Y T I N U m m o C 2019
Saturday - April 13th
• Food • Live Music • IBCA Cook Off • Semi Truck Show • Car Show • Carnival Rides
Fest
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Progress times Friday, April 5, 2019
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13th Court of Appeals sides with Mayor O’caña in election contest
Mission holds workshop for 2019-2020 budget
Vol. 47 - #32
50¢ cents
By Dave Hendricks The 13th Court of Appeals handed down a decision last week in the Mission election contest — and sided with Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña. Former Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas filed the election contest last year, claiming the O’caña campaign bribed voters and manipulated mail-in ballots during the June 2018 mayoral runoff. After a two-week trial, state District Judge J. Bonner Dorsey said the evidence convinced him Mission must hold a new election. The 13th Court of Appeals, however, reversed Dorsey on March 29. Two justices determined that Beto Salinas, who depended on expert witness testimony to estimate the number of tainted ballots, hadn’t actually proved his case. A third justice dissented. “We reverse the trial
Armando O’caña court’s judgment declaring the results of the June 9, 2018 Mission mayoral runoff election void, and we render judgment denying Salinas’s election contest suit,” according to the opinion released by the 13th Court of Appeals. “In order to expedite final resolution of this matter, no motion for rehearing will be entertained.” Beto Salinas may appeal
Norberto “Beto” Salinas to the Texas Supreme Court. “I think when you read the opinion, it makes absolutely no sense,” said attorney Rick Salinas of Mission, who represented his father. The lawsuit pitted Beto Salinas, a no-nonsense mayor who governed Mission for two decades, against O’caña, a mild-mannered member of the City Council nicknamed “Doc” — a reference to his
STC holds human trafficking symposium By Jose De Leon III
Human trafficking is considered a modern form of slavery, and it is becoming the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. That’s according to officials who spoke during Monday’s The Nexus of Exploitation: The Global Economy, Human Trafficking and the Marginalizeda discussion on human trafficking that was held at South Texas College. Speakers at the two-day event included Sister Norma Pimentel, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. The event, according to the college’s website, was an effort to raise community awareness about the pervasiveness of the labor, sex trafficking and organ trafficking trades, provide a forum for networking and training opportunities for professionals and practitioners within related fields, and ultimately to take part in the larger internation-
al conversation on how to stop human trafficking. “Human trafficking affects every country in the world. Right now, more than
thirty million people around the world are enslaved. Lured through desperation, with promises of good jobs, and trapped under the threat of violence, many are forced to work without pay in fac-
2020 Census Conference
tories, mines, fields, brick kilns, restaurants, construction, fishing industries, and private homes under deplorable conditions,” the site states. “Economic liberalization has paved the way and spurred an international market for the trade in human beings sustained by high profits and demand for cheap labor and commercial sex.” Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of State. These estimates include women, men and children. Victims are generally trafficked into the U.S. from Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe and do not speak and understand English and are therefore isolated and unable to communicate with service providers, law enforcement and others who
See STC SYMPOSIUM Pg. 10
INSIDE
Hidalgo County, along with Starr County and Cameron County, launched the “United We Count” campaign this Monday, encouraging RGV residents to participate in the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.
See Pg. 5
doctorate in educational administration. O’caña and businessman Jaime Gutierrez challenged Beto Salinas in May 2018. Beto Salinas won 49.96 percent of nearly 6,200 ballots cast, falling three votes short of a majority, according to Hidalgo County Elections Department records. That sent Beto Salinas to a runoff with O’caña, who placed second. O’caña narrowly defeated Salinas in June, winning about 51 percent of nearly 6,800 ballots cast, according to Elections Department records. He won by 157 votes. The results sent a shockwave through Mission, where Beto Salinas wielded unquestioned authority. After initially accepting the results, he filed a lawsuit. Attorneys for Beto Salinas claimed the O’caña
See ELECTION CONTEST Pg. 8
By Jamie Treviño The city is “being creative” in order to get out of the negative in certain areas of the budget. This past Tuesday evening, Mission held a preliminary budget workshop outlining their expenditures from the last fiscal year (2018-2019) so far and the potential 2019-2020 budget. According to City Manager Randy Perez, it was a “very preliminary presentation” of the balances since Sept. 30, 2018, and the audit that will be presented at Monday’s city council meeting. “It’s an unapproved schedule, and I wanted to go over them [the figures],” Perez said. Since Sept. 30 of last year, the total general fund balance has been about $3.3 million, a little less than half of the expected $6-7 million typically reserved in the general fund.
“The total revenues from the general fund [for the year ending Sept. 30, 2018] are $37,461,079, and total expenditures of $44,161,851,” Perez said. “So there was a difference in excess [deficiency] of revenue over expenditures of minus $6.7 million.” The general fund balances at the beginning of that year were at $6.3 million, and by the end of the year it was down to $3.3 million. For the utility fund, the total fund balance at the end of the last fiscal year was $3.2 million. “$1.6 million of that is for construction, and its restricted for construction,” Perez said. “And then $279,000 is for capital projects. What we consider available is committed to debt service, $1.4 million.” The unrestricted part of the utility fund, or what’s available for use, is also in
See MISSION BUDGET Pg. 10
La Joya Housing Authority board meets for the first time in four months, can’t agree on anything By Dave Hendricks When the La Joya Housing Authority board met last week, members couldn’t agree on anything. Asked to approve the meeting minutes from November, the board split 2-2. Asked to approve the budget, the board split 2-2. And asked to meet with an attorney, two members of the board walked out. Without a quorum, the two remaining board members reluctantly adjourned the meeting. Not a single item on the agenda had been
approved. “It did seem like it was a plan,” said board Chairwoman Sylvia Garces Valdez, who added that members of the board who voted against everything had clearly talked beforehand. “If you came in with an open mind, you would be able to see what’s beneficial for the housing authority.” March 28 marked the first board meeting since November, when the housing authority filed a lawsuit against La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas. The feud between Mayor
Salinas and the housing authority board started during October, when the board fired his daughter, Executive Director Frances A. Salinas. Frances Salinas filed a lawsuit, which flopped when she didn’t appear for any court hearings. Hidalgo County Court-at-Law Judge Albert Garcia dismissed the case and awarded the housing authority $20,000 to cover legal bills. Mayor Salinas, meanwhile, attempted to stack the
See LA JOYA HOUSING Pg. 10
Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks.
From left to right: Executive Director Cristi LaJeunesse, board President Sylvia Garces Valdez, board member German Reyna, board member Jorge Bazan and board member Jose Armando Salinas at the March 28, 2019, La Joya Housing Authority board meeting.
SISD Custodian Arrested
A former custodian at Sharyland North Junior High School was recently arrested after he was accused of soliciting two students for sex. For more information on the latest details see our story, inside.
See Pg. 5
INDEX Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 3 Sports.......................pg. 6 Obituaries..............pg. 8 Classifieds...............pg.9
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Coming Attractions
CommUNITY Fest brings people together
PALMVIEW – The City of Palmview is partnering with the Palmview Chamber of Commerce to stage the 2019 CommUNITY Fest on Saturday, April 13. The general public is invited. It runs from 2 to ??? p.m. and will be staged at 434 W. Palma Vista Dr. in Palmview. Organizers with the Palmview Chamber have billed CommUNITY Fest as “an event for our community and sister cities to come out and have a fantastic time and continuous family fun. Our goal is to give our community a better quality of life and continue making the City of
Palmview a thriving place.” Planned activities include an IBCA sanctioned cookoff, carnival rides, and a car show – including a semitruck show. Live music throughout the day features Sons of Texas, Solido, Sarah Monique, and other artists. For general information, call 956-432-0300. For information to become a vendor, call 956-862-3257. To sign up for the IBCA CookOff, call 956- 655-0036. For an entry in the car show, call 956-249-7233 and call 956212-2478 to submit an entry for the semi-truck show.
