Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 6, 1997 Page: 1 of 10
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Published weeKiy in Rio Grande City, Texas every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
USPS 466-200
VOL. 84, NO. 9 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 274 //J/ J
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25 cents
Aldermen discuss
Border Patrol facility
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At ihcir special meeting Thursday
^ night, the Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen discussed possible
strategies for retaining the U.S.
Border Patrol station within the city
limits of Rio Grande City.
After an open session of about 45
minutes, the aldermen went into
executive session to discuss the
possible acquisition of right-of-way
for utility purposes.
After the executive session. City
% Administrator Jose Escamilla told
The Rio Grande Herald, "We hope
to set up a meeting with the (Starr
County) Water District next
Thursday or so. We need to start
looking at a master plan for the
growth to the northwest. We hope
to acquire right-of-way to get
Eisenhower Street to FM 3167."
A Escamilla added, "We're hoping
to work with the Water District to
find a way to keep the Border Patrol
in the immediate Rio Grande City
area. We can work together to
extend water lines to the possible
site near the airport."
He indicated, "They need a
minimum of five acres. We'd like
to see if more acreage is possible."
Escamilla noted, "The Texas
Water Development Board was here
(at the meeting) to talk about
possible funding. They said funds
are possible from the federal Border
Economics Commission."
At the beginning of the meeting,
Escamilla told the aldermen, "The
Border Patrol is moving out of their
existing facility. They have
obtained 30-plus acres (elsewhere),
but are having some difficulty
getting things cleared. They are a
month away from final plans being
completed."
Escamilla emphasized, "We think
RGC aldermen to
meet Thursday night
The Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen will hold their regular
Q monthly meeting Thursday evening
at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at
402 E. Main St. in Rio Grande
City.
The meeting will feature a status
report on Empowerment Zone
projects by Elisa Barrera. There will
be departmental reports from
different city departments. There
^ will be action on an ordinance
™ calling for an election May 3, 1997
for the purpose of electing three
aldermen for Places One, Two and
Four.
There will be a recommendation
and possible action concerning
possible annexation of Starr
Produce Co. property lying north of
Starr County Memorial Hospital
and cast of FM 3167.
There will be the possibility of
action on a contract for a water
planning study as proposed by the
South Texas Development Council
and to be conducted by the Texas
Water Development Board. Such
participation would require a cash
match of $2500.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, the regular
meeting of the city's Economic
Development Corporation will take
place. At this meeting, there will
be a report on the status of ongoing
projects.
the Border Patrol can be convinced
to stay here. I think a buy-back or
lease-back arrangement will be
attractive. We will literally have to
give them five acres of land." He
later told The Herald, "They're
willing to listen if we come up
with the minimum requirements."
Escamilla told the aldermen,
"Most people in command
positions think they should be
relatively close to the airport. They
would like to bring in rotary aircraft
and occasionally bring in
fixed-wing aircraft." He noted that
under the planned expansion
project, the airport runways will be
expanded from 3200 to 5200 feet
The administrator suggested, "I'd
like to approach the Vannie Cook
trustees about the possibility of
working with us again. Keeping
them (the Border Patrol) in the
(immediate) area would save a
number of jobs."
Mayor Baldemar Garza
commented, "We need to let the
powers that be know we want them
to stay." A motion was approved
authorizing Escamilla to work on
the matter and come up with
proposals to keep a Border Patrol
installation in Rio Grande City
The aldermen discussed possible
methods for controlling and
eliminating graffiti in the city.
Mayor Garza emphasized, "We need
to do something about this problem
and we need to do it now."
Municipal judge William Page
declared, "A lot of work is being
done on this. The work is a bit
fragmented. Two police officers
have started a program to utilize
community service to deal with the
problem. Mr. Rocl Smith at the
school district is utilizing the
(See FACILITY, Page 10)
RGCCISD schools hold Open
House during Public Schools Week
111 ere are no limits on learning
in Texas, and students, parents,
teachers and communities across
the state are joining together to
celebrate during Texas Public
Schools Week from March 3-7.
Public school students in Rio
Grande City will be among more
than three million students across
the state celebrating the annual
event.
This year's theme is "No Limits
On Learning," and it is designed to
celebrate the array of educational
opportunities available to students
attending Texas public schools.
As part of the week-long
festivities, local schools will
distribute special invitations to
parents and area residents to visit
classrooms and observe the
educational.
"Of course, the community is
always welcome in our schools,"
said Ramon Hinojosa, Rio Grande
City Consolidated Independent
I
1
Gabriela Gar/a was crowned the 1997 Starr County
Fair Queen at Sunday night's annual pageant in Rio
Grande City. Gabriela, a junior at Roma High School,
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Garza of Roma.
Her paternal grandparents are Consuelo G. Garza and the
late Encarnacion Garza of Rio Grande City. Her
maternal grandparents are Ms. Maria G. Ramirez and the
late Arturo Ramirez of Roma.
School District superintendent,
"but this week is especially
exciting because our students have,
planned many special activities
emphasizing Texas Public Schools
Week"
More than 40 years ago, Texas
Public Schools Week was
established by the Masonic Lodges
of Texas to recognize contributions
made by the slate's free system of
education. Each year, the event has
grown and has become an integral
part of the curriculum and the
activities planned in Texas
classrooms for a full week.
"Texas Public Schools Week is a
celebration in which everyone —
parents, grandparents, families and
the community-at-large — can
participate," Mr. Hinojosa said.
"We encourage the community to
visit our schools throughout the
school year," he said. "Texas
Public Schools Week is an
especially exciting time tor visitors
because so many events are planned
just for them."
