May 15, 2015 - Progress Times Issue

Friday, May 15, 2015

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AGUA SUD EXTENDS JOB OFFER TO NEW CEO

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By Julie Silva

fter negotiations, the Agua Special Utility District Board of Directors agreed on a $100,000 salary for its new CEO, Julio Cerda, former Mission city manager.

Also at a special meeting last week, the board agreed on a $55,000 salary for Oscar “Coach” Salinas, who will be the district’s new community outreach coordinator.

When this year’s budget was approved, it included a position for an assistant to General Manager Frank Flores as well as the outreach position, both bud-

geted at $50,000. However, because they weren’t filled during the first five months of the year, Board President Ricardo Ochoa, said there is enough savings to cover both Cerda’s and Salinas’ salaries for the rest of the year.

During public comment, former board president Mario Chapa questioned the legality of hiring someone to oversee Flores. He said he plans to talk to attorneys with the Texas Water Development Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“I think you’re making a mistake,” Chapa said. “I have nothing against the people that you interviewed …

but the contract that I signed with Mr. Flores said that he was in fact responsible for all the personnel here. I feel that you guys are rushing this, and I’m not sure why.”

Ochoa said every decision the board has made was cleared through the board’s attorneys. And the board’s attorney, Matt Beatty, later said Flores’ contract included an obligation to hire and fire. That’s not a right, he said.

Later in the meeting, Beatty said Flores, too, had expressed concern about the two positions. Beatty said Flores’ concerns stemmed from the fact that Cerda is

a consultant with the city of Peñitas and has done work for the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 6, and Salinas is a La Joya Independent School District board trustee. Four Agua SUD board members are employees of La Joya ISD, and Beatty pointed out that’s a quorum.

“I think it’s something that the board needs to think about and consider,” Beatty said.

Beatty said Cerda’s firm, South Texas Infrastructure,

See AQUA SUD 4 RIGHT: Julio Cerda.

Progress Times file photo

A UNITED COMMUNITY

La Joya ISD raises summer pay

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By Julie Silva a Joya ISD trustees agreed to increase the summer pay for bus drivers, custodians and child nutrition employees at a special meeting Monday night.

Yolanda Gonzalez, representing employees and the Texas State Teachers Association/National Education Association, said pay for bus drivers goes down to $10 an hour in the summer when during the school year, many drivers make between $14 and $16.

During public comment, Gonzalez asked La Joya Independent School District’s Board of Trustees to remember that many of the district’s employees live in the district and send their children to its schools. It doesn’t make sense for the drop in the summer rate when employees are doing the same work for the same employer, Gonzalez said. These employees work nine months out of the year and aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits in the summer if they don’t work.

“You have the power to be like other districts in the area,” Gonzalez told the board. “We dare you to care for them as well.”

At a previous meeting, the board had tabled an item that listed only transportation em-

ployees. Trustee Oscar Salinas said the board postponed action “because we felt that all of our hourly employees were equally important to us.

“You are the first ones to see our kids, and you’re the last ones to see them and drop them off,” he told the bus drivers who attended Monday’s meeting.

“Your hard work does not go unnoticed,” trustee Joel Garcia added.

In other business Monday, the board heard a presentation on creating a virtual academy from Mollie Ramon, instructional technology coordinator. The Texas Virtual School Network was set up by the state in 2001, Ramon said, and allows students to take courses online from certified teachers in the state.

La Joya ISD already has been involved in the program as a receiving district, she said, meaning it has students that participate in the program. There are 16 districts in Texas that offer courses online. Each course costs $400, and either the receiving district or the student pays the fee, Ramon said, adding that there is a bill pending in the state Legislature that would increase the fee.

See LJISD 10

Peñ1tas candidates celebrate victory in city election

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By Julie Silva nity was the buzzword as members of the Peñ1tas slate celebrated victory with their supporters Saturday night at the L&J Ballroom.

Members of the slate – Rigo Lopez, mayor; J.R. Flores, Place 2; Armin Garza, Place 3; Ramiro Loya, Place 4 – cruised to an easy victory in a city election that brought 46 percent of the city’s registered voters to the polls.

“I feel humbled and I feel blessed for the people to accept me as one of their own, and I’m ready to take the challenge,” said 31-year-old Lopez, who moved to Peñitas, his wife’s hometown, three years ago. “My whole campaign was about uniting the people of Peñitas – one community with one future.

Everybody wins when we are one.”

Lopez has served as a board member for the Agua Special Utility District for more than a year, and the board was scheduled to ac-

cept his resignation Thursday evening, after the Progress Times press deadline.

All four men work for La Joya Independent School District, and those attending the celebration Saturday included trustees Oscar “Coach” Salinas, who emceed the event, Jesus “Chuy” Avendaño and Joel Garcia Sr. Other area leaders at the ballroom were State Rep. Oscar Longoria, Pct. 3 Commissioner Joe Flores, County Judge Ramon Garcia, City of La Joya Alderwomen Mary Salinas and Ana Lisa Ruiz, and Palmview Commissioners Joel Garcia Jr. and Ricardo Villarreal.

Joel Garcia Sr. noted Saturday is the 16th consecutive win for Team Liberty. The election of Lopez as Peñitas’ mayor marks the next generation of public servants rising up to take the reins from the old-timers, he said.

Lopez’s race was the closest, and he received 58 percent of the 977 votes cast.

Flores, Garza and Loya re-

See PEÑ1TAS 5

TOP: Peñ1tas candidates stand with supporters Saturday at L&J Ballroom after election results were released. ABOVE: J.R. Flores , who was reelected to Place 2, pats newly elected Mayor Rigo Lopez on the back at their victory party.

“A united town – you’re never going to defeat a united town, and that’s the way it should be.”

– Alex Cantu

INSIDE

Alton incumbents reelected

INDEX

SISD Board gets 2 new members

Sharyland hires superintendent

Mayor Salvador Vela and Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan easily kept their seats with 77 percent of the votes in the May election.

Local businesswoman Melissa Smith and La Joya principal Pepe Garcia were elected to serve in Saturday’s election.

Robert O’Connor, now with Marble Falls ISD, has a three-year contract and is scheduled to begin work with the district July 6.

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Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 6

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 8

Obituaries | pg. 11

Classifieds | pg. 13

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entertainment

Aerosmith’s ‘Blue Army Tour 2015’ visits Hidalgo

ollowing their wildly successful and acclaimed 2014 Let Rock Rule tour, Aerosmith— rock’s greatest live act—will return to the road this summer with their “Blue Army Tour 2015” that will be stopping in 15 cities, including Hidalgo, on Tuesday, June 30 at State Farm Arena.

“The name Blue Army came from the fact that ‘everyone’ in our audience from the ’70s were wearing blue denim and it looked like a sea of blue, thus The Blue Army,” said Joe Perry, lead guitarist.

On the “Blue Army Tour 2015,” Aerosmith will perform a set including their career-defining biggest hits, like “Love In A Elevator,” “Janie’s Got A Gun,“ “Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” “Walk This Way,” “Dream On,” “Sweet Emotion” and many more.

Photo courtesy Ross Halfin

Aerosmith—featuring Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (lead guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) —are a living piece of American music history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of count-

less awards including four Grammys, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards, among many other honors. Their latest honors include the 2013 ASCAP Founders Award and induction, also in 2013, into the Songwriter Hall of Fame at the 44th annual SHOF ceremony. Music from an-

UTPA dancer gains noteworthy recognition at regional dance conference

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he University of Texas-Pan American’s dance department’s first-time, all-student showing at the annual American College Dance Association South Central Regional Conference turned up big accolades for undergraduate dancer Courtney Wantland.

Wantland’s choreography and performance, entitled “FIN,” from her senior dance project was selected for the final gala performance. The gala performances are chosen as the final best-choreographed dances of the conference.

“She choreographed a witty and modern performance set to the music of Vivaldi and the judges were really impressed with her,” said Shackelford, associate

professor of music and dance and co-artistic director of the UTPA Dance Ensemble.

The American College Dance Association (ACDA), formerly known as American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA), annually hosts 12 regions with a total of 324 higher education institutions. Twenty-seven schools participated this year at the South Central Conference held March 18-21 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Several out of region schools were also able to participate this year including several from California and one from China.

For each region, a panel of judges, known in the ACDA as adjudicators, selects 10 works from the entries, this year 38, and selects the final

dance pieces for a gala performance on the last day of the conference.

“It was the proudest moment of my dance career and such an amazing feeling to be recognized by top professionals in the dance world,” Wantland said.

Wantland's performance piece, “FIN,” was an original modern dance interpretation of a musician warming up, performing and finishing a performance on stage.

“This is a historic event for UTPA’s dance program because it is the first time an undergraduate student’s work has been selected for this honor,” said Shackelford.

Wantland, a music major turned dance major, attributes her success to the dance department at UTPA.

See WANTLAND 7

other Dimension!, the band’s latest album, was released in late 2012. Proving that they can cross genre-boundaries with ease, these rock legends have even taken home a Soul Train Award for Best Rap Single for their remix of Run DMC’s “Walk This Way.” With scores of multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith continues to inspire generations to get their wings, get a grip and just push play. It is no wonder why they are one of the most beloved bands of all time.

For more information on Aerosmith, check out the following sites www.

Aerosmith.com, www.aeroforceone.com, www.facebook.com/Aerosmith, http:// twitter.com/Aerosmith, and www.youtube.com/theofficialAerosmith.

To purchase tickets, visit www.statefarmarena.com or ticketmaster.com.

May 15, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

May 16 The 3rd Annual Mayo de Dance with Zeds Dead and Hunter Siegel will perform at Boggus Ford Events Center in Pharr. General admission and standing room only tickets are $38. For more information or tickets, visit www. pharrevents.com/events/.

May 17 Robert Martinez presents Engage, A Platinum Wedding Event that will be showcased in the ballroom at the Mcallen Convention Center from 1 to 5 p.m. There is a $15 admission. The expo will feature venues, confection, music, cuisine, runway show, and more. One groomto-be will win a $1,000 Michael Kors tuxedo and one bride-to-be will win a $10,000 wedding collection that includes a $2,000 gown.

May 18 As a Memorial Day tribute, Gensis Keren Nava, Alexis Monique Chapa and Villalon will perform at A Night of Honor & Remembrance in Weslaco from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Mayor Eugene A. Braught Memorial Theater.

Admission is free. Nava has performed on America’s Got Talent. Chapa and Villalon, from the Mission area, have both performed on American Idol and Chapa has also been on La Voz Kids.

May 20 The Upper Valley Art League will have a new art group using a fully clothed model. The group is open to all mediums for artists to practice drawing, painting and sculptures. The group will meet on Wednesdays, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the UVAL Art Link Annex shop area.

This is free to members. For more information call 5832787 and ask about the Model Inspired Art Session. Class will continue as long as models are available and there is

an interest.

May 21 Kyle Park, Costello and Matt and the Herdsmen will be performing at Las Palmas Race Park. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15 for advance tickets. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.laspalmasracepark.com/events/.

