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ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
FEDERAL COURT
Focus on students
Court: 4 charged in pot case
Superintendent faces board evaluation on Tuesday By RICARDO R. VILLARREAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County Independent School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to evaluate Superintendent Norma Garza Garcia on Tuesday.
Garcia said in a printed handout emailed to The Zapata Times that the district has undergone and overcome many challenges and that she hopes to “meet expectations.” “Dr. Garcia is very motivated and willing to move the district
forward,” said board President Jose M. Ramirez III. “She has had many challenges in the little over a year she’s been on the job.” In the email response, Garcia identified some of the major initiatives the district has taken
under her leadership as adopting a new vision and goals to improve student achievement, which are aligned with state and federal requirements. These include intensive staff
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ See EVALUATION PAGE 9A
NO ME OLIVIDES CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
HONORING CANCER VICTIMS
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Adriana Ramos, a member of the LMC Auxiliary, wipes a tear from her eyes as she particiaptes in the "No me olivides" candlelight vigil Monday evening at the Laredo Medical Center grounds. The event in Laredo honored cancer survivors and victims.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Federal authorities formally pressed charges Wednesday on four men accused of packaging approximately 1 ton of pot and conspiring to distribute it, according to court documents. DEA identified the men in court records as Reymundo Tanguma Gonzalez, 39; Ramon Robles-Gonzalez, 26; Eliseo Rodriguez-Morales, 40; and Eliseo Rodriguez-Nuñez, 20. They are facing charges of conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute 2,085 pounds of marijuana. Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office deputies responded to suspicious activity reported in the 5300 block of Davis Lane in the Siesta Shores subdivision on Sept. 27. As deputies responded to the area, Gonzalez was seen leaving the area. A deputy approached Gonzalez to question him about suspicious activity in the area. Meanwhile, assisting deputies noticed the residence on Davis had the front door open. Deputies approached the home thinking the house had been burglarized, but instead they found several bundles of suspected marijuana wrapped in cellophane. “The suspected bundles of marijuana were being stored inside the residence to be packaged for transportation,” a complaint states. The complaint adds the marijuana was already packaged in plastic bags with cement mix placed inside. At the scene, deputies saw three men — RoblesGonzalez, Rodriguez-Morales and Rodriguez Nuñez — avoiding contact with authorities. Deputies detained them for questioning and took them to the sheriff ’s office. “Zapata County sheriff ’s deputies noticed gray powder residue on the shoes of all four individuals,” a complaint states, leading authorities to believe all men were at one point inside the home. A U.S. Border Patrol K-9 unit called out to the scene detected the presence of more bundles in other rooms of the home, court documents state. Based on the amount of narcotics seized, deputies contacted DEA agents. After the arrest, Gonzalez and Robles-Gonzalez told authorities they wanted to speak to a lawyer. Rodriguez-Nuñez agreed to talk to officials. “Rodriguez-Nuñez stated that all four suspects were packaging bundles of marijuana into brown boxes. Rodriguez-Nuñez stated that he was hired by an unidentified individual to package the marijuana,” the complaint states. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, OCT. 6
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The 18th annual Dia del Rio kicks off with a work day on the Paso del Indio Nature Trail from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with work beginning at 8 a.m. Volunteers are needed to mulch the trail; remove trash; plant wildflower seeds, lavender seeds and oak trees; lop tree branches; and pot native plants in the nursery. Lunch will be provided. College and high school students can earn community service hours. For more information, call the Rio Grande International Study Center at 956-718-1063.
Today is Saturday, Oct. 6, the 280th day of 2012. There are 86 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Oct. 6, 1927, the era of talking pictures arrived with the opening of “The Jazz Singer,” starring Al Jolson, a movie that featured both silent and sound-synchronized sequences. On this date: In 1536, English theologian and scholar William Tyndale, who was the first to translate the Bible into Early Modern English, was executed for heresy. In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia to begin Germantown, one of America’s oldest settlements. In 1884, the Naval War College was established in Newport, R.I. In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek became president of China. In 1939, as remaining military resistance in Poland crumbled, Adolf Hitler delivered a speech to the Reichstag blaming the Poles for the NaziSoviet invasion of their country. In 1949, U.S.-born Iva Toguri D’Aquino, convicted of treason for being Japanese wartime broadcaster “Tokyo Rose,” was sentenced in San Francisco to 10 years in prison (she ended up serving more than six). In 1958, the nuclear submarine USS Seawolf surfaced after spending 60 days submerged. In 1973, war erupted in the Middle East as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel during the Yom Kippur holiday. In 1976, in his second debate with Jimmy Carter, President Gerald R. Ford asserted there was “no Soviet domination of eastern Europe.” (Ford later conceded he’d misspoken.) In 1979, Pope John Paul II, on a week-long U.S. tour, became the first pontiff to visit the White House, where he was received by President Jimmy Carter. In 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was shot to death by extremists while reviewing a military parade. In 1989, actress Bette Davis died in Neuilly-sur-Seine (nuyee-sur-sehn), France, at age 81. Ten years ago: Pope John Paul II elevated to sainthood Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the Spanish priest who’d founded the conservative Catholic organization Opus Dei. The French oil tanker Limburg was attacked by a small explosives-laden boat off Yemen’s coast, killing one Bulgarian crew member. Prince Claus, the German-born husband of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, died in Amsterdam at age 76. Today’s Birthdays: Actress Britt Ekland is 70. The president of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, is 64. CBS chief executive officer Les Moonves is 63. Rock singer Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) is 61. Rock singer-musician David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) is 58. Actress Elisabeth Shue is 49. Singer Matthew Sweet is 48. Actress Jacqueline Obradors is 46. Rock musician Tommy Stinson is 46. Actress Amy Jo Johnson is 42. Actress Emily Mortimer is 41. Actor Jeremy Sisto is 38. Rhythm-and-blues singer Melinda Doolittle (TV: “American Idol”) is 35. Actor Wes Ramsey is 35. Thought for Today: “Talking comes by nature, silence by wisdom.” — Author unknown.
FRIDAY, OCT. 12 The Southeast Texas Bass Federation will host a tournament through Saturday, Oct. 13.
SATURDAY, OCT. 13 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “Planets Quest” at 2 p.m.; “Star Signs” at 3 p.m.; “Wonders of the Universe” at 4 p.m.; and “Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries,” at 5 p.m. It will be Girls and Boys Scouts Day. Members who wear their uniforms will receive 50 percent off admission ticket. General admission is $4 for children and $5 adults. Premium shows are $1 more. For more information, call 956-326-3663.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17 Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas and Americas Society in Washington, D.C., will speak as part of the International Bank of Commerce 2012-2013 Keynote Speaker Series, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the TAMIU Student Center Ballroom (SC 203). Farnsworth will be presenting “Reviving Hemispheric Policy: An Agenda for the Next Administration.” This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 326-2820 or visit http://freetrade.tamiu.edu/whtc_services/whtc_speaker_series.asp.
THURSDAY, OCT. 18 The Anglers Quests tournaments begin, to run through Sunday, Oct. 21.
Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
Federal agents carry boxes out of Arc Electronics Inc. on Wednesday in Houston. A Kazakhstan-born businessman was charged in the U.S. on Wednesday with being a secret Russian agent involved in a scheme to illegally export microelectronics from the United States to Russian military and intelligence agencies.
Agent explains scheme By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — An FBI agent testified Friday that employees at a Houston company were coached to hide information about the cutting-edge microelectronics the firm was buying from U.S. manufacturers and later illegally reselling to Russian military and intelligence agencies. U.S. authorities have arrested Alexander Fishenko, owner of Arc Electronics Inc., and seven of his employees, including Alexander Posobilov, who was the company’s director of procurement. They are accused of being involved in a scheme to illicitly sell military technology to Russia, starting in 2008. U.S. Magistrate Judge George Hanks Jr. denied bail for Posobilov, 58, following a detention hearing Friday. Hanks agreed that Posobilov was a flight risk.
A detention hearing for Fishenko and three of his workers was postponed until Wednesday. Two employees will have their hearings Tuesday. One employee was granted bail of $250,000 on Friday. During Friday’s detention hearing, FBI agent Crosby Houpt testified about email exchanges and phone conversations Posobilov had in which he discussed how to forge invoices to hide from U.S. manufacturers where the equipment Arc Electronics was buying from them was ending up. Authorities say the microelectronics sold by Arc could have a range of military uses, including radar and surveillance systems, weapons guidance systems and detonation triggers. One email showed Posobilov telling a representative of that company that equipment Arc Electronics was buying was for a fishing boat navigation system, Crosby said.
SATURDAY, OCT. 20 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “Ghostbusters” for Family Movie Day at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. General admission is $4. For more information, call 956326-3663. The U.I.L. marching band contest is today at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. The first band takes the field at 10 a.m. and awards are announced at noon. The public is invited. Tickets are $5 for general admission and children 5 and under get in free.
FRIDAY, OCT. 26 The Area Health Education Center will host the 28th Annual Update in Medicine Conference at the UT Health Science Center Laredo Campus from noon to 6:15 p.m. The conference will provide continuing education credits to physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians and all community members. For more information, contact 956-7120037 or mrgbahecadm.stx.rr.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 27 The Bass Champs South Region Championship takes place today and Sunday, Oct. 28. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will be host “Our Saturday in Space: Make-Your-Own-Robot” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited. Entry is $20 and includes a child ticket. For more information, call 956-326-2463. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “Destination Saturn” at 2 p.m.; “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” at 3 p.m.; “Violent Universe” at 4 p.m.; and “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” at 5 p.m. Matinee shoes is $4 and general admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Premium shows are $1 more. For more information, call 956-326-3663.
Man charged with capital murder after officer dies
Sheriff: Teen’s motive in slayings ‘mystery’
Soldier killed in shooting outside Killeen house
EL PASO — A teen has been charged with capital murder after the death of an El Paso police officer he’s accused of beating last month. Seventeen-year-old Juan Antonio Gonzalez is in El Paso County Jail with bond set at $5 million. He’s accused of fatally beating Jonathan Molina when the 29-year-old off-duty officer confronted him as the teen vandalized his car on Tuesday.
ALEDO — A North Texas sheriff says “it’s a big mystery” why a 17-year-old boy gunned down his mother and teenage sister in their home. Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said Friday that Jake Evans remains jailed without bond on a capital murder charge. During a call to 911 Thursday, Evans calmly says shooting his mother and 15-year-old sister “just kind of happened.”
KILLEEN — A Fort Hood soldier was shot to death and another was injured during a fight outside a Killeen home. Jamie Lee Schnider, 22, died after he was shot Thursday night. A 21-year-old Fort Hood soldier whose name was not released was also shot The resident was taken into custody by officers and transported to the Killeen City Jail.
Missing radioactive tool recovered after 3 weeks
Man apparently kills self during standoff
HOUSTON — A piece of oilfield equipment containing potentially dangerous radioactive material has been recovered three weeks after it went missing on Sept. 11. The tool was recovered on a lease road in Reeves County. A Halliburton Co. oilfield crew lost the item while transporting it from Pecos.
