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FEMA expected to help with flood relief
Growing shortfall
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata residents with damaged property after flooding from Tropical Storm Alex on July 29 can expect help soon as President Barack Obama has declared an emergency in Texas and authorized federal aid in several counties. The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been given authorization to begin disaster relief efforts, “which will alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population,” states a news release. Under Title V of the Stafford Act, “to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen the threat of a catastrophe,” these agencies will provide appropriate assistance to 25 counties including Zapata, Starr, Jim Hogg, Cameron and surrounding counties. Zapata can expect FEMA and Homeland Security on August 25-29, and September 16-19. “The first round is for all the people who had issues
County now $7M short, and faces deeper cuts By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Just a few weeks ago Zapata County leaders had been anticipating a $3 million shortfall. That figure was then raised to $6 million last week, but it now appears the county will be short $7 million in revenue. At a meeting Monday, the issue became a heated dispute that climaxed when County Treasurer Romeo Salinas was escorted out of the court room by a bailiff after Salinas was found in
contempt of court. The $3 million deficit came to light in a letter Chief Appraiser Amada Gonzalez sent to County Judge Rosalva Guerra, advising her of a critical problem. “I regret to inform you that an error was made in the calculation of the M&O portion,” Gonzalez wrote, referring to the maintenance and operation funds in the budget. Another error in calculating reserve funding led to the additional $1 million shortfall.
The M&O fund is composed of the county’s general fund and the debt service the county pays, which includes the farm to market road/flood control, and the special road and bridge funds. Guerra addressed the court Monday, saying her certified values of properties were correct. “There are no errors on my values,” she said. Commissioners were visibly upset
See COUNTY PAGE 12A
UNITED WAY AGENCY
FUNDS TO HELP MAKE PLAY SPOT SAFER
See FEMA PAGE 12A
Grant pays for sidewalk at youth club
PUBLIC HEALTH
Congressman: Area to benefit from health reform
By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
While touring Gateway Community Health Center in celebration of National Health Center week, Congressman Henry Cuellar said Zapata, Webb, and Jim Hogg county residents should benefit from the health reform and an increase in funding for community health centers from $8.5 billion to $11 billion. “Beginning Oct. 1, 2010, increased funding for community health centers will help nearly double the number of patients seen by the centers over the next five years,” Cuellar said. “The funding can go toward helping the 318 existing community health centers in Texas and can also support the construction of new centers.” According to Cuellar, Texas will be the biggest beneficiary of the reform. The state, which has the most uninsured people in the country, will receive $101 billion in health care resources. Those most affected by the reform will be the middle working class, Cuellar said. “Medicaid covers the poor; if you’re rich, you don’t have to worry about it; it’s for the middle working class trying to provide for their families,” he said. Gateway Community Center also celebrated for the first time a weeklong campaign that began Sunday and ends today to raise awareness about the mission and
See HEALTH PAGE 12A
Ulysses S. Romero/
Luis Olvera, right, teaches Javier Gutierrez how to shoot a basketball at the Zapata Boys and Girls Club during a summer camp.
Of the $100,000 the United Way of Laredo Board of Directors recently awarded its agencies, the Zapata Boys and Girls Club received $10,000. “We receive monies on a yearly basis but this CIV (Community Initiative Venture) fund grant is something you apply for,” explained Ricky Ramirez, chief volunteer officer for the Boys and Girls Club of Zapata. The allocated funding had been tagged to replace an old sidewalk “from the clubhouse to the pavilion gym,” Ramirez said. Community children, between the ages of 6 and 13, flooding the center weekly now have safer way of accessing the neighboring facilities. “They love playing outside, playing basketball. Inside, we have foosball, air hockey, a TV room, an art room,” said Leslie Ann Vela, recreation assistant. And, with a laundry list of activities the Zapata Boys and Girls Club provides for children, each child has a preference. For Jasmine Contreras, 8, it’s spending time outdoors biking and playing basketball, she said as she tossed the basketball into the hoop. “(You) just got to love kids. We’ve got lots of them,” said Ileana Montes-Thatcher, Zapata Boys and Girls Club Program coordinator of the 78 children they currently provide services for over the summer. “For fall we’re estimating about
See FUNDS PAGE 12A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marine Corp League hosts a Beef, Sausage and More plate sale today, starting at 12 p.m. at the corner of 22nd and Hidalgo St. Donations are $6 per plate. All proceeds go to community projects. 4-H will host a volunteer workshop today from 1 to 4 p.m. in the lobby area of the County Extension Office, located in the Community Center. There will be a $10 charge for screening. For more information, contact Caleb Eaton at (956) 765-9967. Laredo Energy Arena hosts the International Boxing Federation lightweight world championship tonight. In the main event, IBF No. 1-ranked JiHoon “Volcano” Kim, of Goyang City, Korea, will battle IBF No. 3-ranked Miguel Angel “Titere” Vazquez, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20 to $80, and tables, $300 four seat, $10-seat tables available for: $700 (third row), $1,000 (second row), $1,500 (ringside), are also available. Tickets are available at Laredo Energy Arena Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets and by phone, at 1-800-745-3000. For more information, call (956) 7919192
Today is Saturday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2010. There are 139 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. On this date: In 1848, the Oregon Territory was created. In 1900, international forces, including U.S. Marines, entered Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at purging China of foreign influence. In 1908, a race riot erupted in Springfield, Ill. as a white mob began setting black-owned homes and businesses on fire; at least two blacks and five whites were killed in the violence. In 1909, the newly opened Indianapolis Motor Speedway held its first event, a series of motorcycle races. In 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II. In 1947, Pakistan became independent of British rule. In 1969, British troops went to Northern Ireland to intervene in sectarian violence between Protestants and Roman Catholics. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale were nominated for second terms at the Democratic national convention in New York. In 1980, workers went on strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk (guh-DANSK’), Poland, in a job action that resulted in the creation of the Solidarity labor movement. Ten years ago: On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, President Bill Clinton offered a triumphant review of his years in office and exhorted delegates to propel Al Gore on the road to succeed him. Five years ago: Israel sealed the Gaza Strip to Israeli civilians, signaling the start of the historic withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. One year ago: President Barack Obama denounced what he suggested was news media overemphasis on scenes of angry protesters at townhall meetings on health care, telling his own town hall-style meeting in Belgrade, Mont. that “TV loves a ruckus.” Charles Manson follower Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, 60, convicted of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, was released from a Texas prison hospital after more than three decades behind bars. Today’s Birthdays: Rock singer David Crosby is 69. Author Danielle Steel is 63. Actress Halle Berry is 44. Actress Catherine Bell is 42. Country musician Cody McCarver (Confederate Railroad) is 42. Rock musician Kevin Cadogan is 40. Actor Scott Michael Campbell is 39. Actress Lalanya Masters is 38. Actor Christopher Gorham is 36. Actress Mila Kunis is 27. TV personality Spencer Pratt is 27. Thought for Today: “Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt.” — Bergen Baldwin Evans, American author (1904-1978).
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 Zapata Chapter No. 1106 Order of the Eastern Star joins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, located at 14th St. and Hwy 16.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 A Wildlife for Lunch webinar on “Remote Sensing Cameras — A Valuable Wildlife Management Tool” is schedule for Thursday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse in the second floor conference room. Bring your lunch and listen to a brief wildlife program. The Texas Department of State Health Services will hold a vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the multipurpose room at Los Obispos Middle School, 7801 S. Ejido St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. The clinic is for students entering the seventh grade. Parents/guardians must bring shot record for each child being vaccinated and must accompany each child being vaccinated. For more information, call your school nurse. For more information about other shot clinics, call the state health services department immunization branch at (956) 794-6381. The Webb County Heritage Foundation invites the public to meet photographer Christopher Talbot at the opening reception for an exhibit of his photographs of the Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail at 6 p.m. today at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. The exhibit features outstanding images of trail swales, acequias, river crossings, forts, missions, presidios and other original remnants along the old route. For more information, contact the Webb County Heritage Foundation at (956) 727-0977.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 A hunter’s education course will be offered at Zapata County Public Library today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, August 22 from noon to 5 p.m. Every Hunter, including out-ofstate hunters, born on or after September 2, 1981, must successfully complete a Hunters Education Training course to hunt any animal in the State of Texas. The minimum age to receive certification is 9 years old. For more information, contact Marshall Davidson at (956) 337-5917.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 The event honors State Sen. Judith Zaffirini for her contribution to the South Texas Food Bank and features a concert by 1970s musical sensation Three Dog Night. Floor table tickets for 10 start at $1,000. Table tickets include dinner and access to silent auction of artwork bowls. Concert-only tickets are $15 and are available at the Laredo Energy Arena and Ticketmaster.com. For more information, call the South Texas Food Bank at (956) 726-3120.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Gold and platinum certified artist, Mark Chesnutt, performs at the Casa Blanca Ballroom tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets for admission begin at $15. For more information, visit markchesnutt.com To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
Photo by Gerald Herbert | AP
Harry Cheramie, a shrimper and fisherman, drags a trawl net along the floor of Barataria Bay with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to check for oil near Grand Isle on the Louisiana coast, in advance of the Monday’s start of the shrimping season. In addition to shrimp samples, the LDWF took five shrimpers to check for oil; none was found.
Feds: Well needs work By TOM BREEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — BP’s broken oil well is not dead yet. The government’s point man on the crisis said Friday that the blown-out well is not securely plugged to his satisfaction and that the drilling of the relief well — long regarded as the only way to ensure that the hole at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico never leaks oil again — must go forward. "The relief well will be finished," said retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen. "We will kill the well." Work on the relief well was suspended earlier this week because of bad weather. Allen did not say when it would resume. From there, it could be only a matter of days before the "bottom kill" is done and the well that wreaked havoc on the Coast econo-
my and environment is no longer a threat. Last week, BP plugged up the ruptured oil well from the top with mud and cement, and for a while, it appeared that the relief well that BP has been drilling 2½ miles under the sea all summer long in an effort to seal up the leak from the bottom might not be necessary after all. But Allen dashed those hopes after scientists conducted pressure tests on Thursday. Scientists had hoped that the cement pumped in from the top had plugged the gap between the well’s inner pipe and its outer casing. The pressure tests showed some cement was in that gap, but officials don’t know enough about what’s there — or how much of it — to trust that there is a permanent seal, said Allen, who has repeatedly insisted on an "overabundance of caution" when it comes to plugging the well.
7.2 quake strikes Guam
Judge: No challenge
No mosque ad coming
HAGATNA, Guam — A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 230 miles off the southern coast of Guam on Saturday morning but many residents didn’t even notice. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said there was no widespread tsunami generated from the shallow quake.
SAN FRANCISCO — The federal judge who overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban said he doubts backers have the right to challenge his ruling. The judge rejected a request to delay his decision barring Proposition 8 from taking effect until high courts can take up an appeal lodged by its supporters.
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York’s Conservative Party is planning a television ad campaign to pressure a New York City utility to block a proposed mosque near ground zero. The ad wants “real answers” about the Islamic group planning the cultural center and mosque. -- Compiled from AP reports
AROUND TEXAS Lawyer’s work noted AUSTIN — Longtime open government advocate Joe Larsen has received the James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Larsen, who is special counsel for Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, LLP in Houston, received the award at the foundation’s annual conference Friday. The award is given each year to someone who has demonstrated commitment and service in upholding the principles of the First Amendment.