May 22 Pepe Aguilar will perform at the State Farm Arena at 8 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.statefarmarena.com.

The Spazmatics, the Ultimate New Waves 80s Show, will perform at the Boggus Ford Events Center. Reserved tables, 10 seats to a table, are $32. Standing and general admission tickets are $22. For more information or tickets, visit www.pharrevents.com/events/.

May 24 Latino Live productions present Zumba Fest McAllen 2015 with Beto Perez, Zumba creator, at the McAllen Convention Center. Doors will open at 1 p.m., show starts at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $67, VIP are $150. For more information, visit www.zumbafestmcallen.com or call 956-578-7021.

Weekly Catholic War Veterans Post #1065 in Mission invites the public to their “Get Away Thursday Dance” held every Thursday evening, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. It is located at 500 W. Business 83. Music by the Electro Band provides country western, Tejano, the Oldies, cumbias and more.

No cover charge. Call 5835961 or email Doodrey@ netzero.com for more information.

To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to www.ptrgv.com.

May 15, 2015

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Area schools earn TEA recognition

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By Lea Victoria Juarez

Students from Mission and Veterans Memorial high schools were awarded with a 911 level I certificate, level II security certificate and recognized for SkillsUSA at the inaugural Criminal Justice Awards. Progress Times photo by Lea Victoria Juarez

MCISD students complete criminal justice course

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By Lea Victoria Juarez ission CISD high school students received certifications in the law enforcement field at the inaugural criminal justice awards ceremony Monday. The 101 students were presented with either a level II security certificate or National Emergency Communications Certification level I certificate.

The security certification allows them to work as unarmed security officers.

During the yearlong program, they were trained with items such as handcuffs, a baton and pepper spray. The students had to pass a written test to attain their certification.

Security officers are not police officers and cannot take a person into custody, but they can put restraint on people. Once the students are 18 years old, they can work to acquire a level III certification and obtain a concealed weapon license.

“A lot of these kids want to go into Border Patrol or they want to go into Customs or the military. These kids are being exposed to that

and they like that, especially hands-on,” Mission High instructor Frank Rios said.

“Now, when they see it out there in the news or in person, they know these are the things that we actually do.”

This was the pilot year for the NECC 911 dispatcher program. Rios said he didn’t expect many students to sign up for the course, but 48 out of the 60 students passed the 120-question, three-hour exam.

During the program, students learned how to respond to 911 calls. They ran through simulations, sometimes taking multiple calls at a time, typing down the information and relaying the information to law enforcement.

To earn a level II certification, the students need 360 hours with an actual computer-aided dispatch taking real phone calls.

“We want to see our community and our students succeed in their careers,” Rios said. “If they don’t go for a two- or four-year degree, at least they have something that can carry them to something and maybe push them that way.”

Rios is a seven-year detention officer who worked mostly with juveniles. The other instructors, Daniel Velasquez and Daniel Garza, worked as officers with the Mission Police Department and Sheriff’s Department.

The SkillsUSA competitors also received their awards from board member and District 13 Director Minnie Rogers.

Career Technology Education Director Sergio Peña was a guest speaker for the event and posed a challenge for the students – dream big.

“Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.

Dream big,” Peña said. “You are Mission CISD. You are Mission CISD, you are Mission proud, you are Mission leading the way.”

Junior Sarai Muñoz said she is excited to come back next year and hopes the incoming juniors enjoy the program as much as she did.

“I’ve never received any kind of certification, so being able to go and participate in that kind of stuff is really cool,” the 16-year-old said.

“It was a lot of hard work, but in the end it was worth it to be able to get this.”

ission CISD, La Joya ISD and Sharyland ISD had campuses that earned high-performing or high-progress rating from the Texas Education Agency. More than 400 schools across the state received either of the Title I ratings for the 2014-2015 school year. Those schools are called Reward Schools.

Title I schools are campuses with a student population of at least 40 percent low-income. The ratings are based on the state reading and math assessment scores for the 2013-2014 school year and graduation rates.

High-performing schools include • Hurla M. Midkiff Elementary -- MCISD • B. L. Gray Jr. High -SISD • Ruben Hinojosa Elementary -- SISD • Lloyd M. Bentsen Ele-

mentary -- LJISD A high-progress school is in the top 25 percent of annual improvement or in the top 25 percent of those who have demonstrated closing performance gaps.

High-progress schools include • B. L. Gray Jr. High -SISD • John H. Shary Elementary -- SISD • Ruben Hinojosa Elementary -- SISD • Lloyd M. Bentsen Elementary -- LJISD Before the rating type changed, schools were either labeled as “exemplary” or “recognized.”

Mission CISD did not have any schools make either of the lists for the 2013-2014 school year.

“I think the collaboration between the community and the campus is really guiding the direction that we’re heading,” said Midkiff Principal Dora Villalobos. “It’s not

easy. We have tutorials, remediation and excelling programs as well, but I think it’s the parental support that we have on a daily basis that is the key component because my parents push their little ones.”

La Joya ISD had Jimmy Carter Early College received both ratings, in 2014.

Thelma Rosa Salinas STEM Early College High School was on the high-performing list and Perez Elementary was rated as high-progress.

Last year, Sharyland ISD, Sharyland High School and Sharyland North Jr. High were on both lists. Jensen Elementary had a high-performance rating and Hinojosa Elementary was high-progress.

“We are very proud of the efforts of the staff at those schools for maintaining focus on improving academic services to high needs children,” said SISD Interim Superintendent Filomena Leo.

tion services and the ranking of the five companies that submitted proposals for the Mission High School renovation project. In addition,

the board gave approval to enter into negotiations with the firms in the order they are ranked.

The ranking is as follows: • Econ Group • D. Wilson Construction • Gonzalez Construction • Holchemont LTD • Wilcon Construction

Contractors ranked for MHS demolition

M Reminiscing...

By Lea Victoria Juarez

ission CISD approved the procurement for construc-

30 Years Ago This Week

Mission was deluged in ‘150-year’ storm Rainfall measured between 8 and 12 inches, with most estimates hitting between 9 and 10 inches, the vast majority of which hitting in a three-hour period. About 60 people were forced from their homes and stayed in a city shelter at the Mission Service Center.

Most of the flooding occurred in Citriana Subdivison, Leal Subdivision and La Cuchilla.

FNB’s retiring executive, Garrett, was honored Dean Garrett was honored at a banquet with about 125 employees, officers and directors of First National Bank of Mission. Garrett retired the month before after 31 years with First National –the last seven as its president.

Five Eagles made District 32-5A All-District baseball selections Ramon Rivera, a senior catcher, made the first team as a repeater, while Jaime Vela made it on the first team at third base, and Joe Abdella as one of the outfielders. Two other Eagles were picked on the third team – shortstop Ricky Gutierrez and pitcher Ricky Hernandez, both juniors.

MCISD uses a method of concealed proposals for construction projects, rather than a bidding method where they stay negotiations with the lowest bid and there are no negotiations. With the concealment method, they are able to rank them and negotiate.

This portion of the project consists of demolition and the temporary installation of the infrastructure, which is the HVAC, the chiller lines, the communication lines, the fire alarm lines for the campus. The budget is $900,000.

Rick Rivera, the executive director for facilities and maintenance construction

See DEMOLITION 12

Join Us In

Celebrating NURSING HOME WEEK MAY 10-16

Mission Nursing & Rehabilitation Staff

BACK ROW - Left to Right Jorge Hinojosa, LVN, Supervisor; Jose Arredondo, Maintanence Supervisor; Edward Butkiewicz, Housekeeping Supervisor; Clarence Suelto, RN, Don; Rogelio Fuentes, Dietary Supervisor; Joe Moreno, Laundry Aide FRONT ROW - Left to Right Amy Elizondo, LVN, Staff Developer; Sally Berrones, PSR/HR; Amanda Garcia, LBSW, Social Worker; Isabel Flores, LBSW, LNFA, Administrator; Lisa I. Garcia, Admissions; Lourdes Martinez, LMSW, Social Worker; Maria Quintero, Billing Office; Sandra Naranjo, Medical Records

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opinion

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

USTIN — For the Texas Legislature to accomplish its main purpose, the passage of a state budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 must be achieved.

The five House and five Senate members of the Conference Committee on the budget, House Bill 1, have been working together since late April. They must angle their philosophical pathways to something mutually acceptable to take back to their respective chambers for consideration.

Last week, however, no results-showing HB 1 conference committee report was published, so as yet, there is no document revealing stalemate-breaking agreements on the $211 billion budget.

Movement on other items, in a bulk sense, has been slow. As of Friday, May 8, only four Senate bills and zero House bills had reached the governor’s desk. House and Senate members filed a total of 6,274 bills in the current session.

This week, May 11 to 15, constitutionally imposed deadlines take effect, setting the stage for a massive die-off of bills that have not moved well into the process.

So far, 1,315 House and Senate bills have progressed beyond the committees in which they originated.

Comptroller pinpoints concerns With the June 1 end date for the legislative session only weeks away, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the state’s chief bookkeeper and a former member of the House and the Senate, on May 4 sent a written reminder of his budgetary concerns to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus.

While the focus of budget disagreements between the House and Senate is taxes and where to cut them, Hegar urged attention to a list of long-term balance sheet issues affecting the state’s credit rating and thus the cost of borrowing. Here’s a shortened version of the list: 1. Roads and infrastructure. Additional funds are needed to meet the state’s rapid population growth.

2. Texas Employees Retirement System pension.

The state’s contribution rate is insufficient to amortize the liability in a timely manner.

3. Long-term debt. The state’s general obligation debt has more than doubled from $7 billion in 2010 to $15 billion currently. It must be paid down.

4. Other post-employment benefits. Accrued liabilities to the Teachers Retirement and Employees Retirement systems need to be funded in order to keep them actuarially sound.

5. Texas Tomorrow Fund.

Unfunded liabilities are growing for the state’s guaranteed college tuition program.

6. Deferred maintenance.

Normal deterioration of state-owned facilities must be addressed because putting off maintenance costs more in the long run.

Senate passes fracking bill A bill approved by the Senate on May 4 would limit municipalities’ power to ban the hydraulic fracturing of substrata in oil and gas exploration.

Dubbed the “Denton fracking bill,” HB 40 by Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, was filed in response to an ordinance passed by the city of Denton last fall. Fraser, who chairs the Senate Natural Resources and Eco-

nomic Development Committee, said his bill “would clarify that the state is the ultimate authority when setting policies related to oil and gas exploration.” Fraser added that “cities would still exercise limited regulatory authority on above-ground oil and gas exploration activities, including things like fire and emergency response, noise and light pollution or traffic concerns.”

Sales tax revenue goes up Comptroller Hegar on May 6 announced state sales tax revenue in April was $2.3 billion, up 1.1 percent compared to April 2014, and April 2015 was the 61st consecutive month of growth in state sales tax collections.

