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NATURAL DISASTER
COMMISSIONERS
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