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| Cinco de Mayo celebrated.... (Top)Van Horn's version of Ballot Folklorico entertained the audience at last Saturday's Cinco de Mayo event held at the City-County Park. (Photo by Patricia Golden). (Bottom)Mariachi Alegre performed for those in attendance at last Saturday's Cinco de Mayo event. |
- Van Horn City Council members met Tuesday evening with the main focus on four city-owned blocks near the hospital.
Van Horn Economic Development Corporation executive director Jeff McCoy told council members that there is increasing interest from builders who want to construct homes and duplexes here.
In fact, McCoy went on to note that he has been approached by a developer out of El Paso who wants to construct homes here and the developer specializes in assisting home buyers with financing as well.
McCoy went on to state that the potential developers include locals as well as the one from El Paso. He suggested that the city proceed to seek proposals to develop the four city blocks. The land would be purchased from the city at a reduced price provided the developers commit to starting construction within a specified time frame.
McCoy noted that this would be a win-win situation for the city and the developers. The homes or duplexes would target inbound Border Patrolmen, Department of Public Safety troopers, teachers, and hospital staffers and others.
The homes are projected to be built in the $85,000 to $110,000 price range.
Following discussion, council members voted unanimously to advertise for Requests For Proposals from interested developers. McCoy did note that once a proposal is accepted by the city from one of the developers, construction would start almost immediately.
And while they were talking about developments which will be good for Van Horn, council learned that Integrated Recycling Services, of Del Rio, has been in town picking up old cars and metal. They are hoping to establish a facility here to collect metal for recycling as well as picking up old cars to be crushed and hauled away.
Council indicated that they would be willing to enter an agreement with the company to operate out of here on a more permanent basis.
Council members also held a public hearing at Tuesday’s meeting to accept additional money for the city’s Water Improvement grant and to consider the possibility of submitting a new grant application in September under a new funding cycle. Water, sewer and street projects will be weighted the highest.
After holding the hearing, council adopted a resolution to accept the grant amendment which will give the city some $55,000 more to work on the water project that will bring a new line into town from the airport.
With regard to other matters considered by council during Tuesday’s meeting, the following were taken:
* Council approved waiving rental fees for CCVB use by the Junior Class for this Saturday’s Junior-Senior Prom. Leilani Vejil, spokesman, told council that they would be sure to clean the facility by sometime on Sunday.
* Council approved placing recycling barrels around town during the upcoming Frontier Days event so that people could put their recyclables in them instead of trash cans or throwing them on the ground.
* With regard to a proposal from Arnold Acosta for the city to donate or sell some land at the end of 3rd and Bell Streets to him, council instructed City Administrator Becky Brewster to find out what value exists for the land in question, estimated at about 5,000 square feet. They will act on the matter at a later meeting.
* Council members approved of agreements between the city and an operator for the cardboard baler and equipment at the landfill site, and they also approved a power equipment use agreement whereby citizens can rent some power equipment form the city to help clean up their land.
* After noting the funds were set up in the budget, council members approved having Oscar Borrego perform repairs and painting at city hall. The agreement is slightly more than $4,000.
* Council members also talked about costs associated with the dismantling and moving of a storage building on property which the city is deeding to the Van Horn State Bank. The building has to be moved before the bank can begin their construction, which is planned for early this summer.
* After ratifying a grant agreement for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rural West Texas, council members approved of a plan to give city utility customers an opportunity to average their utility bills over a year and make those average payments every month.
* And, before they adjourned, council members went behind-closed-doors for an executive session to talk legal matters and personnel issues.
Voters go to the polls Saturday to decide local elections
Voters will go to the polls this Saturday to decide the fate of several issues confronting citizens.
Their votes will all be cast on the same ballot but in three elections. The city is holding a City Officer election to elect a mayor and two aldermen. The school district is holding a trustee election to elect two school board trustees. And, the hospital district is holding an election to determine the fate of a proposed $7.5 million bond issue and to elect two directors to their board.
Early voting for Saturdays elections ended on Tuesday, May 6th and there were some 369 votes cast, which indicates some significant interest in the elections this year.
In the city officer election, three candidates are running for mayor. They include incumbent Okey D. Lucas, and challengers Ben Flanagan and Nancy A. Martinez.
In the contest for city aldermen, seven contests are in the race for two seats. They are; incumbents Rudolfo “Rudy” Hinojos and Emilio Yglecias, and challengers Refugio “Tata” Corrales, Mingo G. Corralez, Rosa “Rosie” Espudo, Rene G. Mendez, and Gilda Morales.
In the school district election, nine candidates are vying for two seats on the board of trustees. They include incumbent Lupe Alvarado, and challengers Nancy A. Borrego, Joe Carrasco, John Clark, Juana M. Grado, Olivia Mendez Legarreta, David J. Onate, Alex Navarrette, and Robert L. Segura.
And, in the hospital district election, voters are being asked to vote for or against a proposed $7.5 million bond issue to finance some much needed improvements to the hospital’s physical facility.
Additionally, voters will be asked to vote for two directors to the district board, with only two directors running. Both candidates, Don Colllins and Cheryl Owen, are incumbents.
The polling place for Saturday’s election will be at Van Horn City Hall. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.