The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1988 Page: 1 of 10
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Serving Starr County For Five Decades
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Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inside
NO. 14 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11,1988
FIFTEEN CENTS
Richie Cantu, president of the Rio Grande City High
Student Council, was honored by the Chamber of
Commerce as the Outstanding Student at the organiza-
tion's annual banquet Saturday night. He is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. Rodoifo "Roy" Cantu of Rio Grande City.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Starr County citizens discussed in
detail various problems said to be
plaguing the La Union and El
Tanque Water Supply entities at a
public hearing orchestrated by
State Rep. Irma Rangel at the Fort
Ringgold Motor Inn Friday after-
noon.
The meeting was attended by
numerous officials of the Texas
Water Commission and the Texas
Health Department.
As the discussion about Union
Water Supply Corporation began,
Leonel R Lopez said, "I want to
see how we can be helped by both
agencies. The (Union) board
members, in July 1987, increased
prices for water services from an
$8 to a $9 minimum. Mr. (Manuel)
Guerra (the Union board presi-
dent) stated that the corporation
was in a problem. They put in a
new fee of $20 for disconnection
Ramirez Stresses Education's
Importance At Banquet
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Those persons attending the
annual Rio Grande City Chamber
of Commerce banquet Saturday
night at the Fort Ringgold Motor
Inn heard the guest speaker,
television anchorman Robert
rtamirez, advocate heavy stress on
improving the quality of education
as the key to advancing the
economic condition of Starr County
and the Rio Grande Valley.
Ramirez began his remarks by
noting that 70.000 job: hai been
created in Hidalgo and Cameron
Counties since 1980, with 52,000 of
these jobs being created in Hidalgo
County. The jobs created in Hidal-
go County matches the similar
figure for El Paso County, which
has twice the population
Ramirez pointed to these figures
to stress that economic progress is
being made in the Valley. He said,
"Overall, the growth is there Bank
deposits are up."
Ramirez commented, "The most
important thing for economic dev-
elopment is education.
Massachusetts was in a sorry
economic state 15 to 20 years ago,
but now minorities there have a
lower unemployment rate than the
United States at large They
(Massachusetts) have a very
highly educated and trained work
force."
Ramirez, an anchorman for
KGBT TV in Harlingen, contended,
"It's more important for us to
concern ourselves not only with our
families, but our neighbor's fami-
lies. We have to be concerned
about the whole."
Ramirez freely quoted remarks
made by the late Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. He noted this King
remark: "As long as there is
poverty in the world, I can never
be rich, even if I have a billion
dollars."
Ramirez concluded, "The only
way we re 'going to get ahead is to
do it together. This applies on a
global basis."
Ramirez contended that for Starr
County and the Valley to experi-
ence greater economic prosperity,
"We have to attack the problems of
the dropout rate and literacy and
functional illiteracy."
He pointed to the Good Neighbor
Settlement House that has been
started in Brownsville in recent
months With that project, a
woman named Evelyn Dale started
an after-school tutoring program.
Ramirez noted, "The goal was to
get every child to stay in school
every day."
After only three six-weeks, said
Ramirez, 85 percent of the 108
participating Brownsville students
have not missed a day of school
and all students are passing their
courses. Ramirez added, "These
are the most high-risk kids.
They're finding out that hard work
can be rewarding and fun."
Ramirez said, "Now, Evelyn
Dale wants to raise $250,000 and
build an Education Resources
Center, with computers and a
small library.''
Ramirez indicated that kfctfl
businesses had provided many
helps and treats to the youngsters,
and that retired teachers, off-duty
teachers, and even high school
students had helped the after
school tutoring progimm.
Ramirez again quoted King, who
once said. Intelligence plus char-
acter. That is the objective of
education.
Ramirez also noted these re-
marks by King, "Religion is the
greatest means for the establish-
ment of order in the world."
