The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 19, 1987 Page: 1 of 10
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Valley Mart
Circulars
Inside
THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
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Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
No. 17 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1987
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FIFTEEN CENTS
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A Herald Editorial
J.M. Martinez, Jr., the new County Judge, has started
off his administration <is an unapologetic budget-cutter,
feverishly working to slash what was an already large
dcficit that was threatening to become uncontrollable.
The Rio Grande Herald feels that Judge Martinez's
efforts are, for the most part, correct...These cuts are
tough medicine, but the situation clearly called for more
than piecemeal cuts.
Deficit financing is clearly harmful at any level of
government. Besides these known facts, Starr County is
under a 1985 court order by District Judge Ricardo H.
Garcia to operate in the black, and steer clear of deficits.
This was the only reason that the sale of refunding
bonds was approved at that time.
The Herald doesn't agree with the outlook that
expresses approval of fiscal responsibility, but only in
everyone else's department.
This outlook is especially prevalent in our nation's
capital, and have basically stalled efforts to reverse or
even contain the Big Government colossus and the
high-tax, high-spend policies of the past decades.
The Herald feels that law enforcement and fire
protection, while not sacrosanct from cuts, should be
considered high priorities of the county government.
Only an orderly and safe society will even begin to allow
each citizen to realize his God-given potential. Clearly,
the forces of lawlessness are increasing in their
viciousncss and effectiveness.
The Herald believes, however, that the real answer for
Starr County's budget and economic problems will be
strong economic growth in the PRIVA I I SECIOR. It is
not good when more than 40 percent of total
employment comes from some level of government.
The Herald strongly supports all efforts to promote the
county and attract new job-creating enterprises. Along
this line, the county's greatest assets should be
determined and capitalized upon fully .
KIWI I II ROBERTS
III I< M D MANAGING EDITOR
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Bn KENNETH ROBERTS
Calixto Villarreal, a 19-year-old
Pan American University student
from Rio Grande City, is protesting
the manner in which the annual
election for board directors of the
Union Water Supply Corporation
was held last Tuesday
Villarreal said he was nominated
as a director for the water supply
corporation board, but was ruled
out as a candidate by Manuel
Guerra, board president and 18-
year member of the board. Villar-
real indicated that he still received
enough write-in votes to receive the
second highest vote total, in the
election for which three director
slots were open
But Guerra contended, "We go
by the bylaws, made up by FHA
(the Farmers Home Administra-
tion). Calixto Villarreal. Jr., is not
the owner of the meter. Therefore,
he could not run for office.'
Guerra added, "He was dis-
qualified because he didn't have
the qualifications. He, or anyone
else, will not be allowed to run for
the board without being a member
in accordance with the bylaws."
By the end of the day Tuesday, it
appeared likely that a suit would
be filed in state district court over
the election.
According to local attorney
David Garza, the likely format will
be as follows, ' The judge has to
okay its filing...If the District
Commission Architect
Visits Lee House
The Robert E. Lee House,
currently the subject of a fund-
raising campaign for restoration,
was looked over by a Texas
Historical Commission architect on
Tuesday.
Gerron S Hite, Staff Architect of
the Division of Architecture,
commented, "The building is im-
portant and should be rehabili-
tated. The important thing is to get
it stabilized, and get a roof on it."
Hite added, "It needs the roof,
closing off the opening, and going
back to an open porch. Rebuilding
of the chimney tfiay need to come
first."
Hite spent approximately 45
minutes looking over the site
Tuesday afternoon. Also on hand
were Historical Society chairman
George Edgerton and Rio Grande
City CISD Superintendent Dr. A.E.
Garcia.
Mrs. John A Pope, Jr., Histori-
cal Society President, told The Rio
Grande Herald on Tuesday morn-
ing, "Collections are going very
well. Every dollar is very much
appreciated. We started this and
we want, to see this through. ''
She noted that "they've started
putting in posts for the
fence..We're proud that people
have come forward and helped."
Attorney okays, I will be represen-
ting the relator, Mr. Lopez He felt
it was his duty to be the
relator. Only the state can be the
plaintiff."
Leonel R. Lopez was one of the
three election judges, and is a
member of Union Water Supply
Corporation. Named as the defen-
dant would be DeWitt Jones,
vice-president of Union Water
Supply. Garza said, "This is not a
personal attack on DeWitt Jones."
Jones, whose vote total of 26 was
the third highest when Calixto
Villarreal was ruled disqualified,
was one of three board members
up for election. The other two
ultimate winners were Meliton
Villarreal, who had 51 votes, and
Armandina E. Garza, who
garnered 41 votes
Calixto Villarreal received 44
votes as a write-in candidate to
finish second place, even after
being disqualified. DeWitt Jones
received 26 votes, and Faustino
Lopez 25.
