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Cathy Garcia's community serviceis gratitude to country

County commissioners and RMA discuss tollway

MCISD and Mission PD remind dirvers to take caution

Alton proposes tax rate, budget for 2010-2011

Flood damage estimates over $10 million in Hidalgo Co.

LJISD discusses alternative education, election

Mission PD: You have a choice

Cathy Garcia’s community service is gratitude to country

By Mary Nichols

MISSION — Cathy Garcia has great faith in God, believing He had a plan for her from the moment she was born.

When she was just two days old living in an orphanage in Cd. Juárez, Mexico, she was adopted by an American family.

As an adult, inching on a decade of participating in public efforts to better the city she calls home, Garcia serves as chairwoman for the Mission Chamber of Commerce, and takes part on the Mission Economic Development Corporation and the Mission Economic Development Authority Board. She has volunteered her services to various community projects and is an assistant pastor at the World Center Church in Mission.

“One of my beliefs is if you serve other leaders, you will learn great leadership skills,” she said. “That’s what happened to me. I stepped out to help with the chamber and the community in whatever capacity as a volunteer. I was exposed to great leadership. Soon I had my own leadership roles.”

Her willingness to give back to her community and serve others is her way of showing her gratitude for the chance she was given at life.

“I think my experience of being adopted is why I wanted to give back to my family and my community. I have been so grateful,” she said with a smile. “It was just instilled in me to give back. It’s been such a privilege to be in the United States.”

The motivation to give back to others originated with Garcia’s adoptive parents, Nelson and Susan Nissley, who lived in El Paso. Susan was a volunteer at the orphanage in Juárez, Mexico and crossed paths with Garcia’s biological mother, who was giving her children up for adoption when she was unable to support them.

After adopting Garcia, the family moved to Pharr where Garcia grew up and graduated from Grace Christian School.

“I always knew I was adopted. My family all had blond hair and blue eyes and I was this little Mexican girl. They couldn’t hide it from me, but I was honored to be part of the family,” she explained. “I grew up knowing God must have something real special for me. My mother influenced me greatly. She told me I could become someone and could accomplish anything.”

Garcia didn’t let her childhood experience hamper her ability to be successful. Instead she used it as a positive influence to help her accomplish her goals.

At the age of 19, Garcia found a keenness for religion and decided she wanted a career in ministry. In 1993, she studied and graduated from the Assemblies of God Church here in Mission. Part of the program involved ministry students to complete cross-cultural training to graduate. So Garcia traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and lived and worked in the small country for a year. This was Garcia’s first time away from home.

“We worked with different churches and ministries at different capacities. We traveled throughout Southeast Asia learning the culture and how to live there,” she said. “We learned how to communicate with different people and served them in all kinds of ways. It was such a learning experience.”

Traveling to different areas of Asia sparked Garcia’s desire to travel the world and serve others. Over the years, she has traveled around Europe, Thailand and other small cities in Mexico. She has provided religious, medical, and other services to communities in those areas.

In 2006, she became an ordained minister through World Center Ministries Incorporated. Through the years, Garcia has served the church in different capacities, as an ordained minister, and now serving her third year as an assistant pastor at World Center Church. Garcia also serves as a liaison between community and church, helps with the church’s private school, World Center Leadership Academy, and overseas the music department of the church.

Bernardo Martinez, Garcia’s assistant at World Center Church, said she is very committed to God and serving others.

“She has a genuine passion to please God in everything she does. She has a very high standard of excellence. So everything she does, she does well,” he said. “She has great leadership in the church and the community.”

While being involved with the church, Garcia participated in Leadership Mission in 2005. The course offered background on the city and helped educate participants on how they can become leaders in their communities.

Garcia later volunteered her skills to various projects taking place for the City of Mission. She has served as a board member for the Mission Chamber of Commerce for five years, leading to her position today as chairwoman of the board.

“I love where the leadership of Mission is taking the city. It’s growing, expanding and developing. It’s a beautiful place to grow up, live and raise a family,” she said. “I believe in it and I believe in serving in the capacity that I do.”

