AUSTIN, PRESIDIO – A handful of Presidio officials and cattlemen made the nearly 1,000 mile round-trip drive to Austin on Thursday to meet with state lawmakers and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials over a federal impasse they’ve encountered with an importation issue.

In late 2012 the USDA Animal and ...]]> By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

AUSTIN, PRESIDIO – A handful of Presidio officials and cattlemen made the nearly 1,000 mile round-trip drive to Austin on Thursday to meet with state lawmakers and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials over a federal impasse they’ve encountered with an importation issue.

In late 2012 the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) stopped sending veterinarian inspectors to the Ojinaga, Mexico cattle inspection facility. A temporary USDA facility in Presidio was opened in October. Prior to the move, USDA veterinarians crossed into Mexico to check the U.S.-bound cattle.

Presidio cattleman Salvador Baeza makes his case during a meeting at the Texas State Capitol last Thursday. Baeza, along with Presidio city officials, traveled to Austin to meet with state lawmakers and USDA officials to seek a remedy to the importation issue. (photos by and courtesy of CARLOS NIETO)

The policy change, the Presidio delegation has said, has severely hurt the local economy and has wide-reaching economic implications in the Big Bend area as the century-old cattle crossings have dwindled to few numbers.

The move of the Ojinaga inspection facility into stateside Presidio followed the 2010 inspection port stateside moves at ports of entries in Eagle Pass, Laredo, and Pharr. USDA officials cited security concerns as the reason for making the policy move. In addition, the United States Department of State conducts security assessments for federal workers entering foreign countries and makes those recommendations to the respective federal agencies and departments.

Presidio and Ojinaga cattle industry officials say those security concerns are unfounded.

State Senator Jose Rodriguez, who represents Presidio as part of his large district, hosted the meeting, bringing together the Presidio stakeholders with USDA officials, State Representative Poncho Nevarez, and Texas cattle industry representatives.

Taking part in the meeting, in addition to Sen. Rodriguez, were state Rep. Nevarez and some of their staff members, and Presidio cattlemen Salvador Baeza, Jesus Baeza, and Jess Burner Jr., former Mayor Obed Escontrias, councilman Rafael Carrera, city special projects coordinator Carlos Nieto, and Dr. Jesus Baca, the administrator of the Union Ganadera Regional de Chihuahua; Josh Winegarner with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Jason Skaggs with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Manuel Varela with the Chihuahua Economic Committee, Dr. Kevin Varner, the USDA APHIS Area Veterinarian-in-Charge, and Dr. Jim Amend, the USDA APHIS Assistant Area Veterinarian-in-Charge of import and export.

The delegation of Presidio officials and businessmen went to Austin hoping USDA and the U.S. State Department would re-evaluate the security conditions in the Presidio/Ojinaga border zone.

Dr. Varner said this week that he will reach out to State Department officials. “What we’re going to do is bring the State Department to do a reassessment of [the security situation in] Ojinaga.” He noted that there is no set timeline for any security reevaluation of Ojinaga, nor can he predict what the State Department’s findings will be.

The meeting was hosted by Stated Senator Jose Rodriguez, center.

According to Nieto, Salvador Baeza and Burner, both Sen. Rodriguez and Rep. Nevarez asked tough questions of the USDA representatives regarding the USDA policy move to keep inspectors from entering Ojinaga.

Nieto said this week that it is his belief that inconsistencies currently exist regarding USDA’s Mexico inspections. He further argued that area USDA inspectors “have no problem going to Ojinaga” to conduct inspections.

Nieto, Baeza and Burner left the meeting feeling hopeful.

“It was a very productive and effective meeting, given this small, narrow window,” Nieto said. He thanked both Rodriguez and Nevarez for putting the meeting together at the last minute as the current legislative session is in its waning days.

The meeting, Nieto said, “sets the stage for federal intervention.” He said that if necessary, the Presidio delegation will travel to Washington, DC to meet with the area’s federal lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate and that he will be communicating with them in the near future.

