VOL. I, NO. 19
Alamo Police Chief Announces Retirement
One of the longest serving Chiefs of Police in South Texas is retiring at the end of next month. Alamo Chief of Police announced last month that he will retire at the end of January. At the Nov. 21 meeting, the Alamo City Commission accepted the retirement letter of Chief of Police Arturo Espinosa. Espinosa will leave the department effective Jan. 31, 2018, after serving 21 years as Police Chief. Surrounded by his wife Gloria and daughters Klarisa and Kristina, Espinosa expressed his gratitude for the city commission’s support through out his years at the department. He also thanked his staff for their hard work, dedication and support. Born and raised in Alamo, Espinosa started his career at the Alamo police department after graduating high school. His first job was as communications officer, handling calls from residents in need of help. He also worked in San Juan as a police office, later returning to Alamo. He eventually moved up through the organization During Espinosa’s tenure, the department experienced significant growth, more than doubling in size. The Department also moved from a small, cramped head quarters to a new, state of the art facility. The department also implemented new programs and crime prevention efforts that led to major engagement with area residents. Espinosa’s retirement will end a 40-year career in law enforcement. City Manager Luciano Ozuna Jr. announced that he has already started a search for a new police chief but did not indicate when the new appointment could be expected. If a new chief is not appointed before Espinosa’s last day, an acting police chief may be named a that time.
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OPINION
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WHEN IS MAKING A CAKE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED SPEECH?
By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- The conversation about a cake lasted less than a minute but will long reverberate in constitutional law. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear 60 minutes of speech about when, if at all, making a cake counts as constitutionally protected speech and, if so, what the
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implications are for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s contention that Jack Phillips violated the state’s law against sexual-orientation discrimination. Phillips, 61, is a devout Christian and proprietor of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., where he works as -- his description -- a cake artist. Charlie Craig and David Mullins entered his shop to order a cake to celebrate their wedding. Phillips said that although he would gladly make cakes for gay people for birthdays or other celebrations, he disapproves of samesex marriage on religious grounds, and so does not make cakes for such celebrations. (He also refuses, for religious reasons, to make Halloween cakes.) To be compelled to do so would, he says, violate his constitutional right to speak freely. This, he says, includes the right not to be compelled to contribute his expressive cake artistry to a ceremony or occasion celebrating ideas or practices he does not condone. Well. The First Amendment speaks of speech; its presence in a political document establishes its core purpose as the protection of speech intended for public persuasion. The amendment has, however, been rightly construed broadly to protect many expressive activities. Many, but there must be limits. Phillips was neither asked nor required to attend, let alone participate in, the wedding. Same-sex marriage was not yet legal in Colorado, so Craig and Mullins were to be married in Massachusetts. The cake was for a subsequent reception in Denver. But even if the cake were to have been consumed at a wedding, Phillips’ creation of the cake before the ceremony would not have constituted participation in any meaningful sense. Six decades ago, the civil rights movement gained momentum through heroic acts of civil disobedience by African-Americans whose sit-ins at lunch counters, and other challenges to segregation in commerce, produced the “public accommodations” section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It established
the principle that those who open their doors for business must serve all who enter. That principle would become quite porous were it suspended whenever someone claimed his or her conduct was speech expressing an idea, and therefore created a constitutional exemption from a valid and neutral law of general applicability. Photography is inherently a creative, expressive art, so photographers have a strong case against compulsory documentation of ceremonies at which they must be present. Less clearly but plausibly, florists can claim aesthetic expression in floral arrangements, but their work is done before wedding ceremonies occur. Chauffeurs facilitate ceremonies, but First Amendment jurisprudence would become incoherent if it protected unwilling chauffeurs from their supposedly expressive participation in ceremonies to which they deliver actual participants. It is difficult to formulate a limiting principle that draws a bright line distinguishing essentially expressive conduct from conduct with incidental or negligible expressive possibilities. Nevertheless, it can be easy to identify some things that clearly are on one side of the line or the other. So, regarding Phillips’ creations: A cake can be a medium for creativity; hence, in some not-too-expansive sense, it can be food for thought. However, it certainly, and primarily, is food. And the creator’s involvement with it ends when he sends it away to those who consume it. Phillips ought to lose
this case. But Craig and Mullins, who sought his punishment, have behaved abominably. To make his vocation compatible with his convictions and Colorado law Phillips has stopped making wedding cakes, which was his principal pleasure and 40 percent of his business. He now has only four employees, down from 10. Craig and Mullins, who have caused him serious financial loss and emotional distress, might be feeling virtuous for having done so. But siccing the government on him was nasty. Denver has many bakers who, not having Phillips’ scruples, would have unhesitatingly supplied the cake they desired. So, it was not necessary for Craig’s and Mullins’ satisfaction as consumers to submit Phillips to government coercion. Evidently, however, it was necessary for their satisfaction as asserters of their rights as a samesex couple. Phillips’ obedience to his religious convictions neither expressed animus toward them nor injured them nor seriously inconvenienced them. Their side’s sweeping victory in the struggle over gay rights has been decisive, and now less bullying and more magnanimity from the victors would be seemly. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group George F. Will writes a twice-weekly column on politics and domestic and foreign affairs. He began his column with The Post in 1974, and he received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977.
