Advance News Journal October 2, 2013

Wednesday, October 2, 2013Printed in the USA

Vol. 35 Issue 40 35¢

LIFE’S LIGHTER SIDE

See SIGNS, page 6

Why you should proofreadyour classified ad!

Editor’s note: They say that laughter is good for the soul.So with that in mind, this week we bring you classified want-adbloopers.

1. Two female Boston Terrier puppies, seven wks old, perfectmarkings, 555-1234. Leave mess.

2. Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one ofthe family.

3. A superb and inexpensive restaurant. Fine food expertly

1. Sign in Laundromat: “Automatic Washing Machines: PleaseRemove All Your Clothes When The Light Goes Out.”

2. Sign in a London department store: “Bargain BasementUpstairs.”

3. Sign in an office: “Would The Person Who Took The StepLadder Yesterday Please Bring it Back Or Further Steps Will BeTaken.”

4. Sign in an office: “After the break, staff should empty theteapot and stand upside down on the draining board.”

5. Sign outside a secondhand shop: “We exchange anything—

Misleading signs

See JOKES, page 7

Observations

See OBSERVATIONS, p. 16

Feds shut downHealth Insurance

MarketplaceOpening Day –

October 1How to access Obamacare

Editor’s note: This news-paper is being put togetherTuesday, while the federalgovernment remains, for themost part, shut down. Morethan one million federalworkers have been tempo-rarily thrown out of work.

House Republicans want toblock Obamacare, AKA, thePatient Protection and Af-fordable Care Act, by passinga new spending bill thatwould defund it. The Demo-crat-controlled U.S. Senate,however, has rejected theplan. Hence, the stalemate.

If the U.S. Congress canforge some agreement soon,the federal offices will beclosed for only a few daysinstead of weeks. Some freshconcerns have been raised,however, since the federalgovernment faces anotherspending crisis around the15th of this month whencongressional members mustvote to raise the U.S.Government’s $16.7 trilliondebt ceiling. Some Republi-cans have cited that date asanother opportunity todefund Obamacare. Failureto raise the debt ceilingwould force the U.S.

Pct. 2 ConstableMartin “Marty” Cantu

Constable Cantu discounts JP charge:“We use our own vehicles for work”

In a story published last week on this newspaper’sfront page – Are the JPs greedy or in search of fairness? –the question was raised: What do county constables do tojustify $14,000 per year in travel expenses?

One of the Hidalgo County justices of the peacequoted in the story, Bobby Contreras, precinct 2, place 1,said he didn’t think it was right that constables made$4,000 per year in travel allowance than the JPs.

“I just don’t think that’s right,” said Contreras.Salary-wise, JPs and constables earn the same —

$80,000. But with regard to travel allowance, it’s $10k vs.$14k.

“I’d say we work longer hours than most of the con-stables,” said Contreras. “Plus, we travel a lot more.”

Asked to respond to Contreras’s remarks, Precinct 2Constable Martin “Marty” Cantu, recently sworn in thisyear, said, “Actually, it’s a vehicle allowance. And for con-stables, we drive our personal vehicles. Those markedvehicles (mainly SUVs) you see being driven around thecounty by deputy constables, those belong to the county.But the vehicles driven around by the Constables, thoseare our personal vehicles.”

See CANTU, page 18

PSJA Education Foundation -- Pictured: (top, left to right)Ronnie Cantu, Robert “Bob” Garza, Joel Gonzalez(President),Trino Medina, Mike Cano,(botom left to right) Bobby Rodriguez,Eddie Cantu (Vice President), Dr. Daniel King (Secretary),Sandra Martinez, Celeste Guerra, Jesus Zambrano, Jesus “Jesse”Vela (Treasurer)

PSJA Foundation’s kick-offgala next Wednesday

See FOUNDATION, page 17

You have to say this aboutthe new PSJA Foundation – it’sgoals are lofty.

“We’re shooting for$250,000 this year,” says itspresident, Joel Gonzalez, him-self a product of PSJA andtoday, a successful banker.

Next Wednesday, the foun-dation kicks off its initialfundraiser at the Pharr EventsCenter, with country starRoger Creager on tap. Formore information, call theFoundation at 454-7247. (Seead, page 8).

The PSJA Foundation is anoffshoot of the old Tri-CityBusiness/Education Coalition,which was started during the1990s, as a way to bring pro-fessionals from the education

Area News

2 THE ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL Wednesday, October 2, 2013

819 N. Veterans Blvd. • Pharr, Texas 78577Bus.: (956) 781-7771 • Fax: (956) 781-9318

1-888-556-2825

Bob Treviño and staff are ready to helpwith all your insurance needs.

Group Medical • Life • Disability

Students at McAllen’s Woodrow Wilson Elementary formed themselves into a human peacesign for the International Day of Peace celebration held Sept. 23 at the campus. Approximately550 students wearing white t-shirts posed for the photo. As part of an International art andliteracy project, students also created Pinwheels for Peace. Students added messages andpictures to each pinwheel. They will be planted on the north end of the school. The schoolwould like to thank McAllen Fire Dept. for making this photo possible.

McAllen students form human peace sign

Miki McCarthy

ALAMO — The AlamoEconomic Development Cor-poration (EDC) settled withits former director, MikiMcCarthy, last Wednesday inclosed session, but the detailsof the settlement have yet tobe released.

According to interimEDC Director Luciano Ozuna,who also serves as the citymanager, the conditions of theMcCarthy settlement werediscussed in executive ses-sion. So they can’t be dis-closed.

“Based on what the EDCattorney (McAllen-basedJacqueline Salinas) has said,the details of the settlementdon’t have to be disclosed tothe public,” said Ozuna.

McCarthy resigned lastmonth from her $50,000-a-year job amid talk of bittercity politics. But to date, noone will speak on the recordas to exactly why she left. Thesame week she resigned, theEDC board had put her jobperformance up for reviewon the next board meetingagenda.

According to a news storypublished in the AdvanceNews Journal last week, basedin part on letters exchangedbetween the EDC and thecity, McCarthy’s resignationmay have started with a dis-agreement over how a co-mingled bank account wasmanaged. The former EDCpresident, Charles Fishel,

Alamo EDC settles with former directorBut does public have a right to know?

wrote a letter to the city ofAlamo, dated Aug. 30, sayingthat the city was to no longerhave electronic access to theEDC’s bank accounts. Andthat he’d already talked to thebank about it.

Twelve days later, thecity’s finance director wroteback to Fishel, saying that thebank will not honor his re-quest, because basically, hecan’t cut off the city’s accessto EDC bank funds withoutfirst, his own EDC board’sapproval, along with that ofthe city commission. Neitherof which he had obtained be-fore visiting the bank. Fishel’sletter to the city was sent asan attachment from aMcCarthy email, so it was clearthat she had the full knowl-edge and understanding ofwhat Fishel was trying to do.

Meanwhile, the AdvanceNews Journal has sent apublic information open-

records-request letter to At-torney Salinas, citing TexasGovernment Code 552.022,

paragraph 18, which clearlystipulates, anytime publicmonies are used to settle per-

sonnel matters that involves

See ALAMO, page 4

Business for Sale to interested, serious buyers

Area News

Wednesday, October 2, 2013 THE ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL 3

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ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL, (USPS 433-950) is pub-lished weekly for $18.00 per year in HidalgoCounty; $25.00 per year outside-of-county andout-of-state by The Advance Publishing Co., 217W. Park, Pharr, TX 78577. Second-Class Postagepaid at San Juan and additional mailing office.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AdvanceNews Journal, 217 W. Park, Pharr, TX 78577.Gregg B. Wendorf, Editor/Publisher.

Weekly Tip for Senior Citizens

A long life and laughter – The strange case of Norman CousinsNote from VDP

Health Care – A majorpart of our health-caremission is to provideexceptional, quality homehealth care to our clientsand to their respectivefamilies. In addition, westrive to promotepreventive health care soas to improve thiscommunity’s quality of lifefor its senior citizens.

We also aim to inform. This week, a discussion about laughter andthe benefits it provides. The most famous medical case and itsconnection to laughter involves that of Norman Cousins, the formereditor of the Saturday Review. Told that he had little chance ofsurviving from a serious, painful illness, Cousins developed a recoveryprogram that incorporated laughter, induced by Marx Brothers films,in addition to the medications and vitamins his doctor prescribed.

“I made the joyous discovery that 10 minutes of genuine bellylaughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hoursof pain-free sleep,” he reported. “When the pain-killing effect of thelaughter wore off, we would switch on the motion picture projectoragain and not infrequently, it would lead to another pain-free interval.”

Studies have shown that laughter can:

1) Reduce stress. Important since it seems that our stressincreases with age. We want to live longer, healthier lives, we need tofind ways to laugh more.

2) Increase blood flow- which is like exercising without gettingup- hard not to like that.

3) Release endorphins- Endorphins have painkilling and tranquil-lizing effects on the body. It’s not to say you won’t need medication ifyou suffer from pain but laughter can help reduce pain.

4) Strengthen your immune system- It has been proven that allnegative things have an effect on our immune systems- stress, anxiety,depression. Laughter is a positive thing and that can help strengthenthe immune system.

5) It builds up facial muscles so we appear younger- no goingunder the knife or having botox injections.

6) Alleviate depression – – – – – You either laugh or cry, right?7) Improve lung capacity----- If you are laughing, you are breathing

deeper and harder. It’s like jogging while sitting on the couch.8) Improve relationships — — — — — It’s hard to have a fight with

someone you are sharing a laugh with.The simple fact is that for humans to be happy, we need a network

of healthy emotional relationships with a group of people who careabout us and about whom we care.

That’s one reason home health care has become a favorite servicewith so many senior citizens – it’s another to interact with friendlypeople.

Sirvesta Thomas, right, and his wife, Tina Thomas, atCityWalk at Akard, an affordable housing project indowntown Dallas, on April 25, 2012.

--photo by: Kye R. Lee / The Dallas Morning News

Federal government shutdownto keep Texas workers home

WASHINGTON — Thou-sands of “nonessential” Texasfederal employees will be offthe job until Congress passeslegislation to turn thegovernment’s lights back on.

Texas has the nation’sthird-highest concentration offederal employees, accordingto the University of Texas atAustin’s Texas Politics Project,and many of those 140,000workers will go without a pay-check.

Late into Monday night,congressional leaderswrangled over whether toinclude defunding of the Af-fordable Care Act, due tobegin enrollment Tuesday, ina federal government fundingresolution but failed to com-promise before time ran out.The most recent governmentshutdown, in late 1995 andearly 1996, lasted severalweeks.

In a press release Monday,Gov. Rick Perry chastised theObama administration forwhat he called a “my-way-or-the-highway mentality” thathe said “jeopardizes essentialfunctions of not only the fed-eral government but also stateservices.”

NASA, headquartered inHouston, is slated to close,with 97 percent of its em-ployees at home. The Depart-ment of Homeland Securitywill temporarily halt its E-Verify program, preventingbusiness owners from check-ing the immigration status ofprospective employees. Bor-der Patrol agents will remainon the job, but their pay-checks will most likely be de-layed. The Department ofEnergy will run on a third ofits staff, with employees work-

ing on nuclear materials andpower grids still on the clock.

Military personnel wouldhave been paid by IOUs fol-lowing a shutdown, but a last-minute bill signed by the presi-dent two hours before thedeadline Monday night ex-tended military salaries intofiscal year 2014.

While federal employeeswill feel the initial pinch, stateagencies reliant on federalfunding are scrambling tocover budget holes to carrythem through the shutdown.The stalemate will be “cata-strophic” if it lasts longer thana few weeks, said ToryGunsolley, president of theHouston Housing Authority,which distributes housingvouchers to low-income fami-lies. October payments forthe Housing Choice VoucherProgram are already prom-ised by Washington, butNovember’s are not.

“There simply isn’t enough

money to be able to makegood on our obligations with-out the federal governmentbecause there is not anothersource of money,” Gunsolleysaid. The Houston HousingAuthority provides rental as-sistance for 60,000 people,costing about $10 million permonth.

With the Department ofHousing and Urban Develop-ment on furlough, projectsawaiting federal approval couldrun out of time. “HUD’s clockmay have stopped, but thatdoesn’t mean there is moretime for us,” Gunsolley said.“If they are not able to catch

See WORKERS, page 4

Area News


Let’s Keep Our Alleys & Streets Clean!

CITY OF PHARRBrush Pick Up Schedule

OCTOBER 20131ST WEEK — Sept. 30 thru Oct. 4 – Military Road to Juan Balli

2ND WEEK — Oct. 7 thru Oct. 11 – Juan Balli to Business 833RD WEEK — Oct. 14 thru Oct. 18 – Business 83 to Polk4TH WEEK — Oct. 21 thru Oct. 25 – Polk Road to Owassa Road

Note: Brush will be picked up once a month. Your area will be picked up during the dayshown on the above schedule. Each Section is started at its Southwest Corner and iscompleted at its Northeast Corner.

Nota: La rama sera levantada una ves por mes. Por favor examine el plan de ruta indicadoen la parte superior. Cada secion empesara en el lado suroeste y termina a lado noreste.

LRGVDC to host job fair Oct. 5thWESLACO–The

LRGVDC will hold a jobfair on Saturday, Oct. 5, attheir Transit Centerlocated at 510 S.Pleasantview Dr., Weslaco.The job fair will be from 8a.m. - 12 p.m. Due to theincrease in ridership, theLRGVDC is hiring com-mercial drivers to providesufficient coverage fortheir growing market. TheLRGVDC is seeking to hireexperienced, reliable andfriendly drivers to accom-modate their growingtransportation programs.

Positions available:CDL Drivers A or B w/

Passenger endorsement -$10.75/hour plus benefits

(Regular and part-timepositions available)

** A completedLRGVDC job applicationand a resume must besubmitted. Applicationscan be filled out at thetime of arrival or can bedownloaded from ourwebsite at www.lrgvdc.org.Please bring a valid driver’slicense.

LRGVDC is an EEO Em-ployer, Compliant with ADA.

When to take Social Security income?62 retiring?

62 and still working?65 and still working?

66½ retiring?70 for maximum income?

Find out what’s best for you.

CALL956-494-7636

JLM Financial [email protected]

up in time, it could put ourdeals in jeopardy.”

The Women, Infants andChildren Program, which sup-ports low-income mothersand children, will continueuninterrupted for now, saidCarrie Williams, spokes-woman for the Texas Depart-ment of State Health Services.The program disburses $750million per year to nearly950,000 women and childrenin the state. However, in otherstates, WIC will run out offunding in the next few days.

“We’ll use WIC rebatedollars to fund services forthe time being,” Williams said.“But of course, if it stretchesout for a while, we could havecash flow issues in the comingweeks.”

Nationally, visas and pass-ports will go unprocessed, aswill gun permits. The Envi-ronmental Protection Agencywill effectively be closed, with

94 percent of its employees,including regulators, fur-loughed. National parks andzoos are to be closed.--by Elena Schneider,Medill News Service

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -The Medill News Serviceis a content partner ofThe Texas Tribune and isproviding reports fromWashington, D.C.

www.TexasTribune.org- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, nonpartisan publicmedia organization thatoperateswww.texastribune.org. Itsmission is to promote civicengagement and discourse onpublic policy, politics, govern-ment and other matters ofstatewide concern throughoriginal journalism and on-the-record, open-to-the-public events. The AdvanceNews Journal uses its contentfree of charge.

Continued from page 3

WORKERS...

a government entity, thepublic has a right to know the

conditions of the settlement.A copy of the letter was

also sent to the open recordschief at the office of the stateattorney general.

The letter was dated Sept.26, 2013. According to state


ALAMO... law, the Alamo EDC has 10business days to reply. Thattime period ends Oct. 9.

Based on hearsay, thesettlement between theAlamo EDC and McCarthyincludes paying her her salarythrough the end of this year,while she works as a consult-ant, trying to draw new busi-ness to the city.--by G. Romero Wendorf

*MARK M. TALBOT

*Licensed to practice in state court, U.S. District Court (SouthernDistrict), U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

(In certain instances, matters are likely to be referred to other attorneys.)

Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Guardianships,Trust Law, Corporation and Partnerships.

Office (956) 686-3771 www.talbotlawfirm.com

TALBOT & TALBOT, P.C.ATTORNEY AT LAW

Area News


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These days, time is survival.Thousands of business people

every day are flying by charter directlyto their destination without side tripsor long waits.

