Opinion
Letter to the Editor – Mission CISD police department
After reading in the Progress Times that MCISD is considering its own police force I couldn’t help but recall the long proven saying that “it takes a village to raise a child”. That village of course includes its fire department, political infrastructure, laws, schools, churches and of course a police department. Each of these are…
Read MoreTransparency at the Texas Capitol: A bipartisan effort
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas To witness bipartisanship at the Texas Capitol, look to the lawmakers who are working to improve open government laws. Legislators from both political parties are igniting interest in transparency and creating the opportunity for all lawmakers to protect the people’s right to know.…
Read MoreHonor and Remember Our Fallen Heroes
Column by Senator Hinojosa, May 2022 On Memorial Day we honor and remember the men and women who have given their lives in service to the United States. These fallen heroes put their country, their neighbors, their friends before themselves and made the ultimate sacrifice defending our liberties. Some volunteered and some were drafted, but…
Read MoreEnding the Misuse of Energy Savings Performance Contracts by Local Governments
Column by State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, January 2022 An ongoing federal investigation has recently revealed that energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) were being used to make kickback and bribe payments to local elected officials in western Hidalgo County. The wide-ranging investigation involves Performance Services Inc. (“PSI”), an Indiana-based company that convinced these local governments…
Read MoreLetter to the Editor
Is it just me or does it seem that the road construction on Conway Avenue has been forgotten about? I thought they were resurfacing the street, but it’s been three weeks since that happened. Poor maintenance on a major road that runs through the heart of Mission is not good for business. The road is…
Read MoreTristan’s hunting story
First opening weekend of rifle season will always be one of our family’s favorite weekends of the year. But bringing in a new member into this deer hunting party will always be a refreshing reminder of the excitement that a fresh pair of eyes can bring to a family group. For 10 year old Pablo…
Read MoreLETTER TO THE EDITOR – RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS LETTER
In response to Dr. Sparks letter about the proposed tax rate hike, I would ask him to consider that for at 17 of the 20 years I have lived here the citizens of Mission have lived under the false assumption that a fast growing city could continually lower its taxes and keep up with increased…
Read MoreFried to perfection
Southern Fried, a restaurant based originally in McAllen, has arrived in Mission. One of the charms of the establishment, which boasts a menu of fried fish filets, shrimp, chicken strips, wings and homestyle sandwiches, is that it is local, and family-owned and operated. Conveniently located just two minutes from the Progress Times office, Southern Fried…
Read More9/11, 19 years later
As I practiced reading and writing in a small, bustling kindergarten classroom, tragedy struck the nation. Most people who were already adults have their own perspective of the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is often claimed that young people, particularly those who were children at the time, have no grasp of…
Read MoreLETTER TO THE EDITOR: Say No to Taxes
I am writing this letter in response to the upcoming vote to raise taxes in the city of Mission at the meeting on Monday, September 14, 2020. I have a question for the city. Why would the City Council of Mission want to raise taxes in the middle of a pandemic when so many people…
Read More