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Documents reveal new details about suspicious land deals in La Joya By Dave Hendricks New information surfaced last week about a series of suspicious land deals in La Joya. After the Progress Times filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the city released 24 pages of financial records and other documents on June 6. The documents reveal that La Joya purchased land owned by the city administrator’s sister — apparently without an independent appraisal, any conflict-of-interest paperwork or notifying the mayor. La Joya paid $39,500 for the property, according to city records. The Hidalgo County Appraisal District valued the land at just $11,321. “I’m pretty sure that the city did not approve buying that property,” said Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas. Who, exactly, approved the purchase is a mystery. Attorney Rick Salinas of Mission, who represents City Administrator Mike Alaniz, didn’t respond to requests for comment. “If it had been brought to me, I would never have

approved it,” Mayor Salinas said. “Unless it had been brought to the Council.” FBI agents interviewed key players about the land deals, according to three people with knowledge of the investigation, who spoke with the Progress Times on the condition of anonymity. “The FBI can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation,” Special Agent Michelle Lee said in a statement. Tax Auction The series of suspicious land deals started in August 2012, when Hidalgo County held a tax auction. According to records kept by the Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, the La Joya Economic Development Corp. purchased five lots in the Palmshores Subdivision, a neighborhood located northwest of Walker Lake. The city of La Joya paid $9,600 for Lot 203 and $8,500 for Lot 218, according to records released under the Texas Public Information Act. Neither the city nor the La Joya EDC, however, actually received the property. Alaniz took possession

He attempted to fix the mistake in August 2015, three years after the auction. Corrected deeds filed with the county Clerk’s Office transferred Lot 203 and Lot 217 to La Joya. Problems created by the property mix-up, though, didn’t stop in 2015. Alaniz contacted Hiram Gutierrez, an attorney with Amarillo-based law firm Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, which collects delinquent property taxes for La Joya, in November 2016. “I need your help to clear this pressing matter on these two (2) lots that have always belonged to the city of La Joya,” according to an email Alaniz wrote to Gutierrez at 2:46 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2016. “Years back when we (city) purchased this two properties during an auction held by the county. I being the City Administrator purchased those properties for the city and was able to purchase two other lots for me personally.” Alaniz didn’t identify the lots he purchased for himself.

Mike Alaniz City Administrator (Courtesy of Mike Alaniz)

of Lot 203, Lot 217 and Lot 218. His sister, Blanca Valdez, took possession of Lot 112 and Lot 219. Based on documents released by the city and deeds filed with the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office, it appears Alaniz and his sister purchased property for themselves and the city during the same tax auction. After the auction, the city paid for Lot 218, which Alaniz kept for himself. Alaniz or his sister paid for Lot 217, which Alaniz later claimed that he purchased for La Joya.

See LAND DEALS Pg. 4

MCISD to increase pay for employees By Jamie Treviño Superintendent Carol G. Perez announced that the district administration was able to find approximately $4 million in savings that may be going toward teacher and staff pay. The Mission Consolidated Independent School District held their regular called meeting this Tuesday, June 11. Several announcements were made by the superintendent during the updates and recognitions item on the agenda. “First of all, we’d like to thank our administration,” Perez said. “If it wasn’t for everyone working as a team, we wouldn’t have had the

success that we’ve had this year so far.” Through staffing studies, the district was able to save over $4 million according to Perez. The savings found will go into the district’s general pay increase. “All of the departments worked collaboratively with our campus administrators,” Perez said. “Not only will we be able to give a pay increase to all of our employees, but we will be able to update our salaries, because they have not been updated since 2013.” Because of these increases, Perez said the district will be closing the gap from 5 years of experienced teachers to those with 20 or more

years of experience. “As a district we, the board and administration, made a commitment that we would no longer be losing our teachers or staff as we were,” Perez said. “We are going to be going from 7th place in teacher’s salaries to possibly 3rd place [in the Valley], and we will be hitting the 75th percentile. Of course, we want to be closer to the 100th percentile, so we’ll be working on that.” MCISD is providing a summer meal program for children in the district that involves mobile food units: two retrofitted buses that have been feeding kids ages 1 through 18 from June 5 through August 2.

“Now we’re able to take meals to some remote areas,” Perez said. “And with that, we went from 24 sites to 30 sites, and there is a need to feed more children, so we’re going to be looking at ways to send regular buses to these [additional] sites where we are still able to meet health guidelines so we can take it out to places where children need it the most.” A schedule of sites is available via the district website. The board of trustees officially approved the naming of the Mission High School softball field as the “Coach

See MCISD MEETING Pg. 4

Consultants pitch Mission on $17.7 million plan to install new water meters, reduce energy costs By Dave Hendricks The Mission City Council quizzed consultants Monday about a wide-ranging proposal to replace water meters, install LED lights and reduce utility costs. Jonathan Blackwell, a business development manager for Performance Services Inc., pitched the nearly $17.7 million plan Monday during a City Council workshop. Under the proposal, Mission would borrow money to replace all residential and commercial water meters, install LED lighting and upgrade air conditioning systems in city buildings. Blackwell said the project would pay for itself — guaranteed. “We are transferring all the risk from the city of Mission to Performance Services,” Blackwell said. “And we don’t do change orders.” City Councilman Ruben Plata and City Councilwoman Norie Gonzalez Garza

Photo courtesy of MCISD Facebook.

Valley View ISD Settles The district approved a six-figure settlement for the Hidalgo mayor and his sister. For more information on this, see inside.

See Pg. 5

INSIDE Rudy Delgado Trial

A federal judge moved the location of former state District Judge Delgado from Houston to McAllen. Dave Hendricks has the details.

See Pg. 7

See CONSULTANTS Pg. 9

Texas Tribune holds McAllen screening of border documentary

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Jay Root and Veronica G. Cardenas during a screening of the Texas Tribune documentary “Border Hustle” at Cine el Rey in McAllen Monday, June 10, 2019.

By Jose De Leon III

MCISD superintendent and board members accepting a check from the Education Foundation of MCISD board during the meeting held on June 11, 2019.

responded with skepticism and a flurry of questions. Blackwell attempted to assuage their concerns, providing a list of clients that included the La Joya Independent School District, the Agua Special Utility District, Nueces County and the city of Alice. He also walked the City Council through the deal, a “Tax Exempt Lease Purchase” backed by Performance Services. After accepting an analysis from Performance Services, which the company calls an “investment grade audit,” Mission would pay an independent engineer to verify the results. The city would contract with Performance Services after the independent engineer confirmed the estimated cost savings. Performance Services estimated the plan would reduce annual water loss in

When Texas Tribune Investigative Reporter Jay Root interviewed a Honduran man named Carlos at an immigrant detention facility last summer, Root found a much bigger story to tell. Root was covering the Trump administration’s zero tolerance immigration policy that reportedly saw more than 3,000 children be forcibly separated from their parents and placed into shelters or foster care-while their parents were prosecuted for entering the country illegally. Though the administration initially reported 3,000 children were separated from their families, a January 2019 article from the New York Times reports that the actual number is unknown

due to a lack of a coordinated tracking system between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security. “I met [Carlos] in a detention facility north of Houston and he told me that he was concerned about his daughter and wanted to reunite with her,” Root said. Root explained to an audience at Cine el Rey how Carlos told Root about the 1,700 mile-long trek he took with his 6-year-old daughter Heyli from Honduras to reach the U.S. border. Carlos gathered a total of $10,000 to pay to a smuggler and the Cartel to take him to the Rio Grande to surrender to Border Patrol agents.

See SCREENING Pg. 9

INDEX Mission Update

Lifestyle...................pg. 2

Several things are happening in the city of Mission, and we have the latest on the last council meeting, a groundbreaking ceremony and the Madero Bridge Project.

Entertainment....pg. 3

See Pg. 8

Classifieds.............pg.11

Sports.......................pg. 6 Death Notices......pg. 9

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June 14, 2019

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Wheels are rolling for MCISD summer food service

Along with additional sites this year, school bus wheels are on the move in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) Summer Seamless Option food service program. The district expanded the program to reach more youth ages 1 to 18 with free meals with participating locations across the community and also with special school buses, shown above, that have been converted into mobile cafeterias. Available campus sites include Mission High, Veterans Memorial High, Mission Collegiate High, Mission Junior High, Marcell Elementary, Pearson Elementary, Mims Elementary, R. Cavazos Elementary and Roosevelt Alternative School. Cooperating civic, church and private school sites include Alton Recreation Center, Speer Memorial Library, Agape Christian School, Total Commitment in Ministries Church, Premier High School of Mission, San Martin De Porres Catholic Church, Our Lady of San Juan De Los Campos and Alton Regional Training Center. Two of the converted school buses will be at different locations at different times each day. Parents should check at the closest location near their home for serving times and/or changes, call the Mission CISD Child Nutrition Program at 956-323-3800, or, look for the complete schedule with addresses and serving times at mcisd.net/apps/news/article/1053393.