In fact, chartering an airplane canturn a lot of two-day trips into one.

Call McCreery Aviation and findout about chartering an airplane.

FLY CHARTERIT’S TIME TO DO

BUSINESS.

After months of speculation,Hidalgo County Justice of thePeace Rosa Trevino, precinct 2,place 2, said this week that shewon’t seek re-election in nextyear’s Democratic primary.

“I’ve been a life-long resi-dent of the Valley. I was bornhere, educated here, marriedmy husband, Eloy, 58 years agohere, and raised my familyhere...and now Eloy has passed.”

Treviño said she wants tothank the community for theirrecent well wishes about herhusband’s passing.

“I want to thank you for allof the kind wishes and prayersyou have sent over the past days

Justice of the Peace Rosa Treviñowon’t seek re-election in 2014

and weeks.”Treviño admits leaving her

post won’t be easy.“As your Justice of the Peace

-Precinct 2 Place 2- for the past23 years, I have worked hardto serve you and your family. Ihave been there for you…andyou have been there for me,and shown me your support onevery election day, as well asduring all the difficult times withmy husband’s illness and pass-ing.”

Treviño said this week’s an-nouncement is difficult.

“Today is a bittersweet dayfor me…because I have to an-nounce to you that I will notseek re-election in 2014. I dointend to finish the presentterm with the same commit-ment, dedication and hardwork that I have given you overthe past 23 years but at the endof this term, I intend to dedi-cate my time to my childrenand grandchildren.”

With a crowded field ofcandidates already signing up torun for her slot, Treviño said shecan’t endorse anyone.

“As your JP, I am not allowedby law to endorse any of thepersons who have already an-nounced their intention to runfor the position I have held. Norwould I. I urge the voters tolook carefully at the qualifica-tions, background, professionalrecord and dedication to ourcommunity of those whochoose to run as your next Jus-tice of the Peace.”

Treviño said that for her, theJP position isn’t about politics.

“It’s not about politics. It’snot about a person’s careergoals. It is about serving ourcommunity full time with com-passion, care, understanding andknowledge of the law and ofthe role of the Justice of thePeace in all of our lives. Thankyou and may God bless you all.”

On Sept. 25, CarlosGonzalez, 42, and a residentof McAllen, was arraigned inMcAllen Municipal Court onthe charges of accident involv-ing injury or death, a second-degree felony and tamperingwith evidence, a third-degreefelony. His bonds are set at$75,000 and $50,000, re-spectively. The investigationled to the arrest of Gonzalez.

The hit-and-run fatalityauto-pedestrian occurred inthe area of the 4900 Block ofW. U S Expressway 83 (W/BFrontage Road) on Sept. 16,2013 at approximately 2:15a.m.

The victim was struck anddied from her injuries. Shewas identified as 23-year-oldPerla Alvarado of Palmview.

Person arrested inhit-and-run fatality

Justice of the PeaceRosa Treviño,

Precinct 2, Place 2

Area News


PHARR–Food Bank RGVannounced that they havereceived a new refrigeratedtruck thanks to a grant fromWalmart that will help pro-vide nutritious food to fami-lies in need. The local truck isone of eight trucks fromacross the country thatWalmart has given to a localfood bank this month.

In all, the trucks make upover $1 million truck grantthat the retailer has providedto food banks across thecountry for refrigerated ve-hicles.

“This new truck will helpus make a big impact in fight-ing hunger here in the Valley,”Terri Drefke, Food Bank RGVCEO, said. “We thankWalmart for their continuedsupport in helping us fighthunger.”

Although the truck is

Food Bank RGV employees welcome the new truck given by Walmart.

RGV Food Bank receives new truckto help fight hunger

funded through a Walmartgrant, the vehicle will be usedto help secure fresh, perish-able food from retailersacross the Hidalgo, Cameronand Willacy Counties. Thefunding for the truck is com-ing at a time of particular needas food insecurity remainshigh in the Rio Grande Valleyaccording to FeedingAmerica’s Map the Meal Gapdata.

Walmart’s partnership ex-tends throughout feedingamerica’s more than 200 foodbanks with virtually everymember getting criticallyneeded perishable foods suchas meat, dairy and producedirectly from a local Walmartstore or Sam’s Club throughthe retail donation program.

In 2010, Walmart and theWalmart Foundation made ahistoric $2 billion commit-

ment to help end hunger inAmerica. This includes provid-ing more than one billionpounds of food from Walmartfacilities and giving $250 mil-lion to hunger relief organiza-tions through 2015.

For Food Bank of the RGVinquiries: Omar I. Rodriguez,Manager of Communicationsand Advocacy, at 956-904-4514 [email protected] visitwww.foodbankrgv.com at anytime for information regard-ing other programs andevents.

The Food Bank RGV is a501(c)3 Non-profit charityand does not discriminate onthe basis of age, color, disabil-ity, national origin, political be-liefs, race, religion or sex.

PHARR - The Associationof Migrant Educators selectedT-STEM 2013 valedictorianJennifer Gonzalez as their Ex-emplary Migrant Student ofthe Year and will honor herduring their annual confer-

PSJA Thomas Jefferson T-STEM ECHS graduateselected as Exemplary Migrant Student

ence in Houston Nov. 22.The Texas Migrant Inter-

state Program, in conjunctionwith the Texas EducationAgency, requested nomina-tions from school districtsthroughout the state of Texasfor exemplary migrant stu-dents. Of the 126 studentsnominated, Gonzalez was oneof the nine students selected.

Honorees will address theconference participants dur-ing the closing general sessionon Friday, Nov. 22nd at theWestin Galleria Hotel inHouston.

Gonzalez is currently at-tending Texas A&M Universityand wants to pursue a medi-

Jennifer Gonzalez

Report on the Futuro McAllen meetingof Sept. 19, 2013

By Davis Rankin

Those attending the FuturoMcAllen meeting of Thurs-day, September 19, cameaway with a very good senseof Mayor Jim Darling’s visionfor the city. Perhaps thegreatest departure from pastmayors (and city commis-sions) is his emphasis onregionalization.

Darling used as an examplethe Bass Pro Shop in Harlingen. McAllen could havelanded it (Harlingen might dispute that) if McAllen andsurrounding cities had pooled their resources incoming up with an incentive package. A quarter of thesales tax (generated by Bass) is better than 100 % of nosales tax, said Darling.

McAllen by itself is a city of about 140,000 people butMcAllen and surrounding cities and towns become acity of 450,000, he continued.

In describing his thinking on and ideas for the future,Darling said he envisions a prosperous city, a mobilecity “connected everywhere,” with citizens and institu-tions engaged in the community, one with citizensexhibiting pride in their neighborhoods.

The mayor and commissioners, along with top city staff,held a retreat in late June at which each commissionercame up with a project he or she would like to achieve,and Darling spoke about those. Each commissioner isworking with designated staffers to realize his or herproject.

Trey Pebley wants to bring back the Palm Bowl footballplayoff, Scott Crane wants to add a baseball complex,John Ingram wants to rehab rundown houses toimprove neighborhoods, Hilda Salinas wants the city toput on a big parade, both for residents as well as toattract tourists, Veronica Vela Whitacre is working onbeautifying and fixing up major city entrance points sothat visitors will know when they are in McAllen.

Audience questions centered on the three bond issueson which citizens will vote November 5, althoughDarling had introduced the topic early in his remarks.Each of the bond issues is for $15 million for a total of$45 million. If all three were approved, the tax ratewould go up about a nickel.

The first bond would go to improve a number ofintersections as well as to improve and extend a list ofstreets. Darling remarked that there are enough streetsneeding work that they could have asked for $60million but thought it would be too much.

The other two would complete financing for theperforming arts center to go southeast of the conven-tion center at Ware & the Expressway and finance a12-field baseball park complex at North 29th Street &Five-Mile-Line (as well doing some fix-up at MunicipalPark on Bicentennial).

Lastly, Darling revealed a little bit of what’s going onwith the sale of the of civic center. Saying that becauseof the civic center at the intersection of South 10th &the Expressway, everyone knows when they are inMcAllen. The commission is talking to a developer ofthat site who has proposed an attractive project and“we’re not going to do the deal” unless they can getthem to commit to the project.

Dues-paying Futuro members were surveyedon the bond questions. All received supportalthough the arts center question by a slightlysmaller margin.

Our next meetings will be Dr. Shirley Reed,President of STC on Tuesday, October 15, 2013at the McAllen Library. The November 18meeting will feature a panel discussion on thecontroversy on relieving problems at the portsof entry. Bridges, Borders, Badges, Business andBibles — Does this make a difference to McAllen?Is Washington listening?

McAllen MayorJim Darling


SIGNS...

bicycles, washing machinesetc. why not bring your wifealong and get a wonderfulbargain?”

6. Notice in health foodshop window: “Closed dueto illness.”

7. Spotted in a safari park:“Elephants please stay inyour car.”

8. Seen during a conference:“For anyone who haschildren and doesn’t knowit, there is a day care on thefirst floor.

cal degree. She received an As-sociate Degree in Biologyfrom South Texas College lastMay.


Area News

On Sept. 27, a warrant ofarrest was issued for MichaelSmith, 20, for aggravated as-sault, a second-degree felony.

Police search for wantedsuspect in aggravated assault

McAllen police officers aresearching for him.

Smith is described as His-panic male, 20, black hair,brown eyes, about 5’3” inheight, and weighs about 215pounds.

McAllen police officers aresearching for Smith in con-nection to an aggravated as-sault on Sept. 26, which oc-curred in the area of 1200Block of S 15th Street.

If you know MichaelSmith’s whereabouts or haveinformation about the crime,you are urged to call McAllenCrime Stoppers at 956-687-TIPS (956-687-8477). Youmay be eligible for a cash re-ward if your informationleads to an arrest and/or con-viction.

Michael Smith

McAllen police officersseek to identify a suspect in-volved in a theft at Danny’sPawn and Sporting Goods lo-cated at the 300 Block of S.Broadway in McAllen on Sept.23, at approximately 3:15 p.m.The suspect entered thestore and stole a handgunfrom a display case and left thestore.

The suspect’s image is cap-tured on the store’s surveil-lance camera and if you rec-ognize the individual or know

McAllen PD seeksto identify theft suspect

Suspect’s image caught on surveillance camera.

his whereabouts, you areurged to call McAllen CrimeStoppers.

Anyone with informationto the identity of the suspect,where the suspect may belocated, or information aboutthe crime is urged to callMcAllen Crime Stoppers at956-687-TIPS (956-687-8477).

If the information leads toan arrest and/or conviction,you may be eligible for a cashreward.

McAllen Crime Stoppers PSJA’s Dropout Recovery Model showcased innational TV and radio broadcast ‘American Graduate Day’

PHARR – Liberty Bruno, arecent graduate of PSJA’s Col-lege, Career & TechnologyAcademy (CCTA) traveled toNew York City Sept. 27th withthe school’s principal, YolandaGomez, to be part of the an-nual program, American Gradu-ate Day 2013.

The multi-platform eventaired Saturday, Sept. 28 on pub-lic TV and radio stations nation-wide. The event showcasedAmerica’s most promising so-lutions to the dropout crisis fora seven-hour broadcast start-ing at 11 a.m. central time onPBS stations and online atwww.americangraduate.org.

The national broadcast high-lighted community partners,educators and celebrities in-volved in education and youthintervention programs thathelp keep at-risk students inschool. Jobs for the Future(Boston) representative LiliAllen, joined Gomez and Brunoto help them highlight PSJA’sunique model nationwide. Theywere scheduled to be part ofthe first hour of the show at11:30 a.m. central time.

PSJA’s dropout recoveryschool was selected due to itssuccess of recovering dropoutsand non-completers ages 18-26and providing them an oppor-tunity for them to finish their

high school requirements whileattending college at the sametime. Through the district’s part-ner, South Texas College, thesestudents are able to take col-lege classes and even earn cer-tifications in various fields whilethey work on recovering cred-its or passing exit exams. Sincethe non-conventional schoolopened its doors in 2007, thecampus has helped graduate1,189 students, 289 of themover 21 years of age.

CCTA’s efforts have beenhighlighted by state and nationaleducation entities as a modelworthy of replication. In Texas,Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosaand Representative SergioMuñoz sparked replication ofPSJA’s model with SB 975 andSenator Eddie Lucio, Jr. morerecently authored SB 960 tofurther expand these replica-tions. Across the state of Texas,thousands of high school drop-outs and non-completers havegraduated from high schoolover the past six years as a re-sult of duplicating PSJA’s inno-vative model.

For 18-year-old Bruno, thesupport she received at CCTAhelped her get rid of distrac-tions and bad influences in herlife. After failing both her jun-ior and senior year of highschool due to bad judgments,

she decided to enroll at CCTAfor her father’s sake. She hadput him through a lot andwanted to change for him. LastMay, as she walked through thestage to get her high school di-ploma, she saw the joy in herfather’s face. She is now a full-time student at South TexasCollege.

Like Bruno, one in five stu-dents nationwide drops out be-fore finishing high school, whichis 880,000 students a year ac-cording to the AmericanGraduate Day website. PSJAISD is proud to be part of thesolution and Bruno had theopportunity to give her storyto millions of viewers so theytoo can see that it is possibleto change the course of theirlife and continue their educa-tion.

Bryant Gumbel, JuJu Changand Brian Williams were amongthe broadcasters and specialguests participating in this liveSept. 28 American GraduateDay broadcast on PBS Stationsand online from 11 a.m. to 6p,m, central time. PSJA ISD wasshowcased at 11:30 a.m. centraltime.

To learn more about Ameri-can Graduate Day go to: http://americangraduate.org/grad-day

AARP defensive driving courseto be held at Donna library

DONNA – DonnaPublic Library will behosting an AARP defensivedriving course on Wednes-day, Nov. 20, from 1 to 5p.m.

The class is open to anylicensed driver. Just bringyour current driver’slicense and check in the

amount of $12 for AARPmembers and $14 fornon-members. Please makechecks payable to AARP.You will receive a certifi-cate which can be submit-ted to your auto insurancefor a discount.

You must call (956)464-2221 to register forthe class.


JOKES...

served by waitresses in appe-tizing forms.

4. Dinner SpecialTurkey $2.35Chicken or Beef: $2.25Children $2.005. For sale: an antique desk

suitable for lady with thick legsand large drawers.

6. Four poster bed, 101years old. Perfect for antiquelover.

7. Now is your chance tohave your ears pierced and getan extra pair to take home,too.

8. Wanted: 50 girls for strip-ping machine operators in fac-tory.

9. Wanted: Unmarried girlsto pick fresh fruit and produceat night.

10. We do not tear yourclothing with machinery. We doit carefully by hand.

11. For Sale—Eight pup-pies from a German Shepherdand an Alaskan Hussy

12. Great Dames for sale.13. Have several very old

dresses form grandmother inbeautiful condition.

14. Tired of cleaning your-self? Let me do it.

15. Dog for sale: eats any-thing and is fond of children.

16. Vacation Special: haveyour home exterminated.

17. Mt. Kilimanjaro, thebreathtaking backdrop for theSerena Lodge. Swim in the lovelypool while you drink it all in.

18. Sheer stockings. De-signed for fancy dress, but soserviceable that lots of womenwear nothing else.

19. Stock up and save. Limitone.

20. For Rent: 6-room

hated apartment.21. Used Cars: Why go

elsewhere to be cheated?Come here first!

22. Christmas tag-sale.Handmade gifts for the hard-to-find person.

23. Wanted. Man to takecare of cow that does notsmoke or drink.

24. Our bikinis are excit-ing. They are simply the tops.

25. Illiterate? Write todayfor free help.

26. Wanted. Widowerwith school age children re-quires person to assume gen-eral housekeeping duties. Mustbe capable of contributing togrowth of family.

27. And now, theSuperstore unequaled in sizeunmatched in variety unrivaledinconvenience.

28. We will oil your sew-ing machine and adjust tensionin your home for $1.00

Leo Najo Day to be celebrated Oct. 5thThe 42nd Annual Leo Najo

Day will be celebrated on Sat-urday, Oct. 5, 2013 at the Mis-sion Community Center, Mis-sion, Tx.

Vicente Estevis, president ofthe Leo Najo Day CelebrationCommittee, said that the firstLeo Najo Day was celebratedin 1971 in Mission and Reynosahonoring one of the greatestbaseball players in Texas andMexico. It became an annualtradition to keep Leo Najo’smemory alive, and it evolvedinto selecting and inducting oldtime baseball players into theLeo Najo Hall of Fame.