Garcia’s background led her to want to offer her services to her church and community, but her past would also lead her back to Juárez, Mexico and the orphanage.

In 2006, Garcia returned to Mexico to find her biological mother. She said the search for her birth mother wasn’t to fill a void, but was out of curiosity.

“The first time I met my biological mother, the first thing she said to me was that she made a decision of love,” she said. “She told me, ‘I want you to know I didn’t give you away because I didn’t want you. I gave you away because I made a decision of love.’ I felt like then, that everything that led to that moment had happened for a reason.”

The assistant pastor with the bubbly personality then took her adoptive parents to meet her biological parents.

“It was one of the highlights of my life to see the parents that raised me come together with my biological parents,” she explained. “I got to see them all together and see how they were both grateful for one another. My adoptive mom thanked my biological mother for giving me life. My biological mom thanked my adoptive mother for raising me.”

Garcia made her own decision of love when she and her husband, Eluid, adopted Juan, 14, and Elizabeth, 13. Both children, whose adoption process began in June 2007, were taken in from the same orphanage Garcia had been adopted from.

Martinez accompanied Garcia when she went to pick up her children and said it’s a moment he will never forget.

“It was the highlight of working with her. Not just because she was adopting, but because of the destiny behind it,” he explained. “Adopting two kids from the same orphanage from the same city and finding her real mom was all just amazing.”

The children have completed their first school year with good grades and are adjusting well in their new home. Garcia said the family has shared many firsts and it has been a joyful experience.

“I know they are in a safe place now; it was such a great choice. Their lives will forever be changed. They will have opportunities come their way they never would have had before. I’m excited for them and what’s to come,” said Garcia. “I believe one day they will also make their decisions of love and reach out to others and help them.”

Garcia still goes to Juárez to visit her biological mother and attempts to help her mother in any capacity she can.

“Juárez is a difficult place to live in. We are in a position to give back. My biological mother lives in a very small house with a really bad roof,” she said. “We were able to help and provide other resources. She has given me life so how could I not give back?”

Garcia is also giving back to the City of Mission. She takes part in projects like Mission’s Trash Bash, the Mayor’s Annual Prayer Luncheon and worked with citizens against Proposition 1. Her work with the chamber continues and they are working hard to promote their ‘Go Mission’ campaign to bring visitors and locals to stay, shop, work and play in the city.

Eluid, Garcia’s husband of 19 years and executive pastor of World Center Church, said his wife’s involvement in the community is out of passion and not obligation.

“I totally support her being involved with the city. She is very involved and I’m glad because she enjoys it,” he said. “She brings a different aspect and experience to the city.”

Garcia also found herself campaigning for elected officials like Councilman Ruben Plata and Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas. Garcia said she worked long, hard hours in Salinas’ re-election campaign because she believes in what he stands for and where he is leading the city.

“She is always available to help, especially for people in the community,” said Salinas. “She is wonderful and does great work at the chamber and anything else she gets involved in.”

Garcia does not see her service to the city or community ever ending. She wants to continue to be available in whatever capacity she can.

“If you want to make a difference, you have to get involved. I really believe that. You have to work hard at whatever you do; laziness doesn’t get you very far, but hard work pays off,” she said. “You have to step up to the plate, put your ears back, sink your heels in and just go for it.”

She said God had a plan for her. That plan began the day she was adopted, leading to the adoption of her own children and meeting her biological mother. These events led to her forte to help and serve others. Her life has come full circle, she said.

This is why Garcia loves and lives by one of her favorite Bible verses from Jeremiah 29:11.

It reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Hidalgo County commissioners and RMA discuss tollway

By Edwina P. Garza

EDINBURG — The construction of the area’s first tollway system could come with a heavy bill for Hidalgo County to support, which commissioners worry could affect the county’s borrowing power for other vital projects over the next 10 years.

With an estimated cost of $400 million for a 30-mile tollway, which will stretch between international bridges in Anzalduas and Donna, the Regional Mobility Authority will need help in paying an anticipated shortfall of $30 million. On Monday, the RMA held a meeting with Hidalgo County commissioners to address concerns for funding the project.

