Friday, September 27, 2019_PT ISSUE

Your Hometown Newspaper, Bringing Communities Together.

Vol. 48 - #6

Progress times Friday, September 27, 2019

50¢ cents

HIDALGO COUNTY

This issue has even more stories about the area, including information about the city manager of Palmview and the La Joya Housing Authority Board.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

MISSION NEWS

The city of Mission passed the 2019-2020 property tax rate, and met to discuss the Madero Bridge Project.

See our stories for the latest on Mission.

PG. 4

INDEX Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 3 Sports.......................pg. 6 Death Notices......pg. 9 Classifieds...........pg. 11

Coyotes to collide with PSJA in the game of the week.

PG. 7

PG. 5

‘To protect and serve’

www.ptrgv.com

‘For the 21’

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Six new officers are sworn into the Mission Police Department as their loved ones and new coworkers watch on.

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Messages of love were written Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 in memory of victims of the 1989 Alton bus crash that claimed the life of 21 students.

• ALTON

Survivors, witnesses of 1989 Alton bus crash reflect on moving on

By Jose De Leon III

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Three new firefighters join the Mission Fire Department, and two were promoted to captain and deputy fire chief as family, friends and fellow firefighters watch.

• MISSION

30 years after a deadly bus crash claimed the lives of 21 students from the Mission school district, members of the community reflected on how they coped with the tragedy.

Last week, members of the community were invited to a special memory honoring the 21 students who died after a traffic collision resulted in a bus from Mission CISD to fall into a caliche pit filled with water. The ceremony was held at Alton Memorial Junior High School, which opened 17 years ago and was dedicated for the students, Principal Sylvia Garcia said.

See ALTON BUS CRASH Pg. 9

Mission Police Department and Fire Department pin nine new civil servants

By Jamie Treviño Nine new civil servants joined the city of Mission, and two current civil servants were promoted this week.

The city of Mission police department and fire department each held a pinning ceremony for new officers and firefighters, and promoted a new captain and deputy fire chief. Each ceremony, held on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, celebrated their new inductees with family, friends and fellow civil servants.

Prior to their pinning, Mayor Armando O’caña spoke highly of both departments. He pledged to hire even more first responders in the future.

“This is one of our proudest moments in the city of Mission, when a new employee starts their professional life in civil service,” O’caña said. “We’re very proud of them.”

O’caña said the mission statement for the city includes providing exceptional customer service to all members of the community, and they were honored to have new members in the ranks of the PD and FD. City Manager Randy Perez was also in attendance during the pinning ceremonies, and

thanked the civil servants and their families for the sacrifices they make daily.

“It really is a happy day for Mission, this is something our department is very proud of,” Perez said. “Our priority is to keep our community safe, so I thank you all for allowing them to serve the city of Mission. We appreciate the families that support their loved ones here with us. It really is a blessing.”

Perez said that Mission’s number one priority is to have their civil servants home safely every day.

“That’s what we practice here,” Perez said. “The community feels safe day in and day out, and we’re told that our community is one of the safest to live in and be part of, so I thank you all for taking part in that.”

Mission Police Department Police Chief Robert Dominguez swore-in the six officers who joined the ranks of the Mission Police Department. He said he was glad there were plenty of people there to support them on their new career paths.

“Welcome to our law enforcement family,” Dominguez said. “That’s one of the things that I always like to mention because it’s a very different situa-

tion when you have a loved one that becomes an officer.”

The officers pinned on Friday were Matthew Alexander Bentsen, Ivan Bravo, Noe Hernandez, Eluid Moreno, Jr., Eleocadio Reyna III and Pedro Ybarra.

Dominguez spoke highly of the men.

“I like to record these occasions, because in the coming years, when they reach their 30th or 35th year of service and they’re ready to retire, one of the first pictures they can put up is going to be from this important day,” Dominguez said. “As you go along, you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to fall, get yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. Mistakes are how you learn. This profession does that to you.”

Dominguez also mentioned the recent tragedy that the police department underwent: the loss of Lt. Corporal Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta, who was shot in the line of duty earlier this year. Dominguez spoke on the special connections formed when officers join the ranks of a police department.

“There’s a special situation of bonding,” Dominguez said, speaking to the families and

Photo courtesy of LJISD.

State District Judge Keno Vasquez speaks to Guadalupe Solis Cantu Jr., 46, of Alton during a sentencing hearing at La Joya High School on Sept. 20. Cantu received a 30-month prison sentence for driving while intoxicated-third or more.

• LA JOYA

Judge Keno Vasquez brings ‘Court in School’ program to La Joya

By Dave Hendricks State District Judge Keno Vasquez held court at La Joya High School last week.

“This is not ‘Judge Judy,’” Vasquez said Sept. 20, when he brought the 398th state district court to La Joya. “This is the real thing.”

Vasquez regularly holds court at Hidalgo County high schools through a program authorized by the Texas Legislature, which educates students about the legal system and discourages them from using drugs.

“I’ve been to Juarez-Lincoln, to PSJA Southwest, to both Sharyland schools, McAllen, Edcouch-Elsa,” Vasquez said, adding that he wanted

See COURT IN SCHOOL Pg. 9

See CIVIL SERVANTS Pg. 11

• EDINBURG

Former Edinburg CISD teacher charged with sexual assault

By Dave Hendricks

Photo courtesy of the city of Mission.

The 2019 Wall of Fame honorees at the 13th annual Mission Historical Museum dinner banquet held last Thurs. Sept. 19, 2019.

• MISSION

MHM celebrates seven 2019 Wall of Fame honorees

By Jamie Treviño Seven familiar faces in Mission community leadership were honored last Thursday, Sept. 19.

The Mission Historical Museum held their 13th an-

nual dinner banquet at the Mission Event Center last week, hosting a fundraising raffle with items donated from business vendors, a dinner from Balli’s, Entertainment by Grupo Jarrochos and the presentations of the

five 2019 Wall of Fame honorees.

Cynthia Stojanovic, the director of the Mission Historical Museum, said they were glad to celebrate the honorees and their accomplishments in the communi-

ty.

“This is a special evening to celebrate those important individuals in our community who have given us such contributions in the area of

See WALL OF FAME Pg. 4

The La Joya Independent School District placed a teacher on paid administrative leave in August, when allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted a high school student more than eight years ago.

Administrators removed Julian M. Moron, 50, of Edinburg — a teacher at Cesar E. Chavez Middle School — from the classroom on Aug. 12. Four days later, police officers arrested him on charges of sexual assault and indecency with a child.

“At this time, due to pending personnel matters, all that we can share with

Julian M. Moron’s jail booking photo.

Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

you is that Julian Moron is still an employee with La Joya ISD and that he was placed on leave as of August 12th, 2019,” according to a statement released

See TEACHER CHARGED Pg. 4

entertainment g

Auditions announced for A Tejano Christmas Carol

PHARR – The Pharr Community Theater will hold open auditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 1 and 2for A Tejano Christmas Carol, a Charles Dickens adaptation. The play returns for its fourth year in a row. Roles are available for 12 adults ranging in ages from 18 to 80 and eight children ranging in ages from 10 to 14.

Auditions will be cold reading from the script and held at the theater at 213 W. Newcombe Ave., Pharr, on a first come, first serve basis from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Singers and dancers are encouraged to come as well as guitar players. A set designer and stage manager are also needed. The play will be directed

by Seres Jaime Magaña and is equivalent to a PG movie.

No appointment is neces-

sary to audition and excerpts from the script will be available at the theater for cold reading.

Although predominately in English, the bilingual adaptation by Pedro Garcia, replaces Ebenezer Scrooge with Ezequiel Codos from the Rio Grande Valley, a powerful lawyer and water broker and the meanest and stingiest man that ever lived.

Due to his continuous greed the Rio Grande dries up in the future and thousands will die of thirst.

Filled with drama, dance, comedy and song, entertaining play is production to bring out the true Christmas feeling with local flavor.

For more information, call 956-655-9308 or 956-4513987.

Pedro Garcia as Mr. Codos, a mean-spirited water broker, and Armandina Sesin as La Soldadera, the ghost of Christmas past, performed in the 2018 production of A Tejano Christmas Carol.

MEMORIES BAND

Music for all occasions Country-Little Bit old Rock & Roll-Tejano

Meme Rendon 956-289-0767

Rick Sanchez 956-529-6061

Comin Attractions

September 27 • The Valley Symphony Orchestra’s first concert, Back to School, will be held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd. in McAllen from 8 to 10 p.m. For tickets and information, go to valleyorchestra.org or call 956-661-1615.