Since the policy change, cattle raisers in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, many of whom took their cattle to Ojinaga for inspection, then crossed into the United States through Presidio, have moved their business through the port of entry at Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Salvador Baeza of Baeza Cattle Co. in Presidio said the loss of cattle traffic through Presidio has severely hurt his and other stockyard businesses, as well as motels and convenience store businesses in Presidio.

Baeza said last week that, “What’s happening is most of our customers are all moving to the Santa Teresa port. We lost at least 60 percent of our customers. It’s really hurting us.”

Nieto made a point to say that the decrease in cattle traffic through the port of entry is not a Presidio-centric concern and that negative economic impacts will be felt in the tri-county region and in Ojinaga.

“The communities of both Presidio and Ojinaga are joined together. Together we win. Together we lose. A lot of jobs are at stake,” Nieto said.

Burner, operator of Presidio Stockyards, said of the federal government’s security assessment of Ojinaga, “We believe they have bad intelligence. They are taking problems [and violence] seen in Juarez and Nuevo Laredo and using a general form of Mexico being dangerous instead of analyzing individual ports of entry.”

The Presidio delegation arrives at the state capitol building.

Baeza added that once federal officials conduct a review of the security situation, they’ll agree with him. “I think we’re one of the securest borders for cattle.” He said the economic impact is doubled due to Presidio’s relative isolation.

“We’re a small town, a forgotten town. You have to drive four hours just to get to the interstate.”

Burner echoed Baeza’s figures of losing more than half of their customers to the port of entry in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

“It’s an absolute nightmare,” Burner said.

In a news release this week, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate an $11.8 million expansion project at the Santa Teresa port of entry.

“The project doubled the number of primary vehicle inspection lanes and added an additional cargo lane,” the press release states.

Burner and Baeza raised allegations last year of political maneuvering to move cattle traffic away from Texas ports of entry and towards New Mexico ports.

The Dr. Varner, while not directly addressing the claims made by Burner and Baeza, said there are a number of issues at play that ultimately have led to the decrease in cattle traffic at the Presidio port.

Varner said that in the years 2010, 2011, and 2012, the port of entry at Presidio saw increases in cattle crossing numbers. Those figures he said are cyclical and depend on cattle prices in the U.S., the exchange rate, and the supply of cattle produced in the U.S.

He added that since last October, five Texas/Mexico ports of entry saw a 53 percent decrease in cattle crossing.

“The reality is there is not as many cattle in Mexico,” Varner said.

“If we look specifically at Presidio, we’re down 70 percent.”

He acknowledged that Presidio has been affected by traffic moving to the Santa Teresa port. Compounded with that, he said, “Is the supply of cattle is less in Mexico.” In addition, he said issues have arisen at the Presidio port, mostly an issue of getting cattle crossed early enough in the day.

Varner said he and USDA do care about the concerns raised by the Presidio cattlemen.

“Our commitment to Mexican and U.S. cattle is when it’s safe we’re going to inspect in Mexico. That’s where the industry wants us to inspect.”

Ultimately, everything hinges on a security assessment of Ojinaga by the State Department.

“If the State Department is comfortable, we will inspect in Mexico at Ojinaga,” said Varner.

Burner said he was pleased with Varner’s plans to reach out to the State Department.

“I left the meeting with great hope that Dr. Varner will do what he promised us he would do. If he follows up and does that, I will feel very good and I have great hope for the future.”

Nieto, too, was pleased with what Varner offered, but he was hesitant to claim victory just yet. Nieto said that Presidio is not seeking to take away cattle traffic or business from any other port of entry, whether in Texas or New Mexico, only that they seek to be treated fairly and equally, and be able to compete on an even playing field.

“We all deserve a shot at the Texas and American dream. Failure is not an option. Our future is at stake,” Nieto said.

Lauren Cacheaux, general counsel for Rep. Nevarez, said their office is willing to work with Congressman Pete Gallego’s office to resolve the issue.