Flute, clarinet festival features acclaimed artists
EDINBURG – UTRGV will feature world-renowned performers at its 2019 Flute and Clarinet Festival, this Saturday, April 6, at the Performing Arts Center on the Edinburg Campus, 1201 W. University Dr. The closing performance, open to the public, begins at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Performing on flute are José Valentino, a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed artist who has worked on American Idol and X-Factor; and Giovanni Perez, a Latin Grammy-nominated music educator, music entre-
preneur, and multi-faceted performing artist. Performing on clarinet will be José Franch-Ballester, a native of Moncofa, Spain, hailed as one of the most promising clarinetists of his generation. Artistic directors of the UTRGV Flute and Clarinet Festival are Dr. Krista Jobson and Dr. Jonathan Guist, faculty at the UTRGV School of Music. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881. For more information on the festival, call 956-665-3471 or email krista.jobson@utrgv. edu or jonanthan.guist@ utrgv.edu.
April 5 • The Valley Symphony Orchestra presents “The 3B’s: Beatles, Brahms and Beethoven” at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd. from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40, $50 and $60 per person and may be purchased at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office, online at valleyorchestra.org or at ticketmaster.com. For questions, call the VSO Box Office to 956-661-1615. • Pianist Juan Pablo Andrade performs at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-8827025. April 8 • The UTRGV Night of Percussion Student Ensemble Series performance begins at 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex auditorium, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. General admission is $5 with tickets available online at patron.utrgv.edu. April 9 • The McAllen Society for the Performing Arts (MSPA) program Broadway in McAllen presents Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. For general information, pricing and special membership features, go to LiveinMcAllenClub.com. For questions, contact the ticket hotline at 888-200-4035, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 10-14 • The UTRGV Mainstage 2019 production of The Imposter by Rodolf Usigli will be directed by Richard Edmonson. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Tickets are $15 and available at patron.utrgv.edu. For more information or special accommodations, call 956-665-3581 or visit UTRGV. edu/theatre. April 13 • The Upper Valley Art League will host another creative wellness workshop for a holistic approach to healing utilizing artistic media taught by Racheal Brown. It will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $20 for UVAL members and $30 for nonmembers. Sign up and pay at the UVAL gallery desk, 921 E. 12th St., Mission. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
Speer Memorial Library will host the digital photography exhibit of the work of Mujtaba H. Naqvi. The exhibit is on display in the library’s community room through June 1. There will be an open reception on Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. to meet the artist. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Naqvi’s digital photogra-
MHS One Act Play advances to Area The Mission High School (MHS) One Act Play Team is advancing out of the Bi-District competition to the Area level competitions. Those competitions will be held next week in Zapata. In addition to advancing to the Area competition, several individual honors were earned at the Bi-District competition. Ivan Gonzalez was named All-Star Cast. Giselle De Leon earned All-Star Tech. The MHS One Act Play Team is performing “The Servant of Two Masters.” Pictured are the cast, crew, and directors after the Bi-District competitions on Tuesday, March 26.
PCT to host acting class workshop for kids
PHARR – The Pharr Community Theater (PCT) is currently registering students between ages 14 to 17 for an acting class with Maria Alvarado from April 8 through May 18. The workshop consists of two, one-hour classes per week, for six weeks for $180 per student. Class size is limited to 10 students. A part of the proceeds is to benefit PCT’s theater and acting classes programs. Students will learn improvisation, monologues, duets, voice and diction, character
Speer Library to host Naqvi exhibi phy exhibit showcases local wildlife endangered by border wall construction through a self-guided Nature Walk in Mission. The exhibit consists of enlarged portraits of birds, butterflies, and other species found in the Rio Grande Valley which will be displayed at five locations, each featuring a unique collection. The exhibit is divided among the five locations and
is free to the public. Besides Speer Memorial Library, it will be on display at the National Butterfly Center through July 7, Almaguer Allstate Insurance through June 30, the Border Theater in Mission through April 27, and at the Upper Valley Art League through May 4. Naqvi is a multimedia artist residing in McAllen. He moved to Mission from Ka-
development and auditioning. To register today or for more information, including class schedules, text or call 956-569-8919 or email alvarado.mari3@gmail.com. Alvarado graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a bachelor’s in theatre performance. She is an actor, director and experienced dancer and has performed and directed at international theatre festivals in New Orleans and New York City.
rachi, Pakistan 14 years ago. He can be contacted by phone or text at 956-624-9871 or emailed at mujinaqvi@gmail. com. For any additional information, on the exhibit at the library, contact Lulu Garcia at 580-8714 or email at lulu@ missiontexas.us. The library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.
Y T I N U m m Co 2019
Fest
2:00 P.M.
434 W. Palma Vista Dr. Palmview, TX
Saturday -April 13th
E
FRE • Food ION • Live Music ADMISS • IBCA Cook Off • Semi Truck Show • Car Show • Carnival Rides
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 956-432-0300 WWW.CITYOFPALMVIEW.COM
April 5, 2019
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EVENTS
CALENDAR
Keeping the past bright On March 23, the Hidalgo County Historical Commission (HCHC) held a training meeting on refinishing Texas Historical Markers in Hidalgo County at Speer Memorial Library in Mission. Presently, over 160 markers in the County and some are in need of cleaning and repair. Speakers for the program were Oscar Martinez, chairperson for marker restoration, and Harry Raskosky, HCHC member, who also works with the markers. Adela Ortega, HCHC chairperson introduced the speakers who then presented information and detailed instructions to demonstrate the steps to follow in the maintenance and care of the markers.
Program gives historical overview of Latina activism, leadership
EDINBURG – The public is invited to attend the “Mexicana/Chicana/Latina Activism and Leadership: An Historical Overview,” presentation featuring Maritza De La Trinidad on Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History. This presentation will highlight the various ways Mexicana, Chicana and Latina activists participated, led, and provided leadership for various campaigns to improve conditions for Mexicanx/Chicanx communities. In Texas, as early as the 1830s, Mexicana and Tejana women advocated for Catholic schools to serve children in their communities. In the 20th century, activists such as Jovita Idar, Adela Sloss Vento, Emma Tenayuca and Gloria Anzaldua highlighted injustices and discrimination through their writings, social criticism and labor activism. In the late 1960s, young Chicanas organized and partic-
ipated in high school walkouts to contest segregated and inferior public education. These walkouts began in in Los Angeles, Calif., and also occurred in Edcouch-Elsa and Crystal City. Most recently Mexicanas and Chicanas played key roles in communities through local organizations such as La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). De La Trinidad received her doctorate’s degree in history from the University of Arizona. She is an associate professor of Mexican-American Studies and history at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Mexican-American Studies, civil rights and educational history. The program is included in regular museum admission. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. Call 956-383-6911 for information.
April 6 – Juan Diego Academy Catholic Regional High School’s annual Spring Festival will be held on the campus at 5208 S. FM 494 in Mission. It begins with the La Lomita 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Registration for the LaLomita 5K Run/Walk is $25 can be made online at endurancesplits. webconnex.com/lalomita5k. There will be barbecue chicken plates sold and served up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The $8 plates are eat in or take. Those who eat in can purchase drinks and desserts. The Grand Chalupa bingo game runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a final drawing at 2:15 p.m. For more information, call 956-583-2752 or visit juandiegoacademy.com. April 6 – Join in the Party for the Planet at the Gladys Porter Zoo’s celebration of Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will spotlight conservation with games and activities for children, and organizations will be present to share information on to help preserve the Earth’s resources. The event is included with regular admission. For information, call 956-546-7187. The zoo is located at 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. April 6 – The Saturday Safari, “ Bee Friends,” at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville, helps children learn about plant and animal relationships. A zoo tour, arts and crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included in the class that runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Classes are $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for zoo members. Children must be 4 years or older to participate. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org. April 9 – Speer Memorial Library in Mission will host a book discussion of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café. It takes place in the library’s Community Room at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Stop by the library or call at 580-8754 to reserve a copy of the book or find it as an eBook at hidalgocotx.oneclickdigital.com. For more information, call 580-8754 or email reference@missiontexas. us. The library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. April 13 – The Mission Lions Club Market Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leo Peña Placita Park in downtown Mission. There will be food, vendors, free bingo games, door prizes and music. The Mission Parks & Recreation Ballet Folklorico will perform at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Everything is free and open to the public. Non-profit organizations can also use the event to help raise funds for their group, receiving a special non-profit rate for a booth. Commercial booths are available for local businesses. For more information, to register as a vendor, or to reserve a commercial booth, contact Adela Ortega at 956-458-9066. April 13 – The Saturday Safari, “Tortuga Tales,” runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. Learn about the seven species of sea turtles that visit the Texas Coast. A zoo tour, arts and crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included in the class that runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Classes are $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for zoo members. Children must be 4 years or older to participate. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
‘Friends’ plan 2019 Moon over Mazatlán On Thursday, April 11, Friends of Quinta Mazatlán will host the annual Moon over Mazatlán celebration, “FIESTA!” The evening will celebrate 13 years of Quinta Mazatlan as an urban sanctuary and to raise funds for continued efforts to promote environmental education in South Texas. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset in McAllen. Val LaMantia Peisen and Sally Fraustro Guerra, event chairs, and the committee members have planned a night of cocktails and a culinary dinner prepared by Chef Delgado. The evening continues with dancing under the stars to the Latin Vibe show band. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting ticketmaster.com and clicking on “Moon over Mazatlán.” For more information, call 956-681-3370.
