The Valley Times – November 8, 2017

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DHR Health Celebrates Forensic Nurses Week

VOL. I, NO. 15

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McAllen Hearth Hospital Donates CPR Kits

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017

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City of Pharr & AHSTI Launch the Pharr Family Foundation Program, an Affordable Housing Initiative

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Presidential Proclamation Honors Victims of Sutherland Springs, Texas Shooting In honor of the victims and survivors of the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, U.S. President Donald J. Trump ordered that “the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 9, 2017. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

Gov. Greg Abbott also ordered that Texas flags be lowered to half-staff. “The horrific act sustained by the Sutherland Springs community has deeply touched the core of who we are as faithful people,” said Gov. Abbott in issuing the order last night. “As such, it is fitting that flags should be lowered to half-staff in memory of those who lost their lives.”

It is reported that a lone gunman killed 26 and injured another 20 people who were attending services at the church.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and to all the people of Sutherland Springs,” said County Judge Ramon Garcia in relaying the orders to local authorities.

Individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions and entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of honor and respect.

The City of Pharr celebrates Veteran’s Day Saturday, Nov. 11th with a Veteran’s Day parade and fireworks! The parade will begin at 4:30PM and go down Cage Blvd., followed by a firework show at 7PM at Liberty Middle School. Come show your support as the city honors the men and women who have served and who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017

OPINION

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AMERICA MUST RECAPTURE ITS DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT

By MICHAEL GERSON Let’s assume, just for a moment, that the great political leaders of the past were not cynical, deluded or deceptive when they talked about morality and religion. Let’s posit that, at least in some instances, they were not just striking poses but making arguments.

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Early in 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt delivered his State of the Union address in an atmosphere charged with menace. Germany had just occupied the Sudetenland.

Kristallnacht was recent news. Roosevelt was beginning to prepare Americans for the exertions of a global war.

Yet FDR did not begin his address by talking about rearmament. “There comes a time in the affairs of men,” he said, “when they must prepare to defend not their homes alone but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded.” At that moment of national testing, Roosevelt felt it necessary to clarify and reaffirm the transcendent commitments that undergird self-government.

He identified three of them: Religion, which “gives the individual a sense of his own dignity and teaches him to respect himself by respecting his neighbors.” Democracy, which is the “covenant among free men to respect the rights and liberties of their fellows.” And “international good faith,” which “springs from the will of civilized nations of men to respect the rights and liberties of other nations of men.”

Our public and political life, Roosevelt assumed, is ultimately a reflection or echo of our spiritual life. Here I use “spiritual” broadly to mean a set of beliefs that challenge our natural egotism and cause us to respect the rights and dignity of others. A democracy especially is based on generally held convictions about the nature and equality of human beings. Its idealism is inherent.

A few years later, as World War II raged, the Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain took up this argument. “Right political experience,” he said, “cannot develop in people unless passions and reason are oriented by a solid basis of collective virtues, by faith and honor and thirst for jus-

tice.” In particular, it is the “urge of love” which allows us “to surmount the closed borders of the natural social groups -- family group and national group -- and extended it to the entire human race.”

In the absence of a “democratic state of mind,” warned Maritain, “nothing is easier for political counterfeiters than to exploit good principles for purposes of deception.” “Moreover,” he said, “nothing is easier for human weakness than to merge religion with prejudices of race, family or class, collective hatred, passions of a clan.”

What can be learned from that distant world facing an existential threat?

Our crisis is so different. Yet it is a crisis of the “democratic state of mind.”

What voices and institutions are proclaiming and defending the “tenets of faith and humanity” that make democracy both pleasant and possible?

For many secular liberals, such language is inherently suspect. On what basis can any set of beliefs be preferred above another? Democracy requires, in this view, not just a political pluralism but a pluralism of values.

Such a position is absurdly lacking in self-awareness. A commitment to pluralism is itself a value, which must be preferred above other values such as, say, the interests of a master race or the dictatorship of the proletariat. The democratic faith now emerges from more diverse sources -- both religious and non-religious -- than Roosevelt

might have imagined. But it is still a moral and spiritual commitment that must be taught in order for any democracy worthy of the name to survive.

