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A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce held their monthly community breakfast on Wednesday and Director Sandra Martinez was visibly moved by the presentation of a plaque to CoC assistant Ana Maria Arizpe, who has worked diligently for the chamber for 38 years. Arizpe informed The News Gram of t he fact that she has seen many a project come and go since she began on November 22, 1963, the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. "They closed the bridge that day, I'll never forget." She also recalls being bussed to Highway 57 to inaugurate the highway that links our country to Mexico City which was a grand accomplishment and remains indelibly etched in her memory. "It increased much tourism from people from Saltillo, Torreon and other major Mexican cities," she recalls, "We worked in conjunction with the Department of Tourism in Mexico." She says that when she came in they shared the Chamber of Commerce with the Maverick County Development Council which later moved to Industrial Park. "I feel as though I'm losing my right arm," stated Martinez who says she has been living with her day to day for many years, "I am truly going to miss her." Arizpe will be replaced by new assistant Margie Montoya.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The trial against suspended Justice of the Peace Cesar Perez is proceeding quickly with jury selection taking place on Tuesday until about 3:00 P.M. and opening statements and the calling of the first witness subsequently thereafter.
One key motion in Tuesday's phase was the state dismissing charges of organized criminal activity against Perez which was filed in district court just before the prosecution called Andres Rodriguez III to the witness stand late Tuesday followed by former Maverick County Auditor Carlos Pereda early Wednesday morning which ended in a series of questions by prosecution and objections by the defense before Pereda left the witness stand.
Collections Director Ruben Montemayor was called in and was asked to produce documents from 2007 to 2013 to which he replied they would probably be in storage and that he honestly didn't know what kind of condition they would be in to which defense counsel Earl Herring responded, "We want them all."
The Honorable Amado Abascal, 365th District Judge ordered Montemayor to effectively advise his superiors to retrieve those records by order of the court.
Four state witnesses that followed were individuals who allegedly made payments to the JP's office anywhere from 2007 to 2008.
Of the four witnesses, at least two of them stated that they had made cash payments to secretaries and one stated that he paid with a money order and was asked five years later to produce a receipt of that money order which he said would be impossible.
Defense attorneys Herring and Rogelio Munoz worked to question the validity of the witnesses accusing one of the state's witnesses of having a questionable attitude toward the seriousness of citations issued as the witness admitted to disposing of them in the trash at the time they were given and yet a second was discredited for allegedly testifying to Texas Rangers and to the state against Perez in retaliation to a civil case in which he was ordered to pay a sum of $1,300.00 for not repairing a computer back in 2008.
The court recessed at noon on Wednesday and the result of Wednesday afternoon's deliberations were not available at press time.
Lead prosecutor in this case is Lance Kutnick. Kutnick is being assisted by Jonathan White, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Prosecutions Division White Collar Crime & Public Integrity Section.
Martinez' appointment marks cycle of
Community service coming full circle
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Hilda Martinez, daughter of Francisco 'Cisco' Martinez has been symbolically called upon to serve her community much in the way her father served on the board in the late 80's.
This cycle came full circle on Thursday, August 8th when now EPISD Board Secretary Lupita Fuentes made the motion to recommend Hilda Martinez, a local businesswoman and licensed pharmacist, to fill the vacant spot recently left by Ana Santleben.
"I'm very excited and thankful for this opportunity to work for the students of Eagle Pass and hope to assist the teachers and staff of the EPISD," stated the EPISD's newest trustee, "I also hope to educate myself in the process and do the best of my ability to serve."
Board President Ignacio Saucedo added that they are "Excited in having someone with her intelligence. She is well respected, brings energy to the position and a different view than that we're used to seeing on the board," stated the highest ranking board member, "We have high hopes that she will adjust quickly and do well for the community."
Brother Francisco, a local attorney and our Municipal Court Judge was also on hand to see his sister appointed and this reporter is sure he had his father in his thoughts much as I have mine every time I walk into the DSC Board Room.
Martinez comes in right at budget time and at the beginning of the school year just before registration, back-to-school time and as state test results await to be approved and accreditation statuses for our schools to be officially declared next month.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
In what is being heralded as the best news coming from the EPISD in recent memory, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a proposed increase for all personnel effective this September.
EPISD Superintendent Gilbert Gonzalez presented his recommendation to the board during the second budget workshop after the presentation made by Executive Director for Finance Ismael Mijares.
"It was something that was long overdue," stated Board President Ignacio Saucedo, "The superintendent and I have been discussing it for some time and we appreciate our employees' patience during the years we were in our cost savings plan. We understand that their jobs are ever more strenuous now in the age of accountability and the amount of work that is having to take place because of state and federal mandates are much more stringent than when I was a student."
School Board trustee Hector Alvarez made the motion for the salary increase and newest board member Bennie Rodriguez seconded the motion.