Leo Najo Hall of Fame hon-orees for 2013 include:

* Ramon Abete, Brownsville* A.C. Deanda, Mission* Jose Orlando Hernandez,

“Leo Najo”

San Juan* Maximiliano “Max” Perez,

Rio Grande City* Reggie Tradaway, Mission* Conrado Villarreal, McAllen* Ramiro Zapata, La JoyaThe event will include rec-

ognition of the 1963 Joe Davis“Ginners” and the 1967 Salazar“Grocers” team members whowon the state semi-pro base-ball championship at Lubbock,Tx., and proceeded to play atthe national tournaments atWichita, Kansas. All players whoparticipated and living are askedto contact Vicente Estevis at(956) 381-4844.

The celebration program willstart at 11 a.m. Food and re-freshments are available for areasonable fee. Brisket withtrimmings plates will be servedat 12 noon. Lalo Muñiz andHarold Radamacher will beproviding music.

For more information con-tact: Vicente Estevis at (956)381-4844.

Area News


For those of us who havespent much time trompingaround La Plaza Mall in McAllenover the years, one of the an-chor stores known to most hasalways been J.C. Penney. Itsprices weren’t as high as Jonesand Jones or Dillards or JoeBrand. But it wasn’t Sears ei-ther. It was stuck somewherein the middle, of price and el-egance, which suited the pock-etbooks and ambiance of manyshoppers.

In addition to the shoppingaspect, many local shoppersknew the best place to park atthe La Plaza Mall was outsidePenney’s. Number one it wasclosest to a side street, Wichita,which allowed quick ingress andegress; and number two, mostshoppers tried to park closerto the middle of the mall, leav-ing more available parking placesoutside Penney’s.

But like so many Americanretailers, J.C. Penney has hadmore than its fair share ofmoney troubles in recent years,and by the looks of things, un-fortunately, things are gettingworse, not better.

Last Wednesday, accordingto a report fromCNNMoney.com, Penney’sstock hit a 13-year-low, “as in-vestors grow increasingly con-cerned about the future of the112-year-old iconic Americanretailer.”

If you love La Plaza’s J.C. Penney —Keep your fingers crossed about its future

According to the sameCNNMoney story, Penneyshares fell more than 15 per-cent and dipped below $10/share, something not seen sinceNovember 2000.

Apparently, some analystsare saying that the retail chaindidn’t have a good back-to-school season and that saleshave continued to drop in bothAugust and September.

Last week, Penney execs dis-counted rumors that it wouldhave to sell more assets tocover expenses. They also said,according to the CNNMoneystory, that by years’ end theywould have $1.5 billion in cash.

But based on the same story,a JPMorgan analyst estimatedthat the giant retailer could runout of money by late next yearif sales don’t turn around.

And Goldman Sachs analystswarned investors last week tobuy protection in case J.C.Penney’s defaulted on its debts.What insurance can investorsbuy? Sachs suggests buyingcredit-default swaps, which of-fer payments if the retailer de-faults on its debts to investors.

Last April, according toCNNMoney.com, Penney hasalready pledged most of its realestate assets as collateral whenit went out on a limb and se-cured a $1.75 billion loan.

By reading about its history

on Wikipedia.com, it’s hard topoint to one thing that hascaused so much financial miseryto the chain. Maybe too muchwheeling and dealing. Penneybought up companies, sold oth-ers, increased its catalogue busi-ness and opened an internetstore. And then hedge-fundmanagers took over the busi-ness and bought in new manag-ers who new nothing about theretail trade.

For local shoppers, perhapsthe strangest thing that occurredat the La Plaza Mall Penneystore happened sometime inthe late 1990s, early 2000s. Allof a sudden, the charm thatmade the store what it was – ahigh-end shopping venue withdark oak wooden tables onwhich sat fashionable threadsamid a chic environments andclassy sales personnel – was al-most transformed overnightinto a Sears lookalike. As if tosay – we’ve suddenly loweredour prices and are no longer ahigh-end retailer.

Sears is a great store, givenits 120-year history. But be-fore, when you walked into aJ.C. Penney, you could immedi-ately notice the difference be-tween it and Sears or even aMontgomery Ward when it wasstill in operation. Or even a K-Mart for that matter. But nomore after the transformation.J.C. Penney’s looked like all the

rest, for the most part. Themen’s department no longereven had that unique smell ofexpensive fabrics.

Like so many long-termAmerican retailers, J.C. Penneyis now in the hands of profes-sional hedge-fund managerswith little to no experience inthe retail business. So where itgoes from here, who knows.

But consumers who still havesome affection for this long-term retail American giant, itcould now use some of yourshopping support, say analysts.

Here’s a quote from ForbesMagazine, dated Sept. 27, 2013:

“Anyone who has an affinityfor American business icons —

as testaments to this country’slong-standing fondness for thefree enterprise system— can-not help but be concerned overthe fate of the J.C. Penney. Thecompany continues to losemoney and burn cash, with noturnaround in sight. Investorsare bailing out from the stock,which dropped to single digitsduring Friday’s trade, followinga stock offering by the com-pany.

“What haunts JC Penney?“A strategic mistake made

close to two years ago, regard-ing its pricing strategy –replace-ment of sales through couponswith everyday low prices.”

Graphic Source: Simon.com

Area News


Almost every area of thecountry has its hot-buttonissues. Here, it’s immigration.Or more precisely, illegalimmigration. Which hassegued in recent years in tothe more politically correctphrase — undocumentedimmigration.

The city of McAllen re-cently ran into a buzz saw ofsorts when it entertained theidea of entering into a con-tract with a private prisoncompany. The companywould build a 1,000-bed jail,probably somewhere southof the city, away from resi-dential sections, and it wouldalso supply the manpower torun it.

Currently, the city has acontract with the U.S. Mar-shals Service to temporarilyhouse federal prisoners at thecity jail while they await pro-ceedings at the federal courthouse. But the beds are lim-ited. If McAllen had access toa 1,000-bed jail, it could earnsubstantially more money peryear – potentially in the mil-lions.

But the idea didn’t sit wellwith more than a few civilrights groups and immigra-tions rights groups in SouthTexas. On social media pages,people were decrying theplight of the poor undocu-mented immigrant. Theywere decrying the poor pris-oners’ rights records foundinside privately-run prisons.They were decrying McAllencity leaders for even attempt-ing to make money off thebacks of the poor illegals.

Despite the onslaught ofopposition, the city advertisedlast summer for proposals. Ahandful of companies in theprivate-prison businessshowed up at a July bid con-ference, but in the end, onlyone company mailed in a pro-posal. That company was TheGEO Group Inc., which cur-rently operates 96 prison fa-cilities and 73,000 beds. Itsfacilities are located in theU.S., the UK, Australia andSouth Africa.

Last week, however, duringa regular called meeting, theMcAllen city commissionvoted to reject the unopenedGEO proposal.

“We didn’t open the pro-posal,” explains Mayor JimDarling, “because if we hadopened it and then rejectedit, and then went out later foranother bid, GEO’s competi-tors would probably have hadan unfair advantage.”

According to Darling, themain reservation on the partof the city commission wasthis simple fact – only one bid/proposal came in.

McAllen tosses out jail proposal“As far as I know, McAllen’s

the only city in the state thathas an ordinance that says, ifwe only get one bid, or oneproposal, then it takes a sepa-rate city commission vote toopen it.”

Darling says as far as immi-gration policy is concerned, “Iknow there are a lot of peoplewho oppose the current im-migration policy, but there’snot a lot the city can do aboutit since it’s a federal issue. I’mnot for big walls along theborder either. But when itcomes to revenue, there hasto be some fiscal responsibil-ity in play.”

Meaning, the city couldprobably have used the extramillions that a private jail mighthave garnered for the city in

league with the U.S. Marshalscontract. For example, re-cently, the city raised its wa-ter/sewer rates. A typicalMcAllen customer with wa-ter/sewer will pay an addi-tional $23 next year. Never-theless, those rates still remainamong the lowest in the state,according to McAllen’s PUB.

Asked if money from sucha jail project could have beenused to offset the increasedwater/sewer rates, which willbe used to acquire new wa-ter rights, modernize infra-structure and drill new wellsto offset its water source,Darling says the city doesn’ttypically mix general budgetmonies with water/sewer. Butwith a city commission vote,such a thing could be done.

Some of the concern onthe part of those opposed tothe recent jail project wascentered around private pris-ons. The argument goes – pri-vate jails, private prisons arerun worse than public insti-tutions, especially when itcomes to the care of the pris-oners and the number ofabuses they allegedly suffer.

“I bet if you made a studyaround the country,” saysDarling, “you’d find an equalnumber of complaints leveledat private prisons as youwould public prisons run byunions.”

All of this isn’t to say thatMcAllen won’t float the ideaat a later date. Maybe try topartner up with another cityor the county.

McAllen MayorJim Darling

“The idea isn’t off the table,”says Darling. “but what I don’twant to do is get the city ofMcAllen on the wrong side ofa docket if the ACLU comesdown here and files a lawsuitafter a prison is built and op-erational.”--by G. Romero Wendorf

Sports


The World of Sports

There were a total of 12 contestants who picked nineout of 10 games and two tie-breakers correctly.Chavarria came closest to the two tie-breakers to winfirst-place. Ramirez came in second-place. Last weekthere were two games that didn’t count because of ascheduling error -- Weslaco at McHi; and PSJAMemorial at Weslaco East. We are sorry for anyinconvenience this error may have caused.

First-Place Second-PlaceAmado Chavarria Jon Omar Ramirez

Alamo, Tx San Juan, Tx.

Week 4 Football Contest Winners

Week #5 ScheduleThursday, Oct. 3District 31-5AMcAllen Mem. at PSJA Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 4District 32-4APSJA Southwest at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.

District 30-5AEdinburg North at Donna, 7:30 p.m.

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Friday, Oct. 4District 31-5ASan Benito at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.PSJA High at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m.Weslaco at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m.

District 32-4AMission Vet. at Valley View, 7:30 p.m.

Week #4 resultsPSJA High 13,PSJA North 7

RGC 34,PSJA Southwest 0

Donna 55,La Joya Palmview 14

Weslaco 14,PSJA Memorial 7

McAllen High 28,Weslaco East 20

San Benito 41,McAllen Rowe 28

Mission 49,Valley View 0

Bro. St. Joe 63,Pharr Oratory 8

PHARR –PHARR –PHARR –PHARR –PHARR – The City ofPharr Parks and RecreationDepartment wishes to en-courage the public to takeadvantage of the 2013 fall rec-reation programs.

Youth fall recreation pro-grams begin this week andinclude karate, guitar, vocals,ballet, dance, cheerleading,tumbling, skateboarding, andrecreational tennis.

Recreation programs willbe held at the Pharr Parks andRecreation Department lo-cated at the Jose “Pepe” Sali-nas Memorial Civic Center at1011 W. Kelly in Pharr and atthe PSJA North High Schooltennis courts.

Fall recreation programregistration underway

For a free fall brochure,please contact the Pharr Parksand Recreation Departmentat 402-4550.

by G. Romero Wendorf

The Houston Texan fanwho burned the jersey ofQuarterback Matt Schaub af-ter his costly thrown inter-ception last week should im-mediately be taken to somemental health facility for psy-chological evaluation, yo.

Normal people just don’tdo that, do they? I mean, withthe stabbing death of an LADodgers fan outside the SanFrancisco stadium last week,which was allegedly commit-ted by a Giants fan, what’sthere to worry about com-mitting a violent act? Whichsome might consider burninga player’s jersey to be. Stir upthe emotions some more,why not?

Reminds me of a Colom-bian soccer player years ago.Almost, but not quite. Butburning players’ jerseys isdrawing close to that level ofinsanity. In Colombia, in 1994,a star national soccer playernamed Andres EscobarSaldarriaga, nicknamed the“Gentleman of Football,” ac-cidentally kicked a ball into hisown net during a World Cupmatch with the U.S. while try-ing to deflect a pass. The USAwon 2-1, and as a result of hismistake, the heavily favoredColombian team was elimi-nated from the tournamentin the first round, accordingto a Wikipedia entry.

Eleven days later, back inColombia, Escobar was as-

Some Houston fans are freakin’ moronsEarl Campbell wants Mack Brown gone

sassinated by a three-man hitsquad, which had been sentto kill him at the bequest ofdrug cartel guys who had lostbig betting on Colombia towin. The guy was only 27years old at the time of hismurder.

Now, granted burning aplayer’s jersey isn’t the sameas killing someone. Thankfully.And let’s hope it doesn’t es-calate to that. But come on,burning player’s jersey be-cause he screwed up andthrew an interception, whatdoes that say about Americansports fans today?

Not a whole lot.GOOGLE: “Texans fan sets

$200 Matt Schaub jersey onfire,” and the video will popup.

Two-hundred-dollar jer-sey?

That’s right. The guy whoburned the jersey first wentout and spent $200 on it, andthen got some lighter fluidand set it on fire in the sta-dium parking lot, while a lot ofjuiced-up people who lookedslightly in-bred stood aroundcheering.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cow-boys, what’s there to say. Ifyou can let your opponentrun up 17 unanswered pointsin the second half, we got aproblem, Houston, or Dallasas the case may be.

The defense, are we seeingany difference from the pa-thetic days of longhair RobRyan? Uh, no.

Payton Manning, currentlythe premiere NFL QB, willcome to Dallas next Sundayto play Da Boys. Good luckwith that.

From the Dallas MorningNews website after Sunday’sloss to San Diego. The fansaren’t happy. Here’s one pub-lic comment:

“Same old story, just a dif-ferent year…20 strong yearsof horrific management bythis organization. The coaches,players, support staff, frontoffice and sponsors do notrespect Jerry Jones…they geta paycheck from Jerry. Theonly person who respectsJerry is (Jerry). Once hired,but respect lost soon after.Jimmy Johnson saw this 20years ago.”

Or another public com-ment:

“I have an idea. You havefour minutes to get 10 points.Let’s throw five-yard routesto guys that are too slow torun out of bounds, and letDez take a vacation to no-catch town. No urgency tothis team. Defines bigger pic-ture of 8-8 repeat seasons.”

Yeah, but the most impor-tant thing to Dallas – JerryJones does look good sittingup there in that owner’s box.

College ballTexas A&M’s Johnny “Foot-

ball” Manziel continues toamaze – 320 yards total of-fense against Arkansas lastSaturday, wracking up a 45-33 win. He was 23-of-30,passing for 261 yards andrushing for another 59. Andhe’s only a sophomore.

Wisconsin lost to OhioState. My dad the big Badgerfan would be sad if he werestill around.

Turning to the UT Long-horns, former NFL/Collegegreat, Earl Campbell told aHouston TV station, KRIV,last Sunday that the Long-horns need to replace CoachMack Brown.

The former UT HeismanTrophy winner and NFL Hallof Famer said, “Nobody likesto get fired or leave a job, butthings happen. I’ll go on therecord and say, yes, I think it’stime.”

Campbell said it wasn’t easyto criticize Brown.

“It’s very hard becauseCoach Brown is a good man.I just hope he doesn’t stay.”

Brown’s $5.3 million con-tract extends through 2020,with an automatic $100k payraise per year built into hiscontract.

UT was off last week.Thursday, the team faces anaway game against Iowa State.

High school ballHigh School football, great

game between PSJA High andPSJA North, 13-7. Raiders

won.Just kidding. Bears’ fans are

such a passionate bunch, thatmistake would have broughtsome heated phone calls –“Can’t you get your facts right?The Bears won. Not the Raid-ers.”

And so they did. Good job,Bears.

Meanwhile, North is stillstruggling, along with PSJAMemorial. But I have a feeling,they’re going to win somegood games this season as itmoves along. Coaches arequality guys, and both teamshave winning traditions. Alongwith ardent fans.

Donna, way to go, winninga game that wasn’t a big sur-prise, 55-14.

Rowe — that team will turnthings around, too, I predict.


Football Contest entry blanks may be deposited in special box atAdvance Publishing Co., 217 W. Park Ave., Pharr, Tx.

Mail in entry blanks to above address or fax (787-8824) them in orby e-mail: [email protected]

Entry blanks must be received BEFORE 5 p.m. on Friday.

