As election day approaches for the March 2 primary elections, one of the most hotly contested local races is between Sergio Munoz Jr. and Sandra Rodriguez for District 36 State Representative.

The Progress Times interviewed both candidates to provide voters more information about the candidates’ qualifications and positions on important issues affecting the area and the state.

Sergio Munoz Jr.

Sergio Munoz Jr. graduated from Mission High School, obtained a business degree at the University of Texas at Austin, and is a magna cum laude graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

He is a practicing attorney in general law and also serves as municipal judge for the City of Palmview.

He serves as a member of the Palmview Crime Stoppers and Knights of Columbus.

He said he is running for state representative because he wants to make a difference and wants to continue to improve the quality of life for the people in the district.

“I believe that being a product of this area has prepared me to understand not only the needs of the people but also the needs of the community, and I feel that being an attorney and a municipal judge in this area has prepared me for that. (This) has prepared me to be that voice not only for the community but also the voice in Austin,” he said.

He sees the economy and the state budget as the biggest issues facing the next state legislature.

“We have to be the voice in this area, that way if there are going to be cutbacks… (we can make sure) that they do not cut back on programs that are essential down here, which are education, healthcare, and economic development,” Munoz said.

The solution to the state budget crisis, he said, is to “identify the reasons why we are facing those issues and how we can stop the bleeding.” He said the legislature also needs to develop a long term plan that allows the state to provide for the needs of the people without having to face a budget crisis every two years.

“My philosophy is it’s like running a business; you have to see what your assets and liabilities are and how you can continue to provide for our employees – in this case the people of Texas – and continue to make sure that as money is coming in that we are spending it efficiently, that we are spending it in the right areas, and we develop a long term plan.”

When asked if the funding shortage for TxDOT concerned him, he responded, “It’s going to be real important that we provide those resources we need to continue to have our area develop as it should.” Faced with limited funds to go around, he said he would make sure South Texas gets its fair share.

He said when the Valley has to compete with other areas of the state for funding, it’s very important the Valley delegation work together and be a united voice in Austin.

One issue that comes up in every election is jobs. Munoz said we need to “take care of the business owners, take care of the businesses we already have in our district.”

He explained that small businesses should be provided with incentives to stay in business in South Texas: incentives such as training for employees.

“Businesses…are the backbone of our community,” he said.

At the same time, he would work to incent other businesses to locate in South Texas. That will bring better paying jobs, he said.
On the topic of taxing small business, he said, as small business owner himself, he understands the effects of the recent overhaul of the state franchise tax on small businesses.

“That’s why I think it’s important that we take care of our small business owners and we need to revisit those issues that are preventing people from operating a business here in South Texas,” Munoz said.

With the discussion sure to come up in the next legislative session, we asked Munoz if he would support a state income tax. He was most definitive, saying, “I’m against it.”

Munoz said he has received support for his candidacy from leaders across the district, including the mayor of Mission and the Mission councilmembers, Pharr and their city commissioners, Palmview, Penitas, the Texas State Firefighters Association and the McAllen Firefighters Association.

More importantly, he said, “We have received the support of the people. It’s a campaign of the people, all of us working together to make a difference.”

Sandra Rodriguez

Sandra Rodriguez was born and raised in Mission, graduated from Mission High School and received a criminal justice degree from Southwest Texas State University. While she was working as a juvenile probation officer in Hidalgo County, she went back to school at Pan American University where she received a master’s degree in education, counseling and guidance.

She then married Fernando Mancias and decided to put her career aside to raise her four children.

She has been a schoolteacher and a school board member at PSJA for four years. She said she has served on many different boards, including the Palmer Drug Abuse Program board, the Alamo Boys and Girls Club, Vannie E. Cook Cancer Center, Mujeres Unidas, Alamo Planning and Zoning Commission and several other boards.

“Every board that I ever sat on, I sat as an active member, making a difference in my community. In the last 25 years I’ve sat on many boards that have made a difference.” she said.

Asked why she decided to run for state representative, Rodriguez said when she looked at Kino’s (Flores) record she was very disappointed in what he had done. Two bills in particular she felt he walked away from: Voter ID and the CHIP program.