Book promotes giving teachers latitude During a fellowship meeting of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International ~ Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at John Knox Village in Weslaco, were given a program by fellow member, Dr. Alcione Negrão Ostorga, as she shared her published book, The Right to Teach: Creating Spaces for Teacher Agency. Dr. Ostorga’s work delves into the premise that teachers, with their high levels of professionalism, can make decisions in their classrooms to help their students succeed academically, rather than just following directions from their supervisors in a topdown fashion. The book then provides a framework that
can help educators in creating spaces where teachers can use the idea of agency in a way that will advance their students’ academics. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. DKG – Epsilon Upsilon chapter meets once a month at different locations in Hidalgo County and a member’s social night is held each month at Chili’s in Sharyland. For more information, contact Pamela Bond at pamela.bond@ hcahealthcare.com or Terry Dreibelbis at Driveabus1@ aol.com.
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April 5, 2019
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Former Peñitas employee running for office Esmeralda “Esmer” Me- Openings and Ground Break- Clerk. During her last years dina, has lived in Peñitas all ing Ceremonies as well as of employment, she worked her life. She is the mother Public City Meetings which in the Utilities Department of three wonderful children all helped her build a much as an Administrative Secreand the wife of Pastor tary involved and workGabriel Medina for 24 ing in all aspects of the years. Medina is currentcity’s utilities and public ly the Assistant Director works. In addition to of their Church Ministry her daily job duties, Mrs. where she is continuousMedina kept the general ly involved in serving her public well informed of local community through the exciting city’s events numerous charity events through the wonderful and fundraisers. Peñitas Highlights magEsmer is a proud 1993 azine which she was reGraduate of La Joya sponsible of creating and High School. In 2000, to publish for the public she earned an Associates every four months. in Childhood DevelopEsmeralda will conment while working at tinue cherishing the pride a migrant child care fashe holds for being part cility in Michigan. She of the city’s first economwas later attracted to the ic growth she witnessed medical field in 2005 and the satisfaction of where she studied earnserving so many great ing a Medical Assistant Esmeralda “Esmer” Medina people over the years Certificate at South Texas during her employment Vo-Tech. with the city. She now She then decided to get closer relationship with the hopes the residents of Peñiinvolved in her city serv- people in her community. tas will give her the opporing the general public. She While at the city, she tunity to represent them as a started working for the City worked at city hall in the truthful, honest and dedicatof Peñitas in 2008, and con- Building Permits, Inspec- ed member of the City Countinued until 2018. Esmer was tions and Subdivision De- cil and be able to reestablish part of the many city events partment and assisting the the positive growth the city and functions such as Grand City Secretary and Court once had.
Local educator running for Peñitas City Council As a graduate from University of Texas Pan-American (now UTRGV), Osiel Ramos is a current elementary teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, located here in Peñitas. In his 16 years as an educator, Mr. Ramos has served as a role model, a parent, shoulder to cry on and counselor. He’s served as a member of the Peñitas Friends of the Library, a member of the Peñitas White Wing Festival, a member of the Planning/Zoning committee and City Charter committee member. Mr. Ramos has participated in vast school campus and district functions along with extracurricular activities ranging from SBDM committee member, Attendance committee member, UIL coach, LJ Wellness coach, LJISD Public Relations Representa-
Osiel Ramos tive, and JFK’s school wide photographer. As a former migrant worker, Mr. Ramos worked in the harsh fields during his last four years of high school alongside his family and understands from experience
the struggles and what it takes to survive to become a productive educated citizen. Mr. Ramos beliefs are to “Strive to work as a TEAM to bring growth and prosperity to the community.” Also as a leader, Mr. Ramos knows how critical it will be to give the citizens a voice and allow for that voice to be heard. As a candidate for city council, Mr. Ramos pledges to be vigilant and accessible to all citizens. Collaborating with all city personnel, neighboring municipalities and state/federal entities will be priority on his agenda. With his presence as a city official, Peñitas will be known as a prosperous city where people will want to enjoy to live in and embed their family roots in.
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Mayor “Rigo” Lopez seeks second term in office
After being elected to office in 2015, Penitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” lopez announced he is running for a second term as mayor. “I believe that under our leadership, the City of Peñitas has grown tremendously compared to just a few years ago,” stated Lopez. “We have invested into our community and are working on many exciting projects which will contribute to our city’s economic vitality and improved quality of life for our residents. I am seeking a second term in office because I want to ensure that these projects and goals are implemented not only as Mayor but as a proud resident of this wonderful community.” Lopez is a graduate of La Loya High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He coached middle and high school students at La Joya ISD for over 10 years and is currently the district’s Transportation Director. During his four-year term as mayor on the city council, Lopez has helped attract businesses to the city, im-
prove roads and drainage infrastructure, fostered partnerships with local agencies and organizations, improved the city’s access to grants and funding, and most importantly, he has provided
Rigo Lopez the citizens of Peñitas with the city’s first-ever Fire Department and EMS services. “As Peñitas grows and welcomes new businesses and opportunities, I look forward to continuing to lead the way for strengthening relationships and working with
the city council and staff to cultivate a community that is poised to grow financially and with the focus of improving the overall quality of life for our Peñitas families,” said Lopez. The council, under Mayor Lopez’s leadership, has recently secured a partnership with La Joya ISD and the Hidalgo County Urban County Program to develop and construct a park near JFK Elementary, with the expansion of more parks throughout the city planned. This year, Mayor Lopez will launch the city’s first-ever Parks and Recreation Department to serve children throughout the area. “As an educator and coach for over 10 years and as a father to three young children, I know the importance and influence that recreational sports programs have for our youth,” Lopez said. “Sports play a valuable role in the healthy development of children, they build character, foster teamwork, provide a sense of family, and most importantly, they serve
See RIGO LOPEZ Pg. 10
Marcos Ochoa
seeks return to mayoral seat in Peñitas Marcos Ochoa seeks return to mayoral seat in Peñitas Marcos L. Ochoa, born and raised in Peñitas, is now a candidate for Mayor of this once-thriving community. Marcos is a 1973 graduate of La Joya ISD. In 1998 he was elected for City Council and served for 10 years. During his tenure he and the council started the Peñitas Police Department, Crime Control & Prevention District and as part of the site development for the Veterans Memorial Park built the Dr. Roberto Zamora Neighborhood Facility which initially served as a Hidalgo County Head Start Center. It was later repurposed as the Peñitas Municipal Library. In 2008 Marcos was elected as Mayor. One of the campaign promises at the time was to restart the defunct Peñitas White Wing Festival which was revived and flourished during his years as Mayor. During this period of growth the city developed the Veterans Memorial Park to include the pavilion and BBQ pits, a large play area for children, a basketball court and small picnic gazebos. Towards the end of Marcos’ administration plans, designs and bids were solicited to build the Water Park. A priority of the administration was to maximize the use of federal funds from the Hidalgo County Urban County Program which was used to pave the streets in the newly annexed area known as Tierra Blanca. The city’s paving projects included replacing water lines, installing drainage lines and building paved streets with
curb and gutter and sidewalks. Most were improved during his administration and the last two were designed, engineered and bid out ready for construction by the new administration. We honored the area veterans by dedicating monuments and plaques at the
Marcos Ochoa park whose service range from WWI to the Afghanistan Conflict. We presided over the grand opening of the WalMart and the subsequent development in the area including the apartment project known as the Villages of Peñitas. All of the development and businesses in the area contributed to developing over 500 jobs and help increase the city’s sales tax. The city expanded to the east and west and up to the 4 mile line on the north side of the city. The newly annexed areas got police protection and street lighting and were included in the city’s planning for water, sewer and
garbage improvements. In 2008 when Marcos became Mayor the city had an operating budget of approximately $ 800,000. 00 and sales tax revenue of $200,000.00. At the end of Marcos’ tenure as Mayor the city’s finances had improved to approximately $663,000.00 in sales tax with an operating budget of approximately $3,150,000.00. According to the Texas Comptroller the city of Peñitas’ sales tax grew at approximately 29 percent, significantly higher than the county as a whole which increased by five percent. At the end of the Marcos Ochoa administration in 2014, the city had approved allocations of $3,000,000 for the new City Hall/Police Department and $ 1,400,000 for the Liberty Blvd. Providing reasonable utility rates and fees would allow the city to create new jobs in the area and grow our retail and sales tax, much like Palmhurst, has experienced at Conway and 3 Mile Line. Since announcing his candidacy Marcos has received endorsements from Peñitas’ first and second mayors, Efren Garza andr Servando Ramirez. Marcos has also received support from former city commissioners Roberto Cardenas Jr., Velia Rivera, as well as newly elected La Joya ISD Board Member Mary Hernandez, Homer Tijerina (Agua SUD Director), Ricardo Villarreal (Palmview Mayor), Javier Ramirez (Palmview Commissioner) and other elected officials have also endorsed Marcos Ochoa for Mayor.
