October 23, 2015 - Progress Times Issue

PALMVIEW HIGH SCHOOL PALMVIEW HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

Friday, October 23, 2015

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MEN, WOMEN HONORED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

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By Lea Victoria Juarez our members of the community were recognized for their superior services to the City of Mission on Oct. 15. At the annual Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce banquet, two men and two women became part of the more than 50-year tradition that Progress Times has continued.

Catherine Garcia was awarded 2015 Woman of the Year and David Deanda Jr. became the 2015 Man of the

Year. This year’s First Lady of Mission and Mr. Mission are Genevieve “Gen” Long and Amancio Chapa, respectively.

The nominations had been open since the latter part of August, but the winners were kept secret until banquet night when Progress Times Publisher Jim Brunson and his wife, Mendi, the community news editor, announced the honorees.

FIRST LADY OF MISSION Twenty-five years after

2015 Man of the Year David Deanda Jr., right 2014 Man of the Year Carl Davis, left

she won the 1990 Woman of the Year award, Genevieve Long was escorted to the stage at Mario’s banquet hall to receive the First Lady of Mission award.

The City of Mission’s logo is emblazoned on Long’s heart and flanked by the Texas and U.S. flags, according to Mendi Brunson.

Long and her husband have been financially vested in the community, state and nation for decades.

She was founder and first president of Texas Agriwom-

2015 Woman of the Year Cathy Garcia, right 2014 Woman of the Year Maritza Esqueda, left

en in 1985 and served as vice president on numerous committees. She worked actively on issues, legislation and budget processes affecting agriculture in Texas and the Valley.

“We often refer to males as a city’s ‘favorite son.’

She’s Mission’s ‘favorite daughter,” Mendi Brunson said.

Long was appointed to the USDA Advisory Board

by President George H. Bush to oversee funding marked from the president’s budget

and allocated for agricultural research and scientific development. She served as that board’s representative to meet with colleges and universities in Washington, D.C. Through her activity in agriculture, she has received multiple recognitions on the state and national level and has traveled to numerous countries in cooperative outreach on agriculture issues.

She is a former president of Texas Municipal League, Amigos Del Valle and the North American Butterfly

Amancio Chapa, 2015 Mr. Mission, left Ruben Rodriguez, 2014 Mr. Mission, right

Association advisory board.

Long was also a city councilwoman from 1992 to 2007 and served as mayor protem.

As president of the Mission Downtown Merchants and Old Town Mission Committee, Long worked on the revitalization of the downtown area. She and her husband have invested in several of the old buildings downtown, including the Historic Border Theatre. The Tom Landry Mural was commis-

See AWARDS 14

2015 First Lady Genevieve “Gen” Long, left 2014 First Lady Joyce Geary, right

Businesses, community recognized at chamber banquet Texas Butterfly Festival

is Oct. 31 to Nov. 3

Bert Ogden Auto Group – Business Leader of the Year

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By Lea Victoria Juarez or the second year in a row, Navin Buxani will serve as chairman of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The director of operations at Holiday Inn Express has been a member of the Mission Chamber of Commerce since 2006. In that time, he said he’s been fortunate

enough to meet members who have been long time supporters of the Chamber and learn about the organization’s history. He hopes to continue building the membership and adding even more programs and services for the community.

“When people from outside the area think of Mission and the rest of the Valley, they don’t necessarily view us in the best light,”

Buxani said. “But let me tell you, unequivocally, that we have some very innovative and progressive people in this city’s management.”

Buxani singled out Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas and his achievement of lowering taxes. He acknowledged Alex Meade, CEO of Mission Economic Development Corporation, for the Code the Town initiative – a program where students learn

computer programming.

“I would be extremely remiss if I didn’t mention the city council and all of the city’s employees, along with, most importantly, all of you guys -- the citizens and the business leaders of Mission,” Buxani said. “You guys are helping Mission reach its true potential.”

The Mission Chamber

See BANQUET 14

The Texas Butterfly Festival offers a rare opportunity to enjoy guided field trips to butterfly hot spots throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and it’s headquartered right here in Mission’s backyard.

Scheduled for Oct. 31 through Nov. 3 at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, the festival also offers a variety of butterfly seminars, including an introduction to macro photography to show participants how to photograph these beautiful insects.

Nearly three decades ago, an increased awareness of what an ecological treasure the Rio Grande Valley is and how many species of birds and butterflies can be found here resulted in an effort to preserve habitat for migrating animals.

The nine sites of the World Birding Center were created out of that awareness, as was the National Butterfly Center, located in Mission. Less well known than the birding centers, the butterfly center has played a vital part in the preservation of butterflies, as well as

birds, that live in or migrate through the Rio Grande Valley. The center plants habitat and host plants for many of the species of butterflies, and approximately 400 species have been spotted there at different times of the year.

It is also a great place to spot the birds of the Rio Grande Valley that love to dine on the center’s tasty caterpillars.

One of the ways the National Butterfly Center is letting butterfly watchers know about its work is through sponsoring the Texas Butterfly Festival. Originally started by the Mission Chamber of Commerce, the center has now grown to a point where it can take over the festival.

Last year, there were participants from 18 states who came down for the festival.

Keynote speaker for this year’s event is Cuauhtemoc Saenz Romero, a forester in Mexico who has dedicated his life’s work to studying the fir forest in Michoacan where Monarchs migrate annually.

See BUTTERFLY 14

INSIDE

VMHS students headed to nationals

INDEX

Early voting under way through Oct. 30

La Joya ISD honors former music director

SeaPerch team earned second place with underwater robot at HESTEC competition sponsored by the U.S. Navy.

There are three slates of candidates vying for three open seats on La Joya’s Board of Aldermen. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Leaders at the school district dedicated its performing arts center to Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz in a ceremony Tuesday evening.

See story page 10

See story page 10

See story page 8

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 12

Classifieds | pg. 13

entertainment

October 23, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Mission Historical Museum’s Dia de los Muertos exhibit opens Oct. 24

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he Mission Historical Museum’s annual Dia De Los Muertos exhibit of community-curated altars opens this Saturday, Oct. 24, and can be viewed 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The altars will continue to be on display through Nov. 28.

Eleven of the altars have been created by members of the community, and one is the creation of Mission’s Sister City of Francisco I. Madero.

The tradition was discovered by the Spanish when they came to the Americas 500 years ago. They found that indigenous tribes of the Americas celebrated their dead in a practice that stems back 3,000 years.

It is not a macabre tradition, designed to be part of the Halloween-style of celebration, but is a time traditionally set aside as an outward expression of fond memories for loved ones who had passed on. The altars are laid out with the intention of calling home the spirits of the departed through offerings that were meaningful to their deceased relatives. It also helps family members to not fear death, but to deal with it in a positive manner.

The altars are as varied as the individuals they honor. A great deal of work and planning go into the colorful altars. Most often there will be a photo of the honored family

member. Details are meticulously planned to incorporate favorite items enjoyed by their deceased relatives when they were alive—ranging from favorite food items to musical instruments and more. Candles, colorful paper maché, paper flowers and tissue paper dolls and sugar skulls are often used to fill out the overall presentation of the altar.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, contact Lisa Price, Public Programs Coordinator at 580-8646.

An exhibit of 12 altars celebrating Dia de los Muertos opens at the Mission Historical Museum Saturday, Oct. 24. The altars can be seen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, and the exhibit will remain open to the public during regular hours through Nov. 28.

Coming Attractions

October 23-24 • The South Texas Indians Dancers will gather for the 26th Annual South Texas Pow Wow at the Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave. in McAllen. The Friday grand entry begins at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday line-up begins at 11 a.m. with an exhibition dance followed by guard dancing from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and the grand entry at 6:30 p.m. The event is free.

A variety of activities are planned and an array of Indian jewelry, dream catchers, arts and crafts and jewelry making supplies will be sold. For more information, contact Robert Soto at 648-9336.

October 23-25 • The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center hosts the 24th Annual Conjunto Festival celebrating the best of live Texas Mexican Conjunto music. It runs from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 5 to 11 on Saturday and 5 to 10 on Sunday at the San Benito Plaza, 225 E. Stenger.

This year’s festival includes 16 conjuntos, Chicano art, a car show, dancing, food and beverages. Cost is $5 per person each day. The public is encouraged to bring chairs, but no outside beverages or food is allowed.

For information, contact Soledad A. Núñez at 244-0373 or via email at nmcacsanbenito@gmail.com.

October 23-November 1 • The Pharr Community Theater Co. presents ''The Last Battle of the Civil War” by Jefferson Williams. The production presents the last battle of the Civil War fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville in 1865.

Held at the Pharr Community Theater, 213 W. Newcombe Ave., show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for anyone under 13 and for senior citizens.

Tickets will be sold one hour before each show. Seating is limited to 60 people per show. Advance tickets are recommended by calling 648-2488.

October 29 • Bose’s Amo Tour will be in town at State Farm Arena for an 8 p.m. show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49 to $160 per person. Call 800-745-3000 or go to ticketmaster. com for tickets.

• Writers in Literary Discussion will host the 1958 film “Invisible Avenger” in Building D auditorium of South Texas College at the Pecan campus. It beings at 7 p.m. Admission is $1. For more information, call Tom Fuschetto at 872-3487 or via email at tomf@southtexascollege.edu.

October 30-31 • The La Joya High School Theatre presents “The Odyssey” at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Performances are held on the Mainstage of the Alejandro H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyoted Blvd. Call 323-2895 for information or ticket prices.

