The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 14, 1988 Page: 1 of 10
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THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
H.E.B
Inserts
Inside
Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
NO. 23 THURSDAY, APRIL 14,1988
FIFTEEN CENTS
Alvarez Re-Elected As
Pet. 1 Commissioner
Precinct One County Commis
sioner Jose Maria "Chema"
Alvarez was re-elected to a fourth
four-year term in Tuesday's runoff
election.
Alvarez garnered a total of 1652
votes to 1172 for challenger Arnulfo
Garcia of Rio Grande City.
Alvarez won a landslide in the
absentee vote, besting Garcia 838
to 372.
Garcia carried Precinct Three
(Roque Guerra Elementary) with a
total of 652 votes to 442 for Alvarez.
Alvarez carried Precinct Five
(El Sauz) with 51 votes to 15 for
Garcia. Alvarez won Precinct
Eleven (La Rosita) with 321 votes
to 133 for Garcia.
In the March 8 primary election,
Alvarez received 1313 votes to 1252
for Garcia. The 71 votes received
by a third candidate, Domingo
Arredondo, forced a runoff in that
race.
Alvarez has held the position of
Precinct One County Commissioner
since January 1977
In the State Board of Education
race, Rene Nunez garnered 1728
votes in Starr County to 301 for
James Jordan
In the Republican runoff elec-
tions, U.S. Rep Beau Boulter
garnered 10 votes in Starr County
to eight for Wes Gilbreath in the
U.S. Senate primary race. Boulter
was victorious in statewide ballot-
ing and will face three-term
incumbent Sen. Lloyd Bentsen in
the fall.
In the Railroad Commission
race, P S. "Sam" Ervin received
12 votes to six for Ed Emmett.
In Republican primary balloting
for Supreme Court Justice Place
Two, Ronald Block received 14
votes to four for Nathan Hecht
The students from San Isidro High School that are pictured above advanced to the
Regional UII. Literary/Academic Meet to be held at Blinn College in Brenham on
April 22, 1988. In the front row from left to right are Vicky Lopez, Eduardo Ramos,
Myrna De Los Santos, Norma Ramos, Stephanie Stuart, and Tina Nyquist. In the
back row are David Ruiz, Manuel Saenz, Jr., Roxana Alaniz, Nicolas Ramos, Jr.,
Joseph Lopez, and David Garcia.
Investigation Into Roma
Murder Continues
The Roma Police Department is
continuing its investigation into the
gunshot slaying of a Roma resident
late Thursday afternoon.
Roma Police Chief Romeo
Trustees Vote To Acquire
Foundation Land For School
At their regular monthly meeting
on Tuesday, April 5, the Rio
Grande City CISD board of trustees
voted to go on record as supporting
the acquisition of 10 acres of land
from the Industrial Foundation for
the location and construction of a
planned new elementary school
The vote came following an
executive session by the trustees.
The vote was conditional upon the
preparation of the contract.
RGCC1SD Superintendent Dr.
A E. Garcia told The Rio Grande
Herald, "There is an EDA grant
pending. If the EDA grant doesn't
go through, we'll still try to get an
easement."
Garcia noted the possibility "of
the infrastructure being done by
EDA If that happens, the demands
will be less for the school district
We have to assure ourselves a right
of way before we buy the land. "
The superintendent concluded.
somehow to have at least some
classi oms ready by the coming
school year. B ding still has to be
done."
The new elementary school is
planned approximately 2'^ miles
east of Rio Grande City. Garcia
said that "a minimum of 520
students are expected at the school
at the beginning. Fnrollment could
expand to 800 to 900 if growth
continues "
Foundation Executive Director
Rene Montalvo told The Herald,
"Late last year, we submitted a
pre-application to EDA. If a
pre-application is accepted, you're
invited to submit a full applica-
tion."
The Foundation is applying for a
$240,000 grant from EDA, with the
Foundation required to provide a
$60,000 matching share to bring the
total to$300,000.
Montalvo continued, "In March,
application For this, more detailed
information needs to be sub
mitted .If the full project is
approved, they'll assign the project
a number "
Montalvo said an EDA official
has unofficially indicated to him
that "if no other information is
needed, the project will probably
be approved. We should know
something from EDA by either the
end of May or the middle of June.
The normal process takes 45 days."
Montalvo indicated, "If the ap-
plication is approved, a month will
be required to prepare all con-
tracts. Another month would be
required for the bidding process."
About the planned infrastructure
work, Montalvo said, "Our engi-
neer has told rfie that it would take
about three months to finish the
project, which would be paving of
roads, land leveling, and putting in
water and sewage lines."
tor noted that "the far north tract
of 10 acres-would go for the school.
We can only extend utilities to our
project site. From there, the school
district would have to extend the
lines "
Concerning the status of pro-
spective manufacturer and indus-
trial park tenant Lift Marketing,
Montalvo said that "Lift Market-
ing's FmHA loan has been
approved All they're waiting for is
word on the EDA loan."