April was “the second consecutive month of relatively slow growth” in sales tax revenue, Hegar said, and the 1.1 percent growth was “muted by the significant slowdown in the oil and gas mining sector.” However, he added, state sales tax collections from retail, wholesale trade, restaurants, construction and manufacturing continue to grow.

Cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts will receive May local sales tax allocations totaling $759.8 million, up 6.1 percent compared to May 2014, Hegar said.

Drought conditions persist Gov. Abbott on May 8 renewed an emergency disaster proclamation certifying that exceptional drought conditions pose a threat of imminent disaster in some 81 specified counties in Texas.

Abbott’s proclamation directs that requests to suspend any rule or regulation that may inhibit or prevent prompt response to the drought be submitted to his office for approval.

May 15, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS Letters to the editor:

Reader urges Agua SUD general manager to stay the course

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To the editor, fter reading the recent article, "Agua SUD names new top dog," in the Progress Times, I felt compelled to respond. I made public comments at the May 7, 2015, Board of Directors meeting of Agua SUD, where action on two new employee positions was taken by the Agua SUD Board. The Agua SUD board is hiring two new individuals because, as stated at an earlier board meeting, some Agua customers and the Agua board have trouble communicating with Francisco Flores, general manager of Agua SUD. The board or some of its members may be reluctant to hear what General Manager Flores or some members of the community have to say.

Their solution to hire someone to tell the community or the “General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer,” what the board wants them to hear and to buffer what the community or the GM wants to tell the board, is not the answer. This is just another layer of bureaucracy.

My time for public comment on May 7, 2015, was filled with corrections and other input from the chairman of the meeting, Mr. Ricardo Ochoa, president of Agua. I understand Arnold Ochoa, who is mentioned in the same

article, had a similar experience at an earlier meeting. I have been at other Agua SUD meetings and have observed similar treatment of others who have public comment to make. On one special called meeting, I asked about public comment after the meeting (no public comment was on the agenda) and the president of the board reminded me that public comment is a privilege and not a right of the public.

Legal staff present at the time concurred.

I may have to agree that it is legal, but cannot agree that it is the right thing to do, and certainly I do not feel privileged to be interrupted and told I am wrong when making a public comment. During one of the exchanges, I commented to the president that perhaps he knew more that I did. I was not surprised that he concurred and agreed with me. Maybe I was right and not wrong, at least that one time. If the board is always right, why are public meetings necessary? Why is public comment necessary except for praise to them?

All customers of Agua SUD should be treated with dignity and respect. Yes, the fees and charges at Agua SUD appear to be high. These rates, which haven't changed much, were established under court supervision during

the receivership from the La Joya Water Supply Corp to Agua SUD. The reasons for the apparently high rates are many and complex. Mr. Flores has been the general manager with Agua SUD through the receivership up to now. He has served with integrity and professionalism with one goal –to make Agua SUD serve the people in the best way possible. The Agua general manager is facing difficult issues – at least one being to keep Agua SUD from becoming like the old La Joya Water Supply Corp.

Mr. Flores must stay on the course, the course that allowed for a successful wastewater project in western Hidalgo county, the course that treats all customers the same – allowing time to pay for those that can't but insisting that everyone who uses water to pay for it so as not to unfairly burden others, the course that has provided financial reserves for infrastructure growth as the district needs it. Everyone would like for rates to be lower, but there is no easy answer. I too, as others, worry that the clouded history that once was La Joya Water Supply Corporation will repeat itself.

Signed, Mario Chapa Former President Agua SUD May 2010 - May 2014

Texas files brief defending injunction against executive amnesty

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exas Gov. Greg Abbott has filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit defending the preliminary injunction against President Obama’s executive amnesty issued by the U.S. District Court in Brownsville. Also signing onto the brief are the governors of Louisiana, New Jersey and South Dakota, who also joined Texas in a previously-filed amicus brief opposing the Obama Administration’s request for a stay of

AGUA SUD

is the engineer of record for two projects in Peñitas, the sewer project and another highway project.

“But he hasn’t been hired or asked to do any work that directly affects Agua SUD in any material way,” Beatty said, adding that he reviewed the Local Government Code and Agua SUD’s bylaws and determined there weren’t any issues with Cerda’s employment.

Cerda told Beatty he would abstain from any discussions having to do with the city of Peñitas obtaining a certificate of convenience and necessity to take over its owner water operations.

“Can you get that in writing, sir?” Flores asked.

Beatty said from a legal standpoint, there’s nothing wrong with getting it in writing, but Ochoa pointed out both Cerda and Salinas would be at-will employees, meaning they can be fired at any time without a payout if they do anything inappropriate.

“Actually we have it in writing,” Flores said. “It’ll be in the minutes, and it’ll be recorded audio and video that Mr. Beatty had already talked to (Cerda) and he’s

the district court’s injunction.

“Following last week’s revelation that the Obama Administration unlawfully issued thousands of extended work visas in direct violation of the District Court’s preliminary injunction, it is now more important than ever to ensure that the injunction is upheld to prevent the Defendants from taking any further unlawful action as this case works its way through the legal process, which I am conrecusing himself from anything having to do with our water contract and anything having to do with our CCN issues, regardless of what city it is.”

“I think the statement made may be a little broad,” Beatty responded. “We’re talking about hypotheticals that … just to say that he would recuse himself from anything to do with Agua SUD is an inaccurate reflection of the conversation I had with Mr. Cerda today.”

When it comes to Salinas, Flores said the school board trustee would report directly to the water district’s board, which contains four school district employees. Flores questioned what would happen if Salinas came to the Agua SUD board with a recommendation and the board had to decide whether to vote for it or against it. Salinas is essentially, Flores said, their boss.

He read from the education code, which states that the school board decides to accept or reject a superintendent’s recommendation regarding personnel.

“Yes, the superintendent is the chief executive officer, but ultimately the board

fident will ultimately result in the President’s unconstitutional executive action being struck down,” Abbott stated.

In the brief, the governors emphasize two interests in defending the preliminary injunction entered by the district court: to protect the executive branches in the Governors’ states from “irreparable injuries,” and to rebut “the arguments offered by the State of Washington on behalf of 14 other states.” from pg 1

decides who gets hired and who gets fired,” Flores said, later adding, “Let’s look into it a little bit deeper. I don’t think Agua SUD is on fire now, crashing and burning.

We’ve already made the decision to hire an excellent person for the executive director position.”

Agua SUD Director Oscar Gonzalez, who works for La Joya ISD, said he doesn’t feel that way and requested an apology from Flores.

Cesar Rodriguez said what Flores described is called defamation of character, “and me, personally, I’ve got my ethics.

“Do you know what ethics are?” Rodriguez asked Flores.

“I’m saying there’s something there,” Flores responded. “You are an employee of La Joya ISD, and this is one of your bosses.”

At that point, Ochoa broke in and cited his experience as an assistant superintendent with the Sharyland school district.

“One board member is nobody,” Ochoa said. “You have to have the majority of the board to hire or fire anybody.”

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May 15, 2015

page 5

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PEÑ1TAS

Alton Mayor Salvador Vela, second from left, is sworn into office by Ricardo Gonzalez, city attorney, as Vela’s wife, Sylvia holds the Bible, and Commissioner Arturo Galvan looks on in the background.

Alton incumbents win in landslide election

M

By Julie Silva ayor Salvador Vela and Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan easily topped their challengers in Saturday’s election.

At a swearing in ceremony Tuesday evening, Vela said he was thankful to his wife for pushing him, and he has a passion for service.

“And that’s what the other side can’t understand is the passion to run,” Vela said. “It’s a God-given passion, and if you don’t have that, you have no business in the service of the community just because you say one

day, ‘I want to run for mayor.’ That’s why those people don’t succeed.”

For his part, Galvan said he was thankful to God and grateful for four more years in office.

Both received about 77 percent of the votes, with Vela defeating his opponent, Baldemar Flores, with 628 of the 815 votes cast, and his nephew Galvan receiving 626 of the ballots cast in a race against Jose Picasso.

Vela and Galvan have run as a team since first being elected into office 25 years ago. In that time Vela said he’s seen the city grow from

around 2,000 residents to about 15,000, and the budget has increased from about $200,000 to $3.1 million.

Now, Vela said, the city finished its latest sewer expansion and is working to improve its roads and increase lighting. He emphasized that several franchises, like the Dollar Store, O’Reilly’s, Domino’s and Golden Chick, have set up shop in the burgeoning community.

“We just want to keep the people happy,” he said.

“The city’s really growing right now.”

Teacher of the Year Jose Luis Sanchez Jr. was awarded the campus teacher of the year for K. White Jr. High at the annual Mission CISD Teacher of the Year luncheon.

ceived 65, 60, and 66 percent of the votes, respectively.

There are 2,133 registered voters in Peñitas.

Manuel Garcia, mayoral candidate of opposing slate “The Green Team,” received 29 percent of the votes, and Tomas Cedillo, a current city commissioner who ran for mayor on his own, garnered 13 percent of the votes.

At one point at Saturday’s celebration, Oscar Salinas invited Alex Cantu, who ran a campaign against Team Liberty candidates in Palmview last year, to the stage. Cantu’s wife, Vicky, ran a campaign against Team Liberty’s La Joya ISD school board candidates also last year.

Alex Cantu later said he and his wife have opened their eyes to all the negativity in the local elections. He said they were even attacked during the Peñitas campaign and they weren’t even on the ballot.

“A united town – you’re never going to defeat a united town, and that’s the way it should be,” Cantu said.

Peñ1tas Armin Garza, 35, said his main motivation to run was his two little girls. Nobody will work harder than him for the city of Peñitas.

“I want them to have a safe place to lay their head down, a place that they would be proud to call home, and that is my intention for the next two years,” Garza said.

Loya said the four men all have the same plan – to better Peñitas. City leadership isn’t new to Loya, who was appointed to his seat last year. He also served as a city commissioner for two years in the ’90s, and during that time he served with Garza’s father. Loya said he was happy to run alongside Garza, having worked with his father.

Flores is intelligent and well educated, Loya said, and Lopez, who is married to Loya’s niece, is a go-getter who is ready to work. Loya, 65, said he has the experience to take care of them all.

Meanwhile, this was Flores’ first contested elec-

from pg 1

tion. He wants to give the community a sense of ownership and move the city forward. He also wants to see members of the community get involved.

The group is planning to improve lighting and streets with their time in office.

They’ll look at creating a fire department and giving children in the area something to do outside of school, but they cautioned it won’t happen overnight.

“Our city is growing.

It’s growing pains. We need to bring in infrastructure,” Flores said.

The Green Team As Peñ1tas celebrated at the ballroom, a few blocks down Tom Gill Road members of the The Green Team held subdued conversations with their supporters at the slate’s headquarters.

Garcia and Cedillo are cousins, but Garcia said he decided to run for mayor because he was tired of the way the city was being run. His slate vowed to lower sewer rates if elected, but with the election behind him, Garcia, who owns a business in Peñitas, said now he’ll go back to concentrating on work.