Mission CISD announces Credit by Examination dates

The parents of Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) students interested in having their children participate in the district’s Credit by Examination (CBE) Without Prior Instruction have several deadlines to keep in mind.

The registration period for the first testing dates will from now through July 26. The dates in the testing periods include Sept. 3 to 5, 2019. The registration period for the second testing dates will be July 29 to Sept. 5.

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The testing dates for this period will be Nov. 5 to 7. The registration period for the third testing period will be Nov. 11 through Dec. 13. The testing dates for this will be Feb. 4 to 6, 2020. The registration period for the final period will be March 23-April 24, 2020. The testing dates for this final period will be June 2 to 4, 2020. A test consists of two sections of three hours each. Elementary students meeting the requirements of 19 TAC Chapter 74.24 in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies will be accelerated on grade. Secondary students meeting the requirements of 19 TAC Chapter 74.24 will receive credit for the course. Parents interested in exploring CBE for their child should contact the school counselor or call the district’s Advanced Academic Services office at 323-5506. Information

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June 15 – The next Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center toddler play date for children ages 18 months to four years old will be a “Splash Party” and held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by optional free play. The fee per toddler is $2 (with one free guardian). Additional visiting family members must pay regular EWBC admission. Registration is required. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For more information or to register, call 956-381-9922 or visit edinburgwbc.org. June 16 – Dads and their kids can participate together in a Father’s Day Bird Science Workshop at the International Museum of

Art & Science (IMAS) from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about the diversity of nesting birds and assemble and decorate a bird house or bird feeder together to take home. The workshop includes light refreshments. Cost is $3 per participant and is for ages 6 and up. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave., McAllen. Call 956-681-2800 to register. June 25 – The public is invited to Speer Memorial Library in Mission at 6:30 p.m. for a discussion of the book Apollo 13, to take place in the library’s Community Room. Copies of the book available for check out. Stop by the reference desk, email reference@ missiontexas.us, or call at 580-8754 to obtain a copy or for more information. Speer Memorial is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)

MCISD teacher selected for Texas A&M fellowship KINGSVILLE – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) has selected Alicia Bazan, Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) teacher, for a special fellowship program. Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp is awarding a fellowship for one candidate from each of the Texas A&M University campuses to be groomed for a future leadership position as an administrator through the We Teach Texas campaign. Bazan, a kindergarten teacher at Leal Elementary School of Technology and Engineering, was selected by TAMUK officials through a competitive process. Bazan

Alicia Bazan will pursue a master’s degree in educational administration from TAMUK, attend the Chancellor’s conference, sit on advisory committees, and become an advocate for education. Dr. LaVonne Fedyn-

ich, Masters in Educational Leadership Program coordinator, and Dr. Don Jones, TAMUK Educational Leadership and Counseling associate professor, nominated Mission CISD superintendent Dr. Carol G. Perez to select three candidates to be considered and interviewed for the fellowship. Mission CISD campus principals were asked to recommend highly-qualified teachers from an underrepresented group to apply to become one of three finalists to be interviewed by TAMUK. A district-level committee reviewed and ranked the applications, with the top three candidates being interviewed by TAMUK on June 4.

Six LJISD campuses named to honor roll

LA JOYA – Officials with the La Joya ISD announced that six of their campuses have been named to the 2018-19 Honor Roll by Educational Results Partnership. The campuses include Jimmy Carter Early College, Thelma Salinas STEM High, E. R. Chapa Elementary, Tabasco Elementary, John F. Kennedy Elementary and William J. Clinton STEM Elementary. They are part of the 855 public schools in Texas to be recognized. The 2018-19 Honor Roll is developed by Educational Results Partnership (ERP), a nonprofit organization

that applies data science to help improve student outcomes and career readiness. Schools that receive the distinction have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time, and a reduction in achievement gaps among student populations. For high schools, the Honor Roll recognition also includes measures of college readiness. “We are honored to be recognized by educational and business leaders as an Honor Roll School,” said Martin Munoz, principal at

William J. Clinton STEM Elementary. “Our school district is continually striving to increase academic achievement and improve educational outcomes for all of our students.” “The Honor Roll is the only school and district recognition program in Texas based solely on objective achievement data,” said Marilyn Reznick, ERP board chair. “Our goal is to guide other educators to data-informed best practices for raising student achievement.” To access the Honor Roll, visit edresults.org.

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Mark Chestnutt to headline MCISD benefit concert

Troop 84 serves at Memorial Day ceremony Boy Scout of America Troop 84 in Mission recently participated in the Memorial Day Service that took place at Leo Pena Placita Park on May 27. The Scouts performed the U. S. flag ceremony, led the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge, recited the Meaning and Symbolism of the 13 US Flag Folds, and performed “Taps” after the 21-gun salute. Troop 84 regularly volunteers for community programs such as the McAllen Arbor Day Race, USPS Stamp Out Hunger and the Mission Trash Bash. For more information on BSA Troop 84 Mission or to join the troop, email Troop84Mission@gmail.com. Pictured above, left to right, are Aaron Ochoa, Jorel Dominici, John Garza III, Jaden Cantu, Ramiro Facturan, Cristian Mendez, Jayden Driscoll, Aditya Dantu, Jonathan Mendez and Robert Ramirez III.

Celebrating African-American culture for Juneteenth McALLEN – Officials from the City of McAllen has planned a series events to celebrate the African-American culture with a Juneteenth celebration. It will begin on Sunday, June 16, and run through June 19. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States, enacted on June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas. It is celebrated every June 19 and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 45 states, including Texas. McAllen’s celebrations will be capped off with a symbolic “Freedom Walk” that will begin at the Cine El Rey Theater. Immediately after completing the 1.5mile round-trip walk, there will be a tribute ceremony for Gene Stroud, the oldest living alumnus of the first African-American school in McAllen. It will also feature a viewing of the documentary,“Just a Ferry Ride to Freedom.” “It is important to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of African-Americans to the city and appreciate the value of

diversity. We are devoted to ensuring the equitable and inclusive treatment of all citizens and visitors to our community,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, the African American community continues to grow, especially in McAllen where the African-American population is roughly one percent of the total 143,000 residents. The Juneteenth planning committee includes Dr. Raymond Howard, UTRGV; Rev. Michael Smith and Sharon Smith, Faith Fellowship Church; and Valerie Ramirez, Hidalgo County Historical Commission. On Sunday, June 16, there will be a memorial service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Bethel Garden, 1322 S. 16th St., a Texas Historical Landmark where housing was provided for African American teachers and visitors back in 1941. It now serves as the location for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. From 6 to 8 p.m., the Juneteenth Gospel Music and Worship Service will be held at Tres Lagos Amphitheater, 5100 Tres Lagos Blvd. On Monday, June 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., learn the history of Restlawn Cemetery

and those who have been interred there in a program at the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. Restlawn Cemetery is a Texas historical landmark for the segregated cemetery of slaves and freed African Americans. Head out to the Juneteenth Jazz & Soul Night with an evening of smooth jazz and tasty bites, provided by the Red-Light Lounge Jazz Band and Soul Food Truck on Tuesday, June 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. It will also be held at the McAllen Public Library. Call 956-681-3066 for information.Then on Wednesday, June 19, participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Walk from 6 to 7 p.m. It runs from Cine El Rey at 311 S. 17th St. to Bethel Garden at 1322 S 16th St. The 1.5-mile walk from Cine El Rey to Bethel Garden and back will signify the African American’s community emancipation. Finally, the celebrations end with a tribute to Mrs. Gene Stroud from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cine El Rey with the documentary film, “Just a Ferry Ride to Freedom.” A proclamation and keys to the city presentation will honor Mrs. Stroud, who is the oldest living alumnus of the first African American school in McAllen.