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Avoiding The Charlie Brown Syndrome: The Holiday Blues By Arnoldo Mata It’s the time of year for jingle bells, beautiful decorations, angelic choirs and brightly colored presents under the Christmas trees. Amidst all the joy and well-wishing, some people seem to fall into a less than joyous mood. Instead, some people fall into something commonly called The Holiday Blues. I suspect we’ve all been there at one point. For some people, the lights don’t seem as bright, the Christmas carols seem a little shrill, the “Merry Christmas”-es we say sound slightly hollow, and our sleep might include dark clouds and not sugar plums. According to Dr. Paul Gonzalez, a psychology professor at South Texas College, “The holiday blues is more of a seasonal episode for some people that can be triggered by a number of things.” He also said that people may think of it as “The Charlie Brown Syndrome.” This comes from the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” 1965 television special, which focused on how Charlie Brown just could not get into the Christmas spirit. He stressed that The Holiday Blues is not the same thing as depression. “Depression is a clinical diagnosis that requires an expert. The Holiday Blues is mostly a temporary thing that will pass after the holidays.” Dr. Gonzalez pointed out that there may be a number of reasons why someone may suffer from The Holiday Blues. “There’s a lot of stress associated with Christmas. The expectations are very high, from the gift-giving to money pressures.” Additionally, things like trying to find the perfect present to trying to get everything done in time add to the stress for some people, Dr. Gonzalez said. For other people, if they’ve recently moved to a new area, whether for work or school, far from family and friends, there can be an element of loneliness. The same may apply to elderly persons whose children have
moved away and friends have passed on. Dr. Gonzalez suggested a number of ways to deal with The Holiday Blues. First, he suggested that the person share their feelings with someone they trust. That discussion can help someone pinpoint what exactly is bothering them about the season. They should look realistically at all the expectations they may have built up about the season. Sure, everyone wants to have a wonderful Christmas, but that might just be too much perfection to expect. Dr. Gonzalez also cautions that getting over the Holiday Blues is not an easy thing. The people around the person can be supportive but should not expect them to “just get over it.” Gonzalez suggest that some people might consider dialing back both the things they do and their expectations. The month of December can be crammed with work, shopping, parties, family get-togethers, and school and community events. “In some cases, people can think about starting new traditions that can help them cope with the holidays,” Gonzalez said. This may include traditions that focus less on the gift-giving and the festivities and more on enjoying the company of your friends and family. Another area of concern is dealing with difficult relatives during family gatherings. In addition to limiting contact to such relatives, limit alcohol and keep away from difficult subjects, like religions and politics. Gonzalez said that The Holiday Blues will pass for most people once the holidays are over. However, if the feelings persist more than a couple of weeks after the season, it may be something deeper, and that means it’s time to see a professional counselor. While we may feel like Charlie Brown sometimes, we may want to be more like Snoopy, who took the holiday in stride, even after all this lights have stripped from his dog house. Snoopy still found a way to sing at the end.
