VOL. I, NO. 6
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
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UTRGV Kind of, Sort of Asks For Its Money The President of UTRGV spoke to McAllen city commissioners Monday night about the important role the new medical school plays in the city and explaining UTRGV President that the school has Dr. Guy Bailey money for buildings and equipment, but needs cash for start up expenses. Guy Bailey never explicitly mentioned the city’s pledge of up to $2 million a year for the school that has gone mostly unpaid. “Tonight, we didn’t expect any action,” explained Bailey to reporters afterward. “All we were doing is provide them with an update. Then, what happens next is up to the commission.” He had come to address the commission at the invitation of Mayor Jim Darling, he told reporters. Bailey spent about 15 minutes going over the role the medical school plays in McAllen, and the contributions it makes to city life, including the building of a new “state-of-theart” research facility on East Dove Avenue, east of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and in the city of McAllen. While they have money from the University of Texas System for the building and for equipment, capital spending, they lack money for start-up expenses. Bailey called the research facility the “single most important facility” they will construct and that “you can’t operate a 1st class medical facility without one.”
you can’t operate a 1st class medical facility without one.
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Above, volunteers from the City of Edinburg receive donations from Valley residents for Harvey relief. Below, staff at Health Care Unlimited fill medical and personal hygeine care packages for delivery to Coastal Bend residents.
The Valley Responds When Tragedy Strikes in Houston, Coastal Bend Even before Harvey left the Houston area, Valleyites started working on relief efforts to help out the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Houston and Galveston areas hard hit by Hurricane Harvey. County agencies, cities, school districts, churches, nonprofits, car dealerships, newspapers, television and radio stations, and a host of other businesses and individuals have jumped into action in the last 10 days and seem determined to keep donating. Convoys of people towing boats and supplies started leaving South Texas even as the Hurricane was still pouring rain over Houston. Their intention was to join the search and rescue effort to get people to safety. Kayaks, canoes, fishing boats, airboats, and even larger boats were all towed from McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville and every city in between to Houston. In just about every city from Roma to Raymondville to Brownsville, people collected water, canned goods,
nonperishable foods, diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products, clothes, cleaning supplies, tools and money for relief efforts. The Red Cross, the Salvation Army and countless other service groups raised funds dedicated to Houston and Corpus Christi relief. Cities, counties, utility companies and other private businesses donated their trucks, heavy equipment and staff to spend days away from work and home volunteering their time and
efforts in rescue and clean up. Students, teachers, staff and parents at almost every school collected food and other items. “I am very proud that we have the capability to assist a community in need of our equipment, support and experience in emergency response,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “As our response teams from McAllen and Hidalgo County come
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
By EUGENE ROBINSON WASHINGTON -- Just so there’s no confusion: Donald Trump’s longtime personal lawyer emailed Vladimir Putin’s personal spokesman? Seeking help from the Kremlin on a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow? During the presidential campaign? Yes, this really happened. While
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OPINION Not At All Quiet For Trump On The Russia Front WWW.RGVTIMES.COM
most attention was rightly focused on the devastating flood in Houston, there was quite a bit of news on the Russia front -- all of it, from Trump’s perspective, quite bad. The revelations begin with a Trump business associate named Felix Sater. A Russian emigre who bragged about his Kremlin connections, Sater was a principal figure in development of the Trump Soho hotel and condominium project in lower Manhattan. Sater wrote a series of emails to Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, touting the Moscow Trump Tower project as a way to help Trump win the presidency. In November 2015 -- five months after Trump had entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination -Sater wrote to Cohen that he had “arranged” for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, during a 2006 visit to Moscow, “to sit in Putins private chair at his desk and office in the Kremlin.” The email went on, “I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected. We both know no one else knows how to pull this off without stupidity or greed getting in the way. I know how to play it and we will get this done. Buddy our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this.” Could Sater be just a blowhard who exaggerated his influence with the Russian president? Perhaps. But Ivanka Trump did tell The New York Times that she took a “brief tour of Red Square and the Kremlin” during that 2006 visit. The Times reported she said that “it is possible she sat in Mr. Putin’s chair during that tour but she did not recall it.” There is no evidence that Cohen, one of Trump’s closest associates, found anything improper in Sater’s pledge to get Putin “on this program.” Nor did Cohen or anyone in the Trump Organization bother to disclose the emails -or the Trump firm’s effort, even during the campaign, to profitably emblazon the Trump name on the Moscow skyline -- until the correspondence was turned over to the House Intelligence Committee on Monday.
