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COUNTY
New look at change in duties
Budget woes
Departments feel crunch of more work after shift away from treasurer By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
An item approved last week by the Zapata County Commissioners Court that moved several duties from the county treasurer to the county judge, county auditor and personnel director needs to be clarified, officials have said. County Judge Rosalva Guerra placed an item on the last agenda to move responsibility of the telephone and retirement systems, insurance and electric utility away from County Treasurer Romeo Salinas. The item was approved by the court, but the extra work has proved to be overwhelming for the other departments, said Commissioner Jose E. Vela, who was the only commissioner to oppose the item. The county auditor is now responsible for the electric utility bills with-
out the help of the county treasurer’s office, Vela added. “It’s really the county suffering,” he said. The decision they made was wrong and that’s why I voted against it.” According to Commissioner Eddie Martinez, some people don’t fully understand the change that took place, so it will be put back on the agenda for the next Commissioners Court meeting, scheduled for Sept. 13, to clarify what duties fall under whom, he said. “It’s getting out of hand, so we need better control,” County Auditor Doroteo Garza said. The intention of the item authorizing county auditor, county judge, and personnel director is mainly to have more than one person authorized to view certain information
Public hearings may help make more cuts By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Prior to the budget adoption in September, Zapata County officials are preparing for two public hearings to discuss additional departmental cuts in order to
alleviate the $7 million deficit the county is undergoing in next year’s budget. All departments were asked to decrease their individual budgets to assist with the loss in revenue that the county experienced in the mineral indus-
try, said County Judge Rosalva Guerra. “This year in particular has been extremely difficult because of the loss in mineral value,” she said. “Some county departments’ heads have been very understanding and have
been cooperating with making some cuts.” The first hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26 to give residents in the community the opportunity to make comments, recom-
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EDUCATION
BACK TO SCHOOL
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PUBLIC HEALTH
Grant to help HIV/AIDS programs
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
ABOVE: A teacher-aide creates an outdoor scene in a self-contained classroom Thursday afternoon as teachers and staff get ready for the first day of school Monday, at Zapata Middle School. BELOW: A school employee prepares supplies in a classroom.
Teachers told ‘fish’ is this year’s philosophy By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Nearly $1.7 million in federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was presented to the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse by Congressman Henry Cuellar on Wednesday to benefit HIV/AIDS programs and bring awareness to the community. “This grant will help us identify people at risk of HIV/AIDS infections,” said Romeo Rodriguez, STCADA executive director. “In addition, it will help to educate, create awareness, and support individuals with HIV/ AIDS.”
This is the second check presented to STCADA by Cuellar, said Humberto Gonzalez, Ph. D., STCADA chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are in the service of improving the quality of life,” he said. “When we improve the quality of life of an addict we improve the quality of life for the whole family.” Cuellar said some may be infected with the disease and unaware of it. “This is why we must act now. This disease does not discriminate anymore.” Cuellar said. “It targets both young and old, men and women, and educated and
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s students gear up for the first day of school, teachers are busy preparing their lesson plans, reorganizing their classrooms, and attending conferences during staff development days. During staff development week, Zapata County Independent School District staff learned they will be following a “fish” philosophy theme for this year where four main principles will be followed through out the year. The principles include play, be there, make their day, and choose the attitude. ZCISD has also adopted “teach strong” as a fifth principal, said Dee Olivarez, a special education teacher at Zapata Middle School. “It helps us get a good attitude for the school year,” she said. Also, the “Catch the Energy and Release the Potential,” motto purposely depicts the story of a fish being caught and released to coincide with the fish philosophy theme.
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