Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 3, 2005 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
February 3, 2005
92nd YEAR No. 5
Rio Grande
#215
HOAG BOOK HINDI RY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPRINGPORT, MI 49204
ZONi : 6
HER.ALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Aldermen vote to remove Police Chief by 4-1 margin
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Rio Grande City's Police Chief,
or City Marshal, of the past decade
was removed from his position on
Wednesday night, Jan. 26 by a 4-1
vote of the Rio Grande City Board
of Aldermen expressing "lack of
confidence" in him.
Voting to express "lack of
confidence" in Chief Guadalupe
Marquez were Mayor Pro Tem
Ruben O. Villarreal and Aldermen
Eloy R. Garcia, Hernan R. Garza III
and Guadalupe Amador. Alderman
Ruben D. Saenz expressed strong
opposition to the resolution and
voted no.
The motion that expressed "lack
of confidence" and effectively
removed Marquez from office was
made by Alderman Garcia and
seconded by Alderman Garza.
The actual agenda item read as
follows: "Consideration and
possible action to adopt a
Resolutii n declaring the Council's
lack of confidence in the City
Marshal, Guadalupe Marquez, and
to remove him from office as per
Section 22.077(b) of the Texas
Local Government Code."
Marquez had served as City
Marshal since May 1995, when the
Board of Aldermen of that time
approved his selection.
Four speakers in the Public
RGC graduate signs Lindenwood track scholarship
Lee Cordova, a graduate ot the Rio Grande City High School Class ot 20(14. recently signed with Lindenwood
University. Cordova's outstanding high school track career is what earned him the university scholarship. The
nniversiiv is g toi.c-v >r ' 'ben' Ar'1
institution li
Athletic teams from thr-
university compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division Il-Heart ot
American Conference. Pictured left to right are Ben Lopez. Jr. (Lindenwood University Admissions
Counselor), Lee Cordova, San Juanita Cordova (Cordova's mother), and Jesus Lozano (RGC High School
Coach). Not pictured is Reyes Cordova (Cordova's father). (RGCCISD photo).
Trustees approve future
support for Operation Lone Star
At their regular monthly meeting
on Tuesday night. Jan 25. the Rio
Grande City CISD board of trustees
voted to endorse the idea of future
support for Operation Lone Star, a
large scale operation by military
units and public health agencies to
provide essential health services on
a free basis to Starr County
residents.
Board President Basilio D.
Villarreal. Jr. later explained, "We
feel it was a very successful
program (in the summer of 2004)
that provided much needed services
to many Starr County residents. We
will do everything possible to
facilitate Operation Lone Star
returning to Starr County in 2005."
Villarreal declared, "The main
area where the district can help is in
providing facilities."
More than 3000 Starr County
residents received tree medical
services and treatments during
Operation Lone Star, which was
carried out from July 26 through
Aug. 5, 2004. National Guard and
U.S. Navy Reserve forces working
in the Rio Grande Valley played a
leadership role in the undertaking.
Similar medical services were
also offered in Hidalgo and
Cameron Counties.
In an unrelated matter, the
trustees approved the annual
financial audit for the fiscal year
ending Aug. 31, 2004, as presented
Rep. Guillen named to
powerful House committees
AUSTIN -- State Representative
Ryan Guillen (D-Starr County) was
appointed to serve on two key
committees for the 79th Legislative
Session. Rep. Guillen was named
to the powerful House Committee
on Appropriations and to the House
Committee on Financial
Institutions.
"I feel it is an honor to be asked
to serve on both these committees.
These positions will allow me to
work with leaders of both parties to
make sure legislation we consider
includes benefits for south Texas
and District 31. I believe it is
imperative to work with House
members to help all Texans and I
feel the privilege of serving on
these committees is recognition of
our willingness to work together,"
Guillen said.
Rep. Guillen pointed out that
local officials know that south
Texas has been poorly funded for
major infrastructure improvements
and economic growth until fairly
recently. "As a member of the
Appropriations Committee I will
work to make sure south Texas gets
its fair share of development funds
in the future and that the needs of
south I exas and my district are
voiced at meetings where major
decisions are made." Guillen
explained.
