hidalgo county news

Spring 2008 “Serving the People, Building Partnerships, Achieving Prosperity” www.co.hidalgo.tx.us Area firefighters ban together to extinguish 50K-acre fire, save lives and property

(Left) An aerial photo taken shows one of the fire breaks firefighters and public works crews cut to stop the Burns Ranch Fire from advancing.(Right) A Texas Forest Service helicopter dumps water onto the burning ranchland. (Photo by Alex Jones/The Monitor) More Photos and Story on Page 8.

he fire season of 2008 will be one to remember as local firefighters blaze and all the subsequentWhat’s hot spots Insideand small fires that spawned from Tresponded to more than 30 wildfires from Jan. 1 to present day, it. Power lines flapping in the wind threw the first spark and high wind representing more than 98,000 acres burned. But one fire will stand out conditions fanned the fire southeastwardly☑ Precinct 2 intobreaks a ranching ground quadrant on of from the rest. Consuming about 50,000 acres, the Burns Ranch Fire began northern Hidalgo County (west of U.S. 281 and north of Farm-to Market on Tuesday, March 18. It took an entire week to extinguish the main Road 1017. A mandatory evacuationSouth wasAlamo ordered park in that and area multipur by Hidalgo- pose center What’s Inside Court adopts ethics☑ Judge Maxine policy Longoria ap- he Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court has adopted the first ever ethics policy. pointed to juvenile court Best Backyard 3 T “This ethics policy will guide county leaders and employees in performing their day to day duties. We are committed to providing excellent public service, and to do this to our high- est ability, we put down in writing our belief system,☑ Constableor the way we Larry feel employees Gallardo should hon act- Juvenile Justice 4 and how service should be administered,” said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III. The Ethics Policy contains general principles, ethicalored principles, and a listing of civil and crimi- nal statutes relating to public servants. Official for a Day 6 The Ethics Policy is one of many policies the Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court has been proactive in preparing and adopting during the past☑ 16 Adventures months. in Blogging