DPS graduates fast class AUSTIN — Training is complete for the first Texas Department of Public Safety trooper class taking part in courses that can put the law officers on the street in just eight weeks. The first class of 29 troopers, in the advanced recruit school, graduated Friday in Austin. All were police officers. DPS had 400 vacancies and was offering experienced law officers a chance to become troopers in just two months.
Photo by Sharron Ellman | AP
Oakland Raiders fans enjoy the fourth quarter of the NFL preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, on Thursday. The Raiders came back in the last quarter to win 17-6.
Dallas sees hoax letters DALLAS — Investigators say 25 white powder hoax letters mentioning al-Qaida have been received by churches, mosques and businesses in the Dallas area
since Aug. 5. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on Friday announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. — Compiled from AP reports
Carbon monoxide kills EMT
Board: No clemency
Heat downs eight soldiers
WHITE OAK — One emergency medical technician died and two co-workers were hospitalized Friday after being overcome by carbon monoxide while on duty in White Oak. The three were discovered at 7 a.m. Friday. The carbon monoxide apparently was from a generator left running on an ambulance.
HOUSTON — The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has refused a clemency petition from condemned killer Peter Cantu, set to die next week in Huntsville for a 1993 double rape-slaying. The panel voted 7-0 to reject Cantu’s request that his death sentence be commuted to life. The 35-year-old Cantu was condemned for killing two teens.
FORT HOOD — Eight soldiers from Fort Hood were hospitalized for heat-related problems after an early morning 12-mile march. Two soldiers were listed in serious condition, and three were listed in fair condition after being taken to different hospitals Friday morning. Another three were treated and released. — Compiled from AP reports
CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama....... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Kirsten Crow .......................... 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Business Journal Editor, Joe Rutland .......... 728-2529 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Online Editor, Julie Daffern ....................... 728-2565
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
Zlocal
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DON’T MISS THE BUS
Zapata children learn at DEFY SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Courtesy photo
Community leaders cut a ribbon in celebration of Zapata County obtaining buses to transport residents to higher education facilities in Laredo. Pictured, from left to right, are Laredo Community College President Juan Maldonado, Congressman Henry Cuellar, nursing student Pablo Zapata, Commissioner Jose Vela and Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal.
Explorer post attends camp SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Zapata Border Patrol station’s Explorer Post 9000 attended the 2010 Fort Worth Police Department’s Explorer Swat Camp on Aug. 5-8. In attendance were 10 posts from Fort Worth, Waco, San Antonio, Dallas, Crowley, Midland and Tomball. All police posts to include Border Patrol Explorers totaled 75 Explorers; both boys and girls competed in this competition. The training consisted of teamwork building, physical fitness, SWAT tactics, area observation, planning development with execution and social skills. These skill sets building up to team competitions such as a canoe race, bike relay, confidence course, search and rescue, a triathlon and scenarios in domestic vio-
Courtesy photo
Members of the Zapata Border Patrol Explorers post, Justin Cobb, Matt Cooper and Colby Cooper participate celebrate their awards. lence, shoot/don’t shoot, serving a warrant, building search and the Border Patrol’s illegal land border crossing affecting an arrest and search, sometimes
finding a weapon of mass effect. The Fort Worth SWAT Team trained the Explorers in a physical techniques session, the surrender ritu-
al, building searches, vehicle assaults and a breaching equipment relay. They also introduced and demonstrated breaching equipment such as the entry shield, pry bar, battering ram, less than lethal deployment long arm, and the detonating of a smoke grenade and a flash bang distraction device. While the Zapata Explorer Post is only two months old, this was their first competition and they did an outstanding job in training and competing. A Zapata Station Explorer took first place award in the triathlon competition. As a group the Explorers placed second on Flag Design and Presentation and third place on Search and Rescue. Members say they are excited and look forward to the next competition.
Seventy-five Laredo and Zapata youths returned home Friday from a Department of Justice sponsored and United States Attorney’s Office supported Drug Education for Youth summer camp, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. DEFY is a preventive program sponsored by the DOJ and a means for increasing community participation and commitment to area youth. DEFY works with 9- to 12-yearolds and helps develop character, leadership and confidence to engage in positive healthy lifestyles as drug-free citizens. This year’s summer camp was held from Aug. 9-13 at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. Special thanks go to the Texas National Guard Counterdrug Program for coordinating and sponsoring the event and to the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department, Laredo Housing Authority, Laredo Police Department, South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Zapata Boys and Girls Club, Zapata Sheriff ’s Office and the United States Border Patrol for providing mentors and other assistance.
The DEFY program included two phases. Phase I involves a five-day summer camp where students take part in activities including swimming, tours and classes in leadership, discipline and drug awareness. The expenses for this camp, including lodging and meals, were paid for by the Texas National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Program. After the summer camp, the students will begin Phase II of the program, which involves monthly sessions in which the students meet on a given Saturday and attend activities reinforcing and building on their Phase I lessons. Activities during Phase II often include lessons or activities in drug resistance, self-esteem building, leadership and general social skills, team building and community service. Mentors are not just expected to look after the youth but are to be positive role models to the DEFY students throughout the program. The Laredo DEFY program has been in existence since 2001 and has not only been successful with its students, but is a sign of collaborative efforts from all agencies and organizations that provided mentors.
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Zopinion
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Thune’s plan to return to budget sanity By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — The hostesses on “The View” probably won’t invite Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., on the show to discuss his new budget proposal. Ideas this thoughtful rarely attract pop culture media attention. Despite the glitterati’s lack of interest, the South Dakota senator’s new plan to restore fiscal discipline should become a cause for decision-makers and regular Americans alike. President Obama, on the other hand, has no problems finding his way to a daytime TV set. But when it comes to curbing red ink, he disappears when others yell “Action!”
Lots of debt The White House’s current budget forecasts do contain a cinematic quality— but it’s more like a scary movie. Even if we make some heroic assumptions and believe everything goes right in terms of spending and revenue forecasts, America ends up with unsustainable levels of debt. Like a bad vaudeville act, Obama’s budget production should get the hook. Enter Thune. His proposal, introduced last month, delves into the prosaic world of budget procedure and rules. This subject is not particularly glamorous, but it is critically important to our nation’s future economic security.
Discipline The implicit part of Thune’s narrative is the most critical. Returning to budgetary health won’t happen overnight. It’s not a screenplay that policymakers can produce and conclude in an election cycle or two. It requires a sustained, disciplined approach, demanding a wide assortment of tools. Thune’s ideas are sober and methodical — more epic film than short-term documentary. His script includes some familiar features. First he calls for common sense spending reforms — a binding 10year discretionary spending cap for non-national security and veteran programs, as well as an end to stimulus spending not obligated by the end of this year. That alone produces billions in savings over the next decade. Thune’s initiative also proposes several budget process improvements. He forces the executive and legislative branches to work more closely by requiring the White House to approve the congressional budget. Right now the president and the Congress produce separate plans. But this year the Democrats in Congress took the “dog ate my homework” approach and didn’t even write a fiscal blueprint.
Split approach The South Dakota Senator’s initiative also establishes a two-year budget timeline (now
Congress is supposed to produce annual budgets) and a legislative line item veto. Under this plan, the president proposes spending cuts, but then subjects these changes to congressional approval. This approach avoids the constitutional issues encountered by other line-item veto proposals that do not include a role for the legislative branch.
Examining the debt But it’s Thune’s final idea that deserves special attention — the creation of a Joint Committee of Congress on Deficit Reduction. This new panel would include 20 members of Congress, 10 from the House of Representatives and 10 from the Senate. The plan requires the new committee to introduce legislation annually to cut at least 10 percent of the previous year’s budget deficit by eliminating spending. This measure would receive expedited consideration in both chambers to act on its recommendations. It’s an approach that makes sense for a variety of reasons. First, we are no longer awaiting the fiscal crisis. It has arrived. We may not yet feel its full impact, but like a cancer, it’s growing.
Seek out waste Congress needs to recognize and elevate this fiscal emergency on its priority list. Numerous committees in the House and Senate spend tax dollars and create or expand programs. But Congress has no panels whose sole purpose is to find and eliminate needless or ineffective spending. The new joint committee would do just that. It would also signal to financial markets and the American people that Congress finally gets it. Washington should not be immune from the belt tightening experienced by everyone else. Congress has even cut spending using this approach in the past. In 1941, they passed a new law creating the Joint Committee on the Reduction of Federal Expenditures — a panel that included senior members of the House and Senate, as well as the Secretary of the Treasury and the head of what was then called the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget). At the time, Congress was trying to eliminate a number of New Deal programs that had outlived their usefulness. Sounds like history is repeating itself. Spending and debt are out of control, and Congress lacks the tools and discipline to address the problem. Political scientists have long argued that procedure shapes policy. This new set of utensils could help lawmakers attack the longterm budget issue. Thune is throwing his colleagues some procedural lifelines. Lawmakers better not wait for an invite from Barbara Walters or Whoopi Goldberg before they agree to take hold.
COLUMN
American public turns sour By BOB FRANKEN HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — The indicators are so dismal for Democrats that they couldn’t be blamed if they decided to forfeit the November elections. The immortal words of one of their own, James Carville, are being thrown right back in their faces by Republicans. Of course, I mean Carville’s 1992 declaration: “It’s the economy, stupid.” If today’s economic situation is not in the tank, it sure looks like it may be teetering on the edge again. Pessimism reigns. The newest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows that nearly twothirds of those polled are depressed about the perceived recession.
Can’t blame Bush As much as Democrats would still like to blame George W. Bush, he’s no longer president, a job that is also known as the “Blame-Taker-in Chief.” And the poll numbers show that. Six in 10 feel President Obama’s economic policies have fallen short. This is not exactly a hospitable environment for
those in his own party, struggling to keep Republicans from taking control of Congress. There is one number that gives Democrats a glimmer of hope. That’s the puny 24 percent of voters who give the Republicans a positive mark, a new low for the Wall Street Journal’s survey. But even that glimmer is tarnished for the Democrats by their own 33 percent rating, which is pretty close to their historic bottom.
Symbolism Democratic pollster Peter Hart, a member of the team that conducted the Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, suggested that widespread public frustration was symbolized by the JetBlue flight attendant who used the emergency slide to jump out of his plane after it landed at Kennedy Airport following a confrontation with a passenger. The November balloting is the “JetBlue election,” Hart said. “Everyone’s hurling invective and they’re all taking the emergency exit. So the Republicans smell blood — and their base is stoked by their passionate belief that the
country is heading toward socialistic ruin. As for the Democratic base, it’s disgruntled with little to get gruntled about. . . .or get revved up enough to vote. The D’s have one big chance against the R’s. It’s the strategy as old as politics: Go negative. So do not be surprised to hear Democrats engaging in some GOP name-calling....names like Sharron Angle, Rand Paul, Linda McMahon...and don’t forget Sarah Palin, the Mamma Grizzly, whatever that is. Those are members of the GOP Wild Bunch. . . Senate nominees who march to the Tea Party’s drummers.