The recommended increases are as follows: Professionals will receive a 4.2% pay hike, a 3% increase plus a 1.2% step increase; Campus Administrators will receive a 3% increase; Non-Campus administrators will get 2.25%; Paraprofessionals will get 3.5%; and manual Trades will get a 3.5% increase as well.
The board met last night to discuss recommendations for a replacement for exiting board member Ana Santleben, but results of this meeting were not available at press time.
Eagle Pass CBP Officers Nab Teens in Meth Smuggling Attempt
EAGLE PASS, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry foiled an attempt by two local teenage girls to smuggle more than $40,000 worth of methamphetamine into the country.
Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, CBP officers at Eagle Pass International Bridge I inspected a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by an 18-year-old Eagle Pass woman, as it arrived from Mexico. During routine records checks, officers discovered that the car had been reported stolen. Moreover, a government database revealed that a passenger in the car, a 15-year-old girl, had been reported as a missing juvenile. CBP officers discovered that the 15-year-old was carrying several packages of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 3.17 pounds, worth an estimated $47,550.
The 15-year-old was turned over to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office for juvenile prosecution. The 18-year-old was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.
“Our frontline CBP officers routinely use law enforcement databases when inspecting people and vehicles entering the country,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, Eagle Pass Port Director. “In this instance, database queries revealed multiple entries and ultimately led to the seizure of a load of dangerous narcotics.”
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
-CBP-
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Staff
-Alpine, Tx.
SUL ROSS LOCKDOWN ENDS; NO SUSPECT FOUND
More than 60 law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel responded to an incident that resulted in a facilities lockdown and cancellation of classes at Sul Ross State University Wednesday (Aug. 7).
Shortly after 8 a.m., a Sul Ross staff member reported seeing an older man, allegedly carrying a rifle, walk into the Briscoe Administration Building (BAB).
Following an initial search of BAB to locate the suspect, local law enforcement agencies were notified. Shortly thereafter, Lobo Lookout Alerts were sent to students, faculty and staff via text messages and email, notifying them to lock office and classroom doors and to stay inside. Classes were cancelled and campuses entrances were later blocked.
A suspect was initially identified, then quickly ruled out. Six teams of law enforcement officers conducted room-by-room searches in all campus buildings. Hourly updates were sent to the campus community and the news media.
The suspect was not found. Shortly after noon, an all-clear was given, ending the lockdown. Classes remained cancelled and offices were closed for the remainder of the day.
Sul Ross President Ricardo Maestas praised the response to a potential high-level emergency situation.
“Our University Department of Public Safety and our local law enforcement have been monitoring this situation closely and responded immediately to the call,” he said. “We are grateful for the quick response from our UDPS, Brewster County Sheriff’s Office, Alpine Police Department, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Game Wardens, Border Patrol Officers and Local and Non-Local Federal Agents.
“Thankfully, this situation did not escalate and our law enforcement officers proved once again to be quick to respond to threats and secured our campus,” Maestas said.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
All-Time NBA record holder for the most Three-point Field Goals in a Finals Series, Danny Green graced Eagle Pass with his presence on Sunday and Monday at both Mall de las Aguilas on Sunday where hundreds if not thousands descended on Beall's Department Store with Manager Roger Enriquez and his staff.
Green emerged from the main offices of the establishment right on time at 4:00 P.M. to a throng of well-wishers and on-lookers as they waited in a line that went from the store to the entrance adjacent to the Charcoal Grill.
Fans of the San Antonio Spurs guard took pictures and received autographs on everything from basketballs, jerseys, pictures and even cellular telephones!
"At Mall de las Aguilas," tweeted the Spurs star who was in serious consideration fro MVP honors should the Silver and Black Attack won their series against the LeBron james-led Miami Heat.
All-in-all it was a grand event organized by Enriquez and his fine staff, this reporter and the Shooting Stars Elite Basketball Shooting crew of Marlon Minifee, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves and BU Stephens, former Judson HS standout and now music producer who worked with Tony Parker on his "Balance Toi" music video.
School Board questioning lack of pay raises for teachers, staff
A.D.Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The EPISD Board of Trustees met on Thursday evening in its first of two budget workshops at the DSC Board Room. Administrators, board members, members of the district's Budget Committee were present.
Executive Director of Finance Ismael Mijares made his annual state of the district presentation and informed those present of the fact that the district presently has a $13.6 million fund balance as the 2012-13 Fiscal Year comes to an end. Mijares is projecting an ending fund balance of $18.5 million in 2013-14 with estimated revenues in the range of $3.6 million.
He was discussing the new insurance policy and procedures citing that, "Teachers are going to be very, very happy" as he highlighted details which will allow district employees to avoid having to pay deductibles for medications should they choose to use generic brands.
Mijares mentioned that medications will be cheaper under the new plan should employees choose to go the generic route. If not, then the employee will have to pay the deductible.
A memo to this effect is going out to all employees as you read this as he said this is good news and a positive initiative which he knows will be welcomed.