• The South Texas Piano Academy Concert 2019 Series presents Mariana Corona, soprano, and Rogelio Alvarez, pianist, for a performance at 7 p.m. in the Valley Keyboards Miller Recital Hall, 900 Harvey at 10th St., McAllen. Admission is free.

September 28 • Shoko Kinsella, piano, performs at 3 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

September 30 • The UTRGV Patron of the Arts guest artist series will host Vista Trio in a performance at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free. The varied program of chamber music with the Vista Trio, includes guest artists from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, consisting of Dr. Elizabeth Janzen, flute; Dr. Thomas Zinninger, saxophone; and Dr. Seehee Lee, piano. For special accommodations, call 956665-3881.

October 3 & 9 • The UTRGV Patron of the Arts presents the Wind Orchestra & Symphonic Winds with the Student Ensemble Series at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave., Brownsville, and again on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg. General admission is $5. Go to patron.utrgv.edu for tickets and information.

October 4-5 • Dr. Robert Bradley, professor at UTRGV School of Art, invites the public to attend the Maya Art History Glyph Workshop. It will be held at the new UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts on the 2nd floor of the University Library on the Edinburg campus, 1201 W. University Drive.

The workshops run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with one hour lunch break. For more information contact Dr. Bradley at 956-665-2484 or robert.bradley@utrgv.edu.

October 6 • The UTRGV Patron of the Arts presents Rebecca Coberly, soprano, with Stacy Kwak, pianist, in a performance with the Faculty Artist Series. It begins at 3 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg. Admission is free.

(For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)

Classical guitarist Maurizio Agró to perform Oct. 5

BROWNSVILLE – Classical guitarist Maurizio Agró will be performing Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville.

His performance is part of the guest artist series with the UTRGV Patron of the Arts program. Admission is free.

Born in Siracusa (Italy) in 1977, Agró graduated in classic guitar at the Conservatory of Avellino (2002) under the

guide of M Alfredo D’Urso.

He attended advanced courses at Accademia Superiore di Musica of Pescara and Conservatory of Venezia.

After becoming specialized, he obtained a degree in musicology at University of Torino and in Geophysics (astrophysical curriculum) at University of Catania. He also studied composition and conducting at Conservatory of Livorno where he conducted the First Symphony of Beethoven.

As a guitarist, Agró has won several prizes in national and international competitions and received acknowledgments by Mounir Bouckrissa (Festival International de la Musica Classique Algeria) and Jim Neglia (New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Jacksonville Symphony).

For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025.

September 27, 2019

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

UTRGV Theatre performance set for Oct. 4-6

EDINBURG – The UTRGV Department of Theatre presents The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. in the Albert L. Jeffers Theater in Edinburg.

Christopher Boone has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at math skills, but he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never gone past the end of his street.

He detests being touched and distrusts strangers. The “inci-

dent,” however, causes him to start detective work, which although forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening and exhilarating journey that changes his life forever.

The original play won seven Tony Awards, including Best Play in 2015 and is taken from the book by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens.

Admission is $10 and $5 for students, faculty and staff with UTRGV I.D. For tickets, go to patron.utrgv.edu.

Guns 4 Roses to headline fundraiser

Guns 4 Roses

EDINBURG – Guns 4 Roses has been signed up to headline the Fourth Annual University DraftHouse Beer Fest on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Edinburg City Hall courtyard.

It’s an evening full of live music, interactive games, a wine garden, free food from local restaurants and more.

Proceeds benefit the arts, culture, education and historical restoration for the City of Edinburg. The evening is presented by University DraftHouse, Edinburg Arts Foundation, and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.

Guns 4 Roses, a Guns N’ Roses tribute band, will rock favorite Guns N’ Roses songs from Welcome to the Jungle to November Rain and everything between. The full stage production will bring back

the classic “Appetite for Destruction” GNR lineup.

Guests will experience an array of unique casks, one-ofa-kind collaborations, along with porters, stouts, pilsners, ales, wheats, Belgians, ciders, lagers and more. There will be over 100 premium and craft beers from more than 85 breweries from around the world.

The event is for ages 21 and over. Pre-sale tickets are $60, or $65 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased at universitydrafthousebeerfest. com, or stop by University DraftHouse, the Edinburg Chamber, or The Dustin Martin Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg.

For more information or for special accommodations, contact the Edinburg Chamber at 956-383-4974.

Zoofari 2019 benefits new otter exhibit BROWNSVILLE – The public is invited to an “otterly fantastic” Zoofari 2019. The Gladys Porter Zoo’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Zoofari 2019 will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

As guest enjoy the food, auctions and music, every dollar raised supports the zoo.

Proceeds from this year’s Zoofari will benefit the new

OtterBahn exhibit, featuring playful river otters.

It kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with the cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner will be catered by Gourmet Central at 7:30 p.m. The live auction, begins at 8 p.m.

Buy tickets online at tinyurl.com/zoofari2019 or call the zoo at 956-546-7187.

2020

Mission/Sharyland Duchess & Princess Anna Pageants 2019 Mission/Sharyland

2019 Princess Anna

Application Available at:

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Duchess Contest Texas Citrus Office - 220 E. 9thSt.

Deadline: September 30, 2019 Application Fee: $100

Duchess must be 16-19 on or before Jan, 31, 2020.

Must reside in these areas or attend these school districts.

Pageant

10 am @ Krysta’s Event Center Mission, Texas Application Available at:

Texas Citrus Office - 220 E. 9thSt. Deadline: October 18, 2019 Application Fee: $100 Must be 6 years old on or before Jan. 31, 2020.

Participants from all over the Rio Grande Valley are encouraged to participate 5 princesses will be selected to be a part of the 2020 Texas Citrus Royal Court.

2 For more Information About These Events: (956) 585-9724 email: info@texascitrusfiesta.org

lifestyle

September 27, 2019

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

EVENTS

Get Healthy Expo is Sept. 29

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is hosting the Get Healthy Mission 2019 Health Expo on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Mission Hope Church auditorium, 408 E. 6th Street, Mission.

The public is invited to take advantage of the free medical services which will include screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, renal failure, anemia and liver disease and vascular screenings for poor circulation. A healthy cooking class with tastings will also be offered.

For more information, call 956-342-0459.

CALENDAR

Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 installs officers for 2019-2020

Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 in Mission recently named their 20192020 officers. Their Post Commander is Felix Ramirez, Treasurer is Robert Garza, Judge Advocate and Adjutant is David Silva, First Vice is Modesto Saaverda, Second Vice is Luis Cantu, Third Vice is Adan Hernandez, Officer of the Day is Luis Lopez, Historian is Omar Zamora, Welfare Officer is Mike De Luna and Trustees are Andres Sanchez, Juan Garza and Ray Martinez. Members of the CWV Post 1065 would like to wish them all luck and a successful year.

MCISD to celebrate new name for MHS softball complex

Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) will hold an unveiling ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the new name of the softball complex at Mission High School (MHS).

In June, the Mission CISD Board of Trustees voted to name the softball complex Coach Iris G. Iglesias Softball Complex. This was done in recognition of her being the first softball coach at MHS and her 20-plus years of service to students and athletes of the Mission CISD community.

At the ceremony, Iglesias and her family will participate in publicly unveiling the new signs and entry archway that will bear the new name for the MHS softball field area.

Iglesias is a Mission native and a member of the MHS Class of 1973. Her academic and athletic accomplishments began while at MHS and continued with her at Pan American University where she competed as a member of the volleyball team and fast pitch softball team. She married Moises Iglesias in 1975 and then

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spent three years with him on the east coast as he served in the U.S. Navy. Upon her return to the RGV, Iglesias completed her college education in 1980 from Pan American University.

With a college degree in hand, Iglesias then began her teaching and coaching career back at her alma mater, MHS. Over the course of 34 years, Iglesias rose through the ranks and took on various coaching duties in volleyball and basketball, earning honors along the way.

In the spring of 1995, MHS started a girls’ softball program with Iglesias leading the team. She served as head coach of the softball program and volleyball program until 1998 when she was allowed to focus her coaching duties on just the softball program.

Over the 20 years that Iglesias led the Lady Eagles, she guided the teams to 17 state playoff appearances and many District, Bi-District, Area Round, and Regional Semi-Final championship titles. She also founded the Mission Fastpitch Festival in 1995, which is known as the largest high school softball tournament in South Texas.