Election battles Nevada’s Angle has already accomplished the impossible by giving Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid a chance of being re-elected. McMahon, the former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO, can expect a noholds-barred campaign against her in Connecticut. As for Paul, in Kentucky, he’s taking a crash course in keeping his political opinions to himself after a few wisps eked out, such as his skeptical
view of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After his remarks sparked criticism, he quickly announced he would not support its repeal. The primaries in Florida and Arizona on Aug. 24 are likely to give us more evidence of the public mood. Florida is the test of nouveau Independent Charlie Crist, who after being shunned by conservative fundamentalists as not “Republican enough,” bailed on his on his party and will run in November against the anointed Republican, Marco Rubio, and whichever Democrat emerges from the primary. As for Arizona, the big issue is immigration. Incumbent Sen. John McCain is doing everything he can to obscure his record of moderation because he’s running against J.D. Hayworth, a red-meat conservative, former member of the U.S. House and recent the radio talk show host. A good rule of thumb is to be wary of conventional wisdom, even if the polls back it up. Right now consensus is that this is a “Throw-the-RascalsOut” kind of year. The best hope for the Democrats is to hammer away at the ones who want to be thrown in.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
PAGE 6A
Zentertainment Kim fights for title today EVENT DETAILS
By EMILIO RÁBAGO III
When: Saturday, Aug. 14 Time: Doors open at 6 p.m.; first fight at 8 p.m. Tickets prices: $10-$30, plus facilty fees, available at all Ticketmaster locations. Table prices: 10-seat tables available for $350 (third row); $500 (second row), $750 (ringside) TV: TV Azteca and Fox Sports Southwest
File photo by Ricardo Segovia | The Zapata Times
An ecstatic Ji-Hoon Kim, center, celebrates after his first-round knockout win at the Laredo Energy Arena in May. He’ll compete for the IBF lightweight title on Saturday, also at the LEA. His record speaks for itself: 21-5 (18 knockouts). Vasquez, meanwhile, has a record of 25-3 (12 knockouts). Presented by Art Pelullo/ Banner Promotions, Rodney Berman/Golden Gloves and Zanfer Promotions, the main event will crown a new IBF lightweight champion — a title that is currently vacant. Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo says “this will be the first major world
title fight in Laredo since the great International Boxing Hall of Famer Orlando Canizales defended the IBF bantamweight world title against Sergio Reyes in October 1994.”
International flavor Boxers from South Korea, Mexico, South Africa and Brazil will get in the ring, and announcers from South
Africa, Mexico and Brazil will call the action. Featured fighters in the other matches include Hekkie Budler, of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Jackson Junior, of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Also appearing on the card will be local favorite Rodolfo Gomez Jr., the son of Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez. Gomez Jr. is from the Canizalez boxing camp. “We’re very lucky to have a fight of this caliber. Put it this way: (The winner’s) next fight will be in the six figures,” Treviño said. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
H-E-B seeks best burger recipe By EMILIO RÁBAGO III THE ZAPATA TIMES
Can you make a meantasting hamburger? If the answer is yes, you might want to enter the “Build a Better Burger” contest, sponsored by H-E-B. The H-E-B at the corner of McPherson Road and Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo, known as the “Gucci-B,” will host the contest at 3 p.m Sunday . The contest is open to any cook 21 or older,
‘Fuego de Flamenco’ today at Gallery 201 THE ZAPATA TIMES
THE ZAPATA TIMES
It took less than three minutes for South Korean Ji-Hoon Kim to knock out Panama’s Ameth Diaz last time Kim was in the ring at the Laredo Energy Arena. With a devasting blow to the back of Diaz’s left ear in May, Kim earned a shot at the International Boxing Federation lightweight championship — the title match which will be held Saturday at the arena. Kim, known in the boxing world as “Volcano” and ranked No. 1 in the IBF lightweight category, will fight Saturday again at the arena against No. 3-ranked Miguel Angel “Titere” Vasquez of Guadalajara, Jalisco. It will mark Kim’s third fight at the LEA, and his record in Laredo is 2-0. “He wanted to come to Laredo because he really likes the city,” said Anissa Treviño, the LEA’s marketing director. “He’s become fan favorite here. The times I’ve talked to him, he’s the nicest person in the world.”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
but you must enter by 3 p.m. today, the sign-up deadline. To enter, simply fill out a form at the H-E-B’s wine section. Wine Steward Fay Mainhart is inviting the public to participate and she is at the store after noon. Burgers will be judged on creativity, taste, visual appeal and ease of preparation. Here are the rest of the rules:
All burgers must have a recipe and name All burgers must be made of grilled patties and cooked to their recipe No sides; only the burger must be presented Burgers must be presented to the judges at 3 p.m. sharp Sunday. The contest, only the second in Laredo, is part of the national “Build a Better Burger” contest, celebrating its 20th anniversary. H-E-B is handing out gift
cards valued at $75, $50 and $25 for first, second and third place, respectively. Mainhart said most entrants cook their burgers at home, but a grill will be available at the store as well. People are also encouraged to go check out the winners Sunday. For more information, call Mainhart at 712-2459. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
Downtown’s Gallery 201 will host dancers from as far as Spain for “Fuego de Flamenco,” set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature artists from the MexicoEspaña Dance Company, which includes Sonya Jimenez, Francisco J. “Yiyt” Orozco, Jackie Rodriguez Navar and Steve Arispe. Jimenez is a dancer. She began her dance studies at the age of 6. She has also danced with the Jose Greco II Dance Company and the Entre Flamenco Dance Company. Orozco, the group’s singer and percussionist, was born in Barcelona, where he started flamenco at the age of 4. He was trained by his father, flamenco singer Joselon de Jerez. He started singing in his late teens and has performed throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S. Navar, from San Antonio, began dancing when she was very young and has performed nationally and internationally in many flamenco festivals. She is an instructor at the San Antonio Dance Academy.
Courtesy photo
Gallery 201, in downtown Laredo, is hosting the MexicoEspaña Dance Company for “Fuego de Flamenco” today at 7:30 p.m. Arispe is considered a powerful flamenco guitarist. He also hails from San Antonio. He is selftaught and has been playing for more than 15 years. According to Gayle Rodriguez of Gallery 201, the quartet’s show will be passionate. Gallery 201 is located at 513 San Bernardo Ave. Tickets to “Fuego de Flamenco” are $20, with tapas and set-ups included. The event is BYOB. For information, call 237-0627 or 251-2442.
SÁBADO 14 DE AGOSTO DE 2010
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 14 DE AGOSTO LAREDO — El Laredo TEA Party estará vendiendo platillos de carne asada en O’Reilly Auto Parts (302 Calton Road) de 11 a.m. a 3 p.m. de hoy por 5 dólares cada uno. El dinero es para publicitar la agenda del grupo. LAREDO — Hoy es la Jornada Sabatina del Consulado de México en Laredo, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Puede obtener una cita previa utilizando el servicio de Mexitel, en EU marcando al 1877-639-4835) y en México al 01-800-9000-773. LAREDO — Hoy es el evento de IBF World Title Fights en la Laredo Energy Arena a las 8 p.m. NUEVO LAREDO — El PRI invita a una Brigada Médico Asistencial en Soriala La Fé a partir de las 10 a.m. Se beneficiará a residentes de las Colonias La Fé, Américo Villarreal, Fraccionamiento J. Longoria, Las Torres y Cavazos Lerma. NUEVO LAREDO — Celebración Internacional de los Pueblos Indígenas con proyección de imágenes y sonidos prehispánicos a las 4 p.m. en el Museo Reyes Meza. Entrada libre.
MIÉRCOLES 18 DE AGOSTO LAREDO — El Centro de Rehabilitación Ruthe B. Cowl tendrá una recaudación de fondos en Chili’s Bar & Grill, del 5702 San Bernardo Ave., de 11 a.m. a 11:30 p.m. el día de hoy. Chili’s donará 10 por ciento de su compra de comida al centro de rehabilitación.
JUEVES 19 DE AGOSTO LAREDO — La Fundación para la Herencia del Condado de Webb invita al público a conocer al fotógrafo Christopher Talbot en la recepción de apertura de una exhibición de sus fotografías “Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail” a las 6 p.m. de hoy en el Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St.
Zfrontera
Zapata tendrá un Hernández: hay parálisis déficit mayor por narco
Condado recibirá 7 millones menos de lo esperado POR LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
“
POR E. EDUARDO CASTILLO
Líderes del Condado de Zapata, ya tambaleados por las noticias de que el condado está enfrentando el doble de déficit que esperaban, fueron golpeados con más malas noticias el 9 de julio, cuando se les dijo que el condado debía esperar 7 millones de dólares menos de los que tuvo el año pasado. La revelación surgió tras que la Jefa de Avalúos Amada Gonzalez envió una carta a la Juez del Condado Rosalía Guerra, asesorándola de un problema crítico. “Lamento informarle que se hizo un error en el cálculo de la porción M&O”, escribió Gonzalez, refiriéndose a los fondos de mantenimiento y operación en el presupuesto. El M&O está compuesto de los fondos generales del condado y el servicio de deuda que el condado paga, lo cual incluye la labor para marcar el control de caminos/inundaciones y los fondos especiales de caminos y puentes.
dólares, sino 7 millones de dólares (menos)”, dijo el Comisionado Jose E. Vela. “Ahora tenemos que enfrentarnos a los recortes”. Cuando Gonzalez presentó los valores certificados el 28 de Julio, Guerra utilizó esas cifras para desarrollar el balance presupuesto que presentó el 30 de julio. La tasa total de impuesto para el 2010 para el Condado de Zapata, después de las exoneraciones, se ubica en 2.7 billones de dólares. Esa cifra de certificación es significativamente menor que la valoración total del 2009, la cual fue de 3.1 billones de dólares. Propiedad menor y valores de minerales resultaron en el déficit presupuestal original del año fiscal 2010-2011.
Causa y efecto
Números
Al calcular el M&O, la oficina de Gonzalez inadvertidamente utilizó los valores de propiedad del año pasado en lugar de los nuevos, dijo ella. “Mis valores de certificación, los cuales certifiqué el 28 de julio, son correctos”, dijo Gonzalez a la Corte de Comisionados el lunes. “No hay errores en mis valores”. Los comisionados estaban visiblemente decepcionados por el error en cálculo de Gonzalez. “No son 3 millones de
Zapata ha mantenido la misma tasa de impuestos por los pasados cinco años, y si la tasa del condado de 0.736096 por 100 dólares de valoración continúa igual, la menor valoración de propiedad podría no generar suficientes ganancias para el siguiente año fiscal, poniendo al condado en un agujero más profundo y forzando a oficiales a incrementar impuestos ó hacer más recortes presupuestales. El año pasado, el presupuesto del condado fue de
No podemos irnos con la tasa de impuestos del año pasado”. DELIA MENDOZA, GERENTE DE LA OFICINA DE IMPUESTOS DEL CONDADO DE ZAPATA aproximadamente 29 millones de dólares. Este año, con la reducción de 7 millones de dólares, el condado solamente tendrá 22 millones de dólares en el presupuesto total para trabajar, a menos que la tasa de impuestos se incremente a la tasa efectiva de 0.839300. “Estaremos cortos, por lo que no podemos irnos con la tasa de impuestos del año pasado”, dijo Delia Mendoza, gerente de la oficina de impuestos del Condado de Zapata. “Tenemos que irnos por la tasa de impuestos efectiva de .8393. Esto es cuánto necesitaremos para generar la misma cantidad de dinero que el año pasado”. En la reunión, los comisionados dejaron en claro que ellos no desean incrementar la tasa de impuestos y estará viendo otros caminos para recortar gastos. “Aún hay 3 millones de dólares que los comisionados necesitan recortar si ellos no desean incrementar los impuestos”, dijo Guerra. De acuerdo a oficiales, la cantidad de ganancia esperada en el año fiscal 20102011 es incierta, conforme el condado sigue trabajando con cifras preliminares. Cifras finales no estarán disponibles hasta que el presupuesto sea certificado en septiembre. (Localice a Lorraine L. Rodriguez en el 728-2557)
ANTES DEL CAMBIO DE PODERES
SÁBADO 21 DE AGOSTO LAREDO — La Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society se reúne hoy de 9:30 a.m. al mediodía en el Auditorio de la UTHSC, 1937 E. Bustamante St. La reunión presentará el libro “No Greater Sacrifice A Son’s Model to Success” del ex laredense Armando L. Garcia, ex alumno de la Generación 1962 de Martin High School.