Rio Grande City CISD schools
will have Open House for its
residents.
"Each year we plan Texas Public
Schools Week as a celebration in
which everyone in the community
may take part," Mr. Hinojosa
added. "Texas Public Schools Week
provides our district with an
opportunity to showcase the high
quality education our students are
receiving each day in our local
schools. We invite the community
to visit schools to see first-hand
that there are "No Limits On
Learning for students in the Rio
Grande City school district."
Here is the schedule of the
remaining Open Houses. Hinojosa
Elementary. La Union Elementary,
(See SCHOOLS, Page 10)
-
Gabriela Garza, center, was crowned the 1997 Starr County Fair Queen at Sunday
night's annual Fair Pageant at the Fairgrounds in Rio Grande City. Standing at her
ieft are Kennie Alaniz, first runnerup; and Angela Salinas, second runnerup.
Standing at the right of the new Queen are Roxanna Lopez, third runnerup; and
Marissa Anne Villarreal, fourth runnerup.
Gabriela Garza crowned
1997 County Fair Queen
Gabriela Garza was named as
the 1997 Starr County Fair Queen
at the annual pageant sponsored by
the Starr County 4-H Council on
Sunday, March 2. Gaby, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jaime
Garza of Roma, is a junior at Roma
High School. Other royalty named
were Teen Princess Margot
Villarreal, Pre-Teen Princess Anissa
Lynette Falcon, and Petite Princess
Jessica Lee Chapa.
Runners-up in the Queen
Category were Kennie Alaniz, first
runner-up; Angela Salinas, second
runner-up; Roxanna Lopez, third
runner-up; and Marissa Anne
Villarreal, fourth runner-up.
Teen Category runners-up were
Maria Liana Pena, first runner-up;
Betsy Renee Chapa, second runner-
up; Patricia Margot Garcia, third
runner-up; and Clotilde Nadine
"Chloe" Garza, fourth runner-up.
Runners-up in the Pre-Teen
Category were Maribel Villarreal,
first runner-up; Graciela Ochoa,
second runnerup; Rosalinda
Moralez, third runner-up; and
Tiffany Paige Smedley, fourth
runner-up.
Petite Princess runners-up were
Kendra Lynne Guerra, first runner-
up; Christin Ashley Escobar,
second runner-up; Nereida Lizette
Beltran, third runner-up; and
Samantha Jo Garza, fourth runner-
up.
The 1997 Queen was named by
Amanda Narro, the 1996 Starr
County Fair Queen, who presented
trophies to each of the winners
mentioned above. In her farewell
address, following her final walk on
the runway, she thanked the fair
association for a wonderful year as
Queen.
Masters of Ceremonies for the
event, chaired by Starr County
Council President Tracy Anderson,
were Ana Guerra and Jesse Guerra.
The theme, "God Blessed Texas"
was carried out in the decorations
aiid music. Each coniestant was
presented with a yellow rose of
Texas or a Texas bluebonnei as a
pageant souvenir.
Starr County 4-Hers David
Falcon, Rene Salinas, and Carlos
Falcon conducted the patriotic
ceremonies. Other 4-Hers taking
part in the pageant production were
Starr County 4-H Ambassadors
Tracy Anderson, Lizette Flores, and
Albert Chapa, who served as
narrators, and Joe Garza, Hector
Flores, David Alberto Falcon, Noe
Daniel Falcon, Roel Guerra, Carlos
Falcon .ir.d Pec! > Laurel IV, who
served as escorts.
The 1996-97 sweethearts and
bcaus of the 4-H ciubs and council
werfe introduced during the evening.
They are Kennie Alnni/ and Alberto
Chapa, County Council, Lizette
Flores and Sixto Flores, Veronica
Ibarra and Basilio Villarreal III. and
Serina Lopez and Ricardo Vela, Jr..
Starr Grande 4-H Club; Melinda
(See CROWNED, Page 10)
Mendoza brings
campaign to RGC
San Antonio pastor Narciso
Mendoza attempted to win the
support of Starr County voters for
his bid to become the new District
28 Congressman during a visit to
the Rio Grande City area Saturday
morning.
Mendoza, who is a Republican
Party candidate, advocated themes of
limited government and individual
responsibility as he spoke to
well-wishers at an informal
breakfast at El Comal Restaurant in
Rio Grande City Saturday morn;d^.
Mendoza emphasized, "Its
irresponsible to insist that the
government do everything for us.
We have to restore to the
individuals their capacity for
empowerment."
Mendoza declared, "Lawmakers
should limit government to only
what government should do. It
should not meddle in the homes,
schools and churches...I feel
decisions should be made at the
local level."
Concerning issues the new
congressman will face, the candidate
stressed, "The immigration issue
will be a key concern. South Texas
needs a lot of economic help.
Farmers are in a difficult situation.
Water is a crucial issue."
Mendoza contended, "A balanced
budget amendment is essential.
Government should live within
their means, as individuals have to
do."
(See MENDOZA, Page 10)
, m i
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Margot Villarreal, center, was crowned Teen Princess for the 1997 St:i County
Fair at Sunday night's annual Fair Pageant in Rio Grande ( ity. Standing ' 1 t
are Maria Liana Pena, first runnerup; and Betsy Renee Chapa, second runnerup.
Standing at the right of the new Princess are Patricia Margot Garcia, third runnerup;
and Clotilde Nadine "Chloe" Garza, fourth runnerup. (See Page 3 for pictures rf th ■
Princesses and top winners in the Preteen and Petite divisions).
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 6, 1997, newspaper, March 6, 1997; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195590/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.