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‘Fiesta de Noche Buena’ Returns With Tradition, Family Fun Returning for its third year, “Fiesta de Noche Buena” will feature local traditions, performances, artisans and tasty traditional foods. The event will be held inside the Museum of South Texas History’s 22,500-square-foot building this Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event promises to be toasty and warm, so bring the whole family to enjoy the border-spirit festivities. The afternoon will be filled with music from choruses, guitarists and mariachis, serenading guests with holiday favorites. Opening the performances is the renowned Mariachi Mariposas, an all-female mariachi group that received first place in the 2014 Best in Texas Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Bard of the South, Rickey Pittman, will present his children’s book, “Rio Grande Valley ABC.” Pittman is a storyteller, folksinger and the Grand Prize Winner of the 1998 Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition. Performing holiday favorites is the First United Methodist Church Edinburg Choir, which is led by Omar Samaniego. Brand new this year is a bilingual presentation titled “La Navidad en
México/Christmas in Mexico,” which will explore the culture and history of Mexican Christmas traditions such as the pastorela play, the symbolism of piñatas and the community posada. The presentation will be conducted by mu-
seum staff and José Manuel González, a retired professor of Spanish and Latin American History. Guests can also participate in the first-ever “Posada Por Tiempo” in which guests will visit costumed interpreters in the River Frontier and River Highway exhibits singing “Pedir Posada,” a song that tells the story of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter before the birth of Jesus. And, if weather permits, children can participate in the breaking of a piñata – a tradition also practiced outside of the Christmas festivities. Another Mexican Christmas tradition is the use of the poinsettia and its role in Christmas festivities including Nochebuena. Families can learn more about the poinsettia and Nochebuena during UTRGV’s Book Buzz Club book presentations. Enjoy the stories of “La Nochebuena South of the Border” by James Rice, “The Legend of the Poinsettia” by Tomie dePaola and “’Twas Nochebuena” by author Roseanne Greenfield. Fiesta de Noche Buena will also have free photograph opportunities. Guests can find MOSTHistory’s 12-foot-tall fiesta tree for all to admire and a great background for a family photo. For the children, they will be able to take a photograph with Cowboy Santa and his sad-
The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce announced that Johnny Bautista was voted in as the board chair for the 20172018 fiscal year. The Chamber also welcomed three new board members, each serving their first term on the Board of Directors. Bautista grew up in Weslaco and graduated from Weslaco High School. Currently, he is Director of Operations for Friends Health Care Services, Inc. Bautista has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation and currently serves on the Weslaco Housing Authority Board. Johnny is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is a parishioner of San Martin de Porres Catholic Church. “The mission statement of the Weslaco Chamber reads that we’re dedicated to promoting, supporting and advocating for our members,” remarked Bautista. “I look forward to making sure that the
Weslaco Chamber continues providing the support our members need to be successful in all their business endeavors.” New board members include Troy Gearhart, Corina Humphreys and Ruben Villanueva. Weslaco Chamber board members serve three-years term. Troy Gearhart is the Senior Lender at Texas Regional Bank in Weslaco. Gearhart is a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Gearhart has served in the McAllen South Rotary Club, Coastal Conservation Association, and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Corina Humphreys is the Chief Operating Officer at Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, and has been a Licensed Master Social Worker since 2000. In addition, she works as an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at the Our Lady of the Lake RGV Campus. Humphreys current-
ly serves on the board for the Weslaco Rotary Club and has previously served on the boards for the Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen, the Infant Family Nutrition Services of Brownsville and the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio. Born in Weslaco, Ruben Villanueva is the General Manger for Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Weslaco. In addition, he owns and operates a bartending school, and is a realtor. Villanueva currently serves on the board for Frontera
Cowboy Santa will make an appearance during Fiesta de Noche Buena
Cowboy Santa will make an appearance during Fiesta de Noche Buena to take pictures with all those young and young-at-heart attendees.
dle. And for border-twist fun, the Try On History Project will have a number of costume pieces for the family to model and to take a selfie. Bring an appetite, and enjoy traditional Mexican food favorites such as tamales, elote en vaso or pan dulce and, to warm the tummy, atole, champurrado and arroz con leche. New this year, guests will learn about and taste the artisan chocolates made at the Mozna Chocolate factory, currently operating in Hidalgo, Texas. Artisan vendors will line the Annex Hallway, giving visitors the opportunity to shop for last-minute holiday gifts. The Museum Store will also be open for guests who seek an array of gifts and books about South Texas history. Fiesta de Noche Buena is included in the regular museum admission: $7 adults (ages 18+); $5 seniors with ID (ages 62+) and students with ID (ages 13+); $4 for children (ages 4 to 12); free for children ages 3 and younger. FRIENDS of MOSTHistory are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDships. For more information about the event or becoming a FRIEND of MOSTHistory, call (956) 383-6911. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square in downtown Edinburg.