DeWitt Jones told The Rio
Grande Herald Tuesday night, "He
(Villarreal) is not a member of the
corporation. He doesn't have a
meter. He had to have one 30 days
prior to the election. We have no
record of that meter. That's the
only reason he was disqualified."
Jones added, "We're not con-
cerned (about a possible suit). We
only stick to the bylaws, according
to FHA. I didn't make the bylaws,
FHA made the bylaws."
Attorney Garza contended, "I
don't think they had any basis for
disqualifying him (Villarreal)."
Villarreal said the matter started
when he worked on a college
research paper concerning the
Texas Water Commission last year
He said he approached Union
Water Supply for information, out
was told the information was
private
Villarreal commented, "They
told me it was private information.
I knew it was public I told the
people it was their information."
Guerra commented aoout that
episode, "I wasn't there, and
surmised that one of the employees
had told Villarreal that the records
belonged to a non-profit corpora
tion, and thus to the members
Villarreal said, 'I told the people
they were owners of the corpora-
tion
Villarreal said, "I never use Jr
They said it was my dad • who had
the meter). They claim the paper
that shows I'm a member is my
dad's signature My signature is
nothing like my dad's ''
Guerra contended, "We asked
him for his birth certificate and
driver's license, which would have
had his actual name We asked to
compare the signature on the
service agreement for rnem
bership. We wanted to compare
that signature to that document,
and he refused to sign. At first, he
said he would, then he refused
Then he said his mother went to
the office to sign for bim "
Villarreal contended. "Mine was
the only service agreement she
had They were already ready to
deny my nomination Why only my
service agreement?..They did not
ask me for my driver's license nor
(See ELECTION. Pa.u<-8>
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\
B\ KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
(Editor's Note: The Rio Grande
Herald, in recognition of the
increasing importance of winter
tourists to Starr County, will be
running a two-part series on this
issue, beginning this week. This
week's story will focus on the
economic importance of Winter
Texans to the county, and
possibilities of increasing such
trade in the future Next week's
issue will focus on some of the
interesting activities of the Winter
Texans themselves)
With the passage of time. Winter
Texan retirees are obviously
becoming a greater social and
economic asset to Starr County,
and the future seems to hold even
brighter promise in this area.
i\\ one has been able to de
termine the exact economic impact
of Winter Texans upon Starr
County's economy
But a study published last year
by Pan American University in-
dicated that the retirees pump
about $92 million annually into the
Rio Grande Valley's economy
Marge Johnson, the Vailey
Chamber of Commerce's adminis-
trative assistant says that the
PAU study is probablv the most
reliable data available. But she
added, "That (The $92 million
figure) was based on the peak of
the tourist season We think it
(Winter Texan trade) is closer to
$100 million."
Johnson said, "Nobody has any
hard figures; the last figure we had
was $400 million for all tourism in
the Valley " But she added, "The
Winter Texans would have to be at
least 50 percent of the tourism in
the Valley. In the slimmer, we
don't have that many tourists,
except for the island."
Johnson indicated that "we are
having a good tourist season this
year."
She added that the latest figures
indicating tourism's impact upon
Starr County are from 1984
Statistics put together by the U.S.
Travel Data Tourism Center show
that tourism that year had a total
economic impact in Starr County of
$6,542,000, and generated a payroll
in the county of $1,223,000.
In 1983, the Travel Data Center
statistics indicated that tourist
trade in Starr County totaled
$9,902,000
Many business leaders in Starr
County have expressed the opinion
that the County is not placing
enough emphasis on the Winter
Texan trade
Rene Montalvo, executive
director of the Starr County Indus
trial Foundation, said "There's no
question about it We are losing a
lot of revenue in this county The
other Chambers of Commerce in
the Valley cater very heavily to the
Winter Texans."
Montalvo added, "As long as we
don't have recreational-type facili-
ties in here, you will not get Winter
Texans and their dollars "
Montalvo said that among the
Foundation's promotional efforts
are participation with the Valley
Chamber of Commerce, which
distributes over 100.(X)0 brochures
at trade shows throughout the
Midwestern United States Material
that promotes Starr County's
assets is featured in these
brochures.
Montalvo added that "We have a
brochure strictly for tourism."
which stresses such locations as
the Lee House, the Fort Ringgold
Golf Course, and the LaBorde
House.
Montalvo said, "Our brochure
shows them that we have many
other things here " Also featured in
the brochure are some of the scenic
and historical spots in Mexico that
are adjacent to Starr County
Montalvo commented, "Some
potential investors have said
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l ocal Cub Scouts in Den 1, Pack 93 observed Scouting Week last week with many
aclmtics. including this bean bag throw that took place at Immaculate Conception
Si hool on Er ida\
they're interested, but they've been
saying that for two years. You need
something to entice investors "
Montalvo concluded, "Hard work
and cooperation are the formula
for success in every area. We need
a map to know where we are,
where we're going, and when (and
how) we're going to get there."
