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Bridge Court eyes budget cuts to get upgrade By TARYN WHITE
THE ZAPATA TIMES
By NICK GEORGIOU THE ZAPATA TIMES
The international bridge at Falcon Dam near Zapata is one of 43 crossing facilities to receive upgrades thanks to funding that U.S. Customs and Border Protection received from the Economic Recovery Act. “As far as infrastructure, it’s way overdue,” Zapata County Commissioner Jose JOSE EMILIO VELA “As far as infrastructure, Emilio Vela said it’s way overdue.” Friday. “I’ve never seen any improvements done at that border station.” CBP announced Wednesday that $720 million of the Economic Recovery Act was dedicated to upgrade port facilities, some of which were built before World War II. The upgrades address the national security and trade and travel facilitation needs, CBP said. Of the $720 million funded for land ports of entry construction projects, $420 million is for improvements spanning from major construction to minor repairs at the ports.
Anticipating a smaller operating budget next year, the Zapata County Commissioners Court will consider combining the Environmental Health Service and Safety and Risk Management Department and the Animal Control Shelter at Tuesday’s meeting. The Environmental Health Service and Safety and Risk Management Department was previously run by Juan Garza, who retired after 30 years, on March 31. Since then, Martin Saenz, director of Animal Control, has taken over Garza’s duties. “His department has been doing the work of both departments,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Jose Vela. “Rather than hire someone else, we just want to get him certified and keep it running like it is.” Vela added the county will continue to
eliminate positions through attrition in the coming year. “We will be operating on approximately $5 million less than this year,” Vela said “We need to look at what we can cut back on.” In the spirit of combining positions, the Commissioners Court will also vote on appointing Zar Rodriguez, code enforcement officer, with the duties of managing the Romeo T. Flores Park and swimming pool over the summer. “This will be adding more duties to his job,” Vela said. “I think by doing things like doubling up on duties we will be able to make the cuts we need to.” Vela said, the court plans on doing everything it can before even considering laying anyone off. Also on Tuesday: The court will hear a monthly report from the Zapata Medical Group on the Zapata Medical Clinic. Vote on purchasing a boring ma-
chine Vote on installing speed humps in the following locations: 812 Roma Street, 804 Medina Street, between 10th and 13th on Zapata Street, between Seventh and 10th on Zapata street, between 16th and 19th on Ramireno Street, between Seventh and 10th on Miraflores Street. Vote on installing security lights at 4085 N. US 83 in Ramireno, 201 Matamoros Street and 208 Matamoros Street in San Ygnacio, 1601 Zapata Boulevard and between Seventh and 10th street on 711 Villa Street. Approval of fees for Architectural Services proposed by Cotera and Reed Architects regarding the planning of the Zapata County property located on 17th Avenue to 26lh Avenue between Glenn and Fresno Streets and Lots 6 through 43 inclusive, Block 200 of the Manuel Medina Addition
See CUTS | PAGE 10A
IMPROVING STREETS
Targeting investments “CBP will target Recovery Act investments toward land port facilities struggling with the most urgent operational deficiencies,” the agency said. “Preceding land port construction, CBP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct site surveys for planning and due diligence beginning in early April. “Construction will range in scope from renovations and alterations to full facility replacement.” According to the Texas Department of Transportation Web site, the two-lane Falcon Dam crossing needs
See FUNDS | PAGE 10A
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Construction of the new Arturo L. Benavides Elementary School in San Ygnacio is proceeding at a steady pace in anticipation of its opening in time for the 2009-10 school year.
Zapata County Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal stands in front of a historic home at the corner of Grant Avenue and Hidalgo Street in San Ygnacio on Friday morning. Villarreal and the Zapata County Commissioners have a contractor ready to start improvement of sewer and streets in this historic community.
Two get honors BY ERIKA LAMBRETON
Work ready to begin in San Ygnacio By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES
A
fter a year of meetings and amending plans, the Zapata Commissioners Court will be moving forward with the street and drainage improvement plan in San Ygnacio within the month. The project, which was originally
THE ZAPATA TIMES
ROSALVA GUERRA With a strong commitment to education and the betterment of her students, fifth grade teacher Susie Benavides was honored with the “Teacher of the Year” Award. “It feels fantastic,” said Benavides. “It felt really good to represent (the school).” Benavides, a Zapata native, has been teaching for more than 30 years, and said her passion for her profession had its beginnings while she was a child playing school with her cousins.
Her earlier years In her earlier years, Benavides taught fourth graders; however after 17 years requested a transfer to fifth grade to be closer to one of her four children. The difference between the two grades, she said was vast. “The kids are more mature and wonderful to work with,” Benavides said. The award came as a surprise to Benavides. She credits her co-workers and students for making the past 30 years a rewarding experience. “I want to thank (the staff and) my family, my husband, four daughters and three grandchildren.” Also honored was Mrs. Elida Silva-Hernandez, who received Instructional Assistant of the Year. “I was shocked, (and) surprised that I was the one that (who) was chosen,” Hernandez said. It is an honor.”
See TEACHER | PAGE 10A
Zapata County Judge, “We are excited this is going to happen.”
approved about a year ago, will run about five miles of underground pipe and a little more than one mile of lineal storm sewer pipes under the town’s roads. On March 24, the Commissioners Court accepted a bid from REIM Construction as a last step before breaking ground. “We are excited this is going to happen,” said County Judge Rosalva Guerra said. “Right now if it rains, there are puddles. The water just stops there and doesn’t go anywhere.” But, prior to having the go-ahead, the plan faced a few roadblocks that slowed down its execution. “The engineer needed to get their plans approved by the Texas Historical Commission,” Guerra said. Because San Ygnacio is considered a historical district due to its quantity of early 19th-century buildings, any construction done in the town has to be looked at carefully, according to
While most of the streets in San Ygnacio will undergo improvements, this section of Uribe Avenue might be left intact to preserve the historical value of the properties. Sharon Fleming, architect with the Texas Historical Commission. “It is the largest concentration of Mexican-period buildings in Texas that reflect the design and construction of Spanish Colonial architects,” Fleming said. Fleming said there was never any worry how the construction would affect the buildings, but rather, what it would do to the historical sidewalks lining the streets. “Our primary concern was that they avoid impacting the historic sidewalks,” Fleming said. “The sidewalks are one of the defining features of the town.” The new plans place all curbs two feet away from the sidewalks, and also excludes certain historical streets.
“Both sides have been very cooperative and responsive,” Fleming said. “The plans were only changed a couple of times with slight modifications.” Fleming added the Historical Society was also initially concerned about how construction could have affected the Treviño Fort. “We didn’t know what impact heavy equipment working adjacent to the fort would have on it since it is fairly fragile,” Fleming said. “But, the fort was recently stabilized so it is in much better shape.” Now, with the Texas Historical Society’s seal of approval, within the month construction on the San Ygnacio streets will begin and last for about a year.