
Garcia questioned, "Why has he
managed to come up with a
$63,000-plus deficit for the county
on the cemetery'' Is that good
management? We should have
done something a long time ago. At
least we approached the court At
least we got to first base."
Duran said, "That's the way the
situation is between our entity and
the county," and added that he had
approached the county several
times.
Garcia worried that "this report
(about the debt on the cemetery)
goes up to Austin (to the Texas
Water Commission). The auditor
has brought this up."
Porras told Gabert that he
believed Duran has been insubor
dinate to the board Gabert replied,
"The board can change its mind
about whether to terminate or
grant a contract. It works both
ways."
For his part, Duran insisted, with
obvious irritation, "It's not even
close to insubordination That's
your thinking."
Garcia said, "Three board
(See DURAN, Page 10)
Perm Promoted By
Roma Bank
*>
Martin A Canales, Jr., executive
vice-president of the Citizens State
Bank of Roma, has announced that
Yolanda R Pena. a lifetime
resident of Rio Grande City, has
been promoted from head teller to
assistant vice president by the
board of directors
Canales said Pena's promotion is
the result of her excellent work
performance
Yolanda graduated from Rio
Grande City High School and
attended Pan American University
in Edinburg She has worked with
Citizens State Bank since 1979, and
has 10 years experience in banking.
Mrs Pena is married to Rogelio
Pena, Jr She is the daughter of the
late Santiago Ramirez and Mrs
Eduarda M Ramirez of Rio
Grande City
public interest in the matter. He
said, "The court has been informed
by the auditor that certain expect-
ed revenues will not come in. His
best estimate of a deficit is around
$500,000...This could well and prob-
ably will involve reductions in
personnel " He then opened the
meeting up for comment.
Carlos Lopez of San Isidro said
that area citizens have asked the
Sheriff's Department to provide
routine patrols for that area. He
commented, "They have been
there in times of need, but they
haven't been there on a routine
basis."
Lopez added, "You have a
difficult challenge, but we hope you
realize we need help in the San
Isidro area " He urged the court
not to cut the Sheriff's Department.
Thomas Lent, the owner of a La
Rosita trailer park, said he had
asked the sheriff two years ago to
consider placing a substation in
San Isidro.
He commented, "One of the first
things tourists look for is friendli-
ness and good climate." Also
important, he contended, are stable
government, adequate utilities,
quality medical area and a good
staff of doctors, and reliable police
and fire protection.
Proposed Sheriff 8
Cuts Scored
Reserve Deputy Art Herbert
said, "We make many cails to
Roma. Crime is up 12 precent in
the last year. Gene has lost two
people." lie insisted now is not the
time to cut law enforcement
agencies, and urged that more
lawmen be hired, and that they be
paid better salaries.
Raul R. Guerra of The South
Texas Reporter newspaper con
tended, "We have the same pro-
Pete Diaz, Jr. Day
Planned For Jan. 23
Plans are well underway for the
proclamation and celebration of
"Pete Diaz, Jr Appreciation Day"
on Friday, Jan. 23.
County Judge Jose M. Martinez,
Jr., indicated Tuesday, at an
informal luncheon that he would
ask the County Commissioners to
issue a proclamation for the day in
honor of Diaz.
Diaz, a lifelong resident of Rio
Grande City, owns the Vallty Mart
Stores, the Fort Ringgold Motor
Inn and Golf Course, and _,\VW
Radio in Harlingen. Over the.
years, he has gained nationwide
attention, especially in the His-
panic community, for leadership in
numerous economic enterprises
that have created thousands of
jobs.
Diaz has also visited the White
House on at least two occasions
during the administration of Presi-
dent Reagan, In May 1984, he dined
with President Reagan and Mexii
President Miguel De La Madrid a
a state dinner at the White House
in honor of the Mexican head of
state.
A semi-formal social is planned
for Jan. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the
Fort Ringgold Motor Inn. Romeo
Lopez, the Rio Grande City C1SD
Business Manager, will serve as
Master of Ceremonies.
Leonel Lopez, Rio Chamber of
Commerce president, is one of the
leading event planners. He said
Tuesday that $1000 in pledges fo:
the event have been received.
Expected to present awards to
Diaz are the Volunteer Fire De-
partment and the DECA Program
of the Rio Grande City C1SD. The
Chamber will present Diaz a token
of appreciation, on behalf of the
entire community. Diaz was active
in organizing the Fire Department
in the 1950s and has helped that
organization regularly throughout
the years.
Judge Martinez will represent
the county at the event, and the
Chamber will represent Rio
Grande City.