He indicated that King had said
that if religion became obscured or
hidden, tranquility and peace
would lessen and chaos and con-
fusion would increase. Ramirez
expressed the opinion that this is
exactly what has happened in the
world today.
Ramirez contended, "Character,
good conduct, being respectful of
order-- these things should be
taught in our schools. We need to
learn more about spiritual values
in the schools. We have to turn
(See BANQUET, Page 2)
Commissioners Approve
EMS Eli '1
Calling
ie
:ion
4
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The County Commissioners, at
their regular meeting Monday,
voted to call a countywide election
tfe enable Starr County voters to
decide if they desire an Emergency
Medical Services District to carry
out ambulance service countywide.
The commissioners voted to
accept the petitions presented and
declare an election on the issue
County Judge J.M Martinez, Jr.,
said, "We can get together (later in
the week) and set a good date."
The election will not be on the
March 8 ballot, as such an election
must be held in no less than 30
days and in no more than 60 days.
The matter was continued from
the public hearing that was held
Friday Discussion at Friday's
hearing is detailed elsewhere in
this issue of The Rio Grande
Herald
Anti-tax activist Margil Sanchez
began the discussion by saying, "I
think we can come up with a
compromise with the hospital."
George Edgerton contended, "I'm
wondering if this is the most
expensive way. I don't see any
reason to put up a separate entry if
it will increase taxes."
Leonel R. Lopez declared, "I
want the Hospital District to
identify in black and white what is
causing the deficit for the hospital.
How much will the taxpayers have
to pay to cover this election?"
Precinct Two Commissioner
Amando Pena insisted, "I'm
against creating this new entity
because it will increase taxes
without any doubt. It's going to
cost more If they're talking about
the need of money, they have the
key within their hand, raising the
tax rate."
Auditor Jose Guadalupe Villar-
real declared, "As a citizen, I
agree with Mr. Pena and Mr.
Edgerton. The Hospital Board has
the remedy in their hands, rather
than creating a new entity."
Precinct Four Commissioner
Reynaldo "Moreno" Alaniz con-
tended, "The people in San Isidro
are continually being left without
services. We are 40 miles out there.
Those people out there deserve
those services just as much. That's
the district that pays 70 percent of
county revenues. The school did
away with ambulance services for
insurance purposes."
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez said, "All
this court will do is honor these
petitions. It's up to the taxpayers
and voters to decide."
Hospital Administrator Thalia
Munoz contended, "The main idea
of this is to enhance services. The
service has been good for 21*
years. To try to serve extended
areas is difficult. With the revenue
we have now, it is difficult to even
maintain services as they are now
Extra revenues is what's needed "
She added, "Creating a separate
entity would make emergency
services the prime concern of this
entity. The main reason for the
District doing this is to enhance
services."
Judge Martinez asked. "What
would be the cheapest way to
operate?" Munoz responded,
"There have been a lot of
absorbed, dual costs at the hospi-
tal It will cost a little more to
f
with another $20 fee for reconnec-
tion."
Lopez contended, "Starr County
has the largest unemployment
rate; the majority are migrant
farmworkers like myself. When we
really need their support, they
don't consider us, but they use us
for their own purposes."
Lopez insisted, "A $12 minimum
is charged even if the meter is
shut. I think that is a fraud." Lopez
said that he was charged with the
use of 12,000 gallons of water in one
month, when the actual use by his
family was only about 3000 gallons.
He argued, "We are the members
and sole owners of this corporation.
We are our own customers. It's the
responsibility of every board
member to do their job.''
Lopez indicated that new mem-
bers of the Union water system are
being charged a fee of $650. He
added, "If I have to follow with
legal procedures, I'll follow
through 100 percent with this."
Erica Rodriguez, a Union
member, said, "I've been a
member of Union Water Supply
ince the beginning. I had lived in
the rural areas 19 years without
water. Water became available in
the rural areas in 1966 The plant
was designed for 200 members
only."
