Golden Knights wow Eagles with demonstration

Author and Peñitas native returns to crowded library for reading

Commissioners cut 26 positions in Precinct 1

Local students were top ranked at RGVLS

MERCEDES — A week after the Rio Grande Livestock Show in Mercedes, local students here are still basking in the glory from their hard work over the school year.

A number of students earned top honors at the show in divisions like market lamb, steer, goat, rabbit, and hog.

At Mission Consolidated Independent School District, two FFA chapters participated in the show.

Two members of the Veterans Memorial FFA chapter earned breed champion honors: Alyssa Carrera, Brahman steer market steer; Orlando Farias Jr., Santa Gertrudis market steer. Veterans Memorial chapter members earning reserve breed honors were: Reilly Brinkley, Brahman market steer; Amanda Cedillo, Charolais market steer; Bella Alaniz, OPB market hog; Oscar Cordova, fine wool cross market lamb.

Mission FFA chapter members earning these top honors were: Leo Duarte, champion and first place, home convenience shop project; Joshua Mesa, reserve grand champion shop project; Alyssa Flores, reserve breed champion pig; Abraham Weaver, reserve breed champion Hampshire ram.

Other Mission FFA chapter students earning high honors were: Dulce Alvarez, first place goat; Brandy Sifuentes, second place goat; April Cerda, second place lamb; Bianca Rivera, first place lamb, second place showmanship; Eric Mora, first place pig; Candice Mora, first place pig. The chapter lamb exhibitors also earned a second place good housekeeping award.

The Veterans Memorial FFA chapter livestock judging team earned second place. The chapter also earned a second place good housekeeping award in the shop division and third place good housekeeping in the steer division.

In the market hog division: Christina Reyna, second place Duroc market hog; Orlando Farias, second place cross market hog; Amanda Reyna, third place.

In the market lamb division: Zenaida Alaniz, second place medium wool market lamb.

Amanda Reyna earned third place in the breeding goat division.

Christopher Martinez earned first place in the breeding swine division. In the breeding cattle division: Jordan Guerra, second place Brahman heifer junior division and third place open division; Ricky Perez, first place Brahman bull open division.

In showmanship: Zenaida Alaniz, second place lamb.

Shop projects: Alejandro Garcia, third place superior; Oscar Cordova, excellent. In photography: Gabriel Alaniz, first place, second place; Zenaida Alaniz, second place, third place; Jordan Guerra, two-first place, second place; Roy Guerrero, first place.

In the La Joya Independent School District, two FFA chapters participated in the event.

At La Joya High School, Oscar Flores earned reserve grand champion market lamb. He also earned second place in the hog division. Anthony Uresti earned the senior champion showman for breeding goat, and Oscar Flores earned the senior champion showman for breeding lamb. Ricardo Rosales, a pig scramble winner, won a $125 certificate.

At Juarez-Lincoln High School, Jocelyn Vasquez won breed champion for her finewool cross market lamb. Bobby Lopez won the champion lamb showman honors. Gilbert Lopez, a J.D. Salinas Middle School student and Juarez-Lincoln Jr. FFA member, earned first place with his medium wool market lamb.

About 20 students from the Sharyland Independent School District earned top honors last week.

In Sharyland 4-H, Daniel Hinojosa earned reserve grand champion with his market goat. He also earned first place with his market lamb. Sarah J. Labus earned reserve breed champion with her market lamb. Kristin Valadez earned first place with her market lamb in the fine wool division.

Chelsea A. Lind earned first place with her market goat. Grace Welch earned first place with her market goat. Kayla Marek earned first place in the market steer division. Desiree N. Rangel earned second place in market goat.

Under the Sharyland FFA chapter, Teah Barrientes earned breed champion in the market steer division. Seth Carter earned reserve breed champion in the Santa Gertrudis market steer division. Tyler Kelley earned reserve breed champion in the market steer division. Sierra Long earned first place in the market hog division. Krysti Kelley earned second place with her market steer. Andrew D. Mangin earned second place with his market goat. Bradley Chavez earned second place with his market hog light crossbreed. Sofia Perez earned second place with her market steer. Shane Carter earned second place with his market hog. Justin Casares earned second place in the market hogs division. Michael Smedly earned second place in the market hog light crossbreed division.