April 5, 2019
page 5
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“United We Count/Contamos Unidos ” campaign launched at news conference 1 year before the 2020 Census By Jamie Treviño The “United We Count” campaign was met with support throughout the Rio Grande Valley this week. This past Monday, elected officials, community leaders and regional stakeholders held two news conferences, one including leaders from Hidalgo County and Starr County, and another including leaders from Cameron County. The conferences were held as a public service announcement encouraging residents in the Rio Grande Valley to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. During the morning conference, held at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Courtroom in Edinburg, officials and school leaders gathered to stress the importance of being counted in the census. Among those present were Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes, McAllen Mayor Jim Darling and Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina. “It’s going to take a very united effort for all of us to make sure that everybody in Hidalgo County is counted,” Fuentes said. “We have representatives from our schools, our cities, leadership and county representatives here. Hand in hand, we’re going to go out there and make sure that we get all the necessary counting done.” Erika Reyna, the assistant chief of staff for Cortez,
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez speaking at a news conference held to remind the public that we are one year out from the 2020 U.S. Census, and launch the United We Count/Contamos Unidos campaign.
was one of many to speak on the lack of funding that has come as a result of low RGV census counts in the past. According to the speakers, the RGV has been undercounted for many years because of the lack of participation in the U.S. Census. “The ‘United We Count’ campaign, Contamos Unidos, is comprised of subcommittees, we’ve got business, media, community organization representatives, government officials and education partners represented here,” Reyna said. “ Cortez mentioned that Hidalgo is the seventh largest county in Texas, and that
statistics say that 35 percent of people living in the county live in poverty. “So it’s extremely important that we maximize the funds that come to our area, from the federal government as well as our state government,” Cortez said. “We have an opportunity in this census to be counted.” Cortez said that traditionally Hidalgo County has been undercounted in part because of undocumented residents fearing deportation, complacency and incorrect addresses. “We think at least 20 percent of the people that live here may be undocumented workers, undocumented peo-
ple,” Cortez said. “So when someone from the outside comes in and wants to count them, or wants to identify them and give them a census message, their concern was that a stranger was coming in [to their homes].” The county also does not want to be complacent this year, and ensure everyone is counted without repercussion, according to Cortez. “You can do it online, over the phone, and physically through mail,” Cortez said, adding that those physically collecting for the census should hopefully be familiar faces for residents. Judge Vera said that the main issue with being under-
counted is the lack of funding that results from it at the state and federal levels. “We venture to say that we have closer to 50 percent in poverty [in Starr County],” Vera said. “So every dollar that we lose [in state and federal funding] is a tremendous loss for us.” Speaking on how local education has been impacted by the census, Teresa Flores, the Executive Director of the Hidalgo County Head Start program, spoke on how local education has been impacted by the census, noting that Head Start is one of the more underfunded and underserved parts of the coun-
ty. The goal of the program is to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in the Valley. “The counts went down on the number of children under 5 years old by 4.5 percent. How is that? That’s not what we see in our communities,” Flores said. “Funding has been flat despite the fact that the number of children in our county have gone unserved. Approximately 16,000.” “To me, when you have a 3 or 4-year-old child that doesn’t get into the classrooms, it’s very difficult for them to catch up later on,” Flores added, saying that the school districts in the area have come to the program’s rescue. “We do not get additional funds, yet we have additional mandates to be able to do what we do.” Reyna said the county is excited to be partnered with several community establishments in order to raise more awareness that the 2020 Census is one year away. “We want to continue to grow,” Reyna said. “We’ve got one year, we’re going to work very hard to make sure we provide the government with the information that is needed so we can make resources available and our community responds. United we count. Contamos unidos.” The 2020 Census will be available to complete online starting March 23, 2020, and the official Census day is April 1, 2020.
Police arrest former Sharyland ISD custodian accused of soliciting students for sex By Dave Hendricks Investigators arrested a former custodian at Sharyland North Junior High last week after students said he offered to pay them for oral sex. Two boys said that custodian Manuel Martinez, 56, of McAllen touched them inappropriately and offered to pay them for oral sex, according to court records. A third boy witnessed the incidents. Investigators assigned the boys pseudonyms — Carlos, Austin and Roy — to keep them anonymous. The boys confronted Martinez on March 5, minutes after he touched Carlos in the cafeteria. “Carlos stated he asked Manuel why he touched him and Manuel told him, ‘Because I like little Mexican boys,’” according to court records. Investigators charged Martinez with two counts of prostitution-soliciting a person younger than 18 years old, a second-degree felony,
Manuel Martinez and one count of making a terroristic threat, a Class B misdemeanor. Martinez didn’t respond to requests for comment. Asked about the arrest, the Sharyland Independent School District released a statement. “Upon learning of certain allegations made against a former custodian, the Sharyland ISD (‘District’) initiated an immediate investigation. The custodian was terminat-
ed and the allegations were reported to the Texas Education Agency as well as to Child Protective Services as required by law,” according to the statement. “The former employee was subsequently arrested. The Sharyland ISD is working with law enforcement who are investigating the allegations. The District has communicated with those impacted by the allegations. Due to the ongoing investigation the District cannot comment further.” The investigation started on March 5, when a coach heard people arguing in the bathroom. Concerned about the commotion, the coach entered the bathroom and witnessed Martinez standing near the boys, according to court records. Martinez appeared shocked to see the coach and walked away without saying anything. When the coach asked the boys what happened, Carlos said “Manuel had grabbed him during lunch and they also told him about how Manuel offered Carlos
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$40.00 for oral sex,” according to court records. Investigators interviewed Carlos, who recounted four incidents where Martinez touched him inappropriately or offered him money for oral sex. The first incident happened in January, when students returned from winter break.