ethics, continued on Page 2 Ethics, From Page 1

Other policies have included the revised Zero Tolerance Drug Policy (ad- opted January 29, 2007), the Nepotism Policy (adopted Feb. 26, 2008), and From the the Fuel Credit Card Policy (adopted Feb. 26, 2008). In the works are a travel policy and a food policy. Judge’s Desk “Now that the ethics policy is in place, it every county employee’s, depart- ment head’s and elected offi cial’s responsibility to adhere to it and promote oft en tell people I talk to that we do not have to worry if a hurri- it,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Flores. Icane strikes the Valley, but rather when a hurricane will strike “The Ethics Policy sets general rules and guidelines for staff to follow so the Valley. I’m not trying to be apocalyptic, only realistic. This there are no questions as to what is right and wrong. By adoption of these very real threat is in my mind when asked about our levees. With policies, Hidalgo County can try to prevent questionable activities, such as the 2008 hurricane season set to start in one month, I am glad we family relationships between supervisors and employees, from occurring in fi nally have jumped the highest hurdles. the future.” Let’s recap: Earlier this year, we received word from FEMA that it would delay the release of fl ood maps showing the Another way in which the county has been proactive in assuring quality southern half of Hidalgo County in a fl oodplain. This gives control is that Judge Salinas has requested that the Local Government Assis- us enough time bring the levee up to standard so people and tance Division of State Comptroller Susan Comb’s offi ce to come to Hidalgo businesses will not have to pay annual insurance premiums of County to help various county departments perform “Control Self Assess- more than $150 million. ments.” The Comptroller’s CSA program will help department’s identify We fi nally have our individual work authorization from the risks such as major disasters, sudden loss of key personnel and lost or sto- U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission to be- gin work on a 12-mile section of levee from Peñitas to the len computer data and develop a plan to take protective measures to save Banker Weir, which is just upstream of Anzalduas Dam. resources. Judge Salinas has requested that key departments, including his The board of Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (the own offi ce, take part in this assessment. The assessment will take place this court) awarded a contract to the lowest bidder, Ballenger summer and are scheduled for July. Construction Co., in the amount of $6.3 million to rehabilt- “Hidalgo County’s value system centers around being responsive to resi- ate the section from the Banker Weir to Inspiration Road. dents, honest, fair and respectful, and always doing what is in the public’s Additionally, the district is advertising for another section best interest,” Judge Salinas said. “The ethics policy and these other policies of levee from Anzalduas Dam to 23rd Street. Our goal is to have 18 miles of U.S. IBWC-owned levee fi xed by the end and initiatives reaffi rm our mission to serve the people, build partnerships of this year. and achieve prosperity for Hidalgo County.” • Lastly, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ap- proved a cooperative agreement for up to $88 million of federal funds to be used toward levee improvements in Hidalgo County. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff ap- proved the alternative levee plan, meaning that most of Meet the Commissioners’ Court Hidalgo County (perhaps with the exception of Los Eba- nos) will be without a border fence. Instead of a border fence, the feds will fi x portions of the river levee. This plan will not infringe on the rights of private property owners and will be less environmentally invasive than the fence. (As far as Los Ebanos goes, the county is a member of the Texas Border Coalition and has voted to join a fed- eral lawsuit with property owners to restrict government access to private property. The county opposes fencing.) The best part of the whole deal is that local taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for a federal responsibility. Mon- ies from a 2006 $100 million bond election that voters ap- proved (monies that we are also trying to recapture) will Commissioner Sylvia Handy Commissioner Hector Palacios go a lot farther on other segments of the river levee now 1902 Joe Stephens 301 E. State that 22 miles of levee are being taken care of by DHS. The Weslaco, TX 78596 Pharr, TX 78577 economic impact of all this construction in the area will be a tremendous boon to our local economy, too, as local jobs and 968-8733 787-1891 materials are utilized. The multiplying eff ect of $7 created for every $1 spent means Hidalgo County will be gett ing at least a Judge J.D. Salinas III $615 million boost over the course of six months. We are confi dent that by fi xing our levees, the Valley will con- 100 E. Cano, 2nd Floor tinue to see economic growth, which in turn leads to bett er pay- Edinburg, TX 78539 ing jobs, health care, education and a higher quality of life for all. 318-2600 As always, we are here to help and listen to our constituents con- cerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. Commissioner Joe Flores Commissioner Oscar Garza Jr. Best, 724 Breyfogle J.D. Salinas III, Hidalgo County Judge 1102 N. Doolitt le Mission, TX 78572 Edinburg, TX 78539 585-4509 383-3112 Spring ‘08 2 Precinct 2 Park distinguished County awards as “Texas Best Backyard” four health clin- ics grants of more than $750K he Hidalgo County Commissioners’ TCourt granted four local health clinics more than $750,000 to provide care to indi- gent residents of Hidalgo County. The funds--formerly allocated to the Rio Grande Valley Health Services District be- fore its dissolution in August 2007--will provide services including primary care, mammography, nutritional counseling and specialty care. “These grants were awarded in the spirit of the health services district. Hidalgo County is committ ed to providing quality health care to all people, regardless of income level,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Sylvia orth San Juan Park has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation and Handy. “We have our work cut out for us Nthe Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as one of Texas’ Best Backyard Wildlife to fi nd a medical home for those who do not Habitats. have the means to pay. But in the past year, Precinct 2 Commissioner Hector “Tito” Palacios opened North San Juan Park, located at the modernization of the health and human 509 Earling (Nolana) Road, in March 2007 as a place for families of nearly 80 surrounding services department’s indigent program, the colonias to enjoy nature, sports and the outdoors. The park consists of a gravel walking establishment of a federal program to bring trail, pond, baseball diamond, basketball court, barbecue pits, kid-friendly playscapes, a more Medicare dollars to the area and the sun-screened outdoor classroom with vegetable garden, and over 90 percent native plants. approval of these grants have improved ac- Not only has the picturesque park att racted numerous families, but also numerous spe- cessbility of health care for the people.” cies of wildlife. The birds, insects and small mammals that call North San Juan Park home are the reasons why the park will join the ranks of more than 33,000 other backyard habi- The awards: tats certifi ed by the National Wildlife Federation since 1973. •Community Hope Projects, Inc., dba Hope “We utilized over 90 percent native trees, shrubs and fl owers in designing the plantings Family Health Center $174,287.00 for the park so that the park would serve not only as a habitat for wildlife, but also as an •Nuestra Clinca del Valle $217,619.00 example for the families that visit, to show them the trees and shrubs that really work well •Physicians Education Foundation, dba in our climate,” said Barbara Storz, the county’s extension horticulturalist with the Texas Family Medical Center - UT $163,630.00 AgriLife Extension Service of Texas A&M University. “As the park evolves and plants •RGV Community Health Management mature, we will see more and more species of birds and butt erfl ies here.” Corporation, Inc., dba El Milagro Clinic North San Juan Park serves as a living classroom. Master Gardeners and organic farmers $215,559.00 • utilize the land for learning. During the month of February, 35 groundskeepers — from Hi- dalgo County and surrounding smaller communities — took classes every Friday on how to manage native plants (see photo at right). Storz arranged for the groundskeepers to take classes about trees, compost- ing, plant diseases, shrubs and insects, so that they can be educated enough to help the native fl ora fl ourish. “The park is the perfect place for classes,” she said. North San Juan Park is a jewel in Precinct 2, said Commissioner Pa- lacios. The model of this native-plant park and neighboring multipur- pose center is currently being replicated in South Alamo. “This is great honor for this park and this community,” Commis- sioner Palacios said. “As Hidalgo County grows, I feel it is important that we plan for a green future. As we build more roads and homes, space for human relaxation and the natural world shrinks. We can do our part in preserving what litt le green space we have left by restor- ing habitats and using native plants. This enhances the quality of the environment and our own lives.” •