And there’s more: In January 2016, with the Moscow project apparently stalled, Cohen went straight to the top to get it back on track -- or at least tried to. He sent an email to Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s longtime personal spokesman, “hereby requesting your assistance.” Russian officials confirmed that the email was received but denied that it came to Peskov’s attention -- or that
“I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected. Buddy our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this.” Putin knew anything about the proposed project. So Trump was lying when he tweeted, shortly before his inauguration, that “I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA -- NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!” The truth is that in October 2015, on the same day he participated in a GOP candidates’ debate, he signed a letter of intent for the Moscow Trump Tower project. That is a “deal,” and Trump’s hunger to keep it alive may explain his reluctance to say anything critical about Putin. Or it may tell just part of the story.
The other part involves the whole question of collusion between Russian officials and the Trump campaign to meddle with the election and boost Trump’s chances. Sater’s boasts, by themselves, are hardly definitive. But of course there is the larger context, which includes the infamous meeting that Donald Trump Jr. convened in New York at which he hoped to receive dirt, courtesy of the Russian government, on Hillary Clinton. Thus far we have the president’s son, his son-in-law Jared Kushner (who was at that meeting), his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort (also at the meeting), and now his personal lawyer all seemingly eager for Russian help in the election. Who in the campaign (BEG ITAL)wasn’t (END ITAL) willing to collude? All of this is under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller and the various congressional committees that are conducting investigations. Some have suggested that Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio, the unrepentant “birther” and racial profiler, might have been a message to Trump associates facing heat from prosecutors: Hang tough and don’t worry, you’ll get pardons. But there was more bad news for the president: Politico reported that Mueller is now cooperating and sharing information with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Presidents can only issue pardons for federal offenses, not state crimes. Uhoh. Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
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UTRGV Kind of, Sort of Asks For Its Money
UTRGV students participated in a monthlong study abroad experience in China, where they studied photography and graphic design with Dr. Ping Xu and Dr. RobertGilbert. Early in the trip, the group witnessed the sunrise and the sunset as they hiked along the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall of China, seen here. The group included, front row from left: Cynthia Cantu, Arael Meza, Marcela Terrazas, Michelle Mata, Eufemia Mata and Dr. Ping Xu. Standing, from left: Carissa Leal, Dianella Cantu, Christian Alvarado, Josue Campos, Dr. Robert Gilbert, Manuel Perez, Zhikynah Lamsis, Judy Garcia and Samantha Ruiz. Not pictured: Ariadny Balderas, Rebecca Bui, Aleena Romy and Annsuriya Saji. (UTRGV Courtesy Photo)
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They just admitted the 2nd medical school class, Bailey continued, and 16 are from the Valley and 9 of those are from McAllen, “so we have a pretty good percentage from McAllen.” The president continued his argument that the medical school is important to McAllen, saying that out of the 139 medical residents in the Valley, 97 are at doctors Hospital; that they give free physical exams to McAllen school students, “about 60 a year and then provide some integrated care for MISD Options students as well.” They also have a nursing clinic in South McAllen, Bailey continued and 27 percent of UTRGV faculty and staff live in McAllen, 872 of 3152. As you can see, we have a substantial presence here,” Bailey concluded. Commissioners, with John Ingram absent, listened impassively and only one, Richard Cortez, had a question. McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr and Hidalgo County all pledged a total of $5 million a year to support the medical school, when it was working its way through the legislature. Mission has paid nothing and Mcallen made one payment of $2 million but has paid nothing more with no reason for the embargo ever stated. City officials have said the UT System made certain promises, they believe, that the System has not honored.