“We want to help out and make sure that we can get this issue resolved and make sure we can get inspectors back into Mexico,” Cacheaux said, adding that Nevarez’s office, given the information they have, doesn’t believe Ojinaga to pose a dangerous threat to USDA inspectors.

Nieto said the Presidio delegation will continue to fight for what they believe to be their fair share of the cattle import business.

“As a result of intervention at the state level, we feel stronger in our resolve to succeed,” Nieto said.

Alpine Elections City Council Ward 3 Jim “Fitz” ...]]> Presidio Elections
Mayor

John Ferguson 291 *

Obed Escontrias 161

Esperanza Carrasco 157


City Council

Armando Saenz 298 *

Mario Vargas 187 *

Ahmed B. Benavidez 165

Grace Perot 140

John Schaefer 99

Cruz Madrid 86

Jesus Jose Chavez 48
School Board
Velva Saenz 313*
Carlos Nieto 303*
Elio Franco 294*
Alfred Muñiz 264*
Carmen lguezable 226
Ronald “Butch Galliete 199
Abelardo Franco 184 Teo Escontrias 146
Kasey Taylor 120

Alpine Elections
City Council Ward 3
Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald 45*
Dian Raun 37

ALPINE – “He was always spreading his love of music to other people,” Sylvia Torres Contreras, daughter of the late Vidal “Vic” Torres said, “and it’s carried on through me and my brothers and through his grandkids, who all love Tejano music.”

Torres, who passed away on May 3 at the age of ...]]> By JOHN DANIEL GARCIA

ALPINE – “He was always spreading his love of music to other people,” Sylvia Torres Contreras, daughter of the late Vidal “Vic” Torres said, “and it’s carried on through me and my brothers and through his grandkids, who all love Tejano music.”

Torres, who passed away on May 3 at the age of 77, had plenty of time to spread his love of the art form as the host of “Spanish Hour,” for which he helmed the microphone and selected his favorite Tejano, Norteño, rancheras, and conjunto songs on-and-off for 57 years on Alpine’s AM radio station, KVLF.

(Sentinel file photo by ROBERT HALPERN) Texas accordian legend Santiago Jimenez Jr., right, and KVLF radio announcer Vic Torres look through Vic’s music collection when Jimenez performed on Vic’s Spanish Hour show about 10 years ago during a Marfa residency by Jimenez. Torres broadcast his Spanish-language program on the Alpine radio station for more than 50 years. The 77-year-old Alpine native passed away last week.

Torres began his career in radio in 1955, during the days of segregation. The 9pm spot, which Torres filled, was the final shift at KVLF and garnered a steady and loyal following among the Spanish-speaking listeners, as it was the only source of Spanish language music and news in the area at the time.

“We took pride that it was all in Spanish,” said KALP and KVLF owner and manager Ray Hendryx. “There were some Spanish networks for news, but this one originated in Texas. No one would have cared if we brought in [Spanish language news] from Puerto Rico.

“Our generation grew up in an era where Spanish was the primary language spoken in Hispanic households. It also gave people who were advertising another opportunity. People running for office, both Anglo and Hispanic, realized the importance of reaching a Spanish-speaking audience,” Hendryx said.

Torres’ reading of news and announcements were all translated on the spot without the aid of a pen and paper.

“He was very gifted at being able to translate from English to Spanish without effort,” said Alpine resident and personal Torres friend Elidia Polanco; a sentiment shared by Contreras, who recalled Torres’ translation abilities as “amazing.”

Torres’ contributions to the Big Bend region were recognized in 2005 by the Texas House of Representatives in commemoration of his 50^th year with the radio station with a House Resolution sponsored by current U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego, who occasionally filled in for Torres on “Spanish Hour.”

The resolution named, among other things, Torres’ mentorship to those looking to get on air. Hendryx was one of those who learned the in-and-outs of the business through Torres.

“He taught me the ropes when I first came to KVLF,” recalls Hendryx. “He was as familiar with the equipment as anyone on the staff. He had so much patience with the younger people. There was never any attitude coming from him.”

His familiarity, however, would remain old school.

