Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1998 Page: 4 of 8
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The Rio Grande Herald Thursday. February 26. 1998. Page 4
Future ofRGC discussed at
special town hall meeting
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At a special town hall meeting
Thursday night, possibilities for
organized planning to maximize the
future of Rio Grande City were
discussed by local city officials and
leaders of business support
operations based at UT-Pan
American, with the mayor of
Edinburg providing information
about how similar programs have
increased the economic strength of
that Valley city.
The official purpose of the
meeting was begin planning for the
"Rio 2020" undertaking.
At the beginning of the meeting
at the Multipurpose Center, Mayor
Baldcmar Garza stated, "The
purpose of this is to bring the
community together to dccide where
we need to go. Edinburg has come a
long way and they arc here to share
their experiences. We need a master
plan of where we need to go."
Leonardo Olivares, Director of
UTPA's Center for Local
Government, noted that Roland
Arreola, Executive Director of
UTPA's Office of Center
Operations and Community
Services (CoSERVE), "has been
very instrumental in Edinburg's
2020 Plan." He indicated that there
are 15 different components of
CoSERVE, including CEED and
the Center for Manufacturing.
Olivares emphasized, "When you
build a house, you need a blueprint.
When you fly a plane, you need a
flight plan." He pointed out that
Dallas, Texas was regarded as an
isolated community with no
promise in the late 1890's, but
noted that Dallas was one of the
first cities to begin the "Goals"
program in the 1960's.
Olivares added, "The first goal
was to get people in the
community busy and working
together. At that time, planning
began for the massive DFW airport
and for the University of Dallas."
He concluded, "When people get
together and crystallize an idea,
many outstanding results can be
achieved."
Among the ingredients for
success, said Arreola, are good
leadership and stability, good
communications, team effort, and
sharing powers and delegating
authority. Through a visual
presentation, he went on to explain
the three phases of "Rio 2020."
Among the components of Phase
One, said Arreola, are the formation
of citizenship-based committees,
committees creating a vision for
Rio Grande City by outlining short
term and long term goals, and the
publication of proposed goals.
Phase Two would include such
undertakings as the holding of town
meetings to consider proposed goals
and feedback from the community.
In Phase Three, committees will
develop specific actions and
strategies for accomplishing goals.
The first draft of the Rio 2020
strategic plan will be reviewed, and
voters will consider approving the
plan as a specific strategy for the
city.
Arreola asked, "What will be the
future of your loved ones and
friends in this community?" Before
introducing Edinburg Mayor Joe
Ochoa, Arrc<>!a noted that Edinburg
currently ranks second to McAllen
in the entire Valley in economic
growth.
Mayor Ochoa commented, "1 see
some similarities here to what
Edinburg was going through back
in 1993. We had our 'cave people',
citizcns who oppose virtually
everything. What stimulated me
(See FUTURE, Page 8)
JROTC Wins Trophies
The Rio Grande City JROTC Female Drill Team took first place at the recent Washington's Birthday Celebration
competition at Laredo. Team members are (standing, 1-r) Master SgL Marco Pcna, Venus Barreia, a r,ca oto,
Esmeralda Garza, MariaTorres, Carolina Pcna.Sonia Ortiz, Iris GarzaandMaj. Timothy I orsting. Sitting arc au la
Garza, Beatriz Aguirre, Cmdr. Roxanne Moralez, Maria Pena and Maria Orta. (RGCCISD photo)
JROTC wins trophies at Laredo
LAREDO — The Rio Grande
City High School JROTC left this
border city with a lot more
hardware than what it came with.
Seventy-six cadets participating
in the city's annual Washington's
Birthday Celebration won eight
trophies in competition against
units from 18 other Valley schools
Golden Oriental Buffet
108 E. Main (formally Los Laureles)
CARd of ThANks
488-1083
Buffet hours Man thru Sat from 11:30 a.m. ■ 2:30 p.m
NOW SERVING PIZZA
Sun thru Thurs from 4 p.m. -11 p.m.