Yet also try to imagine Maritain -- who helped draft the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- trying to speak to a Republican Lincoln Day dinner about the “urge to love” extending to the entire human race. Globalist! Conservative media is in love with a “political counterfeiter.” Conservative religious leaders regularly and shamelessly merge their faith with collective hatreds and the passions of a clan.

Our political renewal must somehow begin here, in recovering the democratic spirit -- in confidently encouraging the decency, compassion and spirit of sacrifice that can alone overcome egotism and tribalism. That is a task for both individuals and institutions -the essential preparation for all other democratic tasks. The largest obstacle is individual -- the high barrier of our own doubt.

In his poem “September 1, 1939,” W.H. Auden felt the hopes of a “low dishonest decade” expiring and compared his generation to children “lost in a haunted wood.” His conclusion?

“We must love one another or die.”

Michael Gerson’s email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group

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I Will Survive: Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Brings Hope And Healing

Suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Worldwide, it is the leading cause of death.

Helping survivors deal with the loss is the goal of the second annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley, to be held Saturday, November 18, at the McAllen Public Library.

On this day, individuals who have lost a parent, a grandparent, a child, a sibling, an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, a cousin, a student, a co-worker, or a friend come together to learn to cope, to find hope, to meet other survivors, and to find peace.

For many, it is the first time they have met other survivors. , In 1999, Sen. Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide 27 years earlier, introduced a resolution to the U.S. Congress to establish National Survivors for Prevention of Suicide Day. Later, other countries began holding the event, as well, and the name was eventually changed to International Survivors of Suicide

Loss Day. It is held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. In 2016, over 350 locally organized events were held throughout the U.S. and around the world. The first International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley took place in 2016.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention teaches that talking saves lives. The Foundation has set a bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide in the U.S. 20 percent by the year 2025. This year, AFSP cel-

ebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley is under the direction of Missy Garcia Moreno, who lost her brother, Father Ricardo Garcia, a beloved priest in Brownsville, to suicide in 2011. Missy and her group of dedicated volunteers have been working on this year’s event throughout the year.

At this year’s event, survivors will view the screening of The Journey: A Story of Healing and Hope, a documentary produced

administration of justice.

In February 2017, DHR Health launched its forensic exam center Safe H.A.V.E.N. – Helping All Violent Encounters Now. The forensic exam center provides comprehensive, compassionate and patient-centered care for children and adults that have been abused or sexually assaulted. DHR Health Safe H.A.V.E.N. is the only forensic exam center in Hidalgo County.

“Until we live in a world without violence, forensic nurses will seek to strengthen the role of the health system in addressing violence and continue to provide expert and compassionate care to patients who require these specialized services,” Liz Louden, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) President, said.

With more than 3,700 mem-

bers from 24 countries, the International Association of Forensic Nurses has a mission to provide leadership in forensic nursing practice by developing, promoting, and disseminating information internationally about forensic nursing science.

The IAFN established and provides standards of practice and education for forensic nurses.

Members have the knowledge and expertise to decrease the healthcare consequences of violence, improve patient recovery and lower healthcare costs.

The Association offers a variety of educational opportunities as well as board certification for sexual assault nurse examiners who care for Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A®) and Pediatric (SANE-P®) patients. For more information, visit www.forensicnurses.org

by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that traces the grief and healing journey of a diverse group of suicide loss survivors. It is about finding meaning, and even joy, after the loss of a loved one to suicide and about the journey of healing. The day’s events also include whole-group activities, panel discussions, and break-out sessions where survivors will have the opportunity to share their stories—if they choose—and to listen to the moderator and other survivors.

Seating for the event is limited to 80 people, and pre-registration is highly recommended to secure a seat. You can register now at afsp.org/survivor_day/ mcallen-texas. This year, teens (13-17 years old) are welcome if accompanied by an adult, and there will be sessions geared specifically to them.

For more information about

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley, contact Missy at afsprgvsurvivorday@gmail.com or by calling 956-821-6539.

