Texas Recycles Day - Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council

OCTOBER 2009 • VOLUME LX
Texas Recycles Day
The Lower Rio
Grande
Valley
Development Council
(LRGVDC)
invites
everyone to join in the
efforts to raise public
awareness of “Texas Recycles Day”,
Saturday, November 15, 2009. Many
communities will host activities during
the week in an effort to raise awareness
and motivate everyone to make recycling
part of their everyday lives. Recycling
not only reduces the amount of waste
going into our landfills, but it conserves
our natural resources and saves energy.
The LRGVDC has been instrumental in
the startup of many of our local Recycling
Centers and Recycling Projects. Through
the years Solid Waste Grant funds have
been available for many start-up projects.
In FY-2008/2009 the LRGVDC through
a TCEQ Contract awarded over $594,171
to local entities for recycling and
composting projects to include recycling
trailers, chippers, balers, recycling bins,
educational material and much more.
Solid Waste Grant Applications
for FY-2009/2010 have already been
submitted and will be ranked in October,
but FY2010/2011 funds will become
available during April or May 2010. All
information on the Solid Waste Program
is available on the LRGVDC web page at
www.lrgvdc.org.
Pharr Recycling Center
Grand Opening Ceremony
Pharr Recycling Center
Are you Prepared for a
Disaster?
Senior Splash
Operation Lone Star
Aging well in the Valley 2009
EDA Receives Inovation
Award
LRGVDC Provides
Community Outreach of
Financial Literacy
Regional Police Academy and
Training Center
The City of Pharr held a grand opening ceremony for
their Recycling Center on Friday, September 25, 2009.
The Ceremony was well attended as the City introduced
the new Pharr Recycling Center facility to the community.
The City will be partnering with Pharr-San Juan-Alamo
ISD, Pharr Chamber of Commerce, Pharr Economic
Development Corporation, Boys & Girls Club of Pharr,
Waste Management, McAllen Recycling Center and the
Pharr Leadership Class to help promote the Center. For
more information on the Pharr Recycling Center please
visit their web page www.pharrgreenstars.com
Students from Dr. William Long Elementary are deputized
as “Green Deputies”
Texas Recycles Day
REGIONAL PURSUITS is the newsletter
published by the LRGVDC.
This publication is financed in part through
funding assistance from State
and Federal grants.
REGIONAL PURSUITS is available without cost
and inquiries should be directed to:
The “Green Ranger” attends Pharr
Recycling Center Grand Opening
Ceremony.
Ken Jones, Executive Director
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
311 N. 15th Street, McAllen, TX 78501-4705
E-Mail: [email protected]
website: www.lrgvdc.org
(956) 682-3481, Fax (956) 631-4670;
Disaster?
A R E Y O U P R E PA R E D F O R A
G-317 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Training for City of McAllen and City of Mission Citizen Volunteers
The CERT course consists of eight (8) modules, which
address:
• Disaster preparedness
• Fire suppression
• Disaster medical operations (2 modules)
• Light search and rescue
• Team organization and disaster
psychology
• Terrorism and CERT
• Course review and disaster simulation
During the months of July and August, LRGVDC staff
managing the Citizen Corps Program’s, Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT), provided assistance and training
to two additional CERT Teams for community volunteers
from McAllen and Mission. The CERT course provided the
knowledge and skills citizen volunteers need to effectively
serve their community; efforts to prepare for local emergencies
and respond to them were the focus. The CERT teams for the
City of McAllen and City of Mission are organized, trained,
and equipped to educate the public in emergency preparedness
and most importantly will perform many of the emergency
functions needed in the aftermath of a disaster. These two teams
will coordinate their efforts and supplement the efforts of the
community’s professional emergency response staff.
Securing America requires that each of us work together.
Homeland Security starts within our homes and communities. It
is everybody’s responsibility. Whether it is leading your family
through a basic fire drill, helping a neighbor learn CPR, or
volunteering to be a mentor in your community, every action is
appreciated and gets us one step closer to safer communities and
a more secure and prepared region. Naturally, it will take time.
But with the right kind of training, there is no shortage of things
to do. Every Citizen has a significant role to play.
A small investment in time now will pay big dividends down
the road. As a CERT volunteer you will be able to say that you
did your part to make America and our region not only a safer
country, but a better and stronger one.
If you are ready for a challenge and would like to participate
in the CERT program, please contact Manuel Cruz, Director of
Homeland Security at (956) 682-3481 Ext. 105.