“As the technology evolved, he would shy away from that stuff,” explains Hendryx. “Whenever we’d get a new piece of equipment, he’d joke, ‘It’s time for me to retire.’

“We kept some things that Vic was comfortable with. The latest piece of technology he used was a CD player. We wanted him to be in his element.

“It’s kind of funny, even though he taught us everything in the beginning, we were teaching him some things near the end.”

His knowledge and love of music, however, has been the hallmark of Torres’ career. His passion for music expanded beyond the air, as he sang for various local bands and would help friends and family looking for certain songs.

“He had a collection like no one else,” Polanco remembers, “and he had it catalogued in his own way. Whatever you wanted, he’d have it.”

“All you would have to do is hum a couple of bars or recite some lyrics,” said Contreras. “Even if he didn’t know what it was, he would find it in his collection by looking through his lists.”

Though Torres has left the mortal realm, his life’s work and personality will continue through the memories of his friends and family and through the continuation of his beloved show.

“It’s a familiar voice that some of us have taken for granted,” Hendryx solemnly said. “We lost a dear friend.”

On Tuesday, during Torres’ funeral, KVLF fell silent for one hour, an unprecedented move by the radio station to pay respects to its longtime radio announcer.

“Listening to music was his passion and he shared it with all of us,” remembers Polanco. “We would stay up all night to listen to what he played. I’m sure a lot of people will continue to listen to the show he made great.”

“He would always tell us to listen to the words and stories in the songs,” his daughter lovingly recalls. “Everyone in this family loves the music he loved. It’s something that we will always carry on.”

“Spanish Hour” will continue its tradition of bringing the latest music and news in Alpine in the Spanish language. An announcement from the station concerning the show is expected by next week.

MARFA – Marfa ISD board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to hire one principal for pre-kindergarten through high school senior classes for the 2013-2014 school year.

The move ended months of thought in restructuring administration in light of the district’s budget deficit and struggling academic performance.

Initially, trustees considered no campus principals with Superintendent ...]]> By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

MARFA – Marfa ISD board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to hire one principal for pre-kindergarten through high school senior classes for the 2013-2014 school year.

The move ended months of thought in restructuring administration in light of the district’s budget deficit and struggling academic performance.

Initially, trustees considered no campus principals with Superintendent Andrew Peters taking on the additional duty.

In early April, elementary school principal Liana Sawyer tendered her resignation. Prior to that, current high school principal Cynthia Wimberly agreed to return to the classroom as a mathematics instructor next year.

The new preK/12^th-grade principal is Dr. Ross McGlothlin, a seven-year principal with 17 years as an educator.

Dr. Ross McGlothlin

McGlothlin is the current Bill Brown Elementary School principal in Spring Branch, a part of the Comal Independent School District.

He attended Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M, with his dissertation focusing on the use of technology to supplement high-quality teacher instruction and improve student achievement in reading.

McGlothlin is married to Violeta De Leon McGlothlin, formerly of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

“We’re really exited and thrilled,” McGlothlin said this week about moving to Marfa. “My wife and I are each excited about the opportunity. Marfa has a real special sense of community. People are friendly and genuine. The natural beauty of West Texas is something we also look forward to spending time in.”

Marfa Superintendent Peters appeared excited to share the news about McGlothlin. “He holds a PhD in education administration and he’s got experience in elementary reading.

“He is the principal of a dual language school where everyone is learning Spanish in pre-k through second grade,” Peters added.

Peters hinted at perhaps implementing early Spanish language courses at Marfa Elementary School.

McGlothlin said he’s interested in that, too. He said the dual language program at his current school has “been very successful and very popular with our parents and our community.” He said he’d like to explore similar possibilities in Marfa.

“We’re real excited. He’s energetic. He’s bilingual, which is a plus,” said Peters. “I hope he’ll teach me some Spanish.”

McGlothlin will be in Marfa on May 17 to meet with school staff, and he officially begins work on July 1.