A Free Local Contest ... Enter Now!1st Place $75; 2nd Place $50

(Only one entry per family will be considered.)Individual entries are the exclusive property

of this newspaper.

HOW TO PLAY: In each advertiser box on thispage is one ball game to be played this weekend.1ST READ THE ADS: Decide which team will win.2ND IMPORTANT: Write your choice on entryform with advertiser's name. 3RD Fill in yourname and complete address on entry form. You maywrite this same information on plain piece of paper,if necessary. Forms MUST be in our newspaperoffice by 5 p.m. on Fridays. Be sure to fill in TIEBREAKER GAMES scores. Entry closest to actualgame scores and tie-breaking scores will be thewinner. ONE ENTRY BLANK PER PERSONALLOWED! Prizes may be picked up at 217 W.Park Ave., Pharr, Tx. Winners will not bedisclosed until names are published.*In case of Thursday game — box will not becounted.

Name ______________________________

Address _____________________________

Town/Zip____________________________

Tie-Breaker #1: Edinburg Vela ( ) at Edinburg ( ) Tie-Breaker #2: Sharyland ( ) at LJ Juarez-Lincoln ( )

Tie-Breaker #3: Denver Broncos ( ) at Dallas Cowboys ( )(Please write in scores for tie-breakers.) Remember to include advertisers names.

1. _________________________ 7. _______________________

2. _________________________ 8. _______________________

3. _________________________ 9. _______________________

4. _________________________ 10. ______________________

5. _________________________ 11. ______________________

6. _________________________ 12. ______________________

Contest

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PARTS • BODY SHOPSALES & SERVICE

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Gustavo L. Acevedo, Jr.Attorney at Law

814 Del Oro Lane Ph.: (956) 787-8182Pharr, Texas 78577 Fax: (956) 787-4324

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7. Harlingen at Los Fresnos 8. Bro. Rivera vs. Bro. Veterans

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Treasurer - Angie Ramirez

Since1967

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4. Weslaco at McAllen Rowe

2. PSJA High at Weslaco East1. San Benito at PSJA North


Point of View

Truth MattersTruth MattersTruth MattersTruth MattersTruth Matters

Texas and Perry defended

See HAUGHEY, page 15

By Tom Haughey

Last week, while visiting mybrother in Davidsonville, Marylandhe showed me S. Lee Caudle’seditorial in “The Capital” criticizingRick Perry and the state of Texas. As someone who left Maryland in1971 to live in Texas,, I would liketo defend the governor and myadopted state.

Mr. Caudle seems concerned that property taxes inTexas are high and can continue rising after a personreaches retirement age whereas Maryland state incometax no longer applies to someone who retires and is nolonger gainfully employed.

That is, of course, comparing apples with oranges.What’s more, the assertion doesn’t even accuratelydescribe the fruit. I own a house in Hidalgo County,Texas about 10 minutes from the Mexican border. When I retired a few years ago my property tax wasfrozen at just over $450 per year. My brother in Mary-land, by comparison, pays over $5,000 a year.

It is true, however, that when I retired I continuedpaying the same amount in state income tax. ZERO! Texas has no state income tax.

When I flush the toilet I don’t pay a dime of taxes forusing my septic system. When it rains, I don’t pay thestate for the privilege of getting wet. When I fill mytank with gasoline I pay around 40 cents a gallon lessthan Marylanders do because my state doesn’t chargean onerous state gasoline tax. I could go on. . . .

Mr. Caudle is horrified that Texas ranks only 48th inthe percentage of poor people covered by Medicaid.

What he doesn’t say, however, is that the TexasLegislature only meets every other year and as a resultpassed the Medicaid enabling legislation a full year afterother states. Since that time the state has made aconcerted effort to catch up (in spite of the reticence of

Congress exempts itself and stafffrom controversial Obamacare?

Just another Republican lie?

Senator Vitter and his long-suffering wife at his"I sinned" press conference in 2007.

by G. Romero Wendorf

Obamacare, love it orleave it,but here’swhatshouldinfuriateevery

American – Congress andthe president have ex-empted U.S. senators andrepresentatives and theirrespective staffs from thesame health-care plan theythemselves wrote into law.Namely, Obamacare. Atleast that’s what Republi-cans are screaming, rightalong with their talking-headpundits like Rush “Anybodygot an extra Oxycontin and/or a new stacked blonde toogle?” Limbaugh.

The only thing is, it’s nottrue. Congress isn’t exemptfrom Obamacare.

Who lies worse? Republi-cans or Democrats?

Depends on which day ofthe week it is.

Monday, it’s Bill “Anybodygot an extra cigar” Clinton.Tuesday, it’s George “Trustme, the WMDs are there”Bush. Wednesday, it’s Barack“Time to go play golf” Obama.Thursday, it’s Nancy “Gunsare the root of all evil” Pelosi.Friday, it’s Mad John “AttackSyria now” McCain. Saturday,it’s John “Syria is gassing itsown people” Kerry.

If Pinocchio were around,his nose would be out tohere…

People forget thatObamacare is meant for theuninsured. Is it a screwed-upmess from the get-go? Onmany levels, yes. The 30-hourcap is one. If an employer hasan employee who worksmore than 30 hours a week,the employer must either payfor their health insurance orpay a penalty. So what havemany, many companies al-ready done? Cut employees’hours to less than 30 andhired more part-timers to fillthe gaps. So already, manycompanies have cut employ-ees’ hours to less than 30. So,now, the poor, unfortunateemployee takes home lessmoney, and he or she stilldoesn’t have health insurance.Companies all over the Val-ley, Texas and the countryare doing just that. Cuttinghours. Most just don’t like totalk about it because it’s badpublic relations.

Number two, sinceObamacare was passed fouryears ago, the cost of healthinsurance and the cost ofmedications have skyrock-eted. For something formallynamed the “Affordable CareAct,” one would have thoughtthat caps would have been

placed on health-insurancepremium annual increases andthe cost of medications. Wecan regulate energy, but wecan’t regulate those things –health insurance costs andprescription drug costs – thatare so important to so manypeople in terms of real life-and-death issues? As I’ve writ-ten before, is it any wonderwhy execs with Big Pharmaand Big Health Insurance metwith Obama behind closedWhite House doors? Nothardly.

So, even though there areso many things to detestabout Obamacare, I’m hopingit does offer some hope tosome of the working poorwho currently have nothingin the way of health insur-ance.

In Texas, for the workingpoor, they should now beable to afford a bare-minimumplan on the so-called exchangefor about $99 per month. Thatshould help quite a few people.At least I hope so.

But I do wish the Republi-cans would quit lying aboutthe Affordable Care Act be-cause it does not exemptCongress from it.

Here’s the deal: membersof Congress and their staffmembers currently get theirhealth insurance paid for. Asdo most professionals todayin respectable companies. Callit a perk, a benefit, if you havea job that pays your healthinsurance, or a percentage ofit, you’ve got a good deal anda good employer, be they pri-vate or public.

Back in 2009, a senatorfrom Iowa, Charles Grassley,sponsored a bill that requiredmembers of Congress andtheir staffers to buy healthinsurance on the so-calledexchanges set up underObamacare. In other words,even though Obamacaredidn’t force anyone off theircurrent health-insurance planin either the private or publicsectors, it did for Congressand its staffers.

To offset that, at the urging

of the president, the U.S. Of-fice of Personnel Managementissued a recent ruling that said,okay, if congressional mem-bers and their staffers are goingto be forced off their currenthealth-insurance plan and intoone of the Obamacare ex-changes, then the federal gov-ernment is going to coversome of the costs, estimatedat 75 percent of the health-insurance premiums. An an-nual perk of between $11,000to $15,000 for most congres-sional staffers.

Now, Republicans arescreaming, the federal gov-ernment isn’t doing that foranyone else who earns a highincome. Subsidizing theirhealth-insurance costs. So,this means, Congress is get-ting a special exemption fromthe own law they themselvesdrafted. Namely, Obamacare.

You see the ruse, right? It’sdisingenuous at best. A lie atworst. Knowing the people inD.C. like I do, I’m going withthe outright lie charge.

Obamacare isn’t forcinganyone to give up the privatehealth insurance they cur-rently have. It’s meant for theun-insured.

Who’s the main Republi-can senator making a big dealout of this? Why Sen. DavidVitter, the 52-year-old juniorsenator from Louisiana, who’smade a big deal out of familyvalues and conservative prin-ciples. Ten years ago, he pro-posed amending the U.S. Con-stitution to ban same-sexmarriage. He’s also opposedgambling, and supported theright to life. But, uh, oh, therewas old Vitter’s name on afamous D.C. madam’s addressbook when she was bustedby the feds for running a pros-titution ring in 2007. A weekafter the story broke, a con-trite Senator Vitter appearedat a news conference with hiswife at his side. I sinned, hesaid, and asked for the public’sforgiveness, but answered noquestions from reporters.

Swell bunch of people.

See WILLIAMS, page 15

Are guns the problem?

by Walter E. Williams

Every time there's a shooting tragedy,there are more calls for gun control.Let's examine a few historical facts. By1910, the National Rifle Association hadsucceeded in establishing 73 NRA-affiliated high-school rifle clubs. The1911 second edition of the Boy Scout

Handbook made qualification in NRA's junior marksman-ship program a prerequisite for obtaining a BSA meritbadge in marksmanship. In 1918, the Winchester Repeat-ing Arms Co. established its own Winchester Junior RifleCorps. The program grew to 135,000 members by 1925.In New York City, gun clubs were started at Boys, Curtis,Commercial, Manual Training and Stuyvesant high schools.With so many guns in the hands of youngsters, did wesee today's level of youth violence?

What about gun availability? Catalogs and magazinesfrom the 1940s, '50s and '60s were full of gun advertise-ments directed to children and parents. For example,"What Every Parent Should Know When a Boy or GirlWants a Gun" was published by the National ShootingSports Foundation. The 1902 Sears mail-order cataloghad 35 pages of firearm advertisements. People just sentin their money, and a firearm was shipped. For most ofour history, a person could simply walk into a hardwarestore, virtually anywhere in our country, and buy a gun.Few states bothered to have even age restrictions onbuying guns.

Those and other historical facts should force us to askourselves: Why — at a time in our history when gunswere readily available, when a person could just walk intoa store or order a gun through the mail, when therewere no FBI background checks, no waiting periods, nolicensing requirements — was there not the frequencyand kind of gun violence that we sometimes see today,when access to guns is more restricted? Guns are guns.If they were capable of behavior, as some people seem tosuggest, they should have been doing then what they'redoing now.

Customs, traditions, moral values and rules of eti-quette, not just laws and government regulations, are


Point of View


HAUGHEY...

many proud Texans to signup for what they regard as aform of welfare). Many wholive near the state’s long bor-der with Mexico prefer tocross over and take advan-tage of Mexico’s low-priceddoctors, dentists, and phar-macies.

That also explains in partwhy so many Texans are un-insured. Other factors in-clude the large illegal popula-tion that has crossed into thestate as a result of federalpolicies, and the youthful na-ture of much of the nativeborn population. Texas isalso a right-to-work state, sothe unions that reside hereare less likely to extract ex-pensive benefit packages fromemployers. Those who wantinsurance tend to buy it ontheir own. They are betterable to do so, in fact, becauseof the strong tort reform leg-islation which the legislaturepassed a few years ago. As aresult of that legislation, doc-tors have been able to con-tain their costs by not havingto pay outrageous premiumsfor malpractice insurance. That savings has to a greatextent been passed on tohealth care consumers.

Prices would be even morereasonable for hospital care ifborder hospitals were notrequired by the federal gov-ernment to offer free carewithout federal reimburse-ment to Mexican citizens whocommute from Mexico forfree emergency care and tohave their babies born on theU.S. side of the border.

This brings us to anothernegative statistic brought upby Mr. Caudle. He assertswithout explanation thatTexas ranks last in the nationin the percentage of the popu-lation that graduates from highschool. This is indeed true,but it is not a result of under-spending on education. It is,rather, a result of Texas’ prox-imity to Mexico. Many withinTexas’ population never at-tended high school in theUnited States because theyregarded themselves as fin-ished with formal educationwhen they graduated from“primaria” in Mexico afterachieving an elementaryschool education.

Some of those who emi-grated to Texas brought lowexpectations concerning edu-cation with them and havenot pushed their childrenborn here to finish high schoolrather than helping the familyby going to work. Manyyoungsters have come to thiscountry when of middleschool or high school age andhave burdened local schoolsat all levels with the need toteach English to students evenas they attempt to teach con-tent courses. With that kindof situation, local educatorsshould be commended fortheir all-out effort and rate ofsuccess rather than being be-rated for their failures.

Note also that some stu-dents actually commute fromMexico and live with relativesduring the week. I personallyknow one store owner whosent all his daughters to at-tend school in the U.S. tolearn English so they couldbetter converse with custom-ers in his store. Once theylearned the language, they re-

turned to Mexico withoutgraduating.

The Texas border com-munities in particular are hardpressed to deal with the in-flux of children crossing theborder to attend school. Thefederal government mandatesthat local schools give them afree education but doesn’t re-imburse the communities fornew schools they have to buildin order to comply with themandate.

MR. CAUDLE, IF THE FED-ERAL GOVERNMENT REIM-BURSED FOR EDUCATINGTHOSE STUDENTS, PROP-ERTY TAXES WOULD DE-CLINE AND THEREWOULD BE FEWER BONDISSUES TO PAY FOR NEWSCHOOLS.

The writer also attacksTexas for emitting “more haz-ardous waste and carbon di-oxide” than any other state. That statement is extremelymisleading because the airquality in general around thestate is extremely good. Heis in effect referring to Hous-ton and Beaumont which re-fine gasoline and petrochemi-cals for the rest of the coun-try. I have made many visitsto Houston and am amazed atthe air quality even there. When I think of polluted air,my thoughts usually turn toLos Angeles (where 20% ofthe smog originates in China).

Texas provides for


WILLIAMS...

what make for a civilized so-ciety, not restraints on inani-mate objects. These behavioralnorms — transmitted by ex-ample, word of mouth and re-ligious teachings — representa body of wisdom distilledthrough ages of experience,trial and error, and looking atwhat works. The benefit ofhaving customs, traditions andmoral values as a means ofregulating behavior is thatpeople behave themselveseven if nobody's watching. Inother words, it's morality thatis society's first line of defenseagainst uncivilized behavior.

Moral standards of con-duct, as well as strict and swiftpunishment for criminal be-haviors, have been under siegein our country for more thana half-century. Moral abso-lutes have been abandoned asa guiding principle. We'vebeen taught not to be judg-mental, that one lifestyle orvalue is just as good as another.More often than not, the at-tack on moral standards hasbeen orchestrated by theeducation establishment andprogressives. Police and lawscan never replace these re-straints on personal conductso as to produce a civilizedsociety. At best, the police and

criminal justice system are thelast desperate line of defensefor a civilized society. Themore uncivilized we becomethe more laws are needed toregulate behavior.

What's worse is that in-stead of trying to return towhat worked, progressiveswant to replace what workedwith what sounds good orwhat seems plausible, such asmore gun locks, longer wait-ing periods and stricter gunpossession laws. Then there'sprogressive mindlessness"cures," such as "zero toler-ance" for schoolyard recessgames such as cops and rob-bers and cowboys and Indi-ans, shouting "bang bang,"drawing a picture of a pistol,making a gun out of Legopieces, and biting the shape ofa gun out of a Pop-Tart. Thiskind of unadulterated lunacy— which focuses on an inani-mate object such as a gun in-stead of on morality, self-dis-cipline and character — willcontinue to produce disap-pointing results.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Walter E. Williams is a pro-

fessor of economics atGeorge Mason University. Tofind out more about WalterE. Williams and read featuresby other Creators Syndicatewriters and cartoonists, visitthe Creators Syndicate Webpage at www.creators.com.

Maryland’s gasoline needs andcertainly doesn’t deserve tobe criticized for doing so. I’mcertainly not going to criticizeMaryland for building an offshore wind farm that will killup to 20 bald eagles a year,provide jobs for a neighbor-ing state, and fail to generateelectricity at night withouthelp from Texas natural gas.