Senior Splash
Mayor Joe E. Vega and City Manager Edward
Meza visiting the LRGVDC Area Agency on Aging
booth manned by (l-r) Veronica Alegria, Anna De
Leon, and Mary Solis.
The City of Port Isabel partnered with
the Area Agency on Aging to provide
local seniors with an information/health
fair, called Senior Splash.
Senior Splash was held at the local
Senior Center in Port Isabel on Saturday,
August 29. Following is a list of
participating organizations and services
they provided:
Services/Information
• Echo Star/Employment
• Lower Rio Grande Valley
Development Council/Identity Theft
• Area Agency on Aging/Elder Rights
• Mercy Home Health/Blood
Pressures and Glucose Screening
• Laguna Madre Clinics/Information
• Sudarshan Eye Experts/Eye
Screenings
• Physician’s Health Choice/Diabetic
Foot Screenings
• Family First Medicine/Glucose
Screenings
• United States Census 2010/
Information
• Leeza’s Place/Information
• Department of Aging and Disability
Port Isabel Mayor Joe Vega, City
Manager Ed Meza, and other city staff
joined AAA Director Joe Gonzalez and
the Elder Rights Staff at the event. The
collective value of the health screenings
alone was $16,365.
The local HEB and Wal-Mart stores
donated food and drinks, the City of
Port Isabel provided entertainment by
arranging music and singing. Dairy
Queen donated coupons for free items and
Valero donated coupons for free ice!
EDA Project Receives 2009
INNOVATION AWARD
From NADO
On August 29, 2009 the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council’s (LRGVDC) Economic
Development Department traveled to the National Association of Development Organizations’ (NADO)
Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois to receive an Innovation Award for the “Business Hurricane and
Information Training Project” (B-HIT). The LRGVDC has received a total of 27 awards including the B-HIT
project. This project was made feasible with the assistance of a Disaster Recovery Grant that was provided
by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The purpose of this project is to provide the Border
Region with economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly and other natural disasters. The project will
provide information and training regarding emergency preparedness and economic recovery. The project’s scope
of work includes but is not limited to: assisting small businesses in conducting damage assessments; developing
and implementing marketing strategies for business restoration; and creating a regional purchasing co-op. At this
time the LRGVDC is completing an emergency resource booklet entitled “Disaster Preparedness & Awareness for Small
Businesses”. This booklet will include a list of available resources and volunteer programs plus a check list for businesses.
The Economic Development Department is also organizing small training groups for Continuity of Operations Program
(COOP). These training sessions will target all of the rural communities
in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. The final task will be to plan
and conduct a Premier Annual Emergency Management Conference. This
conference is scheduled for April 20-22, 2010 at the Convention Center on
South Padre Island. For more information or schedule of COOP
trainings, please call the LRGVDC Economic Development Department
at 956-682-3481.
Receiving the 2009 Innovation Award from NADO are (left to right): Ken Jones, LRGVDC
Executive Director, Mrs. Terrie G Salinas, Director of Economic Development; Mrs. Sharon
Juon, NADO President; and Mrs. Monica Munoz, EDA Planner
Operation Lone Star
This is the tenth year for Operation
Lone Star, a program that provides
no cost dental and medical services
to families living in South Texas. The
program offered services in Cameron,
Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Willacy,
and Zapata Counties. The program also
gives State agencies the opportunity to
distribute information on all types of
services available to a wide audience;
last year Operation Lone Star delivered
services to over 11,000 people in the
South Texas area.
“People turn out for free medical services,
and we also tell them about State programs
that will provide year-round access to
health care,” said Texas Health and Human
Services Executive Commissioner Albert
Hawkins. “Operation Lone Star provides
us with an excellent way to reach out to
Texans who can benefit from our services.”
State health and human service workers
disseminated information about health and
wellness programs, and local non-profit
organizations had staff available on site to
provide information about their services.
State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. at Operation Lone Star
Opening Ceremony
and the world. Military doctors from
Chile volunteered their time as well as a
medical team from the Czech Republic
and several dentists from the state of New
Mexico. Operation Lone Star also serves
as a way for state and local officials to
train for a medical emergency. Setting up
the two-week, multi-site clinics becomes
a real-time exercise on how to respond to
a public health crisis.