You can find the event page (2nd Annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day) on Facebook.

For those who are unable to attend a Survivor Day event in person, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts a Survivor Day program online at afsp.org/SurvivorDay. If you are in crisis, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Visit afsp.org to learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the work they do.

The McAllen Public Library is located at 4001 N. 23rd Street. The event will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.

DHR Health Celebrates Forensic Nurses Week Forensic Nurses Week Observed Nationwide November 6-10, 2017 During Nov. 6–10, 2017, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health celebrates Forensic Nurses Week. During this week DHR will recognize nurses who provide specialized care every day to men, women, and children who have been affected by violence and abuse. DHR Health will work to increase public awareness about the health impact of violence and the vital role of the forensic nurse.

By providing forensic nursing services, communities arm themselves with a vital resource to attend the short- and long term-health consequences of violence, address violence prevention efforts, and help ensure the

DHR Health celebrates Forensic Nurses Week, November 6-10, 2017, recognizing the compassionate care provided by nurses at DHR Health Safe H.A.V.E.N. (From left to right) CindyRincon, BSN, RN, CA/CP SANE; Rosa Aguirre, BSN, RN, CA/CP SANE; Evonne Garcia, RN, SANE-P, CA/CP SANE, Forensic Nurse Manager; Laura Solis, BSN, RN, CPN, CA/CP SANE. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse or sexual assault, please call DHR Health Safe H.A.V.E.N. at (956) 249-6452 or call the Rape Crisis Center Hotline at (800) 580-4879.

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017

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Noble Builders Donates $25,000 Scholarship For Public Safety And Construction Students

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Photo Caption: Rene Capistran, President and CEO of Noble Texas Builders was in attendance at the regular meeting for STC Trustees on Oct. 24, and committed a check on behalf Noble Charities, a scholarship fund in the amount of $25,000, to be paid for the next five years. Five students a year will then be eligible for up to $1,000 a year in scholarship money.

Students enrolled in Construction and Public Safety programs at South Texas College now have the opportunity to benefit from the first scholarship commitment donated by Noble Charities Construction.

Rene Capistran, President and CEO of Noble, was in attendance at the regular meeting for STC Trustees on Oct. 24, and committed a check on behalf Noble Charities, a scholarship fund in the amount of $25,000, to be paid for the next five years.

Five students a year will then be eligible for up to $1,000 a year in scholarship money.

“Our goal is to tie the scholarship opportunity with the facility’s opening so the students will have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship. That would be our goal. We want to be able to use this as soon as the campus is ready,” Capistran said. “This is the tip of the iceberg. Our goal is to grow the scholarship commitment, and support as many students as we can in this program. Obviously, living so close to the border, law enforcement continues to be one of the top priorities.

“I am very excited to see that South Texas College is taking a leadership role in creating this program,” Capistran said.

“It’s not just a law enforcement program, it’s a state of the art program. No one else in the region will have all the technical aspects and live simulation opportunities that this program will offer our students.”

In addition, Capistran is excited about the construction program that is now housed in the new $16 million facility at the Technology Campus. He believes students pursuing this degree will have a great quality of life once they complete their studies.

Located at 4300 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr, the RCPSE will make STC the first border community college in the nation to establish integrative training for local, state and federal professionals in law enforcement, public safety, fire safety and Homeland Security along the US/Mexico border.

The $71 million master plan is slated to transform the RCPSE into a Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Fire Science and Homeland Security campus by 2030. The facility is located on a 64 acre site in Pharr with 180 additional acres available for future expansion. The master plan includes 534,385 square feet of buildings, structures and a driving track to be completed in three phases over the next decade.

“Not only do we want to build a campus, we want to provide support that strengthens our education community,” Capistran said. “We build a sense of belonging and unity that inspires our team to make a difference and be a part of the fabric of our community. What better way to support a student that while they are attending college.”

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UTRGV to Host Annual Financial Aid Super Saturday

Hidalgo County Precinct 1 hosted a ribbon cutting for new athletic track at the Juvenile Justice Center Boot Camp Facility in Weslaco.