“I have no words. I’m thinking I must have done something wrong. I’ve been servicing these people for over 25 years. I’ve lived here 50 years,” Garcia said. “I’m 50 years old, and a 30-yearold kid from some place comes over here and kicks my butt. What can we do?

“Let’s go forward and hope for the best. Tomorrow’s another day. We were out there fighting our hearts out for them. We were doing it for the right reasons, and it was up to them to come vote for us. We were hoping for them to do the right thing.”

Arnold Ochoa, who ran in Place 3, said as a resident of Peñitas he hopes things get better and a pending lawsuit against the city is settled. His slate had hoped to bring a transparent government into office and look into the city’s finances.

But it’s hard to blame the voters, Ochoa said. A friend of his voted in McAllen and

told Ochoa, “I can vote, and I know I will not lose my job.”

“It’s unfortunate that we are in situations where a lot of people depend on the school district and their jobs are on the line,” Ochoa said.

“People have a hope that the system will one day change, that more industry will come into this area, and there will be other opportunities and people will no longer fear this big intimidation.”

Ochoa said he’s not planning to file an election contest, as previously has been done in losses to Team Liberty, but he does plan to put in an information request to the Hidalgo County Election’s Office to learn more about the election process.

A former La Joya ISD board member, Ochoa said he’s not going anywhere.

“I will continue fighting for the people, speaking for the people and being a voice,” Ochoa said. “I’m not going to let the threat dominate my feelings and my voice.”

Rey Mendoza, who ran for place 2, said apparently people want high sewer rates. He didn’t rule out an election contest, saying he’d start thinking about that Monday. If the White House can be hacked, if Sony Worldwide can be hacked, so can Hidalgo County, Mendoza reasoned.

“To me, it’s a stunner because I really can’t understand the amount of vote difference,” Mendoza said, adding that agents with the FBI and Texas Rangers from outside the county need to investigate the elections process in Hidalgo County.

“I’ll be back,” Mendoza vowed.

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Events Calendar

Rare raptor rehabilitated and released

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Zone-tailed Hawk, rarely seen during the winter months in the Rio Grande Valley, was recently released at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Mercedes. The hawk was under the care of Dr. Tom DeMaar of the Gladys Porter Zoo since February 4th.

Found injured in an alley in north McAllen by local photographer Jaime Villareal, the raptor was sent to the Gladys Porter Zoo for rehabilitation and possible release once it recovered from its in-

See RAPTOR 7

T

Call for art for Mission Chamber exhibit

he Mission Chamber of Commerce has reserved a special space for Upper Valley Art League Artists to display their work for a six month period, from July through December 2015.

As the purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote South Texas, they are seeking artwork that depicts images of this area.

Events or scenes related to

South Texas, such as Beaches, Landscapes, Buildings, Trees, Birds, Flowers, Butterflies, and people are suggested.

The artwork must be committed to the exhibit for the entire duration of six months.

In the event of a sale, or if it is necessary to remove artwork for any reason, that piece must be replaced with another one of similar size and value

for hanging. To enter your artwork, you must be a current member of UVAL. Annual dues are adults $30 and students $12.50.

Installation of artwork is Wednesday, July 8. Artwork must be at UVAL on or before Tuesday, July 7. Space is designated in the UVAL drying room for storing artwork prior to installation.

Artwork must be original

MHS class of 1980 holding reunion activities

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he Mission High School Class of 1980 will celebrate its 35th Class Reunion with three days of activities.

Attire is casual for all activities.

There will be a Class Mixer on Friday, June 26, from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at Inolvidable Bar & Grill located in Mission at 2101 E. Business 83 next to the bowling alley. Cost for this event is dutch treat.

The ‘Let the Good Times Roll’ reunion will be held on Saturday, June 27, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Mission Community Center located at 2201 N. Mayberry St. by Lion’s Park with a dance and dinner. Special music will be provided by

classmates, Salomon Pacheco and Lino Ramirez; and DJ Sonny. Classmates are encouraged to bring their class memorabilia for a school tribute to be put on display. Cost for this event is $40 per person.

On Sunday, June 28, a ‘Farewell Gathering’ will be held from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. at Riverside Club at 214 Chimney Shades in Mission. Cost is dutch treat.

For more information, log on to the Facebook page of Mission High Class of 1980, the Class with Class!

You can also contact Alice Chapa Gonzalez at (956) 225-3652, Irma Flores Lopez at (956) 789-9429, or Tito Garza at (956) 6077796.

Jenny Hernandez was honored for her 15th birthday on April 10 by her mother Rosenda Nordhausen. A reception was held at Wonderland Hall in Alton with Marc Anthony Hernandez serving as her escort. Jenny is a ninth grader as La Joya High School.

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and ready to display with wire for hanging. If special hanging devices are needed, they must accompany artwork with instructions.

For more information, contact Bev Allies bev_allies@icloud.com or UVAL uval.texas@gmail.com.

May 15 – Friday Night with a Naturalist will host Garden Features with Allen Williams from 6 to 7 p.m. at Edinburg World Birding Center. Participants will learn all about water features and how to add one to their own yard including designing, choosing the stones, choosing a water pump, and more. This is a free and educational program. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 381-9922 for information.

May 16 – “Tales & Myths” at the Edinburg World Birding Center uncovers the truth about the way the world is defined in folk tales. The March topic covers the world of mammals during an indoor presentation and show and tell followed by a story walk on the grounds from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for senior citizens, students, and children; and ages 5 and under are free. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 381-9922 for information.

May 23 - If you like solving puzzles or mysteries and your curious about animals and the tracks they leave behind, then Animal Tracks Detectives is perfect for you. The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center invites you to visit on Saturday, May 23, from 2 – 4 p.m. for a fun-filled, clue-finding program. Fee for this program is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens, students, and children, and ages 5 and under free. To insure you’re included call ahead to register.

May 25 – A Memorial Day event and Silent March of Veterans will be held at 8:45 a.m. in front of the San Benito City Hall, 485 N. Sam Houston. Veterans and survivors carrying photos of deceased veterans are invited to marsh silently down Sam Houston Blvd. to Veterans War Memorial Site for a ceremony at 9 a.m.

June

Jun e 27 – The Mission High School Class of 1980 will celebrate their 35th Class Reunion from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Mission Community Center with a dance and dinner.

The “Let the Good Times Roll” evening of music and food will be highlighted with Class of ’80 memorabilia. For more information, contact Alice Chapa Gonzalez at 225-3652, Irma Flores Lopez at 789-9429 or Tito Garza at 607-7796.

To see the complete Events Calendar for the coming weeks, go to www.ptrgv.com

EWBC plans Family Programs in May

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he Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center (EWBC) is offering a variety of family programs this May. Come learn the history behind folklore that you’ve read about or heard before and uncover interesting facts about different stories at Tales & Myths: Mammals on Saturday, May 16.

Throughout human history, tales and myths have

UVAL, Junior Service League host Children’s Fine Arts Fair

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he Upper Valley Art League along with the Junior Service League of Mission are partnering to host the fifth annual Children’s Fine Arts Fair. The fair will be held this weekend, Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Upper Valley Art League.

Children attending the fair will receive tips from some of the Rio Grande Valley’s best artists and attend art classes. Classes at the event include face painting, storytelling, water colors, drawing, sidewalk chalk and music circle.

The event is for children age six to 12 and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Light refreshments will be served at the end of the event.

UVAL is located next to Speer Memorial Library at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission.

been used to explain and define our world. Animals and plants often play center stage in many folk tales.

Participants will hear an indoor presentation including a show and tell followed by a story walk through the grounds.

Tales & Myths: Mammals will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Fee for this program is $3 for adults; $2 for senior citizens, students, and children; and ages five and under are free.

Those with a EWBC family membership are also free.

Call ahead to register.

Also join EWBC for Animal Tracks Detectives on Saturday, May 23. If you like solving puzzles or mysteries and you’re curious about animals and the tracks they leave behind then this program is perfect for you.

Participants will hear a presentation on animals and

T

their tracks or foot prints.

Learn how you can be a nature detective during an adventure around the center with a special Animal Tracks Detective Journal that will help you discover which animals left their clues behind.

Participants are invited to write their own stories of how the creatures stumbled upon the way.

Animal Tracks Detectives will take place on Saturday, May 23, from 2 – 4 p.m. Fee for this program is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens, students, and children, and ages 5 and under free. To insure you’re included call ahead to register.

The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road (in the Edinburg Municipal Park).

For more information call (956) 381-9922 or visit www.edinburgwbc.org.

UTPA mascot Bucky to graduate May 16

he University of Texas-Pan American will be holding their Spring 2015 commencement ceremonies this weekend, Saturday, May 16 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The ceremonies will be held at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen.

At the ceremonies, Bucky, the long time UTPA mascot, will finally be receive his degree as UTPA moves forward to become The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Free Society News Announcements

UTPA is expected to confer diplomas to more than 1,700 prospective graduates during three ceremonies at the McAllen Convention Center.

The keynote speaker for the ceremonies is UTPA alumnus Valente Rodriguez, who will also receive his Master of Arts degree in theater and film. Also speaking and present for the ceremonies will be UTPA President Ad Interim Dr. Havidán Rodríguez and other UTPA officials.

Quinceanera, engagement, wedding, milestone anniversary* and milestone birthday** announcements are run FREE of charge in the Progress Times.

The quinceanera, wedding, anniversary and birthday announcements should be submitted no later than two months after the event date. Engagement announcements must be submitted no later than three weeks prior to the wedding date.

Quinceanera and milestone birthday photos are upper body, single column of the individual only; no group shots. Engagement, wedding and anniversary photos of the couple are run two columns in size.

For questions or to obtain the appropriate form to submit with a photo, send an email to communitynews@progresstimes. net, call the Progress Times at 585-4893. Please include a contact name and phone number for all inquiries.

May 15, 2015

page 7

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Legislation to raise millions of dollars Mission CISD Special Olympics athletes for Hidalgo County Courthouse bring home basketball medals

By David A. Díaz Legislation that could raise between $1 million and $2 million a year for the next 30 years to help pay for a new courthouse or renovations of the existing, 64-year-old facility in downtown Edinburg – without increasing property taxes – has been approved by the Senate and is awaiting final action by the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1964, by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, April 29, and will be sponsored by Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, and Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, in the House.

As of the end of Wednesday, May 6, SB 1964 or the identical measure, House Bill 2868, authored by Martínez/ Canales, had not yet been set for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

On Wednesday, May 6, Canales signed on as a joint author of Martínez’s HB 2868, publicly throwing his support for the effort which could result in the construction of a $100-plus million courthouse in the heart of his House District 40 legislative

district.

“The Hidalgo County Courthouse complex is one of the major economic engines, along with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and its School of Medicine, that is part of a tremendous revitalization that is going on in deep South Texas,” Canales said. “Just as important, South Texans need a courthouse that provides a safe and secure environment for the administration of justice for individuals and businesses.”