October 31 • Have a “spooktacular” time at the City of Mission’s “Halloween Mysteries at the Boo!seum,” hosted by the Mission Historical Museum from 6 to 9 p.m. The festival of kids’ ghostly games and prizes, refreshments, cake walk, candy, a jail house Haunted House, activity booths, a moon jump and a Halloween photo area. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume. Admission is free. MHM is located at 900 Doherty.

For more information, call 580-8646.

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

Hudson exhibit opens at Speer Library

Speer Memorial Library will host a reception for the opening of an art exhibit with the works of artist Toni Hudson. The public is invited to meet the artist at the free event in the library’s community room on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m.

The exhibit will be open to viewing during regular library hours until March, 2016.

Hudson, a native of Coahuila, Mexico, was surrounded by the belief that a woman’s place was in the home, which was only further reinforced by her father.

She seeks to dignify and empower the female in all her glory, beauty, and passion.

Her art bears testimony to the mystique and multi-facets which is a woman. In her art you will see various feminine forms on the canvas: mothers, religious images and glamorous women—in all their dignity.

If asked why her emphasis on women, Toni would respond “If it weren’t for the female, the world would not exist. Women are poetic, intriguing, and spiritual that reflect vast emotions.”

She began drawing at the age of 10; it was not until 1995 that she took her art seriously. She paints every single day using ink, charcoal, watercolor, pastel and acrylic to create a unique style. Her collectors come from Las Vegas, Mexico and across Texas.

The library plans future events to expose patrons to various art forms and provide exhibition opportunities for the artistic community throughout the year.

Artists are encouraged to contact the library for future art exhibit display opportunities.

For additional information, contact Robert L. Rivera, coordinator for Expanded Community Service at the library at 580-8479 or email him at robert@missiontexas.us.

Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

lifestyle

Reminiscing...

30 Years Ago This Week

Chamber honored board The Mission Chamber of Commerce recognized the hard work of its own at the annual banquet. Honored were Gilbert Moreno, new president; Linda Castañeda, top recruiter and top dollar award; Fernando Peña, president’s award for outstanding service to the chamber; Billie Mutz, VIP award for volunteer service; Clark Spikes, retiring chamber president.

Editor was recognized for reporting efforts Bob Howell and Ben Cavazos presented a plaque to June Brann, editor of the Progress Times, at the 39th annual Mission Chamber of Commerce banquet. The plaque read, “Presented to June Brann from the grateful citizens of Mission for truthfulness and fairness in the courageous reporting of the news.”

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Between the Bookends

Events Calendar

Oct ober 23-24 – The Native Plant Festival with award-winning author Douglas Tallamy will be held at Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, 600 Sunset in McAllen.

Enjoy Tapas & Talks on Friday in the courtyard from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with an outdoor presentation by Tallamy on the big screen. Admission is $15, which includes tapas, drinks, music and the program. On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tallamy returns with other experts, tours, booths, a book signing, plant sale and more. The fee is $5 for adults.

Oct ober 24 – The first Veterans Golf Tournament, benefiting Catholic War Veterans Post #1065 of Mission, will be held at the Mission Shary Golf Course, 1900 N. Mayberry. It is a three-man scramble tournament and includes door prizes, drawings, food and more for the players. A 2016 Chevy Cruze has been put up as the hole-in-one prize.

Sponsorships are available ranging from $300 to $1,000.

To sign up a team, or to become a sponsor or make a donation, contact Robert Garza at 222-3871; David Silva, 5816973; Ernesto Flores, 240-6319; Tomas Ocana, 821-5185; or the Shary Pro Shop, 580-8770.

Oct ober 24 – Boy Scouts can pass of requirements for the art merit badge from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the next International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) Scout Workshops. Webelos can complete requirements for the artists badge from 1 to 4 p.m. All workshops are led by certified merit badge counselors. Program capacity is 25 scouts.

Admission rates are $5 for IMAS members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 682-0123 to register. IMAS is located at Nolana and Bicentennial in McAllen.

Oct ober 24 – Estero Llano Grande State Park’s Ninth Annual Spooky Science Fest runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Estero Llano is located at 3301 S. International Blvd. This year’s theme, “Jurassic Estero,” explores the legendary reptiles of long ago with a variety of activities, including identifying live animals, archery, tracking and fishing. Park staff has also planned a costume contest, crafts, an obstacle course, wild edibles and more. Entry fee is $5 per person, all ages. Call 565-3919 for more information.

Oct ober 29 – The RGV Partnership Foundation is hosting the 28th annual golf tournament benefitting the RGVP Foundation Scholarship Program. It takes place at Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco. Registration for the three-man scramble format begins at 12 p.m. with a 1 p.m. tee-off start. There will be door prizes, hole-in-one prize, drawings, barbecue stations and more. For sponsorships or more information, call 968-3141.

Oct ober 31 – The Capable Kids Foundation is holding the Accessible Trick-or-Treat Event at La Plaza Mall beginning at 10 a.m.

Children with special needs and their families will be able to trick-or-treat from store to store in the “Children’s Wing” near JC Penney. There will also be valet parking passes available for those who need to unload children with special equipment. Registration is open at www.capablekidsfoundation.com or by calling Maegen at 328-6883.

November Nov ember 6 – The Superintendent’s Golf Tournament, benefitting the Education Foundation of Mission C.I.S.D. with a 1 p.m. tee time at the Shary Golf Course, 1900 N. Mayberry in Mission. It is a three-person Florida Scramble. Early registration is $250 per team. After Oct. 23, it is $275. Registration includes green fees, one-half cart, drinks and food. Sponsorships are available ranging from $200 to $2,500 with varying benefits. For registration and more information, call the Shary Pro Shop at 5858770; Hiram Burguete, 323-5522; or Minnie Rodgers, 802-8645.

(For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at www.ptrgv.com.)

October 23, 2015

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By William Renner

oin us at Speer Memorial Library in Mission, on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m., for a discussion of the last book in the Hunger Games trilogy, “Mockingjay.” It takes place in the library’s Community Room the public is invited to attend and discuss the book.

In the post-apocalyptic ruins of North America is the nation of Panem. The Capitol, a sophisticated metropolis, exercises a despotic control over the country’s 12 districts, and chooses contestants every year from each district to compete in

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a death struggle called the Hunger Games. The winner is the contestant who survives.

In book one (The Hunger Games), Katniss Everdeen, along with fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, emerged victorious when Katniss outwitted the Capitol leaders forcing them to allow two survivors. In book two (Catching Fire), she finds that she had become a catalyst for a rebellion beyond her control. Hoping to eliminate her, the Capitol announced that the contestants for the next Hunger Games would be previous Hunger Games survivors.

But Katniss was rescued from the arena by the game makers themselves, who, as it turned out, had joined the rebellion and made her an unwitting participant.

In “Mockingjay,” the Capitol has bombed District 12 to ashes in retaliation, and taken Peeta prisoner.

Katniss and other District 12 survivors are being protected in District 13, which was destroyed by the Capitol years before. District 13 is spearheading the rebellion, but the rebels’ success depends on Katniss’ willingness to rise above her anger and mistrust and become their symbol—their

Mockingjay—and change the course of history.

Written by Suzanne Collins, and first published in 2010, the author drew from several influences in writing the Hunger Games trilogy, including reality television, war, Greek mythology and Roman gladiators.

The movie “Mockingjay—Part I,” was released in 2014, and “Mockingjay—Part II” is scheduled for November, 2015.

For more information, or to sign up for the discussion, call 580-8750 or 580-8754 or stop by the library at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

European birders to speak in RGV

ESLACO/McALLEN – Valley residents will have two opportunities to hear from birding experts on bird watching in Europe with David Lindo from the United Kingdom and Vanessa Palacios from Spain On Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., they will present” How the Election was Won” and “Extremadura, Spain – A Birder’s Paradise” at Estero Llano Grande State Park, 3301 S. International Blvd. in Weslaco. The next night, Oct. 29, they will speak at Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, 600 Sunset in McAllen, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Lindo, known as the “Urban Birder,” will discuss the story behind what started as a daydream in a primary school classroom and ended up as being the UK’s biggest natural history election – to name Britain’s first official National Bird. Lindo was the driving force to bring the campaign to the masses. He was the previous Head of Membership at the British Trust for Ornithology and the author of countless articles on urban birds and writes for numerous websites, publications and magazines.

Palacios will present a program on Extremadura, Spain, considered one of the most important regions in

Europe for birds and a prized destination for birders the world over. Extremadura offers the possibility of observing birds such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture and Bonelli’s Eagle. Palacios will present information on the area’s culture, gastronomy and historical heritage. Palacios is responsible for developing nature and birding tourism in the region.

For more information on the Estero Grande event, call 565-3919. That event is free and open to the public. For information on the Quinta Mazatlan event, call 6813370. Admission is the $3 per person entry fee.

Vanessa Palacios

David Lindo

PALMHURST POLICE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Games Rides

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL PALMHURST CITY HALL AT (956) 583-8697

We look forward to seeing you at the 4th Annual Palmhurst National Night Out

Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Mayor

James Aranda Mayor Pro-Tem

Ruben De Leon Councilman

Robert A. Salinas Councilman

Israel Silva Councilman

Ofelia Peña Perez Councilwoman

opinion

October 23, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

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STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

USTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Oct. 14 announced the release of his office’s Certification Revenue Estimate.

