Reprint from the Progress Times - April 6, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Palmer Drug Abuse Program, County Reach Agreement

By David Rodriguez

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court reached an agreement with Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) at the weekly court meeting Tuesday, April 3, that allows PDAP to provide substance abuse counseling and education services to the county. The court also approved of an appropriation of $8,000 to the program.

According to the agreement, PDAP will establish and maintain a program to provide substance abuse counseling and drug and alcohol abuse education and prevention programs to the residents of Hidalgo County as well as provide out-patient counseling services. PDAP agreed to provide the county with a summary report of the demographic profile of its clients.

The court also approved a $271,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the Anzalduas Park which is making boat ramp improvements.

The county also approved a $67,750 Local Cash Match for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the same improvements. To further facilitate the improvements, the county approved a construction agreement between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and county for boat ramp improvements.

In anticipation of the coming elections, the court approved a request by the Elections Department to create nine temporary delivery driver positions to deliver voting equipment to polling locations as well as assist in maintenance, set-up, assembly, testing and inventory of all electronic and computer equipment.

The drivers will be paid $8.50 per hour and will work April 23 through April 28. After a week off they will resume duties May 7 through May 11, then May 14 through May 19. Total days worked will be 17 and the total temporary salary of all the new positions will be $10,404.

Commissioners also approved a proclamation declaring April 2007 Fair Housing Month. The Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was put into effect almost 40 years ago in April. It protects the rights of Americans to access housing regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, family status or disability.

Next week will be Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) week according to another proclamation approved by the court. The CDBG Program has operated since 1975 to provide local governments with resources required to meet needs of persons with low to moderate incomes. CDBG funds are used by neighborhood-based, non-profit organizations throughout the nation to address human service needs.