Both measures carry the same language, which would allow Hidalgo County to assess a user fee through certain court cases and recording fees to help fund a new courthouse. The new revenue would be generated by adding a $20 fee to the filing of each civil case in Hidalgo County, and be adding a $10 charge to the fee required by the county government for recording the title, mortgages and other liens against property.

“SB 1964 allows Hidalgo County to collect a civil courts filing fee similar to the one currently collected in Bexar, Hays, Dallas, Rockwall, and Travis counties and other courts to assist with the costs of renovating, im-

proving, or constructing new courthouse facilities,” Hinojosa said.

Martínez said when the courthouse was opened in 1954, it held two state district courts and one county courtat-law. It now holds 11 district courts and eight courtsat-law.

On Tuesday, March 3, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court unanimously approved endorsing the legislation, with Hidalgo County 332nd District Court Judge Mario E. Ramírez Jr. expressing the support of the Hidalgo County judiciary.

“Speaking for the judiciary, it is really, really obvious that we need a new courthouse. We try cases over there, Judge (García), with multi-parties, and courtrooms are too small,” Ramírez said.

“There is no place to put the jurors, the jurors are uncomfortable, and we are unable to try the large, big cases that we have with multi-parties in the space that we have at the present time.”

Ramírez added, “It is unsafe at the courthouse, it is not secure, there are many, many problems, and certainly, the judiciary stands united in supporting this resolution.”

VMHS mariachi groups receive top marks at contest The two mariachi groups of Veterans Memorial High School recently participated in the Noche de Estrellas Mariachi Competition. Each returned with first place trophies. The varsity Mariachi Toros de Plata received first place in the 5A varsity category. The JV Mariachi Toros Azules received first place in the overall JV category that included 4A through 6A JV groups. This was also the first competition for the Mariachi Toros Azules. The contest judges and organizers were so impressed with the performance of the JV group that they were asked to open the evening concert.

Nineteen Special Olympics athletes from Mission Consolidated Independent School District got to show off their basketball skills at the recent Area 1 Basketball Tournament. In the individual skills competitions, Mission CISD athletes brought home six medals and five ribbons. In the team competition, Mission CISD athletes brought home eight bronze medals. The team competition is a 3-on-3 event.

The individual skills competition consisted of spot shooting, 10-meter dribble and a target pass. Results from Mission High School athletes-Ages 12-15: Jackie Porcayo, second place; Hortencia de la Rosa, fourth place; Raylene Vela, fourth place; Anna Villarreal. Ages 16-21: Adrian Rodriguez, second place; Brandon Garza, third place. Results from Veterans Memorial High School-Ages 12-15: Emily

Perez-Gonzalez, first place; Priscilla Anguiano, fifth place; Sebastian Llamas, third place. Ages 15-21: Elidia Garcia, third place; Omar Trevino, fifth place.

The Division A basketball team placed third. Team members were: Arturo de la Rosa, Robert Wheat, Ashley De la Rosa, Jessie Sandoval.

The Division B basketball team placed third. Team members were: Armando Sanchez, Frankie Villalobos,

juries. The hawk was likely injured because of a collision with a car or some other man-made object. The hawk was able to be released into the wild after a two month stay at the Zoo’s medical facilities while it recovered from a broken coracoid bone (similar to a human collar bone).

In order to avoid to an-

other injury in the urban area it was found, Gladys Porter Zoo contacted Estero Llano Grande State Park where a release was coordinated.

According to Park Superintendent Javier de Leon, “We don’t usually release any kind of wildlife in a State Park, but there can be exceptions made under very strict circumstances. Estero Llano

Grande is a good place for this animal to practice flying and perhaps have a meal before it migrates out of our area.”

Zone-tailed Hawks are found throughout the western United States. Only a few are noticed every winter in the Valley because they look and sometimes act just like Turkey Vultures.

jas presented his dynamic “Plains of the Serengeti” to glowing comments from adjudicators, and senior Robert Alvarez presented his work “Before We Turn to Stone” in an informal concert, Shackelford said.

Since the dance major/ minor was implemented in 2002, UTPA has had strong regional success at ACDA, but the first student recognition came this year.

In 2012, a choreography submitted by Francisco Muñoz and performed by the UTPA Ballet Folklorico,

was showcased at the biennial 2012 National College Dance Festival held at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 2013, “Bitter Sorrow,” a dance choreographed by UTPA Assistant Professor of Dance Min Kim was selected for the gala performance in Huntsville, Texas.

More information about the ACDA is available at www.acda.dance. For more information about the dance program at UTPA visit www. utpa.edu/dance or call (956) 665-2230.

RAPTOR

WANTLAND

“I started my dance career at Pan Am and feel so proud to be able to utilize the tools I’ve been given to create something that best represents my dance style, achieve recognition, and in turn, I hope I have done the dance program proud,” she said.

Although Wantland was the first UTPA student recognized at the ACDA gala, two of 15 other UTPA dancers who participated in the conference garnered noteworthy performances.

UTPA senior Jossue Bara-

from pg 6

from pg 2

May 15, 2015

page 8

Rattlers, Patriots claim bi-district titles

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By Luciano Guerra s District 31-5A co-champions, the Veterans Memorial Patriots and the Sharyland Rattlers entered the first round of the state playoffs as No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively.

The Patriots swept their best-of-three bi-district series against the Mercedes Tigers two games to none by scores of 5-1 and 10-5. The Rattlers swept their series also, defeating Edcouch-Elsa 7-1 and 13-7. As a result the Patriots and the Rattlers both claimed bi-district championships.

Sharyland senior catcher Nic Benavides explained how the Yellow Jackets put up a good fight, despite the two-game sweep, “It certainly wasn’t easy,” Benavides said. “The first few innings of both games we got off to slow starts. But as the games progressed, their pitchers started leaving the balls up, which we took advantage of by getting some hits. Mario Vela pitched the first game for us with David Becerra pitching the second

game and Christian Salinas pitching in relief.”

Sharyland senior first baseman Rolando Moreno talked about this year’s success.

“We were expecting to win the district championship last year, but it didn’t happen,” said Moreno. “So we all worked hard over the summer and now here we are as district co-champions and bi-district champions. I’m glad it happened my senior year and now we’re going to keep on going as far as we can.”

Up next for the Rattlers is 15-1 Corpus Christi Calallen.

The Wildcats, who defeated Laredo Cigarroa in the bi-district round, 5-0 and 2-0, are the state’s No. 2 ranked team. The fact that they are state ranked is nothing new according to Rattlers second-year head coach Rodolfo “Junior” Martinez.

“Calallen is always a powerhouse,” explained Martinez. “They’ve got a really tough district. I think that our district is one of the toughest

See PATRIOTS 9

Sharyland’s Gabriel Gonzalez dodges the tag for the score during the Rattler’s 7-1 win over Edcouch-Elsa last Friday to take the first game of their bi-district series. Progress Times photo by Doug Young

Palmview Lobos advance to area round

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By Luciano Guerra f the four Big 7 schools’ baseball teams in District 306A, the Palmview Lobos and La Joya Coyotes were the only two that qualified for the state playoffs. The 11-1 Lobos as district champions and the 8-4 Coyotes as district runner-ups.

Both teams played bi-district round games last Friday night and both teams lost.

However, unlike the Coyotes, who were eliminated in their one game winner-take-all playoff against Eagle Pass,

Palmview Lobos right fielder Jose Chapa is safe at third base in the bottom of the 5th inning May 8.

The Lobos lost 5-4 to Laredo United South.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

the Lobos were still alive in their best-of-three series

against the Laredo United South Panthers.

Following Friday night’s loss to the Panthers, the Lobos took Game 2 by a score of 12-8 and Game 3 by a score of 11-7.

As Palmview head coach Manuel “Ricky” Garcia pointed out prior to a recent Lobos’ practice, the 6-9 Panthers were a much better team than their record indicated.

“We knew that we were going to be in a fight against United South,” Garcia said.

“You have to understand that they had to play (Laredo) Alexander three times and Laredo United three times. I took a close look at the scores in those games and I found that every time they played them they got better. So I knew that they were a good ball club despite their losing record.”

Garcia added, “I knew that we had seen their best the night before. So I told the kids, ‘If that’s their best, imagine them without their best.’ So I told them that they just had to be confident enough to not put themselves down even if they were to fall behind.”

Last year, the Lobos made it into the third round of the playoffs where they lost a

1-0 nail-biter to Alexander.

Having come so close to a Regional Quarterfinal title last year has motivated Lobos players, such as junior shortstop Esteben Pena and senior right fielder Jose Chapa, to surpass last year’s success this year.

“Losing the first game against United South gave us the fire we needed to win the second and third games,” explained Pena. “We didn’t want to be knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

Our goal is to get past the third round and improve on what we did last year.”

“We went into Laredo with a plan and with a positive mindset,” added Chapa.

“We knew that we had to win both games so that’s what we focused on. We came together as a team in the second game and even when we were down we picked each other up because we didn’t want that to be our last game.”

Next up for Palmview is another Panthers team – the Weslaco Panthers. Weslaco defeated Brownsville Hanna two games to none in the bi-district round to earn the right to play the Lobos.

See LOBOS 9

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VMHS’ Zoe Alaniz to compete at state

By Luciano Guerra eterans Memorial High School senior Zoe Alaniz will be joining fellow Patriot G.J. Reyna, Sharyland Pioneer’s Nora Monie and Juarez-Lincoln’s Yariel Matute in Austin this week as the only Big 7 schools’ athletes to qualify for the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL’s) Track and Field State Meet. Unlike the other three state qualifiers however Alaniz, who was born with spina bifida, will be competing in the recently added wheel chair division of the shot put throw.

This year’s state meet marks only the second year that the UIL has included a wheel chair division at its state meet. Other than the shot put the only other events open to Paralympic athletes are the 100 meter and 400 meter dashes.

When asked what he is looking forward to the most about competing at state Alaniz said, “I’m just looking forward to the experience.

I’m one of the first kids ever to do this so it’s going to be

a great experience. I’m going to enjoy having all of those people watch me do what I do.”

Alaniz qualified for the state meet by in late March by throwing the shot put nearly twice as far as he had to. The minimum throw required to qualify was 7 feet but Alaniz’s top throw, and his PR (personal record) at that time, was 13 feet, 10 inches.

Alaniz has since improved his PR to 14 feet, 5 inches.

To the best of his knowledge only two of the other wheel chair athletes that will be competing at state have had longer throws.

“Go out and try it,” said Alaniz to any other kids that may qualify for the wheel chair events. “It’s something different and something new. It gives everybody that doesn’t have the opportunity to compete in normal sports a chance to compete. It’s a great opportunity.”

The UIL Track and Field State Meet is being held at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. Alaniz is scheduled to compete at 1 p.m. today.

May 15, 2015

Council abolishes Oblate Historic District

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By Kathy Olivarez n a surprising move, the Mission City Council voted to abolish the Oblate Historic district in its Monday meeting.