LAREDO — Hoy es la campaña de recaudación de fondos “Empty Bowls” que organiza el Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas y la Laredo Energy Arena, con la presentación de Three Dog Night. Adquiera sus boletos por 15, 25 y 30 dólares, a través de Ticketmaster y la Taquilla de LEA.
SÁBADO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE LAREDO — Se llevará a cabo una venta de libros en la Widener Room de la First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. La entrada es gratuita. También se acepta la donación de libros y revistas. LAREDO — Hoy es el AutMust Fest en terrenos de Texas A&M International University. La música inicia a las 4:30 p.m. Los boletos tienen costo de 15 dólares en la puerta. Niños menores de 12 años entran gratis. El estacionamiento también es gratuito.
SÁBADO 2 DE OCTUBRE Hoy se presenta en la Laredo Energy Arena el comediante Gabriel Iglesias.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MÉXICO — Los gobernadores de México le advirtieron el jueves al presidente Felipe Calderón que algunas zonas fronterizas están paralizadas por la violencia del narcotráfico y le pidieron ampliar la atención a los jóvenes para evitar que sean captados por los carteles de las drogas. Como parte de una serie de reuniones para evaluar y remodelar su estrategia contra el crimen organizado, el mandatario hizo un llamado a los gobernadores de enfrentar juntos el problema, pues de lo contrario el país “estará en gravísimo peligro para las generaciones futuras por la amenaza criminal”. Los jefes de los gobiernos de estados del sur del país le pidieron más acción para controlar la frontera con Centroamérica, de donde llegan armas, drogas e inmigrantes indocumentados. En el encuentro, el gobernador de Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández, aseguró que la violencia del crimen organizado ha provocado que algunas regiones fronterizas se vean “paralizadas” en materia económica, aunque no especificó los lugares. Tamaulipas ha sido uno de los estados más afectados por el narcotráfico y ha padecido uno de los hechos inéditos de la violencia atribuida al crimen organizado como el asesinato de un virtual candidato a gobernador. José Reyes, gobernador de Chihuahua, dijo que además de la batalla para
detener a los presuntos criminales es necesario realizar estudios psicológicos, antropológicos y sociológicos sobre la actuación de las pandillas locales, integradas en buena parte por jóvenes que son reclutados por los carteles de las drogas. Propuso iniciar una política de reparación del daño social a los familiares de las más de 28.000 víctimas de la violencia atribuida al crimen organizado, para evitar una “cadena de odio” que los lleve a buscar venganza. Chihuahua es el estado que más asesinatos ha padecido en todo el país y a él pertenece Ciudad Juárez, la localidad considerada más afectada por la violencia de los carteles y donde también han ocurrido algunos hechos inéditos como el reciente uso de un coche bomba para atacar a la policía federal. El jefe de gobierno de la ciudad de México, Marcelo Ebrard, consideró que “si no afectamos su flujo de recursos, su patrimonio, la magnitud de las utilidades (de los carteles), yo veo muy difícil que podamos vencerlos en los próximos años”. Coincidente en la necesidad de atender mejor a los jóvenes, Ebrard propuso ampliar la oferta educativa, particularmente para la población entre 15 y 25 años, y fortalecer los planes para evitar el crecimiento de adicciones. Los gobernadores también coincidieron en la necesidad de invertir más en infraestructura, promoción de empleo y reactivación económica en las zonas afectadas por la violencia.
Senado de EU da ‘ok’ a reforzar su frontera sur POR JIM ABRAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
MIÉRCOLES 25 DE AGOSTO
PÁGINA 7A
El Gobernador de Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores, a la derecha, y el Gobernador electo, Egidio Torre Cantú, sostuvieron una reunión de trabajo en Casa de Gobierno, en la que abordaron diferentes temas. Hernández refrendó su compromiso para que la transición de gobierno se genere en las mejores condiciones técnicas y administrativas. La entrega recepción es un proceso legal que permite tener la información y la documentación necesaria para facilitar el cambio de una gestión pública a otra.
Comercializarán cosechas ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MÉXICO, D.F. — La SAGARPA realizará un primer aporte de 100 millones de pesos para apoyar a los productores que perdieron la totalidad de sus cosechas de sorgo y maíz en los distritos 025 y 026 por el trasvaso de agua de las presas “Carranza”, “Marte R. Gómez” y “Falcón”. Debido a ese trasvase unas 16 mil hectáreas continúan inundadas en demérito de la economía de los agricultores y de Tamaulipas. El gobernador del Estado, Eugenio Hernández Flores, quien estuvo acompañado de diputados federales y representantes de los productores de los distritos de riego 025 y 026, detalló al Secretario de la SAGARPA, Francisco Mayorga Castañeda, la situación que atraviesa el campo tamaulipeco como consecuencia de las inundaciones que han impactado de manera negativa la producción de granos y a los hatos ganaderos. Mayorga instruyó al secretario de Desarrollo Rural, Víctor de León Orti, colocar en el mercado de granos las 500 mil toneladas de sorgo, cuya calidad se ha visto mermada como consecuencia del exceso de humedad, pero que aún es útil para su industrialización. Hernández destacó que los 2 millones
Foto de cortesía Gobierno de Tamaulipas
La SAGARPA y Gobierno de Tamaulipas colocarán en el mercado de granos unas 500 mil toneladas de sorgo que, pese a la humedad, aún es útil para su industrialización. de tonelada de sorgo que se pactaron bajo el concepto de agricultura por contrato se encontraban en bodega al momento del impacto del huracán “Alex” y será a finales de esta semana, cuando concluya la trilla de las 100 mil hectáreas el momento en el que se entregarán los apoyos a los productores que se han visto afectados por las inundaciones en estos distritos. En cuanto a la ganadería, Hernández dijo que existen mecanismos de apoyo para dar cobertura a los productores que se vieron afectados con la pérdida de unas 3 mil cabezas de ganado, así como daños en sus unidades de producción.
WASHINGTON — Decidido a demostrar que se propone contener el flujo de inmigrantes indocumentados, el Senado de Estados Unidos aprobó el jueves un proyecto de ley que asigna 600 millones de dólares a reforzar la frontera con México con más agentes y equipos. El voto nominal envía la legislación al presidente Barack Obama, quien ha instado al Congreso a asignar más fondos para la seguridad fronteriza, en medio de quejas de los estados vecinos de México, acosados por indocumentados y narcotráfico. Los senadores destacaron la urgencia de la medida al interrumpir su receso veraniego para votarla. La iniciativa ya había sido aprobada el martes por la Cámara de Representantes. La ley agrega 1.500 efectivos a la patrulla fronteriza, aduanas e inmigración y nuevos aviones no tripulados de patrullaje. Los demócratas en la cámara baja también habían convocado a una sesión especial para aprobar la ley de seguridad fronteriza y una asistencia por 26.000 millones de dólares para evitar despidos de maestros y otros trabajadores públicos. Ambas cuestiones —empleos y seguridad fronteriza— figuran entre los que figurarán de manera
La ley agrega 1.500 efectivos a la patrulla fronteriza, aduanas e inmigración y nuevos aviones no tripulados de patrullaje. destacada entre las prioridades de los votantes en noviembre. Donald Ritchie, historiador del Senado, dijo que era apenas la segunda vez desde que se impuso el receso de agosto en 1970 que la cámara alta lo había interrumpido para reunirse. La primera vez fue después del huracán Katrina en 2005. La medida de seguridad fronteriza financiará la contratación de unos mil agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza en zonas críticas, 250 agentes de inmigración y aduanas y 250 de aduanas y protección fronteriza. Casi un tercio de los fondos van al Departamento de Justicia para ayudar a oficinas como el FBI, la DEA y la Oficina Federal de Alcohol, Tabaco y Armas de Fuego (ATF por sus siglas en inglés) a lidiar con traficantes de drogas o de indocumentados.
Crime & More
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Highway chase leads to marijuana find By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Deputies seized 56 pounds of marijuana after a man led them on a 15minute chase early Friday throughout Zapata and boundary of Jim Hogg County. At about 5 a.m., Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office deputies attempted a traffic stop on a silver Dodge pickup in central Zapata. According to officials, the driver of the vehicle refused to stop and sped off. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said the vehicle was traveling at high rate of speed and reached about 100 mph. The driver eventually turned east on Texas 16 toward Hebbronville, he added. Deputies attempted to stop the suspected vehicle, but the pickup struck two patrol cars and entered into Jim Hogg County, head-
Courtesy photo
After a 15-minute chase Friday, Zapata County Sheriff deputies find 56 pounds of marijuana in a laundry bag. ing toward the Border Patrol checkpoint. Elizondo said nobody was harmed. The driver bailed out of the vehicle and absconded in the brush. Elizondo said authorities are following leads to identify the alleged offender. When deputies inspected the vehicle, they found a blue laundry bag in the back of the truck.
It contained one large bundle of marijuana. Its weight was approximately 56 pounds and had an approximate street value of $7,896. The sheriff ’s department has an open investigation on the case. To provide information, call deputies at 765-9960. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Deputies responded to a criminal mischief call that later turned into a fight in progress at about 3 a.m. Aug. 6 at Oso Blanco Motel on U.S. 83 in south Zapata. Nora Ampara Toscano, 37, was arrested on charges of assault of a public servant, assault family violence and violation of protective order. An incident report stated that Toscano became aggressive and pushed a deputy. The woman was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu of a combined $60,000 bond. Deputies responded to an assault call at about 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at Villa Del Rio Apartments on 2300 Alamo St. An incident report states that a woman was assaulted by a known person. Deputies responded to an aggravated sexual assault call around 2 a.m. Aug. 8 in the 1200 block of Davis Lane. The Zapata County
Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation.
of Pascual Lane. The complainant stated that unknown people broke the north side window of the property with a rock.