Spring ‘08 3 Judge Mario E. Ramirez Jr. Juvenile County hosts top Justice Center opens its doors health offi cials of U.S. and Mexico

idalgo County proudly hosted the Htwo top health offi cials for the Unit- ed States and Mexico for the 2008 annual meeting of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission on Tuesday, March 4. Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III wel- (left ) Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza Jr. comed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human presents 332nd state District Court Judge Mario Services, Michael O. Leavitt , and the Secre- E. Ramirez Jr. with a plaque honoring his service tary of Health of the United Mexican States, in the juvenile justice system. Ramirez is the José Ángel Córdova Villalobos. overseer of the juvenile justice program. (top) The facade of the new center shines. The two health leaders met with represen- tatives from U.S. and Mexican border states to discuss public health preparedness plans, he Judge Mario E. Ramirez Jr. Juvenile time, sometimes a stay at the juvenile deten- including the status of an early warning in- Justice Center held its offi cial dedica- tion center can open their eyes.” T fectious disease surveillance program along tion and open house ceremony in March. Judge Ramirez was also honored with a the border, food safety and the exchange of The center is a short term stay facility that plaque for his superb service by the Texas health information between countries. The holds 96 male and female juveniles accused Juvenile Detention Association. two secretaries also signed a Memorandum of committ ing a wide range of crimes. The The O.W.L.S., a citizen watchdog group of Understanding regarding cooperation in new facility, at 137,459 sq. ft ., will give local of the county, was applauded for its role in the fi eld of public health and science. law enforcement agencies more discretion minimizing cost of the new, but necessary, “It is a tremendous honor to have the U.S.- over juvenile punishment, placing a new detention center. The O.W.L.S. served an Mexico Border Health Commission meet- level of accountability on children who were advisory role in the design of the building. ing here and to welcome both secretaries of previously turned away from the detention “We had kids sleeping on the fl oor in the health to Hidalgo County,” said Eduardo center due to a lack of space. The old center dayroom,” said Chief Probation Offi cer Is- Olivarez, Hidalgo County Health and Hu- had only 28 beds. rael “Buddy” Silva. This is a great improve- man Services Chief Administrative Offi cer. Judge Ramirez, of the 332nd state District ment, he said, and thanked his staff for stick- “It gives us an opportunity to bring us some Court and the namesake of the new building, ing it out with him, through all the rough concerns we have regarding public health to off ered a few words at the ceremony, which patches and growing pains. the highest level offi cials in our countries.” was att ended by more than 150 people. Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza, who Judge Salinas said one of Hidalgo County “Unfortunately, we’re going to fi ll this used to work as a bailiff for the county in priorities is to work with public and private place,” Ramirez said at the event. He ex- 1980, commented on how much the leaders partners to assure the health and safety of plained that there has not been a signifi cant have grown together and how long they’ve both countries. increase in juvenile delinquency. Juvenile been working to improve the juvenile jus- “Diseases and disasters don’t respect juris- crime is taking place at a rate consistent tice situation. He noted that even today, the dictional boundaries, and it important we with the population growth rate of Hidalgo center is running at only 50 percent capac- have these conversations on pandemic fl u County, he said. ity, and it will be a priority of his to increase and other infectious diseases. Our countries Now, we will have a lot more “room for funding to this department to take it “to the are intertwined economically, culturally discretion,” he said. Juvenile probation of- level we need.” • and environmentally. Cross- fi cers can make those important decisions to border communication is es- detain and teach a lesson to a young person, sential to the border region’s whereas before the kids had to be turned success,” he said. • away. “A young adult on the wrong path doesn’t Employee Health have to stay on the wrong path,” Judge Ramirez said. “We can steer them away from a life of crime. There are oft en underly- Fair on May 29 ing circumstances why kids behave the way they do. And depending on the severity of idalgo County Health and Human Services invites all county employees to the crimes our youth commit, we have many att end the Hidalgo County Employee Health Fair on Thursday, May 29 from options at our disposal as judges — sending H them to a treatment center, boot camp, put- 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Edinburg Activity Center, 123 East Palm Drive. ting them on probation and sending them to Employees will be able to get blood pressure checks, diabetes and cholesterol the Texas Youth Commission. In the mean- screenings, free adult fl u and Tdap shots. Health education information, cosmetol- ogy information and fi nancial information will be available.