The “CRE” is an update to the Biennial Revenue Estimate, a document that gives state lawmakers a good idea of how much revenue will be available for general-purpose spending in 2016-2017, the next two-year state budget period.

The CRE, Hegar said, reflects “any new laws from the session that could affect state revenue, as well as the most current fiscal and economic data.” The 140-day legislative session concluded four and half months ago, on June 1.

The new CRE shows a 2.3 percent decline in the estimate of revenues available for general-purpose spending from $113 billion to a revised figure of $110.4 billion. The figure primarily reflects our most current estimates of oil and natural gas prices and continuing weakness in Texas’ energy sector, Hegar said, adding that his office anticipates “no trouble in absorbing this reduction in available revenue.”

Early voting period begins Early voting for the Nov. 3 Election began Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30. To cast a ballot in person, voters must present an approved form of photo identification.

The state’s chief elections officer, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, pointed out that age 65 and older and people with disabilities are automatically qualified to vote by mail and the last day to request a ballot by mail is Friday, Oct. 23.

Voter ID may be obtained The Texas Department of

Public Safety on Oct. 13 posted a reminder that for individuals in need of proper identification required to vote, Texas driver license offices are the place to get an Election Identification Certificate.

To help more people get a certificate, the DPS is deploying mobile stations to various locations across Texas and alternate approved locations will be issuing certificates in select counties. Additionally, select driver license offices will be open on Saturday, Oct. 24, to issue EICs only.

More information on voting in Texas is posted at votetexas.gov.

It’s School Bus Safety Week The Texas Department of Public Safety recently reminded drivers that it is illegal to pass any school bus that is stopped and operating a visual signal, either flashing red lights or a stop sign.

The reminder came in advance of National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 19-23.

“DPS urges drivers to make the safety of our children a priority whenever they travel near school buses and DPS will not tolerate those who break the law and put our children at risk. Remember, children are particularly vulnerable when entering or exiting a school bus,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw.

Education chief resigns Texas Education Commissioner Michael L. Williams on Oct. 15 resigned effective Jan. 1 from his post as the head of the Texas Education Agency. Williams was appointed by then-governor Rick Perry on Sept. 1, 2012.

The Midland native’s history as a public servant includes service as a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, as U.S. Department of

Education assistant secretary of education for civil rights, as U.S. Department of the Treasury deputy assistant secretary for law enforcement, as a federal prosecutor and as an assistant district attorney.

Jobs number grows again The Texas Workforce Commission on Oct. 16 announced Texas added jobs in September for the seventh month of job growth in 2015.

The state agency reported 26,600 nonfarm seasonally adjusted jobs were added last month after a decrease of 3,400 jobs in August. Since September 2014, state payrolls have increased by some 224,800 positions.

Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.2 percent in September from 4.1 percent in August.

Meanwhile, the current national unemployment rate stands at 5.1 percent, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Governor declares disaster Gov. Gregg Abbott signed a proclamation on Oct. 15, declaring a state of disaster in Bastrop County.

“As severe wildfires continue to impact Bastrop County, I strongly urge Texans in that area to take all possible precautions to ensure their safety. By declaring a state of disaster in Bastrop County, the State of Texas is activating resources to help affected communities as efficiently and as effectively as possible,” Abbott said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant request, meaning that Texas will be eligible for 75 percent reimbursement from the federal government for costs associated with fighting the fire, Abbott added.

Prop 7 - Paving Our Future

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ach and every day we drive on poorly maintained roads and sit in hours of stalled traffic complaining on social media about the time wasted and the lack of congestion solutions.

With an estimated 1,000 people moving to Texas every day, the hours wasted stuck in traffic will get longer and the road conditions will get worse unless something is done.

Transportation is the lifeblood of our economy. For decades, our state highway system was efficient, expeditious, and the envy of other states. Our highways made Texas the economic powerhouse it is today. For years Texas' population has boomed and the state has prospered from it. But that prosperity is now threatened. With demand for road space far outpacing supply, the lack of investment in our transportation infrastructure could bring our economy to a halt.

Passage of Proposition 7 on the November constitutional amendment ballot is a critical measure for the future of Texas roads. With Prop 7, at least $2.5 billion a year would go directly to our highways and transportation infrastructure. No new taxes. No new fees. Voting YES to Prop 7 would guarantee these funds go towards expanding our roads and highways, advancing our transportation infrastructure goals, and improving the safety of our families.

In 2013 lawmakers passed a constitutional

amendment shifting money form oil and gas production revenue to roads -- voters approved this measure last year as Prop 1. In this past 2015 legislative session, lawmakers again focused on transportation and created a more stable funding source to sustain highways if voters give their approval this November.

Prop 7 would shift at least $2.5 billion in sales tax revenue and a percentage of vehicle sales and rental tax revenue directly to the State's Highway Fund. The amendment would authorize a new, stable source of funding for transportation in Texas, dedicated to new construction and the maintenance of our existing roads and highway system. Prop 7 would not only address current needs, but would also provide more funding as the economy grows; because a percentage of tax revenue deposited to the highway fund would increase with economic growth and consumption.

Over the past decade the lack of reliable and sustainable funding sources has hampered TxDOT's ability to achieve its goals through sound financial and project planning. Prop 7 would bring a great amount of certainty to TxDOT's future infrastructure projects.

It would help TxDOT and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) bridge the state's current $5 billion annual transportation funding gap.

If we combine the revenue generated from Prop

7 with last year's voter-approved Prop 1 funding, the state is almost at the $5 billion shortfall that is needed.

Revenue desperately needed to repair roads in areas affected by energy development, provide congestion relief, maintain our highway system, and fund border trade projects.

We are already beginning to see the significant additional revenue for roads in South Texas from last year's voter-approved Prop 1. For fiscal year 2016, TxDOT distributed $1.13 billion statewide for transportation projects.

The Corpus Christi "district" received $36 million and the Corpus Christi MPO received $6.9 million. In the Rio Grande Valley, the Pharr "district" received $43 million with the Hidalgo MPO getting $14.8 million, the Harlingen-San Benito MPO getting $3.7 million, and the Brownsville MPO getting $4.1 million.

This same funding is estimated as well for fiscal year 2017. With the passage of Prop 7 these revenues would be more than doubled for our roads and transportation projects.

Investing in our transportation system is imperative. The cost of doing nothing will cost us billions of dollars, kill thousands of jobs, slow the transport of valuable commerce, stifle Texans' productivity and hamper our quality of life.

Our state needs this funding and Texas families deserve better and safer roads. Vote YES on Prop 7.

Become a fan on Facebook and be notified of updates, the latest headlines and more.

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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2015

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2015 Mission Publishing Company, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

LETTER GUIDELINES

Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor.

Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, but must include the author’s name and daytime phone number.

October 23, 2015

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October 23, 2015

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Lobos to host Huskies Tonight

By Luciano Guerra

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n the classic Hollywood movie, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, Judy Garland’s character, Dorothy Gale’s, favorite phrase was, “There’s no place like home.” While a farm girl from Kansas who suddenly finds herself in a far-off land being chased by an evil witch and her flying monkeys, might think that there’s no place like home, so far this season there’s been no place like the road for the Palmview Lobos.

The Lobos are a perfect 4-0 on the road this season and a perfectly dismal 0-3 at home.

Why that is, only a great and powerful wizard might know.

But with it being the Lobos’ turn to be the home team in tonight’s game against the

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies, one would think that they might be better off sneaking their equipment over to the east side of the field at La Joya’s Pack Stadium and laying claim to the visitors sideline before the Huskies arrive.

In what could be called a sequel to last season’s 24-19 Palmview win over Juarez-Lincoln, tonight’s game will be the sixth headto-head gridiron matchup in the two team’s eight-year history. With the Huskies having taken the first four games in the series, the Lobos finally dropped a house on Juarez-Lincoln in Week 9 of last year as Palmview, not only defeated the Huskies for the first time in school history, but then went on to earn District 30-6A’s third seed in the playoffs and a bi-district

championship.

At first glance, tonight’s matchup between the 0-3 Huskies (1-6 overall) and the 2-1 Lobos (4-3 overall) may not seem like much of a draw at the box-office. However Juarez-Lincoln has always played Palmview tough and despite their current record, Lobos’ head coach Margarito “Mage” Requenez is worried about the Huskies ability to light up the scoreboard quicker than a tin man would rust solid in the Valley’s humidity.

“We need to make sure that we control the tempo against the Huskies,” Requenez said.

“They can score and put up points very quickly. They have a lot of speed and that is one thing that concerns me.

It’s almost as if they can flip a switch and score points on you like you wouldn’t be-

lieve.”

“Against Nikki Rowe they came back and pulled ahead in a game that they should’ve won,” Requenez added.

“Then against McAllen High they turned on the switch in the third quarter and put up 21 points in a heartbeat. So they’re capable of moving the ball on you anytime and on any given play. That’s what concerns me the most.”

Much of the Lobos success can be attributed to the running of Joel Pina, the throwing of Andrew Puente and the pass-catching of Damian Quintanilla. Going into tonight’s game, Pina has carried the ball 119 times for 1,148 yards and 18 touchdowns. Quintanilla has 23 receptions for 346 yards and four touchdowns.

“Our main strategy is to

establish the run in order to open up the passing game,” explained Requenez. “When we run successfully, our opponents have to play a different kind of defense against us and that opens up Damian.