Don’t Be the Next Victim

How Mission P.D. and self-defense classes can help you stay safe

Crime, today, does not discriminate. Crime does not care about your gender, race or age. Violent crimes threatening personal safety are slowly on the rise throughout the Rio Grande Valley. In 2009, the City of Mission had four rapes, reported 61 cases of aggravated assault, 272 situations due to family violence and 553 cases of robbery.

However, the City of Mission is still one of the safest cities in the Valley. The Mission Police Department has been able to keep crime contained by constantly being proactive to keep the public safe. Mission P.D. feels its citizens should also take their own precautions by maintaining awareness, taking self-defense classes and by learning how to prepare for any harmful situation that could occur.

Mission Assistant Police Chief Robert Dominguez says most crimes can be prevented with common sense awareness.

“A lot of the time I see people carelessly going about their business,” said Dominguez. “We have a very safe community, but being aware of your surroundings at all times is important. You don’t want to be a victim of crime. So approach it as you would smart shopping or other everyday life situations.”

The 2009 Mission Crime Report showed a slight increase in crime cases from 2,964 cases in 2008 to 3,313 cases last year. To help reduce these numbers the Police Department and city hall have teamed up to put cameras in city parks like Bannworth Park in Sharyland.

“We have two parks right now with cameras that are monitoring those who utilize the parks and more than anything it’s for security and protection reasons,” said Dominguez. “Those cameras have helped us catch people committing burglary of vehicles and other illegal activities.”

Mission P.D. has submitted a couple of grants to hopefully expand the use of surveillance cameras into other parks in the area and even in neighborhoods. The department’s vision is to eventually have these cameras throughout the city to have more eyes to provide more security for the community.

“I think you need to be a little more proactive to these situations than reactive,” said Dominguez. “ I think that’s how we are being a bit more proactive. There is always a potential to get assaulted, robbed and so forth and you have to take some of these steps.”

Those are some ways the City of Mission is being proactive to keep its citizens safe, but there are methods for the public to protect themselves and their loved ones against crime.

Self-defense classes are available throughout the area and if utilized can be a life safer.

Jason Solis, co-owner of Mile High Karate in Mission, specializes in providing self-defense classes for adults and character development for children through Kung fu.

“We are like a Harvard for kids. Our special character development program for kids and families produces Ivy League results,” said Solis. “Our goal is to help children with low self-esteem, obesity, anti-bullying, and educate them on life and leadership skills. We make them highly successful and Ivy League material.”

Solis is a black belt in Ip Ching Chun Kung Fu and is a 23-year veteran of Martial Arts. He has also trained the Dallas S.W.A.T team and U.S. military in self-defense tactics.

Solis says participating in self-defense classes should no longer be a question, but should be viewed as a necessity in today’s world.

“It’s not something we can take lightly. If we watch the news, it proves my point. Keep in mind those are just the situations that get reported,” said Solis. “There are many rapes, homicides, physical assaults and home invasions that are occurring. At Mile High Karate we teach these families how to be safe and secure. Women, children, senior citizens, men, everyone is included.”

There will be over 58,000 non-family abductions this year, according to the National Center for the Missing and Exploited Children. One out of five girls and one out of 10 boys will be sexually abused before they reach adulthood, and somewhere in the U.S. a woman is raped every two minutes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Solis says self-defense techniques would help prevent or protect someone put in one of those hurtful situations. His teachings, he says, prove to be a powerful, simple and a very no nonsense approach to self defense.

“All is covered. Ground defense, if you are ever thrown to the ground. What to do if you’re standing up and taken from behind,” said Solis. “We teach you how to use everyday objects as possible weapons, like a purse and a pen, and make them powerful tools to use [against] would-be rapists, attackers and thieves.”

To participate in these classes, Solis says, you don’t have to be athletic, young or tough.

“By being active in the program, [the students] will receive results and awareness quickly,” said Solis. “It’s something every woman, child, and family should participate in to have an overall self-confidence. In the future, if you don’t know it, it can make a difference of you getting kidnapped or your family getting hurt. That’s the difference between the victim and someone who is prepared.”

Borowitz Black Belt Academy, in McAllen, is another facility in the area that offers self-defense classes for children and adults.

Rita “Cory” Martinez is an instructor at Borowitz, and has been practicing Tae Kwan Do for over 20 years. She teaches self-defense classes to women. She feels if the public would involve themselves in self-defense classes it would make them more aware of their surroundings.

“In order to think globally, we have to think locally. If you start to be more aware with your surroundings, then you start to think what’s going on over there and that’s very important,” said Martinez. “Once they feel more secure about themselves they become more confident and active in their own protection.”

