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BORDER
GOVERNMENT
Chopper Census seeks workers accounts conflict Bureau needs local Zapatans to help ‘make it count’ in 2010 By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Mexican Marine officials deny U.S. reports of aircraft in Falcon Dam By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Confusion reigned over Zapata County this week following the alleged incursion of a Mexican Navy helicopter into United States territory, according to U.S. authorities. Officials said the aircraft, believed to be part of the Mexican Armed Marine fleet, flew over a neighborhood near Falcon Dam for a few minutes. While U.S. officials confirmed the presence of the chopper, their counterparts in Mexico deny it. An official with the Secretaría de Marina Armada de México, or Mexican Armed Marine, said on Fri-
day afternoon that the helicopter did not belong to them. “We assure that the aircraft was not part of the Marine,” said the official, who refused to give his name or comment further. Rick Pauza, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman, confirmed that a Mexican helicopter crossed into U.S. territory at about 5 p.m. Tuesday. He said CBP officers manning the Falcon International Bridge spotted the helicopter crossing into U.S. air space. “The helicopter was in U.S. territory, I believe, 15
With the 2010 Census to be mailed out in the upcoming week, the Laredo Census office, responsible for neighboring communities, including Zapata, is still accepting applicants. According the Efren Salinas, media specialist for the United States Cen-
sus Bureau-Dallas region, there are 38 census offices in Texas, with hundreds of positions still available locally. Salinas encourages Zapata residents to apply to work with the census, explaining that the difficulty in recruiting hasn’t been in finding individual applicants, but finding workers from specific areas. “We want to get people
from every neighborhood to help us with the census,” Salinas said. “That way, they know the area; they know where, for example, the stray dog is and which house belongs to the woman who is maybe hard of hearing.” Applicants have ranged from 18-year-old students and retirees to those looking to work extra hours on weekends or week nights While bilingual applicants are encouraged, all prospective applicants must be fluent in Eng-
lish, at least 18 years of age, and be able to pass a background check. The process, as explained by Salinas, is streamlined. Those interested should call (866) 861-2010 and punch in their ZIP code. Information for a to-be scheduled test will follow. “There is no pass or fail. You can’t fail. You can only get a higher score,” Salinas said. He acknowledged that applicants may be hesi-
See CENSUS PAGE 10A
FANS OF THE FAIR
See CHOPPER PAGE 10A
LEGAL
Vela questions ‘casinos’ Maquinitas fan debate about deed By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Commissioner Jose E. Vela met with an attorney Tuesday to discuss a property deed in the Falcon area, where several slot-machine gambling businesses, known as maquinitas, are currently operating. According to Vela, the property deed written by the previous owner, the Serna family, specifically states that any “immoral” business, including liquor stores or establishments that encourage crime or violence, shall not operate on that property. Vela said he presented the property deed and showed the location of the property to the attorney. Now the attorney will be working closely with the district attorney to research the Falcon area and explore any possible action. Some Falcon residents
have said that they are not comfortable with the slot machine businesses in their community, and would like immediate action taken. More maquinitas are slated to open soon, they said. “We have contacted several people,” said Alma Canales, a concerned resident, to the Zapata County Commissioners Court. “Maybe you have a solution.” Some of the owners of the establishments may be coming from Starr County, because that county does not allow casino-type businesses, residents said. Since Zapata County does allow slot machines as long as cash payouts are not involved, they relocate from Starr County to Zapata County, said Maria Guerra, another resident. According to Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr., people
See SLOTS PAGE 10A
Photo by Ricardo Segovia | The Zapata Times
David Guerra gazes, wide-eyed, at a goat as he walks through the Zapata County Fair Grounds.
T
he Zapata County Fair, in all its wholesome family fun, comes to a close today — but not before thrilling its fans from near and far with its grand auction, contests and big music act per-
formances (see page 8 for details). Beginning at 10 a.m. with a parade, the fair continues all day with arts and crafts exhibitions, roping demonstrations and a street dance, which kicks off at 9 p.m. There’s also the famous
Jalapeño Contest, which sets the night on fire at 11:30 p.m. For a full schedule of events, visit www.zapatacountyfaironline.com. Admission is $5 for adults before 7 p.m., and $10 after. Children 10 and younger get in free.
LOCAL GOVERMENT
Commission member reinstated By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
In a move that created sharp division among Historical Commission members, Zapata County Commissioners reinstated five members of the committee on Monday, reversing a decision made last month to have the same members removed. Following a presentation by the re-
moved members, who disputed their ousting, the court rescinded item number 19 from February’s Commissioner’s Court meeting. The item was initially approved after commission members presented information in February to the court about several other members not attending Historical Commission meetings and showing a lack of interest. Following the allegations, the
court approved item number 19 to remove those members, appointing new members that had been suggested. Monday, the members who had been removed from their posts on the board came forward and provided explanations of the absences, contending that they had proper excuses.
See COURT PAGE 10A