It’s hard for people to defend him one-on-one so he will get his big numbers when we are able to do that.”

With the district’s two top teams, McAllen Memorial and McAllen High, still looming ahead for the Lobos, Palmview must find a way to draw back the curtain on Juarez-Lincoln’s series success over them and figure out what it will take to make them melt. Otherwise they may find themselves needing the help of that same great and powerful wizard to get them into the playoffs.

sawmill; otherwise known as final week of District 31-5A play.

Heading into tonight’s Week 9 games, even the undefeated Edinburg Vela Sabercats are not free-and-clear of the jam. That’s because with their current 4-0 record, they could conceivably end district play at 4-2. With five of the remaining six 31-5A teams all having two losses or less thus far, any of those teams could reach the mill at 4-2 and one, the Veterans Memorial Patriots, could outmaneuver the field, avoid the rocks and ride the currents to a 5-1 record.

While the 4-0 Sabercats, the 2-1 Patriots, the 2-2 Gladiators and the 2-2 Pioneer Diamondbacks find themselves slightly further downstream than the two 1-2 Rattlers teams, Rio Grande City and Sharyland, all six teams still control their own playoff destinies. At 0-3 the Valley View Tigers are the only one of the seven teams that’s in danger of sinking and getting stuck in the district’s muddy bottom with a loss this week.

All that being said, tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Rattlers will go a long way towards determining if either or both of the “serpent squads” will have a realistic shot at post-

Palmview’s Damian Quintanilla breaks tackles during the Lobos 28-20 loss to La Joya last Friday night. Progress Times photo by Doug Young

Pioneer, Sharyland face off in dogfight tonight

Sharyland Pioneer’s Justin Bryan prepares for a play. Pioneer and Sharyland will face each other tonight at Richard Thompson Football Stadium, also known as “The Snake Pit.” Progress Times Photo by Doug Young

M

By Luciano Guerra uch like the course of a river that has deviated from its banks, the outcome of Valley high school football games can’t always be predicted.

Such was the case last week

when I wrote that each of the next four weeks of Big 7 football would begin to separate the pretenders from the contenders. And while that is normally what happens heading into the final weeks of district play, the Roma Gladiators’ 18-7 upset of the Sharyland Rattlers has

changed the course of District 31-5A’s playoff race and has created a logjam of teams vying for the district’s four playoff berths. A logjam that may not be cleared until all seven teams ride the whitewater rapids of their upcoming head-to-head, do-or-die games and have reached the

season play. With both teams having already veered off course into the murky waters of defeat twice this season, it is a certainty that one will

See DOGFIGHT 8

Prep Schedule Non-District Football – Oct. 22/23

Nikki Rowe at Mission High (Thursday) Juarez-Lincoln at Palmview Valley View at Veterans Memorial Sharyland Pioneer at Sharyland High

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Saturday Volleyball – Oct. 24 Valley View at Sharyland High Nikki Rowe at La Joya High Sharyland Pioneer at Roma Juarez-Lincoln at Mission High Rio Grande at Veterans Memorial McAllen Memorial at Palmview

12 p.m.

12 p.m.

12 p.m.

12 p.m.

12 p.m.

12 p.m.

Tuesday Volleyball – Oct. 27 La Joya High at Juarez-Lincoln Mission High at McAllen Memorial Palmview at McAllen High Sharyland High at Rio Grande City Veterans Memorial at Edinburg Vela

8

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

October 23, 2015

page 7

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Palmview Lobos runners sweep district

Palmview High School’s boys cross-country team took the District 30-6A team championship Saturday. Members of this team pictured left to right are Sergio Benitez, Yerson Montano, Victor Bocanegra (individual district champion), Isaac Tovar, Hugh Rojas, Samuel Ortiz, and Eliseo Rodriguez.

“

By Luciano Guerra This is our first time We’re excited about that.”

Those are the words of Palmview Lobos’ cross-country coach Claudia Bazan, referring to the first-ever clean sweep by the Palmview boys and girls XC (cross country) teams Saturday at the 30-6A District XC Meet.

It was quite a feat that the Lobos pulled off with their

feet, and with their legs of course. Not only did Palmview take both team district championships, but the Lobos also took the two individual championships, had the boys and the girls runner-ups and the girls third place finisher. That’s two team championships, two individual championships and three of the four remaining top individual finishers – all Lobos!

While the Palmview girls were expected to take

the meet, the boys had their work cut out for them going up against the favored Juarez-Lincoln Huskies boys.

“Going into the meet I knew that it was going to be more difficult with the boys,” Bazan said.

“Juarez-Lincoln has an extraordinary program. Going in there and walking away with both titles was great.”

In XC the lower the team score, the better. The Palmview boys team score of 48 was ten points ahead of the Huskies boys score of 58 and 22 points ahead of the third place Mission Eagles boys score of 70.

In the girls division, the Lady Lobos easily took the district title with their score of 25. The McAllen Lady Bulldogs came in second with a 72, while the Nikki Rowe Lady Warriors finished third with 78.

The time that earned Palmview sophomore Brianna Robles the individual district championship was 18:50.5. As a freshman last year, Robles placed third at district and 28th at regionals.

“I felt really relaxed going into the race; like it was any other race,” said Robles. “I took off with a quick lead at the gun and I led the whole way. I won by 400 meters.”

Palmview junior Victor Bocanegra won his first district championship with a time of 15:58.5. While the results were the same, Bocanegra used a different strategy to win his race.

“I started out the race in the back,” explained Bocanegra. “Then at the mile-

Volleyball Standings Note: Teams above dotted line represent the teams currently in position to make playoffs.

DISTRICT 30-6A Overall District GB McAllen Rowe 37-9 10-1 McAllen Memorial 31-4 8-2 1.5 McAllen High 37-4 8-3 2 Mission High 15-19 5-5 4.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-12 3-7 6.5 La Joya High Palmview High 5-20 2-8 7.5 Juarez-Lincoln 0-16 0-10 9.5

Palmview High School’s girls cross-country team took the District 30-6A team championship Saturday. Members of this team pictured left to right are Brianna Robles (individual district champion), Priscilla Flores, Denise Esqueda, Bailey Villalon, Naila Flores, Yoko Gomez, and Brittany Cano.

DISTRICT 31-5A Overall District Veterans Memorial 34-3 10-0 Edinburg Vela 33-11 8-3 Sharyland High 17-17 7-3 Sharyland Pioneer 24-13 6-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-15 3-7 Valley View Roma 9-22 2-8 Rio Grande City ---- 0-10

and-a-half mark I knew I had to do something, so I took off. I worked my way up to the front and once I was leading the race I kept pushing the pace.”

“I was confident that I was going to win the race because of all the hard work I had put in. I just kept telling myself, “I have to win this, I have to win this, and I did,’” added Bocanegra.

Even though she was not feeling her best Saturday, Lady Lobos’ senior Naila Flores matched her second place finish last year with a second this year.

“I wasn’t my usual self Saturday because my mother massaged and iced my legs the night before and she went too hard,” Flores said.

“As a result I had all these

See RUNNERS 8

2015 Football Scoreboard

Last Week’s Game - Week #8 Mission High – 35 at La Joya High – 14 McAllen High -56 at Juarez-Lincoln – 35 Sharyland High – 7 at Roma - 18

Veterans Memorial – 21 at Sharyland Pioneer – 14 Palmview – 55 at Nikki Rowe - 31

This Week’s Game - Week #9 Nikki Rowe at Mission High (TH) Juarez-Lincoln at Palmview (FR) Valley View at Veterans Memorial (FR) Sharyland Pioneer at Sharyland High (FR)

Win/Loss Records Veterans Memorial Palmview Pioneer High La Joya High Sharyland High Mission High Juarez Lincoln

Season 5–2 4–3 6–2 3–5 3–4 3–4 1–6

Sponsored By:

NOW PROVIDING STATE INSPECTIONS

GB 2.5 3 4.5 7 8 10

8

District 2–1 2–1 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–2 0–3

page 8

RUNNERS bruises on my legs. I ran as best as I could, but I wasn’t looking forward to the race as much as I’m now looking forward to regionals.”

As a result of their two team championships, all 14 members of the Lobos boys and girls teams have earned the right to advance to the regional meet being held Monday in Corpus Christi.

Like Flores, Palmview junior Eliseo Rodriguez was not feeling his best Saturday. However, his problem was a stomach flu that hit him earlier in the week.

Even so, he finished second at the district meet with a time of 16:06.2.

Last year, Rodriguez won the district championship and went on to qualify for the state meet. When asked what his goals are for this year Rodriguez said, “My goals are to place in the top

from pg 7

three at regionals, return to state and then place in the top 10 and medal at state.”

Diamondbacks Win District 31-5A In the 31-5A District XC Meet, which was held Saturday at Pioneer High School, the Diamondbacks boys team took the championship with a score of 56. Veterans Memorial placed second with a score of 59 and Sharyland finished in sixth place with a score of 156.

Individually, Pioneer’s Jose Aleman took the district championship with a time of 16:08.68.

In the girls division, the Lady Diamondbacks placed second with a score of 67.

That was five points behind the Vela Lady Sabercats’ district championship winning score of 62.

DOGFIGHT from pg 6

emerge from tonight’s rematch of last year’s 58-6 Rattlers’ win with three losses. That team could very well find itself up a creek without a paddle in regards to its chances of postseason play.