BURGLARY A man reported a burglary around 8 p.m. Aug. 7 in the 5200 block of Cuellar Lane. The complainant stated that an unknown person stole a stereo from his truck. Deputies responded to a burglary of habitation call at about 9 p.m. Aug. 8 in the 5300 block of Lopez Lane. The victim stated that unknown people broke into her residence and stole her TV. Deputies responded to a burglary of building call around 8:30 a.m. Monday in the intersection of Lopez Lane and Monterrey Drive in the Siesta Shores Subdivision. The complainant stated that someone stole her lawnmower. An attempt to burglarize a building was reported around midnight Thursday in the 5200 block
THEFT Officials responded to a theft call at about noon Aug. 7 at EOG Resources/Maureen Alexander Lease on U.S. 83. An incident report states that unknown people used a truck to steal 61 barrels of raw diesel, worth $5,551. Deputies responded to a theft call at about 1 p.m. Aug. 8 in the 400 block of Zapata Avenue. The male complainant stated that someone stole his ladder. Deputies responded to a theft call at about 11 p.m. Aug. 8 in the 1000 block of South Siesta Lane in the Siesta Shores Subdivision. The complainant stated that someone stole booster cables and a battery charger from his home.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
Nation
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Accomplice was informant JOHN MCCLUSKEY: Serving a 15-year sentence when he escaped.
By FELICIA FONSECA ASSOCIATED PRESS
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An Arizona fugitive’s accomplice was acting as a drug mule for a white supremacy group and agreed to become a police informant weeks before she helped him escape from prison, authorities said Friday. Casslyn Welch and John McCluskey, who is Welch’s fiance and cousin, are now considered among the most wanted fugitives in America. Authorities say Welch helped McCluskey and two other men escape from the Arizona State Prison in Kingman on July 31 by throwing wire cutters over a fence. Daniel Renwick and Tracy Province have since been captured. Welch was visiting McCluskey at the medium-security prison in June when a random search of Welch and her vehicle turned up marijuana, heroin and drug paraphernalia, Mohave County sheriff ’s spokeswoman Trish Carter said. Welch wasn’t jailed because she agreed to become an informant, and she provided information about the suppliers of the drugs, Carter said. Welch told investigators she was being paid by members or associates of supremacists to smuggle heroin into the prison as she had successfully done three times before. She declined to say who the items were intended for at the prison. Fidencio Rivera, chief deputy U.S. marshal for Arizona, said authorities believe Welch and McCluskey have minimal ties to white supremacy groups in or out of prisons and “we’re not expending much resources on that right now.” The search continued Friday for Welch and
CASSLYN MAE WELCH: Was a drug mule before she aided escape.
Man dies after liver donation By IVAN MORENO ASSOCIATED PRESS
McCluskey, but it no longer was focused on Arkansas, where Welch has family, or Montana, where the two last were seen Aug. 6. Rivera said the pair could be anywhere. “It’s a cat and mouse game right now,” he said. “They’re hiding, and we’re trying to find them.” Attention on Arkansas intensified Wednesday when a man and a woman who robbed a beauty parlor in Gentry were believed to be the Arizona fugitives. Officials have since conceded that the robbers were probably locals. Marshals and border officials in Montana are following up on what leads they have, but there have been no developments in the past few days, said Rod Ostermiller, Montana’s acting U.S. marshal. “At this point in time, just because of the time frame we’re working with, we’re expanding way beyond Montana,” Ostermiller said Friday afternoon. A reward of up to $35,000 is being offered for information leading to their Welch’s and McCluskey’s arrests. They are believed to be traveling in a
1997 Nissan Sentra that is gold, gray or tan in color. Authorities say the two likely will become more dangerous as the manhunt continues. “Our concern is that they’re still desperate. There’s a lot of attention on them,” Rivera said. “They’re going to potentially make a mistake and hurt somebody.” Marshals are asking travelers at truck stops along highways and in campgrounds nationwide to watch out for the couple, who may have dyed their hair and otherwise changed their appearance. McCluskey and Welch are financing their getaway by committing crimes along the way and using their experience as longhaul truck drivers, Rivera said. “We know they’re out there and they’re committing crimes out there to get money,” Rivera said. “They have limited funds, they’re sleeping in their car, they’re staying at rest stops, campsites. They’re not using a whole lot of money.” Rivera said authorities believe that McCluskey and Welch are avoiding contact with family members, who have provided limited information to authorities. Their route has crossed at least 1,900 miles since their escape. “Sometimes we track people for years, sometimes we get lucky,” Rivera said. “No matter what happens, this case will always be a priority for us.” Welch is facing a growing list of charges since the escape, including kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated assault. She was charged last
week with six counts of narcotics violations for the drugs she’s accused of bringing to the prison. Welch told investigators in June that the marijuana belonged to her, Carter said, but she picked up what she was told was heroin packaged in balloons from two men in Phoenix and was paid $200 each time she smuggled it into the prison, according to police records. On the night of the escape, Welch had packed a getaway car nearby with cash, weapons and false identification, Rivera has said. But Renwick, Province, McCluskey became disoriented and could not find the car after they cut through the prison fence. The group split up, and Renwick found the vehicle and drove off, leaving the other three to hijack a tractor-trailer and head to Flagstaff. Renwick, who was serving time for second-degree murder, was arrested after a shootout with law enforcement in Rifle, Colo., two days after the escape. The rest of the group was linked through forensic evidence to the deaths of an Oklahoma couple whose bodies were found in their charred camper in eastern New Mexico last week, authorities there said. Province, who was serving a life sentence for murder and robbery, was captured without incident after being spotted hanging out and singing hymns at a Wyoming church. McCluskey was serving a 15-year prison term for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm.
DENVER — A Colorado hospital announced Friday that it has temporarily suspended live donor liver transplants while it investigates the death of a South Dakota man who donated part of his liver to his brother. The death would be Colorado’s first of a live liver donor and the fourth in the country if it’s ruled it was a result of the procedure, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing. The University of Colorado Hospital, which performed its first successful live donor liver transplant in 1997, is continuing other transplants but is “taking a step back” from live donor liver transplants following the death of 34year-old Ryan Arnold of Watertown, S.D. “If there’s something that needs to be corrected, we will correct it,” spokeswoman Erika Matich said. The hospital has conducted 141 successful live donor liver transplants. Ryan Arnold died Aug. 2, four days after the surgery in which he gave part of his liver to his brother Chad, 38, who lives in suburban Denver. Chad Arnold was home briefly but was readmit-
ted to a Denver-area hospital to continue his recovery. “I think overall his attitude is to make his life count,” said Rod Arnold, 42, referring to how his brother Chad is holding up. UNOS spokesman Joel Newman said the living donor liver transplants are relatively rare in the U.S., where the procedure has been conducted 4,126 times since 1989. “Everybody at the hospital is very distraught, anybody who had anything to do with this wonderful family,” she said. Ryan Arnold went into cardiac arrest Aug. 1 and then fell into a coma, Rod Arnold said. The coroner hasn’t determined a cause of death, he said. “He was a man of uncommon character and someone I looked up to,” Rod Arnold said. “What he did for Chad was really just an extension of how he lived his life.” Rod Arnold said his brother “never really wavered” in his decision to give part of his liver to help his brother battle an incurable liver disease known as PSC. “From the beginning he just said, ’I gotta do this,”’ Rod Arnold said. Ryan Arnold is survived by his wife, Shannon, and three sons.
Nation
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
7.2 quake hardly felt in Guam ASSOCIATED PRESS
HAGATNA, Guam — A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 230 miles off the southern coast of Guam on Saturday morning, but many residents didn’t even notice. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said there was no widespread tsunami generated from the shallow quake
Photo by The Florida Times-Union/First Coast News | AP
In this frame grab from video by First Coast News in Jacksonville, Fla., the three kids who decided to fly to Nashville to go to Tennessee talk about their experience from their Jacksonville home Friday. The kids, from left, Codie Brown, 11, friend Bobby Nolan III, 13, and Bridget Brown, 15, flew with money saved from babysitting, unbeknownst to their parents.
3 kids buy tickets, fly By BRENDAN FARRINGTON ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bored on a hot summer day, three Florida youngsters were just sitting around when one sent a text message to another with an adventurous idea. “Hey do you want to go 2 Tennessee today,” the message read. “Sure,” the other responded. Not even old enough to get a driver’s license, they took a taxi to the airport Tuesday, bought tickets with baby-sitting money and — unbeknown to their parents, the three (ages 15, 13 and 11) — boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Jacksonville to Nashville, according to a TV news account. Nobody asked a question. Nobody asked for identification. Not the taxi driver. Not the ticket counter. Not security officials or flight attendants or other passengers. So when they landed in Nashville with just $40 left and their destination, Dollywood, still hundreds of miles away, they finally called home.
The jig was up. “I just wanted to fly,” 15year-old Bridget Brown, told WJXX-TV in Jacksonville. “I had the money.” Now their parents are wondering how the trip was possible. Southwest Airlines said in a statement that the company’s policy on minors is similar to other carriers in that it covers children ages 5 through 11 traveling alone, and that the 11-year-old in this case was accompanied by two older companions. The Transportation Security Administration does not require anyone under age 18 to show identification, but all bags are still screened. It is still unclear if any of the three should have been allowed to purchase tickets. A Southwest spokesman did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Messages left by The Associated Press on Friday at the families’ homes were not immediately returned. In an age of heightened security and terrorism threats, some are concerned three youngsters could so easily board an airline without parental
consent. Richard Bloom, an aviation a security expert, said while this incident amounted to a childhood jaunt, it highlights legitimate safety implications. The three youngsters certainly had no problem hopping a flight. Brown, with the $700 she had saved, took her 11-yearold brother Kodie and 13year-old friend Bobby Nolan III to the airport in the early afternoon. She said she purchased the three tickets at the Southwest Airlines counter without any problems. “He said OK and told us how much it would be and then we paid him,” Brown said. “Then he put the flight things on our bags, and then he said, ’You better run because you might miss your flight.”’ No issues at security, either. “We just took our stuff out of our pockets, took our shoes off and walked through it,” Nolan told the TV station. “And they didn’t say nothing.” The three arrived in Nashville and, realizing their plan was flawed, finally ’fessed up.
that occurred at 7:19 a.m. local time. Brandon Aydlett, a forecaster at the National Weather Service’s office in Guam, said nothing was felt in the U.S. territory. “It was completely unnoticed out here,” he said. Shawn Gumataotao, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Felix Camacho, said there were no immediate reports of damage with
many people sleeping through the quake. Officials in nearby Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands also said there were no reports of damage. The temblor occurred at a depth of about 3 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Guam is located 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.
S
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
MARIA AURORA GARZA
ZAPATA − Maria Aurora Garza, 85, passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, at her residence in Zapata. Ms. Garza is preceded in death by her husband Macedonio Guzman; sons Juan Ramon Guzman, Rogelio Guzman and Calixto Guzman and grandchildren Katia Isabel Guzman and Fernando Garza. Ms. Garza is survived by her sons Roy (Raquel) Guzman, Hector Guzman, Macedonio (Angelica) Guzman and Jose Emilio (Celia) Guzman; daughters Alice Guzman, Adelina (Federico) Garza, Margarita (Jose) Uvalle and Maria Aurora (Victor) Medellin and by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours were held Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, from 6 to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, at 9:45 for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83, Zapata.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
SOTERO E. RODRIGUEZ ZAPATA − Sotero E. Rodriguez, 63, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at McAllen Medical Center. Mr. Rodriguez is preceded in death by brothers, Regulo Rodriguez and Rogelio Rodriguez; sister, Maria Manuela Martinez and a brotherin-law Miguel T. Martinez. Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his wife Maria De Jesus Rodriguez; children Sotero E. (Edna Edith) Rodriguez of Mission, Homero (Minerva) Rodriguez and Maria Isabel “Mari” Rodriguez (Emilio Garza); grandchildren Sotero E. III, Christian Eliud, Giovanni Rodriguez, Arian Francisco, Michael Cortez, Samantha, Isabella Sofia Rodriguez, J. Javier (Maribel) Flores Jr., Vianey Ruby Lara and Juan Manuel Garza; great-grandchild Jayleen Ismar Flores; brothers and sisters Juan Antonio (Juana Estela) Rodriguez, Alejandro (Natalia) Rodriguez, Adelfa Martinez, Elisa (Vicente) Zesati from King City, Calif., Emma (Rogelio) Rodriguez and Elvira (Adolio) Bustamante; sister-in-law, Araceli Rodriguez; brother-in-law Domingo Martinez and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends. Visitation hours were held Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”
1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160
The funeral procession departed Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83 Zapata.
