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Residents angry over new adult bookstore, bar By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES
Legal complexities left an ordinance regarding sexually oriented businesses in Zapata undecided after a special meeting of the Zapata Commissioners Court earlier this week. The meeting room was full of Zapata residents who had come to protest the opening of an adult bookstore and bar with exotic dancers. But the court was careful to remind Zapatans that its powers were limited in reference to restricting the business. “The court’s going to do our best,” said County Attorney Said Alfonso Figueroa. “We need to be prudent in the way we act. The court is dedicated to acting in a manner that is most beneficial to the community.”
Amara Garza, a counselor who owns lots near the business, presented the court with almost 900 signatures of a petition “to defeat any opening or establishment of any sexually oriented business in the county.” Michael Adelman, owner of Zapata Fantasy Ranch, described it as a First Amendment issue. “These people have exercised their rights to congregate without fear of prosecution,” Adelman said, referring to the crowd protesting his business. “Then they want to tell me that I don’t have the right to display my material? That’s a double standard. They met and assembled under their First Amendment rights to take away someone else’s First Amendment rights.”
See RESIDENTS | PAGE 13A
Board mulls new school By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata Independent School District is considering adding an elementary school. The Board of Trustees on Tuesday night voted to start seeking bids for an outside agency to conduct a demographic study on whether there is a need in the community for another school.
Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez has been charged with finding the most inexpensive agency to conduct this RODRIGUEZ study. In previous years the school district has conducted demographic studies inhouse, but Rodriguez said using
an outside agency will save already existing district employees from wearing themselves too thin. “We don’t want instructional employees who are already busy to get tied up in a demographic study,” Rodriguez said. He estimates the study to cost anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000. “I gave the board an estimation on the high side. I am hoping that we can find someone to do
the study for somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000,” Rodriguez later said. Rodriguez said he hopes to have the bids ready for the board to see by their next meeting on Jan. 13. Also, on Tuesday night the Board of Trustees briefly discussed the possibility of introducing performance-based pay to the district.
See BOARD | PAGE 13A
CHILDREN GET A ‘GREEN’ CHRISTMAS By JASON BUCH THE ZAPATA TIMES
he U.S. CBP Border Patrol brought Green Santa to the Zapata station this week, as agents donated toys for Monday’s toy giveaway at the county courthouse. The agents donated toys that will join those donated by other agencies and corporate sponsors as well as local residents and will be given away from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday by Justice of the Peace Anna Guerra, who will dress as law enforcement’s Blue Santa. Green Santa is Border Patrol’s take on the annual Blue Santa toy collections, said Sandra Reyes, mission support for Border Patrol at the Zapata station. Agents were asked to donate toys costing $5 to $10 for infants to 12-year-olds, Reyes said. “Of course, some of our agents are very generous and gave a little more,” she said. Guerra and her brother, Justice of the Peace Fernando Muñoz, were on hand to recognize Border Patrol’s efforts and add the presents to those Santa will be giving away Monday. The tradition was begun by Justice of the Peace Juan Antonio Guevara, Guerra said. “He’s the one who started this program,” she said. “I’m just keeping it on.” Green Santa is a way for the Border Patrol to get involved in the community, said Juan B. Galindo III, supervisory agent for the Zapata station. Anyone is welcome to Monday’s festivities, Guerra said. “We’re hoping lots of needy children will be there,” she said. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)
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Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Katie Simms, left, helps Halie Nickell paint a mask during the day camp held at the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas Council office last summer.
Stains represent helping others (Editor’s note: United Way is funding 25 agencies in Laredo and Zapata with its 2008-09 campaign. This is one in a series about the agencies and the people they help.)
By CHRISTINA ROSALES THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Simms girls show up to Girl Scout camp dressed in their vests. Their appearance is neat and tidy like the mild-mannered girls who show up at your front step to sell you cookies. These girls, however, have a few stains from paint and grass that won’t wash out. The red, blue and green
blotches are representative of all their work and adventures as Girl Scouts. “I’ve tried to wash it out so they’ll look a little nicer,” said Sara Simms, the girls’ mother and troop leader. “They tell me to leave it so that people know that they work hard and serve their community.” The Simms girls, Madie and Katie, along with their fellow troop member, Isis Hernandez, earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest award for Junior Girl Scouts (a rank in the organization for girls ages 8-11).
Photos by Jason Buch | The Zapata Times
Law enforcement is combining efforts to bring Christmas joy to local children. Justice of the Peace Anna Guerra carries toys to her SUV from the Border Patrol station in Zapata. Guerra will be Blue Santa Monday at the Zapata County Courthouse.
See HELPING | PAGE 13A
Tamalada includes county workers By JASON BUCH THE ZAPATA TIMES
Mariachi music rang through the Zapata County Courthouse Wednesday for 49th District Judge Joe Lopez’s annual tamalada. Holiday parties were a tradition for the nine years he was county attorney, Lopez said, so when he took office as 49th District Court judge two years ago, he and County Judge Rosalva Guerra began hosting a holiday party. This year, Zapata County commissioners took part in the festivities as well, Lopez said.
“Basically, it’s just a time to thank people for what they do,” Lopez said of the county employees invited to attend. Lopez’s staff served tamales, menudo and rice, and the Zapata High School mariachi band serenaded the courthouse staff and local attorneys. The band played a birthday song for Lopez, who celebrated his on Thursday. Lopez also asked those gathered in the Christmas spirit for prayer on behalf of an employee at the district clerk’s office who recently lost a young child. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)
Members of the awardwinning Zapata High School Mariachi Band play for 49th District Judge Joe Lopez’s holiday tamalada Wednesday at the Zapata County Courthouse.
Photo by Jason Buch | The Zapata Times