Country star Mark Chestnutt will headline the upcoming benefit fundraiser next week put on by the Education Foundation of Mission C.I.S.D. The evening of food and music is dinner concert is slated for Thursday, June 2 at Balli’s Terrace Event Center, 1509 Industrial Blvd., Mission, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Opening act for the concert is Midnight Run. Sponsorships are available with various benefits. Starting at $5,000, is the “Blame It on Texas” package. Along with dinner and drinks.sponsors receive premier reserved seating of two tables for 20 guests, a per-

Auditions announced for local film

PHARR – Ah Huevo! Films and Esperanza Pictures announced that producers of the “Days of Summer” film are currently in search of Latino actors from across the Rio Grande Valley. Auditions are open to male actors between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. An additional role is needed for an elderly man between the ages of 50 and 70. Auditions will be held at Pharr Memorial Library, 121 E. Cherokee Ave, on Wednesday, June 19, and Thursday, June 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. both days. Filming will take place July, 2019. Video auditions are available upon request. During the hottest day of summer 1995, teenagers Jesus, Elvis, Fonzi and Danny search for the best swimming pool in the neighborhood. Little do the boys know they are in for more than they bargained. Days of Summer is directed by Adrian Miguel Guerrero and written by Jose L. Saldivar, Jr. Robert Longoria is producing the film. For more information, call 956-313-0702 or email robertlongoria@protonmail. com.

Mark Chestnutt sonal bartender, meet and greet passes, 100 drawing tickets, their company name and logo. For $3,500, the “Going Thru the Big ‘D’” sponsorship, benefits include the dinner and drinks, premier reserved seating, one table with 10 seats for guests, a personal bartender, meet and greet passes and 75 drawing

tickets. Finally, for $1,200, “Bubba Shot the Jukebox” donors receive reserved seating, one table with 10 seats, dinner and drinks and 50 drawing tickets. Proceeds benefit the Foundation and its support of the school district. Inkind donations are also accepted. For more information or to sign up for sponsorship, call Candy Martinez at 956240-2059 or Hector Olivarez at 956-445-4255, or email Martinez at didacourt@ icloud.net.

Coming Attractions June 22 • The Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum will hold the 18th Annual Induction Awards at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 826 E. Stenger in San Benito. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by the ceremony from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Entertainment from 8:30 p.m. to midnight is by Frutty Villarreal y Los Mavericks. The 2019 inductees are Higinio Guzman, Martin Zapata, Joe Sanchez and Lupe Saenz. Tickets, $10 presale and $12 at the door, are available at the San Benito Chamber, 223 S. Sam Houston Blvd., or by calling 956-361-9111. For table reservations, call Rey at 956-245-1666; Patricia, 956-245-5005; or Blanca, 956970-1077. • Jennifer Lopez comes to the Rio Grande Valley with her “It’s My Party Tour” at the Bert Ogden Arena at 8 p.m. for one show only. On stage that night, the show includes opening acts with World of Dance performers Swing Latino, The Lab and Brian Nolet. A wide range of ticket prices are available at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com. June 22-23 • The Confederate Air Force Airshow 2019 takes place at the Port Isabel, Cameron County, airport. Gates open at 9 a.m. Flying begins at 12 noon. Get tickets online at rgvcaf. org. June 30 • Luis Miguel comes to Bert Ogden Arena at 4900 S. I-69C. Tickets are available at LiveNation.com. Call 956-562-7362 for information. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)

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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on June 6 signed three bills into law to improve school safety and expand access to mental health resources. “After the horrific shooting (at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018) and the subsequent school safety roundtables, I made school safety an emergency item to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again,” Abbott said. “Today, I am proud to sign legislation to make Texas schools safer for students and teachers. I thank members from both chambers, as well as the many stakeholders, who worked tirelessly to get these bills through the Legislature and to my desk today.” —Senate Bill 11, by Senate Education Chair Larry

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June 14, 2019

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Taylor and sponsored by Rep. Greg Bonnen, both R-Friendswood, strengthens emergency preparedness and response protocols, improves school facilities standards, establishes better threat assessment protocols, and provides schools more funding for school safety efforts, Abbott said. The bill also establishes the Texas Child Mental Health Consortium to leverage higher education expertise in the state to improve the mental health care systems for Texas children. —House Bill 18 by House Calendars Committee Chair Walter “Four” Price IV, R-Amarillo, and sponsored by Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, increases mental health training for educators and other school professionals to aid in early identification

and intervention; emphasizes importance of mental health education for students; and improves access to mental and behavioral health services through school-based mental health centers and the hiring of mental health professionals. —House Bill 1387 by Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, and sponsored by Senate Higher Education Chair Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, removes the cap on the number of school marshals that may be appointed per campus. Abbott was joined at the bill signing by members Sens. Taylor, Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Watson, Sen. Higher Education Vice Chair Royce West, D-Dallas; and Reps. Greg Bonnen; Will Metcalf,

R-Conroe; Price; and House Appropriations Chair John Zerwas, R-Richmond. Hegar certifies budget Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on June 5 announced the certification of House Bill 1, the general appropriations act for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. HB 1, legislation appropriating $250.7 billion in total spending, was approved by both houses of the Legislature in late May. The next stop for the budget bill after Hegar’s certification is the governor’s desk for final approval. “I’m proud to certify this budget and send it on to Gov. Abbott for final approval,” Hegar said. Hegar, who manages the state’s pocketbook, pledged to continue to monitor the Texas economy, noting that it has expanded at a rapid pace over the last 18 months. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in Texas over the last year and a half, which allowed lawmakers to make historic investments in education and provide much-needed property tax

relief,” Hegar added. “Uncertainty in the global economy, however, as well as increasing unpredictability surrounding international trade policy at the federal level, may have dampening effects on the Texas economy in the coming years.” Revenues increase in May Comptroller Hegar last week said state sales tax revenue totaled $3.01 billion for the month of May, an amount 9 percent more than reported in May 2018. The revenue growth was propelled by both business and consumer spending, Hegar said, adding that the strongest growth was in remittances from the manufacturing, wholesale trade and services sectors, with strength apparent in the retail trade sector. Hegar also said state franchise tax revenue for May was $3.47 billion, up 7.4 percent from May 2018 and slightly above projections he presented to the Legislature in the Biennial Revenue Estimate in January.

Hurricane season begins The Texas Department of Public Safety launched its hurricane readiness campaign just before June 1, the first day of hurricane season. Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency management professionals across the state are prepared to assist in the event of severe weather. He urged Texans to heed all warnings from local and state officials and to have a plan in place to protect loved ones and property in the event of a hurricane. Hurricanes and tropical storms can spawn tornadoes, dangerous coastal water conditions and storm surges, and can cause extensive flooding damage. DPS Director Steve McCraw said, “There are a few steps everyone can take now that can make all the difference, like assembling an emergency disaster kit and reviewing hurricane evacuation maps and routes. By helping your family plan ahead, you will be ready to respond quickly should a storm head your way.”

of the mistake. “He told me he did,” Mayor Salinas said. “I didn’t see the check. I didn’t see any money order, but he said he had done it.” Lot 112 Another lot purchased in August 2012 prompted additional questions. Alaniz’s sister, Blanca Valdez, purchased Lot 112 for $9,700, according to records kept by the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. In February 2017, the city purchased Lot 112 from Valdez. Documents released by the city don’t reveal who authorized the purchase. City Engineer Dario V. Guerra said Alaniz contacted him about purchasing Lot 112. After they talked, Guerra wrote a letter suggesting that La Joya acquire the property for infrastructure improvements. Guerra said that Alaniz didn’t tell him who owned Lot 112. La Joya paid $39,500 for the property on Feb. 23,

2017. Hidalgo County Appraisal District records valued the property at $11,321. Documents released by the city don’t include an independent appraisal or any records documenting how Alaniz handled the conflict of interest. Whether or not Alaniz owned part of Lot 112 also remains unclear. Alaniz paid the tax bill for Lot 112 in January 2017, about a month before the city purchased the property, according to Hidalgo County Tax Office records. The email he sent to Perdue Brandon, the law firm that collects delinquent property taxes for La Joya, suggested that Alaniz owned all or part of a property that had been placed under his sister’s name. Mayor Salinas said he didn’t think La Joya conducted an independent appraisal and hadn’t seen any paperwork disclosing the conflict of interest. “I’ve asked Kennedy to

investigate it,” Mayor Salinas said, referring to City Attorney Kennedy Salinas. The situation presents a legal and ethical minefield, said former Pharr City Manager Fred Sandoval. “First and foremost, you just don’t do it,” Sandoval said. “It’s just not a good practice.” If the city exhausts all possible alternatives and must purchase the property, the city should disclose the conflict of interest, request an independent appraisal of the property and remove the city administrator from the process, Sandoval said. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, the city could discuss the purchase at a public meeting. “And then, of course, they vote on it,” Sandoval said. Alaniz submitted a resignation letter last month after discussing the matter with the City Commission. His last day at City Hall is June 30.