• Spring ‘08 4 Adult Probation Sign of Change: has Open House Deaf Link, counties bring Ameri- idalgo County Community Supervi- Hsion and Corrections Department, can Sign Language emergency also known as Adult Probation, celebrated its long-awaited grand opening this March. messages to your TV Although the facility had been operational for nearly a year, judges, administrative eople who are deaf or hard of hearing require ASL. offi cials and staff fi lled a large conference Pand rely on American Sign Language Deaf Link will help the counties ensure room to celebrate the transition and the (ASL) will now able to receive emergency the safety and security of people with good work and dedication of the staff . messages on the Rio Grande Valley’s local disabilities that eff ect how they receive Adult Probation is dedicated to the television stations in their own language. information during times of crisis. protection of the community and commit- Hidalgo and Cameron counties, striving Ten percent of Texans with special needs ted to the belief that facilitating positive to ensure that a signifi cant segment the — over two million deaf, hard of hearing, change in probationers results in respon- Valley’s special needs population would blind and deaf/blind — do not have sible and productive behavior which in be informed in an emergency situation, adequate access to emergency information. turn enhances the quality of life for all introduced the local television stations We estimate that in our media market, there members of the community, according to to Deaf Link. Deaf Link Inc. is a San are up to 140,000 deaf and hard of hearing its mission statement. Antonio-based company contracted with people that could benefi t from the services The new 42,286 sq. ft . site will save the the Governor’s Division of Emergency the broadcasters and Deaf Link are now county the cost of renting the old facility Management to provide emergency providing. ($180,000 yearly) and allow for expansion messages in ASL. Deaf Link targets The Deep South Texas media market is of services. broadcasters in the 22 coastal counties of one of the fastest growing markets in the “With the additional space, we were able Texas — harnessing technology to provide United States, ranked 88th overall and fi ft h to hire additional probation offi cers to them with timely severe weather alerts and in the state by the Nielsen Station Index. reduce the caseload size and provide bet- state-issued emergency alerts in ASL — but “The Valley is sett ing a wonderful ter services to our clients,” said Joe Lopez, until now, no county and no station had precedent for the rest of the state to follow,” CSCD director. “We were also able to hire fully committ ed to the project. Whiteaker said. “Word of hand travels approximately 25 new offi cers through “The support of Hidalgo and Cameron very quickly, and we are confi dent other a grant from the state, and this allowed counties and the Valley broadcasters for counties and broadcasters will catch on.” us to divide cases in specialized areas this project has been unprecedented,” “Our shared goal is communications based on the risk level of the off ender. said Bruce Whiteaker, broadcast program accessibility and making sure every The higher the risk, the more intensive the manager for Deaf Link (pictured below on segment of our population is prepared for supervision.” • left ). and informed during an emergency,” said The Valley broadcasters of KRGV-TV 5, Judge Salinas. “Deaf Link’s services to our KGBT-TV 4, KNVO-TV 48/Entravision, residents are so important and comes at no KTLM-TV 40, and KMBH-TV 60 committ ed bett er time with the lead up to this year’s So how does it work? to the project during a meeting with Deaf hurricane season.” Link, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas Hidalgo County is currently in the outrech Deaf Link provides television III and Cameron County Judge Carlos H. phase of this project, trying to notify groups stations have canned “generic” ASL Cascos and their emergency management about it. If you would like to schedule a messages. staff s. This service comes presentation, please contact the Offi ce of Within minutes aft er at no cost to the counties or the County Judge at (956) 318-2600. receiving authorized to the television stations. For more information about Deaf Link, emergency information This project could visit www.deafl ink.com. • (from either the state of potentially save lives, all the National Weather Service), parties involved agreed. Deaf and hard of Deaf Link produces more detailed hearing people who rely on sign language “air ready” alerts for broadcast by do not fully comprehend closed captioning because ASL is not rooted in the English cable or television stations in sign language or, for that matt er, the Spanish language, voice and text. language. It is a conceptual language. Television stations air the signed While closed captioning is a valuable video. The interpreter will appear communications tool, the information is in a “bubble” in the corner of the not accessible for persons who are deaf and broadcast.