“Over the years I saw how Kino was doing less for the people and more for his personal agenda,” she said.

Regarding voter ID, Rodriguez said, “I just felt it was unfair…. They were keeping people from casting their vote – especially people in our district who do not have that voter ID; they don’t have a driver’s license…. I thought that was going to discourage a lot of people in our area.”

The major issue of the campaign to Rodriguez is “good government.”

“I think we need to return some good government to this district. For the past 18 years we have had two legislators that have failed district 36. (They) lost focus and have left this district in shame,” she said.

Other pressing issues on her agenda include the lack of jobs in the district.

“That’s a tough one for legislators because we don’t create jobs, but we help businesses and businesses create jobs. And that’s probably going to be one of our biggest jobs to help small businesses get going…then they will bring jobs to the Valley, to our community. I just think we need to be a healthy community to entice them to come down.”

In regards to the huge budget deficit the State of Texas will be facing in the next biennium, she said, “We’re going to have to gather to the table with the other legislators of the Valley and work together…and decide these are going to be our priorities so we can bring the most to the Rio Grande Valley.”

“I know we’re going to have to cut here and there to balance the budget. That’s a must. The needs are there, but we’re going to have to do some cuts. I will vow, I will not allow education to go to the chopping block,” she added.

Regarding gay marriage and civil unions, Rodriguez said, “I think that’s something that should not be legislated. It should be left to the individuals.”

She said she is most definitely pro-choice (pro-abortion).

Rodriguez also said she would consider expanding the footprint of gambling in the State of Texas as a way to bring the state additional revenues.

She was ambivalent when the topic turned to finding funding for cash-strapped TxDOT. The state agency in charge of building and maintaining state highways has seen fuel tax revenues drop sharply, leaving the agency with no funds for new projects not previously approved.

Rodriguez said it is a concern because the roads are needed to bring new businesses to the area to provide jobs and spur the economy. However, she said that will require a lot of money and we need to stop and assess whether that money would be better spent elsewhere.

Ramirez seeks re-election to Mission Council

Maria Elena Ramirez, widow of former Mission City Councilman Celestino Ramirez, has filed for re-election to her husband’s former post in the May 8 city election. She won a special election last August to fill the vacant position as city councilwoman, Place 1.

“I have enjoyed being your public servant during these past months,” she said in her announcement for re-election. “I believe the city is in competent hands with the current mayor and present city council. It has been an immense honor to serve alongside them. The city has accomplished a great deal. I am especially proud of the ending fund balance ($7.2 million). This is a direct result of hard work and cooperation from all city members.”

“In addition, I am also proud of lowering taxes, and pay increases to our police and fire departments. I will continue to support both departments in providing necessary equipment to protect the lives of Mission residents,” she states.

“There are numerous ongoing projects that I would like to see completed: the Bryan Rd. and Expressway overpass, the Trinity overpass, new Mission Police/Fire Station #5 at Glasscock and Military Parkway, the Shary Municipal Golf Course renovations, the construction of the swimming pool/gym at Bannworth Park and CWV Park, the mile 2 road widening project, paving of alleys, overlaying of streets and our new water/sewer infrastructure,” she said in her announcement.

She was born in Mission and married to Celestino Ramirez for 37 years before his death May 18, 2009. She and her former husband have four children: Celestino Ramirez Jr., married to Melanie Ruiz; Anita, married to Eduardo Rivera; Sylvia, married to Abiel Flores; and Hector.

The councilwoman attended elementary school in Mission, graduated from Sharyland High School and from Pan American University with a bachelors of science degree.

She worked as a teacher for 30 years, 28 of those years were at Pearson Elementary, before retiring in May 2003. She attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Ramirez said, “These past months have provided me with invaluable and incomparable experience to be your voice on the Mission City Council. I will continue to listen to citizens’ concerns and help in any way I can. I respectfully ask for your support and vote on May 8, 2010.”