EL PASO — A 25-year-old man has apparently killed himself during a standoff in El Paso County that started when he opened fire on a bail bondsman and three deputies trying to serve him with a warrant. Rafael Lopez barricaded himself inside his home after allegedly opening fire on the officials Thursday afternoon.
HOUSTON — The conviction and death sentence of a Dallas man for fatally stabbing his estranged wife and drowning her 6year-old daughter in a bathtub have been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Gary Green was sent to death row for the September 2009 slayings of Lovetta Armstead and her daughter, Jazzmen. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Crickets, worms on menu for Philly museum event
SATURDAY, NOV. 17
PHILADELPHIA — When a natural history museum throws a party, it figures that some unusual food might end up on the menu. Interested in noshing on crickets, worms and farm-raised python? The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia has an event for you. It’s hosting an adults-only cocktail party on Oct. 27 called “Cuisine From the Collections.” Proceeds benefit the 200-yearold institution’s mission of scientific research and exploration.
The Bud Light Tournament Fall 2012 San Antonio Division tournament returns to Falcon Lake.
300-500 defendants face release in lab scandal
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
BOSTON — A prosecutor says about 300 to 500 defendants may be released into Boston streets because of the alleged mishandling of evidence at a Massachusetts drug lab.
The Falcon Slam Bassmaster Elite Tournament returns to Falcon Lake. The tournament will run through Sunday, March 24.
Man condemned for wife, child’s death loses appeal
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Friends and family of Annie Dookhan react during her arraignment Sept. 28 in Boston Municipal Court on two counts of obstruction of justice. Dookhan’s alleged mishandling of drug samples prompted the shutdown of a state drug lab. Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley says those numbers include some “pretty dangerous people.” Chemist Annie Dookhan is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly skirting protocols and faking test results at the
now-closed state drug lab. Mayor Thomas Menino has called for support from federal officials to ensure those released are monitored so “they’re not back out on the streets doing the same thing they did in the past.” — Compiled from AP reports
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
Local
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Lopeño man gets time Programs provide THE ZAPATA TIMES
A 41-year-old Lopeño man has been sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of transporting illegal immigrants within the United States, federal authorities announced this week. Enrique Gonzalez-Cavazos, 41, a legal permanent resident, was found guilty following two days of trial and approximately two hours of deliberation on July 26, 2012. On Thursday, he and co-defendant Julian Cisneros Jr., 48, of Roma, were sentenced. Gonzalez-Cavazos was given a 48month sentence, while Cisneros, who pled guilty April 28, will serve 22 months in prison. At the hearing Thursday, additional evidence established these individuals had transported several loads of undocumented aliens, according to a U.S.
Attorney’s Office news release. Evidence presented at trial proved that on March 19, U.S. Border Patrol agents observed a group of undocumented aliens walking through the brush approximately a mile away from the Rio Grande River near Fronton. Agents learned that a red truck had just picked up the group of aliens and later was observed traveling away from the area. Agents followed the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. The driver then led agents on a pursuit and ultimately attempted to bail out; however, agents were able to apprehend the driver and owner of the red truck —Gonzalez-Cavazos — along with Cisneros and 10 undocumented aliens, the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Man jailed after wreck By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Deputies say an intoxicated man caused a collision, left people injured and fled the scene of an accident that was reported Sept. 28 in the 400 block of Mier Avenue. Jorge Mendoza-Camacho, 35, is facing charges of accident involving damages to a vehicle, driving while intoxicated and intoxicated assault with a vehicle. Deputies took him to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he remained behind
JORGE MENDOZACAMACHO: Facing several charges after accident. bars as of Thursday evening. He had an $18,000 bond. Mendoza-Camacho took a breathalyzer test, according to deputies. He blew about 0.2 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The legal limit is 0.08 BAC, Sgt. Mario Elizondo said. Zapata County sheriff ’s deputies and EMS crews responded to an accident reported at 3:02 p.m. on
Mier. Elizondo said a 2001 Ford Explorer driven by Mendoza-Camacho collided with another vehicle. He failed to stop and render aid and fled the scene, Elixondo said. Deputies eventually caught up to him and took him under custody. Meanwhile, EMS crews took a 57-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man to Laredo Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, according to Elizondo. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Fashion show on Oct. 14 SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
LAREDO — Mothers and daughters planning a quinceañera, Sweet 16 or prom activities will be able to explore their options at the Quince and Prom Fashion Show, which will take place Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Event organizer Tonie Gamboa from the Chapel
of Everlasting Love said there will be booths featuring vendors such as dress boutiques, bakeries, photographers, printers, tuxedo rental shops, musicians and floral shops offering examples of their services and products. “We’re extending an invitation to all the Laredo and Zapata public and private middle and high schools to come,” Gamboa said. “There will also be a
fashion show where three local boutiques will be showcasing their dress designs.” A $1 donation per person will be collected at the door, while the show is free for children under 5. The first 100 young ladies to come in the door will receive tiaras and sashes. There will also be giveaways, including a chance to win a “quince dress package.”
rural aid funding SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
COLLEGE STATION — USDA Texas Farm Service Agency Acting State Executive Director James B. Douglass has announced a webinar is scheduled this month to discuss FSA, rural development and Natural Resources Conservation Service updates as well as the USDA Hispanic and Women Farmer and Rancher claims process. The claims process closes March 25. The webinar is scheduled Oct. 18 from 6:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. As announced in February 2011, the voluntary claims process will make available at least $1.33 bil-
lion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. There are no filing fees to participate in the program.
1,000 people “I encourage producers who want more information about USDA programs or the claims process to register for the webinar,” Douglass said. “The webinars are free and open to the first 1,000 participants who register,” he said. Douglass said these webinars are intended as fo-
rums to discuss the general plan for the claims process and USDA webinar hosts will not be able to discuss the details of any individual claim during the course of the webinars. To view the webinar schedule and register, please go to http:// www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/tx_hwwebinar2012.pdf. For more information regarding USDA programs and the Hispanic and Women Farmer and Rancher claims process, contact Eddie Treviño in the Texas State FSA Office at 979-680-5221 or via email at eddie.trevino@tx.usda.gov.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
OTHER VIEWS
Explanation why jobless rate is high By BILL KING HOUSTON CHRONICLE
In the ramp-up to the 2012 campaign, both political parties have been hammering away that the policies of the other are to blame for the high unemployment rate. Both have harkened back to the golden days, respectively of Reagan or Clinton, as evidence that their policies will solve the unemployment problem. But neither party acknowledges that unemployment generally has been getting worse in the U.S. for decades, through both Republican and Democratic administrations and congresses. Since 1950 the unemployment rate has ranged from 2.5 percent to more than 10 percent. But there is an unmistakable trend upward. Since 1950, there have been 10 peaks and nine bottoms in the unemployment rate. With the exception of the period from about 1990 to 2005, every peak and bottom has been higher than the previous one. For the mathematicians among you, the trend line for the unemployment rate from 1950 to today has a statistically positive slope. Unemployment on average has been getting worse by about .03 percent each year or by about 1 percent over each 30-year period. So if unemployment has been getting worse for the last 60 years, including periods when both parties were in power, it would seem to raise the question whether there is a cause for it other than the ideological hogwash to which we are constantly subjected by both parties. The answer is no mystery. Anyone who has been an employer for the last several decades, as I have been, can easily provide the answer. Our tax and regulatory policies have increasingly discouraged hiring more employees. There are two decisions that any employer faces when considering whether or not to add an employee. The threshold question is whether the employer needs additional help. Notwithstanding that some liberals seem to feel employment is some kind of altruistic calling and that businesses have an obligation to hire people whether they need them or not, employers are simply not going
to hire additional employees unless they need the extra help to create the goods and services demanded by their customers. In this regard, Democrats are correct that employment, at least over the short term, is driven by demand. The ebb and flow of the demand for goods and services in the business cycles is what accounts for the significant short-term variations in the unemployment rate. If you believe that government policy can stimulate demand, a proposition of which many are justifiably skeptical, the Democrats’ argument for more stimulus is at least logically consistent. But even if the Democrats are right that additional stimulus will reduce the unemployment rate, that is clearly a short-term phenomenon and cannot explain why unemployment has gotten consistently worse over the last 60 years. The long-term cause, I believe, has to do with the second consideration most employers face when they need to add additional capacity. That question frequently is: Do I need an employee to do this job or can I automate it? And that question is normally going to turn on the relative costs of hiring an additional employee versus the cost of making an investment in equipment that can do the job or at least allow it to be done with less labor. And let’s face it, automation has some built-in advantages. Machines do not get tired or sick. They don’t have family or substance-abuse problems. They don’t come to work in a bad mood or fight fellow machines. They are, for the most part, easier to manage. But we have significantly added to this advantage by handicapping labor with a whole variety of tax and regulatory weights that make it even more attractive to business to invest in equipment instead of people. Any market as complex as the labor market has innumerable factors affecting it. But the fact that we have made it increasingly less attractive to hire new employees for the last 60 years must be one of the most significant factors contributing to the long-term rise in unemployment. (Email: weking@weking.net. Twitter.com@weking.)
Mitt debates empty chair By JOAN VENNOCHI THE BOSTON GLOBE
One presidential candidate showed up to debate Wednesday night. His name is Mitt Romney. President Obama was often grim, mostly disengaged, and generally ineffective in their first showdown. He never seriously challenged Romney on any point he made. Romney was sharp, aggressive, and “likeable enough,” to borrow a phrase from candidate Obama in 2008. As the night wore on
and Romney realized that debating Obama was like standing next to an empty chair, the Republican nominee got cockier and less appealing. But for much of the debate, Romney offered up the anecdotes that connect a candidate with the people. He also had the soundbites that stick, like “trickledown government” and “you just pick the losers,” a reference to Obama’s selection of green energy companies like Solyndra. But mostly he had command of the stage.
COLUMN
Little art in political debates
A
USTIN — Let’s talk about how we talk about politics, starting with this week in the professional ranks. I thought the presidential debate was pretty good. Important topics, legitimate differences, respectful tone, no accusing each other of being the spawn of the devil (the latter being a major theme at this year’s GOP primary debates). The tone was different Tuesday in Dallas when Texas U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler called foe Ted Cruz a “troll” during a combative debate that could have been more entertaining only if moderated by replacement refs. Democrat Sadler likes to note his Texas House experience and that GOPer Cruz never has held elected office. When you’re in office, Sadler said, you have to consider lots of options. “You wouldn’t know anything about that,” he told Cruz. “But what you don’t do is do your job as a legislator worried that some troll will come along 10 years later or 20 years later and try to run a campaign against you.” “I’m sorry you believe I’m a troll,” Cruz replied.
“
KEN HERMAN
”I do not believe you’re a troll.” So that’s been cleared up. After the debate, Sadler said he “probably shouldn’t have said the word ‘troll.’” Yes, though entertaining, it probably did not elevate American political rhetoric. The “some troll” jab flashed me back to a 1994 Texarkana rally when Gov. Ann Richards apparently referred to foe George W. Bush as “some jerk.” Afterward, several fearless reporters, including myself and R.G. Ratcliffe, then of the Houston Chronicle, approached Richards for clarification. “Governor,” I said, my strategy evolving as I sensed Richards’ ire boiling toward anger, “R.G. wants to ask you something.” Now let’s talk about how amateurs communicate about politics, which also can be less than pretty. When Bud Johnson hung an empty chair on his Northwest Austin lawn, some folks took it as a symbolic lynching of President Barack Obama.