LAND DEALS

According to county records, Alaniz took possession of three lots after the auction — not four. The email may indicate that Alaniz owned part of Lot 112 or Lot 219, which had been placed under his sister’s name. Alaniz asked Gutierrez to correct the mistake involving city property. “Hiram I don’t know why the confusion, but apparently your firm or the county placed this two lots #217 and #203 that belong to me personally,” Alaniz wrote. “I have sent correspondence numerous times to clear this matter, but as you can see we

continue to receive ‘Notice of Tax Lien’ for these lots.” Gutierrez said he remembered the email but couldn’t assist Alaniz. Another law firm, Austin-based Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, handled the August 2012 auction. “There’s nothing we can do about it,” Gutierrez said, recalling what he told Alaniz. “It needs to be fixed by Linebarger.” The mix-up also presented Alaniz with another problem. La Joya had paid $8,500 for Lot 218, which Alaniz kept for himself. Alaniz or

his sister had paid $5,500 for Lot 217, which actually belonged to La Joya. To correct the mistake, he needed to transfer Lot 217 to La Joya and pay the difference between the price of Lot 217 and Lot 218. Someone calculated the price difference — $3,000 — on a copy of the original check from August 2012. The city released the check and the handwritten notes under the Public Information Act. Mayor Salinas said that Alaniz made the payment during 2019, about four years after he became aware

from pg. 1

MCISD MEETING

Iris G. Iglesias Softball Complex.” Iglesias and her family were present to celebrate the recognition. The name was selected by committee members from the community after they received 36 nominations, all for Iglesias. The meeting also included the selection of Analisa Flores as the new principal of Mission Collegiate High School, which was discussed in executive session and voted on without comment.

The Education Foundation of Mission CISD presented a check during the board meeting for $10,000, which will be going toward the annual Back To School Bash the district will be throwing on August 8. “I would just like to remind the board just how important this truly is for efforts for the Back to School Bash,” Verley said. “That $10,000 is used solely to buy school supplies to go into 2,000 backpacks that will be

handed out that evening. It truly is a community-driven event, and it’s through the efforts and support of the Education Foundation and our communities that we’re able to do that, so we really appreciate what they continue to do for us.” The district will be holding a Public Hearing before the next special called board of trustees meeting on June 26 to discuss the 2019-2020 budget and proposed tax rate.

June 14, 2019

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Claudia Coronado accepted a position with the Region 1 Education Service Center. While she found a new career, Claudia Coronado didn’t leave Valley View for long. She now serves on the school board.

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The superintendent also demoted Sergio Coronado. He became the “assessment director,” a job with few actual duties. “In his new position, Mr. Coronado’s responsibilities have been reduced to merely the completion of reports and making copies,” according to the lawsuit.

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the new board majority and those who had openly supported their faction,” according to an affidavit signed by Claudia Coronado. “After the election, three principals were reassigned to new positions. I was the only principal to be demoted.” When she filed a formal grievance, the superintendent said student performance, not politics, had prompted the decision. “I find that Mrs. Coronado has not presented any evidence to demonstrate that my decision to remove her as principal at the Junior High campus, to reassign her as Assistant Principal at an elementary campus, or not to recommend her for either of the two elementary principal positions, was motivated by her political activities or expressions,” according to a memo dated Sept. 1, 2017, which Claudia Coronado submitted as part of the lawsuit.

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The Valley View Independent School District approved a $150,000 settlement with Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado and his sister, school board Trustee Claudia Coronado, last month. Sergio Coronado and Claudia Coronado — who both worked for the school district — had accused Superintendent Rolando Ramirez and the school board of engaging in a conspiracy against them after the November 2016 election. The Coronados had supported Claudia’s husband, who ran against a candidate backed by a majority of the school board. After the winning candidates took control of the board, the superintendent demoted Sergio Coronado from assistant superintendent to “assessment director” and slashed his salary. The superintendent also bumped Claudia Coronado from principal to assistant principal. Sergio Coronado and Claudia Coronado filed a federal lawsuit in April 2018, claiming the school district had retaliated against them for political reasons. Trustees approved a settlement agreement last month but didn’t admit any wrongdoing. “My clients felt like they were entitled to more and the district would have liked to have paid less,” said attorney Gus Acevedo, who represented Sergio Coronado and Claudia Coronado. “To me, that’s the nature of a good settlement: That neither side is 100% happy.” Attorney Frank Prado, who represents Valley View, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Trouble between the Coronados and the Valley View school district started in 2016, when Claudia Coronado’s husband campaigned for school board. Her husband, Abram Ramirez, ran against candidates backed by a majority of the board. Abram Ramirez lost the race to Ricardo “Ricky” Cortez Jr., who campaigned with a slate of candidates who called themselves “United Together.” The “United Together” candidates won every seat on the ballot, cementing a majority on the school board. After the election, the board started retaliating against employees who supported the opposing candidates, according to the lawsuit. They also rewarded supporters with jobs and higher pay. “They set about on a campaign to reward those employees who were related to

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June 14, 2019

Sports week

Luciano Guerra Sports Editor

BIG7 SCHOOLS

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Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports

Smith and Bickerton

Sharyland High head baseball coach Bart Bickerton (far right) and his staff led the Rattlers to a 34-8 season record and to the regional finals. Bickerton’s assistant coaches are Rodolfo Martinez, Jr., Frank Elizondo, Ryan Soule and Bryan Valencia. Courtesy photo. By Luciano Guerra The remarkable season for Sharyland ISD baseball is over. The Rattlers and the Diamondbacks went where no two Valley teams have gone before, a head-to-head matchup in the UIL’s regional finals between two teams from the same school district. And while their respective paths during this historic season were similar, they each had different obstacles and challenges to overcome along the way. One of the similarities that both teams had was great coaching. While it is

the players that ultimately have to perform on the field, it is the coaching that gets the most out of each and every player, and it is the coaching that holds a team together during the rough times and keeps a team striving to excel even more during the good times. In the case of the Rattlers and the Diamondbacks, it was the latter of these two scenarios that coaches Bart Bickerton and Casey Smith mastered this season. While most Valley teams falter once they’re matched up against teams from the Corpus Christi area and be-

yond, Bickerton and Smith both had their boys believing that they were as good as, if not better than, any team or teams in the state. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look back at both teams’ 2019 seasons, from their non-district schedules to their epic regional finals matchup, from their coaches’ perspectives. We’ll begin with the Rattlers this week, and we’ll follow that up with the Diamondbacks next week. Non-district Schedule When asked to share the importance of his team’s non-district schedule, in

which the Rattlers posted a 15-2 record, and how it prepared his team for the battle the District 31-5A race would become, Bickerton said, “Our pre-district schedule was pretty much the three tournaments we participated in and two extra games. Our goal is always to win at least two of those three tournaments, but we ended up winning all three. So while we over-performed a little bit by winning those tournaments, which doesn’t happen very often, it showed how much depth we had with our pitching, which was good.” District 31-5A Schedule Despite their rather unimpressive 3-2 start against their District 31-5A opponents, the Rattlers finished strong by winning their final nine games of district play. In doing so, they not only compiled a 12-2 record, but they also claimed the district title. So what was Bickerton thinking when he saw his team at 3-2? “At that point we were just thinking that we had to get into the playoffs,” Bickerton said. “We had lost to Palmview and we had lost to Pioneer, so we were 3-2. And when you’re 3-2 you’re just hoping that you’ll get

into the playoffs. Our big series was against Rio (Grande City). We were the only ones to sweep Rio and that was the difference.” Bi-district Round In the opening round of the UIL state playoffs, the Rattlers faced off against the Edcouch Elsa Yellow Jackets in a one game, winner-take all, matchup. While the Rattlers scored early and often against the Yellow Jackets to win by a score 17-0, Bickerton knew very well that his team has a history of underachieving in one game playoffs. “The thing of it is that throughout Sharyland’s playoff history, one gamers have been a nightmare,” Bickerton said. “We’ve lost to some teams we shouldn’t have lost to just because we had all that extra pressure put on us. Luckily for us we came out and scored eight runs in the first inning against Edcouch and that relieved a lot of the pressure. We had to play one game at their field so we were in a bad position, but luckily we jumped on them early and that relieved everybody.” Area Round In the Area round, the Rattlers were supposed to

(Check your Sponsorship Selection) Make checks payable to Education Foundation of Mission CISD ☐ Please charge a total of $ ______________ to my ☐ Visa ☐MasterCard ☐American Express Credit Card # _______________________________Expiration Date _______________ CVV# ____________ ☐ My company, _______________________________________, will match this gift. Print Name on Card __________________________________________________________ Authorized Signature ______________________________