Garza, D. (2009, August 3). U. S. Air
Force. Retrieved September 04, 2009
from the World Wide Web: http://www.
af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123161678
The two week event is a cooperative
project between the Texas State Guard,
Army and Air Force National Guard as well
as state health and human services agencies,
local county health departments, social
service groups and volunteers. Operation
Lone Star covers seven counties and is the
largest humanitarian effort of its kind in the
United States according to state officials.
This years Operation Lone Star included
volunteers from all over the United States
Right: Medical Staff from the Czech Republic, Eddie
Olivarez, Hidalgo County Health Dept, and LRGVDC
Staff
Aging Well in the Valley 2009
T
he Area Agency on Aging’s
Elder Rights Division and Foster
Grandparent Program held their annual
“Aging Well in the Valley” event. The
event is a health/information fair with a
dance contest for seniors. It was held on
Wednesday, September 23rd at the Pharr
Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m.
pressure checks and glucose screenings
to name a few. The value of the health
screenings the seniors received were in
excess of $10k.
Two hundred seniors from around
the Lower Rio Grande Valley attended.
Sixteen couples competed in the dance
contest for the first, second and third
place trophies. The three judges for the
dance contest were Mrs. Olivia Amaya,
2009 Honorary Foster Grandparent, Mr.
Kenneth Jones, Jr., LRGVDC Executive
Director, and Mr. Will Ripley, KRGV
Channel 5 News Anchor.
Physicians Health Choice provided
450 lunches, Apex and High Point Home
Health Agencies provided 65 lunches,
Texas HealthSpring sponsored the rental
facility (Pharr Convention Center) and
Care Improvement Plus sponsored the
music. Entertainment was provided by
D. J. Lars and Carlos Guzman performed
during lunch. Chick-fil-A provided a
booth with a game where everyone won
a coupon for free food items. Even the
Salvation Army benefited as the extra
lunches were delivered just in time to
provide a meal for those in need waiting
in line.
Almost 40 different agencies sponsored
booths to display their services and
products. There were health screenings;
retina screenings, eye screenings, blood
As the event drew to a close seniors
and vendors alike acknowledged the good
time they had and are looking forward to
next years event.
Contestants participating in dance contest as part of
the 3rd Annual Aging Well in the Valley Health Fair.
Winners and Judges of the 3rd Annual Aging Well in the
Valley Dance Contest
Regional Police Academy
and Training Center
T
he Lower Rio Grande Valley
Development Council (LRGVDC)
Regional Police Academy (RPA) cadets
participated in the Texas Association
of Regional Councils (TARC) Annual
Conference, which was held at South
Padre Island, September 16 – 18,
2009. The cadets of the Harlingen Day
Academy (Class 133) conducted the Color
Guard Presentation during the opening
ceremonies of the TARC Conference.
The Color Guard members were selected
based on their military service and their
performance throughout the course. Each
Color Guard member exemplified the
qualities and traditions sought in the law
enforcement community throughout the
nation. The Color Guard Commander
was Cadet Michael Schiltz, retired U.S.
Coast Guard veteran and was recently
hired by the South Padre Island Police
Department. The other members of the
Color Guard were Cadet Joseph Gonzalez,
U.S. Army veteran who has served in Iraq.
Additionally, Cadet Gonzalez has been
hired by the South Padre Island Police
Department.
Cadet Daniel Ramirez,
a U.S. Army veteran, who was also a
combat medic and is currently a registered
nurse, was also a member of the Color
Guard. The forth Color Guard member
was Cadet Eloy Galvan, an Army veteran
who has also served in Iraq.
Harlingen Cadets performing Color Guard at the
2009 TARC Annual Conference at the South Padre
Island Convention Center. From front to back: Cadet
Joseph Gonzales, Cadet Michael Schiltz, Cadet Eloy
Galvan, and Cadet Daniel Ramirez.
All four members of the Color Guard
performed their duties with honor and
Members of the Hidalgo Academy (Class 135) stand at attention as they prepare to present the LRGVDC Board
of Directors with a token of appreciation.
dignity. Cadet Schiltz not only called
commands for the Color Guard, he also led
the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag of the United States of America.
Nathan Garza is the lead-instructor of the
Harlingen Day Academy.
On the west end of the valley, the
cadets of the Hidalgo Academy (Class
135) presented a token of appreciation
to the LRGVDC Board of Directors on
Thursday, September 24, 2009 during their
monthly Board meeting. Cadet Brandon
Mendoza presented Board President John
Ingram with a framed photograph of the
135th Cadet Class while the remainder of
the 135th Cadet Class stood at attention
in honor of the event. Lt. Mark Pritchard
of the Hidalgo Police Department is the
lead-instructor of the Hidalgo Academy.