Juvenile Justice Center Boot Camp Facility Unveils New Athletic Track in Precinct 1

A host of Hidalgo County officials took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for an Athletic Track at the Juvenile Justice Center Boot Camp in Weslaco on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

The project began as a partnership between Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes and 449th District Court Judge Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt. After they were both sworn into office in January of this year, Rodriguez-Betancourt invited Fuentes to visit the boot camp that is located in Precinct 1. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize Fuentes with the boot camp program for possible future expansion and improvements. They both agreed the athletic track could be renovated quickly and at little to no cost.

“This is an important project for me; it’s something that is helping improve the lives of children,” said Fuentes. “Hopefully as it changes their lives, in turn they will change the lives of others in a perpetual way.”

The Boot Camp Facility empowers every individual with the time-honored values of Honor, Courage, Integrity, and Commitment. The Transitional Program serves a maximum population of twelve (12) Boot Camp graduates over a three (3) month period. While in the Transitional Program, Residents continue to address substance abuse recovery topics in addition to providing re-integration into main stream society.

Pointing to a fresh paved track, Betancourt shared the importance of how a small project can make a large impact in the lives of youth.

“Behind me is a small blessing that has already made a huge difference,” said Betancourt. “This is not only a place for exercise, but also a place where these young men can let out their frustrations, their hardships and everything else they deal with in life.”

The Athletic Track, which was completed in late September, cost $7,180 for materials. Fuentes also contributed Precinct 1 equipment and staff to work on the project.

“This track might be small, but it goes a long way with the bearing it has had on our cadets,” said Boot Camp Facility Administrator Richard Garza. “Thank you to all the Judges and Commissioners for helping us with this project; this is your home and we’re happy about this collaborative effort.”

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in collaboration with RGV Focus and other Valley institutions, will host its annual Super Saturday FAFSA/TASFA event on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Super Saturday is designed to welcome the community and students to both campuses and help them with the process of applying for college admissions and financial aid for the coming year.

During Super Saturday, students get one-on-one help with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

The university also will offer assistance with completing college admissions applications. Both campuses will have computer labs open for students to complete FAFSA/TASFA forms and apply to college.

Information will be available from UTRGV departments and community organizations, and university staff will be on hand to answer any questions students and families may have about financial aid

and the admissions process.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the FAFSA and TASFA applications availability beginning Oct. 1, and should complete those forms as soon as possible.

If you are attending Super Saturday, you should bring the following information to help complete your applications: • 2016 Tax Returns (for student and parent, if applicable).

• 2016 W-2s and 1099 statements (for student and parent, if applicable).

• FSA ID (for student and parent, if applicable). Students and parents who do not have one will be assisted in creating one.

• Other pertinent 2016 income information, such as child support paid and received, and other benefits information.

Students attending the event will be entered into a UTRGV scholarship drawing.

Super Saturday is free and open to the community. For more information, contact Jael Perez at jael.garcia@utrgv.edu or (956) 665-2958.

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STC Holds Veterans Expo On Three Campuses Nov. 8, 15, 16 The Office of Veterans Affairs at South Texas College has organized a Veterans Expo that will be held at three campuses during November.

The first Veterans Expo will take place at STC’s Pecan Campus on Nov. 8. The Mid Valley Veterans Expo will take place on Nov. 15, and the Technology Campus Expo will take place on Nov. 16. Times for all events will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Created as a resource for veterans in the community, the expo will consist of area vendors who will be on hand distributing information of the benefits and services available to them.

Vendors at the expo will assist veterans with applying for grants that can be used towards rent, utilities, daycare for children, tuition assistance and transportation.

Organizations attending will provide a wide range of services including legal aid, mental health care, veterans’ benefit claims assistance, hearing loss, home care, mortgage loans, small business start-up assistance and PTSD therapy assistance.

“The Expo is designed to bring awareness to veterans, especially student veter-

ans and those organizations that provide services to veterans,” said Jessie Luna, Veterans Outreach Coordinator at South Texas College. “This will be valuable not only for veterans, but also their dependents who are looking for assistance as they transition from military service into civilian life.

