Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 18, 2004 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
November 18, 2004
91st YEAR No. 47
#215
lIOACi HOOK BINDKRY
127 RAIL ROAD
SI'RINCiPORT, Ml 49204
ZONK 6
Rio Grande
HERALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
>
a
V
Bonfire launches RGC High Homecoming activities
Rio Grande City High School kicked off its 2004 Homecoming activities with a bonfire on Thursday, Oct
28, 2004. The RGC Rattlers vs. Sharyland Rattlers showdown was scheduled for Frida, night Oct. 29 at Joe
R. Sanchez Stadium. Pictured above are the Rio Grande City High School varsity football players before the
burning of the "R". (RGCCISD photo).
Commissioners okay abatement
for planned new H-E-B store
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their special meeting on
Monday morning, Nov. 15. the
W County Commissioners approved a
tax abatement, effective for eight
years, for the planned massive new
H-E-B store in Rio Grande City.
Starr County Industrial
Foundation Executive Director
Rose Benavidez declared. "This is in
reference to the new Rio Grande
City H-E-B project. We're
proposing a potential tax
abatement, which you have done in
the past in other instances."
"This is close to a $20 million
project, with $16 million projected
^ for construction," she explained.
"We're asking for an eight-year
abatement, with years one through
four being 100 percent, five and six
at 75 percent, and seven and eight at
50 percent."
Benavidez noted, "They would be
responsible for real estate, which
would amount to roughly
% $328,000."
Scott Wohlway, representing
Weingarten, an investment firtn
based in Dallas, told the
commissioners, "We joined this
project about a year ago. What's
making this project (very) difficult
is that we're dealing with an
existing shopping center, not just
raw land. A lot of existing tenants
will be going into the new center
paying rent at below market rates."
Wohlway concluded. "Basically,
H-E-B and other tenants should
sign everything in about 30 days. It
should take another 30 days for
other details to be finalized. This
will be the biggest store H-E-B has
built to date." He indicated that the
planned new store is projected to
have a capacity of 109,000 square
feet.
"This will be the biggest
abatement that's been proposed, but
it's the biggest project we've seen,"
commented County Judge Eloy
Vera. "As I understand, 130 jobs
will be retained and 150 will be
cheated. We want to do everything
we can to create jobs."
Precinct One Commissioner
Jaime Alvarez stressed. "I'm all for
this (the abatement)." Precinct Four
Commissioner Abel N. Gonzalez,
Jr offered a motion, seconded by
Alvarez, that the abatement be
approved as proposed. The motion
was unanimously approved in a 4-0
vote.
The commissioners were told that
Detention Center revenues for
October 2004 totaled $136,414.
Chief Deputy Rene Fuentes
explained, "We've gone down to
130 local inmates this week,
compared ti 140 last week. At one
Former Grulla mayor, bookkeeper
# plead guilty to theft charges
Former La Grulla Mayor Diana
Cortez and former La Grulla
bookkeeper Sandra Lopez are
currently awaiting sentencing after
pleading guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 2
in U.S. District Court in McAllen
to one count of theft from programs
0 receiving federal funds.
The guilty pleas, which took
place before U.S. District Judge
Ricardo Hinojosa, were announced
by U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby
of Houston.
Cortez, 48, and Lopez, 45,
pleaded guilty to theft of La Grulla
city funds from the General Fund
account to pay a psychic
approximately $53,700 for psychic
consultations, including but not
limited to tarot card readings,
between February 2002 and May 1,
0 2003.
Cortez served as Mayor of La
Grulla from May 2001 to May
2003. Lopez served as city
bookkeeper during Cortez's tenure
as mayor and was responsible for
La Grulia's accounts payable.
Cortez and Lopez are both
scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 18,
0 2005. The;1 face a possible
maximum statutory penalty of 10
years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The two were indicted by a lederal
grand jury on Aug. 12, 2004. They
were initially arrested on Aug. 31
and each made their initial
appearance on that date before a
U.S. magistrate in McAllen.
Cortez and Lopez each eventually
pleaded guilty to one count of theft
from programs receiving federal
funds. They had also each been
indicted for one count of
conspiracy.
La Grulla is a small incorporated
municipality located in Starr
County which receives federal funds
from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development
(HUD).'