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UTRGV Study Abroad Students Gain Artistic, Cultural Perspective Studying Graphic Design and Photography in China Seventeen students from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley witnessed ancient wonders, embraced the present, and likely got a glimpse into their own futures, during a month-long study abroad experience in China. The students were enrolled in one or both classes offered by the School of Art: Digital Photography (ARTS 4337), taught by Dr. Ping Xu, assistant professor of graphic design, and Visual Travel Journal (ARTS 4388), taught by Dr. Robert Gilbert, associate professor of graphic design. “ARTS 4388 is a visual storytelling assignment,” Gilbert said. “Students were required to keep a separate working journal where they recorded impressions, thoughts and experiences. Short pieces of writing were to be developed and paired with photos, drawings, digital tools and found art. And then, after returning
to UTRGV, the students’ final project was to print their travel journals in booklet form.” ‘GOD IS IN THE DETAILS’ The adventure began in the bustling city of Beijing, where students visited historical and cultural sites, including the Summer Palace, Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Olympic Park, Nanluoguxiang, the Penjiayuan Antiques Market and the Temple of Heaven. Arael Meza, a junior graphic design major from Mexico City, said China was a nurturing environment in which to grow as a visual artist, and brought to mind the old saying that “God is in the details.” “The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a masterpiece of architecture and an artwork itself. Complex patterns painted in red, blue, turquoise and golden adorn the temple, creating a sublime visual experience,” said Meza, who received a Benjamin A. Gilman
International Scholarship that helped finance his China study abroad. SUNRISE AT THE GREAT WALL The group arose on the third day in the early morning hours to visit the Great Wall of China, where they witnessed the sunrise and – many hours of hiking later – also saw the sunset. “Where we were, along the Great Wall Jinshanling section in Hebei province, there were no people, so we enjoyed the serenity of the view,” Lamsis said. “A long hike, and difficult to climb since the stairs were so steep. It was an accomplishment to be remembered.” Eufemia Mata, a senior graphic design student from Pharr and a Gilman Scholarship recipient, said visiting the Great Wall counts as one of her “most memorable experiences in life.” “The people at Hengyang Normal University gave us a
warm welcome,” Lamsis said. “When we came out from the train station, they had a huge banner, and our partners from the school helped us with our baggage. This first impression reassured me that my stay at
“Studying abroad has allowed me to be more open to trying new things and appreciate aspects of a culture completely different from my own” Hengyang would be an awesome experience.” Michelle Mata, a senior graphic design major from Mission, said she never dreamed she would travel abroad. Last summer, however, she crossed the U.S. border for the first time with a study
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UTRGV Study Abroad Students Gain Artistic, Cultural Perspective Studying Graphic Design and Photography in China From Pg 3
Dr. Laura Seligman (at left), UTRGV associate professor of Psychological Science, and Dr. Liza Talavera-Garza, Psychological Science lecturer, are working on a study aimed at developing treatments that alleviate dental anxiety in children, making it possible for children and adolescents to get regular dental care and feel comfortable when visiting the dentist. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
UTRGV’s Seligman Awarded Grant to Find Ways to Ease Dental Anxiety in Children Dr. Laura Seligman, UTRGV professor in the Department of Psychological Science, received a grant award of $217,950 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to address dental anxiety in children. “We are so pleased to have received this grant to address the serious yet often overlooked issue of dental phobia in youth, a fear that can result in lifelong health complications,” Seligman said. “The goal of the project is to do the preparatory work to conduct a clinical trial applying what we know about how to treat other phobias in childhood to dental phobia.” Dental phobia is associated with poor dental health, often resulting in social problems such as embarrassment about the physical appearance of teeth and, in some cases, difficulty eating a varied, nutritious diet. Seligman’s co-principal investigator on the project is Dr. Thomas Ollendick, University Distinguished Professor and director of the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech University. In addition to researchers at UTRGV and VT, Seligman and Ollendick’s team includes researchers and dental health professionals from The University of Texas at Austin, the University of California, Los Angeles, and health professionals in the Rio Grande Valley. Over the next year, the researchers will plan and prepare for a clinical trial – ap-
plying what is known about methods to treat other childhood phobias – on the effectiveness of exposure therapy as a viable treatment option for dental phobia in children. In collaboration with the team, Seligman and Dr. Liza Talavera-Garza, UTRGV grant project director, will create the procedures and training manuals needed to conduct the clinical trial. “We hope to establish that effective treatment can be delivered by hygienists in the dental office,” Talavera-Garza said. “Our goal is to find an effective way to decrease both anxiety and phobic avoidance in youth, while giving treatment providers a cost-effective option that will be more acceptable to children and their parents.” The researchers said their knowledge of the variety of causes of dental phobia is somewhat well developed; however, less is known about how to treat it. Their goal is to develop treatments that alleviate anxiety, making it possible for children and adolescents to get regular dental care and to feel good when visiting the dentist. “Ultimately, we want to help families get the treatment they need when and where they need it – in their dentist’s office – and to help providers feel that they have options when working with youth whose anxiety interferes with their dental health,” Seligman said.