Fri thru Sat from 4 p.m. - 12 midnight
Two Medium
2 topping Pizzas
$10.99
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Friday Saturday Sunday
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I
In IovInq memory of otR bilovtcl
Husb<v\d, Father, Gr.xncKaiIhr,
GREAl-GRANdf/ul UK
JOSE
SANCHEZ
Our whole fAMily wishes to express our most
SilNCERE ThANks ANd dEEp AppRECiATiON TO All ReIa-
TiVES, fRiENds, NEiqhbORS fOR ThEiR phoiNE CAlls,
floWERS, food. Also fOR ThEiR lOViNC, WORds of
S\MpATh\ A(\d kiNdlNESS shoWN TO US dtiRiNQ OUR
TiME of SORROW.
ThANk You So Vers Much
Ifie fAMily of Jose SancIiez
/4C//4C4OH0MW
on Saturday, Feb. 21
Rio Grande City's JROTC, under
the direction of Maj. Timothy
Forsting arid Master Sgt. Marco
Pena, won eight trophies,
including first-place trophies in
five categories.
"The kids did an outstanding
job," Forsting said. "This is the
first year for them to be in this
type of competition and for those
students to get a first place is rare
and can only come with a lot of
hard work and dedication on the
part of those kids."
The Rio cadets won first place
trophies in the girls drill team,
standing rifle, prone rifle, kneeling
rifle and overall rifle.
"1 think the battalion did very,
very good," Pcna said. "They were
outstanding in the Laredo
competition.
"They have been preparing for
this since January, right after the
Christmas break, and it was evident
that the hard work paid off. They
were able to bring home eight
trophies and a lot of those were
first place," he said.
"Truly, truly outstanding. It took
a lot of teamwork and the kids I'cel
good about their performance."
As part of their requirements to
be able to enter the competition,
the Rio cadets had to present a
group to march in the Washington
Birthday Celebration Parade 11.
downtown Laredo.
The cadets marching in the parade
were Joseph Cervantes, James
Rupert and Javier Barrera Jr.
Nearly half of the school's 176
JROTC students competed in the
annual event
"That tells me that we're hauled
in the right direction," Pena said
"We're trying to build the self
esteem and those qualities in those
students to help them realize they
can succeed in the community and
when they graduate
"We took 76 students for this
competition and that in itself tells
me the kids enjoy what they're
doing and that they really like
going out there to meet other
schools and to compete," Pcna
said.
Particular impressive, Forsting
and Pena said, was the girls drill
team, called the 12th Cavalrettes.
"The girls exhibition, or girls
drill team competed for the first
time and they won a first place
That is simply outstanding."
Both JROTC officers commended
(See JROTC, Page 8)
Statements by RGC Mayor Garza on De-incorporation petition & Water District issues
At our regular City meeting in January, Mr Arnoldo
Galvan came before the board of aldermen and pre-
sented a second petition requesting the board to call an
election for the dissolution of the City. Our City Secretary,
Holly Guerrero, together with our attorney has been
reviewing the petition. After completing the review of
the petition, Holly Guerrero and our attorney have ad-
vised me that the petition meets the minimum requisites
under 'he law. The petition requires 400 valid signa-
tures. The petition contains 441 apparently valid signa-
tures. This morning, I wrote Mr. Galvan a letter advising
him of the completion of our review of the petition. I
would like to read to you the letter I wrote to Mr. Galvan.
Dear Mr Galvrn:
This letter is to advise you that the City Secretary of the City of Rio Grande City
has certified to me that the petition submitted to the City requesting an
election on the question of abolishing the corporate existence of Rio Grande
City, Texas is in substantial compliance with the law and, therefore, has been
accepted.
In consultation with the City Secretary and the City Attorney, however, I
would like to point out to you that a number of signatures on the petition
were considered to be "questionable"; however, upon review of the matter
with the City Secretary and the City Attorney, it is the position of the City that
the petition is in "substantial compliance" with the statue and, therefore, will
be accepted.
Accordingly, at the present time, as a presiding officer of the authority
responsible for calling the election, I hereby advise you that it is the intention
of the City to call the election, as provided for by law On the November,
1998 uniform election date. The calling of tne election is specifically subject
to the condition that date. Should the legal status of the City change
between now and the date that the election is required to be called, I have
been advised by the City Attorney that it is possible that the election may not.
legally, be able to be called.