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host Corpus Christi King in game 1 and travel to Corpus for games 2 and 3 of their best-of-three series. However game 1 was moved to Corpus due to a wet field at Sharyland High. As it turns out, Mother Nature may have done the Rattlers a huge favor. “We were supposed to play at home on Friday,” Bickerton said. “So they were supposed to get two games in Corpus. But in the contract, it was written that if there was rain, it would flip. So we ended up with the advantage of having two home games if we had needed them. While we didn’t need to play the third game, it would’ve been nice to play at home if we had.” Regional Quarterfinal Round The Rattlers found themselves matched up against a district opponent, the Palmview Lobos, in the regional quarterfinal round. As it turns out, the flip of a coin may have made the difference between whether or not the Rattlers would be getting past the Lobos and moving on to the fourth round of the playoffs. “The big thing in this series was winning the flip,” Bickerton said. “They wanted to go with a one-game playoff and we wanted to go best-of-three. We knew their pitcher was going to be tough, but he was even better the second time against us than he was the first time. He threw more sliders and curve balls at us and we ended up losing 1-0 in nine innings. The key to that was getting into a three game series since we knew that we’d be able to come back even if the kid beat us in the first game and he did.” Regional Semifinal Round In game 1 of their regional semifinal best-of-three series against Kerrville Tivy, the Rattlers let a seventh inning lead get away from them. Even so, they bounced back to take games 2 and 3 to claim their fifth championship of the season. “We were pretty much in command with a 3-1 lead in the last inning of that first game,” Bickerton said. “Andy (Lozano) had pitched probably his best game all year. But he hurt his foot and he started getting his fast ball up in the seventh inning. But with the bottom of their lineup coming up, we thought we were in good shape. However, all three of them got on base, and then we dropped a pop-up to lose the game.” “But the kids responded,” added Bickerton. “They didn’t hang their heads in the hotel and they responded well when we came back to Corpus. I think they felt pretty comfortable going back to a place where they had already won.” Regional Final Round While the Regional Final round did not go the way Bickerton and his players would’ve liked, it was an opportunity for over 5,000 Valley baseball fans to see two of the best high school baseball teams in the state go head-to-head against each other on two consecutive nights. And while their twogames-to-none series loss to the Diamondbacks did bring an end to their otherwise magical season, that is by no means how the 2019 Sharyland Rattlers will be remembered. They will be remembered as only the second baseball team in Sharyland High School history to become regional finalists and they will be remembered as the team that not only overcame every obstacle and challenge they came up against, but also as the team that overachieved their way to five championships.

June 14, 2019

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From The Press Box

My Ten Week Career in Sports Writing By John Hamann The phone rang around lunch time. “Hello, John?” “This is Dee from The Progress Times.” I had recently inquired about a sports writing position at the paper and figured the call was going to give me the chance to learn more about the job. “Can you cover a game tonight?” And so began what has now become a ten week journey into a side of the sports world that I had never experienced . . . asking the questions instead of answering them. My first thought was to reach out to Matt, a buddy of mine who had done a bit of writing for some of the teams at the university we both attended. “Be objective, ask thoughtful questions, and probably the most important thing is to get the names spelled right,” he offered. Thanks Matt!

What followed was a call from Luciano, the paper’s sports editor who also writes and takes photographs for many of the games we cover. He brought me up to speed on what to report on and the rules that went into writing a story. Wait! There were rules? I gathered up a spiral notebook and headed off to my first game. Once at the school, I walked into the dugout trying to act like I belonged so I could meet with Mario, my photographer for the night. I had never met him before so I just looked for a guy with a camera. Bingo! He asked if there was anyone in particular he should try to get shots of. I cautiously replied, “Everyone? Not yet in possession of an actual scorebook my notes were a bit unorthodox to say the least. Luckily I had retained enough past knowledge to remember how to record the basics of a baseball game which got me by until

somebody entered the game as a courtesy runner. Over the next few weeks I immersed myself in the world of baseball websites, researched those rules and started looking into the world of twitter. I found out there were lots of sites, lots of rules and I was probably too old to ever learn how to twitter. It wasn’t a few times this retired educator/coach thought he was in over his head. It helped that I was starting at the perfect time. Both the softball and baseball seasons were coming to their conclusion and the games to which I was assigned brought out the best in everyone. By that I mean the players and coaches. I was still learning the art of thinking of the right questions to ask and hoping that I got everyone quoted correctly. I’ve had the chance to see some well-played and exciting contests over the past few weeks, some of them

historic in the annals of Valley baseball. I never dreamed that I would find myself covering games from the likes of the local university baseball stadium or going on the road to see a state semifinal game from the press box of a professional minor league team. The hospitality I experienced was genuine. I even had a fan thank me for taking the time to cover his team. I’ve experienced all that athletic competition has to offer, seeing firsthand what the now defunct ABC show Wide World of Sports called, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” I told you I was old. Despite all of the above, it has been quite a ride. The experience has brought me back to a world I had left behind a few years ago. It’s nice to see it is still in good hands. Whether it was watching a group of players sprint to the outfield to pose for pictures in front of the scoreboard after a big come from

behind win, interviewing a pitcher who had waited a year to get the chance at redemption for himself and his team, or hearing from another who had no problems with being handed the ball with the game and season on the line, this generation of athletes is going to be just fine. The people in charge are doing well too. I have had the chance to talk with coaches who embodied the determination to get things done the right way, the optimism to keep going after a tough night and the sportsmanship to give credit to their opponent no matter the outcome. We should all thank them for what they do. I’ve got a few people to thank too. It would be selfish of me not to give credit to the people who gave me this opportunity and have helped me along the way. Luciano has kept me going with positive feedback and a patient approach as I learned (and am still learn-

ing) those rules. Both he and Mario have made my stories and game night social media posts come to life with those great pictures. Dee, too, for not immediately throwing my resume into the trash when she first saw it. I was a History major, I would have understood. Finally I must thank my wife, who thought my retirement meant no more nights and weekends alone while I was out occupied with a game. As always, she has allowed me to pursue a passion and been a true supporter. The fact that she comes home to a clean house is probably helping too. This experience has even changed me. I found myself sitting in a press box a few weeks ago watching one game, scribbling away in that same notebook and using my phone to check twitter for updates on another. Maybe I’m not so old after all.

Federal judge moves Delgado trial from Houston to McAllen

Rudy Delgado (center)

by Dave Hendricks Former state District Judge Rudy Delgado will stand trial where he’s accused of accepting bribes: Hidalgo County. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas wanted Delgado to stand trial in Houston, concerned pretrial publicity would taint the jury pool. Delgado argued that holding the trial in Houston would place him at a significant disadvantage. “Here, the Government does not contest that the alleged criminal conduct underpinning the indictment was committed within the McAllen Division,” U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett wrote Monday after reviewing briefs filed by Delgado’s attorney and federal prosecutors. “As a result, transfer of this case to the McAllen Division for trial purposes only is in the interests of justice.” Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado, 66, of Edinburg spent nearly three decades on the bench. Federal agents started in-

vestigating Delgado in November 2016, according to court records. What prompted the investigation remains unclear. At some point, though, a local attorney named Noe Perez confessed to paying Delgado for favorable court decisions. Perez paid small bribes, which ranged from $250 to $350, on “at least twenty occasions,” according to court records. He also provided Delgado with a truck worth approximately $15,000. “The favorable judicial consideration provided by Judge Delgado included, but was not limited to, the dismissal of charges, the dismissal of cases, release from prison, reinstatement to community supervision, and personal recognizance bonds valued at $5,000 apiece in lieu of incarceration,” according to the criminal information against Perez, who pleaded guilty. Federal agents spent more than a year investigating Delgado. They surreptitiously installed surveillance cameras at five locations, includ-

ing Delgado’s home and businesses he frequented; conducted physical surveillance on at least 10 people, recorded Delgado’s phone calls, conducted sting operations and interviewed several dozen people, according to motions filed by Delgado’s attorney. Agents arrested Delgado on Feb. 2, 2018, during a traffic stop in Jim Wells County. Prosecutors eventually secured an eight-count indictment, which charged Delgado with bribery and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. He pleaded not guilty. From the beginning, Delgado’s attorneys wanted the case transferred to McAllen. Prosecutors wanted to keep the case in Houston. “First, this case was investigated and charged in the Houston Division for proper law enforcement reasons. Among those reasons are that defendant is a wellknown public official in the relatively small McAllen area community and active candidate for judicial office,” according to a motion filed by prosecutors. “The government anticipated that this case would garner significant media attention in the McAllen Division, and it has. This coverage, coupled with the defendant’s profile in the community and status as an active candidate for judicial office, suggest that picking a jury without prior knowledge of the defendant or his charges will be challenging, if not impossible.” Attorney Michael McCrum of San Antonio, who represents Delgado, pushed back. Along with practical

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questions about the availability of witnesses, holding the proceedings in Houston posed big-picture questions about public policy and the administration of justice. “First, what message is being sent to the jury who will decide Defendant’s fate, as well as the message to be sent to the larger community in Houston? Because all events transpired in McAllen, the Houston jury will inevitably wonder why they are presiding over this trial,” McCrum wrote in a motion. “Would not the implication be conveyed to the jury as well as to the Hous-

ton community that people in McAllen must be corrupt, or accepting of corruption, and therefore cannot be trusted to preside over this kind of trial?” After a hearing in Houston on Oct. 19, the judge rejected a request to hold the trial in McAllen. The Southern District of Texas, however, adopted new guidelines — Local Criminal Rule 18 — in May governing the transfer of criminal cases between divisions. After the Southern District of Texas announced the proposed rule, McCrum asked the judge to reconsid-

er.