This brings us to frackingwhich Mr. Caudle asserts isdestroying the water supplyof one West Texas town.Texas currently has over93,000 gas wells providingMarylanders with fuel for theirstoves and electrical generat-ing plants. Fracking occursthousands of feet below thedeepest extremity of waterwells. The most that scien-tists and the EPA have said isthat in certain situations prop-erly-conducted fracking mightshake the ground enough sothat contaminants on the wallsof unmaintained water wellsflake off and enter the watersupply. Fracking is controver-sial and occurs throughoutthe West as well as in Penn-sylvania. If Marylanders are sobent on making it a moralissue, they’re welcome torefuse Western gas and con-vert their electrical generat-ing plants to coal.

S. Lee Caudle concludesthat Texas is “one of the mostbigoted, racist states in thenation and because of their

gun laws, almost everydaysomeone dies from gun vio-lence.”

It would appear, however,that it is S. Lee Caudle who isbiased. A recent study con-cludes that the current rateof gun deaths in Texas is 10.7per 100,000 population. Thesame study lists Maryland(with its restrictive gun laws)as having a higher gun deathrate of 12.1 per hundredthousand. I would also notethat I have not seen either thebigotry or racism in Texasthat the writer claims exists.No state is perfect, but Texascomes about as close to per-fection as one is likely to find.

Governor Perry was givinga true assessment of Texaswhen he invited Marylandbusinesses to move here.Texas is known for its hospi-tality and welcomes strang-ers. I remember when NewOrleans was under water andits people homeless. RickPerry and Texas churchesopened their doors and in-vited the dispossessed(mostly Blacks) to come livein Texas and then providedfor their needs until they wereable to get back on their feet.Texas also welcomes suffer-ing Maryland businesses.

----------------------------- Tom Haughey is Senior

Advisor of the Texas Repub-lican County Chairmen'sAssociation.

Guest EditorialCongressman Cuellar releases statement on

continuing resolution and government shutdownWashington, D.C. –

Congressman Cuellar (D-TX28) released the followingstatement following his voteon the H.J. Res 59:

“Today (Sept. 28), the Re-publican Leadership broughtanother Continuing Resolu-tion to the Floor that placespolitics over policy and sendsthe CR back to the Senate forconsideration.

We should be focused onpassing a budget that fundsthe government, not votingfor the 43rd time on a point-less exercise to repeal ordefund the healthcare law. Asan appropriator, it is veryproblematic for me to seehow little focus there has beenon the actual issues of howand at what level we fund ourgovernment. Congress hastwo responsibilities: to pass abudget on time and pay ourbills on time.

A CBS poll this week foundthat 80% of Americans thinkit is inappropriate to shutdown the government toachieve goals during budgetnegotiations. The U.S. Cham-ber of Commerce released ajoint letter representing 236organizations urging theHouse to pass a continuingresolution and ensure unin-terrupted funding of the gov-ernment. The Wall StreetJournal called the Republicanstrategy a “kamikaze mission,”that would not turn out well.

This vote on discretionaryspending will not stop theAffordable Care Act, which isfunded almost entirelythrough mandatory spending,

according to a CongressionalResearch Service report re-quested by Senator TomCoburn (R-OK). Even Sen-ate Minority Leader MitchMcConnell said so in August(“I’m all for stoppingObamacare, but shuttingdown the government will notstop Obamacare,” The Hill 08/13/13). Senators McCain(R-AZ), Senator Coburn (R-OK), and Senator Jim Inhofe(R-OK) have also voiced op-position to a strategy that usespolitical brinkmanship andpushes us towards a govern-ment shutdown on October1st.

The Affordable Care Actwas passed by both sides ofCongress, signed by the Presi-dent, and ruled constitutionalby the highest court in thenation. President Obama wasreelected by American vot-ers who knew he wouldimplement the AffordableCare Act in his second term. Portions of the act have al-ready been implemented –including popular ones suchas preventative services forseniors, allowing Americansup to age of 26 to stay onparents’ plan, and stoppinginsurance companies fromdenying coverage to thosewith pre-existing conditions.

The district I represent inTexas has one of the highestrates of uninsured Americansin the country. In HidalgoCounty, 38.1% of individualsare uninsured. In WebbCounty, the number is 36.8%and in Starr County, it is

35.8%. And in the state ofTexas, 6.1 million people or23% percent of the popula-tion are uninsured, including1.2 million children. For thefirst time, the Affordable CareAct will provide many of theconstituents of the 28th Dis-trict with access to afford-able, quality health care.

These continuing resolu-tions are harming oureconomy. A governmentshutdown would deny pay tonearly 1.4 million active dutymilitary personnel, put on holdhousing loans to low- andmiddle-income families in ru-ral areas and start-up busi-ness loans for farmers andranchers, and force taxpay-ers to shell out $150 million aday to pay for losses.

We should not continueto kick the can down theroad. Congress needs to takereal steps to solve our budgetuncertainty on a long-termbasis, not create a situationwhere every few months theRepublican Majority manufac-tures a crisis that threatens toshutdown the government. It is bad for Wall Street and itis bad for Main Street.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Congressman Henry

Cuellar is a member of theU.S. House AppropriationsCommittee, Vice Chairman ofthe House Steering and PolicyCommittee, Senior Whip, andmember of the Blue Dog Coa-lition. Previously, he servedas a Texas State Representa-tive and Texas Secretary ofState.


Local Living

Pets of the Week . . .

Editor’s note: We pub-lished a story recently thatmentioned that HidalgoCounty currentlyeuthanizes approximately35,000 dogs and cats peryear. Out of approximately38,000 sent to the countyshelter every 12 months,only about 3,000 dogs andcats get adopted.

If you’re in the market fora dog or a cat, please pay avisit first to the Palm ValleyAnimal Center, AKA thecounty pound. There are toomany pets there to pass up.

Parker is a 10-month-oldmale Terrier blend. Parker isan upbeat pup with an out-going, bubbly personality. Hedreams of a home where hecan explore and bring out hispersonality. Parker is sure toadd a loving touch to anyfamily.

Shadow is an adult maleMiniature Poodle blend.Shadow is a young dog with acalm, fun loving personalityand needs the perfect familyto bring his out of his shell. Ifyou’re ready for some

super-sized affection, thenthis beautiful pooch will bejust the pet for you.

Tuesday is a four-month-old male Terrier blend. Tues-day is an extremely sweet, af-fectionate and an all aroundloyal boy. This stylish poochhas a bubbly, playful, fun-lov-ing personality and promisesto be your loyal companion!

Bugsy is a two-year-oldmale Domestic Shorthairblend. This cat is a playful furball with a gentle demeanorand fun-loving personality. Iconsider myself to be a laid-back fellow that will fill yourdays with joy and fun

Sophie is a six-year-old fe-

Parker Shadow Tuesday

Bugsy Sophie Major

male Maine Coon blend.Sophie is on the prowl forher new family! She’s agood-natured cat that willfill your days with joy & fun.

Major is a four-month-old male Domestic Short-hair blend. This fluffy cat isa pleasure to have as a petand he loves to play and runaround with other kitties.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Adoption fees include

first series of shots, rabiesshot, spay/neuter operation,microchip, and a month ofpet insurance. For more in-formation on adoptingParker, Lauren, Tuesday,Bugsy, Sophie and Major orany of our other adoptablepets, visit the Palm ValleyAnimal Center at 2501 W.Trenton in Edinburg or call956-686-1141 today.

Considerations

By Chris Voss

Luke 9:23 (Jesus speaking), Then Hesaid to them all: “If anyone wouldcome after Me, he must denyhimself and take up his cross dailyand follow Me.”

Jesus understood how dark lifecould be and the devastating damageto faith as a result. Our Lord knew thestruggles of life would be a continuous,

almost daily, struggle, with blessings too few and farbetween for many.

But Jesus said not to give in or give up and to bearthe burdens of life by staying in close fellowship withHim. When the days are the darkest and the nights arethe longest, that is precisely the time we need to be thestrongest in our relationship to our Lord.

The beloved Apostle Paul poured his life and soulinto the furtherance of the Gospel. There was nogreater call upon the heart of Paul than doing the will ofChrist in his life. Paul’s faith in Christ was steadfast andpassionate, and yet, Paul’s life was filled with more thanhis share of problems, pain, and pressures.

II Corinthians 11:25-27 (Paul writing), Five times Ireceived from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.Three times I was beaten with rods, once I wasstoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent anight and day in the open sea, I have constantlybeen on the move. I have been in danger from rivers,in danger from bandits, in danger from my owncountrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger inthe city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea,and in danger from false brothers. I have laboredand toiled and have often gone without sleep; I haveknown hunger and thirst and have often gonewithout food; I have been cold and naked.

How easy it could have been for Paul to turn hisback on the Gospel, Christ, and God in bitternessbecause of the immense and constant hardships he hadto endure in his life. But Paul never wavered from hisfirm faith in the plans and purpose for his life from God.

Paul was spiritually mature enough to take the long-view of life and he completely understood that thecrosses to bear in this life pale in comparison to theglories that await the redeemed in the next life.

Romans 8:18 (Paul writing), I consider that ourpresent sufferings are not worth comparing with theglory that will be revealed in us.

Next time: The ultimate answer to troubles andhardships, considered, in the conclusion to “Love andLoyalty to God – Regardless!”- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Chris Voss is a pastor at Central Christian Church,1320 Nolana, McAllen; and First Christian Church,317 S. Main, Donna.

Love and Loyaltyto God – Regardless!

(Part II of III)

People’s Covenant Churchof San Juan

Sunday 11 AM Worship.God answers prayer.

800 S. Standard Avenue787-1034


OBSERVATIONS...

Government to default on itsdebt obligations, sendingshock waves around the fi-nancial world, according tomost analysts.

Meanwhile, the debate overObamacare, the pros andcons, rages on.

Earlier this week, U.S. Rep-resentative Henry Cuellar, D-28th District of Texas, sentout the following press re-lease concerning how Texashealth-insurance consumersmay access Obamacare whenand if the current spendingstalemate is solved:

“Today, the new healthcare law will allow Americanslooking for health coverage topurchase health insurancethrough their state’s onlineMarketplace. For Texans, youwill access a federally facili-tated exchange, operated bythe Department of Health &Human Services (HHS). Pleasevisit www.Healthcare.gov or

call 1-800-318-2596, to learnmore about what health careplans are available to you inyour area.

“The opening of these con-sumer-friendly marketplaceswill enable families and indi-viduals who are uninsured orbuy their own coverage tobuy quality, affordable cover-age. The majority of unin-sured Americans will have ac-cess to subsidies to make theirinsurance more affordable. All plans in the marketplaceswill offer at least the mini-mum essential health benefits. The insurance industry willbe more transparent thanever, with summaries of cov-erage and premiums availablefor every plan in the market-place. There will be no an-nual limits on coverage forany patient and everyone willbe guaranteed the availabilityof health insurance, regard-less of medical history or pre-existing conditions. In the Mar-ketplaces, people will be ableto see all of their health insur-ance options—including the

new discounted plans that canfit their needs. All in one place,all explained simply.

“We are now in the midstof changes that put health carein reach for all. Existing planswith larger employers aremaintained and improved. Just as in the past, if you likeyour doctor, you can chooseto stay with your doctor. Theopen enrollment period forthe first year of the Market-places runs from October 1,2013 through March 31,2014. It’s important to re-member enrollment will be asix-month process and willbuild over time. Coveragethrough the health insuranceexchange begins on January1, 2014 and this will also bethe time premium tax creditsbecome available for thosewith incomes between 100%to 400% of the poverty level(between $23,500 to $94,200for a family of four in 2013).Statewide, nearly 2.6 millionTexans will be eligible for thesenew premium tax credits in2014.”

ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL

Ph. 783-0036 Fax: 787-8824 E-mail: [email protected]

217 W. PARK AVE., PHARR


Local Living

Cinderella Pet RescueCats of the Week

Here are two ofCinderella’s sweet oldergirls.Hope

Beautiful, quiet Hopewould bring you so muchlove and joy. She was bornDecember 1, 2009, so ifyou bring her home, soonyou could celebrate Hope’sfourth birthday with herby your side. She is a calmand loving gray, short-haired cat with mutedwhite stripes. We hope youwill come and meet Hopeand all our sweet catssoon.

AshleyAshley was born Febru-

ary 17, 2008. Her gorgeous,short gray fur has peachtones running throughout.We just can’t say enoughabout the sweetness ofAshley. She is a calm girl wholoves being whispered toand have her fur rubbedwith loving hands that sooncould be yours !

The reduced adoptionrate of $50 for catscontinues. They have beenspayed and neutered andare up-to-date with theirshots. The Cinderella

Ashley

volunteers spend lots oftime playing and visitingwith these furbabies,making them so ready tofit in with your lovingfamily.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Cinderella Pet Rescue is a

501(c)3, non-profit organi-zation located in Penitas, of-fering both cats and dogs foryou to meet. You can findthem on Facebook andPetfinder. Visit their website: www.cinderella-pet-rescue.org. For an appoint-ment, please call (956) 283-7044 or (956) 391-4399.

Hope


FOUNDATION...

and business communitiestogether for the benefit of thekids. The organization raisedmoney for scholarships andteacher mini-grants, and theendeavor was branded a suc-cess.

“We’re calling this founda-tion the old Tri-City Coalitionon steroids,” says Gonzalez.“Actually, PSJA ISD’s public in-formation officer (AriannaVazquez-Hernandez) firstcame up with that saying, if Iremember correctly. But it’strue. We want to take all ofthe good things produced bythe Tri-City Coalition overthe years and jumpstart it withsome new blood and somenew ideas and some new do-nations.”

The PSJA Foundation’sBoard is comprised of 13members.

“And five of them are at-torneys,” says Gonzalez.

But is that necessarily agood thing? Five lawyers? Allon the same board?

Gonzalez can take a joke.He laughs.

“What that shows is thatthere are a vast number ofpeople who are products ofthe PSJA school system whohave attained professionalsuccess. We’d have doctors onthe board too, but you knowhow hard it is to get them outof the office.”

All joking aside, anyonewho’s been around PSJA forany length of time knows thenumber of success storiesthat have risen up over theyears from this once relativelysmall school district, whichnow ranks as the 39th larg-est in the state out of approxi-mately 1,100 school districts.Doctors, lawyers, teachers,scientists, engineers, socialworkers, bankers, accoun-tants, not to mention yourtried-and-true successfulblue-collar workers and busi-ness owners, all of whom havehelped make PSJA what it istoday – one of the most suc-cessful school districts in thestate, based on most com-mon metrics used to judgeperformance.

“But,” says Gonzalez,” thesimple fact remains, PSJA isalso one of the poorest dis-tricts in the state as far associo-economics is con-cerned. So, the more scholar-

ships we can provide the stu-dents, the better we’re goingto be.”

The foundation has alreadyapplied for its tax-exempt sta-tus so that district employeescan include it as part of anautomatic payroll deduction.

“Figure we have 4,500 em-ployees,” says Gonzalez. “Ifeach one would give only $5per month, over the courseof a year, that’s $270,000 rightthere. Wouldn’t it be great ifevery student who graduatedfrom PSJA had access to ascholarship? In some form.”

PSJA ISD SuperintendentDaniel King is on the boardof the PSJA Foundation. Hesaw the success of a similarfoundation started by his pre-decessor at Hidalgo ISD be-fore he became school chiefthere, and he’s a believer inthe process.

“In fact, there are similarfoundations like this all acrossthe state. But while some ofthe good things from the oldTri-City Education/BusinessCoalition will remain in place,like the teacher mini-grants,our primary focus will be onscholarships. And that’s whatmakes the PSJA Foundationunique. Its focus on awardingscholarships to students.”

King says the idea beganwith a visit from PSJA ISDBoard President RonnieCantu.

“He came to me askingabout starting a foundation. Ashort time later, Joey (Joel)Gonzalez and Trino Medinacame to me with a similaridea; so I got all the interestedparties together, and here weare.”

For his part, Board Presi-dent Ronnie Cantu says, “Asa school board member, I’mproud to be a part of the PSJAFoundation (as a board mem-ber), because our teachersand principals have done atremendous job increasingthe amount of studentsgraduating from high school.”

In saying that, Cantu saysthe next step is ensuring thatnot only do students gradu-ate from high school, but theyachieve the next step in thelearning process. Namely,earning a college degree.

“Through the PSJA Foun-dation, we hope to raiseenough money to help hun-dreds of students with schol-arships so that income is nota factor in holding our kidsback from accomplishing theirgoals.”

On Sept. 27, at approxi-mately 10:14 a.m., the Pharr PDexecuted an arrest warrant fora Mario Ortiz, 23, for manufac-turing/delivery of cocaine at 417E Darlene in Pharr.