“I feel like we match up well against this year’s Sharyland team and I’m expecting it to be a dogfight,” said Pioneer head coach Jason Wheeler said. “We’ve got to play to stop the run and we’ve got to be physical on defense. I thought we played well enough defensively to beat Mission Vets last week but we’ve got to take advantage of opportunities by getting more points when we get into scoring position. That’s where we struggled last week. Even if we just get field goals once we get into the red zone, the key is to get points.”

Having won their first six games of this their second season, the Pioneer Diamondbacks seem to be trapped in the whirlpool of an eddy as they dropped their Week 7 game to Vela (49-14) and their Week 8 “pump” game to Veterans

October 23, 2015

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Memorial (21-14). A win tonight will not only allow Pioneer to break free of the whirling vortex of defeat they’ve found themselves in the past two weeks, but it will also provide the young Diamondbacks the push downstream they desperately need as they continue steering their way into, and possibly through, the postseason waters.

One factor that has allowed the Diamondbacks to remain in the playoff hunt despite their two recent losses is that they’re on the plus-side when it comes to turnovers.

“The reason we’re at 6-2 right now is because we are still +8 on our turnover ratio for the year,” explained Wheeler. “I think that we were about -15 last year.

That’s going to be huge too going into these next two games, winning the turnover battle.”

The Diamondbacks will be the visiting team in tonight’s game against the Rattlers, which is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 at Richard Thompson Stadium.

La Joya ISD dedicates performing arts center

Mariachi members from all three of La Joya ISD’s high schools perform together at the dedication ceremony of the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center.

I

By Julie Silva

t was an emotional night at La Joya ISD’s performing arts center as members of the community gathered to dedicate the building to Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz – the district’s first director of fine arts.

Saenz’s sons, Michael and Hector, had to take time to collect themselves in a night filled with remembrances of their father and performances from every part of the district’s fine arts program, climaxing with the “Jalisco Fight Song,” composed by Alex Saenz in 1967.

“He dedicated his life to teaching students to love music and the arts as well,” Michael Saenz said. “He spent 35 years building the music program at the district.”

Esperanza “Espie” Ochoa said it was a humble honor for her, a former band member and drum major, to offer the dedicatory address. She asked everyone in the audience who had been affected

by Alex Saenz to stand up and said they are Saenz’s legacy.

“When someone can touch the lives of a student and transcend the classroom walls, touching the lives of an entire community, it becomes no question that a building should be named

after him,” Ochoa said, later adding, “We’re blessed to have someone like Mr. Saenz to dedicate it to.”

And Superintendent Alda T. Benavides pointed out the timing was perfect.

“When we originally planned to set the date, little did we realize that this weekend we were going to have been celebrating our three high school bands earning a division 1 (rating) at Pigskin Jubilee,” she said.

Originally from Kingsville, Alex Saenz joined the district in 1963, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas A&I University. He’d been involved in his own high school band at Henrietta M. King High School and performed at social events with groups called the “White Hats” and “Blue Notes.”

When Alex Saenz graduated from college, he took a job as band director at La Joya High School, beginning his 35-year career with the district. In 1967, the band earned its first division 1 rating at Pigskin Jubilee.

Macario Garza served as a coach in the district and became life-long friends with Alex Saenz. Garza is the one who asked Alex Saenz to compose a fight song for the district, and Garza said the arrangement was complete

in less than a week. Michael Saenz said he only recently learned that his father wrote the “Jalisco Fight Song” from a shelter out of town as Hurricane Beulah rocked the Rio Grande Valley.

“The first time it was played, the kids loved it; the athletes loved it, and it kind of brings out your energy,” Garza said.

The band director wrote many of his own arrangements and liked to sketch out marching band formations on graph paper, Michael Saenz said of his father. He served as band director for 17 years until he was made an assistant principal in 1980. Then, in 1989, Alex Saenz was named the first-ever director

of fine arts for the district. He retired in 1998.

“He remained active, attending La Joya fine arts performances regularly and continuing to serve as a mentor to many of the directors of the fine arts programs,” Michael Saenz said. “He was also dearly remembered by many ex-students who never failed to call and wish him a happy Cinco-de-Mayo birthday.”

Son Hector Saenz pointed out his father’s work outside of the classroom. Alex Saenz served as a board member of Joya Federal Credit Union for three decades, he helped raise money for scholarships through his church and helped lead a prayer group for 12 years.

Alex Saenz died April 24, 2013, from complications of a stroke and Parkinson’s disease, Hector Saenz said, choked with emotion. Alex Saenz has four children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“He was an excellent role model and taught his family about love, honesty, respect and hard work by example,” Hector Saenz said. “We are proud that this building, where many people will continue to learn and love the fine arts, will be named after him. Three of his grandchildren will have the honor to compete in concert and sight reading competitions in this building over the next few years.”

Michael, left, and Hector Saenz talk about their father, Alex Saenz, at the dedication ceremony Tuesday night.

October 23, 2015

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October 23, 2015

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3 seats up in La Joya election

T

he site of the future La Joya City Hall is ground zero this week as early voting kicked off Monday.

Two aldermen positions and the mayor’s seat are up for election and three slates of candidates are vying for the win. Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

As of close of polls Wednesday, 365 voters had cast a ballot in La Joya.

Current Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas, founder of local political group “Citizens Working Together,” teamed up with Alderwoman Anna Lisa Ruiz, who is running for place 2, and Maria E. “Geny” Salinas, who is running for place 4.

Four years ago, current Alderman Mike Salinas ran on a slate with Fito Salinas and Ruiz, but this election cycle he tossed his hat in the ring for mayor, partnering with

Maria Peña Salinas, who is running for place 4, to make up “La Joya United.” There is no candidate under La Joya United running for place 2.

Isidro Casanova, a former alderman now running for

mayor, heads the third slate, “La Diferencia.” He has allied himself with Rosie Treviño, former city finance director, running for place 2, and Daniel Flores, who is running for place 4.

Early voting schedule La Joya City Hall, 701 E. Expressway 83 Monday-Friday until Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Palmhurst hosts 4th annual National Night Out

T

he city of Palmhurst continues reaching out to the community through its National Night Out, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Hosted by the Palmhurst Police Department, the event is meant to give the community a chance to get to know the city’s law enforcement officers in a nonthreatening environment.

The event is set to run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Church of Christ, 1410 E.

Mile 3 Road.

“We just want them to know that we’re here,” Palmhurst Police Chief Michael Vela said of the event.

“We’re going to go out and try to help them as much as we can.”

There will be food, a talent show, mariachis and free rides for children. The event is free to the public.

For more information, call Palmhurst City Hall at (956) 583-8697.

ProgressTimes Like Us on Facebook

VMHS SeaPerch team qualifies for national competition Remember these simple safety rules:

1 2 3 4 5

Don’t trick-or-treat alone!

Always go in groups, and younger children should always be accompanied by an adult.

Beware of confining costumes! Avoid masks that obstruct vision and costumes that restrict movement.

Be visible! Carry a flashlight, and apply reflective strips to your costume, so drivers can see you at night.

Do not enter! Only accept treats outside the front door never go inside a stranger’s house or car for any reason.

No eating! Discard any unwrapped or suspicious looking candy. Have parents inspect all food before eating.

This important safety message courtesy of:

Mission Police Department www.missionpolice.org

956-584-5000

The team members are (left to right): Raul Garcia (coach), Kellen Shults, Hector Iglesias, Feliciano Escobedo, Joaida Tornes, Rene Olivarez. Not pictured is Jose Flores, coach.

Veterans Memorial High School students competing in the SeaPerch Challenge at HESTEC (Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week) at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley have earned themselves a trip to national competitions.

This is a type of underwater robotics competition.

The team placed second at

the U.S. Navy SeaPerch Challenge and qualified for the sixth annual National SeaPerch Challenge that will be held in May at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the first time a SeaPerch team from VMHS has advanced out of the HESTEC competition to nationals.

The team members are Kellen Shults, Hector Igle-

sias, Feliciano Escobedo, Joaida Tornes, Rene Olivarez and coaches Raul Garcia and Jose Flores.

In the SeaPerch Challenge, students build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts. It is designed to teach basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. Students

learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.

The program tries to teach basic skills in ship and submarine design and encourages students to explore naval architecture and marine and ocean-related engineering principles. Safety and technical procedures also play a role in the activities.

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La Joya ISD makes changes Texans decide on 7 constitutional amendments Nov. 3 to drug testing policy

By Luqman Adeniyi The Texas Tribune

L

By Julie Silva a Joya ISD trustees expanded the district’s alcohol and drug policy last week to allow for more employee drug testing.

Police Chief Raul Gonzalez said La Joya Independent School District’s old policy specified that all employees with a commercial driver’s license were required to undergo drug testing. It also required testing after an accident.

The new policy, Gonzalez said, is a preventive measure that allows an employee’s supervisor to require a drug test if there is reasonable suspicion the employee is under the influence of drugs. District personnel will be trained on potential signs of drug influence, the chief said.

He emphasized the district was trying to recognize individual rights as well.

Right now, the change only includes testing for reasonable suspicion of drug use, and he said the district’s leadership team will review the results and possible bring back further changes to the board, like random drug testing.

“Every case is different,” Gonzalez said. “The policy will allow the employee’s supervisor to make a recommendation regarding the employee with the district, and that recommendation can include up to termination.”