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
FEMA Continued from Page 1A with the flood,” Auddy Hernandez said from the county judge’s office. “They will have to fill out paperwork and answer questions. The second round is to come finish the process.” Falcon Lake flood victims could be eligible for up $29,900 from FEMA, but deductions will be made if other organizations have already assisted with funding or materials, Hernandez said. FEMA representatives will be setting up an office in the county courthouse on the second floor in room 248, Fire Chief Juan J. Meza said. “They are going to come and survey the
area and talk to people to see what they are going to need.” Flood victims can begin registering by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Teletypewriter, or TTY, users such as the hearing impaired can call (800) 462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time “until further notice,” according to a FEMA news release. Online registration is available at www.disasterassistance.gov, and mobile phone users can go to FEMA’s mobile phone page, m.fema.gov. Residents will be required to bring certain information for the application process, which in-
cludes the address of the damaged property, the current address and telephone number of residents, total household income, Social Security number, bank routing or direct deposit account number. Insurance information, photos and receipts of damages if any should also be included, Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas has said. After all applications are processed, FEMA representatives will determine the total amount allocated to each case. Congressman Henry Cuellar has said the average award is between $5,000 and $7,000. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2557)
COUNTY Continued from Page 1A and asked Gonzalez repeatedly if there were no errors in her calculations why was an apology letter sent to Guerra. The letter was later forwarded to all commissioners. Commissioner Jose E. Vela said the court will now be responsible for making more budget cuts in all departments if the taxes are not raised to the effective rate of 0.839300. Last year’s tax rate was 0.73096 per $100 valuation. Salinas was shortly kicked out after that discussion when he began addressing the court from his seat and discussing items not in the agenda. As Guerra and Salinas argued over budget issues and county employee salaries, Guerra decided to stop the discussion and move on, but Salinas would not stop speaking. That is when Guerra warned him if he did not stop talking she would hold him in contempt of court and be escorted out of her courtroom. Salinas continued to argue, and Guerra held him in contempt of court and had Salinas removed. At first, Salinas was incompliant saying, “I am an
According to Vela, there was no need to remove Salinas of his duties as he has been very reliable and has saved the county money. elected official, and I have every right to be here.” Also at the meeting, Salinas was also stripped by Guerra of his telephone system, retirement system, insurance, and electric utility responsibilities. Guerra made herself, the county auditor and the personnel director the sole responsible parties. Prior to the new appointments, Salinas has been the only on authorized to handle the duties and Guerra said she wanted more people to have access. According to Vela, there was no need to remove Salinas of his duties as he has been very reliable and has saved the county money. “I wouldn’t like to have a problem later for their lack of experience,” he said. In other business, with the news of the greater budget deficit the county will face, the Convention and Visitors Bureau was denied a request for $40,000, the re-
maining budget balance needed for a team roping event. “The event they wanted to invest the money in would not stimulate the hotel-motel tax fund,” said Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza, Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. “I would like to see the bureau dissolve because there is no need for two organizations.” Also approved at the meeting: an official five-member committee and policy for the Falcon Community Cemetery Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal has been appointed to serve on the Community Justice Council Vela has been reappointed member of the Border Region MHMR Community Center Board of Trustees (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956) 7282557.)
FUNDS Continued from Page 1A the same amount,” said Thatcher, adding, “It depends on the bus route.” With the fall schedule set from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, children are sure to have a good time, chimes Vela.
According to Thatcher, tennis lessons will be added to the list of activities this fall. “We have staff members that know how to play and want to teach,” Thatcher said. Currently employing a
handful of staff, Thatcher attributes much of the organizations’ success to volunteers and workforce members. (Stephanie M. Ibarra may be reached at (956) 728-2567 or sibarra@lmtonline.com)
HEALTH Continued from Page 1A accomplishments of America’s health centers. With more than 8,000 community health centers, 20 million people are serviced with 60 million visits per year. “We provide high-quality services that emphasize primary care and wellness so that families can stay healthy and out of hospitals,” said Miguel Treviño Jr., chief executive officer for Gateway Community Center. “There are 30,000 patients from Zapata, Webb and Jim Hogg (counties).” Gateway assumed responsibility of the management and operation of clinics in Zapata and Jim Hogg counties in May of
last year. More health care is in store for Zapata through health fairs and educational programs, Treviño said. “We need to increase our feasibility in Zapata,” he said. “There’s a great need over there.” According to Treviño, the theme for the week is “Turning the Vision into Reality,” and it coincides with Gateway’s 47-year record of providing high quality, cost-effective health care. The center began by servicing migrant farm workers in small buildings. Now, it has grown into a multi-million-dollar facility, with plans to construct a wellness education and
training center. “That is the key to the future,” Treviño said. According to Treviño, 40 years from now, providing health care for baby boomers will not be an issue; the child obesity epidemic will be a problem, as will having enough midlevel physicians to provide care for them. “We’re going to have obese kids with diabetes, cholesterol (and) chronic illnesses, and there’s not going to be enough money the way Medicare is going,” he said. “Our plan is to build on an educational component stronger than (what) we have already.” (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2557)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors NFL
VOLLEYBALL
COWBOYS SINGING RED ZONE BLUES Familiar flaws reappear By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARLINGTON — Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys are headed to California, hoping a change in scenery — and climate — snaps them out of their offensive funk. If nothing else, the 30degree drop in temperature could tempt coach Wade Phillips to leave them on the practice field longer. Sure, it’s only preseason and the starters haven’t been out there much — just three series led by Romo. They’re also breaking in a new starter at left tackle and injuries have claimed top pick Dez Bryant and most of their tight ends. The worrisome part for Dallas is that the problems exposed in the first two preseason games look awfully familiar: long drives that approach the goal line but don’t cross it (a bugaboo all last season) and an inability to keep quarterbacks upright (the fatal flaw in their playoff ouster). “We did some good things, some things we have to work on and get better at,” Romo said following a 17-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.
See COWBOYS PAGE 2B
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Kristina de Leon (11) of the Zapata Lady Hawks, goes for the ball as Natalia Medina of the Nixon Lady Mustangs defends during a Tuesday volleyball match at Nixon.
Rocky road Lady Hawks fall in road loss to Nixon By CLARA SANDOVAL LAREDO MORNING TIMES
LAREDO – The strength of a team emerges when it is tested without its head coach roaming the sidelines. Zapata head volleyball coach Rosie Villarreal was unable to attend the game Tuesday night due to personal reasons and took a leave of absence as interim coach Ana Villarreal took the reigns temporarily for Zapata. The Lady Hawks had their coach in their hearts and
Photo by LM Otero | AP
Oakland Raiders linebacker Trevor Scott forces a fumble by Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo (9) during the first quarter of the preseason NFL football game in at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Thursday.
See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B
MLB
MLB
Clemens faces defemation lawsuit
New owners get to work
By MICHAEL GRACZYK ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — An attorney for Brian McNamee said Friday he’s looking forward to airing — in New York — a defamation lawsuit the personal trainer has filed against seventime Cy Young winner Roger Clemens in their fight over doping allegations. Attorney Richard Emery commented one day after a federal appeals court refused to reinstate a similar suit Clemens has filed against McNamee in Texas. In its 2-1 ruling, a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a judge’s dismissal last year of most of Clemens’ claims against McNamee. The former trainer said he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone more than a dozen times, a claim the pitcher has denied. Clemens appealed the decision by U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison, saying the court lacked jurisdiction over Clemens’ claims
involving statements McNamee made in New York. “Thankfully, the court protected Brian from Clemens’ bullying ploy,” Emery said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “We can now see Clemens in court in Brooklyn and hold him accountable for his lies.” Clemens’ lawyer Rusty Hardin said Thursday he hadn’t decided what to do next about the appeals court ruling. In a dissent, Judge Catharina Haynes wrote she believed a proper jurisdiction for the lawsuit was Texas, Clemens’ home state, “where the brunt of the injury to his personal and professional reputation was sustained.” At a hearing last month before the New Orleansbased appeals court, Clemens’ attorneys argued Ellison was wrong when he ruled McNamee is entitled to immunity for statements he made to baseball investigator George Mitchell.