After a storied, 34-year career as an educator and coach at MHS, Iglesias retired in June 2014. During that 34-year career and beyond, Iglesias also received numerous awards and recognitions that include various Coach of the Year honors, Rio Grande Valley Sports

Hall of Fame induction, and City of Mission Historical Museum Wall of Honor induction. Iglesias has also served to inspire and promote girls’ athletics through several organizations and by serving as a speaker and instructor at clinics throughout the region.

Fifth Annual “Purple Day” will be held Oct. 3 McALLEN – The Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with all Hidalgo County law enforcement agencies, Mujeres Unidas, Hidalgo County Family Violence Taskforce, and the City of McAllen will commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the Fifth Annual “Purple Day” on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd.

Purple Day focuses on Domestic Violence Prevention with information and resources provided to the general public.

A news conference kicks off the event at 6 p.m. in

Room 101, followed by an appreciation ceremony to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Hidalgo County Family Violence Task Force.

Participants will proceed to the courtyard for the Women Together/Mujeres Unidas candlelight vigil. The City of McAllen will light-up the McAllen Performing Arts Center in purple to honor the survivors of domestic violence as well as those who have lost their lives.

The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear purple on Oct. 3, and throughout October in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

September 28 – There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, and kids and their families can learn about the turtles that visit the Texas coast during the next Saturday Safari, Tortuga Tails, from 1 to 3 p.m. A zoo tour, arts & crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included. Classes are $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for GPZ members. Pre-registration is required; space is limited to 16 students. Call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org to register or for more information.

September 29 – The International Museum of Art & Science will hold a youth art class with instruction in lino-cut prints from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 10 and up, youth will learn how to block print by carving a design out of linoleum. Cost is $10 per person and $8 for IMAS members.

IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave., McAllen. Call 956681-2800 for information or to register.

October October 1 – Make plans for young adventurers on the first Tuesday of each month at the International Museum of Art & Science. Recommended for children ages 2 to 5 with an accompanying adult, participants will explore basic STEAM concepts and practice fine motor skills as each workshop features a themed hands-on activity and story time. It is held from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. for preschoolers ages 2 to 5. Cost is $3 for IMAS members and $10 for nonmembers (includes child and adult). This month, My First Quilt will explore color, texture and pattern as they make a felt quilt. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave. in McAllen. Call 956-681-2800 for information or to register.

October 3 – Is the American alligator a man-eater or misunderstood? Find out at Quinta Mazatlán on at 6 p.m. when Britney Marchan will present, “The American Alligator: Man-eater or Misunderstood?” Marchan is an environmental educator at the South Padre Island Birding Nature and newly-branded Alligator Sanctuary. Admission is $3 per person.

Quinta Mazatlán is located at 600 Sunset Drive in McAllen.

Call 956-681-3370 for information.

October 5 – The First Annual Barktober Community Pet Fair will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Hosted by Mission Pawsible, the event will be located at Leo Pena Placita Park in Mission.

October 5 – Persons of all ages can join with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine students for the monthly Walk with a Future Doc (WWAFD). It begins at 9 a.m. at the Bronc Trail, 1214 W. Schunior St., Edinburg, near the parking lot on the west side of the medical school. The event is free, and preregistration is not required. For more information, go to walkwithadoc.org.

October 6 – A Barktoberfest will be hosted Yaqui Animal Rescue, from 4 to 10 p.m. at 801 N. Bryan Rd., Ste. 174, in Mission.

October 6 – The Tip of Texas Orchid Society hosts orchid expert Steve Arthur at their upcoming monthly meeting on at 2 p.m. at the Valley Nature Center, 301 S. Border in Weslaco.

Arthur began growing orchids in 1970. His current greenhouse in Graniteville, S.C., covers about 10,000 square feet of growing area. He leads groups to Central and South America to see orchids in the wild and to collect orchids in areas that are slated for destruction. Admission is $5 for non-members and free for members of TOTOS. For those who wish to become a member, the yearly membership fee is $25.

(For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)

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September 27, 2019

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Palmview City Council approves $11,000 raise for city manager

By Dave Hendricks The Palmview City Council approved an $11,000 raise for City Manager Michael Leo last week.

Mayor Rick Villarreal and the City Council approved the raise, which bumped the city manager’s salary from $94,000 to $105,000, on Sept. 17.

“When we brought him in, we brought him in well under market value,” Villarreal said, adding that Palmview adjusted Leo’s compensation after reviewing his performance.

The City Council hired Leo, a longtime county employee who served as director of economic development, last year. He became city manager on Jan. 1.

During the past nine months, Leo helped repair the city’s relationship with the Agua Special Utility District, which had been badly damaged by a lawsuit and complaints about the Palmview sewer project; helped draft a conservative city budget, which included a $140,000 contingency; and helped Palmview refinance high-interest loans, which saved the city thousands.

He’s also responsible for a $6.7 million budget and 87 city employees.

“I’ve been working hard for the last nine months together with the City Council,” Leo said, adding that he’s proud of the projects they’ve been able to complete and the goals they’ve been able to meet.

The City Council discussed Leo’s performance, evaluation and compensation on Sept. 17. After the discussion, which took place in executive session, the City Council approved the $11,000 raise.

“He was asking for more,” Villarreal said, but the City Council decided to stick with $11,000 — a nearly 12 percent raise.

Palmview saved money when Leo originally accepted the $94,000 annual salary. The City Council had budgeted $127,000 for the position.

The budget, which the City Council approved on Sept. 14, didn’t include an across-the-board raise. Fire Department employees with special certifications, however, received stipends to reduce attrition.

Villarreal said the City Council considered Leo’s compensation a separate issue because members had agreed to re-evaluate his salary after six months on the job.

“At this point in time, it wasn’t about the whole staff,” Villarreal said. “It was just about our new city manager.”

City Councilman Joel Garcia said Leo proved himself and Palmview needed to compensate him accordingly.

“He’s been doing an outstanding job,” Garcia said, adding that Leo saved Palmview money by refinancing old, high-interest debt that accumulated under prior administrations. “He hit the ground running.”

As part of the evaluation process, the City Council reviewed how much neighboring towns paid their city managers, Garcia said.

The Alton City Commission approved a $110,000 annual salary for City Manager Jeff Underwood in March.

The La Joya City Commission approved an $81,000 annual salary for City Manager Jacqueline Bazan in July. And the Peñitas City Council approved a $72,600 annual salary for City Manager Omar Romero last year.

Garcia said Leo is worth the money.

“I think he’s proven himself,” Garcia said. “With what he’s done.”

LJ Housing Authority board considers 3 year contract

By Dave Hendricks The La Joya Housing Authority board is considering a three-year contract with Executive Director Ruben Villarreal, who would earn an $84,000 annual salary.

Villarreal — the former mayor of Rio Grande City — is the fourth person to hold the position during the past 12 months. Approving a three-year contract may insulate the executive director from political pressure and provide stability for the five-person staff.

“The biggest thing that I will tell you that it brings is stability,” Villarreal said.

Villarreal, who accepted the job on Sept. 4, said he spent the past three weeks reading U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

HUD designated the housing authority “troubled” in April, when it flunked a Public Housing Assessment.

“The failing score is due to the Authority spending more than it earns, poor rent collection, and below average occupancy of units,” Office of Public Housing Director David Pohler wrote to the board in July. “The La Joya Housing Authority has a history of corrupt management and poor oversight by the Board of Commissioners.”

Pohler asked the housing authority to submit a performance improvement plan.

“Alternatively, we recommend the Board consider transferring the Authority’s programs to a neighboring

Ruben Villarreal Housing Authority that can provide proper oversight and administration,” according to the letter.

Villarreal said he’s focused on building a better relationship with HUD and addressing concerns about compliance.

He’s also juggling the cash-strapped housing authority’s bills, attempting to track down minutes from board meetings and supervising employees with minimal housing authority experience.

“It’s going to take three solid years,” Villarreal said, but he wants to make the housing authority a model for South Texas.

Along with meeting HUD requirements, the housing authority must build relationships with tenants, Villarreal said, not just focus on collecting rent.

He partnered with the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank to start a food pantry for tenants, contacted the Rio Grande Valley Literacy Center about starting a small library for children and talked with a health coach about

holding free classes.

“We want activities here as often as possible,” Villarreal said.

The housing authority board attempted to discuss Villarreal’s employment contract Wednesday night.

Board President John Pena, Commissioner Jorge Bazan and Commissioner German Reyna arrived before the meeting started at 7 p.m., but Bazan left abruptly and Pena canceled the meeting for lack of quorum.

“Mr. Ruben Villarreal is doing an excellent job,” Pena said.

Villarreal said the proposed employment contract included a three-year term with an option for an additional year, an $84,000 annual salary, a $500 monthly car allowance and standard benefits.