Spring ‘08 5 Photography Contest! Four high school seniors are If you have a knack for taking photos, enter Hidalgo County’s “County Offi cials for a Day” Photography Contest! (April 6-12). The young Youth and adult winners (1st ladies won an essay contest through 3rd place) in the catego- in which they wrote about ries of culture, wildlife/natural how Hidalgo County af- environment, people, att ractions fects their lives. “County and business/industry will be government serves as the chosen by a panel of judges with voice of the local people,” backgrounds in photography, wrote Ms. Mendoza. multi-media, website design and The teens were paired, public relations. according to their interests, Winners’ work will be show- with Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III, District cased on Hidalgo County’s new Att orney Rene Guerra, website, set to debut this summer, Sheriff Guadalulpe “Lupe” and in the new administration Treviño, and state District building for all the public to see. Court Judge Aida Salinas For a full listing of rules and Flores. The job shadow- submission requirements, please ing day is a way to expose visit www.co.hidalgo.tx.us or call From left to right: Tania Hernandez (Hidalgo H.S.), Patricia young people to careers in Cari Lambrecht at (956) 318-2600. Davila (Hidalgo H.S.), Amanda Mendoza (Mission H.S.) and county government and ed- Deadline is July 1. • Elizabeth Esparza (Hidalgo H.S.) stand with the Hidalgo County ucate them about the roles Commissioners’ Court on April 7, 2008 during the National that their local government Association of Counties’ National County Government Week plays in their daily lives.•