Johnson said that was not the intent, but he took it down. More recently, an anonymous anti-Obama letter showed up at Austin homes displaying Obama signs. Though generally respectful, the letter has not been appreciated by all recipients. “Gentle Neighbor, the sign in your yard indicates the attachment you have to the current government administration. I know you have the hope that unlike other great nations, our country will not self-destruct,” the letter says. “However, the history of countries following the same economic policies and paths we are now on shows that they failed to sustain their greatness and values for the people.” The one-page missive says “changing your mind about voting for the current president” could save ”our nation and our culture,” and there’s a reference to whether the recipient might be “too brainwashed and scared” to abandon Obama. “I wish the best for you and your family. And our nation,” the letter ends, leading to six pages of reasons not to support Obama. Overall, and compared
with candidates calling each other trolls and jerks, it’s pretty tame. But Obama backer Eileen Ladd said the anonymity of it made it “very threatening.” “If you want to have an open, free democracy, you need to stand up for your opinions and be proud of them and put your name on them,” Ladd said. Yes, that’s the best way to do it. And if you’re a candidate that’s the way you have to do it. But if you’re just someone with envelopes, stamps and an opinion, maybe it’s OK — if a tad creepy — to share your thoughts anonymously. Here’s something on which we all can agree: World War II vets are way cool. Next Tuesday, 50 of them from around here fly to D.C. for the second local Honor Flight that takes WWII vets to see their monument. You can see them off at an 8 a.m. ceremony at the Airport Hilton or welcome them home Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the airport baggage area. Both will be can’t-miss, feel-good events. More information is at honorflightaustin.org. (Ken E-mail: kherman@statesman.com.)
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, OCTOBER 6, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT
Photo by Beatrice Richardson/Sierra Vista Herald | AP
Family members of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie participate in a candlelight ceremony in Naco, Arizona, on Thursday. Nearly 100 people gathered for the vigil.
FBI: May be friendly fire in Ariz. shootings ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX — The FBI said Friday a preliminary investigation has found friendly fire likely was to blame in the shootings of two border agents along the Arizona-Mexico border. The shootings Tuesday about five miles north of the border near Bisbee left one agent dead and another wounded. Agent Nicholas Ivie and two others had responded to an alarm triggered by a sensor aimed at detecting smugglers and others entering the U.S. illegally. Ivie was shot and killed. Another agent was shot in the ankle and buttocks but was released from the hospital after surgery. The third agent was uninjured. Investigators trying to determine whether friendly fire occurred in a shooting involving law enforcement would compare the ballistics of officers’ guns with bullet slugs that were either recovered from or passed through an officer’s body, said David Klinger, a criminology professor at the Uni-
versity of Missouri at St. Louis and an expert in police shootings. The officers involved in the case and any known witnesses also would be asked to provide accounts of such a shooting during interviews with investigators. And investigators would try to establish where officers and witnesses were positioned at the time of the shooting, Klinger said. The Border Patrol couldn’t immediately comment on the frequency of friendly fire shootings at the agency, but such incidents appeared to be extremely rare. Neither George McCubbin, president of the National Border Patrol Council, nor Kent Lundgren, chairman of the National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers, had ever heard of any friendly fire incidents in the Border Patrol. “I know of absolutely none in the past, and my past goes back to 1968,” Lundgren said, citing the year he joined the Border Patrol. “I’m not saying it never happened. I’m just
saying I’ve never heard of it.” McCubbin has served in the Border Patrol since 1985. Ivie’s death marked the first fatal shooting of an agent since a deadly 2010 firefight with Mexican bandits that killed U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in December 2010 and spawned congressional probes of a botched government gunsmuggling investigation. Terry’s shooting was later linked to the “Fast and Furious” operation, which allowed people suspected of illegally buying guns for others to walk away from gun shops with weapons, rather than be arrested. Authorities intended to track the guns into Mexico. Two rifles found at the scene of Terry’s shooting were bought by a member of the gun-smuggling ring being investigated. Critics of the operation say any shooting along the border now will raise the specter that those illegal weapons are still being used. Twenty-six Border Patrol agents have died in the line of duty since 2002.
Boy’s letter sparks outcry By SHANNON DININNY ASSOCIATED PRESS
SALT LAKE CITY — An 8-year-old Utah boy wrote a letter to his local newspaper after an animal shelter worker failed to write a note to save his cat from being euthanized: “Yesterday grown-ups killed my kitty, my best friend, when they weren’t supposed to.” The letter appeared in The Herald Journal, of Logan, on Thursday. By Friday, it had received the
fourth-most comments on the newspaper’s website — behind three letters about Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Some berated the shelter for failing to keep the cat safe. Others criticized the family for letting the cat outside, failing to have it on a leash or not looking for the cat at the shelter sooner. Still others faulted the neighbors who had trapped the cat and denied having seen it when asked. But the boy, Rayden Sa-
zama, just wanted to share his love of his cat, Toothless. “I just wanted to tell people about Toothless — that I loved him,” he told The Associated Press through his father, Jason Sazama, on Friday. “And that people shouldn’t lie.” Sazama said he’s surprised how many people didn’t get the point of Rayden’s letter: “It was about a boy sharing his love for his cat — and saying, ‘C’mon grown-ups.’”
Nicolas Jaramillo, 27, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the 5000 block of Mission Lane. He was served with warrants of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and abandoning or endangering a child. Jaramillo had an $80,000 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail. Derly Sanchez, 42, was arrested and charged with assault at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the 900 block of Bravo Avenue. He was assessed a $10,000 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail. A 24-year-old woman reported at 1:40 p.m. Sept. 29 in the 3000 block of North U.S. 83 that she had gotten in a physical confrontation with another woman. An assault report was filed. Gabriela Sanchez, 28, was arrested and charged with assault, family violence at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Villa Avenue. She had a
$10,000 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail.
BURGLARY A burglary of a vehicle was reported at 4:22 a.m. Sept. 30 in the 700 block of Bravo Avenue.
DUI Jorge Sanchez, 20, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence at about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at 17th Avenue and U.S. 83. Sanchez was later released to appear in court at a later date. Martin Juarez Jr., 20, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence at about 1:15 a.m. Sept. 30 on Encino Road. He was later released to appear in court.
EVADING ARREST Johnny Ray Scarberry Jr., 26, was arrested and charged with burglary of a vehicle after
being served with a warrant at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday at Seventh Street and Miraflores Avenue. He had a $40,000 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail.
POSSESSION A traffic stop of a 1999 Silverado at about 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Fourth Street and Zapata Boulevard landed one man in jail. Eduardo Javier Gonzalez Jr., 20, was charged with possession of marijuana. He had a $10,000 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail. Aristo A. Villarreal, 18, and Ruben Campos, 18, were arrested and a female juvenile detained for being in possession of marijuana at about 8 p.m. Sept. 30 between 13th and 16th streets on Juarez Avenue. Villarreal and Campos were taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where they each were held on $5,000 bonds. The juvenile was taken to the Webb County Youth Village.
State
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Man denies killing pastor ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT WORTH — A North Texas man testified in his own defense Friday, denying allegations that he killed a pastor and beat a church secretary so he could steal a car. Steven Lawayne Nelson took the stand in state district court after prosecutors rested their capital murder case in the March 2011 slaying of the Rev. Clint Dobson at the Arlington church where he was pastor. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Closing arguments could come as soon as Monday. Prosecutors contend Nelson killed Dobson and beat secretary Judy Elliott senseless before stealing her car. Nelson denied responsibility, insisting he remained outside the NorthPointe Baptist Church while two friends went inside and committed the deed. “I didn’t injure nobody or threaten nobody,” he said under questioning by his attorneys. “You witnessed something horrible, didn’t you? Do you feel remorse?” defense attorney Steve Gordon asked. “I feel bad. I wouldn’t want that to happen to my family or anybody,” Nelson said. Under cross-examination by Tarrant County prosecutor Bob Gill, Nelson admitted he entered the church, but said the 28-year-old minister and his secretary were already sprawled on the church floor.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
Scandal gets ex-school leader prison By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA ASSOCIATED PRESS
EL PASO — A federal judge sentenced the former superintendent of El Paso Independent School District to more than three years in prison Friday for his participation in a conspiracy to improve the district’s high-stakes test scores by removing lowperforming students from classrooms. Lorenzo Garcia’s scheme to prevent hundreds of sophomores from taking the accountability tests fooled authorities into believing that academic standards had improved in his West Texas district — resulting in a boost in federal funds and personal bonuses totaling at least $56,000. Garcia pleaded guilty to two fraud counts in June; one in the testing scandal and another in which he misled the school board so that his lover would receive a $450,000 no-bid contract to produce school materials. On Friday, federal judge David Briones sentenced him to 3½ years in prison on each fraud count, to be served at the same time. Garcia also was ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution and fined $56,500 — the amount he received as a bonus from the district for its success on test scores. “As superintendent, I am responsible for everything that went on in my district,” Garcia said before the sentence was read to him by federal judge David Briones. Court documents indicate at least six other people helped Garcia organize the testing scheme. Mark Morgan, the FBI director for El Paso, said outside the court building that the investigation continues, but he would not
Photo by Juan Carlos Llorca | AP
Activist Javier Diaz, left, 82, shows former state senator Elliot Shapleigh signatures he collected to demand an overhaul of the El Paso school district, on Sept. 7. A scandal in which schools would get rid of underperforming students to artificially inflate test scores landed a former superintendent in jail. comment on whether more arrests are coming. The 3½-year sentence had been agreed upon in a plea deal between Garcia and the government. Robert Pitman, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, described it as “fair” and “a significant deterrent.” “Garcia abused the trust of the citizens of El Paso. He shamefully turned his time and attention to fraudulently obtaining performance based bonuses for himself. Today, he was held accountable for this breach of trust,” Pitman said in a statement.
Garcia, who was hired in 2006, implemented a plan with several other administrators that allowed for the pre-testing of 10thgraders to identify those who were likely to fail the standardized tests. The method, known as the “Bowie Model” because it was employed with the most force at Bowie High School, was intended to keep low performing students from taking high-stakes state tests used to measure its performance under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Other large districts also have been ensnared in
scandals to raise test scores. But none has been so brazen as to cast off lowscoring students. After the scandal came to light, officials placed the district on probation, named a monitor to oversee it and said the schools showed “utter disregard” for the students’ needs. In El Paso, 10th graders who performed poorly on the pre-tests were held back in the ninth grade or promoted to the 11th grade before the state tests were administered. To keep other students from taking the tests, the district held those who recently transferred
from Mexico in the ninth grade, told older students to leave and obtain a GED elsewhere and threatened some students with fines for allegedly living in Mexico, outside the El Paso School District’s area. Garcia had one employee photograph students crossing the border so they could be forced out on the grounds that they lived in Mexico, rather than within the school district. In some cases, when the district needed to improve its graduation rate, it gave students credit for computer-based classes or “turbomesters,” which were 90minute sessions in which students earned a full semester worth of credits. “One girl got two semesters in three hours, in the last day of school, while her teacher was collecting books,” said former principal Stephen Lane, one of five people allowed to testify before Briones sentenced Garcia. The whole idea, said former state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, was to make students “disappear” before they were tested. In the short term, the strategy worked. Test scores improved in most high schools and the district’s overall rating improved from “academically acceptable” in 2005 to “recognized” in 2010 — the second-highest rating possible.