“Carlos stated he entered the restroom during lunch with Austin. Carlos stated Manuel walked in behind them and place (sic) his hands over his and Austin’s buttocks. Carlos stated Manuel calls him and his friends ‘Gringos and you little Mexican boy.’” Carlos and Austin also said that Martinez offered to
pay them for oral sex. “Carlos stated on another incident after the first, Austin, Roy and him were walking to the pavilion after having lunch and saw Manuel in the custodian’s closet. Carlos stated Manuel told him, ‘Hey Mexican boy, $40.00’
See MARTINEZ Pg. 7
THE
April 5, 2019
Sports week
BIG7 SCHOOLS
page 6
www.ptrgv.com/sports
Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports
Lady Huskies just keep on winning
By Luciano Guerra Going into this soccer season the Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies had several goals in mind. One of those goals was to make the playoffs. Another was to win a bi-district championship. While making the playoffs would be nothing new to Coach Rick Garza’s squad, winning a bi-district championship would. That is because each and every time the Lady Huskies have qualified for the playoffs in the past, they’ve been eliminated in the bi-district round. Last Friday the Lady Huskies finally got the no-playoff-wins monkey off their backs as they defeated Del Rio by a score of 2-0 to claim their first ever bi-district championship. While some teams may have been satisfied with achieving a goal which had eluded them in the past, this cannot be said of the Lady Huskies. That is because as a result of their subsequent win over the Harlingen Lady Cardinals Tuesday night, the Lady Huskies have added another first to their list of accomplishments, an Area championship. With that win, the Lady Huskies have now compiled an overall record of 36-1 this season. That nearly perfect record, along with their two playoff wins, has easily made this their most successful season in team history. So how does it feel to be the head coach of an Area champion? Garza shared his feelings immediately after Tuesday night’s game when he said, “It feels great knowing what we have been able to accomplish. We knew that our season was not going to end today. Harlingen managed to go up on us 2-1 but our girls were resilient, they have excellent team character and we were able to bond on the field and adjust to the things we had to do on the field. They did what they had to do and they got the job
done.” While the Lady Huskies did take the lead early on when sophomore mid-fielder Yulissa Ramirez opened the scoring with a goal at the 13:40 mark of the first half, the Lady Cardinals tied the score at 1-1 with a goal of their own with just under 12 minutes left in the first half. Even so, the goal by Ramirez did take some of the pressure off the Lady Huskies as they had missed on several scoring opportunities early on. And as for Ramirez, she was thrilled just to see the ball hit the back of the net. “I am so proud that I was able to score the first goal for our team,” Ramirez said. “I thought I was going to miss but Melanie (Olivarez) fed it to me and it went in. I believe in myself and my team. They put everything they had into the game and I am so proud of them all.” While the score remained 1-1 at halftime, it didn’t take the Lady Cardinals long to take their first and only lead of the game five minutes into the second half when they scored a goal to make the score 2-1 in their favor. While it was starting to look as if the Lady Huskies’ first half missed scoring opportunities may be coming back to haunt them, junior forward Melanie Olivares gave the Juarez-Lincoln faithful something to cheer about when she scored the game-tying goal with 21:51 remaining on the clock. “Pricilla (Hernandez) fed it to me,” Olivares said. “It was a designed team play with just one touch. I just remember having the ball right in front of me as I took a deep breath, looked up and took a shot at the post that was nearest from the goalie. Luckily it went in for the score.” “To me scoring that goal was a real boost because I was getting frustrated,” Olivares added. “But my team and my coaches made me
get up. There’s a saying that Coach Garza keeps telling me and it is, ‘Big time players make big time plays,’ and I guess that’s what I did, I made a big time play.” The score remained tied at 2-2 until the 9:25 mark of the second half when Juarez-Lincoln sophomore forward Pricilla Hernandez gave the Lady Huskies the lead to stay with her first goal of the game. While the Lady Huskies did score an additional goal with 6:19 remaining in the game, it was actually scored by a Lady Cardinal who inadvertently kicked the ball past her own goalie and into the Juarez-Lincoln goal. That made the score 4-2, which was also the final score of the game. As for Hernandez, when she was asked how it felt to be an Area champion, she said, “It feels great because we worked hard for our team to be in a position to win this game and now we get to advance even further. Even though we were behind, our team never gave up and that’s how we are. We come back whenever we are losing because we don’t like losing.” Next up for the Lady Huskies will be the Laredo Alexander Lady Bulldogs in the Regional Quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. This game is scheduled to be played tonight at 7 pm at La Joya ISD Stadium. In other Area round games involving Big 7 teams, the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks lost to Victoria East by a score of 4-1, the Palmview Lobos lost to Corpus Christi Veterans by a score of 2-1 and the Sharyland Rattlers defeated Victoria East by a score of 7-2. Next up for the Rattlers will be the Valley View Tigers. This game is scheduled to be played tomorrow at 6 pm at Richard Thompson Stadium.
Progress Times photo by Mario Magallon.
The Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies celebrate their 4-2 Area round playoff game win against the Harlingen Lady Cardinals Tuesday night.
Palmview’s Rivas brings home state gold By Luciano Guerra The best-of-the-best boys’ powerlifters from across the state of Texas met at the Taylor County Expo in Abilene last month to compete in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s state meet. Of the 262 athletes that
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competed, only 11 earned gold medals and one of those highly coveted medals was earned by Juan Rivas of Palmview High School. Competing in the 275 lb. weight class, Rivas squatted 780 lbs., bench pressed 475 lbs. and dead lifted 570 lbs. for a total weight lifted of
1,825 lbs. That was 20 lbs. more than his two closest competitors who lifted a total of 1,805 lbs. each. It was also 50 lbs. more than the 1,775 lbs. Rivas lifted at the Region 5 Division 1 Championship meet, just three days earlier, which earned him a silver medal.
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Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.
Palmview Lobos’ powerlifter Juan Rivas
The fact that Rivas, who is now a senior, did not take up competitive powerlifting until his junior year makes the fact that he is now a state gold medalist that much more incredible. So what was it that made him decide to take up powerlifting in the first place? As Rivas explained, it was a desire to better himself as a football player. “My freshman year I didn’t know about anything, but I did throw the shotput and the discus in track my sophomore year,” Rivas said. “But then I switched over to powerlifting my junior year so that I could get stronger for varsity football where I play offensive guard.” Going into the state meet, Rivas was the region’s second ranked lifter behind Isai Martinez of Weslaco East High School. However, Martinez bombed-out (failed to successfully execute one off
See RIVAS BRINGS GOLD Pg. 7
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April 5, 2019 from pg. 6
RIVAS BRINGS GOLD
his three lifts) which eliminated one of his toughest competitors. Even so, Rivas had to better a field of 25 lifters to earn his gold medal. “Going into my first lift, which was the squat, I wanted to lift more than 780 lbs. but I guess it was a bad day because I couldn’t.” Rivas said. “Even so, I was in third place at that point so I felt confident about my chances to medal. In the bench press I matched my maximum practice weight of 475 lbs. and I moved into second place, so I was pleased with that.” “Going into my final lift, which was the deadlift, I was 40 lbs. behind the first place lifter,” Rivas added. “But he only deadlifted 510 lbs., which is pretty light, so I knew that I was going to beat him. And that’s what I did when I lifted 570 lbs. on my second attempt.” Even though Rivas knew he had surpassed the lifter ahead of him, he thought he may have been passed by the third place lifter because his weights had not been posted. But he soon figured out that he had taken the gold when he saw his opponents’ reaction to his final lift. “I knew that he didn’t get his lift because after he finished, he went up to the wall and he started crying,” Farias said. While Palmview High School has had state gold medalists in powerlifting before, Farias is the first male to accomplish this feat. When asked how it felt to take the gold, Farias said, “It felt amazing to know that I had accomplished that achievement. It made me very happy. While I never even thought about the possibility of my winning a state gold medal, my coach believed in me and I made him proud.” Afterwards, Farias celebrated his state gold medal with a pound of ribs and a dip in the pool.
from pg. 5
page 7
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com Renzo Tamez is the Palmview High School powerlifting coach. When asked what it is about Farias that made him so successful in only his second year of powerlifting, Tamez said, “He’s a good kid, a hard worker and a good listener. He is also a very good athlete. He was even voted the Valley’s Lineman of the Year in football. So football-wise and powerlifting-wise, it’s been a very good year for him.” “He was very upset about bombing out at the state meet last year because he knew that he could’ve done well,” Tamez added. “He also had some obstacles this year. He really wanted to win the regional championship, but that didn’t come his way. But patience is one of his virtues so while he did have some disappointments this year, I just kept telling him to be patient.” While Rivas was the only Big 7 powerlifter to win a gold medal in Abilene, Sharyland Pioneer’s Obed Hernandez came within 10 lbs. of earning his second state powerlifting gold medal in as many years. Hernandez, who competed in the 198 lb. weight class, squatted 675 lbs., bench pressed 370 lbs. and dead lifted 610 lbs. for a total of 1,655 lbs. That was 10 lbs. less than Joshua’s Brek Galbreath who lifted a total of 1,665 lbs. to earn the gold medal. Last year, Hernandez lifted a total of 1,610 lbs. to earn the gold. Only two other Big 7 schools’ powerlifters placed among the top 10 in their respective weight classes at the state meet. They are Mission’s Javier Farias (7th, 123 lbs.) and La Joya’s Jose Chavez (7th, Super Heavy Weight). In the team competition, Palmview placed 12th and Pioneer placed 16th. No other Big 7 teams placed among the top 40 at the state meet.
