Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 15, 2003 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
May 15, 2003
90th YEAR No. 20
#215
IIOACi B(X)K BINDERY
127 RAM. ROAD
* SPRINGPORT, MI 49204
21cne L?
— Rio Grande
HERALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
RGC trustees okay 10
superintendent finalists
I
Bin ago*
Ringgold OM team qualifies for world
The Ringgold Elementary 5th grade Odyssey of the Mind team has qualified for World Competition at Iowa
State University from May 28 -3 I The team was awarded the OM highest award, the Renatra Fusca Award, at
State Competition in Texas City In the front row kneeling left to right are Brittany De Pau. Jessica Guerrero
and Danyka Garza. Standing left to right are Lamar Rodriguez, Jennifer Diaz, Julian Leal and Crystal Cantu.
Ringgold Elementary OM team
qualifies for World competition
At their special meeting during
the noon hour on Monday, May 12,
the Rio Grande City CISD board of
trustees voted unanimously to
approve a list of 10 finalists for the
position of Superintendent.
The position of RGCCISD
Superintendent becomes open on
July i. Current Superintendent
Roel R. Smith, who has served in
the position for more than four
years, has declared his intention to
retire effective June 30, 2003.
Smith told The Rio Grande
Herald on Monday afternoon, "The
interview process will begin at this
point. As soon as possible, the
field will be narrowed to three
finalists. The interview process in
the first round is very much in
depth."
"Our intentions are that the new
superintendent will begin the first
wcqk of July," declared the current
superintendent "We think this is a
good list."
The motion approving the list of
10 finalists was made by trustee
Roberto "Bobby" Gutierrez and
seconded by Jose Luis Garza.
The list of 10 finalists, in no
order of any kind, is as follows
* Beatriz Ramirez, currently
Roma ISD Deputy Superintendent.
* Ruben Alejandro, currently
Weslaco ISD Science Coordinator.
He has previously served as a
principal and assistant principal in
the Weslaco ISD, and has also
served that distr ct as Federal
Programs Director.
* Roel Gonzalez, currently
principal of Edinburg Economedes
High School. He previously served
as a cross country coach and track
coach at Rio Grande City High
School. He also was a Science
teacher and Theater Productions
teacher at Ringgold Middle School.
* Dr Richard Lrizarry, currently
RGCCISD Assistant
Superintendent for Student
Accountability. He previously
served as RGCCISD Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction.
* Diana Pena. currently Vice
President for Finance for South
Texas Community College
(See FINALISTS, Page 2)
County talks UT-Pan Am
situation, financial outlook
The Ringgold Elementary tilth
grade students spent months of hard
work and dedication preparing for
the Odyssey of the Mind World
Competition.
After having competed at the
regional level Odyssey of the Mind
Competition and placing first, the
team traveled last month to College
of the Mainland at Texas City.
Texas for State Competition.
The team was awarded the
Odyssey of the Mind highest award,
the Ranatra Fusca Award. The
Renatra Fusca represents the
essence of Odyssey of the Mind. It
is presented to teams or individuals
who exhibit exceptional creativity,
either through some aspect of
problem solving or an
extraordinary idea beyond the
problem. The award acknowledges
and encourages creative thinking
and i i<k taking
The team also placed second in
their division, qualifying the team
lor the World Finals Competition.
The Odyssey of the Mind 2003
World Finals Competition will
bring children together Ironi many
different countries Bermuda.
Canada, Chile, China, European
Teams, Hong Kong, Germany,
Kazakhstan, Poland. Scotland,
Bahamas, Croatia, Australia,
Hungary. Japan. Singapore,
Malaysia, United Kingdom,
Pakistan. Russia, Ukraine,
Lithuania, Maldova Slovakia.
T urkey and the United States.
Teams are comprised of
representatives from all 50 states in
a spirit of friendship and friendly
competition. Odyssey of the Mind
2003 World Finals will be held at
Iowa State University on May 28
through May 31
Aldermen move forward in
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
on Thursday night. May I, the Rio
Grande City Board of Aldermen
voted to take a major step forward
in selecting professional
engineering services for large-scale
water and wastewater system
projects by deciding to begin cost
negotiations with the firm that had
received the highest
recommendation on qualifications.