Weslaco Chamber Announces 2017-2018 Board Chair, New Board Members
Ruben Villanueva
Johnny Bautista
Troy Gearhart
Corina Humphreys
Audubon Society, and is a member of the Weslaco Rotary Club and the Texas Association of Realtors. He is a graduate of Leadership Mid Valley Class X and serves as chair of the Leadership Mid Valley Steering Committee. Villanueva also serves on the City of Weslaco Hotel Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee. For more information on the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, call 968-2102 or visit www.weslaco.com.
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Mission Native, Cityflag Co-Founder Named To Forbes’ ‘2018 30 Under 30 List’
Alberto Altamirano, Cityflag co-founder and CEO, was selected by Forbes in the social entrepreneurs category making him the first Valleyite to be included in the prestigious 30 Under 30 list. This year, the list includes 600 winners, ranging from top entre-
preneurs and innovators to philanthropists and game-changers. Altamirano’s accomplishment further solidifies Cityflag’s ongoing growth and momentum. The Forbes recognition comes on the heels of consistent international exposure and a unique approach at solving urban challenges. Altamirano is from Mission, Texas and attended Sharyland High School. He graduated in 2008. “Cityflag’s commitment to civil society goes beyond building digital products and applications; their goal is to increase digital inclusion, which is a value at the core of Mission EDC’s programming,” said Alex Meade, Mission EDC CEO. “Over the past few years, social entrepreneurship and innovation has been at the top of Mission EDC’s efforts. It’s why our team gets up and comes to work every day. “The fact that Beto Altamirano, co-founder of Cityflag, was chosen as Forbes’ 2018 30 under 30 not only validates that selecting him and his
team as our Expert-in-Residence was the right decision, but it confirms that Mission and the RGV can compete with the best,” added Meade. Cityflag seeks to meet the growing need for citizens to interact with local government by introducing the first social network for 311 services, which aims to promote citizen participation. Users can “flag” a geo-located report on issues such as potholes, street lights, graffiti and public property deterioration. Cityflag is different because it functions as a gamified public service that uses game dynamics and mechanics based on incentives and rewards to engage citizens with their community and therefore creating a more informed and committed active citizen. “Alberto’s unyielding passion and his commitment to the way he approaches his job has been part of what gives government partners the confidence to make the transition to mobile digital services. Alberto is a thoughtful leader dedicated to building a more
connected and civic-minded community through the use of technology,” said Felix Ortiz III, Founder of Viridis Learning, who nominated Altamirano to the Forbes list. “Being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 is reflective of his dedication to creating a successful business and solving a problem people care about.” Cityflag was recently awarded the contract for the development and deployment of a mobile application for the City of San Antonio’s 311 system. Cityflag is also working with the Mission EDC as its Expert-In-Resience, and its work is also focused in Delegación Cuauhtémoc in Mexico City. “I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to join an outstanding group of individuals. I will continue to push forward my social impact initiatives within the tech sector. I also hope to bring more attention to the fast-growing tech scene in Texas, which is vibrant and full of opportunity.” Altamirano said about his recognition.”
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set For Precinct 2 Boys & Girls Club Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, in partnership with the Urban County Program, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the new youth facility center which will house the Boys and Girls Club of San Juan. The ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at 509 East Earling Road in San Juan. The 5,925-square-foot Boys and Girls Club includes two spacious learning centers, an arts and crafts room, a teenagers’ game room, a youth game room, a technology center, a full kitchen and cafeteria. This project was funded by the Urban County Program, and cost
approximately $750,000. Precinct 2, Urban County and Boys and Girls Club directors and staff will be on hand for the event along with local dignitaries. Precinct 2 covers portions of the most southern central part of the county, including areas of Alamo, Hidalgo, McAllen, Mission, Pharr and San Juan. Quality of life projects on Commissioner Cantu’s agenda include renovating and upgrading parks and drainage, providing youth centers to children in rural areas and increasing access to healthcare for his constituents.