“This is not only for students, but those veterans in the community who want to stop by,” Luna said.

Those who are seeking more information can call Jessie Luna, Veterans Outreach Coordinator at (956) 872-2606 or email at jluna77@southtexascollege.edu.

Futuro RGV Hosts Forum on Mexican Shoppers’ Economic Impact On Tueday, November 14, Futuro RGV will host a Panel Discussion On “The Impact of Mexican Shoppers on the Valley Economy.”

The community focused civic organization will hold the forum at the McAllen Public Library Auditorium on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The library is located at 4001 N. 23rd Street, McAllen.

KURV radio personality Davis Rankin will moderate the session. Among the speakers are Salvador Contreras, UTRGV economist; Roy Rodriguez, McAllen City Manager; Jesus Gonzalez, owner NIU furniture; Monica Stewart, downtown business owner & TBC Border Security; Edward Lopez, Double Tree Suites-Hilton; and Trisha Watts, Communications Director, McAllen CVB. Olivia Rubio, Community Affairs representative, Mexican consulate, has also been invited to speak.

According to Nedra Kinerk, Futuro McAllen president, Mexican shoppers represent a critical force in the Valley economy. Retail accounts for a significant part of the Valley economy. In the last couple of years, retail sales in Hidalgo County have fluctuated as shoppers from Mexico coming into Hidalgo County have slowed.

•What is the present situation?

•Is there a problem?

•How, why does this affect us and them?

•How can we improve the situation?

The event is open to the public and is free of charge. The doors for the forum will open at 6:00 pm for seating.

Reserved center seating for paid Futuro RGV members will be available until 6:20 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will be live-streamed, courtesy of Code RGV.

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Hidalgo County Honors Physician Participation Month In Fight Against Zika Three of the Rio Grande Valley’s top physicians were on hand at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court as the Court passed a proclamation declaring November as Physician Participation Month.

The Proclamation was presented by the Health and Human Services Department, in part, to recognize all Hidalgo County doctors who have been proactive in the fight against Zika and other communicable diseases, said Chief Administrative Officer Eduardo “Eddie” Olivarez.

“The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department in conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have included the Physician Participation Month as part of this awareness campaign,” Olivarez said.

The campaign will help facili-

tate communication and education among Hidalgo County residents to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of mosquito control and prevention.

Dr. Carlos Cardenas, president of the Texas Medical Asso-

With CEO Daniel Caldwell on hand, McAllen Heart Hospital donated nine cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) kit to the students and administrators at Mission Collegiate High School. The CPR Kits were distributed to Mission secondary schools.

“The money we raised this year with the American Heart Association….we all decided to put that towards CPR kits and and see if we could put them in the hands of people that could make better use of them,” Caldwell said. “We couldn’t think of any better place than the school districts.”

Dr. Ricardo López, MCISD Superintendent, thanked Caldwell and McAllen Heart Hospital for their donation of the CPR Kits and told him that he was pleased for what they do. “Not only do they saves lives, but they are also invested in educating kids,” Lopez

said.

Developed by the American Heart Association, newly upgraded “CPR in Schools Training Kits” enable students to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR in just one class period.

Additionally, the kit teaches automated external defibrillators (AED) use and choking relief.

Students practice on a manikin while watching skills performed correctly on the DVD, a research-proven way to learn and retain lifesaving CPR skills. The kits contain a total of 10 Mini Anne Plus inflatable manikins and storage bags with many additional components. The kits also come with five practice-while-watching training DVDs, a facilitator guide, and a facilitator binder with lessons and tests. This will aid in having more students gain the knowledge and the hands-on experience needed for CPR training.