Mission Winter Texan Fiesta Is Saturday

The Mission Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Winter Texan Fiesta as a thank you to the Winter Texans who make their homes in the Mission area each winter. This year’s Winter Texan Fiesta will be held Saturday, Feb. 27 at Leo Pena Plazita Park in downtown Mission across from the H-E-B from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Robert Ferguson will act as emcee and a full line of entertainment is planned.

Rolando Reyes, a local performer, will be one of the first entertainers. Reyes has a voice that some say could put him on stage in an opera in New York City. He does a mixture of traditional and gospel music and also sings songs from the Big Band Era. He is a music teacher when not performing for Winter Texans.

Gordy and Debbie Kaye Wensel, Winter Texan favorites, will be on the bill with their mixture of comedy and old country hits. Gordy does a lot of George Strait songs while Debbie sings a variety of older songs. She sounds like Connie Frances when she belts out “Where the Boys Are.”

Gary Crain, a comedian who is new on the scene, has been a big hit with the Winter Texans this season with his tribute to Gomer Pyle and his realistic Elvis-like voice when he sings.

Bill Brooks, the “Valley’s favorite Elvis impersonator,” will be back this year to add a little zest to the show. His popularity with the crowds never seems to wane. He also does gospel and several other entertainers from yesteryear.

A group new to the Valley entertainment scene is the Star Fire Family Show featuring the Gottchalk family from Hortonville, Wisconsin. Unlike most family groups, Star Fire does not do just bluegrass. The band plays classic country, a few polkas and a bit of country rock.

Tickets for the box lunches were given out earlier this week at the Mission Chamber. While there are no more lunch tickets available, everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the entertainment, free of charge.

Sheriff Deputies Searching for Fugitive Couple

EDINBURG — Officials with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a couple that failed to appear before a judge in the trial of an injury to a child.

The boy’s mother, Jaime Lee Salinas Rosales, 22, did not appear before the 92nd District Court recently. Her charge stems from the capital murder arrest of her sister, Myra Rosales, in the death of her son, Eliseo Gonzalez Jr. who died in 2008.

In a statement, officials said Eliseo Gonzalez, 29, who is with Rosales, is an illegal immigrant from Vera Cruz, Mexico who is wanted on aggravated sexual assault charges.

The couple is also with a four-month-old child.

“It is possible that both fugitives and child are in Vera Cruz, Mexico,” Sheriff Lupe Treviño said. “The securing of the child and the arrest of Rosales and Castillo are a priority for this office.”

Sheriff investigators said the Texas Department of Child Protective Services is also seeking Rosales; CPS wants to take custody of the four-month-old child because they believe the child is in danger. CPS also wants to talk to Castillo on an unrelated child abuse investigation, a news release states.

“I am very concerned about the safety and well being of the four-month-old child,” Treviño said. “I also want both Rosales and Castillo to be brought back for face trial and be held accountable for their criminal actions in the unrelated cases. I have assigned the fugitive case to my deputy assigned to the FBI and to my deputy assigned to the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force for follow up.”

Teen in Critical Condition After Shooting

PEÑITAS — A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition following a shooting this weekend.

Daniel C. Nordhausen, 19, and Enrique R. Cervantes, 21, have been identified as suspects in connection with the shooting, Hidalgo County Sheriff Deputies said. On Wednesday, the two men were charged with attempted capital murder, after they turned themselves into deputies. Their bonds were each set at $500,000 for the charge.

A 15-year-old boy was also charged in connection with the shooting. Officials said he will be processed through the juvenile system.

On Sunday, shortly after 7 p.m., law enforcement officials were called out in reference to a shooting west of Salida Del Sol on FM 2221. Three juveniles were reported in a vehicle that was shot multiple times.

“Through the course of the investigation, sheriff’s investigators obtained corroborating statements from the victims stating they had been involved in an altercation with several males who were armed with guns, two of which were known to the victims as Daniel and Ricky,” investigators said in a statement. “The suspects shot at the victims’ vehicle as it fled the scene.”

The victims later identified Nordhausen and Cervantes as the shooters through photo lineups.

“Daniel Nordhausen and Enrique Cervantes are both violent gang members that should be considered armed and dangerous,” Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said, prior to their arrest.