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Dr. Ivan Melendez Re-appointed As Local Health Authority
From left, Health & Human Services Department Chief Administrative Officer Eddie Olivarez, Dr. Ivan Melendez, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Cantu, Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe M. Flores, Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, and Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes.
Dr. Ivan Melendez M.D. was sworn in by County Judge Ramon Garcia as the Hidalgo County Local Health Authority for another two-year term. Melendez has served the county for 14 years and has worked closely with the Hidalgo County Health Department diagnosing and investigating community health problems and hazards. “What an honor to have these opportunities,” said Melendez after the ceremony. “It’s a blessing to take care of Hidalgo County residents; I feel very privileged.” A Local Health Authority is a physician
appointed to administer state and local laws relating to public health within the appointing body’s jurisdiction. Duties of a health authority include establishing, maintaining, and enforcing quarantine in the health authority’s jurisdiction; aiding the board in relation to local quarantine, inspection, disease prevention and suppression, birth and death statistics, and general sanitation in the health authority’s jurisdiction. A local health authority serves for a term of two years and may be appointed to successive terms.
STC’s Starr County Campus Open For Registration Registration for the upcoming 2018 spring semester is underway at all South Texas College campuses including the Starr County Campus located in Rio Grande City. The Rio Grande City campus specializes in high demand and high wage technology programs including new courses in Electrician Technology, Heating, Ventilation AC and Refrigeration (HVAC&R), Automotive Technology, and Precision Manufacturing Technology (PMT). Additionally Starr County’s Welding program has doubled in size due to regional and state demands for the skill.
Early payment deadline for spring 2018 is Dec. 13. Normal payment deadline is Jan. 10, and the final payment deadline is Jan. 31. Don’t wait for the last minute to register for these classes, take advantage of the Valley’s most affordable college. Current and recently enrolled students can register online at SouthTexasCollege. edu/register or at any South Texas College location. New students can apply for admission online, or in-person. A complete listing of upcoming classes is available at SouthTexasCollege.edu/academics/courses/. For more information call 956-872-8375.
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South Texas College Seeking Partnership with Department of Homeland Security Agencies Ahead of Center Opening
Maintaining security on the border requires the highest level of advanced specialized training. South Texas College has begun a series of law enforcement stakeholder meetings with Hidalgo and Starr County mayors, city managers, police chiefs, and Texas Department of Public Safety Commissioner Cynthia Leon as part of Phase II for its Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE). The latest phase includes the expansion and development of professional continuing education training for federal agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To accomplish this, STC is pursuing a partnership with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), which is reviewing the College’s master plan for the upcoming Regional Center Public for Safety Excellence in Pharr, slated to open June 2018. Based in Glynco, GA, FLETC is the name of the interagency law enforcement training body for 91 federal law enforcement agencies. With an annual budget of $272 million, it also provides tuition-free and low-cost training to state, local, campus and tribal law enforcement agencies through its Rural Policing Institute (RPI) and the Office of State and Local Training. STC is now moving on to Phase II, which includes site visits with officials at the federal level who stand to benefit from the services of the RCPSE. Meetings are currently taking place with federal stakeholders, including FLETC, RGV Sector Border Patrol, Laredo Field Operations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed is extending an invitation to leaders of the law enforcement community to become members of the President’s Advisory Council for the RCPSE. The Council will regularly provide input and recommendations for professional continuing education and degree programs. “Everybody agreed that this is absolutely needed, and it will be a benefit for all law enforcement officials, local, state and federal,” said Dr. Reed. “When we did the master plan, law enforcement professionals identified for us what their priorities were. We incorporated these priorities into the master plan, and when you’re developing a master plan you do some dreaming and some visioning but we are now in the
Security Agency Summit – Attending are, from left: Francis Atwell, Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar; Wanda Garza, Executive Officer of External Relations at South Texas College; David Higgerson, Director, Office of Field Operations, CBP; Mario Reyna, Dean of Business, Technology and Public Safety at South Texas College; Eugene Crawford, Asst. Director (Mission Support), CBP; Bradd Skinner, Asst. Director (Trade), CBP; (Not Shown) Ana Garcia, Office of Senator John Cornyn
