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Legislation aids Zapata Guillen writes bill allowing county to establish zoning ordinances By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES Zapata County received the power to establish zoning ordinances in populated areas around Falcon Lake in the last legislative session. The power comes from a bill written by U.S. Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, that passed during the 81st legislative session. “My intent is not to give authority throughout the entire county,” Guillen said. “It’s only in the populated areas of the county. I think that zoning is something that they need in the populated areas of the county and in the parts of the county that will be growing in the near future.” The bill allows Zapata County to establish zoning regulations for an area that stretches
out five miles from Falcon Lake and its tributaries. “Not too many counties are lucky enough to have this ordinance power,” said Commissioner Jose Vela. In particular, Vela mentioned sexually oriented GUILLEN businesses, but said that a recent incident involving the establishment of a sexually oriented business was not the motivator for the legislation, but more proof that they needed that power. Although in the end, the business did not open, Zapata did not have power to regulate its location, and many residents were angered by proximity to their homes.
See GUILLEN | PAGE 9A
Zaffirini keeps focus on education, health and human services By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES After the end of the Texas Legislature’s regular 81st session, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, closed up her Austin office and returned home to Laredo last week. She authored more than 60 bills. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t even had time to look back,” Zaffirini said. The work she did reflected her everpresent priorities: education, health and human services. “I particularly enjoyed serving as chair of the higher education committee,” Zaffirini said. “I was able to be more effective to enhance higher education.” The Senate’s higher education subcommittee was upgraded to a full committee status, meaning that Zaffirini, who chairs
A PIECE OF HISTORY
ZAFFIRINI
the committee, no longer has to pass education-related bills from a subcommittee to a full committee. That allowed her to create a bill that secures $25 million in funding to extend pre-kindergarten from a half-day to a full-
day program. In the realm of health and human services, a bill of hers increased the penalties for parking illegally in a parking place for people with disabilities, or for unauthorized use of a handicapped license plate or placard. Besides an increase of fees, the bill now creates 10 hours of mandatory community
See ZAFFIRINI | PAGE 9A
COMMISSIONERS COURT
County looks at budget By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES
With three months left in the fiscal year, Zapata County officials already have started the arduous process of hammering out next year’s budget. Although it’s not certain how much money the county will be working with, all seem to agree that due to lower valuations next year’s budget will be substantially less. This year the Zapata County budget is $34,900,244. According to county treasurer Romeo Salinas, next year’s budget won’t be approved until September after discussions and public hearings on each commissioner’s requested amount. But if this year’s budget is a reflection of next year, Zapata County can expect responsible and frugal spending by the Commissioners Court.
See COUNTY | PAGE 9A
Courtesy photo | Special to the Times
The Texas Legislature has given final approval to the construction of the Tejano monument on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol in Austin. It will honor Latino contributions to Texas history. Shown left to right are Laredo artist Armando Hinojosa, who was chosen to create the sculpture; rancher Jose Oscar Dodier; and Renato Ramirez, vice president of the Tejano Monument Committee and president of International Bank of Commerce – Zapata. Here, Hinojosa and Ramirez are presenting Dodier with a bronze maquette of Hinojosa’s “Vaquero” statue, which will be a centerpiece of the monument. Ramirez also received a maquette on behalf of IBC. Dodier, Ramirez and IBC were recognized for their substantive financial support for the artwork, which has been in the works for nearly 10 years.
EDUCATION
Bus service to Laredo soon By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES
Beginning next fall, Zapata County will be offering a public shuttle service that will go from Zapata to Laredo on a daily basis. Up to four 16-person shuttles will make this journey between the two cities. “Our first priority will be education,” said Zapata County treasurer Romeo Salinas. “There are a lot of people who want to attend classes at (Laredo Community College,) but can’t afford the gas.” The money to purchase the shuttles is coming from a federal transportation grant amounting in $360,000, but operational costs will fall to the county.
“We don’t know how much it will cost yet, but we’ll have to hire drivers and pay for the gas, said Pct. 4 RODRIGUEZ “Commissioner Noberto Garza. Still in the initial phases of the program, Salinas is charged with the job of coordinating schedules and working out logistics.
The goal Salinas said the goal is have regular shuttles in both the morning and evening. But although the grant was applied for with education in
mind, high school students will not be allowed to use it as a way to attend college level classes in Laredo. “The requirements of the grant does not allow for student use,” said Romeo Rodriguez, Zapata County Independent School District superintendent. But Rodriguez is not ready to give up on ZCISD students having the opportunity to take college level classes. He is planning to assign buses to take the students back and forth. “I have 30 students already who would be bused to Laredo to attend classes at LCC,” Rodriguez said. “Our goal is to do it twice or three times week and have all the student complete 16 credit hours.” Rodriguez added that it will
be an expense to the district to pay for gas and drivers, but it is well worth it.
‘Proper access’ “I believe until we get proper access to professors in Zapata being able to go to Laredo and being in the college atmosphere has a lot of value.” Rodriguez said. According to Salinas there is currently no plan to charge people for the use of the shuttles, but if that changes the cost will be minimal. “If we do end up charging, it will be something like $1,” Salinas said. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)
HEALTH
Still no H1N1 flu in area THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata has yet to see a single confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus, while Laredo logged two more confirmed cases late this week for a total of 37, according to the Laredo Health Department. The Laredo agency oversees Duval, Jim Hogg, Webb and Zapata counties. Jim Hogg hasn’t had any confirmed cases, either; Duval has seen seven confirmed cases. All of the cases are now doing well; there has been no secondary spread. Officials credit consistent vigilance and protective measures. “Again we want to remind the public to be cautious and alert,” reads a statement issued by the Health Department. “Persons should continue practicing preventive measures with hygiene and respiratory precautions.” Precautions include: cover mouth when coughing and wash hands cover with tissue and wash hands cough into your elbow and wash hands
See H1N1 | PAGE 9A