abroad program in Spain, where she studied art history. “Studying abroad has allowed me to be more open to trying new things and appreciate aspects of a culture completely different from my own,” Mata said. “For example, the students from Hengyang Normal University explained how the majority of young adults don’t start driving until they are out of college because they mainly rely on walking or cycling for transportation.” ABOUT THE GILMAN SCHOLARSHIPS The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is issued by the U.S. Department of State to help students of limited means study abroad, so they can gain skills that will further the United States’ economic competitiveness andor enhance national security. Twelve UTRGV students were awarded Gilman Scholarships to participate
in various programs around the world in summer 2017. The China trip included three Gilman Scholarship recipients – Arael Meza and Eufemia Mata, and Rebecca Bui, a biology pre-med sophomore from Plano. The students who participated in China summer study abroad were: Christian Alvarado, Psychology; Ariadny Balderas, Graphic Design; Rebecca Bui, Pre-Med Biology; Josue Campos, Spanish Translation and Interpreting; Cynthia Cantu, Pre-Med Biology; Dianella Cantu, Graduate student, Communication Studies; Judy Garcia, Graphic Design; Zhikynah Lamsis, PreMed Biology; Carissa Leal, History; Arael Meza, Graphic Design; Eufemia Mata, graphic design; Michelle Mata, Graphic Design; Manuel Perez, Mechanical Engineering; Aleena Romy, Biology; Samantha Ruiz, Graphic Design; Annsuriya Saji, Pre-Med Biology; and, Marcela Terrazas, Rehabilitation Services.
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Sharyland ISD Earns Postsecondary Distinction for 4th Consecutive Year
Pictured are some of the P.E. teachers and coaches in just three of the many physical trainings they attended prior to the beginning of the school year.
This Isn’t Your Father’s P.E. Class Anymore
As students in Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) schools begin to settle into their daily classroom routines, don’t count on them settling into the same old routines in P.E. classes this year. Leading into this school year, P.E. teachers and coaches went through a series of trainings designed to shake things up a little. “As educators, we are in a position to teach students to become productive and respectful community members while they also learn how to personally implement healthy and fitness lifestyles,” said Martina Carrillo, coordinator for P.E./health. “We can do this through so many
different fun activities that improve upon cardiovascular improvements without relying on running a mile each week.” The district brought in a number of nationally known speakers to work with P.E. teachers and coaches on nutrition education and support, activities, sports, and some national certifications. One such certification will allow the high schools to consider creating a UIL archery competition team. Other items included various activities like zumba, functional training, Body Pump, core exercises, training techniques,
and new game ideas. “One of our goals is to be able to offer a better variety of classes for junior high school and high school students, beyond the individual and team sports we have relied on,” Carrillo said. Trainings also went beyond just instructing the teachers on the activities and sports, but also included lessons on classroom management and goal setting. Teachers and coaches did not just sit in lecture halls for their inservice trainings. They went through the physical motions as well. They participated in each of the activities themselves in order to understand the movements, rules, and effects they can have on the body.