Organic Farmers Market: fresh food, friends and fun or Sale: Fresh, crisp lett uce, bright red proves the women’s self-esteem by exposing “It’s like watching a fl ower bloom,” Storz Ftomatoes and tongue-tingling chili pep- them to new ideas. said. pers. This isn’t the grocery store we’re talking For some of the program participants, this is “This program improves nutrition for fami- about. It’s the “Grow’n Growers” selling sole- the only formal education they’ve ever had. lies and supplements their income,” Storz ly organically grown produce at Precinct continued. The ladies have sold out of all 2’s North San Juan Park. their produce at the monthly spring mar- Sponsored by Familias Productores del kets, ususally before noon. Valle, Hidalgo County-Precinct 2, Heifer “There is really a market for organics International and the Texas AgriLife Ex- here,” she said. “I stress with my families tension Service, Hidalgo County now has that we have a moral obligation to peo- its fi rst Organic Farmers Market. ple’s health.” Barbara Storz, extension horticultur- As growing season comes to an end, the ist with Hidalgo County’s Texas AgriL- women of the “Grow’n Growers” aren’t ife Extension Service, recruited about 15 done yet. They are actively involved in families from the surrounding 70 colonias planning the next class, recruiting for the and subdivisions in the Pharr-San Juan program, and some will help out with a area for the “Grow’n Growers” program summer camp for kids. and began to teach them how to grow or- The program has gained so much pop- ganic produce. She had a lot of horticul- ularity, Storz will be holding another ture material translated into Spanish, and class in August as well as a paid class for each week she met with the families to people who want to learn the ways of the learn production, fi nance, marketing and The last organic farmer’s market of the season will take organic farmer, but do have the means to advertising. Each participant grows the place on May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at 509 E. Earling pay. Storz also “trains the trainers” so that vegetables at their home in raised beds so (Nolana) in San Juan. Arrive early, because food goes churches and other community organiza- that rain, when it comes in big South Texas fast! tions can replicate the program. buckets, doesn’t ruin the crop. It is the fi n- For more information on the next set of est and freshest food you will ever taste, she The women love learning, and they are learn- classes or how to become involved in the train said. ing very valuable skills -- everything from the trainer program, call Barbara Storz at the The program targets low-income men and how graft citrus trees, make herbal teas and County Extension Offi ce, (956) 383-1026. • women, although the classes are predomi- beauty products, to how to market their prod- nantly fi lled by women. The program im- ucts and utlimately, themselves. Spring ‘08 6 Learn about the digital Local vets team up with television transition Winter Texans in push he county wants to make sure all residents are aware of switch Tto digital television. DTV is an innovative new type of broad- for VA Hospital casting technology that enables TV stations to provide clearer pic- tures and bett er sound quality. DTV can also off er multiple pro- he Veterans Alliance, of which the Hidalgo County Veterans gramming choices, interactive capabilities and data services such TService Offi ce is a part, has taken its campaign for a Veterans’ as signifi cantly enhancing closed captioning. Administration hospital nationwide! The organization, which is a By law, all American television stations must switch their broad- coalition of local veterans’ groups, has collected more than 2,300 casting from analog to digital by Feb. 17, 2009. Television sets con- signatures from Winter Texans to show legislators in Washington nected to cable or satellite will not be aff ected, but for the many D.C. that not only are veterans from South Texas without a hospital, county residents who have analog television sets not connected to but so are thousands of winter visitors. cable or satellite or without a DTV converter box, they will not re- Emilio de los Santos, Hidalgo County Veterans’ Service Director, cieve any television signal aft er the date of switch. went on a trip to Capitol Hill with the Alliance to discuss the Veter- It is important that all county residents continue to receive tele- ans’ Hospital and health care issues (addressed in H.R. 538 and S.B. vision broadcasts. In times of emergency, television is oft en the 1838) with many members of Congress. quickest source of information. Furthermore, Hidalgo County be- “These important bills will provide the need for a bett er health care lieves all residents need to be informed about issues, and watching system, and establish the construction of a VA hospital for veterans, local channels is a way to stay connected to the community. veteran family members, and the estimated 60,000 winter Texan At least 19.6 million households in the United States receieve only veterans,” he said. “Winter Texan veterans come to the Valley for over-the-air television signals in their homes, and approximately up to six months out of the year from all over the United States, as 70 million sets are at risk of losing their signals aft er Feb. 17, 2009, well as from Canada. We have many Winter Texans who enjoy the if owners of these sets do not make the transition to DTV. Valley so much they end up retiring in South Texas.” You can make the switch to DTV by purchasing a DTV converter Our trip was “remarkably productive and positive,” de los Santos box that plugs into your existing analog set. You can still receive said. free television reception. The federal government has $40 coupons “The main target was to gain support from the congressional of- to use toward the purchase of the box. Households will be able fi cials who represent the 27 states that Winter Texan veterans reside to apply for up to two coupons, which must be redeemed within in. The Alliance had the privilege to visit over 80 congressman and three months of receipt. More information on that can be found at senators,” he added. www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009. The Veterans’ Service Offi ce has called what the Alliance is doing People can also purchase a new television set with a built-in digital “a historical endeavor.” De los Santos has called for the group to tuner. It does not have to be a high-defi nition television. HDTV is remain united, focused and positive. Veterans also need to register the highest quality of DTV, but it is only one of several formats. to prove that more than 100,000 veterans live in Far South Texas. Lastly, you could subscribe to a paid cable or satellite provider and A large showing of veterans att ended a meeting organized by Sen. continue to use your analog set if all desired local stations are car- Kay Bailey Hutchison at the Regional Academic Health Center in ried by that service. Harlingen, the site of the new VA Clinic. According to hospital To check whether your TV set can receieve over-the-air digital administrators at that meeting, the Harlingen Clinic (which also broadcast signals, take a look at your owner’s manual or look on serves Hidalgo County veterans) will expand from its original the set for an indiction that it has a built-in Advanced Television 10,557 sq. ft . to 155,660 sq. ft . by fi scal year 2011. • Systems Committ ee Tuner. • Picture below: Winter Texans Mr. and Mrs. Richard Perkins made the trip to Washington D.C. with the delegation. Hidalgo County News Thanks NewsChannel 5 TV The Monitor