He would earn significantly more than former Executive Director Juan Jose “J.J.” Garza, who received a $63,000 annual salary, according to documents released under the Texas Public Information Act. Villarreal may also earn more than La Joya City Manager Jacqueline Bazan. The La Joya City Commission agreed to pay her $81,000 in July.

The proposed salary, however, is less than what the Mission Housing Authority paid Executive Director Joel A. Gonzalez, who earned nearly $117,000 before he became a part-time employee.

our MISSION is service

Veterans Parade Saturday, November 9, 2019 3:00 p.m.

Starting at Leo Pena Placita & down East Business 83

saluting our veterans Cook-off

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from pg. 1

TEACHER CHARGED

by the district on Sept. 19.

Moron couldn’t be reached for comment.

The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Police Department started investigating Moron in May, when a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her during 2006 and 2007.

At the time, Moron coached basketball for the Edinburg school district. The woman, identified in Edinburg Municipal Court re-

from pg. 1

cords as “Jane Doe,” played on the basketball team.

The woman said Moron sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions between September 2006 and May 2007, according to court records. She said Moron sexually assaulted her in a school bus, in the basketball coach’s office and in a locker room.

“Mr. Moron refused to provide a written statement and denied all allegations,”

according to court records.

Officers arrested him on two counts of sexual assault of a child, a second-degree felony, and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second felony.

Moron accepted a job with the La Joya school district in August 2015, more than eight years after the alleged sexual assault.

WALL OF FAME

medicine, education, civic responsibility, business and so many more endeavors,” Stojanovic said. “Tonight, let us reflect on this year.”

Stojanovic said that Mission experienced tragedy this year after the loss of Lt. Corporal Jose Luis “Speedy Espericueta, a police officer killed in the line of duty.

“I think this past year speaks volumes to who we are as a community,” Stojanovic said. “It’s not just a reflection of who our nominees are, but who we are as a community. Given our past history, let’s celebrate, and let’s rejoice on who we are as a city.”

Roxanne Lerma, the Media Relations Director for the city of Mission, said she was honored to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

“The Mission Historical Museum is such a valuable resource to our community, but so are our people,” Lerma said. “And the people [being honored] are incredible and amazing, and the best part is, they’re ours. They’re part of the city of Mission, and they bring all that greatness here to our community.”

The seven honorees served in different positions throughout Mission and the RGV, and contributed in varying capacities.

Ret. Hidalgo County Judge Aida Salinas Flores Retired Hidalgo County Judge Aida Salinas Flores was the first woman to accomplish many things in the area.

Starting her career in the La Joya Independent School District as an english teacher, Flores worked as an adult probation officer and vocational rehabilitation counselor before earning her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law, making her the first lawyer to graduate from La Joya High School.

Flores served the county as an assistant district attorney as the Chief Juvenile Prosecutor and Chief Felony Prosecutor in the 93rd and 139th District Courts before opening her private practice. She became the first elected State District Judge of the 398th District Court in 2000, and was re-elected for three more terms.

During her time as judge, Flores was the Overseer of the Hidalgo County Indigent Defense Program, and served as the first female Local Administrative Presiding Judge of the Hidalgo County Board of Judges in 2008.

An advocate of organ donation following her own donation of a kidney to her son, Flores served as a state district court judge for 16 years before joining her son at the Law Office of Rene A. Flores.

Mrs. San Juanita “Janie” Connelly Janie Connelly has served as an educational leader for over 40 years in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District.

Developing an interest in being a teacher when she attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Connelly began her teaching career at Mission Junior High School, focusing on Language Arts.

Coaching several University Interscholastic League events throughout, Connelly began teaching English at Mission High School in 1976. She began earning her master’s degree before graduating in 1980, after which she subsequently joined the Rio Grande Valley Council of Teachers of English (where she served as president for a time).

Moving up the ranks, Connelly was voted Teacher of the Year in 1989 before receiving her mid-management certification and becoming an assistant principal in 1992. In 2001, Connelly became the principal of Mission High School, which she oversaw for 11 years before becoming the Director of Student Services at Central Office. She retired in 2013, saying her philosophy in education was always about how she could best serve her community and the students in Mission.

Martin Garza, Jr. Former City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. is a recognized civic leader in the city of Mission.

A graduate of Mission High School in 1988, Garza worked in several capacities of civil service.

Starting his career in law enforcement, Garza joined the Mission Police Department as a Police Reserve Officer at the age of 21.

One year later, he became a full-time officer assigned to the patrol division.

Garza was promoted to Criminal Investigator just one more year after that. During this time, he was earning his bachelor’s degree in police administration, and moved up the ranks in the department. Garza served as a Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Mission Crime Stoppers Coordinator, Public Information Officer, Assistant Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, Special Crimes Unit Commander, Assistant Chief of Police in charge of Operations, Internal Affairs Investigator and Spokesperson for the city of Mission.

Garza was appointed Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Leo Longoria, and was subsequently chosen to serve as interim City Manager for Mission after the retirement of Julio Cerda. He was appointed as City Manager six months later, where he served Mission for five and a half more years before retiring earlier this year.

Charles Ike Austin, M.D. and Raquenel Garcia Austin, M.A., CCC/SLP The Austins have been contributors to the Mission community for decades, in both the medical and educational spheres. Dr. Charles Austin comes from a pioneer family in Mission (with a presence in the city since 1917), and opened a private medical practice in the city in 1982. After 26 years, he began teaching in academic medicine.

Dr. Austin recruited seven doctors to work in Mission, and has been involved in the training of over 150 doctors to this day.

Currently, he is employed with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, where he focuses on the specialty of Family Medicine.

Raquenel Garcia Austin, also known as Rocky, came to Mission after marrying Dr. Austin in 1981. She briefly paused her career in speech pathology to oversee the management of Dr. Austin’s medical practice and live as a stay-at-home-mom for their three daughters.

As their children grew, Rocky served as a parent volunteer and taught CCD classes at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Over the years Rocky also was part of the Hidalgo County Medical Auxiliary, Mission Junior Service League, Board of the Texas Citrus Fiesta and Mission Historical Museum, and currently serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning advisory committee.

Currently, Rocky works for MCISD as a Speech and Language Pathologist.

Gerardo H. Saenz, Jr. and Julie Anne Saenz Gerardo Saenz and his wife, Julie Anne, met in Ohio in 1965. Gerardo, originally from Mission, graduated from MHS in 1960 before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.

He was honorably discharged in 1964, came back to Mission and lived here for one year before moving to Ohio, where he found work at a Libby’s Tomato Cannery - and Julie Anne.

The pair went to school there for a couple of years before getting married, and then moved to Mission together. They completed their college education at the University of Texas Pan-American in 1972.

Gerardo worked on a Hidalgo County Project aimed at getting Rio Grande Valley migrants work at local businesses in the area, rather than travel to northern states for work.

In 1974, Gerardo became a State Farm Insurance Agent, and has served the Mission community for 46 years so far.

Julie Anne worked in LJISD for a time before teaching in Mission schools for 20 years.

She earned her master’s degree in library science from Sam Houston State University after that, and served on various boards including the Mission Historic Preservation Commission and the McAllen Music Club.

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Mission City Council discusses Mission adopts 2019-2020 funding for Madero bridge project property tax rate

By Dave Hendricks

Faced with a tight budget and a lackluster credit rating, the Mission City Council discussed creative ways to pay for the Madero bridge project Tuesday.

The City Council held a joint workshop with the Mission Rail Bridge Action Board on Tuesday afternoon.

They discussed ways to build the bridge — a project that will cost about $114 million, according to a feasibility study completed in January — without burdening taxpayers.

“I know one concern is: Where are we going to get the money?” said bridge board Chairman Jim Barnes.

“And knowing the financial condition of the city, that might be a concern.”

McAllen Economic Development Corp. CEO Keith Patridge, who serves on the bridge board, suggested two options: soliciting money from immigrant investors through the EB-5 visa program and creating an Opportunity Fund for the Madero bridge project.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program rewards people who create jobs in the United States with green cards.

“Generally, it is a program where you have wealthy foreign investors,” Patridge said.

Under the program, a person who invests $1.8 million after Nov. 21 in a project that creates 10 permanent, fulltime jobs may apply for a green card, according to information published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

The amount drops to $900,000 for people who invest in places with high unemployment rates, which the government calls “Targeted Employment Areas.”

“One of the things that investors in EB-5 fear is that they put their money in and then the project goes belly-up or it never gets finished,” Patridge said. “And they have invested their money but they don’t have a project that creates the required number of jobs.”

