Reprint from the Progress Times - February 8, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

County Emergency Services gets upgrade

 

By Ricky Reynoso

In a regularly scheduled meeting the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a request to provide additional cellular service for the Division of Emergency Services-Emergency Management on Wednesday, February 6. Emergency Services Division Coordinator Tony Pena said that the need for additional cellular phone services arises from the fact that it is difficult to communicate in the more rural areas of the county with just one cell phone.

"When you go way out to these other areas of the county, you can't get any signal," said Pena. "We've checked with other counties throughout the state of Texas and they have two or three cell phones because they have the same problem with dead spots."

County Judge J.D. Salinas agreed, saying that an incident recently occurred where Pena could not be reached.

"There was a perfect example when the border patrol was trying to contact Tony over the air, but they couldn't get a hold of him," said Salinas. "He was out there dealing with those brush fires and we couldn't get to him."

Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza said it was important to be able to contact Pena in the event of an emergency.

"This isn't just about fire issues," said Garza. "What about hurricane evacuation, tornadoes? Look what happened in Arkansas."

Also on the agenda was a request to purchase four new 2008 Ford Expeditions and four new 2008 passenger vans. The vehicles, which would cost the county $228,148, would be purchased through Philpott Motor Company of Port Neches, Texas. Judge Salinas questioned Purchasing Department Director Marty Salazar regarding the vehicles.

"Do they have to be 2008," asked Salinas. "Why can't they be last year's models?"

Salazar said that she had tried searching for 2007 models, but there were none to be found. Precinct 1 Commissioner Hector "Tito" Palacios asked if the county could be reimbursed through the federal government's vehicle buyback program. Salazar said that it could not.

The court approved the request.

The county also approved a resolution recognizing Ms. Norma Garcia as the Texas Outstanding County Treasurer for 2007. The resolution was read by State Representative Armando "Mando" Martinez, District 39.

"This award provides written acknowledgment of the fine work done by this admirable Hidalgo County official," said Martinez. "We present you with this flag that was flown over the capitol in your honor on Labor Day, because of the hard work that you and many others do. Congratulations."

Garcia thanked the court for the recognition and said that she also had to thank others for helping her along the way.

"I would be remiss if I didn't thank my staff who has worked so diligently," said Garcia. "I would also like to thank Valde Guerra, because his cooperation with our department has helped greatly."

She also said she is glad to help bring a positive image to the county.

"People keep asking me how many times I'm going to be recognized," Garcia said, laughing. "Good news travels slower than the bad, as you know. So it's good to bring some good news to the county."