Gone, but Not Forgotten. HONORING THE MEMORY OF OUR HEROES IN UNIFORM. Honor the memory of a loved one in our Memorial Day Tribute at no cost. Just send in their photo along with name and military service branch. You can stop by the Progress Times office (1217 N. Conway Ave, Mission) with photo or email info@progresstimes.net. Deadline is Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 5pm
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MARTINEZ
and made a hand gesture with his right hand to make a waive-like, up and down motion in front of his (Manuel) genital area,” according to court records. “Carlos stated he knows the waive-like hand motion means Manuel wanted to give him oral sex. Carlos stated Manuel also offered $40.00 to Austin and made same waive-like hand
motion to him.” Along with touching them inappropriately and offering them money for oral sex, the boys said Martinez threatened Carlos with a knife. If convicted on the felony charges, Martinez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Pet of the Week Coco is a Weimaraner mix, believed to be about 7 months old. She is a very playful, happy puppy! If you would like to make Coco a part of your family, contact the Mission Pawsible Program at 956580-8741, M-F, 8AM-5PM. The City of Mission Animal Shelter is located at 227 Abelino Farias, and is open throughout the week and on Saturdays - 9AM to 4PM. The cost to adopt is $50, which includes: Spay/ Neuter, Rabies Shot, 1st Vaccine, Microchip and Deworming. To view more animals in the Mission Pawsible Program, visit missiontexas.us. Sponsored by Jerry Saenz
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page 8 from pg. 1
April 5, 2019
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ELECTION CONTEST
campaign bribed voters and manipulated mail-in ballots. The trial, which started in September, riveted the Hidalgo County Courthouse. Witnesses testified about bribes and stacks of mail-in ballots collected by politiqueras. To win election contests, attorneys typically attempt to
prove the number of illegal ballots exceeded the margin of victory. Rick Salinas took a different tact. Throughout the two-week trial, Rick Salinas adopted the role of a prosecutor, attempting to prove the O’caña campaign had become a
criminal conspiracy. While he elicited explosive testimony about illegal activity, Rick Salinas didn’t call enough witnesses to challenge the margin of victory. To cast doubt on the results, Rick Salinas hired an expert witness who claimed, based on a theory
about the stamps on mailin ballots, that hundreds of votes showed signs of illegal activity. Attorneys for O’caña argued the stamp theory didn’t hold water. Moments after the attorneys concluded their closing arguments, Dorsey handed
able weather. In Coke County they were members of Robert Lee Baptist Church, and in Mission they were very active in First Presbyterian Church and it was there they completed the task of raising their children. After Bing died in 1977 when Helen was 54, Helen moved to the Leon Springs/ Boerne, Tex. area. She was a member of the Leon Springs Presbyterian Church and delighted in walking clubs, dancing groups, and exercise classes for many years. Always active, involved, vivacious, loyal, opinionated, obstinate and outspoken, she made a lasting impression on all she encountered. Retirement was never exciting enough, so Helen worked every job imaginable well into her 80s and was always ready for the next adventure. Helen persevered through all of her life’s overwhelming challenges on her own terms. Eventually, declining health led her to live with her youngest son, Carl, in Midland and in 2016 she was a proud participant in the Permian Basin Honor Flight veteran’s trip to Washington, D.C. Services will be limited to a family graveside service at
the Robert Lee Cemetery at a later date, with Pastor Wayne Urbanowski of Leon Springs Presbyterian Church officiating. If you knew her as Helen, Birdie, or GramBird, we encourage you to lift a cup of coffee (really hot, and not too strong!) with a decadently sweet pastry in her memory. We love her deeply, cherish the lessons learned from her, respect her plainspoken and direct approach to all things good or bad, but most of all, will forever remain in absolute awe of her iron will, indomitable spirit, and ability to shed life’s injustices. She survived when most would crumble and kept on marching toward the horizon. Godspeed, GramBird. Godspeed. In memory of Helen, contributions may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or www. mdanderson.org/gifts or Leon Springs Presbyterian Church, 23943 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland, Tex. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. Salvador Peña Jr. EDINBURG/MISSION – Salvador “Chavalo” Peña Jr., 72, went home to our Lord Monday, March 25, 2019, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center. Mr. Pena was born on Feb. 13, 1947, in Mission. Survivors include his sisters, Librada Garza, Hortencia Ramirez and Nilda Segura, all of Edinburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador Sr. and Maria Peña, and a broth-
obituaries
Helen Ann Schlothauer Bird MIDLAND/MISSION – Helen Ann Schlothauer Bird left her earthly life behind on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at home in Midland, Tex. She was a native of New Jersey, born in Mays Landing, on February 5, 1923, to Carl and Elizabeth (Waterson) Schlothauer, the fourth of six children. She was the last surviving sibling at her death. Helen and her siblings were orphaned as children and were placed in a Catholic orphanage, but Helen eventually became a pampered teenager by a surrogate parent, Mrs. Henry F. Schenk of Flemington, New Jersey, until she took up the challenge to America’s freedom by joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served as a Hospital Apprentice Corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Santa Margarita Ranch (now Camp Pendleton) in Oceanside, California. During the war she gained a dashing war hero husband, Ira M “Bing”
Bird, an Army Air Corp Captain from Coke County, Texas, marrying at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Chapel in Tucson, Ariz., on July 23, 1944. Helen and Bing had six children together, four of whom survive. Michael died as a small boy on Christmas Day, only four years of age, and Ann Marie “Robin” died as a young woman, just eighteen years old. Surviving children are Laura (William) Fisher of Waynesville, N.C.; Gordon Bird of Seattle, Wash.; Carl (Beth) Bird of Midland, Tex; and Julia (Kenneth) Holt Jr. of San Antonio, Tex. She has six grandchildren that adored her and the love was mutual: Jessica (James) Mebane of Round Rock, Tex.; Rachel Harbour of Boerne, Tex.; Elizabeth Holt and Kenneth Holt III of San Antonio, Tex.; Michael (Anna) Bird of Midland, Tex.; and Natalie (Shane) Johnston of Lubbock, Tex. Helen’s fourteen great-grandchildren are Will, RJ, and Wesley Mebane; Brayton Marshall and Christian Harbour; Marcus, Nathan, Isaiah, Kanaiah, and Billy Holt; Jocelyne Jones, Sam, and Ben Bird; and Fox Johnston. Helen and Bing lived in Coke County for 15 years during the worst of the drought in the 1950s, eventually moving to Mission in Hidalgo County in search of a better life and more favor-
down a decision from the bench. “I find the evidence is clear that there was a combination or conspiracy by the campaign of Dr. O’caña to do this. And I say that because the evidence is that several members of the campaign were working together in concert to bribe voters, to take the mail-in ballots
and mail them separately,” Dorsey said on Oct. 5. “I find by clear and convincing evidence that the number of illegal votes was in excess of 158 — somewhere in excess of 158. There’s no way to possibly determine.” Attorneys for O’caña appealed the decision.
er, Rogelio Pena. A funeral service was held on March 28 at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Edinburg. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission. Jesusa Ramirez MISSION – Jesusa M. Ramirez, 89, passed on Monday, March 25, 2019, at her home. Mrs. Ramirez was born on Nov. 2, 1929, in Los Ramones, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She moved to the Rio Grande Valley as a child and married Leonel Ramirez Sr. on May 14, 1946. They had seven children whom she raised as a single parent when she became a widow at age 28. She was a member and past president of the Guadalupanas organization. Survivors include her children, Leonel Ramirez Jr. of Premont, Rene Ramirez Sr. of Mission, David Ramirez Sr. of Edinburg, Leopoldo Ramirez Sr. of Mission, Leobardo Ramirez Sr. of Mission, Cleo Ramon of Mission and Gloria Femat of Mission; and 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son, Leopoldo Ramirez Sr. A funeral mass was held on March 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
Ruth Gonzalez MISSION - Ruth Gonzalez, 55, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at her home in Mission. Florence Landes MISSION – Florence Landes, 94, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Juanita Marin MISSION – Juanita Marin, 80, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing Center. John Nuessel MISSION – John Gilbert Nuessel, 59, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Federico Peña LA JOYA – Federico Peña, 86, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at his home. Andres Perez MISSION – Andres Perez, 74, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Christine Prukop MISSION – Christine Prukop, 93, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Apolonio Rodriguez LA JOYA – Apolonio Hinojosa Rodriguez, 87, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at McAllen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Lois Short MISSION – Lois G. Short, 94, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Mission Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Carmen Sosa LA JOYA – Carmen Z. Sosa, 63, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.
