SPOTLIGHTEPNEWS.COM AUGUST 22, 2013 PAGE 2 DRIVE CLEAN ACROSS TEXAS AIMS TO KEEP THE AIR CLEAN, SAVE GAS WHILE UT Regents Bestow Prestigious OFFERING CHANCE TO WIN HYBRID CAR Honor on 8 UTEP Faculty Statewide campaign offers helpful tips for keeping air clean, saving money The University of Texas System Board of Re- chemistry; Cigdem V. Sirin, Ph.D., assistant pro- AUSTIN — Summer in Texas sunlight and heat,” said Margo gents will honor eight UTEP faculty members for fessor of political science; and Ron Wagler, not only means road trips and Richards, TxDOT Travel Infor- For more tips on keeping the their extraordinary classroom performance and Ph.D., assistant professor of teacher education. vacations, but also soaring mation Division director. “The air clean and saving money on innovation in undergraduate instruction during a temperatures and an increase in good news is that all drivers gas, visit the Drive Clean special presentation this week in Austin. Each honoree will receive a medallion, com- ozone pollution levels. To help can make a difference in our Across Texas website at drive- memorative certificate and an unrestricted motorists save money and keep air quality. Simple steps such cleanacrosstexas.org. Visitors The eight are among the 63 faculty from the sys- $25,000 check. The awards are among the most the air clean, the Texas Depart- as checking your tire pressure also can register online for a tem’s nine academic institutions who will receive competitive nationwide and one of the nation’s ment of Transportation and and getting your car tuned up chance to win a low-emission, the Board’s Outstanding Teaching Awards at 6:30 largest monetary teaching recognition programs Texas Commission on Envi- on schedule can reduce tailpipe gas-saving Ford Fusion Hybrid p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, in UT Austin’s Etter- in higher education. The Regents will award ronmental Quality are launch- emissions, improve fuel econ- car sponsored by the Dallas Harbin Alumni Center. The 39 winners from the nearly $1.6 million to honor teachers this week. ing this year’s Drive Clean omy and save drivers money at Cowboys. The deadline for en- system’s six health institutions were honored in They have given $12 million since the program Across Texas campaign. The the pump.” tering is Sept. 15, 2013. The July. These awards are the highest honor the started in 2008. Separate awards for health insti- campaign offers gas-saving winner will be announced at Board can bestow. tutions started four years later. tips for motorists and a chance If you keep the correct pressure Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, to win a 2013 Ford Fusion Hy- in your tires, you can help keep Oct. 6. “We happily celebrate the selection of these eight “Our faculty members are the heart and soul of brid. the air clean and save about UTEP faculty members who join the proud ranks our institutions, and they are the most critical $85 a year in gas. Drive Clean For more information, contact of previous Outstanding Teaching Award winners factor in student success,” said UT System Board “Harmful, ground-level ozone Across Texas also warns that TxDOT Media Relations at on our campus,” said UTEP President Diana Na- of Regents Chairman Gene Powell. “The Board is formed when chemicals driving a car in need of mainte- [email protected] or talicio. “This recognition by the UT System created the ROTA program because of our re- found in vehicle exhaust and nance can add $120 to annual (512) 463-8700. Board of Regents is a testament to the remark- spect and appreciation for these outstanding other sources combine with gas spending. able work that is being done by our dedicated teachers, and because we want to make sure our faculty members, who so positively impact the institutions continue to be places of educational lives of our students and the surrounding region. excellence.” We thank the Regents for creating this presti- gious award that honors teaching excellence, and Peers, students, and external reviewers rigorously we congratulate this year’s winners on this well- evaluated the faculty nominees on an assortment deserved recognition of their success.” of classroom criteria such as curricula quality, student performance, subject expertise and inno- The 2013 recipients from The University of vative course development. Texas at El Paso are Charles R. Boehmer, Ph.D., associate professor of political science; Ann Gab- The recipients were grateful for the professional bert, Ph.D., associate director for student support recognition. Many said they were humbled by and lecturer; Gaspare M. Genna, Ph.D., associate the honor and shared the credit with their Univer- professor of political science; John Hadjimarcou, sity colleagues and talented graduate and under- Ph.D., professor and chair