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LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR 2010
Gutierrez withdraws from race
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Nico Gutierrez, a candidate for Zapata County Commissioner, Precinct 2, has withdrawn from the race. Gutierrez withdrew from the race following receipt of a notice of violation of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Hatch Act, which states that no government employee may run for political office. As an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gutierrez is not eligible as a government candidate. Marlen Guerra, Gutierrez’s daughter, Gutierrez
took the proper precautions before deciding to run, contacting his regional supervisor back in June 2009, who then referred him to the United States Office of Ethics in Washington. “After several calls, (Gutierrez) received an e-mail notifying him it was okay to run,” Guerra said. “Four or five days ago, he was contacted by the Office of Special Council, who had said they’d received a tip. They informed him he had two options: to either resign from his job or withdraw from the race.”
See RUNOFF PAGE 12A
CRIME
Man with four tons of pot in court By DENISE BLAZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A plan gone awry for a man intending to stow narcotics at his residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 4,628 pounds of marijuana by local law enforcement Tuesday. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court Thursday, Cabello Wrecker Service, out of Laredo, was contacted with a request to travel to Zapata to pick up a Peterbilt dump truck that was out of service. An employee of the wrecker service traveled to Zapata to carry through with the request. After picking up the dump truck, registered to Luis A. Garza, of Zapata, he was approached by a man driving a white Ford pick up truck, who asked the Cabello employee to follow him. Suspicious, the driver contacted the Department of Public Safety, which then conducted surveillance. Laredo Police Depart-
ment then made a traffic stop of the white Ford truck. The wrecker service truck also pulled over, where the driver was again approached, but this time by another man, identified as Eliazar Buruato, 45, who asked the driver to follow him to his residence. The driver agreed to the request, and followed him to Tierra Bonita, off Texas 359, where Buruato’s home was located. After obtaining a written search warrant from Buruato, DPS Narcotics Division agents searched the dump truck, where they found about four tons of pot covered in dirt in the back. Officials arrested Buruato after making the seizure. During questioning, Buruato admitted to knowing about the drugs being stored in the dump truck, and later said he was to be paid $1,000 to park the truck at his residence. (Denise Blaz may be reached at 728-2547 or dblaz@lmtonline.com)
‘Best little fair’ in Texas saw thousands at its grounds By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
T
he 2010 Zapata County Fair concluded with mechanical games, a festive parade and great musical environment. Monica Mendoza, president of the fair association, said more than 6,000 people — from Zapata, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley and other surrounding areas — crowded the main stage to watch performances by La Batalla, Siggno, Solido and Huracanes del Norte. “The music was one of the best that has been seen in the last couple of years,” Mendoza said. “Everybody enjoyed the festivities.” There was a little bit of everything for everyone: a petting zoo, live music, a roping competition, plenty of food and moonwalkers, among many other attractions. But one that seemed to get the most attention was the helicopter rides. Cathy Walker, manager of Reed Helicopters, said there was a great demand for rides in the Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopter. “It was a great turnout, she said. “Everybody seemed to have really enjoyed it.” Zapatans hopped in the aircraft and had two options of a ride. Three people could go for a 5-mile ride for $75, flying around the areas of Falcon Lake. A 10mile ride cost $135 for three people, and included nearly all of Zapata. “People were taking pictures of their homes and the lake,” Walker said. She added the company gave
Photo by Ulysses Romero | The Zapata Times
A couple enjoys the colorful lights of the Ferris wheel against the night sky during the 2010 Zapata County Fair. more than 70 tours throughout Saturday. During the evening, about 40 people had to be turned away.
“The pilot was just too tired,” Walker said.
See FAIR PAGE 9A
SPORTS
Soccer league born out of love By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata resident Pablo Zapata would often see children playing soccer on the streets throughout the week. And about three months ago, he also noticed County Treasurer Romeo Salinas’ love for fútbol, known as soccer in the United States. During a visit to Salinas’ office, Zapata saw that
As the men chatted about their affinity for the game, the idea of creating a soccer league for area children was born. the treasurer had a photograph taken outside a Carl’s Jr. with Mexican soccer players Jesus “El Cabrito” Arellano and Daniel Osorno after a MexicoTrinidad and Tobago game
in San Antonio. As the men chatted about their affinity for the game, the idea of creating a soccer league for area children was born. With the purpose of pro-
moting the sport and taking children off the streets, the Zapata Youth Soccer League will have its inaugural kickoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at the open fields in the 600 block of Del Mar Street. “We want to take them off the streets,” Salinas said. “Since I like the sport, I’m doing this.” The league includes teams of boys ages 8 to 13.
See LEAGUE PAGE 12A