Wednesday's Internet Edition, September 08, 2010.
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| A new business: Hotel El Capitan opened its doors to travelers this fall. |
- 2009 Year In Review
JANUARY
Oaths of office were taken by newly-elected commissioners – Lyndon McDonald for Precinct 3, and the incumbent for Precinct 1, Cornelio Garibay.
Western Bank opened in its new home at 1800 W. Broadway. An Open House and Ribbon Cutting was held Feb. 3rd. The new building also houses offices for the Culberson Appraisal District and the Soil Conservation District.
Two busy weekends in January brought us the Health Fair and the 60th Annual Stock Show.
Pete Gallego began his 10th term as our Texas House District 74 Representative.
Van Horn shared with the rest of the nation the inauguration of a new president, in the hopes that it would make good on campaign promises of ‘hope and change’.
FEBRUARY
City Comptroller reported that the City’s accounting and reporting is being ‘brought into the 21st Century’ by streamlining and computerizing a multitude of areas.
Congressman Rodriguez visited and told us that the recently passed stimulus bill was going to be good for us.
The Van Horn Eagles Boys Basketball team was District champs and went on to win Bi-district as well as Area.
A routine traffic stop by the sheriff department led to a search and seizure of 23 bundles of currency hidden in a tire amounting to $230,000.
MARCH
Van Horn’s own first Texas Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering was held with a good group of performers from all over the area, and a promise that it would return next year.
At a time when the unemployment rate nationally was on the rise, Culberson County had the lowest in this region – 3.9%.
And like the unemployment figure, the sales tax revenue for Culberson County bucked the statewide trend and was up 3.8%
Bo Buchhorn, sponsor of the U.I.L. Calculator team was gearing up to receive Trophy #12. He and his teams have received District Championship plaques for 11 years in a row. They did go on to win #12.
Van Horn’s Elite Eagle Cheerleaders received a 1st Place Trophy in their Division in competition in San Antonio.
APRIL
The official groundbreaking for West Desert Builders was held at the site of their first two homes to be built, with more homes planned in the future.
Toni’s Place, the site of many wonderful Mexican Food Buffets, closed on the retirement of the owner Toni Torres.
Culberson Hospital announced the addition of new telemetry equipment that enables staff to monitor vital signs and information on eight patients simultaneously.
School trustees reluctantly accepted the resignation of High School Principal Mike Barrandey.
20 tons of trash were netted in Van Horn’s Annual Clean-Up Campaign.
The new Hampton Inn officially opened for business with a ribbon cutting, thus providing a huge asset to Van Horn as it serves the traveling public.
MAY
Due to an extreme fire danger in West Texas, a team of some 19 firemen with the Texas Forest Service were stationed here with equipment to assist local volunteer firemen in the event of a major fire.
Two incumbents, Mark Molinar and Nuny Morris, and one new guy, Maricial Gonzalez, were elected to City Council. In school board elections, Robert Morales and incumbent Lisa Cottrell were picked by voters.
Fran Malafronte was named city Administrator following the retirement of Becky Brewster.
Five Eagle Track runners headed to the State competition as a result of their win at the Regional Meet. They are: 4x100 Meter Relay – JJ Baca, Ricky Ramirez, Alex Baca and Jacob Corralez; Jacob Corralez in the 200 Meter Dash; and 4x200 Meter Relay – Jacob Corralez, Ricky Ramirez, Alex Baca and Eleno Mendez.
Memorial Day services were held which included the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial in front of the Clark Hotel Historical Museum.
JUNE
35 Seniors graduated from VHHS. Valedictorian was Alexis Navarrette and Salutatorian was JoVanna Hinojos.
CCAISD announced that scores from the TAKS tests were much improved, with only 2 out of 27 testing areas that do not meet or exceed the standard.
A local man, Victor Velasquez, was named Assistant Chief Patrol Agent for the Marfa Sector of U.S. Border Patrol.
JULY
Citizens unleashed their anger toward El Paso Electric at a City council meeting with representatives from the company in attendance. The reps got an ear full regarding the prolonged power outages plaguing the town over the past years. EPE reps only offered to look into the problem and stated that steel poles have been installed from Van Horn to Allamore.
City Council adopted a ‘No Smoking’ Ordinance for all local businesses, but bars were exempted.
At the District 4-H Horse Show, a 1st Place was taken in Team Penning by Desirae Brewster, Junior Carmona and Ricky Shelley.
Van Horn City Council voted to terminate Jeff McCoy as Director of the Economic Development Corp. and move him to a newly created position as city grant writer. He resigned a few weeks later.
Van Horn’s sales tax receipts continued to buck statewide trends by showing an increase over the previous year.
The 30-minute film “The Reckoning” was filmed here among the red rocks of the McVay Ranch.
AUGUST
CCAISD was rated “Academically Acceptable” by the Texas Education Agency.
County Commissioners reluctantly sought a 4% tax hike to accommodate a budget with a revenue shortfall. However, after receiving several large delinquent payments and an appraisal increase, no tax hike was needed.
The clubhouse at the Mountain View Golf Course was remodeled to add a positive impact on the golf course and those who play there.
SEPTEMBER
A ground breaking ceremony was held for the hospital’s addition and renovation. Funded by bonds, the project is expected to be complete in August of 2010.
Concerns for the fire department prompted several special meetings being called by the Mayor. After these meetings, the VHVFD reorganized with some of the experienced firemen stepping up to take leadership roles.
CCAISD was presented the Region 18 Leadership Award for 2008-2009 for “becoming the model for Region 18 to use with all our Academically Unacceptable campuses.” Of 5 campuses in Region 18 that were AU, Van Horn High School was the only one to come off that rating with the services provided by the Region.
OCTOBER
A local man, Staff Sergeant Luis Corral, serving in Afghanistan, was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor While Under Fire.
The county clerk’s office began using its new iDocket.com system for more efficient management of vital records.
A new trash truck was purchased by the city. The new 2009 Freightliner will be financed through Government Capital corporation for a period of 5 years at an estimated annual cost of $32,700.
Hotel El Capitan officially opened for business following some 16 months of renovation of the historical hotel which originally opened in 1930.
Nutrition Center concerns occupied several meetings of the Commissioners Court and the hiring of help from an experienced nutrition center operator, Debbie Greaves.
The Eagle Marching Band advanced to the Area competition following their superb performance at the UIL Marching Contest in El Paso.
VH Economical Development launched two new projects aimed at battling blight on Broadway and Highways 90 and 54.
NOVEMBER
A new Thrift Shop was opened to benefit the museum. ‘Once Over Lightly’ is located next to the museum and receives donations of like-new items.
Lady Eagles Volleyball had a good season and ended up 2nd in district and advanced to Bi-district.
Van Horn Eagles likewise had an exciting season and played Stanton in Bi-District with a heart-breaker of a loss.
City got a clean bill of health from their audit firm, which stated the city is “in good shape.”
The Big Buck Tournament was held again after a one-year lapse.
DECEMBER
A community Christmas tree, donated by the Rotary Club, was lit, kicking off the Christmas season in Van Horn. The lighted Christmas parade was held the following week, with Familia Cristiana having the 1st Place float.
City ended the year with approval to purchase a skid steer loader and a new water well motor.
New Post Master for Van Horn is Edgar Moya and the Post Master Relief is Maria Maynard.