Notices Avelina Espinoza MISSION – Avelina Espinoza, 46, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
See ELECTION CONTEST Pg. 9
April 5, 2019
ELECTION CONTEST resulting in at least 31 illegal ballots being cast. This is extremely troubling. But the evidence in this case showed that both candidates benefitted from these irregularities,” according to the opinion. “In any event, our inquiry in this proceeding is not to determine whether crimes have been committed, nor is it to determine whether there was a ‘conspiracy’ to obtain illegal votes, as Salinas alleges—we confidently leave those questions to the able hands of the criminal justice system.” Hinojosa dissented. “As with the majority, I am confident that the criminal justice system is available to prosecute any potential conduct that violates the Texas Penal Code, Texas Election Code, and applicable federal law,” Hinojosa wrote in her dissent. “But the criminal justice system’s primary goal is not to remedy the effect of illegal votes. Unlike
See ELECTION CONTEST Pg. 10
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ORDINANCE NO. 4779
PUBLIC NOTICE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.780 DESIGNATING PLACES WHERE BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE SOLD WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO INCLUDE THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 608 N. SHARY RD. STE. 14, ALBA PLAZA, LA CERVECERIA BWL LLC DBA LA CERVECERIA BEER, WINE & LIQUOR READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 25th DAY OF MARCH, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
The Palmhurst Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 5:30 pm at City Hall, 4417 North Shary Road, Palmhurst, Texas in order to consider the following:
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THE CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIED RATE: 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email 1 Week = $7/ 2 Weeks = $10 4 Weeks = $14 or pay by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.
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BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE
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The 13th Court of Appeals assigned the case to Chief Justice Dori Contreras, Justice Gina M. Benavides and Justice Leticia Hinojosa. Contreras and Benavides concluded that Beto Salinas hadn’t proved the number of illegal votes exceeded the margin of victory, the determining factor in election contests. “Considering direct evidence of both bribed votes and harvested ballots, there were at most 31 votes for which there was clear and convincing evidence of illegality—far short of the amount which would cast doubt on the results of the election,” according to the opinion. “This case therefore hinges on the circumstantial evidence of illegal votes.” While they weren’t impressed by the stamp theory, the justices wrote that allegations of voter fraud concerned them. “This case has uncovered clear and convincing evidence of election fraud,
progresstimes
from pg. 8
page 9
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PUBLIC NOTICE
Tract One: Lot 32-5, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, containing 37.5 acres located at the S/E Corner of W. 3 Mile Rd. and Trosper Rd. Located at 601 W. Mile 3 Road. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Richard Garcia, City Secretary
The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall’s Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas: Rezoning: Lot 6, Block 168, Mission Original Townsite Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-3) General Business If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4780
PUBLIC NOTICE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.780 DESIGNATING PLACES WHERE BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE SOLD WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO INCLUDE THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 4213 MARIA ST., ALEX CAVAZOS SUBD. LOTS 10 & 11, LA PLAYA DRIVE THRU READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 25th DAY OF MARCH, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall’s Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas: Rezoning: Lot 1, Bannworth Business Center, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial; and Rezoning: Lot 105, Shary Palms Unit III, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
Rezone: 37.5 Acres being one tract of land from Residential to Business A.
page 10 from pg. 1
MISSION BUDGET
the negative at $135,928. The presentation also included information and expenditures on the golf course fund and solid waste fund. The estimate for the unassigned fund balances for the current 2018-2019 fiscal year are estimated to end up at $3.4 million. “Assuming that all the revenues that are budgeted come in at the end of this year in Sept. 2019, we’re estimating $35,488,127 [in total revenues],” Perez said. “With the transfers-in of $7.4 million including the utility fund and the sanitation fund, it gives us a total available resources of $46.3 million.” On the operations side, the total expenses are about $43.6 million, leaving an estimated total unassigned fund balance at the end of FY 2018-2019 at negative $671,266. “This is assuming that all of the expenses are expensed at 100 percent and what we budgeted at revenue is collected at 100 percent,” Perez said. “That’s the very very preliminary estimate of the general fund, assuming we have not calculated any kind of savings or any kind of cost-saving measures that have been implemented. This is what the projection would be.” The presentation involved a separate run-down on financial statements from the Mission Event Center from April 2018 to the end of March 2019. The total income to the event center is $312,238.01, and the total expenses to run it are $753,930.44, making the net income at negative
from pg. 1
April 5, 2019
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
$441,692.43. During the workshop it was noted that many religious and non-profit organizations have been able to rent the facility with “inkind” discounted payments, or donations, rather than the rental rates listed. Rental rates for the Mission Event Center vary, but are tiered based on the renter’s residence and if it will be in use for residential/ non-profit, non-resident, corporate and promoter events. Council member Norie Gonzalez-Garza was concerned about the rate at which the city was waiving the set fees for in-kind payments, saying she hadn’t heard that was happening and the city needs to charge everyone something for use of the facility. “It does cost money to operate it, open it up, to have someone there, to have someone clean it,” Gonzalez-Garza said. “So I think we really need to consider the, I’m going to call ‘the freebies.’ I think everyone should pay something.” Council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa agreed with Gonzalez-Garza that changes in that regard need to be made, and the event center needs to be promoted more in order to gain more customers. Mayor Armando O’caña said that typically, when cities open new facilities like the Mission Event Center, they have a first-year trial budget so they can afford the initial and ongoing expenses. “We did start low for the first year, considering where we wanted to be and it is
being utilized,” Perez said. “It’s just whether we want to revisit the fee structure again and do a comparable with the neighboring cities.” Ortega-Ochoa added that the reason the city wanted a financial assessment and performance reviews last year was to see their financial standing prior to new leadership. “We’re working together as hard as we can, as a team, to move Mission forward, but these are the numbers we have before us that was left from the previous administration,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “We need to figure things out in an effective and smart way, with transparency.” By the end of fiscal year 2017-2018, the beginning unassigned fund balance was $6.3 million, ending at $3.4 million, with about $50 million in available resources. For fiscal year 2018-2019, the estimated beginning unassigned fund balance is $3.4 million, and is estimated to end at a negative of $671,266, with about $46 million in available resources. Perez said he’s been trying to be creative by asking the city departments to help in saving money, and they all agreed that travel expenses need to be some of the first to be reduced. Before the final budget is due, Perez plans to meet with the 22 city department heads to see if more changes can be made internally. Council will have another workshop to discuss the budget and any updates May 6.