reality phase.” Meetings are currently being spearheaded by the offices of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28). Representatives from STC briefed officials at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Laredo Field Office, a border agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, during a recent meeting in Laredo, who were then informed on the RCPSE masterplan. There are currently 1,000 agents based in the Rio Grande Valley needing Advanced Professional Skills training. In attendance at the meeting in Laredo was David Higgerson, Director of the Office of Field Operations for CBP; Anna Garcia, Deputy Regional Director for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn; Francis Atwell, representative from the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar; Wanda Garza, Executive Officer for External Affairs at South Texas College; Mario Reyna, Dean of Business, Technology and Public Safety at South Texas College; Eugene Crawford, Assistant Director (Mission Support), CBP; and Bradd Skinner, Assistant Director (Trade), CBP. Through a potential partnership, STC seeks to be the first community college FLETC provider along the Southern Border to offer Advanced Professional Continuing Education Training. “I congratulate South Texas College for your commitment to bringing this high
level of law enforcement training to South Texas,” said U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), “By combining the expertise of our local, state and federal law enforcement, fire safety, and public safety officers, we will have a better trained police workforce.” 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 science 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. “We need more advanced specialized training. At the end of the day, it’s about having access to that training for law enforcement officers as well as fire departments,” said Mario Reyna, Dean of Public Safety at STC. “They need continuous training, and that’s something that will only better serve the residents in our communities across the Valley. Whether it’s Rio Grande City, McAllen, Edinburg or Pharr; it’s all about having highly skilled trained public safety officers.”
STC held its first business consortium meeting in August 2017 with city leaders, as well as with law enforcement professionals to discuss the proposed development of its $4 million Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) and $3.2 million Covered Shooting Range as Phase II of the RCPSE gets underway. Together with its partners, including Valley cities and law enforcement agencies, STC has developed a $71.28 million long-range master plan for building its regional center in three phases. Phase One includes a $9.9 million investment. Set for completion in Fall 2018, it includes a training center, driving/skills pad, shooting simulation lab and a driving simulation lab. Phase Two includes $10.6 million investment for fire science and Homeland Security. It includes a multi-story fire training structure, two story residential training structure and a confined space/search and rescue training area. This phase also includes the EVOC, a cityscape with non-lethal training capacity, and a covered shooting range with firearm training classrooms. Phase Three is a $50.6 million investment in Integrative Homeland Security, which will add a physical plant and expansive growth with new education and student services buildings. “Over the course of several meetings with our congressional leaders, federal agency heads, and regional partners, we have impressed upon our federal partners the significance of our regional efforts to enhance public safety and border security with our South Texas College campus in Pharr,” said Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez.
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Area 1 Special Olympics Texas names Athlete, Coach Of The Year
Special Olympics Coach of the Year Diana Cremar, left, and Athlete of the Year Adrian Rodriguez, center, are pictured with Mrs. Minnie Rodgers, Board Member at Incredibowl.
The Area 1 Special Olympics program announced its 2017 Coach of the Year and Athlete of the Year. The honors reflect the hard work and passion athletes and coaches invest in the program. Currently there are more than 300 registered coaches and 5000 athletes in Area 1 Special Olympics. Adrian Rodriguez, a Mission High School student, was honored as Athlete of the Year. Diana Cremar, a Mission CISD Adapted Physical Education Teacher, was honored as Coach of the Year. The two were announced at the Area 1 Special Olympics Bowling Tournaments held at Incredibowl in Mission on November 16. The Athlete of the Year Award is awarded annually to an athlete who has been active three or more years in Special Olympics, a true winner who gives his or her very best, while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship in athletic competition and has participated in area and state games. The Coach of the Year Award is awarded to an active, certified Special Olympics coach who has met several criteria, particularly for having made a significant and demonstrable impact on local Special Olympics Programs and Area 1 (Rio Grande Valley). Adrian Rodriguez is a student at Mission High School. He is enrolled in the 18-plus program/community based instructional program. He has been a part of Special Olympics for more than 5 years and participates in five sports: bowling, bocce, powerlifting, basketball, and track and field. He has participated locally in more than 25 area games and three state games where he has acquired many medals.
