Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 20, 1997 Page: 4 of 8
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RIO GRANDE HERALD-Thursday, November 20,1997, Page 4
Court gives approval to law
enforcement block grant
Al iheir regular monthly meeting
on Monday morning, Nov. 10, the
County Commissioners considered
and approved the 1997 Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant
amounting to just over $36,000.
Federal/State Programs
Coordinator Elisa Beas indicated
that the grant amounts to $36,012.
The cash match is 10 percent, and
the county has two years to utilize
the funds.
Beas slated, "It could be used to
enhance security. It would be
administered through our office. It
would allow hiring of additional
officers...It could be used for a drug
court, or to enh;uice the adjudication
of juvenile cases, or for crime
prevention programs in conjunction
with community residents."
Beas added, "Now, I'm merely
asking you to accept it. A Law
Enforcement Committee needs to
make a recommendation. The court
can go with their recommendation
or go on their own. We (our office)
would do reporting; officers would
be under Mr. Molina (the County
Attorney)."
The commissioners proceeded to
approve the grant. County Judge
J.M. Martinez, Jr., said, "Details
will be worked out later."
At the end of the meeting,
County Democratic Chairman Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez, Jr.,
indicated, "I'm concerned if the
courtroom will be ready in time for
early voting in early 1998. We need
to be prepared in case. We should
have a couple of options by
Friday."
Alvarez added, "I'd like you to
consider a branch early voting place
in rural areas. Now is the time to
make arrangements."
Concerning the need to execute 9-
1-1 Colonia Survey Grant No.
717225, Beas said, "We have a
grant of $154,000 with the 9-1-1
Colonia Grant to compile a master
list of all colonias and do a
comprehensive study. It would be
awarded to Starr County. It would
be implemented through a firm
compatible with the 9-1-1 system."
About another matter, Beas
indicated, "We don't have a contract
yet for '97 paving. Some streets
will be disallowed by the state. You
will be able to submit
replacements. The streets were
disallowed on bencficary counts.
She's going to come back and do
tiie same thing on *96 paving."
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez insisted, "I
feel the delay is hurting the
taxpayers of Starr County. We can
always deal with her superior."
International Bridge Manager
Doroteo Pena indicated that total
collections for October amounted to
$148,773.25, an increase of
$26,910 from September.
Beas noted, "I talked to the
president of the Bridge Owners
Association. I think it would be
wise to visit some of the other
bridge systems in South Texas.
That way we can know what we
need to ask for."
Martinez declared, "One option
would involve repairs, one would
involve repair plus expansion, and
the third option would mean a
completely new system." Beas
suggested that the committee
comprised of the County Judge, the
what matters most
FARM
BUREAU
INSURANCE
The security of your home is
important to you & your family.
Protection crom damage caused
by accident or nature is critical.
We're the friends and neighbors you can
depend on. The Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
Companies stand behind you with quality,
proven homeowner's protection.
Phone tochty...
(956) 487-2181
Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co • Texas Farm Bureau Underwriters
Home * AlltO • Life Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co • Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co
Roma Mayor and the County
Commissioner from Roma
approach the new systems to learn
essential information.
On another subject, Beas said,
"The overtime policy was recently
amended to include paying law
enforcement personnel out of
grants. There is a similar situation
involving Gas System personnel
being on call. You would choose
whether it's comp time or
overtime."
Gas System Manager Ruben
Saenz stated, "The persons on call
have been paid overtime." Alvarez
commented, "The problem is that
there is a shortage of personnel."
The commissioners proceeded to
okay a motion including
nonexempt Gas System employees
in the overtime policy.
At Beas' recommendation, the
court approved Ronnie Gonzalez as
the inspector for the Homeowners
Assistance Program. Gonzalez
formerly served with the USDA
Farmers Home Administration.
Barrera commented, "We feel Mr.
Gonzalez will be a great help in
this program, especially with
leveraging of funds."
The court approved the Senate
Bill 1534 resolution providing for
the collection of additional filing
fees for basic civil legal services for
indigents. County Treasurer David
Porras declared, 'This is in order to
collect the county's share under
Senate Bill 1534. We need to send
this in so we can collect our Five
percent."
Super Deputy
Deputy Julio Escamilla addresses fifth graders at Fort Ringgold during
Red Ribbon Week. Behind him is "Super Deputy" and members of the
Sheriff's Department Explorers Post.
i
Police Ice returns today
Police lee is making a return
engagement to the Rio Grande City
Consolidated Independent School
District.
The popular police officer's anti-
gang, anti-violence and anti-drug
abuse program is scheduled to be
presented oil Thursday.Nov. 20 in
La Grulla's iwo schools.
Police Ice will give his
presentation at 8:15 a.m. Thursday
at Grulla Middle School and at 10
a.m. at Grulla Elementary School.
Students' parents and the
community in general are invited
to attend, said Roel Smith, the
district's coordinator of SCE and
Chapter 1 programs.
Police Ice made three
presentations on Wednesday, Nov.
19 at Rio Grande City High
School, Ringgold Middle School
and the Ringgold 5th-Grade
Campus.
Mark Gil, a 15-year veteran of
the Austin Police Department,
spoke and rapped his positive
message to thousands of high
NOTICE OF APPLICATION OF SOUTHWESTERN
BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR DESIGNATION AS
AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER
UNDER 47 U.S.C. §214(e)
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company has filed an application
with the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUC") for the purpose
of being designated an eligible telecommunications carrier ("ETC")
in accordance with 47 U.S.C. §214(e) by December 31, 1997.