SÁBADO 6 DE OCTUBRE DE 2012
Agenda en Breve LAREDO 10/06— Fútbol Soccer Femenil: Dutsdevil de TAMIU recibe a St. Edwards University a las 12 p.m. y a las 7 p.m. en la cancha de la Universidad. Informes en http:// GoDustdevils.com. 10/06— AutMust celebra su 8vo Aniversario en terrenos de Texas A&M International University. Participará la banda metalera P.O.D., así como presentaciones del Laredo Wrestling Alliance. Costo: 15 dólares en pre-venta o 16 dólares en la puerta. Boletos VIP a 100 dólares. Niños menores de 12 años, acompañados de un adulto, entran gratis. Estacionamiento gratuito. Puertas abren a las 4:30 p.m. 10/07— Cadena Pro Vida en Laredo, de 2 p.m. a 3 p.m. en McPherson y Hillside Road. Es un evento de paz para orar por la vida humana, desde la concepción, hasta la muerte natural. 10/07— En celebración del Día de San Francisco de Assis, Gateway Gatos of Laredo y St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church invitan a la bendición de mascotas de 4 p.m. a 5 p.m. en St. Peter’s Plaza. Lleve a su mascota con correo, arnés o en jaula. 10/07— Baloncesto: Toros vs Soles en Laredo Energy Arena a las 5 p.m. Más información en (956) 717-TORO. 10/10— Series de Cine Clásico en Cinemark-Mall del Norte, presenta a las 2 p.m. y 7 p.m. “Gone With the Wind”, clasificada G. Adquiera su boleto en www.cinemark.com. 10/11— Hoy es el último día para registrarse y participar en el evento “Shoot for the Cure” que será el sábado 13 de octubre. Costo: 150 dólares. Las ganancias se destinarán a pacientes locales con cáncer de seno. Más información en (956) 7962222 o (956) 796-2007. 10/11— La Sociedad Americana del Cancer llevará a cabo el programa “Viéndote Bien… Sintiéndote Mejor” de 2 p.m. a 4 p.m. El programa enseña técnicas de belleza a mujeres que están recibiendo tratamiento. Más información en el 723-9682. 10/11— El Hotel La Posada invita al Pink Party an apoyo a la concientización sobre el cáncer de seno, de 7 p.m. a 11 p.m. en el West Courtyard del hotel, 1000 calle Zaragoza. Música a cargo del Trío Romance. No Cover, pero se aceptan donaciones. Ganancias beneficiarán a Mercy Ministries of Laredo. Abierto al público, de preferencia vestir de color rosa. 10/11— Partido de Voleiból ‘Dig Pink’ entre TAMIU y St. Mary’s a las 7 p.m. 10/11— Dunamis Ministerios de Fe presenta IX Congreso Mujeres de Fe “Inspiración, Motivación, Superación” a las 6 p.m. en el Auditorio del Laredo Civic Center. Invitado especial: 33dC. Informes en el (956) 712-1171. 10/12— Volleyball en TAMIU: Dig Pink vs. St. Mary’s, a las 7 p.m. 10/12— Festival de Teatro Chicano presenta: “El Sombrero” de Carmen Gámez; “Tu Amor Secreto” de Laurence Wensel; “Canary in the Mine” de Ramón Serrano; y, “Bridges” de Luis E. Flores, a las 8 p.m. en Laredo Little Theater, 4802 avenida Thomas. Costo: 10 dólares (adultos); estudiantes con identificación y personas menores de 14 años, pagan 5. 10/13— “Shoot for the Cure” es a las 8 a.m. en el Complejo de Tiro del Sur de Texas. Costo: 150 dólares. Más información en (956) 796-2222 o (956) 796-2007.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
EDUCACIÓN
Etapa de evaluación POR RICARDO R. VILLARREAL TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
La Junta Administrativa del Distrito Escolar Independiente del Condado de Zapata tiene programado evaluar a la Superintendente Norma Garza García el 9 de octubre. García dijo que el distrito ha pasado y sobrellevado muchos retos y dijo que espera “cumplir con las expectativas”. “Dr. García posee motivación y está dispuesta a llevar hacia delante a este distrito”, dijo el presidente de la junta José M. Ramírez III. “Ella ha tenido muchos retos en poco más de un año en que ella ha estado en el trabajo”. García identificó algunas de las principales iniciativas que el distrito ha tomado bajo su liderazgo, como es adoptar una nueva visión
“
Ella ha tenido muchos retos en poco más de un año en que ella ha estado en el trabajo”. JOSÉ M. RAMÍREZ III, PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA ADMINISTRATIVA DE ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
y metas para mejorar los logros estudiantiles, lo cual va de la par con los requisitos estatales y federales. Esto incluye desarrollo intensivo del personal para administradores y maestros, enfocarse en factores críticos; una re-organización de la oficina central para ayudar a las escuelas en áreas de tutoría, conformidad y apoyo técnico y la implementación de un modelo trans-
formador designado a mejorar la actuación académica y la efectividad del liderazgo. García dijo que pese al déficit de 6 millones de dólares en el actual presupuesto, el distrito ha recibido una calificación superior de parte de la Asociación de Juntas Administrativas Escolares de Texas. Además, está en proceso la construcción de una nueva North Ele-
mentary School, se están pavimentando estacionamientos y caminos y se están reemplazando autobuses y otros vehículos. Ella también citó esfuerzos para asegurar la accesibilidad de estudiantes a iPads para estar al día con la tecnología del Siglo XXI y un enfoque sobre el reclutamiento y retención de maestros y personal. El nuevo lema del distrito es, “Zapata County ISD Hacia Delante: Comprometido a la Excelencia en el Siglo XXI”, el cual dice García refleja los deseos e intención del distrito para adoptar una cultura de excelencia. “Nuestros estudiantes merecen la mejor experiencia educativa y ellos la van a obtener”, dijo García. (Localice a Rick Villarreal en el (956) 728-2528 o en rvillarreal@lmtonline.com)
DECISIÓN 2012
INVESTIGACIÓN
HORA DEL VOTO
Acusan a hombre por accidente Oficina Alguacil: presentaba 0.2 de concentración de alcohol en la sangre POR CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto por Marvin Fong/The Plain Dealer | Associated Press
Jayden Isaac, de 2-años de edad, espera a su madre Nicole, mientras ella participa en las elecciones anticipadas en Ohio. En Texas, la fecha límite de registro para votar el 6 de noviembre, es el martes 9 de octubre, en tanto que las votaciones anticipadas serán del 22 de octubre al 2 de noviembre.
Se acerca fecha límite para registrarse ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
A
USTIN — El martes 9 de octubre es la fecha límite para registrarse y poder votar en las elecciones de noviembre. “Es crítico que Tejanos elegibles para votar, se registren antes de la fecha límite del 9 de octubre”, dijo la Senadora Judith Zaffirini, en un comunicado de prensa. “Cada voto hará una diferencia en las importantes elecciones locales, estatales y federales, que se decidirán en noviembre”. Las votaciones anticipadas iniciarán el lunes 22 de octubre y concluirán el viernes 2 de noviembre. El día de la elección es el martes 6 de noviembre. Votantes que califican son los ciudadanos de EU que tendrán 18 años para el día de la elección;
Tejanos quienes quisieran saber si ya están registrados deben visitar http://votetexas.gov/. residentes del condado en el cual están registrados; no ser culpable de felonías (a menos que la sentencia de una persona haya sido cumplida, incluyendo cualquier libertad condicional o de prueba); y no estar declarado mentalmente incapacitado por una corte de leyes. Las solicitudes para registro de votantes están disponibles en las oficinas de registro de votantes locales y en varias oficinas de correos, bibliotecas, el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas, las oficinas del Departa-
mento de Servicios Humanos de Texas y el sitio de Internet de la Secretaría de Estado de Texas en www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml. Tejanos quienes quisieran saber si ya están registrados deben visitar http://votetexas.gov/. Los votantes quienes no hayan recibido su tarjeta de registro de votantes o que necesiten cambiar los nombres o direcciones, deben contactar sus oficinas de registro local. Más información en 800/252VOTE.
COMUNIDAD
Oficiales dicen que un hombre en estado de embriaguez causó un choque, dejó a personas lesionadas y huyó del lugar donde un accidente fuera reportado el 28 de septiembre, en la cuadra 400 de avenida Mier. Jorge Mendoza-Camacho, de 35 años de edad, enfrenta cargos de accidente involucrando daños a un vehículos, conducir en estado de embriaguez y agresión en estado de embriaguez con un vehículo. Oficiales lo trasladaron a la Cárcel Regional de Zapata, donde permanecía tras las rejas hasta el jueves por la tarde. Tenía una fianza fijada en 18.000 dólares. Mendoza-Camacho se hizo la prueba del alcoholímetro. Sopló 0.2 de concentración de alcohol en la sangre (BAC). El límite legal es de 0.08 BAC, de acuerdo al reporte policiaco.
Reporte Oficiales del Alguacil del Condado Zapata y personal de Servicios Médicos de Emergencia (EMS) respondieron a un reporte por accidente a las 3:02 p.m. en Mier. El Sargento Mario Elizondo dijo que una camioneta Ford Explorer, modelo 2001, que conducía MendozaCamacho, chocó contra otro vehículo. El hombre falló en detenerse y prestar ayuda y huyó del lugar. Eventualmente, oficiales lo atraparon y lo tomaron en custodia. Mientras tanto, personal de EMS trasladaron a una mujer, de 57 años de edad, y un hombre, de 77, al Laredo Medical Center, para que recibieran tratamiento por las lesiones, de acuerdo con Elizondo. (Localice a César G. Rodriguez en el (956) 728-2568 o en cesar@lmtonline.com)
GUANTES DE ORO
Invitan a evento de moda ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Madres e hijas planeando una Quinceañera o Dulces 16 o actividades para el baile de graduación, podrán explorar sus opciones en el Evento de Moda Quince y Graduación, que se llevará a cabo el domingo 14 de octubre, en el Laredo Civic Center Ballroom de 1 p.m. a 6 p.m. Tonie Gamboa, de Chapel of Everlasting Love, a cargo de la organización del evento, dijo que habrá módulos informativos presentando a vendedores de artículos tales como: boticas de vestidos, pastelerías, fotógrafos, impresiones, renta de tuxedo, músicos y tiendas
florales. Todos ofrecerán ejemplos de sus servicios y productos. “Estamos extendiendo una invitación a todo el público de Laredo y Zapata y a escuelas de secundaria y preparatoria”, dijo Gamboa. “También habrá un desfile de modas donde tres boticas locales estarán mostrando los diseños de sus vestidos”. Una donación de 1 dólar por persona será recaudado en la puerta (niños menores de 5 años entran gratis). Las primeras 100 damas en venir, recibirán tiaras y bandas. También habrá premios, incluyendo una oportunidad para ganar un “paquete con vestido de los quince”.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
El boxeador Elías Joaquín Camacho Sánchez, de 19 años de edad y originario de Tampico, México, a la derecha, disputará el sábado 13 de octubre la final de los Guantes de Oro en la categoría de 60 kilogramos (Ligero), a celebrarse en la Arena México. Camacho ha sostenido cinco combates, bajo la dirección de su padre Joaquín Camacho Banda.