Tentative plans call for the project to be completed in two phases. RMA officials said the western lanes of the project will be funded through the RMA using federal, state and local funds; the eastern lanes will need to be financed through local funds like toll revenues and vehicle registration fees. After that, the county would need to borrow the remaining funds, which is estimated over $30 million, to assist the RMA in the project.

Officials with the RMA said it was important the county help support the tollway financially if the area ever wants to see the project complete.

“It’s more than hard, it’s challenging,” the RMA’s financial advisor Richard Ramirez said of funding the project.

RMA’s Chairman Dennis Burleson said the two organizations needed to work together as partners on the project.

“The RMA is very willing to enter into an agreement,” he told commissioners.

The county’s financial advisor, Noe Hinojosa, said it’s hard to tell if the tollway would be profitable immediately.

“You need to get into this with your eyes wide open and alert,” he said.

With that in mind, several commissioners said they were uneasy about committing to a huge debt for the tollway. Judge Elect Ramon Garcia said he was concerned about the county’s future borrowing capacity and the liability the county could face is the RMA goes broke. Likewise, Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza Jr. said he didn’t like having to fund a $30 million shortfall when the county has so many other projects to finance over the next 10 years.

“We’re talking about a project that has us working with a group that’s broke,” Garza said. “We’re not sure we want to be stranded with the debt and responsibility…the risk factors are high.”

Trying to help soften the blow of the shortfall, Burleson asked the county to consider increasing the vehicle registration fee. At this week’s Commissioners’ Court, the discussion was tabled until next week, when a full court is present.

Mario Jorge, district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation, urged commissioners to consider a partnership, adding it would be nearly impossible for one organization to fund the project on its own.

“The days of TxDOT doing everything are over,” he said.

MCISD and Mission PD remind drivers to take caution

By Carina A. Brunson

MISSION — In preparation for the new school year, members of the Mission Police Department conducted a ride-along in a school bus last Thursday to raise awareness about how serious they are when it comes to the safety of the children riding on school buses.

The school bus, trailed by two police cruisers, made frequent stops along FM 495 and Bryan roads, pausing to allow motorists to observe the stop sign and flashing lights on the bus.

Most motorists stopped, but a few didn’t and were stopped by the police cruisers.

In a span of an hour, the school bus made seven stops. Nearly a dozen motorists did not stop when the bus’s stop sign and lights were flashing. Some of the motorists who didn’t obey the signs were stopped by police and given warnings. The exercise was meant only to alert drivers about their responsibilities when driving around or next to a school bus, officials said.

Isidoro Reyna, a bus driver for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, who participated in last week’s event, said he sees motorists not following the law daily. Often times, people are not aware of the laws and don’t know they have to stop when there is not an island, or a dividing line, between lanes. Reyna said he wanted to make sure drivers are aware of school buses.

Most drivers were not stopping because they know school hasn’t started yet, “so they don’t think they need to stop,” Reyna said.

While school isn’t in session, there are summer programs where school buses are providing transportation. Just because school is not in session does not mean motorists should not abide by the law, officials said.

“Make them aware that children are involved,” Reyna said. “The law is the law, you still have to stop.”

Mission Police Sgt. Jody Tittle said local law enforcement wanted to make sure that motorists were aware that they have to stop, even if they are not behind the bus, but are coming the opposite direction.

All motorists that did not stop when the bus stopped during this exercise were driving in the opposite direction.

The only time motorists traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop for school bus loading or unloading is when there are separate roadways, or the roadway “is separated by an intervening space,” meaning a median, barrier or island like North Conway Avenue has north of 2 Mile Line Road.

Motorists who fail to stop when a school bus’ signals are in use face a possible Class C misdemeanor. Violators could be fined up to $1,000, and no less than $200, plus court costs. Violators could face harsher punishment if they have more than one offense, cause bodily injury to another, or have an outstanding fine, or can not pay the fine.