Southwestern Bell's application is currently being considered
in Docket No. 18100
Southwestern Bell is required to obtain ETC status in order
to receive Federal Universal Service Funds ("FUSFs") beginning
January 1, 1998. 47 U.S.C. §214(e) requires the PUC, either upon
its own motion or upon request, to designate common carriers as
ETCs for service areas. Southwestern Bell seeks ETC status for
its entire service area. Southwestern Bell has requested a
minimum waiver for one year of the requirement to deploy toll control.
Persons who wish to comment or intervene in this application
should notify the Public Utility Commission of Texas by
November 20, 1997 Requests for further information should be
mailed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. P.O Box 13326,
Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or you may call the Public Utility
Commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120
or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals
with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at
(512) 936-7136, or use Relay Texas (800) 735-2989 to reach the
commission's toll free number (888) 782-8477.
Southwestern Bell
school, middle school and
elementary students last year.
"He was so successful last year
that our principals were very
supportive of bringing him back,"
Smith said.
Police Ice uses a rap music
background to help reach
youngsters. His highly
motivational presentation called the
"Tour to Stop the Violence" is
pro-active approach to educating
student audiences on the realities
and dangers of drug abuse and street
gang involvement.
"He did create a very positive
impact on our students
population," Smith said.
"Also, people viewed him on
Channel 2. and we are very pleased
to hear that the community is very
supportive of the district's
initiative."
Gil received a Presidential
Commendation in ll>94 from
President Bill Clinton at the While
House.
In 1992, after only one year as
the cop rapper Police Ice, Gil's
prevention strategy was featured on
a segment of the nationally
televised series "Top Cops."
He has received more than 300
individual commendations ami
merit awards for crime prevention,
undercover and gang prevention
excellence.
Retama
Manor
Jamaica
successful
The Halloween Jamaica at
Retama Manor Nursing Center on
Oct. 29 was evaluated as a great
success.
Residents, family members and
the whole community enjoyed all
the activities involved. There was
live music, and Sergio from
Sergio's Key Board was the main
speaker. Two drawings were
See RETAMA, page 7
Between work and family, there's more in
your life than ever before, Kxcept for
time. Thai's \\h\ IBC is bus> offering
more new ways to add convenience to
your banking, from the simplicit\ ol
IBC Voice bank-by-phone services, to
around Ihe clock YIMs and seven days
a week In-store banking al \lbcrtsons,
IBC is doing more for you.
(956) 4H7-j33
(956) H49-1047
www ilioc com
2:m K ll\v> fn Rio Crandr Cilv
S llw\ Hit (?' I'urlalr/.a \\r Roma
\lcmtn r I l)l< 1nh rn.iltun,il H,nu sh.nr* I otinirjikm
IBC
International Bank
ol'Oommcrn'
We do more
Ilacemos iruls
&
iftbf*
Sheriff's
Department
hold Red *
Ribbon
activities
The Starr County Sheriff's
Department participated in different
school districts of Suirr County
during Red Ribbon Week which 9
was celebrated from Oct. 27 to Oct.
31, 1997.
Deputy Julio Escamilla, assisted
by the Sheriff's Department
Explorer Post, talked to students
about the danger and consequences
of using or getting involved with
drugs. Students were also able to
dance and shake hands with £
McGruff and Super Deputy.
The middle/high school levels
were addressed by prisoners who had
previously been in prison. The
prisoners talked to students about
how hard life in prison is.
The following arc the schools
that the Sheriff's Department
attended for Red Ribbon Week
activities: San Isidro ISD,
Escobarcs Elementary, Roma ♦
Middle/High School, North
Grammar, Roque Gucrra and Fort
Ringgold Fifth Grade Campus.
Nunez
deploys «
with
Marines
Marine Pfc. Jaime Nunez, son of
Francisco and Elia Nunez, both of
Garciasvillc, has departed on a six-
month deployment to the A
Mediterranean Sea with the 24th
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU),
embarked aboard the ships of the
U.S.S. Guam Amphibious Ready
Group (ARG).
Nunez is one of more than 2000
Marines and sailors who departed
Norfolk, Virginia, and Camp
L.cjcunc, North Carolina abo;ird the ^
amphibious assault ship U.S.S. ™
Guam, the amphibious transport
dock U.S.S. Shrcveport and the
dock landing ships U.S.S. Oakhill
and U.S.S. Ashland.
Equipped with the 24th MEU
landing forcc, helicopters, Harrier
attack jets, high-speed assault
hovercraft, landing craft, tanks, and
armored and amphibious asault
vehicles, the U.S.S. Guam ARG a
provides theater commanders in the
Mediterranean Sea with a wide
range of capabilities.
The 24th MEU can evacuate
civilians, rescue downed pilots,
conduct reconnaisancc and serve as
an initial landing force ashore.
Nunez and his fellow Marines and
sailors spent the past year training ^
for the wide range of conventional
and special operations they might
be tasked with during the
deployment. As part of the
preparations, U.S.S. Guam ARG
participated in exercises involving
air, naval and ground operations.
The exercises also included
surveillance, rescue, humanitarian
assistance, maritime interdiction,
embassy support and non-combat 0
evacuations.
He joined the Marine Corps in
January 1996.
Trevino
completes
helicopter
course
Army Staff Sgt. Javier O.
I revino has graduated from the Ul I-
60 helicopter repairer course at Fort
Eustis, Newport News, Virginia. £
During the course, students
learned to perform direct and general
support maintenance on helicopters.
Also included was instruction in
safely practices, usage of ground
support equipment, and spccial
precision tools.
Trevino is the son of Alvino and
Angelina Trevino of 302 Mesquitc f
St., Roma, lie is a 19X2 graduate
of Roma High School.
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 20, 1997, newspaper, November 20, 1997; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195627/m1/4/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.