Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 23, 1999 Page: 2 of 6
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, December 23, 1999, Page 2
Escamilla
Continued from Page 1
that wc have continued to build a
City, each year better than the last,
and have delivered un-qualified
annual audits reflecting positive
growth. Without the benefit of
property taxes, this is the only way
that we can build a City. I would
also Miiind you that some of our
Board members tiave been surprised
to hear this very thing from other
officials across the State. This has
been possible due to over 70 years
of combined operational experience
in municipal government that 1
have assembled.
"We have continued to attract
new businesses and have made
tremendous strides recognized
locally, nationally, and
internationally due principally to
'hard work.' It saddens me to see
t> at those who are most critical of
my administration do not recognize
the degree of effort required lo run a
City. Once the managerial trust is
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY
TCDP# 714282
RAMIREZ FORI) EXPANSION PROJECT
NOTICE OF CLOSE OUT PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Rio Grande city will hod a close out public hear-
ing at 5:00 P.M. on December 28, 1999 at the City oi Rio
Grande City-City Hall located at 101 South Washington
Street. Rio Grande City. Texas in regard to the submission of
the close out documents to the Texas Department of Eco-
nomic Development on the Texas Capital Fund Project - Ra-
mirez Ford Expansion Project. The purpose of this meeting is
allowing all citizens and opportunity to discuss the accom-
plishment of the economic development project. The City of
Rio Grande City encourages all citizens to participate in this
close out public hearing and make their views known at this
public hearing. Citizens unable to attend this public hearing
are encouraged to submit their views to the City Mayor at the
city of Rio Grande City at P.O. Box 467, Rio Grande City,
i exas 78582. Persons with disabilities that wish to attend this
public hearing should contact the City Secretary at 956-487-
0672 to arrange assistance. For Spanish speaking citizens, in-
terpretation will be available, fhe City Hall is accessible to
the disabled.
S/Holly Guerrero
City Secretary
7-He
Benson -
Hay You & Yours be
touched with the Magic, i
Frank R. Nye, Jr. Atty
111 E. Main St. RGC
487-3405
p
■
A Christmas story,
a Yuletide song,
love is knowing
that you belong
to our family.
Many thanks.
CESAR'S SEAFOOD MARKET
ROMA. TX. 78584
847-1582
Mr. & Mrs. Cesar Garza
unucrmincd, as I liavc seen In recent
weeks the system will most
assuredly fail due to the loss of
confidence from the financial and
business communitv.
We have only recently rebuilt
confidence at the State and Federal
levels to the degree that we are now
in line to receive for infrastructure
improvements. We have initiated
long range planning that was
previously nonexistent. It has been
extremely difficult when there are
negative forces constantly working
against focuscd progress. We
would be much further along but
for the direct resistance exerted by
our elected officials. It almost
appears that they want the City to
fail. Unless the City continues to
be managed in a professional
manner , the future of the City is
doubtful at best. The 1999-2000
budget, if properly managed, will
generate a positive cash cash flow it
managed as we have in the last five
years."
"I have repeatedly stated that 'we
continue lo deplete the resources.' i
have also said that we will
eventually need 'ad valorem taxes'
to truly begin to make the
necessary capital improvements the
public has been demanding. Large
projects can only be funded with
general obligation tends paid from
taxes.
"Recently Board members have
interfered with staff on day to day
operations of the City by micro
management. As you know the
Board gave me an ultimatum
specifying that either I fire a
specific employee they did not like
or I would be fired. This position
was cnicial to grants processing.
This action was directly responsible
for jeopardizing grant funds due the
City of Rio Grande. The Board has
ignored existing ordinances
authorizing the manager to manage
and have therefore undermined the
operational authority relegated to
the manager. Political meetings
have been held with staff members
during working hours. Board
members continue to threaten some
employees by telling them they aie
going to be fired. These actions
undermine city management.
Apparently the Board now wants a
county type of government.
"1 made recommendations to
initiate the recovery of tremendous
waste I have seen in the water and
sewer systems. I asked for and
received authority lo re-organize
only to be slopped by those that
gave me the authority. In 1995 an
"across the board" salary increase
raised all utilities employees about
$2 above the minimum wage. This
salary increase cost citizens about
$1 million (including overtime).
This contributed to Rio Grande
City having some of the highest
water and sewer rates in the Valley.
Where were those worried about the
poor people? Money was paid out
to engineers even though the TX
Water Quality Board and the Rural
Development refused to approve
payment. Why won't anyone
question this?