Two PSJA Middle Schools Named Schools of Distinction
An Austin Middle School student speaks to the staff and administrators gathered for the presentation
The College for Every Student organization recently named two Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Middle Schools a “School of Distinction”. Alamo Middle School and Austin Middle School, were both honored with the recognition that features the develop-
ment and execution of an exemplary plan for College for Every Student Scholars and the entire school in its core practices of Mentoring, Leadership Through Service, and Pathways to College and Career. Since 1991, College For Every Student has been helping communities become college and career ready by supporting students through partnerships with schools, businesses and colleges in 30 states and Ireland. To be considered for the School of Distinction title, a school must meet a strict set of criteria, including implementing programs for the entire school and involving families in activities. “Alamo and Austin Middle Schools are global models,” said
Rick Dalton, College For Every Student President and CEO. “They are successfully creating a culture of college and career readiness and are helping their students develop the Essential Skills they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce.” All PSJA ISD middle schools are part of the College For Every Student platform and are working toward these goals. College For Every Student calls itself a global leader helping K-12 students from low-income rural and urban communities become college and career ready. CFES currently supports 25,000 students through partnerships with 200 rural and urban K-12 schools in 30 states and Ireland.
For the fourth year in a row, Sharyland ISD received the Texas Education Agency’s Distinction designation for postsecondary readiness from over 1,200 districts in the state. Sharyland ISD is one of only five districts statewide that earned the postsecondary readiness recognition for the fourth consecutive year. Sharyland ISD has earned the distinction every year it has been part of the current state accountability system. The postsecondary readiness distinction – the only distinction at the district level under the state accountability system – takes into account factors such as graduation rates, ACT/SAT participation and performance, Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduates, and dual-credit course completion rates. Along with all campuses meeting state standards, Sharyland ISD had other phenomenal academic results. Distinction designations are awarded to campuses based on achievement in performance relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned for: Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading; Academic Achievement in Mathematics; Academic Achievement in Science; Academic Achievement in Social Studies; Top 25 Per-
cent: Student Progress; Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and Postsecondary Readiness. “Based on these results you can see that Sharyland ISD is a high performing district not just in South Texas but also when compared across the state,” said Sharyland ISD Superintendent Dr. Rob O’Connor. “If you compare our results with any district in the State you will see that Sharyland ISD truly stands out.” Dr. O’Connor gives credit for these results to his students, teachers, staff, parents, principals and school board members. “Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community,” said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. “Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment.” Sharyland ISD continues the Tradition of Excellence: 1) Sixty-two percent of Sharyland campuses received all TEA distinctions possible; four secondary and four elementary. 2) Sharyland ISD earned a total of 72 out of 84 possible distinctions. 3) All campuses placed in the top 10 of their comparison group for Top 25% Student Progress and/or Closing Performance Gaps. 4) Sharyland ISD is still number one in K-12th districts on Index 1, Index 2, and Index 3 in the Region One area.
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Weslaco Chamber, Weslaco ISD Seeking Participants for 2017 nCourage Program The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Weslaco ISD, is seeking business applications for the 2017 nCourage Youth Program. The mentoring program will take place at participating businesses on October 10 and 11. An introductory orientation for the participating businesses will be held at the Weslaco Business Visitor and Event Center prior to the mentoring dates. nCourage is designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to observe and interact in the daily operations of a participating local business. The two-day program gives students an opportunity to interact with business leaders and institutions to explore career options, leadership, and broaden their perspectives of Rio Grande Valley businesses. Students will understand workplace operations and have real-world experience. This program motivates students while exposing them to professional environments, often resulting in confirmation of professional interests and refined approach to career opportunities such as college major and/or trade profession/
Esmeralda Garza from State Farm – Julian Garza mentors Weslaco East High School student Ashley Neira in a past nCourage program. The Weslaco Chamber is currently collecting businessparticipants for the program. The business must be located within a 25 mile radius of Weslaco ISD.
curriculum. nCourage emphasizes leadership and trade skills through multiple angles such as one-on-one mentor interaction, hands-on business practices, and business site tours. “Many promising careers and profes-
Former NFL Player Highlights Kids Marathon Kickoff Speaker’s List Former NFL player and nationally renowned motivational speaker Keith Davis will be the keynote speaker at the fourth-annual Let’s Move McAllen – McAllen Kids Marathon Kickoff. The event will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, at UnitedMix Pharmacy Field at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. Keith Davis is a former college and professional football player who has appeared on ESPN, ABC, USA Today, and Sports Illustrated, according to his website. He has spoken in more than 9,000 schools, universities and corporations and presented in more than 51 countries. In college, he played for the University of Southern California and later for the NFL’s New York Giants. In September 2016, Davis came to McAllen to promote the McAllen Kids Marathon and was the featured speaker at the Kickoff Mile. He was joined by other former collegiate players and they toured more than a dozen McAllen ISD schools and dazzled children with a strength performance that is physically and emotionally inspiring.