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares explained, "Two boards (of
aldermen) have voted unanimously
to initiate a procurement process on
these specific projects " T hese
projects involve the design and
construction of new and modern
water and wastewater treatment
plants.
"Twenty eight firms made contact
with us," noted Olivares. "T welve
firms submitted applications This
has been a very long, drawn-out
process that involved a lot of time."
"I would like to have gotten the
information sooner Mian the day
before suggested Alderman Ruben
O. V i 11 arreal. "These three
proposals are all very professional
and very complete."
Villarreal added. "1 took the
liberty of calling references from
each of the three firms The
references spoke highly of all of
you. I congratulate and commend
all of you. Your calling card is the
work you have done before. I called
such places as Douglas. Arizona
and Tomhall, Texas."
"Our water needs arc not much
different than Douglas. Arizona."
emphasized Villarreal, "The
references provided high marks for
all of you. I commend the
committee members for putting so
much work into it."
Mayoi Pro Tern Manuel Canales
commented, "I commend f eo
(Olivares* tor his fine work All
three of you (engineering firms) had
very good references."
"We had 1 I companies
competing, all of whom had very
high qualifications," explained
Olivares. "This was a very difficult
process. We're following the
Qualification Base Program (QBP),
focusing on qualifications first and
later on cost."
The administrator added,
"Basically at this point, wc can
begin cost negotiations with C.D.
& M, who the committee has
recommended as most qualified.
Meklen & Hunt was second and
PBS & J was third I recommend
we choose the first highest, the
second highest, and the third
highest If we can't reach an
agreement with the highest firm,
we can pursue negotiations with the
second highest and later the third
highest (if needed)."
Canales moved that the
administrator's recommendation to
pursue engineering services for the
large-scale water and wastewater
projects through negotiations first
with C D & M, and later with the
other two firms, if needed. This
motion received unanimous
approval.
Villarreal told representatives of
the three firms. "The highest
compliments were about your
quality of service and your personal
interactions. You've ail made it
clear that your customers come
first. We must choose one, but I
congratulate all of you."
Hie aldermen then discussed the
issue of beginning cost
negotiations with the firm
designated as most qualified.
Olivares suggested, "I think Mr.
(Rene) Montalvo (the city
attorney), the Water Department,
two aldermen, and Mrs. (Mary)
Barrera (the Financial Officer)
should be included."
C.D. & M. Project Manager
Ramon Ortiz explained. "Now wc
(See ALDERMEN, Page 4)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At Monday morning's regular
meeting of the County
Commissioners, County Jidjjc
Floy Vera expressed blunt thoughts
and words about the ongoing ef forts
of the University of Texas-Pan
American to obtain a property site
for a permanent facility in Starr
County
Judge Vera commented with
some skepticism about the May 1
vote Of the Rio Grande City Board
of Aldermen to approve a resolution
expressing support for the offer of a
50-acte tract of land owned by I )ario
Omar Garza to UT-Pan American.
This tract is located on the
northeast outskirts of Rio Grande
City.
Vera later told The Rio Grande
Herald, "I said I wanted everybody
to understand that all of us want
four-year higher education in Starr
County. I stated that I was very
disappointed that U'l Pan American
came in asking what the county had
to offer when they didn't really
bring anything to the table
themselves."
"Basically. 1 said it would be
helpful to form a countywidc
committee to explore the needs of
higher education in the county."
added the judge. "This committee
could basically deal with an>
institution of higher education
wishing to locate in Starr County."
The judge nominated Manuel
Benavidez to serve as the
countywidc representative on the
committee. Commissioner Jaime
Alvarez nominated Mike Villarreal,
Commissioner Raul "Roy" Pena,
Jr. nominated himself, and
Commissioner Floy Garza
nominated Elizabeth Chapa.
