Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
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| Oaths of office taken.... County Judge Manuel Molinar (Center) adminnistered the oaths of office to newly elected county officials on Monday, January 5th. Among them was Lyndon McDonald (L) who is the lone new comer. He unseated former County Commissioner John Jones in the primary election to take the Commissioner, Precinct 3 post. Also pictured is Commissioner, Precicnt 1 Cornelio Garibay taking his oath of office. After administering the oaths, commissioners approved all the bonds that were submitted and adjourned the session. |
- Van Horn City Council members met Tuesday evening and heard Municipal Services director Israel Borrego’s call for consideration to purchase another trash truck.
Borrego told council members that the current backup trash truck, am 1997 model, is really not suitable for a backup. He told council members that it has lots of mechanical problems and simply cannot leave the city limits, which means it can not go to Sierra Blanca to dump it’s load of trash.
Council members noted that attempting to fix it will only delay the reality of the situation. The truck needs to be replaced.
Borrego told council that if a new trash truck is purchased, then the 2003 trash truck can serve as the backup more reliably.
In the end, council asked Mayor Ben Flanagan to begin the process of contacting folks to see what kind of deal the city can get on a new trash truck and report back.
Bobby Jones came before council to complain about trash and litter from Welsh’s Pueblo Market blowing into his yard. At the same time, he complained about trash and debris at his neighbors house.
Mayor Flanagan told Jones that Raquel Mendez had taken photos of the neighbors lot and that the matter will be dealt with appropriately.
With respect to the trash and litter problem emanating from Welsh’s Pueblo Market, Flanagan suggested that Jones contact Joseph Welsh and see if, together, they might be able to work out a solution.
Concerning a requested zoning variance from Ramon Ruiz, council learned that the Zoning Board had, at last, recommended that the variance be granted provided Ruiz comply with certain stipulations.
Council made the motion and it got a second but it the motion failed to get enough votes to carry. The vote was 2 for and 3 against (Councilmen Corralez and McBride favored, while councilmen Molinar, Morales and Morris did not).
With regard to other matters considered by council during the session, the following actions were taken:
* Council, following discussion, approved 13 1/2 days of holiday time for city staffers. That is the same amount of time staffers had in 2008.
* Council members renewed their contract with Western Bank to be the city’s depository bank for another year.
* Following a behind-closed-doors executive session, council members reconvened in open session and appointed Nati Davis and Moise Badillo to fill vacant seats on the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation board of directors. The appointments are subject to the appointees willingness to serve.
* Councilman Gilda Morales talked to council about what could be done about code enforcement for businesses on Broadway, specifically Manual Ramirez’ business.
Councilman Morales also asked what could be done to get the sheriff or his deputies to cite people in cars and RV’s parking on city streets and vacant lots in town.
And, Councilman Morales also asked why the city’s Christmas Decorations were so poor this year.
She was told that the Mayor is working on the first two problem areas and council appointed Israel Borrego to get more Christmas decorations purchased and put up next year.
* Council received a local contractors bid for $11,000 to take down and assemble the storage building currently on the new bank’s property. It has to be removed prior to January 20th.
The contractor for the bank is currently using the building to store equipment, and has agreed to take it down and reassemble it for $4,600 once they’re through with it. Council agreed to have him move the building.
* Council members discussed trash collection for sites outside the city limits noting that it costs more to collect the trash then the city gets in fees.
Council members agreed to renegotiate the contracts when they become due in March.
* Mayor Flanagan reported that he had talked with U.S. Cable and they will give the city the cable and conduit to bury from the Chevron Truck Stop to the golf course provided the city dig the trench and cover it up.
Then, U.S. Cable will hook up the cable and charge the golf course $40 per month.
Council accepted the proposal and Israel Borrego was instructed to get with U.S. Cable to set a date to start the work.
* And, Bob Kinford came before council to report that the February 27th and 28th Cowboy Poetry Gathering planned for Van Horn is taking shape. Kinford did report that the advertising costs he has gotten seem to be prohibitive but he is still checking.
Kinford also noted that signs promoting the event have not been ordered yet.
* And, before council members adjourned, they challenged each other to make a monthly utilities bill donation to the Van Horn Community Christian Shelter of at least $5 each.
“Partners for Progress” roundtable to key on hopes for Van Horn in 2009
Van Horn Economic Development Corporation executive director Jeff McCoy reported this week that the Texas Department of Agriculture has instituted a Rural Economic Development Roundtable. The “Partners for Progress” discussion will be held here in Van Horn on Wednesday, January 14th at 4 p.m. at the Convention Center.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples recently said, “Things don’t happen by chance. They happen because someone wills them to happen. Rural communities must be proactive and think big. We have tools and we are ready to work in partnership with local leaders.”
While Wall Street continues to ride an economic rollercoaster, the Texas Department of Agriculture is working hard to make sure main streets all across west Texas have a road map for success. This upcoming roundtable will provide Van Horn with that road map.
The roundtable is a partnership of the Governors Office of Economic Development, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Texas Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Division.
The purpose of these roundtable meetings is to bring together local community and business leaders to discuss local and regional business and economic issues, identify areas of need and opportunities, and learn about resources that can help.
You are invited and encouraged to attend the Roundtable on Wednesday, January 14th at 4 p.m. at the Convention Center.
You will be joined by Cynthia Delgado, of the Office of the Governor; John Perkins, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Jack Stallings, of the Texas Department of Agriculture.