McGlothlin was selected as an outstanding principal by Raise Your Hand Texas, a non-profit education advocacy group. McGlothlin is one of 50 Texas principals who were selected for a weeklong professional development summer course at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

“He’s going to get top-notch training at Harvard,” Peters said, “and he will represent Marfa at Harvard.”

McGlothlin accepted a one-year, $75,000 salary contract with health and retirement benefits equal to educators throughout the state.

In addition, McGlothlin was offered the school’s old administration building as a home to rent. School board members, in a previous meeting, allocated funds to renovate the administration building into a single-family home. The work on the administration building will take place over the summer, and the rent will be $600 per month.

McGlothlin was a Marfa ISD superintendent candidate finalist last summer.

In other school business, board members gave Peters the green light to begin making a new space for Marfa Montessori, which is partnering the public school district this coming school year.

The first plan presented to board members three weeks ago was to house the Montessori program in the elementary school, and would have included a major renovation of parts of that building. Peters reported to board members that after looking at the costs of renovation – which included installing windows – the figures were adding up much higher than he initially anticipated.

Marfa ISD Superintendent Andrew Peters, far right, shows school board members and Marfa Montessori Director Emily Steriti the classrooms that Montessori classes will occupy in the high school building. (staff photo by ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN)

Peters, his staff, and Montessori teacher Emily Steriti have compromised on space and have decided to put the Montessori program in the north wing of the high school building, which would accommodate for growth in the Montessori program and has many windows.

“I really feel that in three to four years we could be sitting with 68 to 70 kids in Montessori,” Peters said. “We need to be prepared to cross that barrier.”

He explained that currently, the elementary school building is at about 50 to 55 percent capacity while the high school building is at 38 percent capacity. Peters and Steriti have agreed to use part of the north wing of the high school building for the Montessori program. It would include four classrooms and a storage room for Montessori, plus an additional room for any other school use.

Peters envisions a security door being erected to make the Montessori program a “school within a school” that could only be accessed by the Montessori teachers.

The issue of having the youngest students in the same building as the oldest students came up.

“My experience is when you put big kids with little kids, good things happen,” Peters said. He added that there would not be day-to-day interaction with Montessori and high school students, though.

“The next thing I see is a real opportunity to train high school kids who want to be teachers. It’s a great opportunity for our kids to spend time with Miss Emily (Steriti) at the end of the day for training.”

Steriti, sitting in the audience at the meeting, agreed. “It’s very workable.” She added that she is very comfortable with the prospect of having both Montessori students in the same building as the high school students.

“With the high school students that I know that have younger siblings, I see a softer side of them,” she said.

School board members also accepted the resignation of trustee Zach Moerbe. Board members are currently seeking applications to fill Moerbe’s seat and will appoint someone in the near future.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to review a lawsuit challenging the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), ending a nine-year legal debate, at least for now. TOMA, a 1967 state law, prevents a quorum of elected officials of a governmental body from deliberating and making decisions behind closed ...]]> By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to review a lawsuit challenging the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), ending a nine-year legal debate, at least for now. TOMA, a 1967 state law, prevents a quorum of elected officials of a governmental body from deliberating and making decisions behind closed doors in secret. The penalty, if convicted of violating the law, includes up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

The debate over TOMA began in 2004 when then 83rd District Attorney Frank Brown indicted then Alpine city councilman and current mayor Avinash Rangra and former council members for violating the law by exchanging emails discussing city business. Brown ultimately dropped the charges, but shortly after Rangra and fellow council members sued the state over the law, arguing it violated their first amendment rights.

Rangra’s lawsuit was found to be moot and thrown out by a federal court over a technicality; at the time the federal court heard the arguments, Rangra was no longer a city official.

In 2009, some Alpine city council members, along with council members from cities across the state, challenged the law in a separate lawsuit.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs had said that the aim was not to repeal the law, only lessen the punishment and address claims of first amendment violations.

In March 2011, U.S. District Judge Robert Junell ruled in support of TOMA, arguing that the law sought to promote good government and the involvement of citizens.