National
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
Jobs aid Obama; Romney not impressed By DAVID ESPO AND KEN THOMAS ASSOCIATED PRESS
FAIRFAX, Va. — Mitt Romney was still celebrating his widely praised debate performance when the campaign lurched in a different direction. Unemployment dropped last month to the lowest level since 2009, and suddenly it was President Barack Obama’s turn to smile. In a race dominated by the weak economy, Obama said Friday the creation of 114,000 jobs in September, coupled with a drop in unemployment to 7.8 percent, was “a reminder that this country has come too far to turn back now.” Jabbing at his rival’s plans, he declared, “We’ve made too much progress to return to the policies that caused this crisis in the first place.” But Romney saw little to like
in the day’s new government numbers. “This is not what a real recovery looks like,” the former Massachusetts governor and businessman said, an analysis echoed by other Republicans throughout the day. “We created fewer jobs in September than in August, and fewer jobs in August than in July, and we’ve lost over 600,000 manufacturing jobs since President Obama took office,” Romney added. “If not for all the people who have simply dropped out of the labor force, the real unemployment rate would be closer to 11 percent,” he said. Incumbent and challenger alike campaigned in battleground states during the day, each man starting out in Virginia before the president headed for Ohio and Romney flew to Florida. Those three states,
along with Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Iowa make up the nine battleground states where the race is likely to be decided. Among them, they account for 110 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
Changing perceptions Recent polls have shown Obama with leads in most if not all of them, although the impact of Wednesday night’s debate and of the drop in unemployment could well change some public opinion. Both campaigns kept up a television advertising war with a price tag approaching $750 million when outside group spending is included. Romney launched three new
commercials during the day, one aimed at voters in Nevada, a second targeted to Ohio and a third that says Obama claims “he is creating jobs, but he’s really creating debt,” running up deficits and spending unnecessarily. “He’s not just wasting it. He’s borrowing it and then wasting it,” the narrator says. The campaign did not say where it would air. Romney’s strong showing in the campaign’s first general election debate cheered Republicans who had worried about his campaign, and forced Obama’s aides into a rare public acknowledgement that they would have to adjust their strategy for the next encounter. The jobs report was the main flashpoint of the day, and Obama scolded Republicans for their reaction. “Today’s news certainly is not
an excuse to try to talk down the economy to score a few political points,” he said as Romney and most GOP lawmakers emphasized portions of the report other than the drop in the unemployment rate to the same level as when the president took office. Republicans made it clear they wanted to keep the focus on Wednesday night’s debate, when Romney appeared confident as he pitched his case for a new approach to the economy and Obama turned in a performance that even some Democrats conceded was subpar. In a weekly “Weekend Messaging Memo” distributed by the Republican National Committee, communications director Sean Spicer devoted 650 words to a recap of the debate — and made no mention of the drop in unemployment.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
DERLY MEDINA Derly Medina passed away Oct. 4, 2012, at Laredo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Medina is preceded in death by his brothers, Juan Jose Medina and Renato (Socorro) Medina; and a sister, Irma (Porfirio) Garcia. Mr. Medina is survived by his wife of 63 years, Celia M. Medina; sons, Jose (Laura) Medina, Ismael (Nidia) Medina and Omar (Mirtha) Medina; daughter, Acerina Medina; grandchildren, Lena, Acerina, Melecia, Jose Jr., Isela, Ezra, Seth, Saul, Derly, Omar Medina Jr., Acerina, Dashiell and Milton Madrigal; brother, Rene (Graciela) Medina; and by numerous
great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours were Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at 8 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. A chapel service was held Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83 Zapata,.
GLORIA R. VELA Gloria R. Vela passed away Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Ms. Vela is preceded in death by her husband, Octavio Vela; and sons, Octavio Vela, Jr. and Juan Angel Vela. Ms. Vela is survived by her sons, Carlos Omar (Maricruz) Vela and Mario Humberto Vela; daughters, Leticia Belia (Roel Ivan) Guzman and Liliana Vela; grandchildren, Gloria Estela Vela, Leslie Ann Vela, Carla Yvette (Sergio Jr.) Vidal, Carlos Omar Vela Jr., Gabriela Marie Vela, Humberto Jr. (Melissa) Barrera and Daniel James Barrera; great-grandchildren, Amira Marie Juarez, Genevieve Faye Humburt, Kaidalee Gean Humburt and Jacob Thomas Barrera; niece, Herminia “Mine” Hernandez; and by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours were held Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The
funeral procession departed Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83, Zapata.
TOEDORA C. FLORES LOPEÑO — Toedora C. Flores. 69, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Mrs. Flores is preceded in death by her brother, Jesus Cerda. Mrs. Flores is survived by her husband, Jose A. Flores; sons, Juan A. Flores and Eduardo (Thelma) Flores; daughters, Nelda M. Flores, Laura (Felipe) Rodriguez and Marisa (Ely) Gutierrez; grandchildren, Alejandra Flores, Andrea Flores, Anthony Guerra, Felipe Rodriguez III, Australia Rodriguez, Cesar E. Flores, Carolina Flores and Abigail N. Flores; sister, Maria A. (Eulogio) Flores; and by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours were Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at
9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Santa Pedro Mission in Lopeño, Texas. Committal services followed at Lopeño Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83 Zapata.
Old hotel faces challenges By KAREN ROBINSON-JACOBS THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DALLAS — As The Adolphus hotel, the grand dame of Dallas inns, celebrated 100 years Friday, it faces a few 21st-century challenges. It’s flanked by nearby hotels that have spent multiple millions in the past few years on high-tech upgrades or new construction. While The Adolphus has installed tech-friendly features recently, the last major upgrade took place when Jimmy Carter was president. Travelers still are drawn to its Old World elegance. But state figures for the 422-room hotel show that sales slipped in four of the past six quarters (three if you discount the impact of the Super Bowl). The hotel is on the market, and is still comely enough to attract at least 20 serious suitors. Hotel owners insist the centenarian retains a winning combination of charm, good bones and strong potential. But it’s opted to let others chart the hotel’s course for the future. “It’s a perfect time to sell,” said Peter Braverman, an executive with the Boston-based realty company that controls the hotel. “You’re exactly right, it’s about time for a renovation and ultimately we’re not long-term holders of real estate so the ideal time to sell is now. Let somebody else impose their vision on a beautiful hotel.” City fathers persuaded St. Louis beer baron Adolphus Busch to become a North Texas hotelier in 1910, as Dallas grew in importance as a center of commerce and trade. The baroque hotel — at 21 stories once the tallest building in Texas — opened its doors Oct. 5, 1912. Ten-foot-wide Flemish wall tapestries, woven in 1661, and portraits of royalty bespeak the hotel’s stately origins. By the late 1970s, the queen was no longer a spry young thing. Out of step with the growing trend of oversize hotel rooms and lacking in other amenities, the hotel was considered a liability when developer Pat Colee joined with New England Life Insurance Co. (now Met Life) in 1980 to purchase the Commerce Street block that contained the hotel. The new owners closed The Adolphus in 1980-81, chipped in $50 million, gutted it and “tried to bring it back to the original hotel that Adolphus Busch had designed,” said Colee, who used the Adolphus purchase to launch a hotel owner/operator company called Noble House Hotels & Resorts. “When we got the hotel the average rate was $39 (a night) and there were more than 800 rooms,” said Colee. While the French Room, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, was a major draw, “the rest of the hotel was in such bad shape,” he said. The redo drew new guests and a
Photos by Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News | AP
In this Sept. 21 photo, ornate iron work is seen in the lobby of the Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas. As the Adolphus hotel, the grand dame of Dallas inns, celebrated 100 years Friday, it faces new 21st-century challenges. cabinet full of awards. In 1983, Noble House/New England Life sold the hotel to Dallas Commerce Associates, a limited partnership set up by Boston-based Winthrop Realty Partners specifically to own The Adolphus. That’s according to Braverman, a Winthrop executive. Noble House leased the property back from the new owners and served as hotel operator until 2009. Before leaving, Colee said he offered to buy the hotel. “We weren’t able to negotiate a price that worked for us,” he said. Braverman declined to give details on the slate of bidders. He said negotiations are ongoing but added, “I would not say a sale is imminent.” He sees the hotel, which is debtfree, as a good buy. “I think the hotel is quite competitive. It holds its own in its class and area,” said Braverman. “We’re privy to numbers, and the numbers that we see indicate that we’re quite competitive. We’re not at the top of the stack, but we’re certainly in the middle.” Stats on file with the state comptroller’s office paint a mixed picture. Full-year room revenue of $11.5 million in 2010 (not counting food and drink) gained about 5 percent compared with 2009. Fueled by hearty Super Bowl crowds, 2011 saw room revenue of nearly $13 million. Yet the four most recent quarters saw sales lag those in the previous quarters, partly because of the Super Bowl effect. Braverman disputes those figures. He did not offer any other data. Craig Scott, managing director of The Adolphus, said the occupancy rate averages in the high 60 percent range, at the upper end of the range for downtown Dallas. The hotel has increased the number of locals who stay there on the weekends. Scott said annual sales this year should match last year’s tally. Braverman concedes that, given the upgrades at competing hotels, The Adolphus is overdue. However,
he and Scott said the owners have spent money — under $10 million — in the past five years. This year the hotel installed a touch-screen “concierge” in the lobby offering local information, weather and access to boarding passes. In 2009 the hotel’s data connection was upgraded to a 20 megabits per second fiber circuit, bringing in increased bandwidth and reliability — a must for today’s tech-savvy traveler. One hotel technology executive described that change as cutting-edge. HD TVs and HD-quality movies also were added, as were desks with extra electrical outlets. There still are some amenity gaps. In newer luxury hotels, a spa is de rigueur. The Adolphus doesn’t have one. Colee said he had planned to add one. Braverman assumes that will be high on the new owner’s list. Also today’s hotel lobbies function more as communal work spaces and less like a formal parlor, the style of the current lobby. More modern elements are likely to be added to the lobby when the Adolphus gets its next upgrade, experts said. The new owners can use the upgrade to “be very, very cutting-edge and use things that people only read about,” such as hotel check-in and room lock accesses via cellphone, said Jan Freitag, senior vice president with STR, a research company. “If you’re a grand dame hotel, your bones may be 100 years old but your service, technology and the beds are all state-of-the-art,” Mr. Freitag said. Scott — who also is a regional vice president with the hotel’s current operator, Virginia-based Crescent Hotels & Resorts — sees the landmark hotel as a unique feature of Dallas’ hospitality network. “It’s a legacy in Dallas,” he said. “It’s alive, it’s vibrant. It has a great future. “New builds, they have their charm,” he added. “But this will never be replicated.”