Borowitz also offers anti-bullying programs that help teach and protect children from bullies without having to fight. This is usually geared toward elementary kids to prevent violence early on.

“We try to get them in the mindset of they are not supposed to be fighting or go around picking fights,” said Martinez. “We try to teach them to keep their distance between them and the bully and use their voice to get someone to help. We also help build their confidence and self-esteem, which is key.”

For adults and teenagers, classes also help build confidence and self-esteem, says Martinez, and in turn provides them with a better sense of security.

“It’s more of an inability that they have. We teach them to feel a little more confident if they are walking down dark streets, getting out of class or work late,” she said. “Simple ideas of: be more aware of your surroundings, keep your keys and cell phone close by, and see where you’re parked and who’s parked next to you. Situations people tend to overlook.”

The academy holds workshops and seminars regularly that has students come dressed in their everyday school/work clothes. They practice real life scenarios, and are able to complete a strike against another person who is acting as a criminal in safety gear.

“We have many older women participate. We teach them that many of the things they carry in their purse can be used as self-defense tools. Lipstick can be effective just as a stick. It’s an extension,” said Martinez. “Any weapon they use will be an extension of their arm or leg.”

Martinez says the classes provide students with a good workout and can be a positive bonding family experience if all decide to take part.

“We can’t always just sit around and be afraid of everything going [on] around us. You can always protect yourself from things,” she said. “You can think, ‘I don’t have to sit back and take this.’”

Assistant Police Chief Robert Dominguez wants the public to know that taking self-defense classes are a proactive stance. However, he would want them to use such skills as a last resort.

“I wouldn’t want someone to use what they learn out in the streets. I recommend you be proactive about what you’re doing, instead of getting into a confrontation with somebody,” said Dominguez. “It’s better to have the ability to assess and avoid being a victim. However, if you are entangled with trouble with a criminal, then obviously you need to protect yourself. That’s where self-defense tactics should be used.”

Dominguez advises that the public should take into account what is the criminal really after. Is he after your purse, car, or other belongings?

“Is your life, the life of your child or a loved one worth those couple hundred dollars in your purse or your car,” he said. “Those are material things that can be replaced. I think that people first need to use common sense. Do I put up a fight or do I give them my car keys? Sometimes it’s best to just give up your purse or car keys.”

Martinez suggests that being vigilant about what you’re doing in certain areas helps prevent criminal attacks.

“Be aware of your surroundings. If you’re going to the mall and you’re going to be getting out late, always have your keys ready so you don’t have to be searching. Know your boundaries. If you see someone that looks suspicious, stay away,” she said. “Know what you leave in your car and where you are. Know where your kids are; keep an eye on them. I see a lot of kids running around in yards, and parents are nowhere to be seen.”

Who is more likely to be a victim of a crime? All agree: it can happen to anyone.

“Women were targeted more and easier to pick on in the past. The type of criminal we have now doesn’t discriminate. It can be men, women or children,” said Martinez. “I think criminals would try to target someone that seems weak, unsure, not paying attention and distracted. It’s an easier target versus someone that is being confident or aware.”

Being aware is one of the main tips that self-defense instructors and Mission P.D. would like the public to take with them. Being more aware enhances your ability to think twice about entering a possibly harmful situation and avoiding it all together.

“Be aware. Be confident about yourself and make common sense decisions that not only affect you, but everyone else around you,” said Assistant Police Chief Robert Dominguez.

For more crime prevention tips visit Missionpolice.org or call 584-5000.

For information on self-defense classes or to request a seminar for your school or business, contact Mile High Karate at 458-8876, or Borowitz Black Belt Academy at 994-9220.

Mayor nixes closing Old Military Road

By Kathy Olivarez

A request by L&G Engineering and Mission Economic Development Authority to close a portion of the Old Military Road once the new Military Parkway right-of-way is paved as a public street met with opposition from Mayor Beto Salinas in the Monday meeting of the Mission City Council.

It was the belief of L&G Engineers and the MEDA board that once the Military Parkway was opened there would be minimal need to retain the Old Military Road. The council was told the road was seldom used and has a high incidence of littering and illegal dumping. The brush is dense in the area and there are many potholes in the road, making the road a bit dangerous. The road would not be used until the new road was opened.

Because of a residential mobile home in the area, it was recommended that the road be kept open only to provide access to that area but have a cul-de-sac when the road passed that location.