City leaders said the historic designation was interfering with the replacement of older homes within the historic district. It is illegal to demolish a home in a historic district and replace it using federal funds like those received through the Community Development Block Grant.

Mayor Beto Salinas said no one told him the homes could not be replaced using federal funds and several older homes within the district have been replaced.

There are others that needed to be replaced, he said; therefore, the best thing to do was to abolish the district.

He said the city had replaced more than 400 homes in the city with CDBG funds since he had been mayor and the district would have to be abolished.

A 1992 map of the proposed district would have included everything from Holland Road in the west, north along the Kika de la Garza Loop, to Mayberry Road on the east to First Street on the south to Conway where it moved north to Third Street and back to Holland.

While that original site was looked at by the Texas Historical Commission, the actual Oblate Historic District approved was in the northeast section of the original townsite. It ran from Doherty Street on the west to Kika de la Garza Loop on the north to Mayberry on the east and Tom Landry on the south. According to the Texas Historical Commission there were too many changes in the rest of the area to be included.

Part of the reason for the designation was the fact Mission was the first planned community in South Texas in the early 20th centu-

LOBOS

“We’re expecting a pretty good series,” said Palmview junior first baseman Mario Hinojosa. “It’s very important for us to win the first game at home because we don’t want to put ourselves in the same

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ry. The area had streets in a grid form with alleys in the back so horses and wagons or cars could be housed behind the homes. Because it was primarily a walking community, the streets had bumps in them to prevent speeding and possibly injuring those who were walking.

There were sites for schools, stores, churches and a park all planned into the area for easy convenience. Oblate Park was the center of the district.

Homeowners living in historic homes who renovated them would receive a tax deduction for renovating a historic home. Those deductions will now be lost with the abolishment of the district.

Instead of including residential areas in the district, the city now wants to concentrate on the Downtown Historical District and its historical significance. That will give the city freedom to demolish older homes and replace them with newer ones.

In other action, the council heard a citizen’s complaint about the noise coming from the site where the old Pepe’s-on-the-River was located on weekends. Several residents of Chimney Park asked the council to help regulate the noise, which they said continues at unbearable levels until 2 a.m.

Lloyd Burns, who spoke for the group, said four police reports had been filed over the noise. Although the site is about a mile away, “the noise just rolls down the river.” Burns said there are up to 2,000 people at that location who are drinking. So far, the noise level has not been abated. Burns said on one occasion a production company did a show that was so loud every single word could be understood a mile away.

It’s also created a problem of drunken drivers on the narrow levy road. One driver drove off the levy and did about $3,000 worth of dam-

age to property in Chimney Park.

Mission Police Chief Roberto Dominguez said it might be possible to barricade the north end of the levy road to force traffic to go south to FM 494 near La Lomita chapel. No solution to the noise level was given.

Also Monday, a budget amendment to the CDBG funding moved $100,000 from Habitat for Humanity to housing reconstruction to provide 13 eligible residents whose homes are not adequate with new homes.

The budget also showed $72,250 in funds split between Amigos del Valley projects, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, Silver Ribbons, Easter Seal, Dentists Who Care and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Housing assistance had a budget of $638,288, while administration had a budget of $76,113 and CDBG administration amounted to $137,199.

Six ambulance services were approved to operate within the city of Mission by the Mission Department of Emergency Management.

They are Compassionate EMS, Quiet EMS, Vida, Fire EMS, Ambu-Med EMS, and Ameristarr EMS. The city will be accepting proposals for 911 Emergency Medical Services. The current contract with MedCare Ems will expire on July 29 with no options to renew.

The city was working on new specifications.

Purchase of new 9 mm Generation 4 Glock Model 17 police handguns to replace guns currently in use by the Mission Police Department was approved in the amount of $85,850. Each weapon being replaced is approximately 15 years old. A credit of $225 per weapon will be given for the weapons turned in. The expenditure will be paid for by the Federal Drug Forfeiture Fund.

Ferguson Waterworks re-

situation we were in against United South of having to win two games on the road to advance.”

Lobos senior pitcher and first baseman Ernesto Garza put what Palmview has to do

against Weslaco into the most basic of terms when he said, “We just need to play them like any other team. We just have to win two out of the three games to keep on going and advance in the playoffs.”

from pg 8

ceived the bid for the water and sewer line replacement supplies for the Mile 2 North project.

An interlocal agreement with Hidalgo County was approved for road improvements. The county will supple the equipment and labor while the city will purchase the materials for the project.

The May 25 council meeting has been moved to May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday.

PATRIOTS

baseball districts in the Valley. Their district, however, is one of the toughest in the state and they won it. So we’ll have our work cut out for us against them.”

Calallen will be putting their ace, Dylan Duarte, on the mound in the first game against the Rattlers. Duarte pitched a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts and only one walk against Cigarroa last Friday night. The game is scheduled to be played at 7 p.m. tonight at Sharyland High.

As for how important it will be for Sharyland to win the first game of the best-ofthree series at home Marti-

Airman finished basics

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ir Force Airman First Class Haily L. Hernandez graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and

skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Hernandez is the daughter of Rudy and Stacy Hernandez of Mission, Texas.

She is a 2014 graduate of Mission High School, Mission, Texas.

nez said, “It’s really big because if we can beat their ace here at home we’ll be a lot more comfortable. Their No. 2 pitcher is no slouch, he’s a big righty that throws in the upper 80s, but it’ll be a lot more comfortable for all of us if we can go into Calallen up one game to zero.”

As for what if anything the Rattlers are doing differently this week in preparation for Calallen and their No. 1 pitcher Moreno said, “Our practices are the same but we are doing batting practice differently. Yesterday we turned the pitching machines up to 90 miles per

hour to be better prepared for their ace’s fast balls and now we’re hitting curve balls because he also has a nasty curve ball.”

Sharyland senior third baseman, outfielder and pitcher Gabriel Gonzalez is counting on what he sees as the secret to this Rattlers team’s success continuing against Calallen.

“When our hitting is down, thank God that our pitching usually makes up for it,” Gonzalez said. “That works the other way too. We have a good lineup of hitters to pick up the pitching when needed.”

from pg 8

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May 15, 2015

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Sharyland ISD superintendent hired

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By Lea Victoria Juarez hen the board named Robert O’Connor as the new Sharyland ISD superintendent May 8, they said his family values are what made him stand out.

“When we interviewed him, he wasn’t really quick to tell us how smart he was, he wasn’t really quick to tell us what a great man he was and how he was going to come in and divide the sea and walk us through it,” board Vice President Ricky Longoria said. “The first thing he did was show us a picture of his family.”

After 43 applicants and five months, the board approved their new district

leader with a 5-0 vote.

Members Eddie Montalvo and Rolando Peña could not attend the meeting, but Fernando Ramirez said they sent their approval.

O’Connor has a contract with SISD for the next three years, but he doesn’t officially take the seat until July 6. Interim superintendent Filomena Leo will continue to hold the position until then.

Donning a suit, red tie and Sharyland baseball cap, O’Connor posed for photos with board members and principals. He thanked the board and spoke about his wife, who was present, and children.

“I have to thank my wife, too. She’s my rock,” said

the current Marble Falls ISD superintendent. “You guys know in this business I’ve done what I need to do to advance my career, and she’s been solid. We’ve raised two kids; we’re proud of our family.”

O’Connor said even though he had the opportunity to go to bigger districts and get more money, he felt that Sharyland ISD is where he was meant to be. During his time in the district he said his ultimate goal is to keep the focus on the students.

“This is my final step.

It’s about us. It’s about what we can do together to make Sharyland ISD the very best place,” he said. “I know we get a lot of pressures on us

– academic pressures and state pressures – but what we’re about is developing young adults to be future leaders of this country.”

Sharyland’s history of academic and athletic accomplishments are what attracted him to the district, he said, and he hopes to earn the faculty’s trust in due time.

At the same meeting, Rosa O’Donnell was named the executive director of human resources. O’Donnell was previously the principal of Martinez Elementary School.

“I think this day in history, God willing, will go down as one of the proudest moments in Sharyland history,” board President Noel Garza said.

tance. This is the place that is educating my children, and I’m not talking about just the four that I’ve raised.”

Prior to Election Day, Aguilar said that we would run again if he did not get the position this time around.

He felt confident in his campaign and those he spoke with while campaigning.

“I feel that interaction with individuals within the Sharyland school district, I feel that they support me, they support my ideas,” Aguilar said. “There should be someone there that can speak for them and express their opinion and thoughts on the board.”

In place 4, Garcia won by 29 votes in close race with Suzanne Peña who had 730 total votes. Peña had the majority of votes the day of the election with 171 and Garcia at 157, but Garcia brought in a greater number of early voters – 602 versus Peña with 558.

Coming in third in place 4 was Kevin Sparks. The local chiropractor raked in 377 votes. Robert Puente, the attorney who dropped out

of the race April 24 and announced his support for Garcia, still received 22 votes.

Before the unofficial results were in, Sparks said he was unsure if he would run again.

“I don’t have to be on the school board. It’s not an ego thing. I’m more about things running right,” Sparks said.

“If there’s somebody else that I think is running it right, you go for it. I’ll support you.

I don’t have to run.”

As of May 6, Peña did not want to comment on the possibility of running in the next election.

During his term on the board, Garcia said his main goals are fiscal transparency, community involvement and providing raises for the faculty and staff. Last year, Sharyland was not able to give any raises.

“Most importantly, my goal is that we do everything that is in the best interest of our students to ensure their success in school and beyond school,” the La Joya ISD principal said. “I’m really excited to begin my journey to serve the community.”

If La Joya ISD decided to create a virtual academy, it would be the first district in South Texas to do it, Ramon said.

“If we look at the future of education, we need to consider what education will look like three to five years down the road,” she said.

The academy would take up three classrooms and a large computer lab in the Jimmy Carter Early College High School building. During the fall semester of 2014, teachers could work to receive online certification and transform curriculum into a virtual presentation. In spring 2016, La Joya would start offering courses statewide.

Either La Joya ISD could start with teachers working part-time with the academy, earning an extra stipend on their paychecks or the academy could employ teachers full-time, Ramon said. A part-time academy would cost the district $321,000 the first year, Ramon estimated, and a full-time academy would cost $640,000.

But, she said, the program

Smith, Garcia voted in

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By Lea Victoria Juarez elissa Smith and Jose “Pepe” Garcia will hold places 3 and 4, respectively, on the Sharyland ISD school board.

The two are replacing trustees Fernando Ramirez and Eddie Montalvo after winning Saturday’s election.

Smith beat out her opponent, Cesar Aguilar, with an overwhelming majority vote. The retired Sharyland educator had 1,236 votes, while the 29-year-old lawyer drew in 611, according to the county’s unofficial results.

The former board member for Agape Christian School and local businesswoman said her experience as a teacher, mother and entrepreneur made her the most qualified candidate for place 3.