It is a federal crime for any
person who is an agent of a
government entity (e.g. city
government) which receives in
excess of $10,000 during a one-year
period under a federal program or
grant, to embezzle or knowingly
convert for use by any person other
than the rightful owner, property
valued at $5000 or more. The City
of La Grulla received approximately
$409,884 in federal funds from
HUD during the one-year period
beginning May 2, 2002 and ending
May I, 2003
Hiles, 2 new aldermen sworn
in; Garza bids farewell
point, it was 146 inmates. U.S.
Marshal Service inmates have been
dropping significantly."
The commissioners considered
the agenda item of "Discussion and
consideration of approval for the
proposed City of Roma Phase IV
Sewage Collection System Project
to provide first-time sewer service
to the residents of Fronton and
surrounding areas as funded by the
lexas Water Development Board
Economically Distressed Areas
Program."
Keith Kendall of the Turner,
Collie & Braden engineering firm
stated. "Whether it is asphalt or
gravel, the roadway will be replaced
in its entirety. They will be
reconstructed to the condition they
were. The entire streets in the
Fronton area will be repaved It will
not be patchwork."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr. insisted. "We
were just concerned about the
wording. We want everything
paved." Kendall replied, "The entir:
roadway will be repaved. We're just
talking about keeping the width the
same." The commissioners then
proceeded to approve the Fronton
project as recommended, as per the
clarifications.
Norma Perez spoke to the
(Sec ABATEMENT, Page 6)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
A new era in city government for
Rio Grande City began on
Wednesday night, Nov 10 as
newly-elected Mayor Kevin Hiles
and two new aldermen were
officially sworn into office,
Prior to the swearing-in
ceremony in the Council Chambers
at City Hall, retiring Mayor
Baldemar Garza discussed in detail
his remembrances of 1 I years in
RGC city government, including
eight and one-half years as mayor,
during a workshop of department
heads. He offered thanks to city
employees with whom he worked,
as well as aldermen who served
with him over the years.
The results of the Nov. 2, 2004
election were officially canvassed at
a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, Nov. 10. An
exceptionally large crowd was
present for the swearing-in of the
new mayor and two new aldermen.
New aldermen Lupe Amador and
Eloy R. Garcia were sworn in by
County Judge Eloy Vera Vera
emphasized, "I congratulate all
those who made the effort to run,
whether they came out winners or
not."
Vera added, "It was always a
pleasure to work with Mayor Garza,
Rio Grande City has been blessed
to have such a high caliber mayor
the past few years. All those who
stood up and offered a vision a a
candidate are to be commended
Hiles was administered the oath
of office by 381st District Judge
John A. Pope III.
After being sworn in, all three
newly elected officials were
presented individual certificates of
election by Mayor Garza
"The position of mayor is all
about integrity and values,' stressed
Hiles. "Mayor Garza is ali about
those traits. The time and effort he
put into his work over many years
must not be forgotten. He
understood that the things of the
past need to be set aside and (an
effort made to) move forward."
New Place Three Alderman Eloy
R Garcia commented, "We had a
good, spirited campaign, I
acknowledge the efforts of Mr.
(Manuel) Canales and Mr. (Frank)
Gutierrez (the previous Place Five
and Place Three aldermen). I know
the kind of values that Mayor Garza
brought here. This board will work
;n unison for the betterment of Rio
Grande City. The doors will always
be open."
New Place Five Alderman Lupe
Amador declared, "I commend Mr.
Canales and Mr. Gutierrez and all
the past aldermen and mayors. We
are eager to carry on this excellent
tradition and (continue to) work for
the betterment of the city."
Mayor Garza emphasized, "1 feel
all of you will do a good job and
carry on this city's traditions."
Alderman Hernan R. Garza III
told Mayor Garza, "1 personally
thank you, Mayor It's been an
honor to have served with you. Vou
have laught me a lot. You have left
some big boots that need to be
filled. I wish you and your family
ihe best."
Alderman Ruben O. Villarreal
commented to Mayor Garza, "It's
been a fantastic ride; you've always
represented this community with
tin utmo-' .* e nd poise Yi u
have laid d'o^n a tremendous
foundation. I ha".e a lot of
confidence in our new mayor and
our new aldermen."
Alderman Ruben D. Saenz stated.
"We've learned a lot from you
(Mayor Garza). I look forward to
working with Kevin, Eloy and
L.upe."