Guillen was also appointed to
the prestigious Financial
Institutions Committee which has
jurisdiction over all matters
pertaining to banks and the state-
banking system; savings and loan
associations; credit unions; the
regulation of state and local bonded
indebtedness; the lending of money
and several state agencies including
the Finance Commission of Texas,
the Credit Union Commission, the
Office of Consumer Credit
Commissioner, the Office ot
Banking Commissioner, the
Banking Department ol lexas, the
Savings and Loan Department ot
Texas, the lexas Frcasury
Safekeeping I rust Company, the
Texas Public Finance Authority,
and the Bond Review Board.
House Speaker Font Craddick
m.idt the appointments during the
i' (JUILi ' " Page ft)
by CPA Juan Nunez of Pharr.
"Everything turned out quite
well," emphasized Villarreal. "There
were no major (adverse) findings.
The audit was conducted by CPA
Juan Nunez of Pharr. Basically, the
district is in a very healthy financial
condition."
Nunez has carried out the
RGCCISD's financial audits for the
pasi several years.
The trustees voted to appryve
additional funds for the Rio Grande
City High School JROTC to attend
the National Cherry Blossom
Festival Parade in Washington,
DC. in early April of 2005.
The board president indicated,
"The (U.S.) Army had committed
to provide $18,000 to enable the
JROTC to spend an entire week in
Washington for this event.
Basically, they (the Army) canceled
their commitment of funds."
Villarreal added. "The board voted
to provide additional funds to allow
the cadets to attend the function,
The visit has now been reduced to
five days instead of seven."
The trustees received a
presentation from Troy Bathman,
on behalf of St. Ives Realty,
concerning the possibility of an
eight-screen theater in Rio Grande
City.
Villarreal declared, "They gave us
a presentation on the possibility of
building a theater in Rio Grande
City. They basically focused on the
logistics The only commitment
the district could make is to send
kids to movies here in Rio Grande
City instead of to the Valley as is
the case now. Basically, it was just
a proposal "
The trustees voted to rank general
contractors for the construction of
steel canopies at Ringgold Middle
School and also authorized the
superintendent to negotiate a
contract.
"We plan to build some canopies
and walkways at Ringgold Middle
School," explained Villarreal. "We
(Sec TRUSTEE* Page 6)
Forum at the start of the meeting,
including former Alderman and
Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Canales,
expressed sharp opposition to
Marquez's removal. Canales
insisted that the action will leave
the Police Department in
"shambles". Canales and Alderman
Saenz both argued that the action
was politically rrrotivated.^Sa^nz
contended that he had been unaware
of the proposed action until the last
minute.
No specific explanation for the
action was expressed at the meeting
Wednesday night. On Monday,
Alderman Garza told The Rio
Grande Herald that "the City
Council basically just wants to see
the Police Department go in a
different direction. That's basically
the bottom line."
After the removal of Marquez,
leadership of the Police
Department's law enforcement
functions came under the direction
and supervision of Assistant Police
Chief Eli Gonzalez.
Gonzalez told The Rio Grande
Herald on Monday, "The department
is fully functional; we have a
professional staff and we're going
about our work just like any
normal time. The department will
continue to move forward."
Gonzalez explained, "I still serve
as Assistant Chief. At this point, I
am in charge of the department's
official operations. I still retain the
title of Assistant Chief."
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares stated on Tuesday, "Mr.
Gonzalez remains as Assistant
Police Chief and is in charge of all
law enforcement duties. I'm in
charge of all administrative
functions, which basically involve
personnel and finance."
Alderman Garza predicted on
Monday, "By this week, we should
be advertising the position. We will
try to expedite this thing as soon as
possible. I hope the field can be
narrowed and interviews can be
conducted by the end of the month
(February). I'm even hoping we can
hire somebody by the end of the
month. I hope we can close the job
announcement process in a couple
of weeks."
The Herald attempted through
another party to contact Marquez,
but was unable to reach him.
Villarreal told The Herald on
Tuesday, "I can't really comment
on the specifics at this point."
Olivares stated on Tuesday,
"Officials (Council members) have
authority to remove officers of the
city. The President appoints
department officials, the Governor
appoints members of boards and
commissions. It's routine procedure
for all levels of government."