Should you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY
S/'Baldemar Garza, Mayor
As it stands now, this step of the process has been
completed. Any future requirements in this process
will take place at the appropriate time.
Thank You!
Press Conffrfncf- Wa tfr District:
As many of you are aware, on July I I, 1997, the board of alderman adopted ordinances 97-4 & 97 5 These
ordinances authorized the City to assume the services of the Starr County Water Control L Improvemer it District
No 2 (water district) There are several compelling reasons that led the City to do this. The most compelling
reason is the fact that the City will have more accessibility to monies that are needed to make the necessary
improvement to the water and sewer systems. This reason alone is enough to support the City's action In
response to the City's action, the water district board of directors voted to file a law suit in the sate district court
In the petition the water district filed, the water district sought and obtained a temporary restraining order
enjoining the City from continuing forward On September 15, 1997, the case was heard by the Honorable
Judge Ricardo H Garcia After hearing the evidence. Judge Garcia denied the Water District's req1 iest for a
temporary injunction After Judge Garcia signed the Order in the City's favor, the Water District on September
16, 1997 decided to appeal Judge Garcia's decision to the fourth court of appeals in San Antonio On Dec ember
31,1997, we were notified by the fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio that they had reached a decision in
the case The 4th Court of appeals ru.'ed unanimously in favor of the City of Rio Grande thus allowing the City to
continue forward with the legal transfer of the water and sewer systems from the Water District to the City of Rio
Grande The decision was unanimous which means that all three judges on the panel who heard the case
agreed with the City's position In their ruling, the Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Garcia's decision and it also
found that the City has authority under state law to take the action it took, and that the City took the necessary
action to meet state law In addition, the court of appeals found that federal law does not prevent the City from
taking Over the water district
On January 14, 1998, the Water District filed another petition with the Court of Appeals This time, the Water
District filed a petition for re-hearing. This petition asked the Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision it
handed down on December 31, 1997 In response the water district petition for re-hearing, the Court of Appeals
on January 27, 1998 denied the petition. Again, this denial was unanimous This last unanimous decision was
the third time that a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled in favor of the City
All indications are that the water district board will appeal the decisions of the 4th court of appe. -i to tt •
Supreme Court of Texas. This action is not in the best interest of our residents Four different, well respected, very
experienced judges have looked at this case, and they have unanimously ruled in the City's favor By appealing
this case to the Supreme Court of Texas, the water district board is jeopardizing future opportune I0S for our
community Much money, time, and effort have been spent on this case, and by continuing this litigation the
water district board of directors will unilaterally extend the spending of more money, more time and more effort
for the water district and the City In our opinion, this action is not keeping the best interests of our residents and
our community in mind On behalf of the board of aldermen, I ask the members of the water district bo, ird to
reconsider their position The Water District board owes our community an explanation for their position Why
do you want to continue this litigation? Why should this case not end, immediately? We think it should The
money spent and which will be spent belongs to the taxpayers As public servants, we have an obligation to
spend that money wisely and responsively
I want to reiterate what we have said from the beginning The City will honor all contracts, employ all personnel
and assume all maintenance operations and debt that existed at the time that the City initiated procedures to
legally bring about the transfer of the Water District to a City operated public utility
I want to personally appeal to all the employees of the water district Do not concern yourselves , ibout the
rumors We support your effort Each of you has a job that s very important to this community Your job is not in
jeopardy We want to provide better service to our community, as we need your help We will work for better
training, more equipment and more efficiency If we do this, we all benefit The City and the outlying
communities served by the water district need your help to insure that the public does not suffer any loss of - Jtiiity
services
It is time for this community to really unite it is time to put politics aside and do what will benefit our c ity This
issue is not about personalities It's about improving our water and sewer system This issue is not about who
wins or who loses It's about what must be done This issue is about the need for a new water treatment plant
new water lines and more water rights This is what we should be talking about Let's talk about how ti > solve
our problems Let's unite to resolve them Let's not create more
I'm confident that if we unite we can continue building a better future for our families
THANK YOU
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1998, newspaper, February 26, 1998; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195641/m1/4/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.