His satisfaction was short-lived as board members began firing a battery of concerns at the district's top financial administrator which began with a question in relation to salary increases by Trustee Lupita Fuentes.
Superintendent Gilbert Gonzalez was posed the question to which he responded that he didn't feel he could respond as it was not in this evening's agenda and Mijares fielded the question by saying that procedure is to hear out all board member concerns at this juncture and then Gonzalez would have the opportunity to look at them and make a decision by the next budget workshop which in this case will be August 12th.
This is where the discussion began in reference for the need of a salary increase which has been non-existent in recent memory.
Fuentes began by voicing her concern over an increase given to certain track coaches at the end of last year, stating that, "We're sending the wrong message to our teachers," implying that the only personnel who have seen any kind of an increase have been coaches and that she feels academics have been overlooked in favor of athletics.
Trustee Ramon Ramirez stated that he did a study of board policy with respect to coaching salaries and additional days in surrounding districts such as Judson, East Central, Northside ISD and Del Rio when Mijares posted EPISD's policy on the overhead projector stating that our policy is based on TASB specifications and that it's up to the governing body to set these policies and procedures to which Board President Ignacio Saucedo said they had to go back and re-visit this policy.
Fuentes added that one coach in particular makes a stipend of $6,000 for one sport, another $6,000 for another, $4,500 for another, does UIL and makes a $74,000.00 salary which she said is more than some principals make.
J. Rodriguez, a member of the Budget Committee and a teacher at Seco Mines Elementary, speaking on behalf of all teachers, paraprofessionals and staff said, "This goes along with the perception that only a certain group is getting increases and it wasn't in the budget process, I think it's important that you know that."
"If one of my members wants to put an item on the agenda, they can," said Saucedo in response to Mr. Rodriguez' comment directed to him, "I agree it's long overdue and it's more than fair and your concern doesn't fall on deaf ears."
"Coaches are getting stipends and additional days and they're not only coaching but also doing UIL," added Fuentes, "What's the quality of work they are doing? They have astronomical salaries and we're not doing anything extra for UIL. I think we should have waited for the budget process. Everybody's hurting and teachers have been punished a year more."
Assistant Superintendent Lalo Treviño explained that teachers are on an 183 day contract, coaches are working more days so they go in earlier. "When it gets out of hand is when you have sports like volleyball which start before the school year does, but there's some in the middle of the year, they try to give them days within the year, but they're already getting a stipend. We need justification to compensate for these days. Coaches are working those days, they get paid for the days that they work. There's some that only have their salary, as long as it's justifiable."
All in all it seems as though board members are seeking for Mr. Gonzalez to return to the next budget workshop with a salary increase for all employees when he gives his yearly budget report.
Recommendation of McBeath to EPISD Board falls 3-2
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
In a special meeting of the EPISD Board of Trustees, the motion to accept the resignation of Ana Santleben was unanimously approved.
The district's attorney was absent and his replacement advised, "Until the appointment is made, the resigning board member is still in."
"There is a conflict of interest and the possibility of nepotism and I respect her decision," stated Board president Ignacio Saucedo.
The board moved on to the next item, the appointment of Rex McBeath as Santleben's replacement.
"He has served previously and has a wealth of knowledge of the budget process and of school policy," stated Saucedo.
The motion was made by Saucedo and was seconded by Trustee Lupita Fuentes to recommend McBeath to the board then Trustee Ramon Ramirez was given an opportunity to comment on the item and he stated, "We have been elected by the community. The only comment I have is that we're put here by the community and we owe them respect they have given to us. This person has been recommended and it's tough to go against."
He also said that he had a question in reference to the quorum, "Should we vote now or wait for Alvarez?" To which Saucedo stated, "Mr. Alvarez is aware of the recommendation and we need to move forward. We have a budget meeting tonight, I understand where we're coming from. He's only going to serve one year and will be an asset to the board and knows the budget process."
Glenna Purcell also mentioned the fact that Trustee Dr. Hector Alvarez was not present and that "We should have a full board."
Discussion was closed and a vote was taken.
The motion fell 2-3 with Saucedo and Fuentes voting 'For' and Ramirez, Purcell and new Trustee Bennie Rodriguez cast the three dissenting votes.
DEL RIO TAX PREPARER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON
In Del Rio this morning, Jesus Andres Diego of Del Rio, who had done business as Rapid Tax, was sentenced to 18
months in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent Income Tax Return.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Diego pay a $3,000 fine and be placed
under supervised release for a period of one year after completing his prison term.
On September 27, 2012, Diego pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in, procuring, counseling, and
advising the preparation and presentation to the Internal Revenue Service of materially false and fraudulent U.S.
Individual Income Tax Return. By pleading guilty, Diego admittedly prepared a 2007 tax return which falsely
claimed Head of Household status and Earned Income Credit while underreporting the self-employment tax and total
business income.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and was
prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Harris.