Olivares added. "As a general law
city, we're following the procedure
prescribed by state lav. Rio Grande
City is a Type A general law city.''
The administrator stressed. "I feel
without any doubt that things were
done properly and fairly The .
Council is duly elected by the
voters and has the right to select
municipal officers. They can also
remove officers."
Mayor Pro Tem Villarreal
presided over the meeting in the
absence of Mayor Kevin Hiles.
Hiles told The Herald on
Tuesday, "The key purpose for the
dale of the meeting was to address
the building codes issue. We had a
deadline." Olivares later indicated
that the main reason for the Jan. 26
meeting was an agenda -tem calling
for "Consideration and possible
action to adopt an Ordinance
ai*N*nding Chapter 5 of the Rio
Grande City Municipal Code by
adopting building trade codes."
Hiles explained. "I had long-
standing appointments in Austin
that had been planned for a number
(See REMOVE, Page 6)
H-E-B gives customers option
to support tsunami disaster relief
CORPUS CHRIST!. TX. In
response to the tsunami disaster in
Southern Asia, H-E-B is providing
customers an opportunity to
support the relief efforts
Located at each check-stand,
tear-off coupons in the amounts of
SI. S3, and S5 can be added by H-
E-B customers to their final
grocery bill To date, H-E-B
customers have generously donated
more than S70.000. with 100
percent of all funds collected
supporting the Bush-Clinton
Tsunami Relief Fund.
Additionally, H-E-B has made
product donations to assist with
government relief efforts and has
established an account at the
company's credit union for Partner
donations, which the company will
match 100 percent.
H-E-B was founded in Kerrville,
Texas in 1905 with a single grocery
store. For a century, H-E-B has
been an innovative retailer known
for fresh food, quality products and
convenient services. The company
has grown to more than 300 stores
in Texas and Northern Mexico with
more than 56,000 employees. H-E-
B is one of the largest food chains
in the United States, with sales
nearing $11 billion, and is the
largest privately held company in
Texas.
Local Marine helps bring
security, stability to Iraqi people
Story by Maj. Sean P. Clements
and J03 Cynthia R. Smith
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq -
Virtually eclipsed by operations
and the international media focus in
cities like Fallujah and Baghdad,
the military mission continues
throughout A1 Anbar Province.
Roma's Marine Sgt. Ivan L„
Montoya and his fellow sailors and
Marines with the 3d Marine
Aircraft Wing (MAW), home-
based at Marine Corps Air Station
Miramar, Calif., have been
deployed to the region since
February 2004 to provide a wide
variety of aviation support to the
coalition's efforts of bringing peace
and stability to Iraq.
The wing is comprised of
approximately 7,500 active and
reserve Marines and sailors based
at expeditionary airfields and
camps throughout this vast
province in western Iraq. They
provide close air support for
convoys and other combat
operations, casualty evacuation,
and air .-ansportation of forces and
vital supplies in support of
coalition ground forces.
Montoya, the 26-year old son of
Salomon and Maria Montoya of
Roma, is a musician for the 3d
MAW.
"My job is important because we
protect the Marines in our base
We also have the responsibility of
providing musical suppoit,"
Montoya said.
The highly trained and battle-
tested Marines and sailors of 3d
MAW have proven themselves as a
critical asset in the coalition's
efforts to eliminate the terrorist
campaign being carried out by
insurgents against coalition forces
and the Iraqi people. They have
seen action in some of Iraq's most
dangerous areas, such as Fallujah.
Ramadi and Najaf.
"This is a critical time to serve
our country. Our country needs us
the most and 1 am proud to serve."
Montoya said.
The wing is structured around
Marine rotary-wing and fixed-wing
aviation squadrons located
throughout the L nited States, who
(See MARINE, Page 6)
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Roma native helps coalition effort in Iraq
U.S. Marine Sergeant Ivan L. Montoya a Roma native, is pictured above recently during his service aiding
the coalition effort to bring stability to Iraq Montoy a is deployed with the 3rd Marine \ircraft W ing M \W 1
to Al Anbar Province in Iraq Montoya. 26, is a musician for the 3rd MAW. which has seen action in some
of Iraq's most intense combat areas, including Falluiah
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 3, 2005, newspaper, February 3, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196306/m1/1/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.