Alvarez said on Monday that the
investigation is continuing, and
that "we're working very closely
with the Mexican authorities " He
added that some potentially pro-
mising leads have developed in the
case.
According to an officer in the
Roma police department, the
Roma police arrived at the resi-
dence of Hector Sandoval, 40, at
approximately 6:30 p.m Thursday
The officer said, "He had been
dead for a few minutes, probably.
He had several gunshot wounds
Both arms were hit by bullets."
The officer said on Friday
evening that "we're waiting for
autopsy results." Sandoval was
pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer indicated, "There
were 30 to 35 spent cartridges
found. There were some empty
cartridges from a .45 caliber
handgun, a .9 millimeter handgun,
and cartridges from a high-
powered rifle."
The officer said that "we found
but it
one weapon at the scene,
belonged to the victim."
The officer indicated that there
are no known eyewitnesses to the
shooting, at least to this point. He
added that no motive for the
slaying has yet been determined.
Funeral services for Sandoval, a
self-employed carpenter who had
lived in the Roma area for the past
15 years, were held Saturday at
2:30 p.m at Our Lady of Refuge
Catholic Church in Roma Burial
followed in the Roma City Ceme-
tery. Ceballos Funeral Home of Rio
Grande City was in charge of all
arrangements.
Sandoval is survived by his wife,
Humbelina Sandoval of Roma; his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eusebio
Sandoval of Roma, two daughters,
Zulma and Cynthia Sandoval, both
of Roma; one brother; Jose
Alberto Sandoval of Rio Grande-
City; and three sisters, Nelda
Barrera of Los Saenz and Elvia
Sanchez and Mana Yzaguirre of La
Rosita.
Water Board Okays
Monthly Financial Report
"There's so much to do. We hope they invited us to submit a full The Foundation executive direc-
Pena Acquitted
In Firearms Trial
Fernando Pena of Roma and
another Starr County resident were
acquitted of charges of conspiracy
and federal firearms violations in
U.S. district court proceedings in
McAllen on Tuesday, April 5
Pena's attorney, Joe Cisneros of
McAllen. told The Rio Grande
Herald, "There was no evidence
against him at all. They had no
case against him "
Pena told The Herald that he was
"grateful to God" for the acquittal
Otherwise, he declined to comment
on the case
Also acquitted after jury deliber-
ations of two days was Jose
Fernando Moraida
Four defendants, indicated Cis-
neros, were found guilty by the
jury, after deliberations of approx-
imately two days. They were:
Victor Munoz, Humberto Sergio
Garza, Noe Muniz, Jr.. and Garry
Ben Jordan
Two defendants, Ciro Angel
Rivera and Margarito Alvarez,
pleaded guilty befoie the con-
clusion of the trial
Cisneros indicated that the trial
lasted for eight days, with jury
deliberations covering approxi-
Rio High To Host District
Student Council Convention
The Rio Grande City High School
Student Council will be hosting the
District XVI Spring Student
Council Convention on Saturday,
April 16 at the Rio Grande City
High School Gymnasium
The theme for the convention is
"Dreams gives wings to the mind
and flight to the imagination." The
theme is symbolic of the experi-
ences which Student Council instills
upon a leader
The guest speaker for the con-
vention will be Robert Ramirez,
reporter and anchor of the 6 and 10
p.m newscasts on KGBT. Channel
4 in Harlingen
The district convention is one of
the highlights of the Student
Council's projects
The school year will culminate
with a trip to Austin for the annual
Texas Student Council Convention
from April 28-30
Mrs. Celinda Alvarado, the Rio
Grande City High School Student
Council sponsor, expresses her
gratitude to the Student Council
officers and members, and to all
persons who have made contribu
tions toward this leadership pro-
ject.
Notice To Herald Readers
Due to the recent increase in postage rates instituted
by the U.S. Postal Service, The Rio Grande Herald will
be increasing its rates for newspaper subscriptions,
effective immediately.
The rate for subscriptions within Starr County will
increase from $ 12.50 to $ 15.70.
The rates for subscriptions outside Starr County will
increase from $ 15.00 to $ 18.75.
mately two days. Assistant U.S.
Attorney Chris Milner was the
prosecuting attorney Cisneros was
the attorney for Pena. and for
three other defendants. The pre-
siding judge was U S District
Judge Ricardo Hinojosa
The court proceedings grew out
of a sealed 62-count federal in-
dictment against nine individuals
in December. Those indicted, ac-
cording to a story last week in the
McAllen Monitor, "were accused of
recruiting and paying others to
sign ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms) forms which indicated
that they were the purchaser of
firearms when they in fact were
not."
