The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 61, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 9, 1976 Page: 1 of 12
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Mercedes Area Newspapers and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.
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Vol. 61
No. 50
Mercedes, Texas 78570 Thursday, December 9, 1976
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Robert Fernandez
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FOR THE HOLIDAYS - City workers, above, are shown busy with the task «C
hanging new decorations. [Mercedes Enterprise Photo.]
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Payment now is
double benefit
December is the final month for
discounts on local city and school taxes,
reminds Ismael Luna, Jr., tax
assessor-collector for the City of
Mercedes and the Mercedes School
District.
Mr. Luna also reminds of the benefit
on 1976 income taxes property owners
may receive by paying in the calendar
year.
Local tax payments have already
amounted to more than 63 percent of the
levy, up from last year’s figure of 56
percent at the same time, says Mr.
Luna.
ornaments are the first decorations in
downtown Mercedes in a number of
years and were purchased for over
$6,000 in a joint project of the Chamber
of Commerce and the City of Mercedes.
Chamber funds were raised through a
variety of projects while the city donated
$5,000 towards the purchase.
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New look for holidays
Mercedes’ Texas Avenue, from
Fourth Street north, is sporting a ‘new
look’ for the Christmas season now as
city workmen completed their task of
stringing recently purchased holiday
decorations across the street late last
week.
The red and white streamers with
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the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce,
announces C-C President Robert Gracia.
“We want people to shop Mercedes...
and we also want them to know that
Mercedes merchants appreciate their
trade. This is just one way we’re trying
to show our appreciation.”
The Christmas ‘Thank You’ project
will begin next week as shoppers may
begin registering in participating stores.
Drawings for the 10 bags of groceries
will be Saturday, December 18 and will
be just one feature of what Mr. Gracia
says will be a special day in Mercedes.
“We’ve several ideas we’re working on
now in the Chamber to make Saturday a
fun day for everybody. We’ll announce
those plans next week,” says the
Chamber president.
Details of the merchant promotion,
participants and Christmas shopping
ideas will be announced in The
Mercedes Enterprise and on a number of
spots on KRGV radio next week.
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Library Board, Housing
Authority slots filled
The mayor explained that the program
was devoted to “trying to find what the
needs of the community are.” The public
hearing follows six meetings in which
residents of six different areas of
Mercedes provided the city with ideas
and suggestions, with the input
documented by Program Director Nick
Ramon. A city workshop on the matter
was Monday night.
The mayor declared the entire city a
“target area”, saying, “instead of
favoring a certain section of town, we’ll
help the people who heed the help
most.”
Some $696,000 is on the budget for
the program, for areas of housing,
•paving, drainage, and administration.
It’s use all depends “on what the people
want,” according to Mayor de los
Santos.
In reply to a question from a member
of the audience about the purchase of 25
houses from the McAllen Labor Camp,
the mayor said “we’re going to bring in
one house, renovate it,” and determine
if it would be suitable. He explained that
the purchase was a possibility only and
is under consideration to determine if
this plan could help more people than
building new homes.
Comment from the audience included
a commendation of the administration
from Joe Bono for “attacking the
primary problems” of housing and
unemployment.
Arnulfo Villarreal, member of the
Community Development Advisory Com-
mittee explained the program and its
objectives in Spanish to the audience.
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BEAUTIFUL WEATHER greeted Winter Texans and Mercedes citizens alike last week as Christmas decsratisnt warn h*ag
along Texas Avenue, above, and shoppers began the holiday buying season here. [Mercedes Enterprise Photo.]
Mercedes city commissioners dealt
with routine business and conducted a
public hearing on the city’s Community
Development Program Tuesday night.
Members appointed to the Library
Board by the commission include Juan
Ramirez, Mrs. Gwen Edwards and Rev.
Fernando Padilla. Mayor Javier de los
Santos said he had received a letter of
recommendation from Mrs. J.D. Vollmer
and accepted her proposal. Members
whose terms expired were Mrs. Helen
Evans, Mrs. Grace Van Berg and Mrs.
Edwards. Members are appointed for
two year terms.
Allocation of $33,560 in new revenue
sharing funds was tabled so that
commissioners could conduct a workshop
on the matter. Some suggested items for
purchase with the funds include a used
truck trailor for hauling caliche, a
sidewalk and landscaping project on
Business Hwy. 83, streetlights, four
calculators and two typewriters.