The Madero bridge project, with the potential to create a large number of jobs and backing from the city of Mission, may be especially attractive to EB-5 investors.

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“What’s interesting, though, is it doesn’t require those jobs to be direct. In other words, it can be indirect jobs,” Patridge said.

“And from that, when you look at the bridge, you start looking at the number of jobs supported by the trucks using the bridge, the amount of jobs created in customs brokerage houses, truck-related service companies, all of that counts towards those jobs that can be considered in that 10 jobs per investor.

So you can stack multiple investors on that to get up to $100 - $200 million.”

The city of McAllen, which created an EB-5 Regional Center to solicit foreign investment, may be able to help Mission with the project.

Patridge also suggested that Mission research the federal Opportunity Zone program, which rewards people who invest in economically distressed areas with tax breaks.

“That bridge site is located in what’s called the ‘Opportunity Zone,’’ Patridge said.

People who want to reduce or avoid federal taxes may place their capital gains in what’s called an Opportunity Fund. The funds invest in Opportunity Zones.

Investors who keep their money in Opportunity Funds for a certain number of years may reduce or eliminate their tax bills.

“So those are just two,” Patridge said, adding later: “I would be more than happy to work with the other members of the committee here to research other options for funding.”

Before the Madero bridge project moves forward, however, the Mission City Council must approve a memorandum of understanding with McAllen and Hidalgo.

When the city of Mission partnered with McAllen and Hidalgo on the Anzalduas bridge, Mission agreed not to build a competing bridge without their permission.

In an attempt to kick-start the Madero bridge project,

Mission convinced McAllen and Hidalgo to approve a memorandum of understanding.

Mission, which would own 37 percent of the Madero bridge, would cover all construction costs. McAllen and Hidalgo would pay Mission back with toll revenue, which could take decades.

Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña supported the memorandum of understanding, but the City Council balked.

That left members of City Council in the awkward position of being the biggest obstacle to building the Madero bridge — a project the mayor championed.

Concerns about the memorandum of understanding remain unresolved.

City Councilwoman Norie Gonzalez Garza said they could find alternate financing, but Mission needed to address the memorandum of understanding first. City Councilman Ruben Plata agreed.

“I think it’d be a great project for us to have a second bridge in the city of Mission,” Plata said. “Unfortunately, based on the financial position that we have, I don’t think that’s something we can afford.”

Plata said he would feel more comfortable if McAllen, which manages the Hidalgo and Anzalduas bridges, partnered with Mission.

“Alone is alone. Whether we go through the EB-5 or the Opportunity Zone funding, we’re still responsible for that,” Plata said. “I mean, the investors are going to be relying on us to pay them back.”

Plata suggested that Mission renegotiate the memorandum of understanding.

“If the MOU is not signed, I mean, with all due respect, I think we’re just wasting time,” Plata said.

O’caña agreed to take the memorandum of understanding back to McAllen for additional discussion.

“I understand the issues that are being pressed,” O’caña said. “And I’m going to take it back.”

By Jamie Treviño Following two public hearings and four council workshops, the city of Mission adopted a tax rate of 0.5212 per $100 evaluation.

Ordinance #4835 was passed during this week’s regular city council meeting, officially adopting the property tax rate for the next fiscal year in Mission. After freezing the tax rate in his first year as mayor, Dr. Armando O’caña and the council raised it by 3.5 cents.

City Manager Randy Perez presented the proposed tax rate during the city council meeting. He said the ad valorem tax rate is for the use and support of the municipal government of the city of Mission for fiscal year 20192020. “[It is] providing for appropriating each levy for specific purposes providing for when taxes shall become due and when the same shall become delinquent if not paid,” Perez said, noting there are $10,000 exceptions for the elderly and disabled.

“The tax rate for the fiscal year 2019-2020 is 0.5212 per $100 property value.”

In addition to adopting the tax rate, the ordinance still establishes the previous year’s tax freeze for the elderly and disabled members of the Mission community, and Perez said this ensures that their total amount of ad valorem taxes paid will not increase.

“The interest and sinking rate, I&S, is 0.09, and the maintenance and operation, the M&O is 0.4303, with a total tax rate of 0.5212,” Perez said. “Staff recommendation is approval of the ordinance.”

During the reading of the tax rate and the vote, council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa stepped out of council. Mayor Pro-Tem Norie Gonzalez Garza, council member Beto Vela, coun-

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cil member Ruben Plata and O’caña all voted in favor of the tax rate, making the vote 4-0.

During executive session, council deliberated for over an hour about the possibility of implementing a legal temporary sign ordinance. The item was discussed because the city has had to deal with political campaign signs and billboards being put up in Mission before the allotted election period.

In Mission, temporary signs for campaigns may be put up during the election period, which is 120 days before the candidate’s election day. The signs in question by the city were for candidates whose election period does not start until Nov. 4, 2019.

During the public comments Javier Peña, an attorney representing Everardo Villarreal, who is running to be commissioner of Precinct 3 against incumbent Joe Flores, spoke on the rights of free speech.

“This is a small town, so rumors run rampant,” Peña said. “I’ve had several clients who have asked me to come and speak to the city council about this measure that is being proposed - the temporary sign ban.”

Peña continued, saying that the rumors in question state that the city is attempting to implement a ban on billboards for political campaigns.

“Content-based speech restrictions are frowned upon by the United States Constitution, it’s a violation of the first amendment,” Peña said.

“So if there is an attempt to ban political signs, it’s going to face legal scrutiny and will likely be struck down.”

Peña added that along with the rumors that the city is going to ban political signs, there are more talks about city officials targeting specific politicians and their campaigns.

“That brings in not just

the first amendment of the constitution, but Article 1 Section 10 of the United States Constitution, which prohibits any governmental entity from passing any law or ordinance that would invalidate and impact any existing contract,” Peña said.

“And as I’m sure all of you are aware, in order to put a sign on a billboard you have to sign a contract with the billboard company.”

According to City Attorney Gus Martinez, the way the ordinance is written now, the city can take down any signs on homesteads because they fall within city limits.

However, billboards cannot be removed by the city because they are not listed specifically in the ordinance and because they are erected on property owned by private companies.

O’caña’s official comment on the matter was that the ordinance was written and approved by Mission, so that’s what they’re going to follow.

“We have an ordinance, we need to enforce it,” O’caña said. “If it’s confusing, it’s confusing, but that’s the ordinance right now.”

O’caña said that ordinance was developed and unanimously voted on by previous city leaders, and while it can be amended, there is a process. He noted that Mission is not going to start the process of amending the ordinance until after this election season, because it will require two public hearings to approve any amendment and it will become even more confusing for candidates if the changes are implemented in the middle of the election cycle.

“It’s lessons that we learn, so we can correct it for the next election,” O’caña said.

“Most of the candidates already have their plan.”

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September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019 from pg. 1

COURT IN SCHOOL

to provide students an opportunity to witness how the justice system works.

While it wasn’t ‘Judge Judy,’ the hour that Vasquez spent sentencing seven people who pleaded guilty to drug and alcohol charges contained plenty of drama.

Faced with two felony charges for possession of cocaine, Roberto V. Silva, 33, of Edinburg arrived in court — the high school gym — with his attorney.

The Edinburg Police Department had arrested Silva twice during the past six months.

In April, when police officers arrested him for stealing a 12-pack of beer, they found about 1.8 grams of cocaine hidden in a headphone case, according to a county prosecutor who addressed the court at sentencing. Less than two months later, when police officers arrested him for public intoxication, they found nearly 0.3 grams of cocaine hidden in his socks.

“If I test you right now, you’ll come out positive for cocaine?” Vasquez asked.

Silva said he wouldn’t test positive for cocaine.

Notices Robert Bialowas MISSION – Robert Bialowas, 91, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Rogelio Diaz Jr. PALMVIEW – Rogelio “Roy” Diaz Jr., 39, passed away on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at OCA Hospital in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico.

Jesus Espinoza MISSION – Jesus Espinoza, 72, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Frances Euler MISSION – Frances Roger

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“Marijiana?”

Vasquez asked. “Any drugs?”

Silva hesitated. Students watched, rapt, and the gym went silent.

“Uh, yes sir,” Silva said, adding that he would test positive for marijuana.

“You walked in free, right?” Vasquez said, incredulous. “And you’re telling me you’re on my probation — or, in my case, you’re out on bond — and you’re coming out positive? You’d test positive for marijuana?”

Silva said he would.

“Take him into custody,” Vasquez said. “Go sit down.”

The bailiff cuffed Silva and took him away. After sentencing a man who pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, Vasquez called Silva’s case again.