According to the Monitor story,
the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco,
and Firearms had carried out an
investigation lasting approximately
one year of weapon sales by
Riverview True Value Hardware
Store of Roma Garza, Muniz, and
Jordan were employees of the True
Value store.
Cisneros said that his clients who
were found guilty definitely plan to
appeal the convictions
Water Issues
Forum Planned
For Monday
A forum concerning water and
wastewater issues is scheduled for
this Monday at 6 30 p.m. at the
County Courthouse, and is expected
to feature the participation of all
Starr County water supply entities
Representatives of the Texas
Water Commission are expected to
be on hand for the meeting
Also, representatives of the of
fices of U.S. Sen Lloyd Bentsen,
U S Rep Kika de la Garza, State
Sen Judith Zaffirini, and State
Rep Irma Rangel are expected to
be present at the forum
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday, the Board of Directors of
the Starr County Water District
approved the monthly financial
report for March 1988, which
indicated that both revenues and
expenses are higher than last year.
The report, given by CPA Paul
Dunning, indicated that total reve-
nues for 1988 so far totals $254,991,
compared with a figure of
$239,022.30 in revenues for the first
three months of 1987
Total revenues for March 1988
amounted to $94,441, compared to
$83,889 46 for March 1987
Total expenses for 1988 to date
amounted to $259,919, compared to
$197,811.19 for the first three
months of 1987.
March's expenses amounted to
$92,442, compared to $62,640.45 for
March 1987.
Net operating revenue for the
year so far indicates a shortfall of
$4928, compared to a surplus of
$41,211.11 for 1987 through the first
three months. Net operating reve-
nue for March 1988 alone showed a
surplus of $1999
The report indicated that the
cash balance as of March 31 was
$51,166, compared to $45,806.65 as
of March 31,1987.
Dunning commented that the
higher expenses, compared to 1987,
are the reason "for net operating
revenue being a negative figure.
But it's early in the year, and as
long as revenue stays up there
should be no problem.''
Manager Efrain Duran said, "I
want to ask you to declare the
cemetery debt (from the county) a
bad debt." Board member David
Porras expressed the opinion that
"it (collecting the debt) is a lost
cause."
In the summer of 1986, an issue
debated by many public officials
and local citizens was whether the
county owned the Rio Grande City
cemetery, and was thus responsible
for more than $65,000 in overdue
water bills
Duran said, "Declaring it a bad
debt is for the purpose of report-
ing " Board member Jose "Pepe"
Tijerina then moved that the deficit
be declared a bad debt. Dunning
said, "It won't be on the Audit
report after this year."
Duran indicated, "We need to
paint the floor of the water plant
The plant is looking better and
cleaner since we repaired the roof.
We put in newer light fixtures. We
are through with the roof repair
and have it paid for "
Duran told the board, "The
(Texas Water) Development Board
wants us to make applications for
loans, some of which will be for
four percent (interest)."
The manager said, "The FHA
(Farmers Home Administration)
wants to refinance our system.
We'll know exactly how much we
owe in bonds, maybe next week
We will need the advice of a bond
expert on refinancing "
Duran suggested, "We need to
make an application to the Devel-
opment Board for their aid. I don't
know for how much This county
has grown faster maybe than any
other county (in the area). We
don't get help from any source
such as taxes."
Attorney Frank Randall Nye, Jr..
said, "You have the authority of a
MUD to levy a tax. It would cost
considerably to crank up" machin-
ery for levying taxes. He com-
mented that it would be less
(See WATER. Papr 7)
Gonzalez, Garza Seeking
Re-Election As Roma Trustees
Two Roma ISD trustees are
seeking re-election to three-year
terms in the upcoming May 7
election.
Mrs F.C. "Lalita" Gonzalez, the
current president of the Roma ISD
board of trustees and a busi-
nesswoman and former educator,
and trustee Jose Maria "Chema"
Garza, a businessman, are both
seeking re-election to the board
Mrs Gonzalez, a former teacher
in the Roma and Rio Grande City
school districts, has both a
bachelor's and a master's degree
from Texas AAI University in
Kingsville.
Garza is a graduate of Pan
American University in Edinburg
with a major in Spanish ana a
minor in Business Administration.
He is presently general manager of
both Rio Grande Growers Co-Ops,
a position he has held since 1962
Both Gonzalez and Garza said
their main goal as board members
is to continue their "concerted
effort with the other five school
board trustees in the building of the
new high school complex " They
stated that the construction of the
multi-million dollar project should
start by May 26
Absentee voting for the school
election will start April 18 and
continue until May 3.
The election will be held at the
Intermediate School in Roma on
Saturday, May 7, with polls open
ingat7a m and closing at 7 p.m.
Mr*. F.C. Gonsalez
Jose Maria "Chema" Garza
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 14, 1988, newspaper, April 14, 1988; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195128/m1/1/: accessed June 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.