The policy is not zero-tolerance and Gonzalez used his birthday to explain the stance. Some of his em-

ployees brought in a cake, he said.

“You never know what they’ve put in the cake. We need to make sure that we take every case on its own merit,” the chief said. “We want to protect people’s rights.”

Also at last week’s meeting, Jerry Perez, executive director of support services, informed the board that the Child Nutrition Services was ready for an upcoming state audit.

Staff already had responded and provided documentation for the off-site requirements of the audit, Perez said, and the on-site audit would take place at four district schools from Oct. 27-29.

In 2012, the Child Nutrition Program was scrutinized when a state audit showed the district had served 4,600 excess meals.

Funding for the program was threatened, but the district increased personnel and retrained employees to fix the discrepancies and was able to recover the funding.

“Because there was a finding from last time, that has already caused a comprehensive review of our finances, so we know that up front because we had that red flag last time,” Superintendent Alda T. Benavides told trustees.

Benavides said she’s been in contact with officials at Region 1, who told her the district is ready for the audit when she asked if there was anything else the district should do in preparation.

Hidalgo County residents can watch commissioners court on KMBH TV

E

DINBURG – Beginning Thursday, residents will be able to watch Hidalgo County Commissioners Court meetings on KMBH TV, cable channel 10.

Commissioners court meetings are held every other week on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. The meetings will be rebroadcast two days later, on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on

KMBH TV cable channel 10.

Residents in La Joya, Mission, Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, and Weslaco can also watch meetings at 10 a.m. on Fridays on cable channel 17, the school district community access channel, due to interlocal agreements between those school districts and the county.

O

n Nov. 3, Texas voters will consider whether to add another seven amendments to the hundreds already in the state constitution.

The topics of the proposed amendments range from increasing property tax exemptions to repealing a requirement that state officials must live in Austin to protecting the right to hunt and fish.

Early voting for the statewide measures starts Monday and ends Oct. 30.

Because of the constitution’s rigid 1876 form that restricts state government authority, the Texas Legislature regularly proposes new amendments to the constitution. Lawmakers added the proposed measures to this year’s ballot during the legislative session that ended June 1. Over the years, Texas voters have approved 484 of 666 proposed amendments to the 139-year-old constitution.

Here’s what each proposition would do.

Proposition 1: Property tax reduction This measure would increase property tax exemptions for homeowners from $15,000 to $25,000. Homeowners would be expected to save an average of $126 a year on property tax bills.

Supporters of this amendment say it would give much-needed tax relief to Texans, especially those being priced out of homes due to rising property values.

Opponents say the measure wouldn’t help homeowners enough and leaves out renters. Critics also argue that the state is shifting spending rather than truly cutting taxes.

The state has committed to covering the loss of this tax revenue to school districts — an estimated cost of $600 million annually.

The amendment would also prohibit state officials from collecting taxes on real estate title transfers.

Proposition 2: Disabled veteran tax exemptions count for spouses In 2011, Texas voters passed a constitutional amendment extending 100-percent property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of disabled veterans who have not remarried, but

it did not include spouses of disabled veterans who died before Jan. 1, 2010. This amendment would expand current law to make those spouses eligible for the tax exemptions, as long as they have not remarried.

Proposition 3: Repeals capital living requirement for statewide officials If passed, the measure would allow some statewide elected officials to live outside the state capital. The constitution currently mandates that statewide officials including the comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and attorney general live in Austin. That would no longer be the case under the proposed amendment, which does not address the governor or lieutenant governor; they are required to live in Austin.

Supporters say the requirement is outdated because of advances in transportation and technology. They also argue living in Austin is a cost that could deter Texans and their families from seeking these positions. Most other states do not have such a requirement.

Opponents to the amendment are concerned that officials might be unable to perform their duties if they don’t live in Austin and that the state may have to pay more to reimburse them for traveling expenses. Critics also worry that officials could choose to keep a different residence because they’re seeking a more favorable county court.

Proposition 4: Professional sports teams’ charitable foundations can have more raffles Professional sports teams’ charitable foundations would be able to hold more charitable raffles and 50/50 raffles, in which half the proceeds go to a charity and half can be used for prizes, including cash for a winner. Under current law, cash prizes cannot be awarded and raffles are limited to two times a year. Any unauthorized raffle is considered gambling, which is highly regulated in the state.

Proposition 5: Small counties can perform private road maintenance The proposed amendment would raise the population limit — to 7,500 people, from 5,000 — for counties where the government can perform

road construction. Supporters of the bill say this would help growing rural communities and ensure safety. Others say county construction on private roads should include all counties, as long as private homeowners agree to pay the county.

Proposition 6: Guarantees Texans the right to hunt and fish The proposed amendment would give Texans the explicit right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife. Texans can already hunt and fish, but this amendment is a preventive measure from any possible legislative action that could limit the right. Supporters are worried about possible pressure from animal rights or environmental groups.

The amendment says hunting and fishing is the preferred way for Texans to maintain and conserve wildlife. Critics say that could cause confusion about endangered, threatened or nongame species, some of which are protected by federal and state laws.

Proposition 7: Dedicates more state revenue to the State Highway Fund With this proposed amend-

ment, the state would dedicate some taxes collected on car sales for the State Highway Fund. That fund is used to maintain and construct public roadways and bridges in the state and decrease transportation-related bond debt.

Specifically, if the state sales and use tax revenue reaches $28 billion, the state comptroller would be directed to use additional money, up to $2.5 billion, for the highway fund. Also, the comptroller could use 35 percent of tax revenue from state motor vehicle sales, use and rental tax revenue that exceeds $5 billion for the same fund.

The amendment would limit the time for money being taken from the state’s sales and use tax revenue to 10 years. It would also limit the deposit of state sales and use tax revenue to 15 years unless extended by the Legislature. The Legislature would be able to reduce the amount of the taxes used with a vote from two-thirds of both chambers.

Opponents say funneling funds directly to Texas roads would take money away from other expenses in the state budget, such as education.

October 23, 2015

page 12

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‘Los Valientes’ portrays lives of Hispanic heroes in musical theater production

M

cALLEN – South Texas College presents “Los Valientes” (The Courageous Ones), a music theater work by the Core Ensemble, on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m.

The production will take

place at the Cooper Center Main Stage, 3201 W. Pecan.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Los Valientes is one of a series of multicultural performance pieces produced throughout the past 15 years

by the Core Ensemble, whose members include Ju Young Lee, cellist; Chien-I Yang, pianist; Michael Parola, percussionist; and Kevin Melendez, actor.

The production is based on the lives of three heroic

Donna Jean Johnson MISSION – Donna Jean Johnson, 71, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, in Mission.

She was born on Sept. 14, 1944.

Survivors include her husband, Karl M. Johnson of Mission; daughter, Martha DuBose of Mission; and sons, Karl M. Johnson and Michael Johnson, both of Lawrence Kan. Baudilia Cavazos Pirone MISSION - Baudilia “Lila” Cavazos Pirone, 92, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at her home in Mission.

Mrs. Pirone was born in Madero on Dec. 23, 1922.

Survivors include her daughters, Anna Pirone-Kilbourne and Rita Pirone Noak, both of Austin, and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Basilio Pirone of Avellino, Italy; parents, Jose and Eloisa Cavazos; and siblings, Rogerio, Maria, Raul, Jose, Aurora, Romulo, Leonarda and Jorge.

A funeral mass was held Oct. 21 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial and a memorial service will be held at a later date at CookWalden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home in Austin.

Leonor Davila Salinas MISSION – Leonor Davila Salinas, 93, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Salinas was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission.

Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Juan Salinas; daughters, Irene Rivas, Hilda Ortiz,

Irma Pérez and Elva Boren; sister, Carolina Ramirez; and seven grandsons and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Enriqueta Davila; brothers, José, Martín and Roberto Davila; and sisters,

Elisa and Carmen.

A funeral mass was held on Oct. 20 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens.

Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

José Trinidad Yanez Castellanos MISSION – José Trinidad Yanez Castellanos, 63, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015 at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Antonio Chairez MISSION – Antonio Chairez, 85, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at Windsor Arbor View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edinburg.

Adelina Chapa MISSION – Adelina Chapa, 93, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at her home in Mission. Cremation took place on Oct. 21 at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna.

Natalia A. Garza MISSION – A funeral service for Natalia A. Garza was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Abram.

Jerald Tadeo Lugo MISSION – A funeral service for Jerald Tadeo Lugo was held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at Lord and I Funeral Home in Peñitas.

Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview.

Donald D. Mobley PALMVIEW – Donald D. Mobley, 55, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 at his home.

Belen Ramirez MISSION – Belen Ramirez, 99, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at her home in Mission. A funeral service was held on Oct. 16 at Skinner-Silva Funeral Home in Pharr. Burial followed at El Capote Ranch Cemetery.

Kay Ann Stock MISSION – Kay Ann Stock, 77, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Mission Nursing Home. A memorial service was held on Oct. 20 at First United Methodist Church in Mission.

Juan Valenzuela MISSION – Juan Valenzuela, 91, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A funeral mass was held on Oct. 17 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.

Emma Valles ALTON – Emma Valles, 63, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

José Trinidad Yañez MISSION – A funeral service for José Trinidad Yañez was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at Flores Funeral Home in Mission.