LA JOYA HOUSING
housing authority board with supporters. The mayor appointed former La Joya school board President Arnold Ochoa and businessman Jorge Bazan, the brother-in-law of City Attorney Kennedy Salinas, to the board. They joined businessman John Pena and Jose Luis “Puma” Rodriguez, who Mayor Salinas had appointed to represent tenants. Rodriguez, though, had never attended a meeting. The housing authority filed a lawsuit against Mayor Salinas and all four appointees. “The Mayor continues to intentionally violate the Texas Local Government Code for his own political gain and in an effort to disparage and undermine the LJHA’s Board members from taking actions against the Mayor’s daughter, Frances Salinas,”
according to the lawsuit. “A federal investigation by HUD into Frances Salinas’ management of the LJHA is pending.” Garcia, the same judge who presided over the Frances Salinas lawsuit, signed a temporary restraining order. With a majority of the board members embroiled in litigation, the housing authority couldn’t hold a meeting. It took four months for attorneys to negotiate a temporary truce, which allowed the board to meet on March 28. The board — Sylvia Garces Valdez, German Reyna, Jorge Bazan, John Pena and Jose Armando Salinas, a new tenant commissioner appointed by the mayor — couldn’t agree on anything. Pena didn’t attend the meeting, which left the board with a 2-2 split. Garces Valdez and Reyna
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voted to approve the minutes. Bazan and Jose Armando Salinas voted against the motion, which failed without a majority. Garces Valdez and Reyna voted to approve the budget. Bazan and Jose Armando Salinas voted against. When they suggested meeting with an attorney, Bazan and Jose Armando Salinas walked out, which ended the meeting. In an interview, Jose Armando Salinas said he didn’t feel comfortable approving anything without additional information. “I was really disappointed,” Garces Valdez said, adding that they couldn’t approve items that benefit tenants. “How does the future of the authority look like with that kind of obstruction?”
Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 27, 2019 Sharyland Municipal Golf Course
2201 Mayberry Rd. • Mission, Texas Entry Deadline April 19th, 2019 Teams must be paid in advance. For questions contact : Aissa Garza
Cell 210-532-4772
Email : aissa@aissalaw.com Dee Rendon
XXXVI
Cell 956-600-4800 Email: dee@ptrgv.com Daniel Alvarez
Cell 956-844-6822
Team Sign Up: $300 per team 18 Hole Golf Tournament – 8 A.M. Shotgun Start Format: 3 Person Team Scramble
Breakfast, Drinks & Meal after Tournament will be provided. ABC Handicap Team – Lowest team NET score
leadershipmissiontx.org
from pg. 1
STC SYMPOSIUM
might be able to help them. According to STC President Shirley Reed, 450 people registered to attend the event, which she said was holding an important dialogue the community needed to hear. “Many of you may know a victim of human trafficking,” Reed told the crowd. “This is the most despicable way a human being can treat a fellow human being. It’s all for economic gain, whether it be through the sex or drug industry or economic oppression; I am so proud you are committed to making a difference and are actually here. As president of STC, unfortunately I have seen the consequences of human trafficking. I see the broken lives, the physical pain, the economic suffering, and we feel so helpless to do something about it. It’s going to take many more conferences, much more political activity, and support from Washington to help change this.”
from pg. 4
Sister Norma Pimentel was a keynote speaker for the event. Pimentel oversees the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville and was instrumental in setting up the respite centers in McAllen and Brownsville to temporarily house undocumented immigrants after they have been released from custody. Human trafficking, she argued, was the real crisis in the area. “What we are experiencing today with all the people being apprehended is so unreal. There’s so many of them and when you see them all, you realize how easy targets these people are,” Pimentel said. “Families are hurting everywhere and it’s about time we wake up and do something, it is our responsibility. We are one human family, it is not a matter whether or not they have a right to be here or not. It’s a matter of fact that they’re human beings. Because they’re people, we have a responsi-
bility to respond and make sure they’re safe. And we can put away the criminals destroying these lives.” Congressman Vicente Gonzalez praised those in attendance and quoted Pope Francis during his speech who said human trafficking is a modern form of slavery that violates the God--given liberty of so many of our brothers and sisters and constitutes a true crime against humanity. “For too long, traffickers have used force, fraud and coercion to victimize countless men, women and children,” Gonzalez said. “People worldwide have been affected by the fastest growing crime industry in the world and it must be stopped at once. Today’s discussion is critical, we stand together to say these crimes cannot continue and we can’t let those perpetrating it not be punished.”
RIGO LOPEZ
to provide a positive and safe environment within our community,” he continued. Improving city services and investing in city infrastructure has also been a priority throughout the mayor’s tenure. He has worked diligently to put the City of
from pg. 9
sponsor the
Class
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño
Trading Lady Patriot blue for Pirate maroon, Veterans Memorial High School volleyball player Valerie De La Fuente was recently signed to play college volleyball at Victoria College. De La Fuente signed while her family, teammates, friends, future coaches from Victoria and VMHS Athletic Coordinator David Gilpin and Coach Diana Lerma looked on. Gilpin said De La Fuente was an asset to the VMHS volleyball program during her high school career. “I think they’re [Victoria College] going to be really excited once they get her on the court for their program,” Gilpin said, noting that two coaches from De La Fuente’s future school made it to her signing. “What a neat accomplishment this is: when someone works for 15, 16 years to accomplish something, and then to sit here in front of her friends and with her family [and sign], it’s an awesome day.”
Peñitas on the map and is committed to seeing it grow in the future. “I am humbled and grateful to the citizens of Peñitas for your trust in me these last four years as mayor and I look forward to more progress and growth in the future
as I seek a second term in office,” Lopez said. “We still have so much to accomplish, especially with new leadership throughout Hidalgo County, I know we can all work together to move our city and Western Hidalgo County forward.”
ELECITION CONTEST
the majority, I do not believe that the civil justice system is powerless to remedy the tainted mayoral runoff election that is the subject of this appeal.” Hinojosa found the circumstantial evidence con-
vincing. She also cited trial transcripts throughout the dissent. “In closing, the majority puts forward that its holding safeguards a voter’s right to have his or her lawful vote counted. I believe that it does
not,” Hinojosa wrote. “By reversing the trial court’s judgment, the majority allows lawful votes to be diluted and may dissuade voters from participating in the electoral process.”
Palmview meets with financial adviser, plans to refinance debt By Dave Hendricks The Palmview City Council wants to build a library, buy more ambulances and fix the run-down Fire Department. First, though, Palmview must find the money. Faced with the prospect of higher debt payments next year, which would restrict spending, the City Council met with Bobby Villarreal of Dallas-based financial services firm Estrada Hinojosa on Saturday morning. “Now, your existing debt is $368,000,” Villarreal said, referring to how much Palmview will pay in principal and interest during 2019. “It’s about to go to $670,000 because there was a new debt issued in this past year. That’s giving you about $300,000 in new debt service that you have to get to.” Palmview could substantially increase property taxes or slash city spending to cover the cost. City Manager Michael Leo, however, asked Villarreal to discuss a third option. “You’ll hear them use the term ‘refunding,’ but it’s basically like refinancing — into a lower interest rate, which will in turn reduce our annual payments,” Leo said. “And if we’re able
to do that, the next question for them was: ‘Do we then have the capacity to then borrow more to do some of the projects that we’ve been talking about for the last year or so?’” Based on current market conditions, Villarreal said that Palmview could borrow about $2.25 million at a maximum interest rate of 3.5 percent and pay back the loan by 2031. With the money, Palmview could pay off three old loans, which carry interest rates that range from 5.25 percent to 7.25 percent. Palmview would save at least $211,000. About 15 to 20 banks would compete for the city’s business, Villarreal said. The process would take 60 to 90 days. “Right now, the city doesn’t have a credit rating. But we think that after this, that we will probably go out and ask a credit rating agency to give you a rating,” Villarreal said. “And we think it’d probably be fairly decent.” With a credit rating and more financial flexibility, Palmview may be positioned to borrow additional money. Leo said the Hidalgo County Appraisal District provided the city with preliminary data, which show
$100 million of new, taxable property as a result of annexations and growth. It’s a massive increase for Palmview, which had about $460 million in taxable property last year. “There’s a preliminary — what looks to be an increase of almost $100 million in value, which is huge. But we need to keep in mind, like Bobby said, they’re not certified yet,” Leo said. “People are going to get these. They’re going to contest them. Most likely it’s going to go down. The question is: ‘How much?’” With more property tax revenue and lower debt payments, Palmview could borrow additional money for big-ticket projects. Villarreal also presented the City Council with a proposal to borrow about $4.2 million, which would pay for a library, new City Hall, another ambulance, Fire Department renovations and start-up costs for a city garbage collection program, among other projects. The City Council will determine whether or not to borrow the money and how to spend it. “The priorities are with you, the policymakers,” Villarreal said. “And we’re here just to facilitate it.”