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E-File Closes on Nov. 18 For Tax Year 2016 After That, Disaster Victims, Others Need to File on Paper

Physician Participation Month Proclamation: Pictured are, from left, Health Department Executive Assistant IV Misty Palacios, Health Department Chief Administrative Officer Eddie Olivarez, Texas Medical Association President Dr. Carlos Cardenas, American Medical Association Delegate Dr. Linda Villarreal, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios, Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe M. Flores, County Judge Ramon Garcia, Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes, Hidalgo-Starr Medical Society President Dr. Martin Garza, Hidalgo-Starr Medical Society Executive Director Elsie Perez, and Zika Field Support Consultant with C & I Advantage in support of CDC Kathy Hernandez.

ciation, was joined by Dr. Linda Villarreal, delegate to the American Medical Association, and Dr. Martin Garza, president of the Hidalgo-Starr Medical Society. The three said they represented all of the local physi-

cians, who have provided more than 10,000 Zika assessments to date this year.

“The disease can be difficult to diagnose, often resembling other infections and noninfectious diseases,” said Olivarez.

McAllen Heart Hospital Donates CPR Kits

McAllen Heart Hospital CEO Daniel Caldwell presented nine “CPR in Schools Training Kits” to students at Mission high schools.

The easy-to-use kit is designed specifically for the needs of schools. The kit’s brand new wheeled bag allows for convenient movement from classroom to classroom and easy storage. It is also reusable. One kit can train hundreds of people.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people, including those in disaster areas, who want to file a 2016 tax return electronically to do so by Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017.

Filing of paper tax returns will remain available after that date.

IRS Modernized e-file, the system that processes electronically-filed individual returns, will shut down after Nov. 18 so the agency can perform annual maintenance and to enable the IRS to reprogram the system for the upcoming 2018 tax-filing season.

As a result, any taxpayer needing to file after Nov. 18 will need to do so on paper.

While most individuals have already filed their 2016 federal tax returns, certain taxpayers may qualify for an extension until Jan. 31, 2018. This includes taxpayers who live in a federally declared disaster area, have a U.S. tax filing obligation, and had previously obtained a valid 6-month extension of time to file their federal tax return. The federally declared disaster areas include hurricane and tropical storm victims in Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and parts of Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina, as well as wildfire victims in parts of California.

For more information, visit the website at www.irs.gov.

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Weslaco Chamber Awards Second Lifetime Achievement Award, Man and Woman Of The Year At Annual Banquet The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership luncheon November 1 at the Knapp Medical Conference Center, where they awarded Man, Woman, Business of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, along with additional recognitions.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a person that has demonstrated exceptional business achievement and outstanding commitment to Weslaco’s business community over a sustained period of time.

This year, the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce honored Weslaco champion Richard Vaughan with the second Lifetime Achievement Award. Vaughan has a long list of community involvement and leadership. His past roles as board chair or president includes Rotary Club, Weslaco ISD School Board, Knapp Medical Center, the RGV Partnership and the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce.

Vaughan has also led fund drives for the Boy Scouts and the March of Dimes.

In addition, he also served on the boards for the Aurora House Foundation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, TSTC Advisory Board and RGV Bible Institute. Vaughan became President of Burton Companies in the early 1980’s and held that position until his retirement a few years ago.

The 2017 Man of the Year award went to Rick Talbert, who is currently serving his second term and is the Board Chair of the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco.

Talbert has served on the Board of Easter Seals and as a Director at John Knox Village. Talbert is well known for his great service through the Lions Club and since he joined in 1974, he has held every local office except Secretary. That was followed

by serving every office at the state level as well, along with multiple committee chairmanships. From 2001-2008, Talbert served as District Governor and was President of the Texas Lions Camp. Currently, he serves as Council Chair for Lions of Texas.

Melissa Neuhaus was named 2017 Woman of the Year. Neuhaus served on the Weslaco’s board of directors for six years, and served as board chair in 20152016. In addition to her involvement with the Weslaco Chamber, Neuhaus has served several regional organizations including the Gladys Porter Zoo, Museum of South Texas, Estrella’s House, Hidalgo County 4-H Foundation and the RGV Livestock Show Round-Up Club. She is past president of the Algodon Club, the Weslaco Literary Review Club and is a member of the BW Chapter of the PEO Sorority.

The 2017 Business of the Year award went to Magic Valley Electric Cooperative.

Celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year, Magic Valley serves 97,000 members in the Rio Grande Valley. MVEC has funded over $1.3 million in scholarships and annually donates more than $100,000 to various charities while also supporting economic development and sponsoring a variety of events.