“I have dedicated myself to all levels of the school district and now I am ready to dedicate myself to the highest level that I can as a citizen,” Smith said at the Sharyland student candidate forum. “This volunteer position is of the utmost impor-

LJISD

MHS FBLA now advancing two students to national competition

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he Mission High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter has been notified that it now has two students who are advancing to the FBLA national competitions.

Earlier, it was announced that Javier Nevarez was advancing to the national Accounting II competition of the FBLA National Leader-

ship Conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in late June when he placed third at the state competition.

Since then, the MHS FBLA chapter has been notified that Jasmin Vega has been bumped up and now qualifies for nationals as well. She will compete in Database Design and Applications.

would also generate funds. If all the seats for the courses are filled, the academy would earn $280,000 on a part-time basis or $560,000 if it worked full time.

Also Monday night, La Joya ISD Police Chief Raul Gonzalez gave a presentation on creating a first offender program.

“Unfortunately, we continue to have young men and young women between the ages of 10 and 16 who are continuing to make a mistake in their lives, and that mistake is getting involved in criminal activity,” Gonzalez said. “We wanted to see how we could help give them a second opportunity.”

The problem, Gonzalez said is that some students have been arrested for things like graffiti or criminal mischief, and the charge remains on their record years down the road, making it hard for them to find a job. The district’s first offender program would give them the chance to have that charge completely wiped from the system.

To qualify, the student

would have to submit an application and go to the city where they reside and get a clearance letter stating they have not been arrested by the city. Then, the student would have to go through a sixweek program, spending time on topics like “Admit Your Faults and Believe That You Can Change” and “Humble Yourself and Learn How to Serve Others.”

Upon completion of the curriculum, “We will literally take the arrest report, photographs and we will shred them,” Gonzalez said. The only thing he would keep is a log of the students who have completed the course, but that information would not be released to potential employers.

The district would need to hire a social worker to implement the program, Gonzalez said.

“We’ve said this many times: We don’t have problem kids, we have kids with problems, and sometimes those problems do affect their decision-making process,” Gonzalez said.

from pg 1

May 15, 2015

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obituaries

Joel Bermea A GRULLA - Joel Bermea, 60, entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 11, 2015 at McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas. He was born April 3, 1955 in La Grulla, Texas to Ramiro and Maria Dolores Bermea. He was the owner of J & B Detasseling of La Grulla.

He is survived by his wife, Erisela Bermea; children, Sonya Lynn Salinas, Cynthia Ann Venecia, Joel Bermea Jr., and Julissa Bermea; siblings, Viola Perez, Javier Bermea, Pedro Bermea and Ramiro Bermea Jr.; parents; and five grandchildren.

Funerals services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015 at 10 a.m. at The Bridge Church of Mission. Interment will follow to City Cemetery in La Grulla.

Margaret F. Cooper ISSION/PHARR - Margaret F. Cooper died on Friday, May 8, 2015. She was born on April 2, 1921 in Blooming Grove, Texas. She was mar-

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“My life on earth was very good, as earthly life can go, but paradise is so much more than anyone can know.” rthur Bernard “Vandy” VanDeventer, 91, went to his eternal home on May 7, 2015 in Mission, Texas. Vandy was born in Liberty, Texas on November 16, 1923, to Juanita LaCour and Lloyd Quitman VanDeventer, who preceded him in death. He was the oldest of four boys, all now reunited in heaven, Lloyd “Bubba,” Charles, and Jimmy.

Vandy leaves behind his loving wife of 43 years, Mary VanDeventer; his children, Mary Kay Broughton (Mike) and Mark VanDeventer, as well as Patricia Craig (David), Terry Hightower, and Lyn Pierce.

A 1941 graduate of Liberty High School, Vandy went on to work for Sun Oil Company for 45 years. He married Millicent Volz in 1953 and they made their home in Mission, with a brief time living in Maracaibo, Venezuela as a family in 1969. Family

ried to her husband during World War II, but had lived in the Rio Grande Valley since 1953.

She is survived by her son, Craig Cooper; two grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford F. Cooper; her parents, Susan W. Porterfield and James K. Porterfield Sr.; and four brothers and one sister.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the Church of Christ, 625 E. Sam Houston, Pharr. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery on North Taylor Road.

Santos S. Miranda ISSION - Santos S. Miranda passed away on May 4, 2015 at Doctors Hospital. She was born in Estacion Los Aldames, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to the late Trinidad and the late Ernestina Salinas.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Devine of McAllen and Adrian Miranda of Mission; sisters, Basilia

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and friends were devastated when Millicent succumbed to cancer in 1970.

On May 152, 1972, Vandy married Mary Capotosto Graham. They went on to retire in San Antonio before returning to Mission in 1996.

Their union has been such a blessing, merging two beautiful families into one absolutely amazing one!

Grandchildren include Heather Broughton Marks (Jared), Jason Broughton, Dylan VanDeventer, Sondra VanDeventer, Dave “DJ” Craig (Kristy), Ashley Hightower McComb

Vega, Amelia Vela, Maria De Jesus Marin and Amalia Alaniz; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment followed at Valley Memorial Gardens of Mission.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Devine, Edgar Nieves, Marco Antonio Miranda, Roy Ballesteros, Joey De Leon, Gilbert Ballesteros.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ernesto, Rogelio Jr., Pepe, Mike, Robert, Maria Esther Ballesteros and Betty De Leon.

Mercedes Obregon A JOYA - Mercedes Obregon, 94, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at her residence in La Joya, Texas. Mrs. Obregon was born September 24, 1920 in Dr. Arroyo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Hipolito and Maria Luisa Hinojosa.

She is survived by her children, Minerva Obregon, Aurora Valdez, Ofelia Garcia, Estela Flores, Gilberto Obregon, Leopoldo Obregon, Juan Rodolfo Obregon, Jose

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(Justin), Justin Hightower, and Daniel Davis (Hannah). Great-grandchildren are Beau Marks (5), Alex McComb (7), Kyle McComb (5), Audrey McComb (7 mos), Rosemary Davis (2 mos), Makenzie VanDeventer (16), Breanna Taft (12), Lilee Taft (9), and Cloe Taft (8).

Vandy loved telling jokes and stories, anything chocolate, jitterbugging up a storm, a good Whataburger, and Aggie football. He knew no stranger and beamed with pride when talking about his family.

Services will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Saturday, May 23rd at 10 a.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a random act of kindness in Vandy’s memory.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”

Luis Obregon, Ma De La Luz Soria, Margarita Ramon, Rosalinda Obregon; her sisters, Lidia Salazar and Maria Valdez; 37 grandchildren and numerous great- grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose E. Obregon and her son, Jose Antonio Obregon.

A funeral mass was held Monday May 11, 2015 at Our Lady Queen of Angel’s Catholic Church of La Joya.

John Townsend, Sr. ohn Townsend, Sr. passed away at Mission Regional Medical Center on Friday, May 8, 2015. He was born at his parent’s home on Taylor Rd. in 1926 and resided near his birthplace, in Sharyland, for the next 80 years.

He farmed and ranched in the McCook area from 1948 until he retired in 1995 watching the land being transformed from brush land to farmland.

He is survived by three sons, John, Bill and Chuck; brothers, Pat and Mike; sister, Margaret Miksch; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren; 25 nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, C.A. and Virginia Townsend; his wife, Eleanor Marie Townsend; and siblings, Alfred Townsend, Mary Ann Tokheim, and Quintin Townsend.

The family would like to thank his longtime caregiver Estella Castilleja, Mission Nursing and Rehab Center and Mission Regional Hospital ICU for their care.

A funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen on Monday, May 11, with burial at Roselawn Cemetery.

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All obituaries must be submitted by the funeral home.

Obituary notices are run FREE OF CHARGE in the Progress Times if they are submitted in a timely manner to run the same week of the date of death. Otherwise, there is a fee for notices submitted later than the closest possible publication date.

Late obituaries will be subject to a $50 charge.

Obituaries can be found online and are updated as they are received. Visit www. progresstimes.net to stay current with obituaries and other news that matters to you.

ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 4501 N. McColl. - McAllen CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 29th & Dove - McAllen 618-0884 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 1 Mi. N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1300 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665

NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. Mission • 735-2569

ROAD TO SALVATION ASSEMBLY OF GOD 239 W. 2nd St. - La Joya 1312 Oblate • 585-3261

OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223

SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno 279-4159

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002

IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission • 279-4159

ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325

IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623

IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193

ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005

IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst

PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203

SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 4122 N. Conway • 584-3112 GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008

IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898

PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787

PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 St. Marie. • 585-8651

MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683

PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307

NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 585-4122

RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838

NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. 3 Mile Line • 585-0146

Mission • 580-4551

ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701

TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway • 581-4981 or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya THE DOOR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

810 E. Veterans & La Homa Suite F.

Palmview Crossing Plaza 212-1594/424-1984

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3701W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 WEST MISSION LUTHERAN FELLOWSHIP Pleasant Valley Ranch 7320 W. Exp. 83 • Mission 583-7667 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA

ATTORNEYS AT LAW DAVID H. GUERRA NEAL KING (retired) DARRELL DAVIS ESMERALDA GARCIA (retired) 301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

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IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618

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Private finishes basic training

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rmy Pvt. Matthew J. Cortina has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare

Notices

Mirthala Aguirre MISSION - Mirthala Aguirre, 71, died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at McAllen Medical Center. Chapel services were held Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Virgil Wilson Memorial Chapel in Mission. Burial followed to Lord & I Cemetery in Palmview.

Rosalio Camarillo ALTON - Rosalio Camarillo, 76, died Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 13, 2015, with a 6 p.m. rosary at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission.

Efrain Chavez MISSION Efrain Chavez, 68, died Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at McAllen Medical Center.

Verna Beulah Cook MISSION - Verna Beulah Cook, 96, died Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Eliana Abigail Hernandez ALTON - Eliana Abigail Hernandez, 24, died, May 6, 2015, at her residence in Alton. Graveside services were held Monday, May 11, 2015, at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.

Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan is in charge of

and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Cortina is the son of Suzanne J. Hernandez of Palmview. He is a 2014 graduate of La Joya High School.

funeral arrangements.

Francisco Lozano MISSION - Chapel services for Francisco Lozano were held Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens.

Jose Mendoza PENITAS - Jose Mendoza, 87, died Sunday, May 10, 2015, at Mission Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Mission. His body was transported to Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Tomasa Ortiz ALTON - Tomasa Ortiz, 62, died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Funeral services for Tomasa Ortiz were held Monday, May 11, 2015 at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.

Otilia Torres MISSION - Funeral services for Otilia Torres were held Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Abram.

Nahomi Trujillo MISSION - Nahomi Trujillo, 10, died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

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page 12

DEMOLITION continued to stress the importance of timeliness for this portion.

“If the infrastructure is not there, we won’t be able to open school in August.

May 15, 2015

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That is the most critical,” Rivera said. “The demolition is something that can take place a later time if it happens to run late, but the infrastructure cannot be delayed.”