Adrian loves sports so much, that when he is not involved in Special Olympics he is involved in Capable Kids Sports Program. Adrian is a very happy athlete, always full of life, with a pleasant personality. He loves a challenge and loves to pose for pictures. Adrian is also very active in the RGV Downs Syndrome Association. Ms. Cremar has been an adapted physical education teacher, Special Olympics Head of Delegation, and Coach for Mission CISD for more than 27 years. She was previously honored in 2001 as the Coach of the Year for Area 1. Ms. Cremar has participated in many area and state competitions, and has also coached at two Special Olympics World Games. In 1994 one of her athletes received the State Award for Female Athlete of the Year. She has been instrumental in implementing the following programs in the district: The Young Athlete Program, (a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7) The Motor Activity Program, (designed for athletes who are unable to participate in official Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities.) Meet in the Middle, is a unique program that promotes acceptance and inclusion between students with and without intellectual disabilities in schools. Participants team up to promote advocacy, acceptance, friendship, fitness and sports opportunities Unified Sports, allows athletes to participate in sports activities with peers without disabilities.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance donates $5,000 to McAllen Education Foundation: Doctors Hospital at Renaissance presented the McAllen Education Foundation with $5,000 to assist the Foundation in providing support to help foster excellence and enhance educational opportunities for students in McAllen ISD. The McAllen Education Foundation is a philanthropic, tax-exempt, public corporation that operates independently of McAllen ISD and is governed by a board
made up of business and civic leaders from the community. For information on sponsorship opportunities and auction donations, visit the Foundation website at mcallenisd.org/community/foundation or call 956-618-6023. Pictured from left are MEF Vice President Alma Ortega Johnson, DHR Vice President of Public Affairs and Special Counsel Connie Humphrey, Manish Singh, MD, and McAllen ISD Community Information Director Norma Zamora-Guerra.
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CATERING de la Casa
Dallas Fed CEO Forecasts Stable Future For South Texas Robert S. Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, sees a stable economy for the country and for South Texas in particular. Current economic conditions and the implications of monetary policy were prime topics of the annual Border Economics, Development and Entrepreneurship Symposium (BEDES), held Dec. 1 at Embassy Suites Hotel in McAllen. Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, was a key participant in the symposium, moderated by UTRGV professor of economics Dr. Marie T. Mora, associate vice provost for faculty diversity. Mora is recognized nationally for her extensive research on Hispanic socioeconomic outcomes and has spoken on the subject at numerous institutions, including the White House Council of Economic Advisers and the U.S. Department of Labor. Kaplan addressed the topic of the trading relationship between the United States and Mexico. “Our research shows, on average, about 70 percent of the imports from Mexico into the United States are intermediate goods,” he said. “This trading relationship with Mexico has likely caused U.S. companies to be more globally competitive, not only in Texas but in the entire U.S. “Mexico is strategically important to our country,” he said. Kaplan acknowledged the need to update and renegotiate the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, but said the trading relationship between the United States and Mexico is essential to the competiveness of trade in this hemisphere. Losing that relationship would spark the loss of a vast number of jobs, he said.
Regarding construction of the border wall and its effects on the Texas border economy, Kaplan urged caution. “It’s a constructive thing for us to be leveling the playing field and renegotiating trade agreements,” he said, “but I wouldn’t want to see a situation develop where, in order to be elected as president in Mexico, you would need to be anti-America or anti-American. Politically, we try to stay apolitical, but we have benefitted enormously by having a good, solid relationship with Mexico and border countries. History has shown that this is not only economically valuable, but geopolitically valuable.” The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Department of Economics and Finance in the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the event. Before and after the symposium, UTRGV business students were able to present their research projects to area business leaders, Federal Reserve officials, chamber of commerce officials and UTRGV faculty. Focusing on the effects of hours worked by lawyers in the U.S., students Iliana Villalobos, Luis Garcia and Santos Villarreal explained their research and data sets. “We wanted to see which lawyers worked the most, the ones that are self-employed or the ones that work for an agency,” said Garcia, a junior majoring in finance. “This question arises from the need to have family time and a life outside of work. We wanted to make the analysis and show our results.” Dr. Wanling Huang, assistant professor of Economics and Finance, oversaw student presentations at the symposium.
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