Rodriguez added, "It's the peo-
ple's organization and the people
run it. The board is the governing
body " She indicated that annual
.income has increased from $15,000
in 1966 to around $220,000 today,
and added that membership has
risen to about 1000.
She contended, "The plant is
overloaded now; the plant is
overloaded even though it was
expanded recently...It': a good
corporation, but it hasn't been well
managed. I don't like the high rate,
but I don't mind it for a little while
to get the corporation out of
trouble You need good board
V I
members to set up initiatives."
Yolanda Leal stated, "I saw a
bunch of people (at a recent
meeting) waving their bills, and
they were completely ignored. I
was on the agenda. Their (the
board's) answer was 'We have
made a decision and they have no
say-so other than to check the
meters themselves'''.
Leal compared rates for new
meters among local water supply
entities. She indicated the prices
for new meters as follows: Union
Water, $650; El Tanque, $250; La
Grulla, $403; Starr County Water
District, $150; Rio Water Supply,
$175.
She said, "The majority of the
people are migrants and seasonal
workers. They are forced to resort
to multiple connections. If a person
can't afford to pay $250, they can't
pay $650. Now, people are faced
with bills of $80 to $100 to $120 per
month, compared to $25 to $30 (in
the past)."
Leal asked, "How many people
survive this when they only get a
$250 pension check per month?
Why have our rates multiplied four
or five times when the same
number of gallons is used? We
have the water, but we won't be
able to use it."
Leal said, "I served on the water
board in that area, being elected by
popular demand. I checked com-
plaints and read meters myself.
Ninety days later, they threw me
out. The board does not like people
who start asking questions and
checking records. A lot of present
members of the board were not
members at the time of election."
Calixto Villarreal, a student at
Pan American University, said, "I
got involved because of the pi
blems I found when researching
the water corporation. Manuel
Guerra disqualified me because he
said I'm not the proper owner of a
water meter."
At the time of that disputed
election, which is pending litigation
before a state district judge in
Edinburg, Guerra contended that
Union was only following the
entity's bylaws, as determined by
the Farmers Home Administration,
in ruling out Villarreal as a
candidate.
Villarreal said, "I had the second
highest vote total. They gave the
position to the fourth highest
votegetter. According to the Texas
Election Code, if there's a con-
troversy, the higher votegetter
should serve for the time being."
Villarreal insisted, "They just
don't accept new beard members
According to the Texas Election
Code, I'm supposed to be in that
position."
Rep. Rangel expressed the opi-
nion that the Texas Secretary of
State's Office, as well as the
Attorney General's Office, should
become involved in such a situa-
tion.
Guerra Defends
Policies
Manuel H. Guerra, president of
the board told The Rio Grande
Herald on Tuesday, "We went by
the bylaws on the elections. Both
{See WATER. Puge 10)
Sen. Gramm To
Visit Rio High
U.S. Senator Phil Gramm of
Texas will visit Rio Grande City
High School Friday morning.
Gramm will appear at the Rio
Grande City High School Library at
approximately 11:15 a.m. Friday to
meet with student leaders from Rio
Grande City, Roma, and S.-n Isidro
High Schools.
Sen. Gramm will be discussing
the subjects of drug and substance
abuse and how these problems may
affect the future of young people.
Union Water ^Supply
Holds Elections
separate the entity. But the only
way for these services to be
enhanced is with an EMS district."
Martinez asked, "What if it is
defeated? What will the hospital
do?" Munoz said, "Whatever hap-
pens, more money is needed."
Pena argued, "If the Hospital
Board of Directors don't want to
operate this, there can be a recall
election. As I said last week, let's
keep politics out of this.''
Martinez stressed, "I have no
doubt of the good intentions of the
hospital board and administration
We don't need to look for fault in
the hospital administration, but try
to work together."
Precinct Three Commissioner
Eloy Garza concluded, "We should
honor the people with the election,
but have the election separate
(See EMS, Page 10)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The annual elections for board of
directors of Union Water Supply
Corporation were held Tuesday
night in Garciasville, resulting in
the election of one new member
and the re-election of one incum-
bent.