Additional honorees included Volunteer of the Year Alex Montenegro, Frost Bank; Chamber Board Member of the Year Carla McCaleb, McCaleb Funeral Home; and Retiring Board Members Mary Arce and Sue Peterson, Weslaco ISD. Thank you to sponsors Frost Bank, Knapp Medical Center, Magic Valley Electric Co-Op, Neuhaus & Co, Weslaco EDC, Friends Health Scare Services, Weslaco ISD and SociaLife Magazine.

Weslaco Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet award winnersinclude, front from left, Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Richard Vaughan, retired, Burton Companies; Woman of the Year Melissa Neuhaus, Neuhaus & Co; Man of the Year Richard Talbert, Attorney at Law; and Incoming Board Chair Johnny Bautista, Friends Health Care. Back row, L-R: Outgoing Board Chair Gene Vaughan, Jones, Galligan Key & Lozano, LLC; Volunteer of the Year Alex Montenegro, Frost Bank; Board member of the Year Carla McCaleb, McCaleb Funeral Home; and Abraham Quiroga of Business of the Year Magic Valley Electric Co-Op.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

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City of Pharr & AHSTI Launch the Pharr Family Foundation Program, an Affordable Housing Initiative Against the backdrop of a newly-reconstructed home for the Perales family in Pharr made possible under Affordable Homes of South Texas Inc. (AHSTI)’s Neighborhood Housing Program, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., announced the launch of a brandnew, affordable housing initiative, the Pharr Family Foundation program.

“We are committed to providing our families with every opportunity to live in and enjoy the city of Pharr, and we are proud to have established such a solid foundation and partnership with AHSTI,” said Hernandez. “Together, we are providing innovative solutions and creative homeownership opportunities for our residents, such as this program,” Hernandez continued.

“This is a great blessing to me and my family,” said Leonor Perales, the new homeowner as she received the keys to the home.

Perales, along with her three daughters, aged 21, 19 and 12 , will move into the house this Thursday. The two older daughters attend college while the younger one is in middle school.

“Thanks to this program, we would have to suffer through cold weather. We will have a warm, safe house,” Perales said. “I had to knock on a lot of doors to find out about this program. Then I had to wait a long time, but it was certainly worth it. I want to thank the city of Pharr and the Affordable Homes program for all of their work.”

In conjunction with AHSTI and specifically designed to assist low-to-moderate income households, the Pharr Family Foundation program aims to provide eligible families with the support and assistance to construct new homes on one of 18 specific lots in Pharr.

This program was made possible through funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development via the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council,

which designated 840 Rio Grande Valley homes under the Disaster Recovery Program to assist people that suffered from housing problems from Hurricanes Dolly and Ike in 2008.

Under this program, the City of Pharr was granted 18 lots, and joined forces with AHSTI to turn these lots into affordable housing opportunities for families in Pharr. AHSTI is now tasked with helping eligible families achieve their dreams of homeownership.

The Pharr Family Foundation program will focus on providing eligible residents with the support and assistance to purchase and construct a new home on one of these specific, program-approved lots throughout Pharr.

Through the program, AHSTI will assist eligible families to finance the purchase of the lot and construct their new home. To be eligible for the 18 lots through the Pharr Family Foundation Program, an applicant must be either a current resident of the City of Pharr or have a child enrolled in PSJA ISA, Valley View ISD, Hidalgo ISD, IDEA Public Schools, Premier Schools, or Vanguard School. Financial assistance may be available for qualified applicants, up to and including the cost of the lot – an average value of approximately $12,000.

Due to the limited number of lots available through this program, interested applicants are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible by visiting www.ahsti.org. Information that is required and must be submitted to AHSTI includes: check stubs for the last 3 months; SSI or child support award letters (if applicable); three (3) years of completed Tax Returns (2015, 2014 & 2013) if self-employed; copy of a valid government-issued ID; utility bill for Pharr residents or proof of enrollment in one of the eligible schools for non-Pharr residents.

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