“Adoption of Local Criminal Rule 18 constitutes an intervening change in the controlling law governing transfers of criminal cases from one Division to another in the Southern District of Texas,” Bennett wrote. “Therefore, reconsideration of Defendant’s Motion for Change of Venue is warranted, and the Court grants Defendant’s Motion to Reconsider.” Bennett will preside over the trial, which is scheduled to start on July 1.

Thank You!

My family and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the naming committee, Mission CISD Board of Trustees, Superintendent Dr. Carol Perez and the entire administrative staff . I am honored and grateful for the prestigious honor of having the Mission High School Softball Field in my name (Coach Iris G. Iglesias Softball Complex). It was both a privilege and a blessing to have coached for Mission CISD and worked with so many wonderful individuals, both students and staff members. I am sincerely and completely humbled at the outpour of support that I received from my former players, parents and community members. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to write letters, send emails, texts and make phone calls. On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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The City of Mission breaks ground on what will become the Mirabelle Subdivision - a gated subdivision of 99 new home lots located on the corner of Shary Road and Business 83. Courtesy photo

Mission holds groundbreaking ceremony for new community By Jose De Leon III In what they’re calling a great development for the city, Mission held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new gated community

that will house 99 new families and several new businesses. The Mirabelle subdivision, located on the corner of Shary Road and Business 83, has space for 99 residen-

tial lots in the back and will have commercial lots at the entrance of the subdivision, city Manager Randy Perez said. “It’s a great development for us, we’re anticipating 99

new families to come to the city of Mission,” Perez said. “With the expected growth in that area, it’s proof of Mission progressing in growth when we have subdivisions like these being developed.”

Shavi Mahtani, president at Domain Development Corp., said the 30-acre area will bring in $35M of residential construction, making this subdivision a substantial development.

Perez also noted that the intersection where the Mirabelle Subdivision will be built is one of the city’s busiest with a high volume of traffic occurring there every day.

Mission approves conditional use permit for restaurant near Summer Breeze on Shary Rd. By Jamie Treviño Following five months of back and forth, the city agreed to a permit for a commercial property on Shary Road. During this week’s city council meeting, Mission approved a conditional use permit for a sandwich restaurant in a property zoned C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial) on 215 N. Shary Rd., Suite 5. The applicant and property owner Jorge Ancer was present at the meeting, along

with several residents of the Summer Breeze neighborhood, whose only entrance is adjacent to the commercial development. As previously reported by the Progress Times, the residents of Summer Breeze brought their complaints to council in late January this year, when the applicant was attempting to get a conditional use permit for a taqueria restaurant with a drive-thru window that would require a large outdoor grease trap. The addition of a restau-

rant with these factors worried residents, due to the proximity of the property to where their children (who go to school in the Sharyland Independent School District) are dropped off by the bus without access to a sidewalk as there is not one in the culde-sac, and the potential increase of vermin and traffic in the area. New plans for the location are still for a restaurant, but not one with a drive-thru - rather, a sandwich shop. The nature of this restaurant

will only require a smaller indoor grease trap under the sink. “Hours of operation [will be] Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays the restaurant will be open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo said. “A total of three employees will man the operation during any given shift.” Ancer agreed to install 7-foot masonry fences along the south and west sides

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE

The MISSION CISD will hold a public meeting at 6:45 PM, June 26, 2019 in Administration Building Board Room, 1201 Bryce Dr., Mission, TX. 78572. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited. The tax rate that is ultimately adopted at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a later date may not exceed the proposed rate shown below unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons set out below and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice. Maintenance Tax

$1.1700/$100 (proposed rate for maintenance and operations)

School Debt Service Tax Approved by Local Voters

$0.1712/$100 (proposed rate to pay bonded indebtedness)

Comparison of Proposed Budget with Last Year’s Budget The applicable percentage increase or decrease (or difference) in the amount budgeted in the preceding fiscal year and the amount budgeted for the fiscal year that begins during the current tax year is indicated for each of the following expenditure categories. Maintenance and operations -1.17 % decrease Debt Service 0.07% increase Total expenditures -1.11 % decrease

Total Appraised Value and Total Taxable Value (as calculated under Section 26.04, Tax Code) Preceding Tax Year Current Tax Year Total appraised value* of all property $2,845,128,232 $2,755,637,323 Total appraised value* of new property** $54,600,263 $61,064,066 Total taxable value*** of all property $2,110,074,337 $1,992,725,560 Total taxable value*** of new property** $53,544,270 $58,736,175 *Appraised value is the amount shown on the appraisal roll and defined by Section 1.04(8), Tax Code. ** “New property” is defined by Section 26.012(17), Tax Code. *** “Taxable value” is defined by Section 1.04(10), Tax Code.

Bonded Indebtedness

Total amount of outstanding and unpaid bonded indebtedness* $106,250,000 *Outstanding principal.

Comparison of Proposed Rates with Last Year’s Rates Maintenance & Operations $1.1700

Last year’s Rate Rate to Maintain Same Level of Maintenance & $1.2652 Operations Revenue & Pay Debt Service Proposed Rate

$1.1700

Interest & Local Revenue Sinking Fund* Total Per Student $0.1698* $1.3398 $1,901

State Revenue Per Student $8,081

$0.1872*

$1.4524

$2,453

$8,152

$0.1712*

$1.3412

$1,920

$8,152

*The Interest & Sinking Fund tax revenue is used to pay for bonded indebtedness on construction, equipment, or both. The bonds, and the tax rate necessary to pay those bonds, were approved by the voters of this disctrict.

Comparison of Proposed Levy with Last Year’s Levy on Average Residence

Last Year This Year Average Market Value of Residences $89,589 $96,789 Average Taxable Value of Residences $64,589 $71,789 Last Year’s Rate Versus Proposed Rate per $100 Value $1.3398 $1.3412 Taxes Due on Average Residence $865.36 $962.83 Increase (Decrease) in Taxes $97.47 Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older or of the surviving spouse of such a person, if the surviving spouse was 55 years of age or older when the person died, may not be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of changes in tax rate or property value. Notice of Rollback Rate: The highest tax rate the district can adopt before requiring voter approval at an election is $1.3483. This election will be automatically held if the district adopts a rate in excess of the rollback rate of $1.3483. Fund Balances The following estimated balances will remain at the end of the current fiscal year and are not encumbered with or by a corresponding debt obligation, less estimated funds necessary for operating the district before receipt of the first state aid payment. Maintenance and Operations Fund Balance(s) Interest & Sinking Fund Balance(s)