Vasquez announced that he would still place Silva on deferred adjudication, which allows the court to dismiss the case if the defendant stays out of trouble.

“You were honest. I always reward honesty,” Vasquez said, adding that he wanted to help Silva, not punish him for telling the truth. “I’m going to honor

your four years deferred adjudication. I thought about that. I was upset, saying: ‘Come on, you’re out on bond and you’re doing this?’’

Silva thanked the judge and walked away without handcuffs.

After he sentenced the defendants, Vasquez spent nearly an hour taking questions from students.

“Someone asked me one time: ‘Why are you talking to these kids? They can’t vote for you,’” Vasquez said, adding that he replied: “When I took this job, when I was elected, it’s not a matter of: ‘I’m going to go to the ones who can vote for me or the ones who can help me out.’

It’s a matter of helping my community: You all here.”

Students asked Vasquez about the Telemundo show ‘Caso Cerrado’ (Never heard of it), whether or not politics had ever influenced how he handled a case (No), and if he works every day (Yes, and he actually takes the bench on time).

“They have great questions, by the way,” Vasquez said. “We got great students here.”

Euler, 79, di passed away on d Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing and Transitional Care.

Cosme Lozano MISSION – Cosme Lozano, 58, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Emily Miller MISSION – Emily Miller, 100, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at Waterford Gardens in Mission.

Michael Morin MISSION – Michael Joseph Morin, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.

Andres Palacios MISSION – Andres Palacios,

20, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mary Perez MISSION – Mary G. Perez, 63, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at her home in Mission.

Vaughn Peterson MISSION – Vaughn Peterson, 88, passed away on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, at Waterford Gardens in Mission.

Ruth Razo MISSION – Ruth Razo, 79, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

ALTON BUS CRASH

“Some of these students are kids who have a relative or know someone who was in the bus that day,” Garcia said. “They need to know about this. I know there’s a memorial [at the site of the accident] and this is part of their history. They need to make sure they don’t forget and that people came together.”

The dedication ceremony, held Friday, Sept. 20, was done the day before the 30th anniversary of the crash.

Attendees were treated to a view of the campus’ butterfly garden, where 21 Spanish Olive trees were planted for the slain students and were in full bloom.

Among the guests attending was Cynthia Cantu del Bosque, a lawyer based out of McAllen who was on the bus when it fell into the pit and survived after a friend from her neighborhood pulled her out.

“I lost seven people from the neighborhood that day,” del Bosque said. “I was sitting at the back of the bus, so I didn’t see the crash because I was studying for a trigonometry test and remember feeling like we were suddenly changing direction and next thing I knew, we were falling and taking in water. I blacked out after that.”

The bus del Bosque was riding was struck by a Dr. Pepper delivery truck with faulty brakes at the intersection of Bryan Rd. and Mile 5 Road, sending it to plummet into the caliche pit which was unfenced at the time. The accident remains one of the largest school bus accidents in Texas history and gained national media attention.

“We didn’t know how serious it was at the time,” Gus Zapata, who was principal at Mission High School at the time of the accident, said at the ceremony. “Throughout the years, people always ask ‘How did you manage to get through something so serious?’ So soon after the accident, we started finding

answers to that question.”

After the accident, parents arrived to the school hoping for word of their child’s survival. After the crash, the school district received support from individual donors to help the families, and neighboring school districts offered assistance.

The football game scheduled for that week was cancelled, and a memorial was held in its place at Tom Landry Stadium that was attended by 10,000.

That sense of community, Zapata said, was key in how the community coped with the accident.

“Just like we’ve had shootings and other incidents, the answer is people coming together to find answers,” the former principal said. “We had people from the school district and other districts and community to come together to find answers for how we’re getting through this serious accident.

And we found the answers. It was for the families, for the students who didn’t survive, and those who did.”

The bus crash, Zapata said, is one he’ll never forget as he lives with the reminder of it due to his family.

“At Valley Memorial Gardens, so many of the students...were buried there,” Zapata said. “And I have some relatives buried there.

Across from them are many of the students who didn’t survive and occasionally I visit their graves. They can never be forgotten.”

Rosa Zapata, Gus’ wife and a counselor at Mission High School, said the campus helped survivors of the bus accident by having a campus employee assigned to ride with a student.

“It was a hard time for all of us there, especially for

the students as we struggled to make life normal again,” Rosa said. “It was a little difficult for them to get back on the bus and follow the same route and pass by the site everyday. We knew we were approaching the site or were close to it because the children would get quiet and turn away. They wouldn’t even look at the site. We were there for support, reminding them it was safe to be there.

Life was gonna go on.”

Del Bosque was the student assigned to ride with Zapata. She said that after her near death experience, she embraced the second chance that was given to her.

She started taking her schoolwork seriously, she recalled, graduating from high school a few months later and attending college and has been practicing law for 11 years in McAllen and has been married for 21 years and has two children.

She says she lives her life in memory of her 21 former classmates.

“They didn’t have an opportunity to live out their lives or fulfill their dreams and we as survivors should take the opportunity to take that second chance we were granted in our lives to live them out for them,” del Bosque said. “They didn’t get a chance to do it. We should do it in their memory.”

After the ceremony, attendees were invited to write messages of love for the 21 students on stones that would be placed around the campus’ butterfly garden.

Del Bosque wrote “We will never forget.” Gus wrote “We will always remember you. Love you.” Rosa wrote “You left a hole in our hearts.”

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Sullivan City commissioner pleads no contest to misdemeanor assault

By Dave Hendricks A Sullivan City commissioner pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault Saturday.

Mission Police Department officers arrested Sullivan City Commissioner Gabriel Salinas on Saturday morning.

Investigators presented Municipal Judge Mauro Reyna III with a Class A assault charge. After reviewing the allegations, however, Reyna reduced the charge to a Class C misdemeanor.

“Mr. Salinas, you’re charged with Class A assault,” Reyna said on Saturday afternoon, when Salinas appeared before him in handc wuffs. “In reviewing the documents and interviewing the investigators in this case, speaking with them, I don’t believe it meets the elements for a Class A misdemeanor assault.”

Reyna reduced the charge to a Class C misdemeanor, the equivalent of a traffic ticket.

“I will allow you to enter a plea of no contest,” Reyna said. “The punishment will be the time that you served in jail.”

Reyna placed Salinas on deferred adjudication for 90 days.

“After 90 days, it will be dismissed,” Reyna said.

“Then your attorney can file your expunction request.”

Gabriel Salinas, the brother-in-law of La Joya school board Trustee Oscar “Coach” Salinas, joined the Sullivan City Commission in May 2017. He campaigned with Mayor Leo Garcia and City Commissioner Sylvia Castillo as team “Sull1van.”

They won about 60 percent of 1,100 ballots cast, according to Hidalgo County Elections Department records.

After he skipped several City Commission meetings last year, Salinas risked being removed from office. The City Commission excused his absences and offered Salinas a second chance.

Officers arrested Salinas on Saturday morning, when

Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks.

Sullivan City Commissioner Gabriel Salinas waited for arraignment Saturday afternoon at the Mission Municipal Court.

they responded to a domestic disturbance on the 1400 block of Viejo Lane, said police Inv. Art Flores, a spokesman for the department.

Salinas owns a home on the 1400 block of Viejo Lane, according to Hidalgo County Appraisal District records.

He purchased the property in February 2019.

Flores said that Salinas had been accused of assaulting his wife.

“Basically, it was a slap in the face,” Flores said. “And according to the investigator there was no injury.”

Officers arrested Salinas and booked him at the city jail on suspicion of assault, a Class A misdemeanor.

“She did file a drop charges form,” Flores said.

“And they still took it to the judge, I guess, on behalf of the state.”

In Mission, the police department normally drops domestic violence cases when the victim doesn’t want to press charges. Officials make the decision on a case-bycase basis and consider other factors, including whether or not the person accused of domestic violence has prior arrests.

The Progress Times requested a copy of the arrest warrant and affidavit prepared for the Class A misdemeanor charge. The Progress Times also requested a copy of the Class C misdemeanor citation.

Neither the Class A misdemeanor records nor the Class C misdemeanor records were available Saturday after the arraignment.

Officers released Salinas at about 6:40 p.m. He left the police department with his attorney, Marco De Luna of Mission, and declined to comment.

Former state District Judge Rudy Delgado sentenced to 5 years in prison

By Dave Hendricks A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced former state District Judge Rudy Delgado to five years in prison for bribery and obstruction of justice.

U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett sentenced Delgado to five years in prison during a hearing Wednesday afternoon in McAllen.

