Progress Times has a new feature - ‘Reminiscing: 30 years ago this week’ Friday, November 14, 2014
page 11
www.progresstimes.net | 50 Cents
hopes to restore PRESERVINGHISTORY: Couple William Jennings Bryan home S
By Julie Silva everal years ago, Jane Wilson was watering the plants outside her house when she looked up and saw a busload of Winter Texans stopped on the street and watching. She smiled and turned around and continued watering because it wasn’t an unusual occurrence. Over the years, Wilson has had people ask to take photos outside her home and a few even got to tour it. They weren’t interested in the home itself, though it is unique in South Texas, but its history. The house was for William Jennings Bryan. Bryan, “The Great Commoner,” was a leader in the Democratic Party in the early 1900s and was a three-time candidate for presidential candidate before he was named Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.
“It’s something I really feel that the community has an obligation to take care of and preserve.” --Ariel King
Over time, Wilson said bystanders’ interest in the house has diminished, and she suspected people are forgetting the original inhabitant of the house on the northwest corner of Bryan Road and Mile 2. In 1909, Bryan built a winter home in Mission at the suggestion of John Conway. The white two-story, two-bedroom home features two fireplaces and hardwood floors. Built into a hill, it’s also one of few homes in the area with a basement. Wilson and her husband Gerald purchased
See RESTORATION 12
Mission aims to HONORED GRADUATE lower the costs of residential homes
A
By Kathy Olivarez n ordinance approved by Mission City Council on Monday would drop the cost of building a house in Mission nearly $30,000, according to city leaders. City staff was asked to look at the fees collected by the city when a lot is developed for a primary residence after a homeowner came forward and complained about escalating costs to construct his house months ago. Monday, following a lengthy executive session the council approved a homestead exemption variance that will help people trying to develop single lot subdivisions by eliminating some of the costs associated with developing a subdivision. Under the variance, a home built as a primary residence will not be subject to street widening, sidewalk and street lighting costs. Park and sewer fees also will be eliminated along with water and sewer utility upgrades. Lots must front a street and must be at least one-half acre in size if a septic tank is to be used. Fire hydrants must also be provided. With the variances provided, the average cost of developing a single-family residential lot would drop from an average of $33,152 to $4300, according to the city planner. Also Monday, following executive session a preliminary plat approval was granted to Old Mission Subdivision, a 2.41 acre tract of
land at the corner of Holland Avenue and Perez Street. Engineer Alfonso Quintanilla had argued against a request to hook the subdivision to a storm sewer line and keep the existing outfall instead. The property is being developed as a commercial lot. Residential lots are being planned in the future. Although the Planning and Zoning Commission approved development of the first section using the existing outfall, Mayor Beto Salinas objected, saying the council must require connection to the storm sewer along with the partial development of the subdivision. Salinas took a similar position on the development of Tres Picos subdivision to be developed on the site of the old Mr. Fun site on FM 495. Developers presented a plat showing a commercial area in front and multi-residential lots in the back. Developers requested final plat approval for the commercial area and were willing to escrow money for improvements to be built in the back at a later date. “Escrows get lost or used for other things and by the time the second part of the subdivision is built, the costs may have increased more than the escrow,” Salinas said. He asked the council to deny final plat approval for the commercial part of the plat only and told developers to come back when they were ready to develop the entire plat.
See ORDINANCE 14
WWII veteran receives diploma
H
By Julie Silva is grandchildren believe he’s intelligent and caring enough to be a doctor, but Saragosa Salinas only received his high school diploma last week– the same week as his 90th birthday. Born on the Jarachinas Ranch, Salinas was drafted into World War II in 1945. He was a junior in high school at the time, but in the Army, Salinas was assigned to the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Korea as a medical technician. Then, during a bout of appendicitis, Salinas was operated on by a doctor with two fingers. As Salinas was recuperating, he began helping the doctor. The Army kept him there, and Salinas eventually helped in surgeries. While serving, Salinas earned several honors, in-
See SALINAS 14
TOP: La Joya ISD Superintendent Alda Benavides, left, presents a diploma to World War II veteran Saragosa Salinas, who turned 90 last week. Salinas was drafted his junior year in high school and never graduated. BOTTOM: Salinas is pictured in uniform.
INSIDE
Saldaña named to county position
Commissioners Court introduced Rick Saldaña, the new Emergency Management Coordinator for Hidalgo County, at its Monday meeting. See story page 3
INDEX
cluding, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Occupational Ribbon and the Japan Victory Ribbon. Then, he came home to La Joya and got to work as a farmer and rancher. He met his wife, Eva Vela, in 1955 and had six children. He never talked about his time in the war with his children, and he now has 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. It wasn’t until Salinas had grandchildren that he began to talk about his time overseas, and one of his grandsons began researching whether Salinas still could get his diploma. “My dad has always been able to talk to them and always instilled in them that you need to get your degree, and you’ll be better off,” Elma Garcia said of her father’s relationship with his
Entertainment | pg. 2
Lifestyle | pg. 6
Butterfly Festival a hit in Mission
La Joya ISD swears in trustees
The annual Texas Butterfly Festival concluded with a total of 115 species sighted, including the very rare Blue-studded Skipper and Telea Hairstreak. See story page 7
Opinion | pg. 4
Sports | pg. 8
J.J. Peña, J.J. Garza and Johnn Alaniz all were reelected to the district’s board of directors in the November election Wednesday night. See story page 3
Obituaries | pg. 13
Classifieds | pg. 15