TV* tabulations for the voting for
tht lour nominated candidates
went as follows, in order of finish:
Victoria Vera, 109; Ramon De La
Cruz, 99; Javier Garcia, 75; Raul
Gomez, 74.
Manuel H. Guerra, board presi-
dent and a member of the board of
Union Water Supply for most of the
corporation's 22-year history, was
not renominated. Guerra told The
Rio Grande Herald, "I elected not
to run."
When Guerra indicated that two
board positions, his and Victoria
Vera's, were up for election, one
woman took exception. Guerra
said, "She (Vera) took Bernardo's
(Montalvo) position." The woman
retorted, "Bernardo resigned. You
appointed Armandina (Garza) sec-
retary-treasurer." Guerra replied,
"Victoria took the position of
Bernardo."
In the meeting's early stages, the
financial statement for 1987 and the
proposed budget for 1988 were both
discussed in detail. On one matter,
Yolanda Leal asked Guerra, "Why
didn't you have truck insurance in
1987? We added $872 for truck
insurance. Insurance increased to
$1710 (from $1213), so that's a $1300
increase."
Guerra said that there had been
possibly 60 days when there was no
insurance in 1987. Erica Rodriguez
insisted, however, "There is zero
for insurance in 1987, according to
the computer printout from the
office." Leal asked. "Which one is
correct?"
Guerra responded, "I would have
to check. The records are public,
anyone can see them. This cor-
poration has never tried to hide
anything from the public."
Imelda Mares argued to the
effect that Guerra should have the
records on hand and be able to
expalin them to the public. She
insisted, "You should be current
with your report each time."
One man argued, "There's 900 or
so payers. You say there's not
enough money coming in. What
happened to the money?" Guerra
said, "We had financial problems
in the last of 1986 and the early
part of 1987. We have enough
revenues coming in now."
Norberto Montalvo said, "We had
the law in the past that people
didn't have to pay the minimum
(water rate) if they're gone (and
the meters are closed) " Guerra
said, "We can't have people closing
their meters because we have to
pay our notes with the FHA
(Farmers Home Administration)."
Montalvo asked about the pro-
vision of the bylaws that refers to
board members being expelled
from the board if they miss three
meetings per year Guerra replied,
"They must be consecutive."
Charlotte Vera argued that on
Feb 14, 1984, Ramon De La Cruz
moved that if two consecutive
meetings and three meetings in one
year are missed by a board
(See UNION. Page 8)
Local Post Office To Close
Half-Days On Tuesdays
The U.S. Post Office in Rio
Grande City will soon be closed for
a half-day on Tuesdays.
"The United States Postal Serv-
ice has wrestled for the past
several weeks with the problem
over the next 20 months. The heart
of the problem has been to achieve
these adjustments witli minimum
impact on postal customers who
depend on the mail service,"
Postmaster Cesar Perez said
Service adjustments will be
made by changing window hours,
elimination of Sunday collections
and modifications in Sunday pro-
cessing The adjustments in win-
dow hours will be achieved in a
way that will allow customers the
best access to a facility in their
area
There will be an elimination of
the equivalent of one-half day per
week, on average, of retail hours.
The Rio Grande City Post Office
will provide retail services on
Tuesdays, beginning on Feb. 16,
1988, from 10:00a m. to2:00p.m
"This will be the local post office
contribution towards achieving the
budget reductions set by the
Omnibus Budget Reconcilation Act
of 1W7," Perez stated
The two newly elected members to the Rattler Pride
Club are seniors Leonel Guer i III and Jessica Ellert.
These two students were nomii ited by the high school
administration for their volunteef services to the Student
Activities Committee and to the administration. Leonel is
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonel Guerra, Jr., and Jessica is
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ellert.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1988, newspaper, February 11, 1988; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195119/m1/1/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.