This year, Davis will be joined by Caylin Moore, a Texas Christian University safety who is a 2017 Rhodes Scholar. Moore has been selected to study next year at Oxford University in England. This is far away from his Southern California upbringing where he was one of three kids in a household that often didn’t have enough money to feed the children dinner. Their message promises to be one of inspiration and enlightenment. Many children, and adults, will relate to this pair and the McAllen Kids Marathon Committee is honored to have them come to the RGV to share their story with families. Students and parents in McAllen ISD elementary and middle schools are invited. Students will run their first mile by grades (wear tennis shoes). Kids can register online or find more information at mcallenkidsmarathon.com. Students will continue running during the fall and run the final mile of their 26.2mile marathon in January at the McAllen Convention Center.
sions exist in the area,” said Doug Croft, Weslaco Chamber President/CEO. “With this program, we will encourage our youth to choose a profession in which they will excel. This program supports the development of a well-trained and
happy workforce.” “Implementing nCourage was the first step to building a prosperous partnership between students and the business community,” said Luis J. Reyes, Magic Valley Electric Co-op Communications Manager, Weslaco Chamber Board Member and nCourage Committee Chair. “Now, we need more business leaders to help us inspire the future workforce through the nCourage program.” “We’re all about getting our kids ready for the future,” said Sue Peterson, Weslaco I.S.D. Assistant Superintendent. “We want to make sure they are ready with the skills they need to be highly successful at their jobs. We’re very excited about the collaboration that’s taking place between local businesses, the Weslaco Chamber and Weslaco ISD.” Local businesses that would like to participate in the program can download an application at www.weslaco.com and return it to the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce by Wednesday, September 20, 2017. For more information about the program please call 956-968-2102.
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Hidalgo County Commissioners Sidestep SB4 Lawsuit
Late last week, a U.S. District Court temporarily halted implementation of parts of SB 4 while the lawsuit goes through the courts.
Deviating from the last few meetings where some contentious items had cropped up, this past week’s Hidalgo County Commissioners Court meeting was short and to the point. However, two items that might have drawn some strong reactions were not even discussed during the open meeting. After hosting a full house at the previous meeting due to the County’s move to condemn the enforcement of Texas Senate Bill 4, the most recent meeting failed to follow up on that issue. At the previous meeting, the Court had voted 4-0 to approve a resolution that urged the state to delay enforcement of the new law. However, the resolution stopped short of having the county join a lawsuit against the state of Texas to prevent the enforcement of the new law. At the time, Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia had said the Court would consider what legal action to take after consulting with their legal counsel, whether joining as a plaintiff or filing an amicus (friend of the court) brief. The item was not even listed on the agenda, and no action was taken. SB 4 bans Texas cities from refusing to comply with federal immigration officials. It also allows state and local law enforcement officers to ask about the immigration status of anyone they detain or arrest. Local law enforcement officials would be at risk of misdemeanor charges if they do not comply with federal agency directives to hold suspected undocumented immigrants. Overview of health insurance premiums discussed at fourth budget workshop Insurance Consultant for Hidalgo County Gary Looney, and Hidalgo County Budget Officer Sergio Cruz discussed health insurance as part of the budget process. Hidalgo County continued with its fourth budget workshop as Budget Officer Sergio Cruz and Gary Looney, Insurance Consultant for Hidalgo County, focused on health insurance. Looney gave the court an overview of two insurance reports from Aetna and from Lewis & Ellis Inc. “Reports indicate