$43,785,545 $3,455,945

of the property, but not to a fence of the same height along the north side (closest to the neighborhood), saying it would not be inviting and may make traffic accidents more likely. He also promised to never place a restaurant in that property that would serve alcoholic beverages. “He doesn’t want something that’s going to require a grease trap, he wants a lighter restaurant use,” Acevedo said. “The residents want him to install a masonry wall like he’s been doing on the south and west side, and the applicant is saying that wall would be detrimental to the aesthetics of his commercial plaza.” The Mission mayor and city council held a public hearing on the item, and one by one Summer Breeze residents took the podium against the request. Prior to this meeting, the item had been tabled previously to give residents time to sign a petition, which 21 households in Summer Breeze along with several residences across the street did. “I would like to let you know that any resident who lives on Summer Breeze can tell you when we decided to purchase a home on this street that we did so in large part because it is located on a cul-de-sac, and typically [they] have less traffic and therefore more safety and privacy,” Garret Edwards, a resident of Summer Breeze, said. “With this development going up at the only entrance and exit to our homes, we’re very unhappy with the increase of current and future traffic.” Ancer, along with family, Summer Breeze resident Tommy Thompson and Abby Reyna (who has a brother living in Summer Breeze and who also has done real estate work with Ancer) also spoke

during the meeting in favor of the request, citing that Mission is a growing city that should embrace change. “We want to have places where we can dine, where we can work, play and live here and make our city the best city that it can be,” Reyna said. “We all hate change. But sometimes, we need to change to be better.” Council had several questions following the public hearing, including ones inquiring if the Sharyland school district could adjust where the school bus drops off students living at Summer Breeze. According to P&Z Director Acevedo, the district could not adjust their bus routes. “One of the things that the people from the school district had told me is that the likelihood of it changing to the north side [for the bus stop] is very slim,” Acevedo said. “I also learned that when the bus stops, and I don’t know if it’s customary or if it’s a policy, the bus driver waits until a child walks 50 feet into a subdivision. I haven’t seen anything, but that’s what I was told.” Council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa stated during the discussion that she reached out to two board members and would be meeting with SISD Superintendent Maria Vidaurri the following day to address the bus routes. Before the city council meeting, the Mission Planning and Zoning Committee and P&Z Staff recommended approval of the permit. Ultimately, council unanimously agreed to approve the conditional use permit for one year with the condition that Ancer build a 3-foot cedar fence with shrubbery along the north side next to the Summer Breeze entrance, and said that the city would build a sidewalk in the cul-de-sac.

By Dave Hendricks

lion for building the bridge,” O’caña said. “I told them to be careful with that because they’re going to think that the environmental is going to cost $5 million. We don’t know that until we request for qualifications.” O’caña said the budget will cover an environmental assessment, the railroad bridge feasibility study and similar work on the Mexican side of the Madero crossing. The Mission City Council

Mission budgets $5 million for Madero bridge project Mission may spend $5 million to study the Madero bridge project, hiring consultants to conduct an environmental assessment and feasibility study that focuses on rail. The city budgeted $5 million for the environmental assessment and railroad-focused feasibility study, Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña said Monday. “We have allocated — and I say ‘we’ — the city of Mission has allocated $5 mil-

See MADERO BRIDGE Pg. 9

For the latest news and updates

June 14, 2019 from pg. 8

MADERO BRIDGE

tabled the request for qualifications on Monday after City Attorney Gus Martinez asked members to meet privately about a legal matter. O’caña attempted to jump-start the Madero bridge project after he became mayor. The U.S. State Department authorized Mission to build an “international rail and vehicular bridge” at

from pg. 1

Madero in 1978. Mission sat on the permit for decades. The Anzalduas bridge, which Mission built with assistance from McAllen and Hidalgo, took priority. A feasibility study prepared by Houston-based S&B Infrastructure determined a standard vehicular bridge would cost $144 million. The study included a financial analysis prepared

by Boston-based consulting company Steer Davies Gleave, which warned toll revenue probably wouldn’t cover the initial investment. The feasibility study, though, didn’t include the railroad component. O’caña said he wants to conduct a new feasibility study that focuses on rail. Convincing the City Council to pay for the preliminary work could be a

CONSULTANTS

city utility system by 6.5 percent and provide about $7.5 million in what the company called “operational savings” over 20 years. The company would also determine whether or not to “retro-commission” city buildings to reduce energy costs. “That’s really, specifically, for one building. Your least efficient building based upon on our engineering study is the events center,” Blackwell said. “That’s your newest one. So we need to go in there and retro-commis-

Notices Aurora Calzada MISSION – Aurora Cruz Calzada, 94, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at her home in Mission. Albert Chavez MISSION – Albert Louis Chavez, 63, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019, at his home in Mission. Norma Cuevas MISSION – Norma Silvia Cuevas, 53, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at her home in Mission. Mary Diaz MISSION – Mary Jane Diaz, 83, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Grand Terrace Nursing Home in McAllen.

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sion it. It’s low cost to do. High return. So it’s something that we would highly recommend.” Plata wasn’t impressed. “This is a big decision for us right now,” Plata said. “And, personally, I don’t think we’re in the position to spend almost $18 million on a project.” If installing energy efficient equipment always produced cost savings, everyone would install solar panels, Plata said, adding that few people actually follow through after reviewing

the costs. “I worked for a weatherization company and they tell you: ‘You know what, if you put solar panels on your house, you don’t have to pay electricity for the rest of your life.’ But to put the solar panels is going to cost you about $20,000. Guess how many people signed up?” Plata said. “The whole city would be filled up with solar panels if it was that easy. To me, I look at it the same way on a different scale.”

Leonard Ferguson MISSION – Leonard L. Ferguson, 73, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg. Manuel Garcia MISSION – Manuel Garcia, 81, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center. Bernarda Garza MISSION – Bernarda Reyes Garza, 96, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Edward Jordon MISSION – Edward Dosson Jordan, 82, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Ernesto Pena Jr. MISSION – Ernesto Pena Jr., 80, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville. Cesar Perales PEÑITAS – Cesar Alejandro Perales, 44, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019, at his home in Peñitas. Leslie Peugh MISSION – Leslie “Les” Frank Peugh, 74, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Maria Velasquez MISSION – Maria Teresa Ramirez Velasquez, 78, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at her home in Mission.

major challenge for O’caña. After cajoling from Mission, both McAllen and Hidalgo approved an agreement that would hand a majority stake in the Madero bridge to Mission. In exchange, however, Mission would pay for all construction costs. McAllen and Hidalgo would pay Mission back with their portion of the toll revenue. The City Council rejected the agreement, concerned that Mission couldn’t afford

from pg. 1

the cost. Mission also plans to pay for an environmental assessment and feasibility study for the Mexican side of the Madero crossing. As part of the process, the city needs to find a partner in Tamaulipas to champion the project. During a recent meeting with Mexican officials, a woman representing Reynosa mentioned the need for a railroad bridge. “Reynosa brought up the

need: That the railroad is passing through their town, going to Brownsville, to Monterrey. And they want to cross it over into Mission,” O’caña said. “She actually was asking for partners, not knowing that Mission was sitting right next to her. To me, the lights went ‘Ding!” She was probably an angel from God, sent to me at the right time.”

SCREENINGS

Carlos took his daughter on the journey in the hope of starting a new, better life — only to be separated by more than 1,200 miles shortly after they requested asylum. “He told me how at the facility he had to pay for phone calls, food and basic items while Heyli was sent to a shelter in Arizona and it sounded like a big shakedown,” Root said. “While he was talking about that it was reminding me of what a lot of other migrants were telling me about the situation that they faced not only in their home country with gangs they were fleeing, but along the road where they had to pay crazy fees to cartels in Mexico to get across the river. It felt like one big hustle; they go through all that but then when they get across the border and think they’re home free, it’s another big hustle on our side of the border too.” As part of a collaboration with the Texas Tribune and TIME magazine, Root detailed the journey of Carlos and Heyli in a long-form piece that was published last March, and created a documentary “Border Hustle” that was released concurrently with that article.

“Border Hustle” was screened at McAllen’s Cine el Rey Monday where Root was in attendance-along with the documentary’s photographer, Valley native Veronica G. Cardenas, to discuss the 25-minute long documentary to audiences in attendance. In the documentary, audiences saw Carlos and Heylei being reunited after being separated for two months. The documentary also explained how the two were in for-profit immigration detention facilities, a $1 billion industry as corporations operating the detention centers receive money for each immigrant in the facility. “When it comes to making money off of migrants, you’re getting a huge percentage of the wealth of desperate people,” Root said. “In the case of corporations, they’re getting money from the American taxpayer because they are paying to have these people incarcerated. There’s a good story to tell about the business. It’s incredible to hear from the beginning, the coyotes and cartels these migrants encounter to these corporations.” Cardenas and Root both discussed how they struggled as journalists to not get

emotionally attached to their subjects and remain objective journalists while telling this story. “The most emotional moments were hard, after they were reunited Carlos had to leave town for nearly a week for work the very next day and Heyli didn’t know if she would see him again,” Cardenas said. “There have been times I’ve had to put down my camera and talk to them. It helps if they hear things from an outsider. I knew I couldn't tell him how to do things but I felt concerned for the little girl because she was not ok.” Ultimately, Root told the crowd, this story was a way to talk about the plight of undocumented immigrants in a new way. “I wanted to get past the rhetoric in a way. A lot of people talk about what they see as human rights violations and those are all legitimate stories but I wanted to focus on the money,” Root said. “This is about the money and there’s a lot of that.” “Border Hustle” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9NC2r4NNG0.