Once inside the residence,officers located and arrestedOrtiz without incident.

Officers then conducted asearch of the residence, wherethey discovered 62 grams of asynthetic marijuana and 8.5ounces of marijuana in the resi-

Pharr PD arrest suspectfor possession of pot, cocaine

dence. Ortiz was charged withpossession of a controlled sub-stance (synthetic marijuana)and possession of marijuanaalong with possession of a fire-arm by a felon. Ortiz is cur-rently being held at the PharrPD pending arraignment. Thiscase is still under investigation.

We are asking anyone withinformation on this crime orany other crimes to contactPharr Crime Stoppers at 787-8477 or 800-648-8477.

Pharr Crime Stoppers


Public Notices/Classifieds

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Public Meetingon Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Commissionconference room at 420 N. Tower Road to consider the following:

VARIANCE

Mr. Isabel Mendoza is requesting a Variance at Downs, T C S103’- Lot 13,Block 6. Physical Location: 501 N. 6th St.

RE-ZONE

Mr. Luis Escalante is requesting a Re-zone at Lots 10 and 11, Block 31,Original Townsite of Alamo. Physical Location: 101 N. 9th Place.

The public is hereby invited to attend and express their support oropposition of said request. For additional information or questions con-cerning the above, please call the Community Planning & DevelopmentDepartment at (956) 787-0006 ext. 128.

Si desea informacion en espanol, por favor llame al departamento deplanificacion de la cuidad de Alamo (956) 787-0006 ex. 128.

(Published in the Advance News Journal on Oct. 2, 2013.)

LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF ALAMONOTICE OF PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LOGIC AND ACCURACY TESTOF THE AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BEUSED IN THE CITY OF ALAMO GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELDON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2013 WILL BE TESTED MONDAY,OCTOBER 7, 2013 BEGINNING AT 9:00 AM AT ELECTIONS ANNEXBUILDING, 317 N. CLOSNER, EDINBURG, TEXAS 78539 TO ASCER-TAIN THAT IT WILL ACCURATELY COUNT THE VOTES CAST FORALL OFFICE.

POSTED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER 2013 ON THE BULLETINBOARD USED FOR POSTING MEETINGS AT CITY OF ALAMO CITYHALL, 420 N. TOWER ROAD, ALAMO, TEXAS; ON THE CITY’S WEBPAGE AT WWW.ALAMOTEXAS.ORG; IN THE CITY’S OFFICIALNEWSPAPER, THE ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL, IN THE WEDNES-DAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013 EDITION.

PRUEBA DE LOGICA Y EXACTITUD PARA ELEQUIPO DE TABULACION AUTOMATICA

POR LO PRESENTE SE AVISA QUE UNA PRUEBA DE LOGICA YEXACTITUD DEL EQUIPO DE TABULACION AUTOMATICA QUE SEUSURA EN LAS ELECCIONES GENERALES DE LA CIUDAD DE ALAMOEL MARTES 5 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2013, SE LLEVARA A CABO ELLUNES 7 DE OCTUBRE DE 2013 A PARTIR DE LAS 9:00 AM EN ELEDIFICIO ANEXO DE ELECTIONS, 317 N. CLOSNER, EDINBURG,TEXAS 78539, CON EL FIN DE DETERMINAR QUE DICHO EQUIPOCONTARA CON EXACTITUD LOS VOTO EMITIDOS.

AVISO PUBLICADO ESTE DIA 2 DE OCTUBRE DE 2013 EN LOSTABLEROS DE ANUNCIOS USADOS PARA PUBLICAR AVISOS DEREUNIONES, EN EL AYUNTAMIENTO DE CIUDAD DE ALAMO, 420N. TOWER ROAD, ALAMO, TEXAS; EN LA PAGINA WEB DE LACIUDAD, WWW.ALAMOTEXAS.ORG; Y EN EL PERIODICO OFICIALDE LA CIUDAD, THE ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL EN LA EDICIONDEL MIERCOLES 2 DE OCTUBRE DE 2013.

CITY OF ALAMODIANA ELIZONDOEARLY VOTING CLERK


LEGAL NOTICE

LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST OF THEAUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT

NOVEMBER 5, 2013CITY OF ALAMO GENERAL ELECTION


CANTU...

Cantu said the $14,000 is meantto cover a lot of things in terms ofexpense.

“We have to pay for the emer-gency lights/siren, installation of theradio and emergency equipment, anyother communication devices or lawenforcement electronics needed, fuel,insurance and all oil changes andmaintenance needed.”

The job of constable, said Cantu,doesn’t just involve sitting behind adesk.

“Just this morning, I conducted atraffic stop in a school zone, which Ido almost daily. If there’s an evictionor lock-out, I go out to lend a handto the deputy on the scene. If wehave a special operation occurring,you will see me involved. Currentlywe are assisting with High Schoolfootball games which I attend in uni-form and work. I am not familiar with

the duties of a JP like BobbyContreras outside the court inwhich they use their vehicles, otherthan when they are called out to ascene where they need to conductan inquest or to conduct an arraign-ment, which are now being doneonline through a monitor. The Con-stables Office is tasked with servingall the civil process, which comes outof the JP courts, and with serving thewarrants issued by the JP court,which usually involves the deputygoing door to door, often leading todead ends. Simply said, we do all theleg work when an individual does notshow for up for court. If a citationneeds to be issued, or if someoneneeds to be found, we provide theJP with a bailiff anytime he or she ison the bench or requests a deputy.”

But how much time is Cantu ac-tually out on the road?

“I can’t speak for everyone, but Iknow I’m out on the road a lot, and Iknow another constable, same way,he’s out on the road a lot.”--by G. Romero Wendorf

Announcement on partial government shut downaffecting food assistance

PHARR - As a charity, the Food Bank RGV does not have the luxury of pointingfingers and blaming anyone for the U.S. government shut down as nearly800,000 federal employees find themselves suddenly furloughed. We are bracingourselves for the unknown and working hard to prepare to meet the needs offamilies facing the prospect of losing food assistance this month. We have hadmany calls asking what will happen to food programs like SNAP and WIC. Hereis some information on current availability and funding for certain food assis-tance programs affected by the partial shutdown of the U.S. government. Theseimpacts are made on the assumption that the partial shutdown will last less thanone month.SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue operationsand eligible households will still receive monthly benefits for October. Contin-gency funds provided in FY 2013 appropriations will not expire until the end ofFY 2014.

WIC: No additional federal funds are available to support Special SupplementalNutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)’s clinical services,food benefits and administrative costs. Texas WIC will continue to monitor theavailability of funds closely and notify WIC agencies/vendors ahead of time in theevent the government shut-down causes a depletion of available funds. Ingeneral, most states will not be able to mitigate a shortfall for the entire month ofOctober.

Child Nutrition Programs: School lunch, School Breakfast, Child and Adult CareFeeding, Summer Food Service and Special Milk will continue operations intoOctober.

No additional federal funds are available to support the following: CommodityAssistance Programs, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, The EmergencyFood Assistance Program (admin funding), Food Distribution Program on IndianReservations and the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. While someinventory is available for use in food packages, no carryover, contingency orother funds would be available to support continued operations.

Right now, the Food Bank RGV has food reserves that should last up untilDecember 2013, but without the support of certain government programs wewill be struggling to feed families that will not have access to WIC and a plannedreduction in SNAP starting Nov. 1, 2013. If anyone needs food assistance, pleasecall (956) 682-8101 to be referred to a partner agency close to your home.

Feeding the hungry takes charities, corporations and government partnerships.Please, help us meet this challenge and donate or volunteer today!

Terri Drefke,CEO Food Bank RGV

Quinta Mazatlan is starting its Na-ture Speaker Series Thursday Oct.3rd at 6 p.m. with “Cultivating andCooking with Cactus.” The PricklyPear Cactus is a vegetable that hasbeen cultivated for thousands ofyears in Mexico and is still an impor-tant part of diets today.

Known as “prickly pear” cactus inEnglish, this member of the opuntiagenus produces the vegetable called“nopal” sometimes referred to as“cactus paddles” in SouthwesternUnited States. It has been usedextensively in Mesoamerica, particu-larly by the Aztec and Maya people

Quinta Mazatlan announces Nature Speaker SeriesCultivating and cooking cactus

Join Quinta Mazatlan on Thurs-day evenings and learn aboutthe many uses of Prickly Pearand how to cook and serve atyour table. It’s not just for thebirds and tortoises!

since pre-Columbian times. Thereare many ways to eat them and ourspeaker Cris Sifuentez will prepare“tastings” for the guests.

As traditions are passed downfrom generation to generation sowas the case with Cris Sifuentez andher mother. Cris’s mother taughther how to pick, clean, prepare, andcook the cactus pads. It is a processthat takes time and patience.

Nopales have gained recognitionfor health benefits. The cactus padsare high in vitamin A & C as well as Bcomplex vitamins and iron. Cris willhave two prepared dishes with no-pal being the featured ingredient plusprickly pear lemonade. She will alsoshow the guests how to clean thenopal, by removing the spines, andhow to prepare them for the cook-ing process.

The Nature Speaker Series takesplace on Thursday evenings throughApril 2014 and is proudly sponsoredby Thurmond Eye Associates. Theprogram fee is $3 per person andno advance reservation is required.Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600Sunset in McAllen, one block southof La Plaza Mall on 10th Street. Formore information contact QuintaMazatlan at (956) 681-3370 or visitwww.quintamazatlan.com.


LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF McALLENNOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids addressed to Mr. Mike R. Perez, City Manager, City of McAllen,will be received on October 15, 2013 until 2:00 P.M., at which timethey will be taken to the Conference Room (2nd floor) of McAllen CityHall and publicly opened, and the names of company(ies) respond-ing shall be announced. (BID TABULATIONS showing actualbid prices shall be provided, at a later date, to respondents re-questing same in written form). Bids must be in the City of McAllen’spossession on or before the aforementioned date and time (no late bidswill be accepted).

SUPPLY CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASEOF WATER PRODUCTS

Bidders receiving a “NOTICE TO BIDDERS” and/or “REQUESTFOR BIDS” notice via e-mail, fax or reading same in the newspaper areadvised that they shall be required to go online to our NEW Bidding Portal:www.ebidexchange.com/mcallen for project details. Bids are to be submit-ted electronically, as well as, in paper copy format..... If this is your firsttime on our portal, Click on the Login button in the upper right-handcorner; use your e-mail address under the “Forgot Password” area and atemporary Password will be e-mailed to you. Once in the system, you willbe prompted for a “New” password. To enter your bid prices just Clickon the “Solicitation” tab, Select the appropriate Project and enter your bid.Your electronic submittals shall be reflective of your hard copy submittal.The City of McAllen reserves the right to refuse and reject any or all Bidsand to waive any or all formalities or technicalities, or to accept the Bidconsidered the best and most advantageous to the City and hold the bidsfor a period of ninety (90) days without taking action. Be advised that ifyour company is contemplating on responding to this project you mustregister on our portal so that any changes and/or additions via Addendumform can be forwarded to your company.

Potential Bidders are asked to post their questions on our bidding portalunder the tab labeled “Questions” under the relative project number.Questions of a contractual nature shall be directed to Sandra Zamora,CPM, Director of Purchasing and Contracting by calling (956) 681-1130.Questions of a technical nature are to be directed to Joe Sandoval, MaterialsManagement Supervisor (956) 681-4049.

Hand-deliver Bids: 1300 Houston Avenue,Purchasing & ContractingDepartment (3rd Floor)

If using Land Courier (i.e., FedEx, UPS): 1300 Houston Avenue,Purchasing & ContractingDepartment (3rd Floor)McAllen, Texas 78501

Mail Bids: P.O. Box 220, McAllen, TX78505-0220

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held October 08, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in theConference Room (2nd Floor) of McAllen of City Hall. All prospectivebidders are encouraged to be in attendance.

Envelopes must be clearly marked: Project No.: 10-13-SP01-161WATER PRODUCTS

(Published in the Advance News Journal on Sept. 25 & Oct. 2, 2013.)

LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF McALLENNOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids addressed to Mr. Mike R. Perez, City Manager, City of McAllen,will be received on October 10, 2013 until 2:00 p.m., at which time theywill be taken to the Conference Room (2nd Floor) of McAllen City Hall andpublicly opened and read aloud. Bids must be in the City of McAllen’spossession on or before the aforementioned date and time (no late bids willbe accepted).

PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FORPEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REHABILITATION -

PALM VIEW GOLF COURSE (PVGC)

GENERAL SYNOPSIS OF MATERIALS: PURCHASE OFSTRUCTURAL PLASTIC LUMBER BOARDS

It shall be mandatory that a Bidder’s Bond from a reliable surety companylicensed to operate in the State of Texas or certified cashier’s check,payable without recourse to the City of McAllen, for the amount of not lessthan five (5) percent (%) of the total bid, shall accompany the bid as aguaranty that the bidder will comply with all specifications and deliverydate.

Bidders receiving a “NOTICE TO BIDDERS” and/or “REQUESTFOR BIDS” notice via e-mail, fax or reading same in the newspaper areadvised that they shall be required to go online to our NEW Bidding Portal:www.ebidexchange.com/mcallen for project details. Bids are to be submit-ted electronically, as well as, in paper copy format..... If this is your firsttime on our portal, Click on the Login button in the upper right-handcorner; use your e-mail address under the “Forgot Password” area and atemporary Password will be e-mailed to you. Once in the system, you willbe prompted for a “New” password. To enter your bid prices just Clickon the “Solicitation” tab, Select the appropriate Project and enter your bid.Your electronic submittals shall be reflective of your hard copy submittal.The City of McAllen reserves the right to refuse and reject any or all Bidsand to waive any or all formalities or technicalities, or to accept the Bidconsidered the best and most advantageous to the City and hold the bidsfor a period of sixty (60) days without taking action. Be advised that if yourcompany is contemplating on responding to this project you must registeron our portal so that any changes and/or additions via Addendum form canbe forwarded to your company.

Potential Bidders are asked to post their questions on our bidding portalunder the tab labeled “Questions” under the relative project number.Questions of a contractual nature shall be directed to Sandra Zamora,CPM, Director of Purchasing and Contracting by calling (956) 681-1130.Questions of a technical nature are to be directed to Ramon Navarro, P.E.,City Engineer, City of McAllen, Engineering Department, 1300 HoustonAvenue, McAllen, TX 78501.




A Pre-Bid Conference will be held October 3, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in theConference Room (2nd Floor) of McAllen of City Hall. All prospectivebidders are encouraged to be in attendance.

Envelopes must be clearly marked: Project No. 10-13-P01-13PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FORPEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REHAB - PVGC


You are hereby notified that the City Commission of City of San Juan,Texas, Hidalgo County, at a Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, Septem-ber 24, 2013 read, approved and passed the following ordinance:

ORDINANCE NO. 13-23

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING APPLICABLE AUTHOR-ITY AND AREA; DEFINITION OF VULNERABLE ROAD US-ERS; RESTRICTIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLE USE; PENAL-TIES, RESTITUTION, DEFENSES; PROVIDING FOR PUBLI-CATION AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PRO-VIDING FOR PENALTIES BY ORDINANCE AND TEXASLAWS; REPEALING PRIOR ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FORSERVABILITY; AND ORDAINING OTHER MATTERS RE-LATED TO THE SUBJECT HEREOF.

TESTIMONY WHEREOF WITNESSED MY HAND AND SEAL OFOFFICE this 1st day of October, 2013.

CITY OF SAN JUANXavier Cervantes, AICPDirector of Planning


CITY OF SAN JUANPUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Planning and Zoning Commission of theCity of San Juan will hold public hearings on Thursday, October 17,2013 at 6:00 p.m. The City Commission will hold public hearings on theseapplications on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Bothhearings will take place at the San Juan Memorial Library, located at 1010S. Standard Avenue, San Juan, Texas, on the following applications:

1. Rezoning Request from Single-family Residential District (R-S)to Multi-family Residential District (R-MF) at property located at 608 W.7th Street, legally described as Shufford North 49.2 feet of Lot 50 andall of Lots 51 and 52, East half of abandon street and West of Lots 50thru 52 and South half of Street, North of Lot 52, Shufford’s Subdivision,as requested by Avelino Rebuelta.