Lt. Pritchard marched the cadets into
the Board Room and Cadet Mendoza
presented the photograph to President
Ingram after Cadet Mendoza said a few
words remarking that the photograph was
the cadets’ way of thanking the Executive
Board for their support.
The RPA also has academy classes in
Mission and Kingsville. The RPA began
the Harlingen Day Academy on Friday,
October 16, 2009, the Harlingen Night
Academy began on Saturday, October 17,
2009, the Mission Day Academy began
on Friday, October 23, 2009, and the next
Hidalgo Day Academy is scheduled for
Monday, November 2, 2009. When the
Hidalgo Academy starts in November,
the RTA will have six (6) academies
operating simultaneously.
For more
information on LRGVDC’s Regional
Police Academy Training Program
contact Mr. Paul Williams, Academy
Director at 956-364-4507.
Cadet Brandon Mendoza (left) presents gift of
appreciation to LRGVDC Board President John
Ingram at the September 24 Board meeting.
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
Social Services Block Grant for Emergency
Disaster Relief Funds Approved
President
Mayor Chris Boswell
City of Harlingen
1st Vice-President
Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Samano
Member-At-Large
2nd Vice-President
Commissioner Sylvia Handy
Hidalgo County
Secretary
Mayor Pro-Tem Eddy Gonzalez
City of Edcouch
Treasurer
Mr. Arturo Ramirez
Grassroots Organizations
Immediate Past President
REMAINING BOARD MEMBERS
Commissioner Sofia Benavidez
Cameron County
Judge Pro-Tem Aurelio Guerra
Willacy County
Commissioner Roel Landa
City of Alamo
Commissioner Edward C. Camarillo City of Brownsville
Mayor David S. Simmons
City of Donna
Council Member Gus Garcia
City of Edinburg
Mayor Steve Brewer
City of La Fera
Mayor Joel Quintanilla
City of Mercedes
Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas
City of Mission
Mayor Leo “Polo” Palacios, Jr.
City of Pharr
Mayor Orlando Correa
City of Raymondville
Mayor Joe Hernandez
City of San Benito
Mayor Pro-Tem Lupe Rodriguez
City of San Juan
Mayor Buddy de la Rosa
City of Weslaco
Dr. Cesar Maldonado
T.S.T.C.
Mr. Roberto Loredo
Donna I.S.D.
Mr. Gale Armstrong
El Jardin Water Supply
Mr. Michael G. Wilson Willacy County Navigation District
Hon. Norma G. Garcia
Member-At-Large
Mr. Don Medina
Member-At-Large
CONTACTS FOR
LRGVDC ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS
Kenneth N. Jones, Jr.
Executive Director
Ann Lyles
Director, Finance
Anna Hernandez
Director, Human Resources
Terrie Salinas
Director, Economic Development
Joe Gonzalez
Director, Area Agency of Aging
Manuel Flores
Director, Transit Services
Andrew Canon
Director, Hidalgo County MPO
Manuel Cruz
Director, Homeland Security
Juan Gomez
Director, 9-1-1 Services
Victor Morales
Procurement Officer
Paul Williams
Director, Regional Police Academy
& Training Center
•
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Commissioner John Ingram
City of McAllen
311 N. 15th Street
McAllen, TX 78501-4705
Lower Rio Grande Valley
Development Council
On September 22, 2009, the LRGVDC
Area Agency on Aging (AAoA), received
funding approval by the Texas Health
and Human Service Commission of the
Contractors’ Final Plan for use of Social
Service Block Grants Funds. The total
amount of funding approved for Social
Services Block Grant (SSBG) for Emergency
Disaster Relief Funds for Hurricanes Ike
and Dolly is $9,949,297.
The LRGVDC AAoA received proposals
from several agencies within the Lower
Rio Grande Valley, including many local
governments and non-profit organizations.
A total of 31 proposals were approved
for funding. “We are excited to assist the
region and will be working closely with the
sub-grantees to execute contracts, provide
funding, and assist the Rio Grande Valley
with these funds to recover from Hurricane
Dolly”, stated Ken Jones, LRGVDC
Executive Director.
Mr. Jones also
recognized the Texas Health and Human
Service Commission staff for their excellent
cooperation and assistance which ensured an
efficient and smooth process of distributing
these much needed funds.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2009-2010
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 31
McALLEN, TX
78501