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Progress times
2019EXT Progress Times banner 10.5x2.indd 1
Vol. 47 - #20
50¢ cents
Friday, January 11, 2019
09/01/2019 11:47:54 AM
www.ptrgv.com
INSIDE
Med-Care EMS Bankrupt
The ambulance service for McAllen and Mission filed for bankruptcy in November. MedCare EMS says that it will not change ambulance service. Dave Hendricks has the story, inside.
See Pg. 4
Mission News
Progress Times photo by Jamie Trevino.
Members of the Mission Parks and Recreation “Strike Team” plant vegetation meant to draw butterflies, particularly monarch butterflies, to the area around the Dog Park at Bannworth Park.
Mission preparing to open dog parks By Jamie Treviño
We have the latest on what’s happening in the city of Mission, including art at the National Butterfly Center protesting the border wall. See Jose De Leon III’s story inside for more details.
See Pg. 5
In reversal, Pharr releases city manager’s salary
Alex Meade
Pharr City Manager
By Dave Hendricks After attempting to keep City Manager Alex Meade’s salary a secret, Pharr announced Wednesday that “in the interest of continuing its commitment to transparency” the city would release the information. Former Mission Economic Development Corp. CEO Alejandro “Alex” Meade III, 42, of Mission accepted the city manager position during November. When the Progress Times requested Meade’s contract and personnel records — which included his salary — Pharr refused to release the documents and asked the Texas Attorney General’s Office for a decision. The Progress Times published a news story about the situation on Monday. Less than 48 hours later, Pharr reversed course. “In this case, the city believed it to be in its best interest to try to protect its investment in talent and the potential economic growth
See CITY MANAGER SALARY Pg. 4
Ready to welcome furry friends and pet-owners alike from all over the Rio Grande Valley, the city of Mission is opening two new dog parks next Saturday. The city will host a “leash cutting” ceremony at the Bannworth Park location (1822 N.
Shary Road) Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Non-aggressive dogs are invited to attend the event, which will include the official opening of the park, free hot dogs while supplies last and a contest where dogs can compete in the categories of “Cutest Dog,” “Ugliest Dog” and “Best Tricks.” A second dog park, lo-
cated at Bentsen Palm Community Park, will also be opened officially on Jan. 19, but there will be no ceremony for that location. The dog parks were built to serve a need for Missionites who wish to spend more active outdoor time with their pups. In a survey conducted by the city asking residents about what park ame-
Well-known politiquera now working for Mission By Jose De Leon III When the Mission Economic Development Corporation approved the hire of a new janitor, they had no idea of the baggage she carried. Esmeralda Lara, 52, started her employment as a custodian for the MEDC-located in the city’s Center for Education and Economic Development-last month. Her employment was approved by the corporation’s then-CEO Alex Meade. “We interviewed a total of eight candidates who applied for the job and settled on her,” Daniel Silva, the current CEO of the MEDC said. “She was a good candidate and scored well on the inter-
views I conducted and a routine background check didn’t come up with anything.” Lara however, has a history as a politiquera-and made headlines last fall when she
testified against the Norberto “Beto” Salinas campaign during the Mission election trial.
See POLITIQUERA Pg. 4
Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks.
Esmeralda Lara on the witness stand during the Mission election trial Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018.
nities they would like to see in Mission, a dog park was in the top ten of the list. The idea for a dog park was conceived by members of the Mission Pawsible board, including Homer Garza and Cathy Garcia. Garcia was with former City Manager Martin Garza and Mission Parks and Recreation Director Brad Bent-
With more than two months with a new fire chief, the city of La Joya is celebrating his accomplishments. Frankie Joe Salinas was hired by the city last October, nearly one month after former Fire Chief Leroy Salinas resigned-along with the rest of the city’s volunteer firefighters. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the new Chief Salinas reported to the council that his fire department now has 12 volunteer firefighters, much to the visible delight of the council. “We are very lucky to have him,” La Joya Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas said. “We have never had a fire chief like him as far as I can recall. The volunteer firefighters talk highly of him, he’s very organized and cares for the community.” Chief Frankie Salinas was essentially hired to completely restructure the fire department, a task he said he took to heart. “It was definitely a chal-
lenge at the start since one of my main objectives was to recruit volunteers,” Chief Salinas said. “Within a month we got some local people to utilize the opportunity to be a volunteer firefighter in the city of La Joya.” As a volunteer with the city fire department, Chief Salinas receives a monthly stipend of $600, less than half of the $1,250 his predecessor received. Frankie Salinas, who is also employed with the Edinburg Fire Department, has nearly two decades of experience as a firefighter, he said. With this, he said he was able to relate with volunteer firefighters. “A lot of people don’t want to volunteer, they want to get paid for their voluntary service,” Chief Salinas said. “To recruit, I talked to every individual. I used myself as an example and talked about how for 17 years, I volunteered for the city of Edinburg. I now work for them, but my career was shaped as a volunteer. There are benefits to it.” Chief Salinas puts in 60
hours a week in the La Joya Fire Department. The hours he says are on the days he has off from his regular day job in Edinburg. That kind of sacrifice, he said, comes with the job. “This is what being a volunteer firefighter is, putting aside yourself for your community, the fire chief explained. “I was here because the city was left unprotected and knew this was my calling. The 12 volunteers we have are an eager group aged from 23 through 45 and they’re very responsive to being here.” The 12 recruits are on call at all times and communicate through the WhatsApp mobile messenger app, Chief Salinas said. They respond to at least five calls a day, most of which are people requesting medical assistance, Salinas said. Since his hiring, Salinas informed the council that he successfully purchased two new air packs for their firefighters through the urban county program, increasing the total amount of air tanks
See DOG PARKS Pg. 4
Former Hidalgo County bailiff pleads guilty to drug trafficking By Dave Hendricks A former Hidalgo County bailiff who provided court documents to drug traffickers pleaded guilty last week. Former Hidalgo County Court at Law #6 Bailiff Oscar De La Cruz, 53, of Pharr pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine. De La Cruz provided Hidalgo County court records — including criminal complaints, booking records and arrest warrants — to drug traffickers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto “Bobby”
La Joya administration celebrates new fire chief By Jose De Leon III
sen at a dog park located in McAllen when they noticed that people from all over the Valley were there to use the amenity. From there, two dog parks in Mission were built. The Bannworth Dog Park is approximately two
Oscar De La Cruz Lopez Jr. said during the plea hearing. He also forged three federal search warrants, which allowed smugglers to steal drugs from suppliers without drawing suspicion. “I think that Oscar did the right thing,” said attorney Rick Salinas, who represents
See FORMER BAILIFF Pg. 8
SPORTS All-Area Teams
THE
BIG7 SCHOOLS
Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
Frankie Joe Salinas La Joya Fire Chief
in the department to seven. Chief Salinas requested the city look into purchasing firefighting foam, a foam used for fire suppression that he says can cut the time to fight fires by 10 minutes. Chief Salinas spoke of the support he received from the city, who provided him with a 2009 Chevy Tahoe that he retrofitted as a fire chief/first response vehicle complete
See LA JOYA FIRE CHIEF Pg. 8
Big 7 athletes have been honored with postseason awards in football and volleyball. Bryan Ramos brings us more information about some of the All-Area honorees and their accomplishments last season.
See Pg. 6
INDEX Entertainment..........pg. 2 Lifestyle.......................pg. 3 Sports............................pg.6 Obituaries..................pg. 9 Classifieds.........pg.10-11