“What you stand accused of tears at the very fabric of our society,” Bennett said.

“It gives air and weight to people who look upon courts with suspicion — that it does matter who you know, that it does matter the size of your bank account, that justice can be purchased.”

Elected in 1988, when he became a court-at-law judge, Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado, 66, of Edinburg spent roughly three decades on the bench.

Delgado presided over the 93rd state district court from 2001 to 2018, when the FBI arrested him. Despite the federal bribery charges, Delgado won a seat on the 13th Court of Appeals in November 2018.

The FBI apparently started investigating Delgado in 2016, when a local attorney named Noe Perez bragged to a client about bribing a judge.

Agents questioned Perez, who confessed to paying for courtroom favors and agreed to cooperate. He recorded meetings with Delgado, who

accepted cash after they discussed pending cases.

The FBI conducted a wide-ranging investigation, which included wiretaps and aerial surveillance.

Agents suspected that Delgado accepted bribes from two additional attorneys, according to a motion filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Prosecutors also believe that Delgado accepted improper gifts from attorneys.

Delgado, however, heard a rumor about the investigation in 2018. FBI agents scrambled to arrest him and salvage the case.

Along with bribery, prosecutors slapped Delgado with an obstruction of justice charge. He pleaded not guilty.

A jury, though, convicted Delgado in July after four days of testimony.

Bennett, the federal judge, said he’s handled more than 100 trials during the past decade.

“I can’t recall, in those 10 years, a jury that was as adamant and angry as this jury,” Bennett said, recounting how the jurors reacted when they heard the testimony.

Delgado apologized Wednesday afternoon, when he addressed the court at length, but he didn’t explicitly admit to accepting bribes.

“I was a good person. I was a good judge,” Delgado said. “I succumbed. And I will pay the price for that.”

Delgado said he met with Perez, the attorney who became a government informant, during a very difficult time.

His son, Ricco, had become addicted to drugs and died. As his son’s addiction worsened, Delgado started to drink heavily.

Delgado said he met with Perez in a “drunken stupor,” which affected his judgment.

“I apologize to the community,” Delgado said. “And the general public that put their faith in me for many years.”

Faced with the loss of his pension and possibly his home as a result of the conviction, Delgado said he contemplated suicide.

“Had I offed myself, judge, my retirements and pensions would be intact,” Delgado said, adding later: “But I’ve done enough to hurt my family. I don’t want to die. That’s up to God.” Bennett sentenced Delgado to five years in prison on the bribery and obstruction of justice charges. He also handed down a four-year sentence on charges of conspiracy and violating the federal Travel Act. The prison sentences will run concurrently, followed by two years of supervised release.

Delgado, who suffers from liver and heart problems, will self-report to prison.

Hidalgo County bailiff arrested on drug, weapons charges

By Dave Hendricks

The Pharr Police Department arrested a Hidalgo

County bailiff last week on drug and weapons charges.

Investigators arrested Jose R. Hernandez, 40, of Pharr on Sept. 18, when they caught him with three baggies of cocaine and two handguns, according to Pharr Municipal Court records.

Officers arrested Hernandez at about 5:30 p.m., when they conducted a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Silverado “for parking against traffic.”

Hernandez appeared “overly nervous,” according to the criminal complaint. When police officers searched him, they found three baggies of cocaine in his right pocket. The baggies weighed 1.2 grams.

Officers charged Hernandez with possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony, and unlawfully carrying a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor.

Hernandez, the bailiff for state District Judge Luis Singleterry, declined to comment. Singleterry didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Before he became a bailiff, Hernandez spent 12 years with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records.

The Sheriff’s Office, which had allowed Hernandez to remain a reserve deputy, canceled his commission on Sept. 19.

Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said the Sheriff’s Office maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, drunken driving and other criminal offenses.

“That’s up to the judge whether he keeps him as a bailiff,” Guerra said. “But he no longer has a peace officer license.”

September 27, 2019 from pg. 1

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CIVIL SERVANTS

loved ones of the six officers.

“I want you to know that the doors are open at our department any time, for anything that you need as well.

There’s a danger that we have in our profession every day, but we all work together to make sure we take care of each other.”

Dominguez reminded the officers that they are there for one purpose: to take care of the residents in the community.

“The arrest, the issuing of the citation, that comes with the occupation,” Dominguez said. “But the most important thing is to take care of the citizens in our respective community.”

Mission Fire Department Fire Chief Gilbert Sanchez swore in three new firefighters to the Mission Fire Department, and promoted two current members of the department.

“I’m glad to see their

families are here to show their respect and honor for their loved ones,” Sanchez said.

The three men who joined the Fire Department as firefighters were Robert Martinez, Mark Reyes and Gilbert Moreno. The two who were promoted are Captain Joel Saenz and Deputy Chief Chris Navarette.

Sanchez said that the new firefighters have been on probation for the last year,

and have been operating under assigned lieutenants and given tasks to build their skills before joining the fire department.

“That’s how we as the fire department handle our operations,” Sanchez said.

“Some of these individuals have come from other departments, and each department has their routines. By doing this, they learned how the Mission Fire Department operates.”

Sanchez said there is a lot of responsibility that comes with being a firefighter.

“These individuals are the ones that are up front in serving the community and protecting life,” Sanchez said.

“So, this is the start of their careers here, and they bring experience to our department as well.”

Following the pinning ceremony for the new firefighters, Sanchez promoted Captain Joel Saenz and Dep-

uty Chief Chris Navarette.

Sanchez said that even more responsibility is taken on when becoming a captain and moving up the ranks in the department.

“It’s a new challenge,” Sanchez said, before asking the men if they were ready for the new tasks before them. Saenz and Navarette both said they were up for what comes next.

“I was born ready,” Saenz said.

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For Rent 2BDR, 1BA, 8010 Military Rd. in Abram, TX, fully furnished, $150 deposit/$350 monthly, light not included, 2 recamaras, 1 baño ubicado 8010 Military Rd. in Abram, TX, amueblada, deposito $150/ $350 por mes, call 956-4245691.For Sale 1/2 ACRE LOT, all frontage, very unique location on East Military Rd. in Peñitas, TX, if inter-

ested call 956-5854751.

3 BURIAL PLOTS at Valley Memorial Gardens, call 956457-8315 for more information.

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USE DD-33 SPRAY to control fleas & ticks on dogs &

LEGAL NOTICE

cats, El Pase Feed Store, (www.kennelvax.com).

USE PARACIDE SHAMPOO to control fleas & ticks on dogs & cats topically, eliminate doggy odor and restore healthy coat, Border Enterprises, 956487-2570, (www. kennelvax.com).

Home For Sale 2BDR WITH option of 3rd BDR, 2 baths, 2 car garage in a 55+ community, EVR in Mission, TX, ceramic tile throughout, ceiling

fans, water softener system, all appliances, garage for 26’ motor home, and more, call 956-3215441.

Garage Sale HIGH END ANTIQUES (for serious buyers only) and Yard/Patio Sale “tools”., at Wagon City South (2707 N. Conway, Mission), 209 Buckboard, on Friday & Saturday, Sept.27-28 from 8am-2pm.

FIVE FAMILY GARAGE sale Saturday from 8am-3pm

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for an On Premise Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit by 39 Taqueria, LLC dba 39 Taqueria, to be located at 2813 Griffin Parkway Suite F, Mission, TX 78572, Hidalgo County. Officers of said Limited Liability Company is Jaime Montes, owner.

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit by Cristobal’s Bar & Grill LLC dba Cristobal’s Bar & Grill, to be located at 515 North Conway Avenue, Mission, Hidalgo County. Officer(s) of said LLC are John Jacob Escamilla, managing member.