During the workshop prior to the
meeting. City Secretary Holly
Guerrero t< Id Mayor Garza, "I will
miss your reliability and
steadfastness of character. Not
everyone agreed with your
decisions, but everyone understood
you made them with a strong
ethical core."
City Administrator I onardo
Olivares pointed to three milestone
events that occurred in 1993: the
formation of South Texas
Community College, the origin ol
the Empowerment Zone, and the
reincorporation of Rio Grande Cits
(after more than 60 years of not
being incorporated). Olivarez told
Garza, "You were there and part ol a
team that made it happen for all
three events."
Mayor Garza declared. It's been
quite a ride. 1 had no idea what H
would be like when it started in
November 1993. but it's been a
great learning experience We held
our lirst meeting in Commissioners
Court. Not many people have the
opportunity to have been part ol
developing a city from scratch. I'm
(See ALDERMEN, Page 6)
Comedic drama
planned at STC
Now 18-20
"Honduran Hurricane." a live
comedic drama, performs this week
for only three nights at South Texas
College Auditorium. Building D
103. The pertormances are this
Thi .sday, November 18: Friday.
November 19, and Saturday,
November 20. All shows arre at
8:00 PM ADMISSION: $3.00.
"Honduran Hurricane" addresses
jealousy. This play is based upon
last year's events of Honduras
President Ricardo Maduro and his
romantic problems combined with
NASA's attempts to return a stolen
moon rock to Honduras. Live tuba
and flute music will be featured. A
production of WILD (Writers In
Literary Discussion)
Call 928-3487 for more
information.
GMS Band Instructor attends
Fine Arts Institute in NYC
According to the indictment, the
psychic was paid with checks drawn
on the city's General Fund account.
The U.S. Attorney's Office stated
that "In an effort to conceal their
unauthorized use of the city's funds,
Lopez created and Cortez signed and
approved fraudulent invoices,
vouchers, work orders, and contract
agreements reflecting payments due
from and payments made to
fictitious businesses for services
never performed and supplies never
purchased. Neither the psychic nor
any of the fictitious entities listed
on the fraudulent invoices, vouchers
and work orders ever performed any
services or purchased any materials
and supplies for the City of La
Grulla."
On Monday, Nov. 15, Assistant
U.S. Attorney Michael Herrera
explained, "During the proceedings
(on Nov. 2), the court accepted the
guilty pleas and found them (Cortez
and Lopez) guilty."
Cortez is being represented by
Norman Mclnnis of the U.S.
Public Defender's Office in
McAllen. Lopez is being
represented by attorney Phil Harris
iif Weslaco. The Rio Grande Herald
(See GUILTY, Page 6)
RGCCISD News Release
Grulla Middle School Band Instruc
tor. Jose A. Flores, Jr.. was one of lour
Rio Grande Valley teachers selected by
Region One ESC as a Fine Arts Insti-
tute Teacher Scholarship recipient.
They were selected to attend the 1 ine
Arts Institute of 2004 in New York City
on October 10-13, 2004. The institute
focused on several aspects such as:
*Daily in-depth study groups to help
develop a professional action plan
* Arts-infused activities in core ses-
sions and workshops
: Workshops to help further develop
specific areas of expertise
* Open art studio facilitated by a mas-
ter teaching artist
* Private consulting with faculty to ad-
dress your specific situation
* Experience the ideas at work with
student in the South Street Seaport
Museum
Participants had a variety of breakout
sessions to choose from during this
three dav institute. GMS teacher, Mr.
Flores. brought back valuable knowl-
edge and great practices that will be
applied to his teaching regime.
The Rio Grande Valley scholarship
recipients are as follows; Jose A.
Flores. Jr. -Rio Grande City CISD/
Grulla Middle School. Maria de Jesus
Miller-Harlingen CISD/Gutierrez
Middle School. Minerva Lozano-
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD/San Juan
Middle School, and Vidal Flores-
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD/Austin
Middle School.
M
GMS instructor attends NYC Fine Arts Institute
Grulla Middle School Band lnstn. >ot Jos- V Flores, Jr recently attended the Fine Arts Institute in New York
City He was one of four Rio Grande Valley Fine \rts Institute Teacher Scholarship recipients who attended
The three-day workshop consisted of various break-out sessions that provided valuable knowledge tor
participants Mr Flores is pictured with some of his band students (RG< CISD photo)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 18, 2004, newspaper, November 18, 2004; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196295/m1/1/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.