The council was told the closing of the road was part of the bigger plan for development of the outer loop. The new Military Parkway to be constructed is expected to become a frontage road for the outer loop around Hidalgo County when it is constructed. Closing the Old Military Road would mean one less intersection to have to worry about when building the loop.

Mayor Salinas objected, saying the Old Military Road was part of the history of Mission. Instead of closing the road, city crews needed to fix the road and clean out the brush. He also felt that residents of Madero probably used the road for closer access to their homes and would object to it being closed.

Zoning Matters

Under zoning matters, rezoning of lot nine, block eight, South Bryan Ridge Subdivision from R-1 to C-1 was approved by the council. The site is 2,000 feet south of Business 83 along the west side of Bryan Road. The Future Land Use Map shows the area to have a low-density designation but the site is located along the widened part of Bryan Road, which is now five-lanes and unlikely to be used for residences. Feeling the site is best for commercial use, the council approved the request.

A conditional use permit for a CVS Pharmacy to be built on the southeast corner of Shary Road and Mile 2 Road was approved. The site plan showed more than ample parking with 73 lots.

A request for a groundwater monitoring well in public right-of-way north of lot 12, Shary Meadows Subdivision was tabled for further discussion.

Housing Bids Awarded

The city recently solicited bids for Housing Assistance and House Rehabilitation Phase 90-1 for reconstruction of 12 homes. Cervilla Investments received one bid in the amount of $11,500. Del Sol Homes received two bids in the amount of $42,000. Grande Valley Builders received one bid in the amount of $6,000. Aguirre Framing and Construction received three bids totaling $51,650. GMH Construction received three bids totaling $53,000.

One bid was canceled due to issues with title clearance. Another project will be rebid because bids came in higher than the estimated cost.

Since 1999, a total of 75 percent of the city’s annual Community Development Block Grant funds have been spent for reconstruction projects. A total of 253 families have received housing assistance. Of those, 170 families were helped with reconstruction assistance, while 83 families were provided with rehabilitation assistance, including emergency repairs.

Other City Projects

The Public Works Department received authorization to solicit bids for repair of manholes. Cement manholes will be replaced with fiberglass manholes. This is intended to prevent further deterioration of manholes in the city.

Subject to approval by legal counsel, the council approved entering into an agreement for Demand Response Services for South Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.

The bid for relocation of a 12-inch sanitary sewer line and water line at the new Bryan Overpass at Expressway 83 was awarded to 5125 Company in the amount of $995,125.

Following executive session, the council approved forgiveness of demolition fees and cleaning fees on Morales Lot One, subject to getting a release from Horacio and Elida Garza.

The council approved a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month and the week of April 4 through 10 was designated National Community Development Week.

Golden Knights wow Eagles with demonstration

By Edwina P. Garza

MISSION — Students at Mission High School were looking to the sky Monday, as members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team gave them a unique and different career path with the military.

The Golden Knights, a parachute team that travels around the country to recruit future Army soldiers, were in Mission on Monday, first stopping at Veterans Memorial High School before landing at Tom Landry Stadium to provide a brief exhibition of their skills.

The Golden Knights, founded in 1959, have performed more than 15,000 shows across the country, reaching more than 20,000 people per show. Through jump demonstrations and public speaking with the Army’s target audience, the team is able to direct potential applicants to the on-site Army Recruiter. The 91 men and women who make up the Golden Knights are separated into seven sections with two demonstration teams, a tandem team, two competition teams, an aviation detachment and a headquarters section, according to the group’s Web site.

As the school’s student body took their seats at the stadium, the team’s helicopter was circling the high school, said Principal Janie Connelly.

Following his jump and landing, Sgt. Aaron Figel explained the history of the Golden Knights and the mechanics of their jumps at 120 miles per hour thousands of feet above the air.

After their landings, members of the team explained their reasons for joining the Army and encouraged the students to consider the military career path.

SFC. J.D. Berentis, a former carpenter, said he’s traveled the world with the Army, and once he leaves the organization, he’s got his college paid for.

“There’s a lot of opportunities in the Army,” he said. “We’re all joining from different areas of the country for one mission, to protect the United States.”

Following the demonstration, students were invited to meet with the team members and talk with recruiters while helping the team fold their parachutes.

“This is a once in a lifetime” experience, Connelly said.

Author and Peñitas native returns to crowded library for reading

By Edwina P. Garza

PEÑITAS — Growing up here, it never even occurred to René Saldaña Jr. that a library could – or even should – exist in Peñitas.