ORDINANCE NO. 4835

ORDINANCE NO. 4837

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAXES FOR USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF MISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020; PROVIDING FOR APPORTIONING EACH LEVY FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES; PROVIDING WHEN TAXES SHALL BECOME DUE AND WHEN SAME SHALL BECOME DELINQUENT IF NOT PAID; AND PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR THE DISABLED.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO REGULATE AND REDUCE POLLUTION THAT ENTERS THE SURFACE WATER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM DISCHARGES INTO THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM, BY PROVIDING FOR THE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION OF ILLICIT CONNECTIONS TO THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM AND REQUIRING EROSION CONTROL AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AND TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2019.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 1, Big Lake Subdivision, from (AO-P) Agricultural Open Permanent to (I-1) Light Industrial; Rezoning: A 0.33 acres of land out of a 9.53 acre tract out of the West 13.335 acre of the South 19.55 acres of Lot 29-8, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (R-1T) Townhouse Residential; and Rezoning: A 0.58 of one acre tract of land out of Lot 25-9, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision from (AOI) Agricultural Open Interim to (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial Discussion and Action to Amend the Future Land Use Map Discussion and Action to Amend the (R-1) Single Family Residential District 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

READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2019.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4836 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 114-222, STYLED DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER CONSERVATION PLAN, OF ITS CODE OF ORDINANCES TO INCORPORATE THE CHANGES SATISFYING THE REVISED REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 288 OF TITLE 30 OF THE TEXAS ADMINSITRATIVE CODE (TAC); ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR THE INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGES; ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN WATER USES; ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF AND PROVISIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THESE RESTRICTIONS; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING VARIANCES; AND PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2019.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

at 127 South Canal St in Mission, lots of brand clothes and shoes, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke purses in very good conditions, mens & ladies clothing, homecoming & prom dresses only used once.

Mobile Home 14x76, 2BDR/ 2BA Lancer Mobile Home for sale,

TX room, carport, attached shed, metal roof, gated 55+Community in Mission, TX, must sell for health reasons, call 956-2490046 for more details.

2 BDR, 2 BA, with new updates, new flooring,countertops, cabinets, & water heater, recently inspected, stove & refrigerator included, located in Mobile Gardens

ORDINANCE NO. 4838 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4735 TO AMEND AND RESTATE THE PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR A PUBLICATION CLAUSE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2019.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary Computer System Analyst (Mission, TX), Duties incl: Perform database backup & restores; Devleop s/w apps according to co. needs; Network Administrator; Visual studio & web development; Determine biz reqmnts for IT systems; Identify security vulnerabilities & eliminate them w/strategic solutions that increase data security; Manage the deployment, development, monitoring, maintenance, upgrading & support of organizational IT systems incl.operating systems, servers, PCs, s/w apps, telephone & peripherals; & work w/ staff to develop plans & strategies to enhance client services, user effectiveness improved & innovation encouraged. Must have a Bach’s deg in comp. science/comp. systems or its foreign equiv + 2 yrs exp in comp. systems & knowledge of visual basic, data base administrator & comp. networking. Mail resume to Limex Sicar LTD, Co., 701 Trinity St, Mission, TX 78572.

Community Park in Mission, TX, can be moved, call 920492-9277.

Do What Makes You Happy, Be With Those Who Make You Smile, And Laugh As Much As You Breathe.

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.

CITY OF ALTON

2019-17-0924 Amending Ordinance 2010-17 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS PROVIDING A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN AND A PUBLIC EDUCATION/INFORMATION PROGRAM, WAIVING 2ND AND 3RD READING. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 24th day of September, 2019.

Salvador Vela, Mayor City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM,TRMCCMC, City Secretary

CITY OF ALTON

2019-16-0924 Amending 2015-13-0908 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE WITHIN THE CORPORATE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS, HIDALGO COUNTY, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER SERVICES REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 24th day of September, 2019.

Salvador Vela, Mayor City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM,TRMCCMC, City Secretary

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: DAVID LAMBERT and LORI LAMBERT, DEFENDANTS GREETING: 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 after the expiration of 42 days from the date of issuance of this citation, the same being Monday, October 4, 2019 at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. before the 370th District Court of Hidalgo County, at the Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas.

Said Plaintiff’s Petition was filed on July 10, 2019 in this case, numbered C-294719-G on the docket of said court.

The names of the parties to the cause are as follows”WINTER GREEN ESTATES RECREATION, INC., Plaintiff and DAVID LAMBERT and LORI LAMBERT, 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 18, Block G, WINTER GREEN ESTATES SUBDIVISION, an addition to the City of Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas locally known as 1421 Santa Maria Drive, Mission, Texas 78572 (the “Property”), by virtue of that certain Warranty Deed date June 12, 2011, recorded as Document Number 2010-2082159 of the official land records of Hidalgo County, Texas (the “Deed”).

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 the SEAL of said Court, at office in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas.

ISSUED: AUGUST 23, 2019 LAURA HINOJOSA, DISTRICT CLERK HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS 100 N. CLOSNER BLVD #E EDINBURG, TX 78539

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Alton approves $5.9 million budget

By Jose De Leon III After previously voting to leave the current property tax rate unchanged, Alton commissioners approved a $5.9 million budget for their next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

At their Tuesday meeting, city commissioners approved the budget which included a general fund balance of $203,170. At a meeting last month, commissioners were presented with a preliminary budget that had a general fund balance of negative $17,029.

“Staff did a great job of scrubbing the budget to get that number up,” City Manager Jeff Underwood said.

“We’ve done some work and have a positive fund balance to present to you.”

The budget projects $5,991,572 in total revenues and $5,788,401 in total ex-

penditures.

After the meeting, Underwood said that to increase the general fund balance, the finance department did a “scrubbing” of projected expenses.

“We looked into seeing if we could purchase items department heads requested with other funds and see what we could hold off on purchasing for another year,” Underwood explained. “We saw some areas in our revenues where we were underestimating so we ended up increasing that a bit to remain conservative.”

The budget included a new position in the Parks and Recreation Department for a parks laborer who will oversee maintaining both of the city’s parks and a new fulltime dispatcher at the city’s police department.

The budget will raise

more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by $45,654, according to the budget.

At a meeting last month, council members voted to keep the property tax rate at .4440 per $100 valuation where it has been for a decade due to an increase in home values, according to the budget.

The budget also called for a new garbage truck, a new police vehicle and a new public works vehicle, all three which total $350,000.

Underwood informed commissioners that, should revenues and expenses track, the city is projecting a onetime pay adjustment to be made for the city’s 87 employees toward the end of the calendar year.

Underwood also discussed the city’s fire service fee, an optimal $3 month-

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by Dave Hendricks Before he sentenced Noe Perez, the Rio Grande Valley attorney who confessed to bribing a local judge with cash and beer, U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett paused.

Perez had just spent part of Wednesday morning talking about what he called “Valley law,” a system of barely concealed corruption that permeated the Hidalgo County Courthouse. Attorneys pay judges, curryings favor with campaign dona-

Mission TX 78572 (956) 585-1665

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we have, we have the right to enact it when we feel like there’s a need to, but we’re not planning on doing it this year,” Underwood said, adding that it’s been years since the city last enacted that fee.

“When we’ve done it in the past we’ve seen revenues in the $50,000 range, but we don’t do it every year. We reserve the right to use it if revenues are falling short.”

Attorney who bribed former state District Judge Rudy Delgado sentenced to 2 years in prison

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ly charge made to property owners where the city can bill residents for fire protection. The approved budget didn’t project any revenues from that fee.

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September 27, 2019

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Noe Perez (Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.)

tions, golf tournaments and skeet shoots. Perez said he bribed former state District Judge Rudy Delgado because he knew how the system worked.

When he stopped talking, the courtroom went silent.

Bennett paused and looked out the window on the 10th floor of Bentsen Tower, which provides a sweeping view of south McAllen.

“This courtroom, I noticed the last time I was here, affords a beautiful view. And as the court looks out, I’m led to believe that what I’m looking at is not a beautiful view but some corrupt land that is unredeemable,” Bennett said. “And the court refuses to accept that.”

Delgado denied the allegations and took the case against him to trial in July.

After four days of testimony, which revealed that Delgado accepted cash during conversations about pending court cases, a jury of Valley residents found him guilty.

“They reject ‘Valley law.’

They reject the ‘Valley’ con-

cept. They reject the games they play here. They said ‘No more,’” Bennett said.

“And the court agrees with them.”

When he addressed the court, Noe Perez Jr., 59, of McAllen apologized.

He cooperated with the FBI, which asked him to record conversations with Delgado. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, waiving a federal indictment. He cooperated with prosecutors, who asked him to testify at trial. And he became a pariah in Hidalgo County, where nobody at the courthouse will speak with him.

“I know it’s wrong,” Perez said. “That’s why I admitted to it.”

Perez asked for probation.

If the judge wouldn’t consider probation, he requested leniency.

“The ‘Valley’ concept here is something that should be taken into consideration,” Perez said.

Federal sentencing guidelines suggested that Perez should serve 30 to 37 months in prison. Prosecutors, however, recommended 20 months based on Perez’s cooperation with the government.

“He came in. He testified,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Arthur “Rob” Jones.

“That’s never easy for anyone.”

Bennett settled on two years in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

“If you want it to stop,” Bennett said about the concept of “Valley” law, “There has to be consequences for engaging in it.”

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