December 18, 2015
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Millennial seeks to fight excessive taxation City takes properties to complete Inspiration Road with bid for County Tax Assessor and Collector
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By Kathy Olivarez
Press release courtesy of candidate. n 2015 over 30,000 residents protested their taxes with the Hidalgo County Appraisal District. Donna native and candidate for Tax Assessor and Collector Abel Prado believes that number should’ve been higher. A lot higher. The Appraisal District is a non-elected entity that reports to the State Comptroller office and its primary function is to appraise every property in the county and forward this information for the Tax Assessor to collect. The Appraisal District lacks the manpower to appraise every home in person, so it relies mostly on complicated formulas and algorithms to generate an appraisal. “The dirty truth about this process is that the Appraisal District uses inaccurate and outdated information,” Prado, 27, said. “This results in rampant over-evaluation of homes. Traditionally, the Appraisal District and the Tax Assessor’s office work hand in hand to collect as much money as possible and in the end it’s the residents that end up paying” No single government entity in Hidalgo County has jurisdiction over this office but Prado plans on using the Assessor’s office as a way to hold the Appraisal District accountable and aid any resident looking to contest their property taxes. “As an elected official, I believe that the Tax Assessor, should work every day to help the residents of Hidalgo County defend their homes against over taxation via this rampant over evaluation of our homes.” Prado said. “We can do this by arming citizens with the knowledge and data that is
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necessary to successfully contest your property taxes.” Prado also believes that our department of Motor Vehicles, which also falls under the jurisdiction of the Assessor’s office, is in dire need of modernization. “I believe that the efficient management of our paperwork and car registrations is one of most base standards we can set on our government.” Prado said. “In it’s current capacity our government cannot guarantee true religious liberty, access to higher education, or proper infrastructure, but it can promise the handling of our vehicle titles and registrations in a timely manner.” Prado believes that that promise of an efficient department that works for us not against us is not an unattainable goal. It is something we can achieve tomorrow with the right vision and the proper leadership. According to Prado, on March 1, the citizens of Hidalgo County will be faced with a very simple choice. Do we want to cast our votes for an outdated, bro-
fter executive session, the Mission City Council voted to use the Right of Eminent Domain to take the land along Inspiration Road needed to complete the widening project. Attempts have been made to negotiate with owners but no sale agreement was reached. The Right of Eminent Domain allows a government to take someone’s land for the greater good of the people. The governmental
Abel Prado
ken system that takes hours out of our days and tests our patience while being inconsiderate of the various real world obligations we face? Or do you want to cast your votes for a bold new vision of government efficiency and resourcefulness? Over the next few weeks Prado looks forward to having an open discussion with every resident about the state of the Tax Office and DMV, and how residents can defend thier homes against excessive taxation.
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Locals graduate at TAMUK
KINGSVILLE — Twenty-three local residents were among more than 1,000 graduates receiving their degrees during three commencement ceremonies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Friday, Dec. 11. This is the largest number of prospective graduates the university has had to date. Receiving master’s degrees were Alexandra Calderon from Alton; Corina Michelle Fuentes, Christopher J. Rabe and Cristina Teran from Mission; and Oved Ivan Mata from Peñitas. Earning their bachelor’s degrees were Guadalupe Jazmin Leyta, Joel Rodolfo Saenz and Leah Cedillo from La Joya; and Carlos E. Bazaldua, Evelyn Barrera, Lyanne A. Bazan, Bradley Richard Chavez, Jazmine Natalee Coronado, Audrey Samantha Garza, Alexandra Victoria Guzman, Amairani Ramirez, Alexia Edith Saenz,
acre (958 square feet) that is part of a five-acre tract out of Lot 27-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision. • Parcel three is 0.025 of one acre (1090 square feet) out of Lot five, Basham Subdivision Unit Six. • Parcel four is 0.012 of one acre (542 square feet) of a certain 1.28-acre tract out of Lot 22-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision. • Parcel five is 0.015 acre (654 square feet) of Lot 9, Alex Cavazos Subdivision.
DIAZ into the disaster recovery housing projects that was totaled at $105 million. In 2012 Diaz was active in the Drainage Bond election, where he along with community leaders and residents organized in negotiating $15 million for drainage infrastructure in low-income unincorporated communities. At LUPE Diaz also helped lead in economic development by organizing around the responsible implementation of Section 3, a feder-
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al guideline that guarantees local businesses and local workers become contract beneficiaries of large federal funding from Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Such project also allowed for dollars to stay in the local economy. Also most recently Diaz is leading efforts for streetlights and greater safety all across Hidalgo County by working closely with Hidalgo County and state legislative leaders. Diaz has also invested
his volunteer time with other community groups such as Minority Affairs Council (MAC) and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. When elected Hidalgo County Commissioner PCT 3, Diaz pledges to be your full time commissioner working on behalf of all residents of PCT 3, and bring about greater infrastructure and quality of life.
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e all enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And with the holidays come early advertising and news deadlines, as well as special delivery times. To give our staff time off for Christmas, the Progress Times will not publish an issue the week of Christmas. We will resume the paper the following week, but it will be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 31 instead of Friday (New Year’s Day). Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, all advertising and news deadlines will be one day early for the issue of Dec. 31. Advertising and news deadline will be Monday, Dec. 28. Our offices will be closed at noon, Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25 for Christmas. The newspaper offices will remain open on New Year’s Eve from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. We will be closed on Jan. 1. We wish you and yours all the joy, happiness and wonder of this Christmas season. Merry Christmas, everyone!
agency taking the land must give the landowner a fair price for the property. The following parcels of land will be taken under the Right of Eminent Domain for the completion of Inspiration Road or Mile 2 West expansion. The owners will be compensated at fair market value. • Parcel one is 0.077 of one acre out of Lot 28-5 West Addition to Sharyland. It is part of a 13.10-acre tract of land located on Mile 2 Road. • Parcel two is 0.022 of an
Edinburg Children’s Hospital Edinburg Regional Medical Center 281
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McAllen Medical Center
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• See ER Wait Times online in any one of the system’s emergency rooms. • Use ER Reserve online and request an appointment in the emergency department at any South Texas Health System hospital for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Go to southtexashealthsystem.com
Get social with us ER Reserve should be used only if you decide your care can wait until the time you select. Do not wait if your symptoms or conditions worsen or if you need immediate care since delays may complicate your condition. If you are unsure of your condition or if your condition worsens, then please go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1. Some insurance plans may not cover an ER visit if it is deemed urgent care or may apply a different copay. Please check your covered benefits with your insurance provider for details. ER Wait Time is an average provided for informational purposes only. Standard text message and data rates apply. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. 152533