See CLEMENS PAGE 2B
By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARLINGTON — The new owners of the Texas Rangers are already lowering prices for fans while preparing for the increase in payroll they know will be necessary for the AL West leaders to have the chance to keep Cliff Lee and their core group of players intact. “We’re fully prepared to bear the cost of that,” new managing partner Chuck Greenberg said Friday. “And do it with a smile because we’re here to win.” A day after Major League Baseball formally approved a sale that pulled the Rangers out of bankruptcy, the new ownership group led by Greenberg and Hall of Fame pitcher and team president Nolan Ryan announced lower prices for concessions, parking and merchandise. Those went into effect Friday night for the start of a weekend series against Boston. Greenberg said the immediate lowering of costs for fans at Rangers Ballpark and the increased price paid in auction last week to get the team for a $590 million bid will not effect plans by the new group of 18 investors for ballpark upgrades and
Photo by LM Otero | AP
This Aug. 5, 2010, file photo shows Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan arriving for a news conference in Arlington. keeping their players. Lee is the ace left-hander the Rangers managed to get in a trade from Seattle on July 9, despite their uncertain situation then and the New York Yankees also pursuing the pitcher. Lee can become a free agent after this season, and is likely to be one of the most coveted and expensive players if he is on
the market. “Right now the terms are secondary. What matters most now is demonstrating that this is a family,” Greenberg said, adding the Rangers have “a pretty good idea” of what it will cost without offering specifics. Lee, who is 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA in seven starts for Texas with two com-
plete-game losses, said having the ownership and bankruptcy cleared up makes it easier for him to consider staying in Texas past this season. “Obviously you wanted that taken care of. It’s more of a stable situation, for sure. It’s good for the organization,” he said. “Yeah, it’s better than a bankrupt situation, for sure. It’s more attractive, yeah.” Josh Hamilton, the majors’ leading hitter, is eligible for salary arbitration after this season. The twotime All-Star is making $3.25 million, a bargain for a potential MVP. Greenberg and Ryan, who was not at the ballpark Friday, have already met with general manager Jon Daniels about the roster. “We feel like we have a pretty good handle on how to keep this team together with Cliff as a part of it,” Greenberg said. “It’s nothing that frightens us, and we’d be real happy to go into next season with that group and the cost that we project.” The Rangers have one of the lowest payrolls in the majors this season at around $55 million. “Right now this roster
See RANGERS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
Texas football primer By SCHUYLER DIXON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Snapshots of players, coaches and teams to watch as another high school football season begins Aug. 26. PLAYERS: JAXON SHIPLEY, BROWNWOOD Last of Shipleys and McCoys tries for elusive state title Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley have moved on to the pros. Case McCoy has followed both to Texas. Now the last of the Shipleys and McCoys will try to win the state championship that somehow eluded the rest of the bunch through four trips to title games. Brownwood receiver Jaxon Shipley is headed to Texas, too. But first, he has a chance to bring a storied Texas high school program its eighth state title. “It’s fun to play at a place like Brownwood where football is so important,” coach and father Bob Shipley said. “I think he’s really enjoyed that aspect of it.” The Lions went three rounds deep in the playoffs a year after a shocking 3-7 record their first season after dropping to Class 3A. Enter Bob Shipley, who led them back to the playoffs despite his son missing half the season with a broken collarbone. Jaxon Shipley never played with quarterback Graylon Brown, who got hurt before he came back. If both stay healthy, Brownwood could win its first title since 1981. “He’s really passionate about trying to win a state championship while he’s
in high school,” Bob Shipley said of his son. Although his talent draws double teams, Jaxon Shipley should be able to blend in a little better than last year when Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley made a run for a national title while the younger brothers were playing in the same district. Case McCoy and Graham beat Brownwood by a point. “I think there’s not a storyline game that everybody’s kind of pointing to like everybody was last year,” Bob Shipley said. “I don’t think that affected him last year, nor will it affect him this year.” Others to watch: — Michael Brewer, Lake Travis: The son of former Texas quarterback Robert Brewer was sensational in his first season replacing current Longhorns quarterback Garrett Gilbert. He accounted for 66 touchdowns in matching Gilbert’s 16-0 championship season from 2008. — Johnathan Gray, Aledo: There are a bunch of good senior running backs in Texas this year, but this junior might be the best. He had 2,813 rushing yards — more than any returning running back in the state — and 50 touchdowns in 2009. — Johnny Manziel, Kerrville Tivy: He piled up 3,450 yards and 53 touchdowns passing and rushing in leading the Antlers to the Class 4A Division II semifinals. He’s among eight returning starters on offense. — Deion Sanders, Lewisville Marcus: The son of the flamboyant former NFL star transferred from Cedar Hill, where he was
used occasionally as a receiver. He’s expected to be the quarterback at Marcus. COACHES: HANK CARTER, LAKE TRAVIS Coach makes debut under glare of 46-game winning streak Hank Carter picked a heck of a way to make his head coaching debut. He will carry the burden of Lake Travis’ 46-game winning streak, along with the feeling that anything short of a state record-tying fourth straight championship is a disappointment. He’s trying not to look at it that way. “I think it probably makes more difference to the people we’re playing than us,” Carter said. “Not that they need any reason to get up for Lake Travis. But it definitely gives them just a little incentive that they could knock us off and they could be the one that ended the streak. That’s not really a focus of ours.” Carter was the natural choice after spending 10 seasons on the staff of former coach Chad Morris, who left to try his hand at college coaching as an assistant at Tulsa. The last five of those were as Morris’ defensive coordinator, and Carter will still call the plays on defense. The offensive coordinator returns, too. “I think that’s the best part about it. We get to keep our system intact,” Carter said. “Not a whole lot is going to look any different than it’s looked.” That includes the quarterback. Michael Brewer will be in his second year as the starter after replac-
ing Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert last year. Brewer matched Gilbert’s 16-0 record, threw for 4,450 yards and accounted for 66 touchdowns. Brewer’s presence mitigates his coach’s anxiety, a point Carter made to his former boss as Morris wrestled with the decision to leave. “It was kind of lighthearted at the time, but I told him if you’re going to go, go now because I know I’ve got the quarterback coming back and that makes life a lot easier,” said Carter, who played for Morris at Eustace. Others to watch: — Trent Fuller, Arlington Lamar: Fuller replaces Eddy Peach, the only coach Arlington Lamar has ever known. Peach won 309 games in 39 seasons. — Ronnie Gage, Barbers Hill: A two-time state champion at Lewisville in the 1990s, Gage has returned to high school coaching. He spent the past three years at Austin College after a stint as the Lewisville school district athletic director. — Steve Marrow, Ennis: Marrow will coach at least the 2010 season while Sam Harrell battles multiple sclerosis. Harrell, who has won three state titles, went to Costa Rica this summer for treatments in hopes that his condition will improve enough to allow him to return to the sidelines. — G.A. Moore, Aubrey: The state’s winningest coach will try to pad his lead in his second season at Aubrey. He is 418-80-9 after leading Aubrey to an 11-2 record last year, a sixwin improvement over
personal trainer in Texas state court in January 2008, a month after McNamee’s accusations against the pitcher were published in the Mitchell Report. The suit was moved a month later to the federal court in Houston. McNamee claimed in the report that he injected
Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone in 1998, 2000 and 2001. Clemens said McNamee’s statements, which the trainer also repeated to Sports Illustrated’s website, were “untrue and defamatory.” The trainer sued Clemens for defamation in federal court in Brooklyn.
Clemens and McNamee in 2008 repeated their conflicting claims to a congressional committee, which then asked the Justice Department to look into whether the pitcher lied. Clemens denied using performance-enhancing drugs when he testified under oath to Congress.
RANGERS Continued from Page 1B is a lot more valuable than it is expensive, and that’s because of the relative youth and where players are in the economic system that baseball has,” Greenberg said. “Our payroll is going to rise on its own, it’s nothing we need to make a conscious decision to do. ... To go out and say we’re going to be at this club’s level or that club’s level would be a foolish thing to do, because it would be an artificial number.” Texas expected a sellout crowd Friday night for the Red Sox, and fans found cheaper prices at the concession stands that will be in effect at least through the rest of this reason. Hot dogs were reduced from $4.50 to $4, soda in
Lee, who is 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA in seven starts for Texas with two complete-game losses, said having the ownership and bankruptcy cleared up makes it easier for him to consider staying in Texas past this season. souvenir cups was down from $5.75 to $5 and bottled beers were cut from $7 to $6. The most-reduced concession was hot chocolate from $3 to $1, but with temperatures in the upper 90s that is not a big seller There are also plans for significant improvements to the 16-year-old Rangers Ballpark, including new video boards. Greenberg said all that was only the beginning. His group plans to hold a
series of town hall meetings and online chats with fans to get their feedback and see what they want. This is the “easy part” after the lengthy process to buy the team, which began for Greenberg in May 2009. His group entered into exclusive negotiations with Tom Hicks in December, struck a deal in January and then had a monthslong struggle that included a messy bankruptcy case and ultimately a bidding
Texas A&M’s returning all-american linebacker Von Miller (40) will be a key cog in new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s attempts to revive the Wrecking Crew.
Ags seek return to glory days By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE STATION — For a program steeped in as much tradition as Texas A&M, the last several years have been tough. The once-feared Aggies haven’t found much success since the glory days of the Wrecking Crew defenses of the late 1980s and early 1990s. From 1985-1998, Texas A&M won seven conference championships. Since then, the Aggies haven’t finished atop their conference and haven’t even had a winning record in Big 12 play since 2006. A year ago, a 6-7 record and a 44-20 loss to Georgia in the Independence Bowl left fans wondering whether the team will ever be a power again. Third-year coach Mike
Sherman believes Texas A&M is making progress. “When I took the job, I really felt that we had enough of a recruiting base in the state of Texas and that we had enough to sell, that we would be able to recruit players to come to make Texas A&M that type of team,” he said. “I think we’re getting closer to that point, that vision that I had when I took the job. This season for us is about taking that next step, and the next step for us it to be in games in the fourth quarter with two minutes left where you’re in position to win the football game.” “I think the Big 12 needs A&M to step up to the plate ... and be that type of team,” he said. “We’re ready to accept that challenge.”
VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B
CLEMENS Continued from Page 1B They contended the protection doesn’t extend to the Mitchell Commission that investigated performanceenhancing drug use in baseball, even though McNamee spoke to the panel as part of his cooperation with federal investigators. Clemens sued his former
Photo by Brett Davis | AP
war with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. “At the end of the day it came down to will, and it came down to resolve and commitment and passion, and we just weren’t going to be denied,” Greenberg said. “I think our fans can take a lot of comfort from the fact that that’s how we’re going to operate the franchise. We’re really a competitive group of people and there was no way we weren’t going to win.”
played like a Rosie Villarreal team that fought to the end despite not having her there physically. With every attack on offense and a defense that would not back down, one could almost see Villarreal willing her team to win. The Lady Hawks’ season opener against Nixon exposed a high-powered offense that took the Laredo 5A school to the limit. Nixon is regarded as one of the best volleyball programs in the Gateway City, boasting a string of playoff appearances the last five years under coach Mike Gabrillo. The Lady Hawks ultimately dropped a 23-25, 2522, 25-19, 17-25, and 14-16 heartbreaker decision to the Lady Mustangs on the road. “The girls did very well. They fought for every point and never gave up. I am very proud of them,” coach Ana Villarreal said. “We are just learning to play together, especially trying to get meshed the experienced players with the new varsity players. The team is improving every single day.” Zapata flexed an offensive muscle that recorded
30 kills in the game and had the Lady Mustangs defense shifted into overdrive. Zapata was led by the explosive offensive arm of senior Brandi King, who led all players with 16 kills. King controlled the offensive attack for Zapata and was keyed by the Nixon defense early on in the game. Kristina De Leon, Shelby Bigler and Celina Mata combined for 13 kills to spread Zapata’s offensive attack. De Leon and Bigler, who were making their varsity debut, played like veteran players and showed no signs of inexperience with their decision-making at the net. Their attack on the net left the door open for King to do some damage from the middle. The Lady Hawks jumped out to an early lead in every game to surprise the Nixon defense with their powerful kills that were masterfully hit away from the defense. But it was not to be, as two crucial misalignments on defense in the fifth game cost the Lady Hawks.
COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B Romo’s opening drive sputtered after reaching the 16. He was sacked on two of the next three snaps, making it three sacks for that drive, and needing a 42-yard field goal to salvage any points that series. Backup Jon Kitna had one possession behind the starting linemen and he was dropped, too, nearly for a safety. He later led drives that reached the 13 and 9; the first ended on downs, the second resulted in a field goal. Dallas later started a drive at the 11 after recovering a botched punt, moved only to the 10 and settled for another field goal.