and the Hidalgo County Offi ce of Veterans Aff airs for their submissions

Do you have a story to tell or a picture that speaks a thousand words? Do you want to recognize an employee for a job well done, or do you have news that would benefi t employees or the public? If so, submit your ideas, photos or information to Cari Lambre- cht, Hidalgo County Public Information Offi cer, via email at cari. [email protected] or via fax at (956) 318-2699. Hidalgo County News is a quarterly publication. The next issue will publish during July. Submissions for the next issue are due by June 15. Submissions may be edited for space or content.

Spring ‘08 7 Fire, continued from Page 1 Training, cooperation and organization eases an active South Texas fi re season

Upper Left : A ranch home in northern Hidalgo County is spared by the fi re. Emer- gency management offi cials confi rm that only one structure is lost. No injuries are sustained. (Photo by Nathan Lambrecht/The Monitor) Bott om Left : Another home is not so lucky. Upper Right: Firefi ghters return to the incident command post on FM 1017 to refuel their vehicles and bodies with food and water. Bott om Right: An orange aura lights up the night sky as an emergency vehicle drives by. Roads all around the fi re were blocked to keep the public away from the aff ected area, estimated at 50,000 acres. Evacuations were also ordered. (Photo by Alex Jones/The Monitor)

helicopter to assess damages and call back to the incident command post GPS coordinates. By that aft ernoon of March 19, the Texas Forest Service arrived with air assets. Two helitankers -- they looked like fi retrucks with wings -- hold 1,100 gallons of water each. Other assets included bulldozers and an air att ack plane, a Single Engine County Judge J.D. Salinas III, who serves as the chief emergency Air Tanker, or SEAT, plane described by TFS as a “souped-up crop manager for the county. Several hundred people voluntarily left their duster,” and fi ve county maintainers. homes. A shelter was opened up at Edinburg North High School; By the end of the event, the county’s Emergency Operations Center however, it was not utilized and was shut down. had receieved more than a thousand calls and fi refi ghters, with the With 40 mph gusts, it was diffi cult for local fi refi ghters, who poured assistance of the state and the county’s highly qualifi ed emergency in from all over the Valley to get ahead of the fi re. They began “back management staff , had saved several structures, lives and spared burning,” a technique that involves lighting controlled fi res ahead of prized property and catt le from destruction. the fi re, ridding the approaching fi re of fuel to continue its destructive “It was truly a team eff ort,” said Fire Marshal and Emergency path. But with fl ames leaping 25 to 35 feet in the air, the Burns Ranch Management Coordinator Tony Peña Jr. “Everybody pulled together Fire managed to jump all four lanes of U.S. Highway 281 and head and showed outstanding resilence and strength.” toward Willacy County. The Texas Department of Transportation Shortly aft er closed down the highway during the night. Smoke hung like a dense the fi re, the fog, making road conditions highly dangerous. Hidalgo County The fi re spread like long spindly fi ngers across the land. Crews, Commissioners’ headquartered out of the Chorizo de San Manuel plant, plowed fi re Court approved breaks, and Hidalgo County Sheriff ’s Offi ce deputies knocked on the extension of doors asking people to leave. the burn ban. Not a soul went home. They worked all night long, receiving The burn ban replenishment from the Salvation Army and forgoing sleep to stop will remain in perhaps the largest fi re South Texas has ever seen. place until July As daylight broke, fi refi ghters took advantage of the opportunity to 6. • fi nally be able to see the fi re and where it had been and where it was going. Emergency managers and even the County Judge went up in a Spring ‘08 8