Commissioner Abel N. Gonzalez,
Jr. indicated that he will submit a
nominee in the near future
Vera stated, "I said 1 thought it
was idiotic to split two campus
locations, bccausc of the nature of
the campuses. One campus would
olfei freshnu n-sophomore courses
and tin other i mpus junior-senior
courses."
"1 feel very suongly that this is a
countywidc issue that will affect all
entities, including school districts,"
insisted the judge. "I said 1 did not
blame the landowner for trying to
attract the facility. 1 did not
understand the urgency of this
action since the major university
systems (in Texas) have taken
major cuts. There will be nothing
for university facility construction
the next two years "
Judge Vera also warned that the
early outlook for county finances in
the 2003-2004 fiscal year is bleak.
He declared, "I've been in contact
with the Chief Appraiser on next
year's values. This coming year
looks very bleak. New wells are
being drilled, but minerals will
reflect last year's values and prices,
which were quite low "
"I'm pretty sure there won't be an
increase in anything." lamented the
judge. "I hope there won't be cuts
(See COUNTY. Page 6)
Memorial service offers
tribute to Rep. Rangel
A special memorial service was
held in Rio Grande City on Friday
evening. April 25 to offer tribute to
the late State Representative Irma
Rangel. the Kingsville Democrat
who represented Starr County for
two decades in the Texas
Legislature.
The memorial service was held at
the South Texas Community
College (STCC) Starr County
Campus Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m.
on Friday. April 25.
The two leading speakers for the
event were R.C Salinas and U.S.
Congressman Ruben Hinojosa of
the 15th Congressional District.
Through his remarks, Salinas
offered a celebration of Rep.
Rangel's life. Salinas was
introduced by Maria Elia Ramos,
and Congressman Hinojosa was
introduced by Lydia Lopez. The
congressman expressed many words
of tribute about Rangel.
Rio Grande City Mayor Baldemar
Garza served as Master of
Ceremonies for the event, The
invocation was given by Father
Amador Garza, pastor of
Immaculate Conception Church in
Rio Grande City. Rio Grande City
High School student Gloria Lazo
led the audience in the National
Anthem.
The welcome was given by
Precinct One County
Commissioner Jaime Alvarez and
Mayor Garza. Opening remarks
(See MEMORIAL, Page 2)
ec
charges in Roma slaying
A 21 year-old Roma resident
stands accused ol murder in the fatal
shooting of a 27-year-old Roma
man Sunday evening.
The body of Juan Jose Ugualde
was found at approximately 4:30
p.m Monday neai the abandoned
Rau-Con hotel on Athens Street in
Roma. A Roma Police Department
detective indicated that Ugualde had
been shot once in the head. The
dcteclive stated that the fatal
shooting is believed to have
occurred close to 9 p in on Sunday.
May I I
Uriel Polanco, 21, was later
arrested on Monday in connection
with the fatal shooting. He was
arraigned before Municipal Judge
Ricardo Perez and charged with
murder. Bond was set at $500,000.
Polanco remained incarcerated in the
Starr County Detention Center as
of Tuesday morning.
The Roma PD detective indicated
that "a missing person report was
filed concerning the victim at about
8 a.m. (Monday). The ease was
solved in about 10 to 12 hours "
"Apparently, it was an argument
that escalated into this shooting
incident," declared the detei live "
&£ %
Aldermen okay resolution supporting 50-acre donation
On May I. the Rio Grande City Board ol Aldermen adopted a resolution supporting the donation of 50 acres
of land from 755 Country Estates developer Dario O. Garza to the University of lexas Pan American for the
proposed establishment of a Starr County Extension Campus. Presenting a City Seal to Garza (center) are (L-
R) Mayor Baldemar Garza, Mayor Pro Tern Manuel Canales. Alderman Ruben O Villarreal. Alderman Ruben
D Saenz Alderman Hunan Gar/a 111 and Alderman Frank Gutierrez
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 15, 2003, newspaper, May 15, 2003; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196216/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.