Thee appears to be a campaign to
discredit me. Decisions have been
made before public meetings and
without any discussion. Those
actions arc totally unprofessional
and 1 simply do not wish to be
associated with these types of
tactics. Even the attorney was told
not to attend a meeting and was
threatened to be fired. What is
needed is an impartial, independent
investigation with a change of
venue.
My reputation is being damaged
by rumors and innuendo, and most
recently I have been denied
contractual out of pocket expenses.
Today I am suspended without any
reason given. I have been asked to
give complete reports 'at a
minimum' that are open ended and
impossible lo answer. All the
information requested, with the
exception of the financial
statements, have been authorized
and approved by the Board of
Aldermen, and remain part of the
py Ifl W°rfd<qfie Cordis Come
i
foil te(/n Ike
In
official record. The City Clerk
should verify that I have always
asked for copies of any
correspondence or documents and
that 'the originals' be part of of the
City files. Our files have been set
up by an independent contractor lo
insure compliance with the state
requirements.
I believe that the City of Rio
Grande has a tremendous future and
until now I have always that I was
part of that future. Mayor, as you
know I was even in the process of
moving to Rio Grande City in the
past summer. I have enjoyed
working for the City of Rio
Grande. I am convinced that Starr
County is on the verge of an
accelerated growth period and 1
would like to be part of it 1 intend
to pursue economic development
interests in the region..
"Responsibility and authority go
hand in hand. I cannot be held
responsible when my authority has
been continuously undermined. I
simply do not wish to work where i
am not wanted. I bear no ill will
toward anyone; however, under the
circumstances I respectfully request
that you honor my six-month
employment contract, six months
of health insurance, six months of
travel expenses, vacations and
since 1996 to the present."
Technology Workshop Held at I.C.S.
Faculty and staff of Immaculate Conception School were recently given
an lnservice on the new computers in the lab at I.C.S. Jerry Gonzalez
of the Technology Department of the Rio Grande City CISD conducted
the training, focusing on use of the Internet, as well as the various
software available for students ai I.C.S. Sister Maria Luisa Pena,
MDPVM, expressed her gratitude to Mr. Gonzalez and to Technology
Director Eddie Saenz, for their dedication to education through
technology.
<Rpsita (J ravel Inc.
Francisco (juerra, 'Jr.
d family
The first Christmas tree was probably of German origin, created by
Boniface, an English missionary to Germany. He created the Christ tree
to replace the pagan custom of a sacred tree dedicated to the Norse
god Odin.
Christmas
lime of sharing,
caring and reflecting
on the meaning of
His holy birth
I.EO'S SELF SERVICE
Mr. & Mrs. Leonel Ramos
(956)849-2367
I
cptce
May this Christmas be
led will happiness and joy.
Chachi's Express Mart
& Wrecker Service
Garciasville
487-7219
Pain Clinic OfThe Rio Grande Valley
Now Open In Mission
Sannichie A. Quaicoe,
306 S. Bryan Rd., Mission,TX 78572
Phone:(956)583-4880
OFFICE HOURS: 8: ?0 am -6:30 pm Mon.-Fri.
Pain Management Subspecialty Certification by I he
American Board of Anesthesiology.
Diplomat of The American Board of Anesthesiology
The Pain Clinic ofrhe Rio Grande Valley specializes in treating:
• Acute and chronic back and leg pain
• Neck, shoulder and arm pain
• Leg pain from diabetes and poor circulation
• Pain form Shingles and Arthritis
• Cancer pain and Symptoms Management
Se habla Espanol • We welcome Walk-ins
Worker's Compensation'Personal Injury-Medicare, Medicaid & Most insurances are accepted.
Good! service.
Good price.,
Good neighbor agent.
Three good reasons to
insure your car with
State Farm.
See State Farm Agent:
Millie Castillo
(956) 585-2778
2505 E. Griffin Parkway
Mission, TX 78572
STATI FARM
NSUIANCI
Like a food neighbor, State Fnnii is there.
Stale Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (not in NJ)
Stale f arm Indemnity Company (NJ) • Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois
The
Rio Grande
Herald
(I JSPS 466*200)
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Publisher
Published weekly tiir SI 5 7t) pel year m Starr County
and $18 75 per year (Mt-of-cowty by Rio Grande
Herald Publishing <o li Real Austin Modus,
hesidenl hibli Jter Ira ■ \ Matins and Will N
Matins, co-owners, 215 I University Dnve,
Klinlnuj', I exas 78539 Periodicals (tostage prod at
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GLORIA MARTINI /.
M SA L GU1RRA
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 23, 1999, newspaper, December 23, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195736/m1/2/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.