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FORT TREVIÑO DAMAGE
COMMISSIONERS
Repairs Permits now required await settlement New construction falls under ordinance, but older buildings exempt By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The River Pierce Foundation, the organization responsible for preserving Fort Treviño in San Ygnacio, is waiting to settle the tar incident claim that occurred in January. According to RPF architectural conservator Frank Briscoe, the foundation has not yet started to restore the building because it is waiting for a response from the insurance adjuster of the construction company responsible for smearing the tar. The construction company took full responsibility for the insident, but the longer the tar stays on the building the harder it will be to remove it. Some removal materials have been tested to see if they can remove the tar though.
“We think we can remove a percentage of the tar, but the prime coat is a very strong adhesive substance that helps asphalt stick,” Briscoe said. “It’s going to be a challenge to remove, especially from sandstone, which is what the fort is made of.” According to RPF Executive Director Christopher Rincon, Michael Tracy, RPF founder, is unavailable because he is out of town until March. The Treviño Fort has been a National Historic Landmark since 1998. It is co-owned by the RPF and its heirs, Alfonso Herrera, Raquel H. Ramirez and Abigail H. Molina, members of the family that founded San Ygnacio. The RPF, founded in 1990 is dedicated to the
Zapata County Commissioners Court decided Monday that despite adoption of building permit requirements, regulations will not apply to existing structures. According to Commis-
sioner Jose Emilio Vela, older buildings will be grandfathered under the old policy, but established residents and business owners are encouraged to comply with the new building code standards. Attorney Hector Uribe proposed to start collecting draft fees in order to em-
ploy more staff to inspect buildings. This has created a new department and has created new positions to be filled. “This is an urgent matter to me,” Uribe said. “You must start collecting money now, then hire a qualified person to do the job.” Code Enforcement Officer Zaragoza Rodriguez IV was unavailable for comment, but Commissioners Court approved the draft of building permit fees.
Zapata County Historical Committee said members examined the Zapata County Museum premises and informed the court through several memoranda about apparent cracks in the foundation and urged the court to take action. The Commissioners Court agreed to obtain a licensed architect to inspect the ZCM building and repair any imperfections.
See COUNTY PAGE 11A
COLORFUL POCAHONTAS COMES TO LIFE
See FORT PAGE 11A
ZCISD
National recognition School district’s Business Office receives award of excellence By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The ZCISD Business Office has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This is the first year the Zapata County ISD Business Office applies and receives this award for the August 31, 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The award is issued by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. In addition to receiving an audit report with an unqualified opinion with no findings the ZCISD is also proud of receiving a superior rating on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, another first for the ZCISD Business Office. An unqualified opinion and no findings is an auditor’s opinion of a financial
statement, given without any reservations. Such an opinion basically states that the auditor feels the company followed all accounting rules appropriately and that the financial reports are an accurate representation of the company’s financial condition. “The Zapata County ISD Business Office is extremely proud of its accomplishments, ZCISD Chief Financial Officer Laura A. McCoy said. “We are lucky to have the support of our superintendent, board of trustees and staff.” The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, § 109.1001, states that the purpose of the financial accountability rating system is to ensure that school districts will be held accountable for the quality of their financial management prac-
See AWARD PAGE 11A
Photo by Ricardo Segovia | The Zapata Times
Participants in tonight’s Princess Pocahontas Pageant and Ball rehearse at the Laredo Civic Center on Friday night. The pageant begins at 7:30 p.m, while the Ball starts at 9 p.m., at the Laredo Civic Center Auditorium and Ballroom
WEATHER
A foot of snow for North Texas Power is out and schools close, but storm does not cause major damage By JOHN MCFARLAND ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — A record snowfall of more than 12 inches knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers, closed businesses and schools, and grounded flights out of Dallas, but by Friday the snowstorm turned out to be relatively harmless. There were no major injuries during the two-day
storm and roads were clear by Friday. Classes were canceled for more than 1 million children, giving them a four-day weekend thanks to Presidents Day on Monday. Throw in the weekend festivities surrounding NBA’s All-Star game and more snow than a lot of folks had ever seen before, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area
See SNOW PAGE 11A
Photo by Courtney Perry/The Dallas Morning News | AP
Adrienne Bland, 8, tries to catch snow on her tongue while playing with her family and neighbors in east Dallas, on Thursday. A record snowfall of more than 12 inches knocked out power, closed businesses and schools, and grounded flights out of Dallas,