Romo noted there’s a fine line between trying to work on things and not giving away too many secrets about this season’s offense. “But at some point, we have to get it in and get better,” he said. “This team is not where we need to be yet. We’ve made some strides, we’ve done some good things, but we have a lot of work and time left to continue to get better. That’s actually exciting from my perspective because we have some things we need to work Oxnard and we will have some time to do it out there.” Ah, yes, Oxnard and the
gentle breeze off the Pacific Ocean. After two weeks inside the climate-controlled Alamodome in San Antonio, and a week in the Dallas area, where temperatures have consistently cracked 100, the Cowboys left for their occasional West Coast base on Friday. They resume two-a-day workouts Saturday morning and the weeklong forecast shows highs in the 60s. “We are going to have to layer up just to break a sweat,” linebacker Bradie James said. The defense and special teams can consider the California trip a reward
for how they’ve done so far. The Cowboys haven’t allowed a point in the first three quarters of either game, and David Buehler is 6 of 7 in his audition to become the placekicker. Dallas missed a shutout in the Hall of Fame game against Cincinnati when the deep reserves — mostly guys fighting for jobs on the practice squad — allowed a fourth-quarter touchdown. A fourth-quarter flop against the Raiders turned another potential shutout into a loss as Oakland scored two touchdowns and a field goal in the final 4:58. James and fellow inside
linebacker Keith Brooking were as fired up for the first home preseason game as they would be for a regular-season opener. Their intensity helped fuel a pair of three-and-outs on Oakland’s first two drives. The first-string nickel unit also returned for a fourthdown stop against the Raiders’ starters. “You don’t want to get too excited but there is some excitement in the air for what we have been able to accomplish,” James said. “And it only gets harder. ... Teams know what we have, but it’s up to us to go out there and execute and make plays. You know, you
just gradually get to that point to get to the regular season and that’s all we are doing as far as the first team.” Buehler can hardly stop smiling. He’s heading to his native turf in Southern California knowing he’s off to a great start in his bid to be both kickoff specialist and placekicker. His kickoffs have remained outstanding, getting touchbacks on all four boots against Oakland. “I feel good,” Buehler said. “I was confident coming into this preseason and I’m going to put the ball through the uprights.”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE PET PAL Dear Readers: Joan Keuch of Winslow, Maine, sent a photo of a 1-year-old Shih Tzu named Buffy sleeping with her little doll. Joan says: “Buffy’s doll was given to her by the breeder when I first got her. She is the dearest one!” To see Buffy and her doll, visit www.Heloise.com. -- Heloise CATNIP STOCKING Dear Heloise: I bought a pack of catnip for my cat, Tinkerbell. The package said to spread it on the ground for your cat to roll around in. I refused to put it on the carpets, so my mother came up with a great idea. We put some of the catnip in a leg on a pair of old stockings, cut out the foot and tied it closed. Tinkerbell loves to play with it, and there is no mess on the carpets. -- Emily in New Jersey CATS VERSUS FOIL Dear Heloise: In regard to the question about cat
“
HELOISE
scratching, use foil! When my cat first started to scratch furniture, I covered it with foil — wrapped it around the wooden legs or dangled it from the upholstery. He hates the sound of rustling. Initially, he liked to jump up on tables, dining room included, and my kitchen countertops, so they, too, were covered in foil for about a week, and then that was that. Never again in eight years has he tried it. Cats CAN be trained — it is the owner who allows the cat to train him or her! -M.K.M., via e-mail UNIQUE NAMES Dear Heloise: We have twin tuxedo cats, called Pit and Pat. It’s for Pitiful and Pathetic. And the names fit them to a T. -- M.C., via e-mail
DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:
REAL ESTATE
CONDOS FOR SALE
FAMILY CIRCUS
64
RENTALS
PETS & SUPPLIES
200 Martingale #154 2bdrs/2.5baths, $94,000, Close to HEB,Target,Nye Elem. Call 235-1198 for more info.
HOMES FOR SALE
9625 Ashton4bd/2ba/3cg Fenced, REDUCED $126,000 Call 284-1074 4/2/2 Windfield- Great Schools 1963 sq ft., well kept. $210,000 call 220-2679
61
Regency Oaks Townhomes for sale, 4246 Dorrel 2 & 3 bedroom, starting $87,900. Near Target on Loop 20 . Call 956-237-2377 MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE 67
17x72 3bd/ 2th in good cond. (956)763-6526 LOTS FOR SALE
70
407 S. Seymour, 7300sqft, 49ft x 149ft $35,000 Owner Financing Available Call 727-5245 North Laredo, Lauren Ln., Tiara sbdvn,approx 7,050sqft.,near schools, shopping center,near hospitals, great location. $55,000 OBO Call:337-7738 ACREAGE FOR SALE
76
5 acre Commercial tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $215,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641
DENNIS THE MENACE
128
Boston Terrier Puppies for sale Reg. Ckc. 7wks old, $350 Call 236-5330
ROOMS FOR RENT
106
Efficency apt.,all bills paid,Los Angeles sub., $485/m $250/dep., call: 722-2882
PETS & SUPPLIES
PETS & SUPPLIES
JACK RUSSELL TERRIERS 6wks, 1st shots, 2m, $200ea Call 319-0088 Mini Schnauzer 7wks., salt & pepper color. $250 Call 337-2027 Sun Conures, 5mo, Hand Raised $200ea Call 206-8841
LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES
130
2 Horse Trailer, perfect condition. Tel 754-4030
ARTICLES FOR SALE
136
Diningroom set, table & 6 chairs, $350 OBO call:693-1454 New Quinciniera dress, pink size 8, $150 Call: 286-0862 RCA Home Theater,1000 watts AM/FM, surround sound $100 401-7410 Se vende 5 ton compressorada, nueva, Carrer, $600 OMO Inf: 333-6463
CABRITOS, Live/Vivos, Chivos/Chivas $50 & up 948-5218
se vende refigeracion de dos puertas $150 (956)725-6475 SONY HOMETHEATER 1000 watts AM/FM, surround sound $125 401-7410
MISCELLANEOUS
TRANSPORTATION
196
2007 Suzuki 400 scooter $3,500 Silver color,good condition 703 Garfield 722-1731. TRUCKS FOR SALE
198
86’ Chevy Blazer 4x4 in good running cond. $2,500 OBO (956) 763-6526 Dodge Van ‘03, 6dr., excellent cond., $2,800 Call 763-6526
CARS FOR SALE
200
1973 Classic Triumph Conv. car, $5500 call: 645-3215
1999 Ford Mustang V6, std., $2,000 OBO call: 285-5184 after 4pm 2002 WhiteVolkswagon Jetta! A/C,New tires, 75k mi., $3,500 call Rick 236-1641
128
Chinese pugs,1M/1F,sand color, 18 meses, $225ea. call: 774-2710 For sale yorkies poppies $400 (956) 729-0075 or (956) 235-1091
MOTORCYCLES
ARTICLES FOR SALE
136
4x7 utility trailer, 2100lbs capacity $545 OBO Call: 722-6441
7pc.Set,with 2 extensions,$400 OBO., call Mrs Arias at 235-6101
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
194
Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811.
2008 mustang shellby 500 cobra only 1,080 miles blue title asking $37,000 call: 251-5529 BMW 535i ‘08, 20Kmil., 1 owner, good Condition $39,500 Call 744-2050 or 740-9585
Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
Question marks in Lubbock By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP
In this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, file photo, Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert throws a pass during the first quarter of the BCS Championship NCAA college football game against Alabama in Pasadena, Calif. The Longhorns are handing their offense to Garrett Gilbert.
Horns hooked on Garret Gilbert By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The start of a new season means the Texas Longhorns can finally — thankfully — start talking about something other than their last game and answering the constant questions of “What if ?” What if Colt McCoy hadn’t been hurt on the first drive of the BCS national championship game, a 37-21 loss to Alabama? What if the Texas coaches had opened up the playbook for Garrett Gilbert a bit earlier instead of having him hand off while waiting to see if McCoy could return? Texas will never know how to answer those questions. With McCoy out, Alabama raced to a big lead, then snuffed a late Longhorns rally to win the championship and send Texas into a painfully long offseason. “That game hurt,” said Texas senior cornerback Curtis Brown. “Garrett Gilbert came and played his heart out. After the game I
didn’t have any regrets. It added fuel to the fire for the next year.” So welcome to the 2010 season, where Gilbert is now the starting quarterback. He had four turnovers against Alabama, but his improved play in the second half and good spring workouts gave coach Mack Brown confidence that the Longhorns should be fine at quarterback. Where McCoy was a relative unknown from a small Texas town when he got his first start in 2006, Gilbert steps into a role he was groomed for from a young age. The son of career NFL backup Gale Gilbert, Garrett Gilbert was a high school All-American and one of the top recruits in the country when he signed with Texas in 2009. He quickly won the No. 2 spot last season and played in 10 games in mop-up duty. “I can’t wait to get out there and get started and I’ve kind of got butterflies since football is starting again,” Gilbert said.
LUBBOCK — Tommy Tuberville has a dilemma familiar to Texas Tech. The new coach doesn’t have a starting quarterback picked for a Red Raiders offense he says will continue to throw the ball all over the Big 12. Predecessor Mike Leach often waited to pick a starter, though never because of injury. Tuberville, who stepped in after the university fired Leach late last year amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion, will decide between seniors Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield. Both got injured early in spring workouts. A starter will be picked about a week before the Red Raiders host SMU to open their season Sept. 5. Neal Brown, who Tuberville brought in as offensive coordinator from pass-heavy Troy State in Alabama, said Potts has the stronger arm, while Sheffield is the better runner. “I want both of them to think that they can be a starter,” Tuberville said. “What we’re looking for is more consistency from both of them. Both will play, but we’re not going to have a situation where one plays the first quarter, and one plays the second.” Sheffield and Potts each had surgery in March. Sheffield, who threw for 1,219 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games in last season, needed repair to the same bone in his left foot that he injured in October at Nebraska. Potts, who threw for 3,440 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games last season, needed surgery to
Photo by Cody Duty | AP
Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville answers questions from the media during a news conference at the Big 12 Football Media Day Tuesday, July 27, 2010, in Irving, Texas. fix an injury between his index finger and middle finger he got hitting a helmet while throwing. Competing for the same job hasn’t created friction, the seniors said. “We’re cool. We never walk by each other without saying, ’What’s up?”’ Sheffield said. “But at the same time, we’re not texting each other or playing video games together or anything like that.” Whoever is picked won’t have to watch over his shoulder, said Brown, whose Troy State team finished third nationally in total offense (486 yards) and fourth in passing (336 yards) last season. “It’s not a deal where if he throws five incompletions in the first quarter you go to the next guy,” Brown said. “I think you got to let him play, and obviously if he doesn’t produce over an extended period of time then you make a change.” The offense will pass
first but Brown wants to spread the ball around to the team’s playmakers, including running backs Baron Batch and Eric Stephens and a receiving corps that returns two strong starters — Detron Lewis and Alex Torres. “The No. 1 goal is to win and we want to run the ball good enough where if our quarterback doesn’t play his ’A’ game, let’s say he plays his ’C’ game, we want to run the ball where we still got a chance to win that game,” Brown said. “That’s what we’re looking at.” Time will tell whether Browns’ concerns on offense — depth at running back and the line — will continue to keep him “up at night.” Overall, Tuberville wants more quickness on offense and defense. To that end,
many offensive linemen dropped a combined total of about 240 pounds this summer. They are trimmer, have more endurance and are stronger, he said. “All those little things will add up,” Tuberville said. A lingering question is the Red Raiders’ defense, long the stepchild of Texas Tech football and for years maligned as the reason the program couldn’t get to a conference championship. “To me they don’t walk around with the swagger that they need to,” Tuberville said. “They need to feel like, ’Hey, we’re as much of this team as anybody else and we can win as many games as the offense.’ We have to get to that point.” Texas Tech opens the season Sept. 5 at home against SMU.