The letter of notification of funding to
the city said “it was the intent of
Congress that these funds be used
primarily for the employment of persons
and the provision of basic services by
Spending for these
called “within
mayor. Fund
program will
the city’s
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TYPICAL SMILES seen at Sunday’s Christmas Fiesta at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic
Church are shown above as children watch action at the ‘fish pond.’ Some $3500
was raised for church funds with crowds in the hundreds participating. Organizers
wish to thank the chairmen of the different booths, the kitchen committee and all
{ the members of the community who helped make the event a success with a special
thanks offered to local merchants and individuals donating prizes, and to the two
dance groups and choir which performed. [Mercedes Enterprise Photo.]
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HOUSES OF THIS TYPE are said to be among those being considered for bringing
to Mercedes for rehabilitation with local Community Development Program funds.
Mayor Javier de los Santos announced Tuesday that the city will bring one house
here and spend some $10,000 for rehabilitation and eventual use by eligible local
residents. Formerly Urban Renewal or Community Development funds were used to
provide grants to displaced persons and those grants [up to $15,000 each] were
used to help in the purchase of new housing. Mercedes is considering getting up to
30 of the surplus 30 to 40 year old structures from the Associated City County
Economic Development Corporation for use here if the pilot model is approved.
ACCEDC obtained the buildings from the McAllen Labor Camp after the County
Housing Authority had declared them surplus and decided to replace them with new
housing.
Ten local families will receive,
courtesy of Mercedes merchants,
everything necessary for an old
fashioned Christmas dinner. All that has
/y to be done to be eligible for the free
groceries is to register at any
participating merchant.
The grocery giveaway is a project of
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is selected AD
Mercedes School Trustees named
Robert Fernandez athletic director and
physical education coordinator for all
schools here in action Tuesday night.
The AD position was created by the
y board last month and the district had
been receiving applications for the post
since that time.
Mr. Fernandez will assume his duties
as soon as is possible, says Mercedes
School Superintendent Lauro Guerra.
your government,
mentioned items was
guidelines” by the
allocation under this
continue quarterly, with
eligibility being re-determined (based on
unemployment rates) each quarter.
City Manager Oscar Cervantes was
authorized to advertise for bids for city
oil and gasoline. The mayor says the city
uses some 400 gallons of gasoline
monthly. He was also given permission
to purchase a used street sweeper, with
the mayor advising to get “the best one
for the best price.”
Appointed to the Housing Authority
Board for two year terms, were Roberto
Fernandez, Fernando Chimeley and
Ramon Moreno. The city had received
notification that two members of the
board had expired terms but appointed
one more because one member moved
out of city limits.
The public hearing concerning the
Community Development program for
this program year was well-attended, but
little comment came from the audience.
No word received
yet about profit
Mercedes Youth Organization, Inc.
has still received no money from the
recent Antonio Aguilar shows in
Mercedes.
According to Lauro Guerra, president
of Mercedes Youth, the organization was
to receive part of the proceeds from the
shows for use in proposed facilities here.
“But we still have received no money or
no word from City Manager Oscar
Cervantes who originally said that money
would be forthcoming. According to
terms of the contract between all parties,
MYO is to be a beneficiary of profits...if
a profit is declared.
Pre-show publicity stated that the
appearance here was arranged in part by
Mr. Cervantes and Mercedes Mayor
Javier de los Santos who said before
the show that Mercedes youth would
receive a part of the proceeds.
The Aguilar show appeared here
almost one month ago.
Two show
times set
Mercedes Jaycees and the Knights of
Columbus will jointly sponsor a special
Christmas Kiddie Show for handicapped
youngsters of the Mercedes area this
Saturday, December 11.
Movies will begin at 10 a.m. at the
Kaycee Hall at 536 Third Street and free
popcorn and candy will be provided the
children. And, say sponsors, Santa Claus
’ has guaranteed to make an appearance
at the show.
This Saturday’s show is just for
handicapped children. Transportation
may be arranged for youngsters needing
it by calling 565-1451 beginning at 9
a.m. on Saturday. Jaycees and Knights
will provide rides to and from the hall
for children.
The regular Jaycee sponsored
Christmas Kiddie Show, a longtime
tradition here, is scheduled for Saturday,
December 18. First show on that date
will begin at 10 a.m. with a second
showing set for noon at the Kaycee Hall.
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The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 61, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 9, 1976, newspaper, December 9, 1976; Mercedes, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1371580/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1&rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.