VMHS cosmetology student qualifies for national competition

V

eterans Memorial High School cosmetology student Cynthia Gonzalez will be advancing to the SkillsUSA national cosmetology contests to be held in Louisville,

Kentucky, in June. Gonzalez earned first place in the state competitions in the area of nail care. This consisted of an interview, a skills test in nail enhancements and nail art, a written exam, and an

oral presentation.

The VMHS cosmetology program had a very strong showing at the recent SkillsUSA state competition with many students placing in the top three of their respective contests.

In the area of nail art: Cynthia Gonzalez, first place; Bryanna Melendez, first place; Daniela Olivarez, first place; Kimberly Garcia, second place; Yulissa Gomez, second place.

In the braiding contest: Yvette Jimenez, second place.

In the fantasy contest: Kearistan Riley, first place.

In the innovative category: Norely Chapa, first place; and the team of Analley Cor-

tez, Alejandra Martinez, San Juana Rocha placed second.

In the evening hairstyling contest: Lorena Olea, first place; Natalie Duran, first place; Alondra Del Angel, first place; Brianna Garza, second place; Marina Ochoa, second place; Lupina Regalado, second place; Elsa Vasquez, second place; Jerylin Bazaldua, second place; Alondra Cardenas, second place; Kayla Montelongo, third place.

For the photo panel contest: Lizet Garcia, first place; Aimee Morales, first place; Esmeralda Villarreal, first place; Nyla Licerio, second place; Norma Salgado, second place; Nicole Del Bosque, third place.

Pictured are Cynthia Gonzalez (right) and her model Yvette Jimenez (left).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE of property to satisfy Landlord’s Lien.

Sale is 10 am, May 16, 2015 at 2604 W. Exp. 83, Mission, TX. Property will be sold to the highest bidder for cash.

Clean up and removal deposit may be required. Seller reserves right to withdraw property from sale. Property includes contents of spaces of following tenants: #11 Ernesto Alvarez Bed rails, car seat, shelves, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, ceiling fans, bar stool, toys, pallets with misc items; #39 Alfredo Martinez Dryer, chest, baby items; #41 Iris Cardenas sofa set, table, misc household items; #49 Greci Ynosencio clothes, propane tank, chest & speakers; #53 Kristopher Lee Pena chest, clothing & toys; #59 Arnoldo Solis go-cart, compressors, pressure washer; #66 Yadira Garcia mattresses, a/c unit, refrigerator & household items, refrigerator, game table, crib & misc items; #67 Melinda Ramona Gomez crib, TVs, table, office items, baby items & household items; #70 Marissa Requenez household & baby items; #73 Devora Blanco bed & TV; #77 Maria A. Rodriguez a/c, refrigerator, bed, sofa, baby items & household items; #79 Jorge De Leon blinds, #85 Manuel Gonzalez sofa & TV; #91 Martha Angelica Garcia mattress & refrigerator; #119 Juana Lucia Cabrera Buffer propane tanks, a/c buffing pads & floor buffing; #125 Graciela Barcenas ladder, x-mas items, desk, computer monitor & household items; #127 Raul M. Melendez Treadmill, beds, mattresses & bikes; #132 Abelino Villareal chairs, table & desk; #136 Juan Antonio Estrada stove & box spring; #138 Elvira Castaneda table, washer & suitcase; #146 Jesika E. Alonso Bedroom set, table & bike sofa; #148 Leonardo Trujillo cargo case, mattress set, twin bed, bikes, BBQ pit, folding chairs, speakers, baby items & misc household items; #149 Ana Chablet above ground pool; #164 Esmeralda Fuentes crib, baby & household items; Contact ABC Storage, 2604 W. Exp 83, Mission, TX 956-585-1155.

theclassifieds May 15, 2015

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity

realestate

GOLFVIEW MANOR CONDO, 2br, 1 1/2 bath, 55+, newly remodeled, heated pool, peaceful community, 956844-8186 or 956423-2437.

services

NEED A MAID? Cleaning and cooking services - bilingual - affordable rates. Call Carolina 956-827-1853 or 956-683-6243.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on May 26, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 20, Villa Capri Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-3) General Business If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

$7 for 15 words

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Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words

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Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m.

If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Order by phone 585-4893 with a major credit card.

The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 3 p.m.

The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on May 27, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: 0.38 acres out of Lot 184, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (C-3) General Business to (R-3) MultiFamily Residential; and Rezoning: 1.00 acre out of Lot 235, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial; and 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

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You are hereby notified that pursuant to state or city ordinance we are in possesion of the described vehicles. Please reclaim the vehicles by paying charges which continue to accrue and producing safisfactory evidence of ownership. If the vehicles are not reclaimed, we will take necessary steps to obtain ownership under the appropriate provision as per Texas law.

Make Chryler Sebring Honda Odyssey Dodge Challenger

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Competition Auto Repair 5.75 Miles North Conway - Mission, TX - (956) 222-3251

Year 2005 2003 2011

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ORDINANCE NO. 4228 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, RESCINDING ORDINANCE 1662 AS CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 74, PLANNING AND ZONING, ARTICLE III, HISTORIC LANDMARK AND DISTRICT ZONING, SECTIONS 74-71 THRU 74-86 PROVIDING A CODIFICATION CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING A PUBLICATION DATE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS. READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

VIN# 4C3AG42GX5E041671 5FNRL18682B043275 2B3CJ4DG7BH542527

PUBLIC NOTICE

The La Joya ISD Federal Programs Department will be hosting its annual consultation required by P.L. 107110, Section 1120, with Private Non-Profit Schools that are within the district’s attendance area. The meeting will take place on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Central Administration @ Nellie Schunior / Ebony Conference Room, 200 West Expressway 83, La Joya, Texas 78560. Consultations after this date will be ongoing and/or as needed.

Topics to be discussed: • •

Which services will be provided?

Which children can receive services under the different programs?

How will services be provided?

How will the services be evaluated?

• •

Please contact Dr. Jose Gonzalez, Federal Programs Director at (956) 323-2660 if additional information is needed regarding the referenced scheduled consultation and/or future consultations.

LEGAL NOTICE Company Name: Billing Address:

CONSTABLE’S SALE The State of Texas County of Hidalgo Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution issued out of the HONORABLE 80TH DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, on the 11TH of MARCH 2015, for the sum of $4,137.42 with interest thereon at the rate of 7% per annum from the 8th of DECEMBER 2005 and cost of suit, under a judgment in favor of CREDIGY RECEIABLES INC. in a certain cause in said court, No. 2005-18395 And styled CREDIGY RECEIABLES INC. Vs. MYRTHALA R. GARCIA And placed in my hands for service for service on 22nd of APRIL 2015, I, Lazaro Gallardo Jr., as Constable Pct.3 Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 23rd of APRIL 2015, levy on certain real estate in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit THE SOUTH ½ OF LOT TWENTY-THREE (23), BLOCK TWENTY-FIVE (25), TEXAN GARDENS SUBDIVISION, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 8, PAGE 57, MAP RECORDS, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS. THAT BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO MYRTHALA R. GARCIA AND MARINA E. GARCIA-RAMOS

BY WARRANTY DEED WITH VENDORS LIEN DATED AUGUST 14, 2003 AND RECORDED UNDER FILE NO. 2003-01242084 IN THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF REAL PROEPRTY IN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS ., And levied upon as property of MYRTHALA R. GARCIA and that on the first Tuesday in JUNE 2015, the same being the 2nd day of said month, at the court house door of Hidalgo County, TEXAS in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (sale starts at 10:00 a.m.) by virtue of said levy and said writ of execution, I will sell said above described real estate at public venue for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of said MYRTHALA R. GARCIA and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English language, once a week for three consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The PROGRESS TIMES a newspaper published in Hidalgo County.

Witness my hand, this 4th day of MAY 2015 By: ________________________________ Lazaro Gallardo, Jr. Deputy Ruben Salinas, Jr. Constable Pct.3 Hidalgo County, Texas

Family Dollar Stores, Inc. P.O. Box 1017, Attn: Tax and Licensing Department, Charlotte, NC 28201-1017

Applications are being made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permits by Family Dollar Stores of Texas LLC d/b/a Family Dollar Store #4996, located at 217 S. Alton Blvd, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas 78573 and d/b/a/ Family Dollar Store #10352, located at 3312 E. Main Ave., Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas 78573.

Officers of said Limited Liability Company are: Howard R. Levine, Chairman, CEO and Director Jason Reiser, Executive VP - Chief Merchandising Officer Barry W. Sullivan, Executive VP - Store Operations Mary A. Winston, Executive VP - Chief Financial Officer Robert L. Rogers, Senior VP - Real Estate James C. Snyder Jr., Senior VP - General Counsel and Secretary Bryan E. Venberg, Senior VP - Human Resources Jonathan E. Broz, VP - Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary Erik D. Gast, VP – Controller Jose M. Luis, VP - Real Estate Development Thomas E. Schoenheit, VP - Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary David R. Styka, VP - Finance and Treasurer

ORDINANCE NO. 4218

ORDINANCE NO. 4219

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE FAMILY HOME ON AN R-4 ZONED LOT, 2113 BRACEY STREET, LOT 7, BLOCK 5, VALLEY VIEW ESTATES READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-THRU CONVENIENCE STORE, 1710 W. BUSINESS 83, 1 ACRE TRACT OUT OF LOT 20-1, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4222

ORDINANCE NO. 4223 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE COMPLIMENTARY OFFERING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR ONSITE CONSUMPTION FOR A SOCIAL AND/OR CULTURAL EVENT, 921 E. 12TH STREET, LOT 1, MISSION LIBRARY SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4220

ORDINANCE NO. 4221

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-THRU CONVENIENCE STORE, 1001 W. EXPRESSWAY 83, LOTS 35 & 36, FREEWAY SUBDIVISION #3 READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A HOME OCCUPATION – BUSINESS OFFICE, 1210 ELM STREET, LOT 6, BLOCK 4, PECAN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A HOME OCCUPATION – PHOTOGRAHY STUDIO, 2002 N. MAYBERRY ROAD, A 155’ X 220’ TRACT OF LAND OUT OF THE SW ¼ OF LOT 24-9, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4226

ORDINANCE NO. 4225

ORDINANCE NO. 4227

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR DRIVE-THRU SERVICE LANES FOR INTERNATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE, 121 N. SHARY ROAD, LOT 2, NORTH SHARYLAND COMMONS SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – TACO PALENQUE, 2420 E. EXPRESSWAY 83, LOT 5C, SHARYLAND PLACE SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW FOR PANADERIA NUEVO LEON, 4009 N. INSPIRATION ROAD, LOT 9, BLOCK 5, TAURUS ESTATES SUBDIVISION NO. 9, PH. I READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4224 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW - TACO PALENQUE, 2420 E. EXPRESSWAY 83, LOT 5C, SHARYLAND PLACE SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 11th day of May, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor ATTEST: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

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May 15, 2015