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Man was an artist Calif. native moved to Laredo before death By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The man who died in a fiery crash earlier this week has been identified as a California artist, musician and photographer who recently moved to Laredo. Damon Stanley, 46, died Monday after the minivan he was driving collided head-on with a tractor-trailer rig on U.S. 83, about three miles north of Zapata, during the noon hour. “He was a very good man, friend,
brother and son,” read his obit, as published by the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register in California. “Shawn was loved by many and will be missed by many.” Stanley was the only occupant in the minivan. The truck driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to a Laredo hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries. Justice of the Peace Juana Maria Gutierrez pronounced the man dead at 1:50 p.m. She ordered an autopsy and is awaiting results from Dr. Corinne Stern, Webb County medical
examiner, before ruling on Stanley’s death. The results are expected to be ready sometime next week, Gutierrez said. Jose Chavarria, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said Thursday that a Zapata County Sheriff deputy was the first responder to the scene. He reported the accident at about 12:45 p.m. Monday. The deputy’s camera unit on the vehicle recorded the
See CRASH PAGE 9A
RECREATION
THE FISH ARE BITING DESPITE THE WEATHER
Ballot is ready for primaries Judge to run for treasurer; Primary Election is March 2 By JULIE DAFFERN THE ZAPATA TIMES
Candidates have filed for a place on the ballot, the order has been drawn and the race is on for Zapatans who hope to soon claim a seat in county government. As a final list was released last week, there was one familiar name on it. County Judge Rosalva Guerra had previously said she is not seeking reelection for the judge’s office. She, however, has planned a run against County Treasurer Romeo Salinas. Guerra could not announce her candidacy for the treasurer seat prior to the beginning of the year because she would have had to resign as county judge. The Texas Constitution states that if a county official announces candidacy for another position and there is more than a year left in the official’s term, that official automatically resigns from the current seat. The Commissioners Court was shaken up earlier this year when then-
Commissioner Joseph Rathmell resigned from his seat and announced a run for the county judge position. Eddie Martinez was sworn in to the seat, and though Rathmell’s term wasn’t up until 2012, Martinez must run in the 2010 primaries to keep the seat. Several officials are unopposed: State Rep. Ryan Guillen, 49th District Judge Joe Lopez, County Clerk Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan, District Clerk Dora Martinez Ramos and Democratic Party Chairman Doroteo “Teo” Garza. The last day to file for a place on the ballot was Monday and the order was drawn Friday. The Primary Election is March 2, and early voting is Feb. 1626. The following is the final list of candidates in contested races in ballot order:
County Judge Jose Guevara
Luis
“Pepe”
See BALLOT PAGE 9A
Business tax break to get consideration Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Fishermen return after fishing at Falcon Lake for official weights at the FLW outdoors fishing tournament Thursday afternoon.
Anglers chase bass despite the weather By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
D
Tim Reneu, of Del Rio, shows his catch of the day with Falcon Lake in the background during the FLW Outdoors Fishing tournament in Zapata.
espite temperatures dipping below freezing at times and north winds blowing fiercely in the early part of the competition, more than 300 professional anglers are competing on Falcon Lake for the FLW Outdoors American Fishing Series and the National Guard FLW College Fishing event. The series began Thursday and ends today. The one-day college fishing event, part of the country’s largest tournament fishing competition for college bass clubs, is today. Hosted by the Zapata Chamber of Commerce, the fishing series kicked off Thursday at Falcon Lake with a few setbacks, all weather related. Heavy fog delayed anglers from leaving the banks for more than an hour. And after they were finally on the water, the weather overshadowed the heavy brush Falcon Lake is known for as a major obstacle. Even with the blustery conditions, participants, volunteers and spectators alike appeared to be in high spirits as the fishermen competed. By the end of the day Thursday, Michael Yoder from Texarkana, Ark., had placed first in the proangler division with five fish weighing a total of 38 pounds. Keith Combs of Del Rio, a professional angler with more than 20 years of experience, took home second place after he pulled in the maximum
See CONTEST PAGE 10A
Commissioners disagree on plan designed to attract firms to area By JULIE DAFFERN LAREDO MORNING TIMES
An item on the Zapata Commissioners Court agenda calling for a resolution in support of creating a tax incentive program in the county has received mixed reviews from the court members. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Zapata County Courthouse, 200 E. Seventh Avenue. County Judge Rosalva Guerra and Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal both expressed support for the proposed resolution. “If it’s going to create jobs, I’m all for it,” Villarreal said. Guerra said the county needs to look for other means of revenue as gas production has decreased over the past two years. “I, personally, support a tax incentive for new businesses with certain stipulations,” Guerra stated in an e-mail. “The reason why I support a tax incentive is mainly to attract companies or new businesses. Once companies come into our county, they could provide jobs, they could stimu-
late our economy, and eventually add to our tax base valuation increasing our tax levy.” But Commissioners Jose Emilio Vela and Eddie Martinez expressed hesitation in regards to a local tax program. Vela pointed to a recent Associated Press article stating that government entities were rescinding tax abatement agreements with companies that had not employed an agreed upon number of employees. “I’ve always said that the way to go is basically to provide the services that those businesses need,” Vela said. “They’re not going to go any place where they don’t have the infrastructure — the water, the sewer and everything else. “In tax abatements, you’re going to be losing part of your tax base,” he added. “And some of the people who have already settled are going to be saying what about me?” Martinez echoed Vela’s concerns about local businesses that did not
See MEETING PAGE 9A