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BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE

THE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 2 Weeks = $10 Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email or pay 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m. For Sale 2 CEMETERY PLOTS at Valley Memorial Gardens, adjacent corner plots, Section S, Lot 82, plots A4 & B1, call 956-956335-3555 for more

details. GREAT CONDITION KENMORE washer & dryer, plus complete queen size bed and complete twin size bed, also selling sofa bed, for more details call 956-

ORDINANCE NO. 4797 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO PLACE A PORTABLE BUILDING FOR OFFICE USE, 2300 W. MILE 3 ROAD, BEING 3.86 ACRES OUT OF LOT 22, NEW CALEDONIA SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 10th DAY OF June, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

566-1702, leave message if there is no answer. USE DD-33 TO control fleas & ticks on dogs & cats, at Tractor Supply (www.kennelvax.com)

Services RED VALLEY COINS, we buy and sell coins and coin collections, gold and silver, please call Rene De La Gar-

ORDINANCE NO. 4798 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO HAVE A RESTAURANT IN PROPERTY ZONED C-2 AT, 2015 N SHARY ROAD, BEING A 0.57 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF LOT 244, JOHN H. SHARY SUBDIVISION & LOTS 1-3, BORIQUEN SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 10th DAY OF June, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

Attention

Auction of Vehicles/ Equipment According to the provision in the Transportation Code 683, Sub-section B, 683.012, Texas Department of Transportation informs you that the below mentioned cars have been taken into custody by the Peñitas Police Department and will be sold at auction. For information on vehicles you can communicate with the Peñitas Police Department at (956) 999- 8310. The auction will be held at 2001 E. 3 Mile Rd. Peñitas, Texas, 78576 (Peñitas Police Substation) on June 22, 2019. Starting auction will be at 1:00 PM and will be held according to the law. Payment will be in cash (US currency) or Credit/ Debit Cards with a processing fee. The vehicles are auctioned under their conditions which there are no guarantees and/or refunds. YEAR 1. 2001 2. 1997 3. 1998 4. 1999 5. 2006 6. 2000 7. 2003 8. 2002 9. 2004 10. 2010 11. N/A 12. N/A 13. N/A

COLOR White Green Green Tan Maroon Blue Black Black Black Maroon Black Black Black

MAKE Dodge Ford Pontiac Chevrolet Chevrolet Dodge Ford GMC Honda Chrysler West Bend Westinhouse Memorex

MODEL VIN Caravan 2B8GP44321R220586 Expedition 1FMEU17L5VLB53118 Grand Prix 1G2WP52KXWF236117 Suburban 1GNEC16R9XJ463792 Equinox 2CNDL23F066049280 Caravan 1B4GP44G3YB610920 Explorer 1FMDU73K93ZB39941 Yukon 1GKFK66U02J321040 Civic 1HGEM22554L048890 Sebring 1C3CC4FB5AN148285 Microwave S/N:EB00472520214613116552 32” TV S/N:6380M21100070 Compact Disc S/N: 481150141926 Audio

za at 956-780-8411 for an appointment and for more details. LASER ENGRAVING SERVICES on different materials, customized name tags, wood cutting boards, signs, trophies and much more, call 956-3698140 for more details. RGV LOCKOUTS GETS to you fast so you can get back on the road, friendly service with good reasonable prices, call us today if you get locked out of your vehicle, 956878-3997.

Oracion Al Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo, tu que me aclaras todo, que iluminas todos los caminos para que yo alcance mi ideal, tu que me das el don divino de perdonar y olvidar el mal que me hacen y que en todos los instantes de mi vida estas conmigo, yo quiero en este corto dialogo agradecerte por todo y confirmar una vez mas que nunca quiero separarme de ti por mayor que sea la ilusion material. Deseo estar contigo y todos mis seres queridos en la gracia perpetua. Gracias por tu misericordia para conmigo y los mios. La persona debera rezar esta oracion 3 dias sequidos sin decir el pedido. dentro de tres dias sera alcanzada la gracia por mas deficil que sea. (Publicar en cuanto se recibia la gracia). Agradece gracia alcanzada. T.R.

Now

HIRING Mr. G’s Fireworks

is looking for responsible persons to operate fireworks stand. Must stay on premises & be over 21 years of age.

Call: (956) 399-3469 PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant

Texas

Water

Code

§49.062(b), notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6 has, by resolution dated June 5, 2019, adopted and established Mission City Hall, Community Room, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas 78572 as an alternate location for conducting meetings of the Board of Directors.

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does)not file a written answer with the clerk who issued to this citation by 10:00 A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of forty-two (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation, a default Judgment may be taken against you.” TO: ESTATE OF KENNETH R. BOONE, DECEASED AND HIS UNKNOWN HEIRS, Defendants GREETINGS: You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. of the first Monday next after the expiration of forty-two (42) days from the date of issuance of this citation, the same being Monday, July 22, 2019 at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. before the 206th District Court of Hidalgo County, at the Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas. Said Plaintiff’s Petition was filed on June 3, 2019 in this case, numbered C-2428-19-D on the docket of said court. The names of the parties to the cause are as follows: WAGON CITY RECREATION BOARD, INC., Plaintiff and ESTATE OF KENNETH R. BOONE, DECEASED AND HIS UNKNOWN HEIRS, Defendants. A brief statement of the nature of the suit is as follows, to-wit: The suit seeks to have judgment against the Defendants and to foreclose on the lien held by the Plaintiff for unpaid and delinquent assessments assessed against the property that belongs to or may belong to the Defendants, being Lot 26, Block D, Wagon City Subdivision Unit 1, and addition to the City of Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas, according to map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 20, Page 161, Map Records of Hidalgo County, Texas. Judgment and an order of sale of the property is requested in the Plaintiff’s Petition. If this citation is not served within ninety days after the date of its issuance, it shall be returned unserved. The officer executing this writ shall promptly serve the same according to requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and make due return as the law directs. ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court, at office in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas, on this date. 6/04/2019. LAURA HINOJOSA, DISTRICT CLERK HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS 100 N. CLOSNER BLVD #E EDINBURG, TX 78539

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HurricaneTips Are you Prepared? Hurricane Preparedness Information and Tips With hurricane season underway from June 1 to November 30-and the peak occurring between midAugust and late October-it is important to be prepared before disaster strikes. According to the Hidalgo County website, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 70-percent chance that the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season will be near- or above-normal. Below is valuable

information for you and your family on how to prepare for the hurricane season and any emergency disaster as provided by the county. BASIC PREPRADENESS TIPS Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. Put together a gobag. The disaster supply kit should include: a flashlight,

batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, copies of your critical information (deed to home, social security cards, birth certificates, insurance) and NOAA weather radio. Stock up. If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. Make a family emergency communication plan. Your plan should include work,

school, and out of town contact information Sign up for E-Dalgo alerts. This system enables the county to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Sign up at https:// member.everbridge.net/ index/892807736723008#/ login PREPARING YOUR HOME Trim trees. Hurricane

winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe. Secure your home. Make sure you don’t have loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors. Get power. Purchase a portable generator or install

a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. Build shelter. Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds and in locations above flooding levels. For more preparedness tips, visit www.Ready.Gov/ Hurricanes.

Don’t Forget FATHER’S DAY Shary Municipal Golf courSe 18

SUMMER SPECIALS

HOLE SPECIAL

MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

$25 before 1pm / $20 after 1pm Includes Green Fee & Cart

MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

$15 before 1pm / $10 after 1pm Includes Green Fee & Cart

SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS • 1PM

Green Fee & Cart HOLE SPECIAL Only $25

Green Fee & Cart HOLE SPECIAL Only $15

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Have a great and safe Weekend 2201 Mayberry Rd. • Mission, Tx 78572 Tee Time Reservations: (956) 580-8770

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Fatherhood is a blessing – a lifetime responsibility that comes with challenges , sweetness and bitterness. It is a role that should not be taken for granted.

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5 QTS. OIL • REPLACE OIL FILTER • CHECK FLUIDS CHECK TIRE PRESSURE • VACCUM • TRANSMISSION FLUID

956-585-0115 1418 E. Bus. 83 • Mission

Ad paid by Joe Flores

(Between Bryan Rd. & Stewart Rd.)

Happy Father’s Day

Tell Dad to Go Out & Play 18 Holes & ½ cart: $20 9 holes & ½ cart: $15

7400 W. Expressway 83 • Mission, TX • 956-585-6330