Alton proposes tax rate, budget for 2010-2011

By Kathy Olivarez

ALTON — Thanks to an increase in property values as a result of recent annexation, Alton will be able to increase its 2010-2011 fiscal year budget by approximately $250,000, City Manager Jorge Arcaute said.

The budget for next year is based on the total property appraised values of the city, which is $273,393,864, Arcaute said.

Last week, in a presentation of the proposed budget, staff said the budget showed anticipated revenues of $5.2 million and projected expenditures of almost $5.6 million.

Additionally, city officials said revenues and expenditures for the general fund were estimated to be at around $3.6 million.

City officials said the budget also included the additions of new personnel like two firefighters and two police officers, among a few other positions. There will be no cutbacks in staff, Arcaute said.

While the city has no plans to build any major facilities, Arcaute said Alton is trying to get a federal grant to $ 1.3 million build a fire station. That cost, however, is not reflected in the 2010-2011 budget. After the fire station, the city can look into needs such as libraries and more parks. Funding for a virtual library has also been submitted, but Arcaute doesn’t anticipate it to be funded this fiscal year.

“For the past few years, we have been working on getting our facilities up to speed,” he said.

Arcaute recommended the city set its tax rate at $0.4437, which was the rollback tax rate limit. This would give the city a tax levy of $1,363,142. Representatives from the Hidalgo County Tax Office said the effective tax rate for the city was $0.5128, which would create revenues of $1,401,964.

The tax rate for 2009 was $0.4950, which gave the city revenues of $1,353,300.

Arcaute said the city had grown and had annexed several subdivisions creating a larger tax base. The certified appraisal tax roll was set at $273,146,774. Because the value of the city was higher, the lower tax rate recommended would produce more revenues for the city than the previous year.

Final adoption of the fiscal budget and tax rate is set for Sept. 14.

In the budget, the biggest area of concern was the sewer fund, which showed revenues of $572,138 and anticipated expenditures of $974,409, a difference of $402,271 of expenditures over revenues. Arcaute said this would change as sewer rates would be raised to a point that users paid for the services they received instead of the general fund supplementing the cost of sewer service to the city.

Once everyone was paying for all of their services, the revenue in the sewer fund would increase to cover the expenses. Arcaute said the sewer line also served some people outside the city limits and it was not fair that the city should supplement their sewer costs as well as residents.

Prior to the annexation, the city had about 3,000 utility accounts; after the annexation, the number increased to almost 3,700 accounts, Arcaute said.

The Urban County Work Plan for street improvements was amended to include La Point, Combes, Nixon, Waxahachie, Blue Bonnet, and Vega streets in the 2010 work plan. Arcaute said funds left from previous year work plans would be used to fund the extra street repairs.

The council approved use of the Alton City Hall for early voting and Election Day voting for the Nov. 2 general election. Early voting starts Oct. 18 and runs to Oct. 29 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. except on Oct. 24 when polls are open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In other action, the council passed a resolution supporting the Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc. organization and establishing a Keep Alton Beautiful Committee.

Flood damage estimates over $10 million in Hidalgo Co.

By Edwina P. Garza

EDINBURG — Hidalgo County officials said damages across the county as a result of Hurricane Alex and Tropical Depression No. 2 totaled to approximately $11 million.

Lorie Ochoa, with the office of Hidalgo County Judge Rene A. Ramirez, said 9,000 homes were affected by floodwater and 195 homes had reported major damages. The flood also affected about 31 businesses, she said recently at Commissioners’ Court.

Last week, Emergency Management Coordinator Tony Peña said a neighborhood off of South I Road was still underwater and hadn’t been surveyed yet.

As the flood waters start to recede, Peña said the county would have to work on cleaning up the debris left behind. Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza Jr. suggested finding the least expensive way to get rid of debris; burning brush would be less costly than hauling it away.

Residents who have property damage as a result of the flood water are encouraged to call 1-800-621-FEMA to make a claim with the government. The county is also requesting that people call the county’s bilingual disaster recovery hotline 1-866-613-5277, which will be open throughout the month. A FEMA office has been set up at the Administration Building, 100 E. Cano, second floor, in Edinburg. FEMA officials said it takes about three days for workers to visit a home for assessment after a report is filed.