EVALUATION Continued from Page 1A development for administrators and teachers, focusing on critical factors; a re-organization of the central office to assist campuses in the areas of mentoring, compliance and technical support and the implementation of a transformational model designed to improve academic performance and
leadership effectiveness. The email statement said that despite a shortfall of $6 million in the current budget, construction is ongoing on a replacement for North Elementary School, paving for parking lots and driveways and replacement of buses and other vehicles. She also cited efforts to
ensure students’ accessibility to iPads to keep up with 21st century technology and a focus on the recruitment and retention of teachers and staff. The new motto for the district is, “Zapata County ISD Moving Forward: Committed to Excellence in the 21st Century,” which Garcia stated re-
flects the district’s desire and intention to embrace a culture of excellence. “Our students deserve the very best educational experiences and they are going to get them,” Garcia said in the email response. (Rick Villarreal may be reached at 728-2528 or rvillarreal@lmtonline.com)
State
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
Some hotels restored while others linger By FERNANDO DEL VALLE THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
BROWNSVILLE — When Patti Dittburner thinks about the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in San Benito, she envisions a project to revive that city’s decaying landmark to the glamour of its glory days more than 50 years ago. “The light bulb blinks when I think about the Stonewall Jackson,” she said. Then she remembers the mammoth project she and her husband, developer Larry Dittburner, undertook in 1998 to renovate the crumbling Cortez Hotel in the heart of Weslaco, their hometown. “Then the light bulb goes off,” she said with a chuckle. “We were younger then.” The Rio Grande Valley’s old hotels stood for decades as the social capitals of their communities before falling by the wayside. But they still capture the magic of an era when land barons courted northern businessmen who helped transform the region into one of the nation’s agricultural meccas. In recent years, several entrepreneurs have tried to bring the region’s historic hotels back to life — some have made their dreams come true, others are still chasing them. The old Cortez Hotel is now known as Villa de Cortez and stands as the model of a project that helped revitalize downtown. The renovation of Harlingen’s Reese Hotel drove a push to revive the city’s historic Jackson Street district. But the fate of the Stonewall Jackson hangs in limbo, facing city officials who want its owner to bring San Benito’s historic landmark up to code. Restoring an old hotel to the charm of its heyday requires a long-term, major commitment, Patti Dittburner said. “It takes passion and money. If somebody has the idea, I think San Benito needs that legacy,” she said.
Cortez Hotel The Dittburners helped lead
the way for others who had similar dreams. The Cortez Hotel opened its doors in 1928, becoming a premier social hub of the Mid Valley. But the old four-story building eventually became an eyesore in the heart of downtown Weslaco, Patti Dittburner said. “It was the home of pigeons, poverty and prostitutes,” she said. “Every year, it looked a little worse.” But she had a vision to revive the ramshackle building to its grandeur. “It’s always been a dream of mine. I thought it would be wonderful to bring that building back to its original condition,” said Dittburner, who was a member of the city’s main street board charged with the revitalization of Weslaco’s downtown. “I thought, ‘Maybe this is possible,’” she said. “The ugly Cortez didn’t make anything look good.” In 1997, she and her husband planned the renovation of the building they bought for about $300,000. “It was a passion,” she said. “We had to completely gut the whole thing — plumbing, electrical, everything. We didn’t have a drawing — it was just all in your mind. My mind remembers pictures of all the places I’ve been to in the world and I thought, ‘I want to do that, I want to copy that.’” In 1998, the couple opened the Villa de Cortez, which features a ballroom, restaurant and retail and office space. “It makes me feel good. It’s just real neat,” she said. “We thought it was time to give back to the city. I don’t think there’s anything I could do different. I feel so thankful that the citizens of Weslaco can come and feel connected.”
Reese-Wil-Mond In Harlingen, the Reese-WilMond opened in 1927 to become a centerpiece of the city’s downtown. Later, it became known as the Reese Hotel before the Harlingen Housing Authority began operat-
ing it as Heritage Manor in 1970. By 2005, the agency had shut the doors of the 73,000-square-foot building. Then in 2009, Jo Rae Wagner planned to transform part of the city’s downtown when her company, CTO Inc., bought the fivestory building for about $400,000. “I envisioned a multipurpose building with a restaurant,” Wagner said. A year later, she and her son Todd Aune launched the renovation project that’s cost her about $6 million “so far,” she said. “We looked at what was here in 1927. It was a beautiful building so we wanted to keep the exterior as close as we could” to the original Reese, she said. “We actually had to take the building down to the brick,” she said. In 2011, Wagner opened her version of the Reese, featuring Colletti’s Italian Restaurant along with a fifth-floor events center. “We’ve become a destination,” Wagner said, referring to the restaurant that draws customers from across the Valley. “People love the ambience. They say they forget they’re in Harlingen and think they’re in a big city.” On the second, third and fourth floors, she plans office space and maybe a boutique hotel, she said. “It’s very attractive to the downtown area,” she said of the project. “We tried to do it so the community can benefit. It’s a great feeling to know people love it as much as I do.”
San Juan Hotel Since the late 1980s, Gustavo Acevedo dreamed of buying the San Juan Hotel, a Texas Historical Landmark that’s one of the upper Valley’s oldest buildings. “I’d seen it gradually deteriorate and I thought, ‘Man, that would be a good place to fix up,’” Acevedo said. In 2006, Acevedo, who worked as an attorney for the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district, bought the building from thenschool board member Roy Rodriguez.
Photo by Dina Arevalo/Valley Morning Star | AP
The Villa de Cortez hotel is seen in Weslaco on Sept. 21. The hotel stands as the model of a project that helped revitalize Weslaco’s downtown. The hotel opened in 1928, becoming a premier social hub of the Mid Valley. “I’ve always been fascinated by the building’s age and architecture — the Spanish revival style,” Acevedo said. “I’ve always been a history buff. It’s a unique building for the Valley. The Spanish revival architecture is very unique in terms of hotels.” Acevedo planned a $2 million project to renovate the building into a hotel, restaurant and bar. But after the national recession rattled the local economy, he put his plans on hold, he said. “It could be a gathering place,” Acevedo said. “I always saw a lot of potential.” In Brownsville, El Jardin Hotel has stood since 1927, a monument to an era when Howard Hughes, Charles Lindbergh and Joan Crawford stayed as its guests. By the time Matamoros busi-
nessman Marte Martinez bought the hotel in 1986, its restaurant had closed and guests lodged in only two of the building’s eight floors. “It was an investment,” grandson Hugo Martinez said. “We were interested in remodeling it and reopening it.” The family planned a $4.5 million project to revive the hotel that juts across the city’s skyline. “Our dreams were there,” Hugo Martinez said. “We didn’t want to change the historical look. We wanted to keep it alive.” But after his grandfathers’ death in 1988, the project stalled amid Mexico’s peso devaluations, Martinez said. For about 15 years, the property has been up for sale, he said. “It has a lot of history in it,” Martinez said.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Ending round one No. 25 Zapata remains perfect in District 31-3A By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata had one of its biggest tests of District 31-3A play when they faced Lyford on Sept. 29 to end the first round of District 31-3A volleyball action. The Lady Hawks, who had been cruising through the district, was taken to five sets by Lyford. Zapata, behind senior hitter Kristina De Leon’s 23 kills, pulled out a 3-2 (25-19, 21-15, 25-11, 21-25, 15-13) victory. Zapata (17-0), ranked No. 25 in the state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, is perfect in district play with a 4-0 record. De Leon put on a hitting clinic and pulled her team from despair as she answered Lyford’s surges during the sets. De Leon had some help on the offensive end from Vanessa Martinez (six kills), Clari Villarreal (five kills), Jeana Jasso (three kills) and Celia Rathmell (two kills). Setter Sessy Mata had another great game controlling the offense as she recorded 22 assists with the majority going to De Leon. Mata had her hand in the offense and did a great job of finding De Leon when the Lady Hawks needed to end the rally. Mata had a keen eye for when to feed the ball to De Leon or when to hit to the other four hitters to throw the Lady Bulldogs off with a quick set to Martinez or Villarreal. Also lending a hand on running the offense was Gaby Gutierrez who had 10 assists as she complimented Mata at the net. While the offense was enjoying a great game, it was the defense that really needed to take its game to another level. Lyford had some heavy hitters that really tested the Zapata defense. Once again libero Abby Aguilar had to put on her “A” game as she was taken to the brink and was all over the back row. Aguilar had 31 digs on the night, and when De Leon was not hitting the ball, she was in the back row. De Leon had 14 digs and was backed by Jasso with seven digs and Mata with four. Another aspect of the Lady Hawks defense was the wall that they erected on the net when Lyford was attempting to get back into the game.
See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B
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CLARA SANDOVAL VAL
Lady Hawks get honored
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Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata setter Sessy Mata had 22 assists against Lyford and 27 assists against Rio Grande City La Grulla over the past week.
t was announced by the Texas Girls Coaches association that the Zapata Lady Hawks volleyball team is ranked No. 25 in the state. Wow. That is a big honor, but I am not sure that people in Zapata understand what it means to be ranked in the state. Zapata being ranked in the state is nothing new as the cross country teams and the volleyball team have been ranked under Mike Villarreal and Rosie Villarreal, no relation. “It is exciting to be ranked in state and the girls are excited,” Villarreal said. “Before we played Lyford they were ranked and we took care of that after we played them. The team has worked hard all season long.” In past years, the volleyball team has been ranked as high as No. 11 in 2010, and the state is taking notice of the hard work that Zapata has been putting on the court. Rankings are nice but do not guarantee a team a free pass deep in the playoffs. The Lady Hawks know that, and there is no talk of playoffs because they still have the second round to play and crazy things can happen. Zapata just takes it one day at a time and one game at a time because the first order of business is a district title. The other stuff can wait. Villarreal and her Lady Hawks have been working hard since the volleyball stopped sounding last season. The team went to work hard in the offseason and spent the entire summer in the gym, even attempting to put together a volleyball league to help the team compete against other
See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Zapata takes another top 10 By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
The Zapata Lady Hawks cross country team took third place behind two private schools from the San Antonio area at the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islander Splash Invitational.
Lady Hawks take flight at TAMCC Islander Splash By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata girls cross country team took the course at the annual Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islander Splash Invitational held at West Guth Park, one of the toughest courses in South Texas with its hills. The Lady Hawks had to fight the elements including mud,
rain and humidity that led to slow times on the course. Despite the cards stacked against Zapata, the Lady Hawks were determined to close the gap time and keep on improving. Despite slower than usual overall times the team’s gap, the time from the first runner
See GIRLS PAGE 2B
On a muddy and rainy day, the Zapata boys took the course at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Splash this past Saturday. Zapata competed in the 4A and 5A division that had over 135 runners in the race. The Hawks placed eighth out of 19 teams and were paced by Luis Garza with his 10th place finish. Garza has been a staple of consistency for the Hawks and has placed in the top 10 while also winning a few meets. Garza was the only runner to place in the top 10 and then the Hawks had a big gap between them hurting their chances of doing well. “The team did not run to my expectations but considering that they had a homecoming dance the night before and then had to wake up at 2:30 a.m. to make the trip to Corpus Christi and run at 8 a.m., it took a toll on them,” Zapata cross country coach Roel Ibanez said. Carlos Rodriguez was the No. 2 runner for the Hawks and placed 33rd overall in the meet. Zapata continued to have a big gap between runners as Jose Garcia followed Rodriguez, placing 51st.