Burial followed at Catholic Cemetery in Mission.

obituaries

Notices

Latinos and celebrates Mexican painter Diego Rivera, martyred Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, and Mexican-American outlaw Joaquin Murrieta, who some say was the historical figure used as the inspiration

for the fictional character of Zorro.

The music ranges from traditional Latino folk and popular songs sung in Spanish to instrumental works by Latin American composers.

The Core Ensemble has

toured in Australia, England, Russia, Ukraine, the Caribbean and in every region of the U.S. For more information, call the STC Theatre box office at 872-2301.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine is now recruiting its inaugural class of students, after receiving preliminary accreditation from the federally recognized Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

The LCME designation allows the UTRGV School of Medicine to function as a medical school and implement its academic programs and curriculum.

Scheduled to open in fall 2016, the UTRGV School of Medicine plans to enroll 50 students into its charter class.

“We are very pleased by the LCME’s review of our medical school,” said Dr. Francisco Fernandez, inaugural dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for Medical Affairs. “Creating a brand new medical school is quite the challenge.

Our deans, faculty and staff deserve credit for two years of hard work, including our LCME educational lead — Dr. Leonel Vela — who was the regional dean when the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio regional campus and planning process began. We are in the best of hands with Dr. Vela as our senior associate dean for education.”

The LCME accreditation is a peer-review process of quality assurance that determines whether a medical school program located in the United States or Canada meets established standards in medical education. The first step in the process is the three-stage preliminary accreditation to recruit and matriculate students.

“We’ve only just begun, but it is a great start,” Fer-

nandez said.

In preparing to obtain LCME accreditation, representatives from each of UTRGV’s campuses, UTHSCSA and The University of Texas School of Public Health-Brownsville, were recruited to serve on committees in five dedicated areas — institutional setting, educational programs, educational resources, medical students and faculty. Each committee worked collectively with content experts to appropriately address questions and prepare the school’s self-study database.

Fernandez said the representatives were terrific partners in this effort and deserve much of the credit for the application. The UTRGV School of Medicine was specifically commended at the time of the site survey for the quality of the self-study and curriculum.

“The community and the region, as well as students now applying to our medical school, should see the preliminary LCME accreditation as validation that their medical education will be among the very best available,” UTRGV founding President Guy Bailey said.

“Future students, as well as future faculty members, can consider UTRGV a place of very high quality, offering educational and teaching opportunities that are first class,” he said.

Obtaining preliminary accreditation from the LCME is the latest step in the development of the UTRGV School of Medicine.

In April, the Texas High-

er Education Coordinating Board approved a Doctor of Medicine degree for the school. The approval of the degree affords students in the Rio Grande Valley the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine that has never before been possible.

Accreditation is pending from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states, including Texas.

The UTRGV M.D. program will have an innovative curriculum in which medical students will have early exposure to clinical experiences and service learning opportunities. Students and faculty also will have the opportunity to engage in inter-professional-team collaborative care and research in diabetes, behavioral sciences, neurosciences, infectious diseases and population and community health.

UTRGV’s M.D. program will be one of two initiated by Texas public institutions since the founding of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso in 2008.

Regional facilities housing the UTRGV School of Medicine include the existing Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen and the UTRGV Smart Hospital, a 15,000-square-foot state-ofthe-art simulation teaching hospital, also in Harlingen.

In addition, construction is under way in Edinburg on a $54 million medical school building.

UTRGV School of Medicine now accepting applications

ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 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 1302 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 MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission

NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.

GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112

ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625

GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898 LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603

OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193

RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

Mission • 580-4551

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005

PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203

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

PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236

TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831

PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711

TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya

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

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261

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

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

DARRELL DAVIS

301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618

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October 23, 2015

Hidalgo County Tax Assessor and Collector supports Proposition 1 Property owners who claim the Homestead Exemption will get a nice surprise when they receive their tax statements this year; a lower tax bill. But the lower tax is contingent on voters approving Proposition 1 on the Nov. 3 ballot.

This year’s tax statements, which are scheduled to be mailed to Hidalgo County residents in the next two weeks, will include a homestead exemption of $25,000 – which is an increase over the current exemption of $15,000.

Proposition 1 is a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000, thus reducing ad valorem taxes for public schools.

The homestead exemption has not been increased since 1997, when voters approved a measure to increase it from $5,000 to $15,000.

As directed by the State, this year’s tax statements, which are scheduled to be mailed to Hidalgo County residents in the next two weeks, will include the increased exemption of $25,000, said Tax Assessor

and Collector Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr. “In 1997 nearly 94 percent of voters supported the increase to the homestead exemption,” said Villarreal.

“We’re hoping that is the case this year as well. If the measure doesn’t pass, we will have to send revised tax bills with the lower exemption.”

Villarreal encourages all Hidalgo County residents interested in lowering their property tax bills to vote in favor of Proposition 1. Early voting starts Monday and the Constitutional Election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3.

A list of early voting substations is available on the county’s website at: http:// www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/21302 Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Polls will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 through Wednesday Oct. 28. Early voting locations will have extended hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the last two days of early voting (Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 and 30).

VMHS band advancing to area marching competition

A

Pictured are members of the Patriot Band with the group’s trophy given during the awards ceremony at the Pigskin Jubilee.

fter months of rehearsals, perfecting their steps and musical performances, the Veterans Memorial High School Patriot Band and Mission High School Eagle Band each had their moment on the field during the recent UIL Region 15 Pigskin Jubilee Marching Band Competition held in Pharr.

The Patriot Band earned a division one-superior rating and qualifies for the next round of marching competitions. The 6A bands are not advancing to area competitions this year, meaning the Eagle Band did not have the opportunity to advance this

theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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

autos CHEVROLET SONIC 2013, low miles, whelels, super clean. Must see, $11k OBO. Call Paula 956-616-4016.

FORD FIESTA 2014, must see, like new, only $10K, call 956-616-4016.

FORD FOCUS 2011, 4 door, rims, 20k miles, must see, $9k OBO, call for more information 956-616-4016.

NISSAN PATHFINDER 2014, must see, low miles, only $23k, call 956616-4016.

forrent MISSION: 1002 BURNEY Drive, 3/2 carport, newly remdl, incl. new a/c unit, appliances, cabinets. W/D room.

Stucco fenced backyard, handicap access, 3 mins. to MHS, Marcell elem. $900 mth. For more info call 956-5814333.

forsale GE STOVE FOR Sale: Electric Stove in working condition. White color. $70. Call 956-5341100.

R E F R I G E R AT O R FOR SALE: Excellent condition. One year old. 26 cu. ft., Frigidaire side-byside with icemaker and ice and water dispenser. $400.

Call 956-534-1100.

HAPPY JACK ONEX: wound dressing repels flies and kills hatching larvae. Allows healing. Border Enterprises 487 -2570, kennelvax.com.

garagesale SOUTHERN OASIS NEIGHBORHOOD garage sale, October 28 thru October 30, 8am-3pm, furniture, restaurant silverware items, to numerous to mention.

TOOLS, 10IN. RADIAL arm saw, clothes, shoes, purses, wood flooring, tile, DVD’s, 1903 Tyler Rd. Mission, Tx., 8am to ?.

page 13

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helpwanted

NOW HIRING BOLERO, for more information call Henry at Tatan’s Barber & Styling Shop, 956585-7406 or 956739-0012.

year, based upon the UIL rotation used for marching competition advancement.

The Patriot Band will perform in the area competition to be held at Calallen High School (13630 Northwest Blvd., Corpus Christi), on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9:30 a.m. Tickets will cost $5 at the gate.

Marching bands are judged on their tone, musicianship, and marching.

Marching scores include overall execution and the integration of drill teams.

The Patriot Band’s show is titled “Remembrance”, by Aaron Copland.

Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

LEGAL NOTICE

SEÑORA PARA HACER tortillas Application has been made with the Antojitos La Güera Texas Alcoholic Beverage CommisMexican Food, llame sion for a Mixed Beverage Permit al 956-655-4661. with Late Hours Permit by Contex SWIMMING POOL SERVICE job, full Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Applebee’s restaurants time in the Mission Neighborhood Grill & Bar located at LA area, must have ANTOJITOS 306 E. Mile 3 Road, Palmhurst, HiMexican driver license, social GÜERA dalgo County, TX 78573. Officers of security on hand, Food, open M-Th said Corporation are Jeffrey D. Nuemust provide with 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat mann, President/Director and Mark own pick up truck, 10am-8pm, 2901 Seymour, Treasurer/CFO. call for interviewing N. 23rd St. McAllen 956 -631-2770.

956-240-4979.

ORDINANCE 2015-16-1013 as amended AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2015-12-0908 OF THE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS WHICH AMENDED ORDINANCE 99-04 ARTICLE I AND II, SECTION 3017, AS PREVIOUSLY AMENDED, REVISING THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERICAL SEWER BILLING RATE FOR ALL ALTON SEWER BILLINGS RATES, AND NOW REQUIRING ALL CITIZENS TO CONNECT TO SEWER SERVICE ADJACENT TO OR ABUTTING THEIR REAL PROPERTY, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND OTHER MATTERS, WAIVING SECOND AND THIRD READING. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 13th day of October, 2015.

Salvador Vela, Mayor ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas TRMC|CPM, City Secretary ORDINANCE 2015-15-0929 AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE RATE AND TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2015 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2016, UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SAID CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE ORDINANCES OF SAID CITY; AND PROVIDING FOR A WAIVER OF SECOND AND THIRD READING; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 29th day of September, 2015.