a recommended change in funding for 2018 with an increase of approximately eight percent in the overall funding that the county is currently providing to meet the demands of the current healthcare plan,” said Looney. Cruz said he expects to hold one or two additional workshops before presenting the budget on Sept. 19 prior to Commissioners Court adoption of the 2018 budget on Sept. 26. Office of Emergency Management praised for coordination of Hurricane Harvey prep While it looked for a few days that the Valley would be the target of some heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey, local emergency management officials ramped up their preparations. Thankfully for South Texas, the preparation was not needed but served as a good training opportunity. “Hurricane Harvey was going to have a direct impact on the Valley on Monday, that’s how unpredictable storms are,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldaña. The county still made great efforts in assisting residents prepare. Approximately 90,000 sandbags were prepped and distributed to residents last week. “We did our best to reassure residents that we were doing everything we could for their safety, including clearing drainage ditches and filling sandbags,” said Weslaco Mayor and Precinct 1 Chief of Staff David Suarez. “I know there were efforts from all the precincts,” said County Executive Officer Valde Guerra. “There was constant communication with Emergency Management and with all the Commissioners, and the community did volunteer and come together.” County Judge Ramon Garcia asked Saldaña to report on efforts to assist the counties impacted by the storms. “Our county is supporting the efforts, not just in the rescue efforts, but in the recovery efforts as well,” said Saldaña. According to Saldaña, there is a medical team and ambulance strike team assigned to Katy and an Incident Management Team and Water Rescue Boat Squads assigned to Fort Bend County. In addition, the Health and Human Services Department is on standby, pending assignment to Refugio to provide immunizations.
Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldaña reports on some of the relief efforts made by county officials and community volunteers.
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The Valley Responds When Tragedy Strikes in Houston, Coastal Bend
Above, HEB volunteers sorted and packed nonperishable good at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for delivery to the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Below, volunteers at the Edinbur Activity Center sorted and arranged donated clothing for those families who had fled Harvey to the Hidalgo County area.
From Pg 1 together, we demonstrate the strength and compassion found in the Rio Grande Valley, which is a microcosm of the spirit and resiliency of the great state of Texas. May God be with all of the people affected by this horrible natural disaster.” The City of McAllen deployed approximately 60 employees, including several crews from the McAllen Fire, Parks, Police and Public Works Departments, as well as the McAllen Public Utility and crews from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 and Health & Human Services through the Rio Grande Valley Public Works Response Team to assist with water and sewer system issues, brush collection and continued emergency response support in Aransas Pass, Fulton, Ingleside. The convoy of trucks and equipment that are assisting with recovery efforts
includes pumps, backhoes, brush, dump and fuel trucks and light towers. Additionally, the response team took generators, tents, sleeping bags, cots and food and all that is needed to be self-sustaining while assisting. Parks crews took several hundred shirts to donate to hurricane victims. The McAllen Public Utility crews will help repair the damaged water and sewer systems for residents and other emergency personnel in the area. Emergency first responders are still needed in these flood-ravaged areas, to help with the deployment of personnel and equipment and of course, to provide relief and support to local and other emergency crews who have been working overtime since Harvey hit the area. Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia said the convoy is another example of how emergency management crews
A convoy of trucks and equipment from Hidalgo County and Valley cities traveled to the Coastal Bend area to help with Harvey cleanup.
from throughout the county come together to get the job done – whether it’s a coordinated response to a local emergency, or in providing assistance to affected areas outside of Hidalgo County. “Hidalgo County stands united with the people and our partners in the ar-
eas affected by this devastating storm,” said County Judge Ramon Garcia, who also serves as the County’s Emergency Management Director. “We continue to respond to the needs of our neighbors to the northeast and stand ready to assist as needed.”
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
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Hidalgo County Brings Back Pct. 5 Constable, JP Offices
Edcouch-Elsa School Board member/Elsa City Manager Juan J. Ybarra shakes hands with Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes following Tuesday’s vote to establish a Precinct 5 Constable and JP office. Also pictured are Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia (far left) and Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu.