Also, at the social, Diaz will be
the subject of a friendly, positive
roast Hopes were expressed that
Father Agapito Santos, who was
pastor of Immaculate Conception
Church in the late 1960's, could be
on hand for the event
Leonel Lopez indicated that
much planning for the event still
needed to be done in the next week.
wr V m
¥ • _ r:
blem in the west part of the county
Most of the Sheriff's personnel are
tied down in Rio Grande City.
There's a big chunk of Roma not
under the city's jurisdiction."
Guerra added, "Cutting the
sheriff's budget will not help
matters at all. We need security
and protection. The Roma Police
Department is very limited on
personnel." He said the sheriff has
fold him the problem is because the
number of lawmen are too few and
spread out too thin
Noe Olivarez. commander of the
local VFW post, said that "we have
5000 veterans in the county. We
badly need protection." He
advocated that the Sheriff's De-
partment be exempt from any cuts
Rev William Park of Roma then
questioned Judge Martinez, "Judge
(Bias) Chapa said (last Sep-
tember) that you agreed with this
budget." Martinez responded that
"I wasn't here then "
Park went on to say, "I think the
Sheriff's Office is far more ef-
fective with what they have than
the commissioners. I have pro-
blems with this travel expense
that's just given (to commission-
ers)."
Mrs Adela Guerrero of the
CACST thanked the commissioners
for supporting day care programs
in the past. She added, "This
program requires some local funds
We pay some back in rent. For
every eight cents you give us, the
state provides 92 cents "
Mrs Guerrero said that had she
known of any cuts, "I would have
filled the room with working
mothers, whose children need day
|S«-«* CI TS. Page 7|
WIC Fire Continues
v. - ' • * . ■ , O
Investigation into the New Year's
morning fire at the Rural Health
Initiative office building in Rio
Grande City is continuing, by both
the Sheriff's Department and Coun-
ty Fire Marshal.
On Tuesday, Sheriff's Depart
ment Chief Investigator "Lalo"
Saenz said that the investigation is
moving along steadily.
On Monday, Chief Deputy J.C
Gomez told The Herald that a <11000
reward is being offered for the
arrest and conviction of those
persons responsible for setting the
fire. He said all information will be
kept strictly confidential He urget
persons with knowledge to call the
Sheriff's Department at 487-5571, or
the State Crime Prevention pro-
gram at 1-800-252-TIPS
Francisco "Pa«_o" Zarate, execu^
tive director of the Community-
Action Council of South Texas,
notified The Herald on Thursday
that the offices for the WIC
Program are now located at the
Old Laguna Ranch offices on
Hospital Road past St John's
Methodist Church He indicated
that regular services were sched-
uled to resume at the new location
on Monday, Jan 12
On Tuesday, County Fire
Marsha) David Villarreal said.
"Were still working on it. The
police are working on some
leads. We haven't talked to the
state Fire Marshal yet."
Villarreal said that "my deter-
mination was that it (the
Christmas tree) was set on fire.
Further probe showed two hot
spots in the area, so it could have
been set in two places The exact
way it was set is undetermined.
We ve had the insurance compa-
nies come down and look into it."
Villarreal indicated that "two
young men were seen there, there
is a description of their clothing It
was a foggy morning; the smoke
was very intense," making it
almost impossible for the suspects
themselves to be seen.
Yolanda R. Pena
District Food
Show
Saturday
The District 4 11 Food Show will
be held this Saturday, Jan. 17 in
San Isidro, with eight local 4-H'ers
competing for the title of District
winners
Those Starr County 4 H'ers
competing are as follows: Maritza
Montalvo, Starr Grande 4-H; Dina
Trevino, San Isidro 4-H; Teresa
Salinas, Starr Grande 4-H; Ana
Teresa Solis, Rio 4-H.
Linda Diana Guerra, Rio 4-H;
Roxanne Alaniz, San Isidro 4 H;
Melissa A Gonzalez, Rio 4-H;
Nelissa Y Pena, San Isidro 4-H.
The Food Show is open for public
viewing starting at 1 p.m. There
will be some 56 4-H'ers from 11
South Texas counties coming for
the competition to be hosted by
Starr County 4 H Council members,
and 4-H Adult Leaders are busy
helping get this major activity
planned and initiated
IP",'
The six youths pictured above will be participating in the District 4-H Food
Show in San Isidro this Saturday. From left to right in the back row are Ana
Teresa Solis, Linda Guerra, Melissa Gonzalez, and Dina Trevino. In the front row
are Maritza Montalvo (left) and Teresa Salinas. Not pictured are Nelissa Pena
and Roxanne Alaniz.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 1987, newspaper, January 15, 1987; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195063/m1/1/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.