of marketing and man- graduate students who have helped them through agement; Dave McIntyre, senior lecturer of art; their years of service. James M. Salvador, Ph.D., associate professor of Statement by Gov. Perry on Obamacare Video Contest AUSTIN(August 19, 2013) - Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement on Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' visit to Houston to promote Obamacare: “If Obamacare were sound health care policy, Secretary Sebelius wouldn't have to resort to video contests and prizes to tempt people to sign up. Texans are already subject to too much costly and burdensome federal regulation, and Obamacare only makes the problem worse.” SPOTLIGHTEPNEWS.COM AUGUST 22, 2013 PAGE 3 Don’t Be in the Dark about SS Maikol Gonzalez Named Child Care Hitter of the Week EL PASO- The official statistician of the State agency gears up to go after illegal day care American Association, Pointstreak, has an- nounced that El Paso Diablos SS Maikol At this time of the year, a lot of par- Gonzalez, 27, has been named this week’s ents are searching for day care for Pointstreak Hitter of the Week. their preschoolers as their older kids FY 2012 Texas Child get ready to go back to school. Unfor- The Maracaibo, Venezuela native is in his tunately, some parents pick unregu- Care Facts third year as a Diablo. Five consecutive lated day care because it might be multi-hit games meant Gonzalez essentially cheaper, and because they just may •Regulated daycare centers and homes ran away with this week’s top hitting honors. not know it's illegal. – 23,991 (866 in El Paso County) The shortstop and leadoff hitter was a spec- tacular 17-for-24 (.708) at the plate, batting The fact is that illegal day care opera- •Capacity of regulated day care – from the leadoff position. Gonzalez doubled tions are more likely to be unsafe. 1,078,044 children (27,997 in El Paso five times, tripled once and drove home four runs. There are no background checks on County) workers, no inspections, and no stan- •Number of state inspections – 35,755 Easily the most impressive game for Gonzalez was on Wednesday against dards to protect children in illegal day ONLY PURPOSES ILLUSTRATION FOR PICTURE Laredo. In the highlight of the week, Gonzalez went 5-for-5 with a pair of care. They operate in the dark. tered child care at Dont- •Number of investigations of day care doubles, a pair of RBI and a walk. The Diablos lost the ballgame, but won BeInTheDark.org and TxChildCare- centers and homes – 14,114 four of their six games this week, largely thanks to the shortstop’s bat. This year the Legislature gave the Search.org. Explore day care options - Texas Department of Family and Pro- searching by ZIP code, city, or county •Permits revoked, denied or suspended The last homestand of the 2013 season is here. The Diablos will be playing tective Service's Child Care Licensing - and read the day – 175 consecutive home games at Cohen Stadium, Tuesday, August 20th through program new staff to go after illegal care's inspection record. •Number or DFPS background checks Sunday, August 25th. For promotions, live updates, contests and more “Like” day care. conducted – 214,313 our Facebook Page (facebook.com/elpasodiablos), or follow us on Twitter • Visit the day care you are consid- (twitter.com/epdiablos). "We are hiring 40 new staff whose •Number of FBI checked requested – ering, while children are there, so that only job is to track down illegal day 156,997 For more information, please visit diablos.com or call (915)755-2000. care operators and either bring them you can see activities, how caregivers into the light of state regulation or act with children, and how the chil- shut them down," says Paul Morris, dren like it there. acting assistant commissioner for Child Care Licensing. • Meet the caregiver or director. Discuss any concerns and make sure Morris urges all parents to do their you are satisfied with their answers. homework and always choose regu- Make a surprise visit later for a second lated day care. look. You can find a state-regulated day care All regulated day care staff must un- in your area and review its record by dergo background checks but regula- using the TxChildCareSearch.org tion and state oversight increase with database on the DFPS website. You the size of the day care. can also learn more about choosing child care at www.Dont- (1-3 unrelated BeInTheDark.org, where you will find 1. Listed homes a downloadable tip card and brochure. children) must apply and pass back- ground checks but are not inspected If you're looking for day regularly. care, remember to look, 2.Registered homes (maximum learn, visit, and meet: of 12 children at any time) must meet training requirements and pass back- • Look for features that will help ground checks, and are inspected every 2 years.