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COMMISSIONERS
SAN YGNACIO
Incentives for local businesses
HISTORIC FORT TREVIÑO GETS A TARRING
Court likes idea of giving breaks to established firms that are expanding By JULIE DAFFERN THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata Commissioners Court seemed receptive to the idea at Monday’s meeting that a potential incentive program to attract new business could also apply to local businesses in certain circumstances, such as when they expand. The court has expressed reluctance to the idea of tax abatements, but Peggy Umphres Moffett, of the Zapata Economic Development Center, emphasized there are other options, such as sewer and water rate adjustments. However, prior to the vote Commissioner Jose Emilio Vela said the county shouldn’t need to offer incentives.
“Zapata is one of the areas where businesses don’t have to pay that much in taxes … because Zapata is not an incorporated city,” he said, pointing to Laredo, where some residents must pay a county, city, school district and community college tax. Umphres agreed, saying, “The county does have a lot of advantages.” In the end, a resolution in expressing the court’s intent to consider financial incentives for prospective companies was approved, and Umphres asked the court to schedule a workshop. County Judge Rosalva Guerra said the workshop had yet to be scheduled by Thursday afternoon.
Photos by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
The streets in San Ygnacio are filled with mud as the community waits for them to be paved.
Construction firm accepts responsibility
See COMMISSIONERS PAGE 10A
By JULIE DAFFERN THE ZAPATA TIMES
HUNGER
A
Food bank sees record distribution More than 17,000 families got help, including more than 14,000 children By SALO OTERO SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The South Texas Food Bank had record distribution of product in 2009 at five Zapata County sites. According to Elia Solis, agency coordinator for the South Texas Food Bank, which is headquartered in Laredo, the food bank served 17,179 families in Zapata. Among them were 23,641 adults and 14,274 children. Also, 40,046 meals were served. “Every agency had at least an increase of between 20 and 40 percent from last year,” said Solis, a native of San Ygnacio and a graduate of Zapata High School. “The need is great and we’re still looking for eligible non-profit organizations to help us increase distribution.” One of the South Texas Food Bank programs is Adopt-a-Family. A donation of $120 for the year allows a needy family to pick up one box of groceries per month. The food bank is a nonprofit 501 c-3 organization that serves people from birth to death. Tax deductible donations can be sent to PO Box 2007; Laredo, TX 78044. The phone number is (956) 726-3120. The Web site is at www.southtexasfoodbank.org It is also on face
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The need is great and we’re still looking for eligible non-profit organizations to help us increase distribution.” ELIA SOLIS, STFB COORDINATOR
Construction signs block off Uribe Avenue and Benavidez Street in San Ygnacio on Thursday. Fort Treviño is in the background The structure was sprayed with road tar this week.
project superintendent with the construction company responsible for smearing tar on the side of the Treviño Fort said the company takes full responsibility for the damage and is awaiting word from the River Pierce Foundation, an organization formed to preserve the historic building, for further action. Ray Zamora, Reim Construction’s superintendent on the project, said he wasn’t there when the incident occurred, and wouldn’t comment in detail on what happened because of the threat of a lawsuit. “It was a mishap,” Zamora said, adding that the company has been ready to make amends from the start, but has not been allowed. “We’re ready. Our insurance company has been contacted. “They (the River Pierce Foundation) need to de-
cide what they’re going to do with it,” he added. “We will definitely own up to the problem. We have a good track record.” The construction company was hired by Zapata County to complete a drainage project in San Ygnacio. Zamora said the company had to remove all of the asphalt and caliche and replace it. Currently, the roads have been stripped, and recent rain has made the streets extremely muddy. Zamora said the project is at a point where construction could progress rapidly if the weather cooperates, and they could be complete in three to four months. As the project continues, Zamora said the likelihood of damaging other buildings with the tar is slim. “I don’t foresee it happening again unless it’s an act of God,” he said. County Judge Rosalva Guerra said she’d like to see Fort Treviño cleaned
See FORT PAGE 10A
ELECTIONS
Governor hopeful visits Zapata
book as South Texas Food Bank and on twitter: www.twitter.com/SoTxFoodBank The food bank headquarters, at 1907 Freight and Riverside in west Laredo, is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. More than 4,500 Zapata residents live under the federal government poverty guidelines, according to the 2007 census. The poverty rate in Zapata is 33.4 percent. A majority of the 4,500 are at risk of not having enough food to eat. The South Texas Food Bank continues to make a significant difference in
Education is the No. 1 job of state government, according to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White, and if he wins the position, White said his focus will be on that issue. “It’s a dream that people can work and their kids can do better,” White said while visiting Zapata on a tour of South Texas earlier this week. “And we need a governor who understands that and who understands that the No. 1 job of the state
See FOOD PAGE 10A
See WHITE PAGE 10A
Popular mayor Bill White puts focus on education THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
Renato Ramirez, president and CEO of IBC-Zapata, left, listens to former Houston Mayor Bill White, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, during White’s visit to Zapata.