Salvador Vela, Mayor ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas TRMC|CPM, City Secretary ORDINANCE 2015-14-0929 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF “CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2015A”; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID CERTIFICATES BY THE LEVY OF AN AD VALOREM TAX UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY AND FURTHER SECURING SAID CERTIFICATES BY A LIEN ON AND PLEDGE OF THE PLEDGED REVENUES DERIVED BY THE CITY FROM THE OPERATION OF THE CITY’S UTILITY/ WATER SYSTEM; PROVIDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SAID CERTIFICATES AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE, PAYMENT, SECURITY, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF SAID CERTIFICATES; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PAYING AGENT/ REGISTRAR AGREEMENT, AN ESCROW AGREEMENT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, WAIVING SECOND AND THIRD READING READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 29th day of September, 2015.

Salvador Vela, Mayor ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas TRMC|CPM, City Secretary

GRAPHIC ARTIST NEEDED The Progress Times/Winter Texan Times newspaper in Mission, Texas is now accepting applications for the following job opening.

For more information, please call 956.585.4893.

GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT The right candidate will possess excellent graphic design skills, including mastery of InDesign and Photoshop. The candidate must be able to produce designs (newspaper ads) in a timely, efficient manner in order to meet daily deadlines. This is a part-time, seasonal position. Work hours are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Flexible schedule.

TO APPLY Send your resume to resume@progresstimes.net and call 956.585.4893 to schedule an appointment for testing. Tests will be administered for graphic design skills using InDesign and Photoshop, as well as other skills.

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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS Mission Consolidated Independent School District’s State Financial Accountability Rating Mission C.I.S.D will hold a public meeting at 6:15 p.m., November 11, 2015 in the Mission C.I.S.D. Boardroom, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, Texas.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Mission C.I.S.D.’s rating on the State’s financial accountability system.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT will hold a public meeting at 5:30 P.M., November 9, 2015 in the Central Administration at Nellie Schunior Staff Development Center 200 West Expressway 83, La Joya,Texas The purpose of this meeting is to discuss La Joya Independent School District’s rating on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST).

page 14

BUTTERFLY

Registration check-in and welcome The festival begins Oct. 31 with registration and event check-in from 1 to 6 p.m. A welcome reception and orientation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Dining Room.

On Sunday activities include a variety of guided field trips to premier butterfly locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley, as well as seminars designed to enhance “butterflying” skills.

Sunday Schedule: – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Coastal Specialties trip – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Military ‘Hot Spots’ trip – 8 a.m.-3p.m. - Eye of the Butterfly: Macro Photography Primer – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Butterfly Basics at NBC – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Wonders of Weslaco trip – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. - Cielo Escondido (Hidden Heaven) trip – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Wild, Wild West trip – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Build Your Own Butterfly Garden – 5:30-7 p.m. - Border Buttermilk Social and Supper – 7-9 p.m. - Night Hike with a Black Light All of these events will either depart from or take place at the center, which is located at 3333 Butterfly Park Drive in Mission.

Monday Schedule: – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Sabal & Sams trip – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. - La Joya Jarachinas

October 23, 2015

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– 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - The ‘Butterfly Beltway’ field trip – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Caterpillar Class at NBC. – 6 p.m. Keynote Speaker’s Presentation and Awards Banquet An exceptional evening with Cuauhtemoc Saenz Romero, the “Monarch Man” from Michoacan. A forester who has spent years studying the Monarchs’ overwintering habitat, Cuauhtemoc will share his observations and experiences on the mountains where these iconic creatures congregate by the millions.

Tuesday Schedule: – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Far West trip – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Wilderness & Wetlands trip – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - King Ranch Compound trip – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Botanical Gardens trip There is a $40 festival registration fee, plus fees to participate in each field trip or seminar. Some trips are sold out, so early registration is recommended. Scheduled tour sites are subject to change based upon pre-festival scouting.

In addition to the Butterfly Festival tours and seminars, a free Community Day will be held at the National Butterfly Center on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is geared for children and families to introduce them to the amazing world of butterflies. Activities include learning how to make your own Banana Brew, Butterfly Bingo and Outdoor Twister. A “Butterfly U” will be held for young naturalists. Other activities include “Wild Things” Arts & Crafts, Hunt the Hackberry Trail, Pin the Tail on the Swallowtail, and climb over the “Hungry Caterpillar” playscape. Everyone is welcome.

For more information on the availability of desired tours and sessions, go to http://texasbutterflyfestival. com/festival-info/events or call (956) 583-5400. All events are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

BANQUET connects businesses with customers, promoting community and providing networking opportunities.

Some events include the quarterly Buenas Tardes Luncheon, Mega Winter Texan Fiesta and the Mission Community Health Fair – a 20-year partnership between the chamber, Mission Regional Medical Center and the city of Mission.

New in the proposed lineup of chamber events is the Leads Over Lunch. LOL is a referral group intended to be an additional resource for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce members and prospective members.

AWARDS

sioned and continues to be maintained due to that same preservation dedication.

Long was instrumental in founding the Mission Historical Museum, serving as the museum’s first director and later as president of the board. As a member of the Mission Lions Club, she has served as first vice president.

MR. MISSION Amancio Chapa Jr. was born in La Joya and raised in Corpus Christi, but he has represented the greater Mission area on state and national levels.

He graduated as valedictorian from his high school in 1965 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Texas in 1970.

After Chapa moved back to La Joya, he was elected to the La Joya ISD board of directors in 1971 – a position he held off and on for 20 years. He was elected mayor of La Joya in the 1970s, and then he returned to serve on the La Joya school board in 1982.

He was honored in 2001 for 22 years of service on the La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees, and served as the district’s coordinator for the Center for History and Culture and director of the Fine Arts Department.

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“Our vision is that the greater Mission Chamber of Commerce will always contribute to the recognition of this community as growing and as business friendly,” George Myers, the Chamber president and CEO, said.

Myers noted that Mission was recently recognized by Wallet Hub’s 2015 study on cities with the fastest growing economies as No. 1 in small cities in most growth category. The city was ranked fourth overall.

Myers also recognized and awarded the Business Partner of the Year and the Business Leader of the Year.

Serving almost 16,000

students and employing almost 2,300 people with an operating budget of more than $200,000,000, Mission CISD was selected as the Business Partner of the Year.

Accepting the award, Superintendent Ricardo Lopez said, “I’ve never met a community that embraces each other as much as Mission does. We are always searching for partners and this is really humbling to be seen as a partner in this great city.”

Bert Ogden was selected as the Business Leader of the Year. The family-owned and operated business sets the benchmark standards

for all auto dealerships and exceptional customer service and state-of-the-art facilities, according to Myers.

They’re the Valley’s largest auto group with 19 different franchises out of 15 different locations and have been in operation for nearly 50 years.

“As we begin our new business year, we do so with pride,” Myers said. “Our community’s becoming known as one that provides assistance to businesses as they begin, as they develop, as they grow, as they expand here in Mission.” from pg 1

The La Joya native also served on the board of directors for Colegio Jacinto Treviño, a college birthed in the Civil Rights Movement.

Chapa served on the Housing Assistance Council board of directors and as its president. For 17 years, he was executive director of Colonias Del Valle and Amigos Del Valle.

He was a member of the executive committee of the National Council of La Raza, chairman of the Texas Association of Community Development Corporations and vice president of the Mexican American Democrats of Texas (MAD), and has been an active member of numerous other community-related boards.

Chapa has also served with Texas Folk Life Culture and Arts, as well as Las Porciones.

This year’s Mr. Mission continues to serve the Mission area with organizations such as the Mission Regional Medical Center, where he served as a board member from 2002-2013, and Mission Historical Museum, where he is a current board member, since 2012.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR Catherine Garcia is a busy woman. She’s traveled the world in numerous humanitarian efforts—from Mexico to Asia to Europe to Africa. In addition, she

has immersed herself in the fabric of Mission for over 25 years.

Garcia served as chairman of the board and other capacities for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce and as board president for the Mission Economic Development Corporation.

She continues to serve on both boards, while also serving on the board of the Mission Economic Development Authority.

As graduate of the Leadership Mission program, she’s put her training and knowledge to good works volunteering on numerous committees – the Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon, the Mission Trash Bash and many of Mission’s Sister City events.

She’s a wife and a mother of two and an ordained minister with her husband. The two serve as lead pastors at Freedom of Life Church in Mission.

MAN OF YEAR S. David Deanda Jr. moved to the Valley 25 years ago. Those who nominated Deanda for the honor describe him as a man of integrity. He’s honest, hard-working and ready to lend a helping hand, they stated.

Deanda is most well known as president and chief operating officer of Lone Star National Bank.

The Man of the Year not only gives back to the community, but he encourages his 625 employees to give back to make the community stronger and better.

“Donating time and being involved in our community to make it a stronger community is not an option; it is a responsibility,” Deanda said in an interview with Texas Border Business.

His community service includes, but is not limited to, serving as a board member for the following organizations: • President of Mission Economic Development Corporation • Make A Wish Foundation of the RGV • VAMOS (Valley Alliance for Mentors for Opportunity and Scholarships) • Javelina Alumni Association As a Christian, Deanda incorporates the teachings and principles of his faith in his daily work, said Jim Brunson.

“Christianity is not about religion,” Deanda said in an interview last year. “It is a relationship with God that either permeates every aspect of who you are, or it is non-existent.”

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