Courtesy photo
The Zapata boys cross country team placed eighth out of 19 teams at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Splash. Heriberto Perez was only two spots behind, coming in 53rd and Romeo Morales came in 59th overall. Rounding out the team top runners was Jerome Cabugos at 63rd place. Things just did not get better for Zapata as it was raining and slippery course that slowed down the team. “We ran okay and took it as a learning experience and we move on,” Ibanez said. “Now we have to get physically and mentally ready for the Meet of Cham-
pions held in Edinburg on Oct. 13th.” Despite the poor showing at the TA&M CC Islander Splash, Ibanez is still very optimistic about where the team is heading with district looming around the corner. “Things are looking good for district and hopefully we can stay healthy for regionals and make the top three to advance to state,” Ibanez said.
See BOYS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
Photo by Manu Fernandez | AP
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, left, will duel with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo in this weekend’s “Classico” as both athletes are hoping to impress enough to win the 2012 Ballon d’Or.
Battle for the Ballon d’Or set in Classico By JOHN LEICESTER ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — This time a year ago, the race between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the world player of 2011 award wasn’t a race at all, with the Argentine deservedly finishing as the runaway winner. Twelve months on, choosing between these brightest of stars in football’s firmament is nigh-on impossible.
COMMENTARY As with James Bond actors — is Sean Connery or Daniel Craig your favorite? — splitting hairs between Messi and Ronaldo for the 2012 Ballon d’Or will be more a question of personal taste than of science. For me, Ronaldo edges it — for the simple reason that in 2012 he loosened the stranglehold of brilliance that Messi has at the top of the game. And what, I hear you cry, about Messi’s Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta? The standout performer in Spain’s European Championship-winning team, crowned in August as UEFA Best Player in Europe, of course should be on the shortlist of 23 Ballon d’Or contenders that will be unveiled on Oct. 30.
But the midfielder, always a delight to watch, hasn’t scored an otherworldly 158 goals in 154 matches — as Ronaldo has at Real Madrid. If Iniesta hadn’t been a driver of Spain’s unprecedented defense of its European crown, his year would have been a letdown, with Barcelona failing to defend its Spanish league and Champions League titles. And what about Ballon d’Or contenders who aren’t forwards or who don’t play in Spain? Well, the shortlist compiled by FIFA’s Football Committee and France Football magazine should include Joe Hart, whose miserly concession of just 29 goals was vital for Manchester City in winning the Premier League on goal difference over neighbor United. Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas also was outstanding at Euro 2012, as was Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, carving open England in the quarterfinals and Germany in the semis with his passes, radar-like vision of the field and control. But, again, Messi and Ronaldo were on another planet — pushing each other to seemingly impossible goal-scoring heights. If the definition of the world’s best player is based on individual achievement alone, Messi should win for the fourth consecutive year. His tally of 73
goals in 60 games for Barcelona was monstrous, flabbergasting and historic, shattering the European club mark of 67 goals by Bayern Munich’s Gerd Mueller in 1973. With goal No. 233 on March 20, at age 24, Messi became the all-time record scorer in Barcelona’s illustrious 113-year history. All those numbers and eyepopping new marks — including his Champions League record of five goals in one game, against Bayer Leverkusen in March, and record total of 14 in the tournament — mean it wouldn’t be an injustice if he lifts the Ballon d’Or at the award gala on Jan. 7. The voters are the coaches and captains of national teams and journalists. But because football isn’t an individual sport, players’ contributions to team success should be added to the mix in determining who among them was best. Here, Ronaldo pips Messi. Barcelona and Madrid both fell in the Champions League semifinals. Both Messi, against eventual champion Chelsea, and Ronaldo, in the semifinal shootout against Bayern, fluffed penalties. In short, it can be argued that Messi’s and Ronaldo’s achievements and mistakes in that tournament canceled out each other. The same was true in Span-
ish cup competitions. Barcelona ejected Madrid from the Copa del Rey quarterfinals in January, despite Ronaldo scoring in both legs, and went on to win that trophy, with Messi scoring in the May final. But Madrid beat Barcelona for the Supercup in August, with Ronaldo and Messi both scoring in both legs. So all even there. Barcelona also won FIFA’s Club World Cup in December, dismantling Brazilian side Santos 4-0 in the final, with Messi scoring twice. But Ronaldo amassed brownie points with two outstanding games at Euro 2012, scoring both goals in a 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands and a diving header against the Czech Republic to lead Portugal to the semifinals, where it lost a penalty shootout to Spain. So choosing between Messi and Ronaldo comes down to their La Liga performances. Messi scored more goals — a league record 50, with a record eight hat tricks. Ronaldo wasn’t far behind, with 46 goals and seven hat tricks — both better than the previous league records of 40 goals and six hat tricks, which Ronaldo set in 2011. Both have scored six in six league games this season, too, with more hoped for when Madrid travels to Barcelona’s Camp Nou on Sunday.
But Ronaldo scored the more important league goal last season, one of the most important of his Madrid career — a shot past Victor Valdes that gave Madrid a 2-1 win at Camp Nou on April 21. That right-footed strike in the 72nd minute, Ronaldo’s first league goal from open play against Barcelona, cleared the path for Madrid to win its first La Liga title since 2008 and break Barcelona’s three-year lock on the Spanish championship. That team success and Ronaldo’s vital part in it should give him an edge for the Ballon d’Or. But it’s wafer-thin. Ultimately, this could be about feeling. That Messi remains so low-key and seemingly humble makes him easy to like. Ronaldo’s preening self-importance makes him easy to dislike. For many, Messi will always be the better player, the best since Diego Maradona, perhaps the best ever. But for breathing so heavily over Messi’s shoulder, for being the other half in their engrossing duel to outdo and outscore each other, for pushing Messi and himself so hard, and for his vital role in wresting away the Spanish league title from arguably the best club side in history, Ronaldo deserves full credit, in the shape of the 2012 Ballon d’Or.
GIRLS Continued from Page 1B through the fifth runner, remained the same from previous meets. Great teams have a gap of under 45 seconds and good teams have gaps right at one minute. The Lady Hawks were around the one minute range, but are still looking to improve the gap by the regional meet in early November. The varsity managed a good showing taking third place behind two private schools from the San Antonio area.
The 23-team field was comprised of 3A, 2A and 1A teams and including private schools. The top runner was Jazmine Garcia, who captured third place out of 200 runners to receive a medal that only went to the top 10 runners. The Lady Hawks had some gutsy performances and a change in varsity positions. Joyce Garcia is running back to her old form finishing second on the team and followed closely by Jannet Chapa. Raquel Alma-
guer, Sara Pena and Cassie Pena were close behind and Angela Darnell rounded out the varsity squad. There is a mere 19 seconds separating Zapata’s No. 2 through No. 5 runners.
JV & Freshman Squads The JV & freshman squads ran without some key runners but worked hard to represent ZHS. The JV finished in the sev-
BOYS enth position but managed to beat over 15 teams. The beginner division girls finished second. Leticia Salazar and Kayla Hinojosa ran their way to new personal record on the tough course. Daniela Vela was the top JV runner and Melina Juarez was the top runner in the beginner division. The Lady Hawks will next be in action at the Meet of Champions in Edinburg two weeks from now.
can be found attempting to stop teams cold at the net. There is no sight greater than when they double block a hitter. Sessy Mata has really emerged for the Lady Hawks at the setter position after the loss of Estella Molina to May’s graduation. Mata had big shoes to fill and has been doing a remarkable job for the Lady Hawks, steering them in the right direction. The list can go on and on because all the Lady Hawks contribute in some way or another, but it is the coaching of Villarreal that goes unnoticed some-
times. Villarreal is not a ranting and raving kind of coach who yells at her team but can effectively get her point across every single time. Just ask the players. The state ranking is just a tribute to Villarreal and what she has done with this volleyball program when she arrived so many years ago. The administrators who hired her so many years had no idea that the team would be ranked in the future. The volleyball program is also successful because of JV coach Mario Benavi-
MOC Zapata is facing another big test this morning when the Hawks run at the Meet of Champions one of the largest cross country meets in the Rio Grande Valley. The top teams in the Rio Grande Valley from all the classifications will be at the meet and give Ibanez another opportunity to evaluate his team before the district meet in October.
VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B
SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B teams. But it was quickly discouraged by people who have no earthly idea what is going on with the program. Zapata has taken down some 5A and 4A teams in South Texas and count four of the Laredo school as victims to the power that the Lady Hawks bring to the net. While Kristina De Leon is the most notable name on the team, it is her teammates who have done the little things that make this team one that teams deal with. Celia Rathmell and Vanessa Martinez do the dirty work at the net and
Continued from Page 1B
dez and freshman coach Gabby Montes who have been with Villarreal for a long time. While they might not get their name in the paper, they really do a great job preparing the sub-varsity teams to step in when the seniors depart year after year. If you happen to see the coaching staff or the players, congratulate them because Zapata has a ranked volleyball team and make sure to go out the high school gym to support the Lady Hawks. (Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)
Villarreal recorded three blocks while Martinez and Rathmell had two each. Zapata also did some damage from the service line as the Lady Hawks had five aces by De Leon and four aces by Aguilar.