When the opportunity would present itself, Saldaña and his classmates took trips to libraries in Mission or McAllen for schoolwork.

But after a reading he did on Tuesday afternoon at the Peñitas Public Library off of South Main Street to a beyond capacity crowd of all ages, he’s disappointed in himself.

“Why wasn’t I thinking we needed a library here,” he asked himself in front of the audience.

Saldaña, an author of Latino young adult literature who’s most known from his first book, The Jumping Tree, was in town this week reading at different schools including José de Escandón Elementary in the La Joya school district, for the Texas Book Festival in partnership with the University of Texas-Pan American’s Festiba Celebration. The Texas Book Festival, with its Reading Rock Stars program, promotes reading and writing by providing author visits, and new books to children in economically disadvantaged schools.

Through programs like these, children find themselves in front of authors almost regularly, asking them questions about their craft.

“I love the fact that the idea of reading is starting to be a big deal,” Saldaña said, explaining that students he met with earlier had a number of questions for him, prepared on note cards. “They’re very accustomed to meeting authors and being audience members, which I didn’t have growing up.”

La Joya High School seniors Yadira Cortez and Carlissa Garcia said they were told about their reading from their English teacher. Both fans of Saldaña’s work, they sat up front at his reading for a rare chance to meet with an author.

“This was really cool,” Cortez said.

Texas Tech University. Previously, he taught at UTPA and at schools within the La Joya and Mission school districts.

His first book came from the stories he told to students at the middle schools he taught at, which later helped him form stories for his first book.

“It’s my ‘most Peñitas’-kind of book,” he explained.

The idea to hold a reading at his former home base came from Professor William Broz at UTPA, who wanted his students to meet with Saldaña after studying his work in class.

“It is a pleasure to be back in Peñitas,” he told the audience, which included Peñitas city officials and Saldaña’s former colleagues.

Saldaña read “Kiss Me Kate” before taking questions from the audience about writing.

He advised young aspiring authors to write and expose themselves to local writers before broadening their horizons.

“We have to write them down,” he said of stories about the people of the Rio Grande Valley. “What a shame it would have been if there were no artifacts left to show that we were one of the oldest settlements in the state.”

Commissioners cut 26 positions in Precinct 1

By Edwina P. Garza

EDINBURG — Only a few weeks after Sylvia Handy resigned from her post as Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 1, more than a dozen positions have been eliminated following an audit from a local legal team.

Commissioners voted to cut 26 positions at their meeting this week. Officials said 10 of those positions were already vacant.

“Our analysis is more toward the legal aspect of it,” said County Attorney Steve Crane.

A primary concern was to ensure the county wasn’t in any potential legal trouble with having an employee listed as a director of a department, yet not doing any of the work, said Valerie Glass, an attorney with Atlas & Hall, which were hired to do the county’s assessment of Precinct 1.

Businessman A.C. Cuellar was installed as an interim commissioner for the precinct on Wednesday in Weslaco; he was selected by Hidalgo County Judge Rene Ramirez last week.

Commissioners were in executive session throughout the morning to discuss the re-assignment and dismissal of employees within the precinct. Glass said the county’s main concern was with the Fair Labor Standards Act, which concerns wage issues and discrimination. Glass said she spent a significant amount of time looking at positions, job classifications, and job descriptions to ensure they were compliant with the FLSA.

“We recommend that we correct any problematic issues that may trigger” a lawsuit, Glass said.

Along with legal compliance, officials said they also compared Precinct 1 job titles and duties with other precincts.

In the end, after 26 jobs will be eliminated, four jobs in the precinct were restructured, 15 new jobs were recommended to be created.

The 26 positions will be eliminated following an approval from the civil service board this afternoon.

Ramirez said the analysis and recommendations to cut a number of jobs will help make for a more efficient office and allows Precinct 1 officials and employees to better serve the residents who live there.

In other action, Precinct 3’s request to award a contract through Urban County with Sol Technologies was approved. The contract is for a Palmview street project in the Tierra Linda Subdivision. The work will cost $233,543, according to county records.

Budget Officer Raul Silguero Jr. said the county is taking project nominations for the 2010 Capital Improvement Plan. In the next 60 days, the county will be issuing certificates of obligation, commonly called CO’s. Over the next few weeks, Silguero said the budget department would be gathering information from precincts and county departments for consideration of projects.

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