County employees also started the Rio Relief Drive at county offices this week. Donations for perishable food, hygiene products and other items can be left at county offices for the next three weeks.

In other items last week, the county’s comprehensive economic development strategy study was presented by officials from the University of Texas-Pan American. Michael Uhrbrock said a draft report of the study would be public for 30 days, allowing the public to leave comments for the five-year economic development study. A final adoption of the plan will be made after the comment period.

“The important input that is provided by the public is critical to completing the plan we’ve come up with through extensive research, public meetings and under the direction of the IGNITE strategy committee,” Ramiréz said. “It should reflect the economic interests of all the citizens of Hidalgo County.”

IGNITE Hidalgo County is a strategic plan being developed by the county, with help from the university, to unify Hidalgo County’s diverse economic development strategies and identify its assets to enhance the region’s competitive position. It is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the local economy.

Copies of the draft report are located at the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office; the University of Texas-Pan American, International Trade and Technology Building, Room 1.404K, or online at www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/ignite or the IGNITE Wiki page, http://hidalgocountyceds.org/wikispaces.com.

Written comments can be submitted online at www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/ignite or by e-mail to ignite@hidalgocountyjudge.com. Comments can also be faxed to 956-318-2699 or mailed/dropped off at the Hidalgo County Judge's Office, located at 100 E. Cano, Edinburg, TX 78539. Comments will be incorporated into the document where applicable. The final strategic plan will later be submitted to the Economic Development Administration.

Comments will be accepted until Sept. 7.

LJISD discusses alternative education, school board election

By Carina A. Brunson

LA JOYA — If the district wants to help the maximum number of students graduate, it must incorporate the needs of its students, officials told board members this week.

Sofia Villarreal, area director for Alternative Education Programs, spoke to the La Joya Independent School District board about alternative education programs the school district incorporates to reach their students. She discussed the opportunities that are available for students.

“We know all students can learn, but some students need alternative settings,” she said.

Currently, the district provides alternative education for individuals up to 26 years of age. Programs identify how many credits students need to graduate or be at the same level as their peers.

The alternative programs offered include HOPE Academy, Program Parenting Program, College Transition Academy, College and Career Center, GED Program, Texas Virtual School Network, and Program Parenting Education, along with the Accelerated Centers at each school are geared to promote success in students.

At the LJISD’s board meeting, the group approved a contract with Hidalgo County Elections Department for the special rollback tax rate election to be held on Sept. 18. The special election is being held for citizens to approve a rollback tax rate of $1.17.

This proposed tax rate is not an increase, but will change how the taxes are allocated, district officials said. The rate will go toward special projects and raises that have been recommended to the school board.

The school board plans to approve the proposed budget on Aug. 25.

The board also approved Yvonne Ramon, the county’s election administrator, to be the elections administrator for the Nov. 2 general school board election. Places 1, 2, 3 and 4 are up for re-election. Filing deadline is Aug. 24. For more information, visit the LJISD election office at 201 E. Expressway 83, or call 956-580-5000.

Mission PD: You have a choice

By Carina A. Brunson

MISSION — The Mission Police Department, in cooperation with a Texas Department of Transportation initiative, have joined in the Cop/Cab Program to raise awareness about drunk driving.

“People have a choice when it comes to consuming alcoholic beverages,” said MPD Assistant Chief Martin Garza. “They can either call a cab, call a friend or go to jail.”

Garza emphasized that police want to help drivers avoid getting arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) or being humiliated.

MPD officials said the department primarily wants to reduce accidents and save lives by raising awareness and using a vehicle to help promote the program.

The vehicle is part cab, part cop car. Slogans on the car read, “Drink. Drive. Go To Jail.”

Throughout the week, the vehicle has been parked outside local businesses, particularly business that sell alcohol. Thus far, the campaign vehicle has spent time in front of Mission Parks and Recreation, Rivera’s Funeral Home and Taco Ole.

“It’s an eye catcher,” said Garza.

The program will run through Labor Day, Sept. 6.

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