2. Rezoning Request from Single-family Residential District (R-S)to Multi-family Residential District (R-MF) at property located at 1102 S.Standard Avenue, legally described as Lot 6 and 7, Block 66, San JuanOriginal Townsite Subdivision, as Requested by John Whittier.

3. Rezoning Request from Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1) to General Business District (C-2) at property legally described asLots 1 thru 12, Block 3, San Juan Original Townsite Subdivision, locatedat the southeast corner of Nebraska Avenue and 1st Street, as Re-quested by the San Juan Economic Development Corporation.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL, this 1st day of October, 2013.

Xavier Cervantes, AICPDirector of Planning


CITY OF SAN JUANPUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE


LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF McALLENNOTICE TO BIDDERS - Revised

Sealed proposals addressed to Mr. Roel Rodriguez, P.E., MPU GeneralManager/Assistant City Manager, McAllen Public Utilities, will be receivedon October 17, 2013 until 3:00 p.m., at which time they will be taken tothe Conference Room (2nd floor) of McAllen City Hall, and publiclyopened and read aloud. Bids must be filed in the City of McAllen’spossession on or before the aforementioned date and time (no late bids willbe accepted).

IMPROVEMENTS TO MCALLEN HIGH SCHOOL“BULLDOG” WATER TOWER

Description of Work: Cleaning/Repairing/Replacement of appurtenancesand equipment, along with replacement of perimeter fencing, in additionto Re-Painting of the entire water tower (including school logo’s). Con-tractor is to perform all such work according to “AWWA Standard forPainting Steel Water Storage Tanks”, as approved by the American WaterWorks Association, AWWA D102-78, or latest revisions thereof. Allmaterials used are to be NSF approved.

A Bidder’s Bond from a reliable surety company licensed to operate in theState of Texas or certified Cashier’s Check, payable without recourse tothe City of McAllen, for the amount of not less than five (5) percent (%)of the total bid shall accompany the bid as a guaranty that, if awarded thecontract, the bidder will enter into a contract with the City of McAllen.Payment and Performance Bonds shall be executed except in the eventthat the total amount bid is $50,000 or less, the successful contractor hasthe option to enter into a single payment contract with the City of McAllenin lieu of a Performance Bond. In the event that the total amount bid is$25,000 or less, the successful contractor has the option to enter into asingle payment contract with the City of McAllen in lieu of a Payment andPerformance Bond.

Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the office of Sandra Zamora,CPM, Director of Purchasing and Contracting, 1300 Houston Avenue,McAllen, Texas 78501, for the amount of $30.00. General and/or PrimeContractors submitting bids and/or proposals to the City of McAllen shallbe refunded their deposits upon return of plans and specifications in goodcondition. All other recipients of plans and specifications shall be reim-bursed their deposit only if they return plans and specifications in goodcondition to the Purchasing and Contracting Department no later than thefifth (5th) working day after bid opening. Additionally Plans and Specifica-tions may be ordered electronically via our new bidding portal atwww.ebidexchange.com/mcallen. We are asking that vendors/contrac-tors register online and order plans & specs electronically. Once on theportal, after you have logged in you can click on the button “Ordercomplete set of Prints” to order your documents, just indicate in thenumber of set(s), your Carrier Account # (for billing purposes), under thespecial instructions you may enter the Carrier Name associated with youraccount number.

Plans and specifications may be reviewed at Valley branches of the AGC,McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Potential bidders are asked to post their questions on our bidding portalunder the tab labeled “Questions” under the relative project number.Questions of a technical nature may be addressed to Mark Vega, P.E.,Assistant General Manager, Utility Administration, 1300 Houston Ave.,McAllen, TX 78501, (956) 681-1630. Questions of a contractual naturemay be addressed to Sandra Zamora, CPM, Director of Purchasing &Contracting, 1300 Houston Ave., McAllen, TX 78501, Phone: (956) 681-1130.




Bidders are advised that they shall be required to go online to our NEWBidding Portal: www.ebidexchange.com/mcallen. Bids are to be submittedelectronically, as well as, in hard copy format..... If this is your first time onour portal Click on the Login button, in the upper right-hand corner, kindlyuse your e-mail address under the “Forgot Password” area and a tempo-rary Password shall be e-mailed to you. Once in the system you will beprompted for a “New” password. Bidders may Register and/or updatetheir Vendor profile. To enter your bid prices just Click on the“Solicitation” tab, Select the appropriate Project and enter your bid. Yourelectronic submittals shall be reflective of your hard copy submittal.(Written Formal Sealed Bids Submittal shall govern, in case of discrepan-cies). The City of McAllen reserves the right to refuse and reject any orall Bids and to waive any or all formalities or technicalities, or to accept theBid considered the best and most advantageous to the City and to hold thebids for a period of sixty (60) days without taking action thereon.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held October 17, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in theConference Room (2nd floor) of the Municipal Building, City of McAllen.All prospective bidders are encouraged to be in attendance.

Bid proposals must be clearly marked on the envelope:Project No.: 10-13-C01-58IMPROVEMENTS TO WATER TOWER


LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF McALLENNOTICE TO BIDDERS - Revised

Sealed proposals addressed to Mr. Mike R. Perez, City Manager, City ofMcAllen, will be received on October 17, 2013 until 4:00 p.m., at whichtime they will be taken to the Conference Room on the second floor ofMcAllen City Hall, and publicly opened and read aloud. Bids must be filedin the City of McAllen’s possession on or before the aforementioned dateand time (no late bids will be accepted).

MCALLEN HIDALGO BRIDGE NORTH BOUND BRIDGENEW CHAIN LINK FENCE

Project Description: The work consists of removing existing chain linkfencing and installing a total of 691’-5” L.F. of 9 GA. Chain Link Fencing 10’-0” high. The Chain Link Fencing is located on the East & West Side of theNorth Bound Bridge. Field welding surface at job site must be clean, dry,and in sound condition. Remove all oil, dust, grease, dirt, loose rust, andother foreign material to ensure adequate adhesion. Furthermore, con-tractor is to provide a traffic control plan.

A Bidder’s Bond from a reliable surety company licensed to operate in theState of Texas or certified Cashier’s Check, payable without recourse tothe City of McAllen, for the amount of not less than five (5) percent (%)of the total bid shall accompany the bid as a guaranty that, if awarded thecontract, the bidder will enter into a contract with the City of McAllen.Payment and Performance Bonds shall be executed except in the eventthat the total amount bid is $50,000 or less, the successful contractor hasthe option to enter into a single payment contract with the City of McAllenin lieu of a Performance Bond. In the event that the total amount bid is$25,000 or less, the successful contractor has the option to enter into asingle payment contract with the City of McAllen in lieu of a Payment andPerformance Bond.

Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the office of Sandra Zamora,CPM, Director of Purchasing and Contracting, 1300 Houston Avenue,McAllen, Texas 78501, for the amount of $50.00. General and/or PrimeContractors submitting bids and/or proposals to the City of McAllen shallbe refunded their deposits upon return of plans and specifications in goodcondition. All other recipients of plans and specifications shall be reim-bursed their deposit only if they return plans and specifications in goodcondition to the Purchasing and Contracting Department no later than thefifth (5th) working day after bid opening. Additionally Plans and Specifica-tions may be ordered electronically via our new bidding portal atwww.ebidexchange.com/mcallen. We are asking that vendors/contrac-tors register online and order plans & specs electronically. Once on theportal, after you have logged in you can click on the button “Ordercomplete set of Prints” to order your documents, just indicate in thenumber of set(s), your Carrier Account # (for billing purposes), under thespecial instructions you may enter the Carrier Name associated with youraccount number.

Plans and specifications may be reviewed at Valley branches of the AGC,and McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Potential bidders are asked to post their questions on our bidding portalunder the tab labeled “Questions” under the relative project number.Questions of a technical nature may be addressed to Ramon Navarro, IV,P.E., C.F.M., Deputy City Engineer, Engineering Department, 1300 Hous-ton Ave., McAllen, TX 78501, Phone: (956) 681-1150. Questions of acontractual nature may be addressed to Sandra Zamora, CPM, Director ofPurchasing & Contracting, 1300 Houston Ave., McAllen, TX 78501,Phone: (956) 681-1130.




Bidders are advised that they shall be required to go online to our NEWBidding Portal: www.ebidexchange.com/mcallen. Bids are to be submittedelectronically, as well as, in hard copy format..... If this is your first time onour portal Click on the Login button, in the upper right-hand corner, kindlyuse your e-mail address under the “Forgot Password” area and a tempo-rary Password shall be e-mailed to you. Once in the system you will beprompted for a “New” password. Bidders may Register and/or updatetheir Vendor profile. To enter your bid prices just Click on the“Solicitation” tab, Select the appropriate Project and enter your bid. Yourelectronic submittals shall be reflective of your hard copy submittal.(Written Formal Sealed Bids Submittal shall govern, in case of discrepan-cies). The City of McAllen reserves the right to refuse and reject any orall Bids and to waive any or all formalities or technicalities, or to accept theBid considered the best and most advantageous to the City and to hold thebids for a period of sixty (60) days without taking action thereon.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held October 10, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. in theConference Room on the second floor of the Municipal Building, City ofMcAllen. All prospective bidders are encouraged to be in attendance. Allprospective bidders are encouraged to be in attendance.

Bid proposals must be clearly marked on the envelope:BIDS: Project No. 10-13-C02-131MCALLEN HIDALGO BRIDGE NEW CHAIN LINK FENCE




CITY OF McALLENLEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

You are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the City ofMcAllen, Texas, Hidalgo County, at a regular meeting held on August 26,2013 read, approved and passed the following ordinance(s):

ORDINANCE NO. 2013 – 63

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OFMcALLEN, TEXAS WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEMREVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013, IN THE PRINCIPALAMOUNT OF $6,655,000 TO BE SHOULD TO THE TEXASWATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND ORDAINING OTHERMATTERS RELATED THERETO.


ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OFMcALLEN, TEXAS WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEMREVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013-A, IN THE PRINCIPALAMOUNT OF $217,000 TO BE SHOULD TO THE TEXASWATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND ORDAINING OTHERMATTERS RELATED THERETO.


ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OFMcALLEN, TEXAS WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEMREVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013-B, IN THE PRINCIPALAMOUNT OF $2,995,000 TO BE SHOULD TO THE TEXASWATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND ORDAINING OTHERMATTERS RELATED THERETO.

ORDINANCE NO. 2013 - 66

ORDINANCE CALLING AN ELECTION TO AUTHORIZETHE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OR DINANCEOF THE CITY OF McALLEN, TEXAS AS ENACTED ON MAY29, 1979, BY PROVIDING THAT LOTS 12, 13, AND 14, BLOCK1, A.D. LEAVELL’S ADDITION SUBDIVISION, HIDALGOCOUNTY, TEXAS SHALL BE CHANGED FROM R-2 (DU-PLEX-FOURPLEX RESIDENTIAL) DISTRICT TO C-3 (GEN-ERAL BUSINESS) DISTRICT; THAT 0.32 ACRES OUT OFLOTS 1 AND 2 AND THE NORTH ½ OF LOT 3, BLOCK 1,NELSON ADDITION SUBDIVISION, HIDALGO COUNTY,TEXAS SHALL BE CHANGED FROM C-3L (LIGHT COMMER-CIAL) DISTRICT TO R-3A (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIALAPARTMENTS) DISTRICT AMENDING THE ZONING MAPTO CONFORM TO THESE CHANGES.


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET OF THE CITYOF McALLEN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013 EFFECTIVEOCTOBER 1, 2012, BY PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE INEXPENDITURES TO-WIT: $217,582.00 FOR A NORTHBOUNDFENCING PROJECT AND A SOUTHBOUND CANOPY WITHFENCE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT THE McALLEN-HIDALGO INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE.


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCESOF THE CITY OF MCALLEN AT CHAPTER 2 (“ADMINISTRA-TION”), ARTICLE III (“BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COM-MISSIONS”), DIVISION I (“GENERALLY”), SECTION 2-76(“PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY”), TO PROVIDE THATTHE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALSSHALL CONSIST OF FIVE (5) REGULAR AND FOUR (4)ALTERNATE MEMBERS; ALSO AMENDING CHAPTER 138(“ZONING”), ARTICLE II (“ADMINISTRATION”), DIVISIONII (“BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT”), SECTION 138-41 (“ORGA-NIZATION”), TO SIMILARLY PROVIDE THAT THE ZONINGBOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS SHALL CONSISTOF FIVE (5) REGULAR AND FOUR (4) ALTERNATE MEM-BERS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDINGFOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, ANDORDAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUB-JECT MATTER HEREOF.


AN ORDINANCE ABANDONING THE FOLLOWINGSTREET AND ALLEY RIGHT OF WAYS 1) ALLEY NORTHOF EAST BEAUMONT AVENUE AND EAST OF SOUTH “K”CENTER STREET, 2) EAST BEAUMONT AVENUE EAST OFSOUTH “K” CENTER STREET, 3) ALLEY EAST OF SOUTH“K” CENTER STREETAND SOUTH OF BEAUMONT AV-ENUE AND NORTH OF CHICAGO AVENUE, BUT RETAIN-ING A 20 FT. UTILITY EASEMENT OVER THE TRACT OF

LAND BEING ABANDONED, 4) AN “L” SHAPED UTILITYEASEMENT OUT OF LOT 1, BURNS MOTOR SUBDIVISION,HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS SOUTH OF BEAUMONT AV-ENUE TOUCHING THE CORNER OF CHICAGO AVENUEAND ENTIRELY NORTH OF THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARYOF CHICAGO AVENUE, 5) a 0.43 ACRE TRACT OF LANDOUT OF LOT “A”, BOGGUS SUBDIVISION II, CITY OFMCALLEN, RECORDED IN VOLUME 32, PAGE 168A, MAPRECORDS, AND OUT OF LOT 1, BURNS MOTOR SUBDIVI-SION, CITY OF MCALLEN, RECORDED IN VOLUME 33,PAGE 111, MAP RECORDS, AND OUT OF LOTS 8 THROUGH17, WHALENS ACRES, CITY OF MCALLEN, RECORDED INVOLUME 7, PAGE 28, MAP RECORDS, ALL IN HIDALGOCOUNTY, TEXAS , BUT RETAINING A UTILITY EASE-MENT OVER THE TRACT OF LAND BEING ABANDONED;AND ORDAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THESUBJECT MATTER THEREOF.

TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESSED MY HAND AND SEAL OFOFFICE this 26th day of August, 2013.

CITY OF McALLENAnnette Villarreal, TRMC/CMC, CPMCity Secretary

(Published in the Advance News Journal on Oct. 2 & Oct. 9, 2013.)

LEGAL NOTICECITY OF PHARR

LEGAL NOTICE

You are hereby notified that the Pharr Board of Commissioners of the Cityof Pharr, Texas, Hidalgo County, at a special meeting held on September26, 2013 read, approved and passed the following ordinance (s):

ORDINANCE NO. O-2013-38

AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE TAX RATE AND LEVYING ADVALOREM TAXES FOR THE CITY OF PHARR, TEXAS BEGINNINGFISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014,DIRECTING THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION THEREOF, DE-CLARING AN EMERGENCY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.


AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE BUDGET FORTHE CITY OF PHARR, TEXAS FOR YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014, APPROPRIATING FUNDS,AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL OFOFFICE THIS 26th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2013.

______________________CITY OF PHARRHILDA PEDRAZA, TRMCCITY CLERK




CITY OF McALLENLEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

You are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the City ofMcAllen, Texas, Hidalgo County, at a regular meeting held on September23, 2013 read, approved and passed the following ordinance(s):

ORDINANCE NO. 2013-71

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OR DINANCEOF THE CITY OF McALLEN, TEXAS AS ENACTED ON MAY29, 1979, BY PROVIDING THAT 25.559 ACRES OUT OF LOT15, BLOCK 1, C. E. HAMMONDS SUBDIVISION, HIDALGOCOUNTY, TEXAS, SHALL BE CHANGED FROM A-O (AGRI-CULTURAL – OPEN SPACE) DISTRICT TO C-3 (GENERALBUSINESS) DISTRICT; THAT 1.61 ACRES OUT OF LOT 15,BLOCK 1, C.E. HAMMONDS SUBDIVISION, HIDALGOCOUNTY, TEXAS, SHALL BE CHANGED FROM A-O (AGRI-CULTURAL – OPEN SPACE) DISTRICT TO C-3 (GENERALBUSINESS) DISTRICT AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TOCONFORM TO THESE CHANGES.