Starr County Judge J.M
Martinez, Jr., told The Rio Grande
Herald in January that "we're not
really getting our share of the pie
with the winter visitors This
mainly needs to come from in-
vestors in the private sector who
want to make facilities available
It's a resource that needs to be
developed "
Pete Diaz, Jr . owner of the Fort
Ringgold Motor Inn and golf
course, commented, "They (the
Winter Texans) mean a whole lot
We have a lot of winter tourists
that come to play golf, sometimes
over 100 or 120 at one time. Two
weeks ago (from Jan 30 back), we
had over 100 Winter Texan
golfers "
Diaz said. There's no telling
how much they spend in the
community. I know it's quite a
bundle. .It (the Winter Texan
trade i helps, but it's not com-
pensating for the peso devaluation
whatsoever. That business was
here before "
Diaz noted. "This month and
February are the peak times, as
long as weather is good, January
has been a good month This is the
best season for the golf course I
wish we had more local people
involved in golf Whatever they
(Winter Texans) spend is good for
the economy "
To increase Winter Texan trade,
Diaz suggests that "we need to
build trailer parks We need some
museums so the tourists can look
around There's a lot of land
around here that can be used for
beautiful trailer parks."
On the positive side, says Diaz,
They love the area and our
hospitality The> love the climate
They feel the golf course is one of
the best-kept They like to visit
Fort Ringgold, Falcon Lake, and
Sugar Lake and old Camargo in
Mexico They love birdwatching
and love to look for rocks "
Diaz said, "They Winter Tex
ansi come from all over, all the
way from Canada We get thank
you letters from Winter Texans in
their home states We get a bundle
of letters They enjoy the
hospitality of the whole communi
ty."
Tourism Is Industry-
Diaz concluded. "Tourism in
itself is an industry There's been
more and more Winter Texans
each year, but it hasn t increased
the way it should. Some of the
Winter Texans are also hurting
economically. A lot of them have
cut back on coming this way
They're also in trouhle
'economically) like we are "
He said that one thing that may
be holding back Winter Texan
trade at the golf course to a certain
extent is the fact that "we're
getting more competition from
other golf courses. I don't think it's
increasing the way it should,
because of the new golf courses
proliferating throughout the area
including in Mexico "
During The Herald's recent in-
terview with Diaz on this matter,
he noted that at least seven
travel-trailers had passed by on
U.S. 83, in only 45 minutes He said.
"There are many trailer parks in
the Valley where they don't find
space."
In June, golf course manager
Roel Villarreal told The Herald
that Winter Texans are the main
factor in keeping the goif course
going. He added, "They iove to
play the course It's a little out of
the way, but their coming down not
only serves the course," but also
the rest of the community.
Villarreal said then. "Without the
Winter Texans, we'd never make
it. They're our biggest source of
income for the year "
Industrial Foundation President
Sam Vale said. "For Starr County,
we have just begun to tap our
potential segment of the Winter
Texan market What we have has
been developing on its own, with
the exception of the trade brought
(SeeT1A \N>. I\m«' I'M
Jesusa Salmon Files
For Water Board
Jesusa L Salmon of 409 East
Fourth Street in Rio Grande City
has announced her candidacy for
the Board of Directors of the Starr
County Watei Improvement Dis-
trict No. 2
Mrs Salmon, wife of Starr
County Veterans Service Officer
Homero Salmon, Sr , is presently
employed by the University of
Health Science Studies of Houston
' Starr County Diabetes Alert t
For the last six years, Mrs
Salmon had worked for the Com
munity Action Council of South
Texas as a nurse's aide and as an
assistant laboratory technician
Jesusa Salmon
Prior to her employment with
CACST, she was a member of the
Migrant Council Parent Committee
and at "iat time, she was employed
by the State Rural Health Initiative
Program RHI Region 10
In 198C Mrs Salmon served as a
Starr County Democratic Party
alternate delegate in the state
Democratic Party convention in
Houston She is an active member
of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
No. 8526 Women'.-. Auxiliary
Jesusa ! "Chucha" Salmon is a
member of the First United Meth
odist Church where she is actively
involved in the Finance Committee,
Council of Ministries. Parish
Pastor Relations Committee and
Evangelism Missions
Mrs Salmon stated. "1 am
willing to dedicate my free time to
carry out and }*>fform the duties
and responsibilities of a board
member I will aggressively seek
to improve the water service
system and to provide equal
representation Service to my
community has always been my
priority On the 4th day of April.
1987. all citi?ens serviced by Starr
County Water and Improvement
District No 2 will be asked to
make their choice, and given the
circumstances that now exist, I am
confident that you will vote for a
change "
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 19, 1987, newspaper, February 19, 1987; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195068/m1/1/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.