Zapata vs. La Grulla The Lady Hawks continued their winning ways when they beat Rio Grande City La Grulla 3-1 (25-5, 27-29, 25-16 and 2519). De Leon led the offense with 25 kills while Jasso had five and Martinez had
two. Villarreal ended the night with two kills and Liana Flores had two kills. Mata had 27 assists and Gutierrez had seven on the night against La Grulla while Aguilar controlled the back row with 14 digs and Anissa Garza had eight digs. Zapata combined for seven blocks at the net while Aguilar and Jasso had four aces. Villarreal and Mata had three aces and Gutierrez ended with two aces. Zapata starts the second round today when the Lady Hawks travel to Kingsville to visit the Lady Brahmas.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS | BY HELOISE Dear Readers: Many college students know that hitting the snooze button a few times is a way to get a LITTLE MORE SLEEP before rushing out the door. Still need a nap later in the day but have chores, too? Here are some timesaving hints: No time to make the bed? Invest in nice sheets so an unmade bed still looks semipresentable. At least throw the covers up over the pillows! Can’t tell if clothes are clean or dirty? Dirty clothes should be put in a laundry bag or hamper, not put back in the closet/ drawer. Overwhelmed by stray papers? Baskets and bins can keep them corralled. Have vinyl flooring with no time to sweep? Throw rugs are an easy, cheap way to cover the floor. Don’t worry about a vacuum! Take the rugs outside, shake out the dirt and follow with a swipe of a lint roller. Go ahead and nap guiltfree. You can always do laundry tomorrow! — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Rosena Gerometta of Tyler, Texas,
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HELOISE
sent in a photo of her pretty gray cat, Baby Girl Gizmo, so named because of her large ears. Rosena says: “My son brought Giz to me as a baby when she was an attention-starved, anorexiclooking kitten with huge eyes. I wouldn’t know what to do without her!” To see Giz, visit my website, www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pets.” — Heloise SHOE SURVEY Dear Readers: I was cleaning out some shoes the other day, so I thought I’d share a hint. When deciding whether to keep a pair of shoes or donate them, I put them on (if they don’t fit, to the donate pile they go) and walk up and down the hallway a few times. If they are still comfortable, keep them. If not, donate them. What about you, readers? How many pairs of shoes do you have? Sandals, boots, etc.? Let me know, along with any other great shoe hints you may have. — Heloise
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Football
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012
No. 11 Longhorns aim Aggies hope for more to contain No. 8 WVU success vs. Ole Miss By JIM VERTUNO
By DAVID BRANDT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The last time Texas faced a leading Heisman Trophy contender, coach Mack Brown told his defense “Don’t let him win it against you.” How’d that work out? Baylor’s Robert Griffin III passed for two touchdowns, ran for two more and one week later accepted the trophy in New York. “They handed it to him at halftime,” Brown said. Ten months and a new season later, here comes West Virginia’s Geno Smith, the nation’s top-rated passer and the guy everyone is comparing to Griffin after his eight TD passes and 656 yards against Baylor last week. The No. 8 Mountaineers (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) and No. 11 Longhorns (4-0, 1-0) play Saturday night. For West Virginia, a road win in front of about 100,000 Texas fans and a national television audience would not only solidify Smith as the mid-season Heisman favorite, but also send a statement that the Mountaineers have every intention of winning the Big 12 their first year in the league. It will be the first trip to Texas for most of the Mountaineers players, but not for coach Dana Holgorsen, who was an assistant at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State before going to Morgantown. He’s talked to his team about what to expect: the crowd, the girls and Texas’ famous Bevo steer mascot. The challenge for Texas isn’t how to stop the West Virginia offense — “You’re not going to stop them,” Brown said — but how to make the plays that keep the Mountaineers out of the end zone and make the difference at the end. Force a punt. Recover a fumble. Make an interception. “This isn’t going to be a shutdown game,” Brown said. “The guy just scored 70 points. I mean, unbeliev-
OXFORD, Miss. — Texas A&M and Mississippi are two programs that have new quarterbacks, new head coaches and run a similar offense. Ole Miss (3-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Texas A&M (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in what’s likely to be an entertaining, highscoring game. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze and Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin both employ a spread offense that’s heavy on passing, speed and — if all goes well — touchdowns. Freeze said the two coaches are friends and have a great familiarity with each other’s offense. “He’ll want to beat us badly and we’ll want to get our win, also,” Freeze said. “We do a lot of the same stuff. We probably do a little bit more (variety) than he does because I feel like we have to. They do what they do and they do it very well. “We’re very similar.” The Rebels have shown ample improvement so far this season, already improving their win total after a 2-10 debacle in 2011. They fell to top-ranked Alabama 33-14 last week — which wasn’t a bad score considering the Tide has crushed everyone else in their path — but the loss still extended their SEC losing streak to 15 games. Texas A&M is coming off an impressive 58-10 victory over Arkansas and has outscored its last three opponents 176-27. Redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel continued his torrid start to the season, completing 29 of 38 passes for 453 yards and three touchdowns against the Razorbacks. Manziel has been a perfect fit for Sumlin’s offense, and has shown a particularly good aptitude for making positive things happen after a play breaks down. He also rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Aggies’ dominant win over Arkansas. Freeze said Manziel is a complete quarterback and makes good decisions for someone so new to the college game. “He has a lot of things that are impressive,” Freeze said. “He has great speed and mobility. At the end of the day, the guy finds a way to extend play after play. Then it ends up being a dagger to you. He extends it and scores touchdowns. That’s the most concerning thing.” The Ole Miss quarterback situation is much less settled. Bo Wallace has started all five games this season, throwing for 840 yards and seven touchdowns, but has struggled against good completion. Five of his six interceptions have come in losses to Alabama and Texas. Freeze said on Monday that backup
Photo by Sue Ogrocki | AP
Texas quarterback David Ash (14) throws under pressure from Oklahoma State defensive tackle Calvin Barnett (99) in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday. Texas won 41-36. able.” Brown has to ask a lot from a defense playing well below preseason expectations. The Longhorns gave up 576 yards to Oklahoma State and have a bad habit of surrendering long touchdowns. But the Longhorns also have made big plays at critical moments. In last week’s win over Oklahoma State, an interception set up a Texas touchdown. A defensive stand late in the fourth quarter forced the Cowboys to kick a field goal, and that gave Texas the opportunity to win it with a touchdown. Despite the lapses, Texas still has playmakers galore on defense, starting with ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor, who have combined for seven sacks. It will be their job to disrupt Smith and force him to throw quickly or on the run. Texas believes Smith’s internal clock may be a bit slow after not facing much pressure in the first four games, especially last week
against Baylor. Texas is also counting on its offense to slow down Smith by keeping him off the field. Unlike Baylor, which tried to match Smith pass for pass in last week’s 70-63 shootout, the Longhorns are built around a ball-control running game and play-action passes. If Texas can grab a secondhalf lead, the Longhorns will try to kill the clock behind battering ram tailback Joe Bergeron. Longhorns quarterback David Ash has been quietly excellent through the first four games. Ash ranks No. 2 nationally in pass efficiency (behind Smith, of course) and led Texas’ game-winning touchdown drive last week in the final two minutes. After going 13-12 the last two seasons with a 2-6 record at home in the Big 12, the Longhorns can make their own statement with a victory: that Texas is indeed fighting its way back into the nation’s elite programs.
Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, right, is tackled by Arkansas ’s A.J. Turner on Saturday in College Station. The Aggies won the game 58-10. Barry Brunetti would have a chance to win the starting job against Texas A&M. Even if he doesn’t start, it’s almost certain the Rebels will play both quarterbacks. Brunetti has been effective in limited playing time, completing 19 of 27 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Sumlin said the Ole Miss offense would be difficult to handle regardless of who is under center. “They do a great job offensively in their schemes to get you spread out and to split you,” Sumlin said. “They’ve got some weapons and they are tough to defend. We’ve got our work cut out for us. The combination of their scheme with their team’s speed is what separates them.” The Rebels’ quick passing approach might negate one of Texas A&M’s biggest strengths: an elite pass rush. Junior defensive end Damontre Moore has been one of the SEC’s most productive defensive players this season, with 101/2 tackles for a loss, including six sacks. But he said the Aggies will have to pick their spots to attack or risk giving up big plays. “We have to be very disciplined,” Moore said. “He’s the most athletic quarterback we’ve played all year. He’s a little more agile. They run the zone read as well as anybody in the country. It puts more of an emphasis on us as a defensive line to be fundamentally sound.” This is only the fifth meeting between the two programs and the first since 1980. The Aggies have won all four games in the series.
Cowboys appear average By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Jose Yau | AP
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the second half on Monday in Arlington. The Bears won 34-18.
IRVING — The beginning was so good for the Dallas Cowboys, the kind of opening chapter that created anticipation about turning to the next page. A prime-time victory at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, a big-time performance in the NFL’s showcase kickoff game to avenge their season-ending loss eight months earlier that kept the Cowboys out of the playoffs. Then came those first five minutes in Seattle, when they trailed 10-0 after fumbling away the opening kickoff and a blocked punt for a touchdown. When they finally got home, there was a defensively dominating win over Tampa Bay before Tony Romo matched a career high with five interceptions in a miserable Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears.
All those twists and turns for the Cowboys (2-2), and they’re only one-fourth through their schedule and in their bye week. And already becoming pretty much the same average story again. “That’s tough,” said Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten, in his 10th season with only one playoff victory. “But we’re not going to quit. We’re going to stay together. I believe we have the right people. Great leadership in Jason (Garrett). We’ll get it turned around.” “We know we have a long way to go,” coach Jason Garrett said. Since the start of 1997, only their second season after winning three Super Bowl titles in a fouryear span early in Jerry Jones’ ownership, the Cowboys have a 122-122 record in regular-season games. The Cowboys were one of three NFL teams that went into this weekend with that 122-122 re-
cord in that time frame. But the Cowboys have only one postseason win during that time. New Orleans has won six postseason games including the Super Bowl three seasons ago, and San Diego has three playoff wins. The Cowboys play four of their next five games on the road, starting Oct. 14 at Baltimore. The only home game in a month is against the Giants, who are 3-0 at Cowboys Stadium and certainly will be looking for a different outcome than the opener. While Romo has completed 101 of 151 passes and is on pace for a career-high 4,592 yards, he has already thrown eight interceptions, only two fewer picks than in 522 attempts last season. He has been sacked eight times, and lost two fumbles against Tampa Bay after being crushed between defenders. Only two teams average less than the Cowboys’ 68 yards rushing per game.
Houston’s Watt powers electric, historic defense By JOHN MCCLAIN HOUSTON CHRONICLE
HOUSTON — The magnificent start of defensive end J.J. Watt’s second season has historic implications. Watt has been the NFL’s best defensive player during the Texans’ 4-0 start with 32 tackles, 7½ sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback pressures, five passes deflected and two fumble recoveries. No wonder he was voted AFC Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday. Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, Watt is the first player since Kevin Greene in 1998
to have multiple sacks in each of the first four games in a season. If Watt can get at least 1½ sacks against the New York Jets on Monday night, he’ll be one game short of Michael Strahan’s NFL record of six in a row with multiple sacks. During his six-game stretch in 2001, Strahan had 14 sacks on his way to the league record of 22½. Watt is the first to acknowledge he wouldn’t be able to compile such impressive numbers without so much talent around him. “I understand it’s not just me,” Watt said. “It’s the whole team, not just one guy.”
No. 1 in draft do-over Since 1982, only eight players have registered more sacks than Watt in their first four games. What makes Watt’s performance particularly impressive is that the Texans’ defense has been on the field an average of only 24 minutes, 28 seconds a game because the offense ranks second in the NFL in average time of possession. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who has been Watt’s strongest supporter, said his end became as good as any defensive lineman in the NFL during the playoffs last season when he had 14 tackles,
Photo by Brett Coomer | Houston Chronicle
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates his sack of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the fourth quarter at EverBank Field on Sunday in Jacksonville. The Texans beat the Jaguars 27-7. 3½ sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.
Likened to Long Watt has picked up where he left off. Now he has 11 sacks in six games, counting the playoffs. Phillips calls Watt “tre-
mendous.” Coach Gary Kubiak describes him as “incredible.” During his long career as a head coach and defensive coordinator, Phillips has coached Hall of Fame defensive linemen such as Reggie White (Philadelphia) and Bruce Smith (Buffalo). In White’s best four-
game stretch, he had 10 sacks in 1986. Smith had nine in 1990. Phillips has compared Watt to Howie Long (Raiders), who’s considered the best 3-4 defensive end in league history. Long never recorded sacks in four consecutive games. In 1983, he had seven over a threegame stretch.