ORDINANCE NO. 2013 - 72 ORDER NO. 2013 - 09

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCESOF THE CITY OF McALLEN AT CHAPTER 106 (“UTILITIES”),ARTICLE III (“WATER”), DIVISION 3 (“RATES ANDCHARGES”), SECTION 106-82 (“STANDARD WATER RATESCHEDULE WITHIN THE CITY”), TO INCREASE THE MINI-MUM MONTHLY BASE FEE CHARGE FOR WATER FROM$4.65 TO $5.65; AND ARTICLE IV (“SANITARY SEWER SYS-TEMS”), DIVISION 2 (“SERVICE CHARGES”), SECTION 106-166 (“NECESSITY OF LEVY; RATE SCHEDULES.”) TO IN-CREASE THE RESIDENTIAL, MULTI-FAMILY, COMMERCIALINDUSTRIAL USES (i) FROM $1.30 TO $1.40; PROVIDING FORAN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND ORDAINING OTHERPROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.

ORDINANCE NO. 2013 -73ORDER NO. 2013 - 10

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET OF THE CITYOF McALLEN INCLUDING McALLEN PUBLIC UTILITIES FORTHE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2013 ANDENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014, IN ACCORDANCE WITHTHE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF McALLEN; PROVID-ING FOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR A REPEALER;AND ORDAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THESUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.

ORDINANCE NO. 2013 -74

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE TAX RATE AND LEVY-ING AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE CITY OF McALLEN,TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,2014 AND THE TAX YEAR 2013 IN CONFORMITY WITH THECHARTER PROVISIONS AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITYAND THE PROPERTY TAX CODE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS;PROVIDING FOR A REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICA-TION; AND ORDAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATEDTO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OR DINANCEOF THE CITY OF McALLEN, TEXAS AS ENACTED ON MAY29, 1979, BY PROVIDING THAT 0.80 ACRES OUT OF LOT 4,SECTION 12, HIDALGO CANAL COMPANY’S SUBDIVISION,HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS SHALL BE CHANGED FROM R-3C (MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM) DIS-TRICT TO C-1 (OFFICE BUILDING) DISTRICT AMENDINGTHE ZONING MAP TO CONFORM TO THESE CHANGES.

TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESSED MY HAND AND SEAL OFOFFICE this 26th day of September, 2013.

CITY OF McALLENAnnette Villarreal, TRMC/CMC, CPMCity Secretary


LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF McALLENREQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Sealed Request for Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) addressed to Mr.Mike R. Perez, City Manager, City of McAllen, will be received on October10, 2013 until 3:00 p.m.,,,,, at the Purchasing and Contracting Department(3rd Floor) of McAllen City Hall. SOQ’s must be in the City of McAllen’spossession on or before the aforementioned date and time (no late SOQ’swill be accepted).

REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONSFOR

APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR CITY OF McALLEN

Bidders receiving a “NOTICE TO BIDDERS” and/or “REQUESTFOR BIDS” notice via e-mail, fax or reading same in the newspaper areadvised that they shall be required to go online to our NEW Bidding Portal:www.ebidexchange.com/mcallen for project details. Bids are to be submit-ted electronically, as well as, in paper copy format..... If this is your firsttime on our portal, Click on the Login button in the upper right-handcorner; use your e-mail address under the “Forgot Password” area and atemporary Password will be e-mailed to you. Once in the system, you willbe prompted for a “New” password. To enter your bid prices just Clickon the “Solicitation” tab, Select the appropriate Project and enter your bid.Your electronic submittals shall be reflective of your hard copy submittal.The City of McAllen reserves the right to refuse and reject any or all Bidsand to waive any or all formalities or technicalities, or to accept the Bidconsidered the best and most advantageous to the City and hold the bidsfor a period of (60) days without taking action. Be advised that if yourcompany is contemplating on responding to this project you must registeron our portal so that any changes and/or additions via Addendum form canbe forwarded to your company.

Potential Bidders are asked to post their questions on our bidding portalunder the relative project number, tab labeled “Questions”. Questions ofa contractual nature shall be directed to Sandra Zamora, CPM, Director ofPurchasing and Contracting by calling (956) 681-1130. Questions con-cerning this project may be directed to Jeanie Backor, Land AcquisitionDeputy Director, by calling (956) 681-1188.




Statements of Qualifications received past the aforementioned deadlineshall not be considered. The owner will evaluate the Statements ofQualifications of the firms on the basis of technical ability, experienceand ability to perform the work.

Envelopes must be clearly marked: Project No. 10-13-S01-10SOQ - CITY APPRAISAL SERVICES


LEGAL NOTICECITY OF PHARR

LEGAL NOTICE

You are hereby notified that the Pharr Board of Commissioners of the Cityof Pharr, Texas, Hidalgo County, at a regular meeting held on September17, 2013 read, approved and passed the following ordinance (s):


AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PHARR, TEXAS ADOPTING APROVISION OF THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE;ESTABLISHING A JUVENILE CASE MANAGER FEE; CREATING AJUVENILE CASE MANAGER FUND; AUTHORIZING CREATION OFJUVENILE CASE MANAGER POSITION; AUTHORIZING APPOINT-MENT OF JUVENILE CASE MANAGER; CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; RE-PEALER; SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION:AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; DECLARATION OF EMER-GENCY AND DISPENSING OF READINGS; PROPER NOTICE OFMEETING.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL OFOFFICE THIS 17th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2013.

______________________CITY OF PHARRHILDA PEDRAZA, TRMCCITY CLERK


1964 Donna High School classto host 50th reunion

DONNA – The 1964 Donna High School class will host its 50thanniversary and reunion on Nov. 1, 2013 at the homecoming gameand then at Arturo’s Bar & Grill in Weslaco.

For more information contact Adan Hernandez at (956) 464-8484 (text included)

The ADVANCE NEWS JOURNAL

Extra Bonus: FreeClassified Ad with each

new subscriptionor subscription renewal -

up to 20 words.

Offers You 52 New & Exciting Issues!

Name _______________________________________Address ____________________________________

City & Zip ___________________________________

Mail this form with your check or money order to: 217 W. Park Ave., Pharr, TX 78577

Only $18 a Year -- In Hidalgo County only.Outside-of-County

and Out-of-State -- $25.

Mailed to your home or business.

BUSINESS

10/2

Carports, Patio Cov-ers, Window Awnings& Screen Rooms,Glass Rooms, VinylSiding, Metal Roofs.

All ValleyConstruction(956) 783-9522

BUSINESS

10/2

Goga Studios Pharr1101 N. Cage Blvd.

956-702-4642Improves Circulation,Improves Mobility,Tones Muscles,Increases Energy andMetabolism.

FEEL BETTER,SLEEP BETTER!

FOR SALE

10/9

Owner Finance: 5Acres on Alberta eastof Val Verde, 5.31Acres on Borderbetween 83 &Expressway, 8 Acreson Ridge/Whalen.

330-1425

FOR SALE

8/28

Large Lot in TheGrove Park, San Juan.55+; $16,900 ownerfinancing.

Low down pmt.Call 607-5797

Hosanna Hospice is in need of caring volunteers. Patient visitorvolunteers interact directly with patients and families, but other

opportunities to make a difference also exist, including working in ourbereavement program, or helping out in the office. If you are interested

in an uplifting volunteer experience that will brighten the world forothers and for you, please contact Elma Lozano at 956-781-9900 or

email [email protected]

BUSINESS

“Limpia TuCredito”

Consulta Gratis.Clean Up Divorces,Judgments, CreditCards, Bank Repos,Foreclosures.

State Registeredand Bonded.

956-309-2703Libertycreditsolutions.net

9/4

BUSINESS

OSHAClasses

* Medical* Construction

* Oil fields

10/2

FOR SALE

1987 GMCWork Truck - 2500Auto Motor 350

70k MilesCurrent Plates& Inspection.$1,850 OBO.Call Rosie at

(956) 867-3979



Hospice Volunteers needed...

BUSINESS

9/4

COMPUTERS$150.00 up

Texas Corner Store956-457-0025

3017 S. Sugar Rd. - Ste E(1 Block S. of Canton)Edinburg, TX 78539

Buy - SellHome & Auto

Electronics

COMPRO - VENDOREPAIRS

RemanufacturedWindows 7

Micro-Cameras

Smile CateringWe offer the following services at reasonablerates: Banquet waiters, appetizers, linens, chaircovers, decorated cakes of any design andcoffee service. You can also just rent dinnerplates, silverware and glassware. If you orderthree or more services you get a specialdiscount. Call today for booking and freequotes. Pharr, McAllen, Mission & RGV.

(956) [email protected]

BUSINESS

I am seeking workas a part-time caregiver. Can call after5:00 p.m.Call Ruben:(956) 702-4214

JOB WANTED I am seeking workcleaning houses inPSJA and Edinburgarea. Reasonablerates.Call Lupita:(956) 563-5388

JOB WANTED

FOR SALE

10/16

Sharp Copy MachineAR-507 - $700;

HP Printer Laser Jet5SI - $150; Epson

Scanners GT-1500 -$175; HP PrinterDeskjet 9800-Color - $75

For information:(956) 381-6480

FOR RENT

9/11

In Pharr -- Small Cot-tage, furnished, billsincluded, mature per-son, serious callersplease. Can call after5 p.m., 702-4214.$450 month.

NOTICE TO BID

LEGAL NOTICE

The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District invites you tosubmit bid / proposal for:

REPLACEMENT SOUND EQUIPMENTFOR PSJA MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL BID # 13-14-006

(Tuesday, October 8, 2013 @ 2:30 P.M.)

FURNITURE FOR NEW LONGORIA ELEMENTARYSCHOOL BID # 13-14-007

(Tuesday, October 15, 2013 @ 2:30 P.M.)

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT,SERVICES AND SUPPLIES CATALOG BID # 12-13-055 “A”

(Monday, October 21, 2013 @ 2:30 P.M.)

STAPLE GROCERIES, AND GROCER’S MISCELLANEOUSITEMS, EQUIPMENT, SERVICES AND SUPPLIES CATALOG

BID # 12-13-070 “A”(Monday, October 21, 2013 @ 3:00 P.M.)

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo I.S.D. website www.psjaisd.us. Please use the rightside navigation panel that reads "BUSINESS SERVICES" and select"PBOS (Bid Order System)" to access the District's PurchasingWebsite in order to download bids and proposals.

Sealed bid / proposal will be received until DATES AND TIME PRO-VIDED ABOVE, at which time they will be publicly opened.

Specifications are on file at the P.S.J.A Business Office / PurchasingDepartment, 601 East Kelly, Room # 249, Pharr, TX 78577. Bid / Proposalspecifications may be obtained by calling (956) 354-2000 extension 1124.


NOTICE OF BIDTO MOWING CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that the City of San Juan is seeking Re-bids forMowing of Weedy Lots. Bids will be received at the office of CarmenGonzalez, Purchasing/Risk Manager, 709 S. Nebraska, San Juan, Texas78589-2649 no later than Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. atwhich time they will be taken to the City Hall Conference Room and readaloud.

Sealed bids shall be submitted as follows:

MOWING OF WEEDY LOTSREQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS #13-07-10-15

PURCHASING/PROCUREMENTCITY OF SAN JUAN, TEXAS709 S. NEBRASKA AVENUE

SAN JUAN, TEXAS 78589-2649

Specifications may be obtained by calling the Purchasing Department at956.223.2200 or by picking them up at the San Juan City Hall, 709 S.Nebraska, San Juan, Texas between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,Monday thru Friday, or by visiting the City's web-site atwww.cityofsanjuantexas.com.

The City of San Juan reserves the right to refuse and/or reject executingContracts for Labor with any or all Mowing Contractors responding to thisrequest for mowing services and to enter into Contracts for Labor withthose Mowing Contractors that in the opinion of the City are deemed tobe the best and most advantageous to the City and hold the bid for a periodof 60 days without taking action. Bids submitted past the aforementioneddate and time will not be accepted. Caution to those submitting bids;bids not in proper form may be rejected.


LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

CORTEZ WRECKER SERVICE5011 N. Cage • Pharr, TX 78577 • (956) 702-0111

First Notice

Pursuant to the provision contained in rule 85.703. Subchapter F, fromChapter 85, Part 4 of Title 16 in the Texas Administrative Code, we areofficially notifying you that the below described motor vehicles held inour custody are to be picked up, removed and all charges paid within (15)days or these vehicles will be declared abandoned according to Texas law.Total charges cannot be computed until vehicle is claimed. Storage chargeswill accrue daily until vehicle is released.

YEAR MAKE MODEL VIN #2007 Toyota Rav4 (White) 0537972004 Ford Crown V. (White) 1594152007 Ford Crown V. (White) 106734


MartinezSafety Academy

956-342-6680

Safety Officer$24900

$5900 (Basic 1)


BUSINESS & REVIEWBUSINESS & REVIEWBUSINESS & REVIEWBUSINESS & REVIEWBUSINESS & REVIEW

1-877-464-7741www.newlifehhs.com

2115 Lott Road, Donna, TX916 W. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX

HomeHealth CareProvided 7

Days a Week

MARTINDRUG CO.

S. KLEINGALLERIES“We frame diplomas”

Large assortmentof Picture Frames for

* Weddings* Quinceaneras and* Family Portraits

Open Mon.-Fri.: 9-6Sat.: 9-5

521 N. MAIN, McALLEN TX686-0632

601 S. Nebraska • San Juan787-1861

A dedication of service since 1917.Fast, friendly prescription service.

Most insurance accepted. Medicaid Medicare

Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am to 6 pmSaturday: 9 am to 12 noon

Closed Sunday

Javier Garza, Pharmacist

Texas TheaterBallroom

Have Your Event With Us!

Weddings, Quinceañeras& Parties • A/C

115 E. Park • Pharr, TX(956) 783-7656Oscar Barrera

Cell # (956) 457-2327

Nancy'sFlower Shop

787-5187 or 1-800-787-5187700 E. Sam Houston, Pharr

We have a large selection offlower arrangements, plants,

Delivery service available.All major credit cards

accepted.Wire service available.

munchiebaskets andcandie-filled

cups tochoose from.

COMPLEMENTSHAIR SALON

300 E. Exp. 83Suite AAPharr, TX

787-1286Delia S.

Gonzalez- Owner

Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9-6Sat. 9-5

B

1336 Med Capt DrivePharr

Tel. 787-49891-800-887-4989Fax 781-3380

JAMES E. CAPT &ASSOCIATES, LLC

All Formsof Insurance

Irene’sRestaurant

Comida sabrosacomo de casa!Daily Specials!

FantasticCaldo de Res!* Quality food

* Quality service816 N. I Rd. * San Juan

702-0155Orders to Go!

MARTINDRUG CO.

601 S. Nebraska • San Juan787-1861

A dedication of service since 1917.Fast, friendly prescription service.

Most insurance accepted. Medicaid Medicare

Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am to 6 pmSaturday: 9 am to 12 noon

Closed Sunday

Javier Garza, Pharmacist

Now EnrollingPK - 9th grades

Pick-Up Applicationat Central Office

1200 E. Kelly St., Pharr TX

781-1701

D & M CLEANERS

PHARR129 W. Park * 787-1401

M-F 7:30 am - 6 pmSat. 8 am - 12 pm

“The Valley’sMost Exclusive Cleaners”

McALLENUptown Plaza 4500 N. 10th *

630-4622M-F 7 am - 6:30 pmSat. 8 am - 12 pm

EDINBURG701 S. Closner * 383-2472

M-F 7 am - 6 pmSat. 8 am - 12 pm

Phone: 787-1861Fax: 787-2093

www.Martindrug.com

For 92 years, Martin Drug has been serving P.S.J.A and the surrounding communities,providing Fast, Reliable Pharmacy services.

Come by to see us ….. “You will be Treated like Family.”

Our Pharmacist and staff are alwaysAvailable to help you andanswer all of your questions.

Internet Ordering, Delivery, and Auto-fill available.

Fast, Friendly Service

Experienced Staff

Conveniently Located in San Juan

Texas Theater BallroomWeddings, Quinceañeras

& Parties • A/C

Have Your Event With Us!

115 E. Park • Pharr, TX(956) 783-7656

Oscar BarreraCell # (956) 457-2327

Advance News Journal October 2, 2013

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Transcript of Advance News Journal October 2, 2013