Six years after Hidalgo County decided to eliminate the Precinct 5 Constable and Justice of the Peace offices, the Commissioners Court decided to let residents have the final say so on the matter. Last month, the Court voted to create a Constable’s Office and Justice of the Peace to serve a section of northeastern Hidalgo County knows as the Delta Area. The offices were abolished in response to a legal quandary faced by the county when then-Constable Eduardo “Walo”
Bazan was convicted in a case involving his person use of a care impounded by his deputies. Despite the conviction, Bazan won re-election. After his appeal was denied, the county moved to remove him from office and eliminate the position. “We exist to provide service to our residents,” said County Judge Ramon Garcia. “This is a unique area to our county and they have united in asking the county to provide them with the same services we provide to other areas. To not do so
McAllen, Coalition of Cities File Lawsuit on Constitutionality of SB 1004 The City of McAllen and 21 other Texas cities officially filed lawsuit in Travis County against the State of Texas last week, challenging the constitutionality of SB 1004. The law, which was passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year in the regular session, limits rental rates of cities’ right-of-ways to $250 per year, when the prevailing market rate is at least $1,500 per year. According to the City’s lawsuit, the bill significantly restricts municipalities from regulating the construction, development and maintenance of network structures and wireless facilities (or nodes) in the public right-of-way and prohibits municipalities from entering into franchise agreements with these companies for the use of public right-ofway (ROW), creating statutory caps on fees charged for installing these nodes within the ROW. This bill took effect September 1, 2017. “SB 1004 is essentially a taxpayer subsidy to the telecommunications industry giants,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “We will fight this lawsuit in de-
fense of our local taxpayers and for local control of our own right-of-ways.” The coalition of cities strongly believes the law violates numerous provisions of the Texas Constitution, including: • Article III, Ch. 52 which states that the Legislature has no power to authorize cities to grant public money or things of value to the any individual, association or corporation; • Article XI, Ch. 3 which states that a city cannot make a donation to a corporation. On July 10, 2017, the McAllen City Commission authorized the City Attorney’s Office to file the lawsuit and build a coalition of cities to join the lawsuit. The 21 other cities who are a part of the lawsuit coalition include: Alamo; Alton; Balcones Heights; Boerne; Brownsville; Coppell; Dallas; Highland Village; Irving; La Feria; Lucas; Midlothian; Mission; Pharr; Rockport; Roma; Seagoville; Simonton; South Padre Island; Sugar Land; and Weslaco. The City of Austin has already filed a lawsuit challenging the bill in federal court.
would be an injustice.” Garcia and the three Commissioners present, David Fuentes, Precinct 1; Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, Precinct 2; and Joseph Palacios, Precinct 4 voted unanimously to create the offices. Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe M. Flores was not present at the meeting but expressed his support. Fuentes, who took office this past January and whose precinct currently encompasses the Delta area, said residents and officials have been visiting his office to ask for help. “They have had to organize themselves and come to my office to ask for assistance,” Fuentes said. “They deserve to be represented as well as others in our county.” More than 40 Delta representatives were present at the meeting. “I’m relieved and satisfied that our community is getting the help that it needs,” said Edcouch Mayor Virgil Gonzalez. “These services are needed by our residents. Thank you all for listening to our concerns.” The cost for the new Constable’s office will be about $476,000, however about
$200,000 of that expense will come from the Precinct 1 Constable’s office. In addition to the Constable, the area will be served by three deputies. Two of the deputies will be transferred from Precinct 1, said Budget Officer Sergio Cruz. The cost for the Justice of the Peace office with three employees will be $335,000. “It’s not a question of ‘if’; it’s a question of ‘when’ and the answer is now,” said Palacios. “We’re presenting a balanced budget and giving $3.4 million back to the taxpayers, so now is the time.” The two new county offices will be placed on the March Primary Election ballot, said Elections Administrator Yvonne Ramon. “Now that Commissioners Court has approved the new Constable Precinct 5 and Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 1 districts, the Hidalgo County Elections Department will begin the process of notifying all the voters in the Precinct 1 area who will be affected by the Precinct 5 change,” said Ramon. There are 16,267 registered voters in the new Precinct 5 area, which is located between FM 493 on the west and Mile 12 North to the south, Ramon said.