That ruling was appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, where a panel of judges in September 2012 upheld Junell’s ruling. A separate panel had, years earlier, ruled the opposite.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs, who include Marfa and Houston attorney Dick DeGuerin and had included, until his election to 83rd District Attorney, Rod Ponton, had hoped to argue the case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the most recent court of appeals ruling.

“I’m very disappointed,” DeGuerin said this week. “I’m concerned that well intentioned city council members, water board members, and commissioners’ court members could fall afoul of the law without intending to just by discussing their political beliefs.”

DeGuerin said that the law hurts open government, by scarring public officials from not speaking their mind for fear of incarceration.

“What we, who tried to get this statute declared unconstitutional, was to open up discussion and have free and fair discussion in public. We never said they should make decisions in private,” DeGuerin continued.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, whose office argued the case for the state in favor of the statute, said in a statement after the Supreme Court took no action, “Open, transparent government is fundamental to our democratic system of government. [The] decision ensures that the Texas Open Meetings Act will continue holding elected officials accountable to conduct the taxpayers’ business in the light of day and in a manner that informs the public about government decision-making. Texans have a right to know about their government, their elected representatives and the policies that are being adopted on the public’s behalf and, thanks to today’s ruling, that openness will continue.”

Brown, who runs a private legal practice in Alpine now, said of learning about the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case, “I guess I’m glad it’s over. I felt we were always right. We weren’t stepping on anyone’s free speech. You can say anything you want to, Mr. Politician, just say it at city hall in front of everyone.”

DeGuerin emphatically disagrees. “My answer is no. That’s the last place where the public will learn where their representative stands on important issues,” he said, citing abysmal public turnout at public meetings.

DeGuerin said that he hopes to revisit the case when some other official in some other city is charged with violating the law, starting the process all over again.

“We can challenge it anew when it happens. I hope that whoever gets charged next, and it’s probably coming, hires good lawyers or our team and we’ll take it up again,” DeGuerin said, adding that a bad law is still on the books.

Reflecting on the lengthy legal battle, Brown said calmly, “It’s a good act and it’s important. I’m glad it’s finally put to bed.”

Two weeks ago, Texas State Senator Kirk Watson, a Democrat from Austin, filed legislation to update TOMA for the digital age. His legislation would allow public officials to discuss public business in an online message board accessible to the public. The information would have to be displayed in real time and stay online for no less than 30 days after messages are first posted.

Watson’s legislation would prohibit officials from taking a vote or making any decision on a message board, that would still have to be done in public meeting.

Bundles of marijuana are recovered ...]]> PRESIDIO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the Presidio port of entry seized 474 pounds of marijuana Monday night. The drugs were hidden in the I-beams of a gooseneck trailer. The estimated street value of the seized contraband is almost $380,000.

Bundles of marijuana are recovered by CBP at the Presidio Port of Entry. 474 lbs. of pot were seized at the bust.

“Smugglers went to great length and considerable expense to hide this load,” said David Lambrix, CBP Presidio Port Director. “It appears this trailer was built for the sole purpose of smuggling drugs.”

The seizure was made just before 10pm when a 1993 Ford F-250 pickup towing an empty gooseneck trailer entered the facility from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicles for a thorough inspection and noted an anomaly in the appearance of the trailer. CBP officers drilled into the I-beam of the trailer and produced a substance, which tested positive for the properties of marijuana. CBP officers x-rayed the truck and trailer and spotted additional anomalies in the appearance of the trailer I-beams. An I-beam was opened revealing cellophane wrapped packages attached to yellow straps designed to remove the packages from the hollow beams. CBP officers removed a total of 226 marijuana-filled bundles from the trailer.

CBP officers took custody of the driver, 51-year-old Jesus Rodriguez Aguirre of Chihuahua City, Mexico. He was turned over to and arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI agents in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

Marijuana bundles were discovered hidden in hollowed I-beams of a goodneck trailer.

The framework for the Presidio ...]]> PRESIDIO – The North American Development Bank (NADB), MIC Solar Energy Holdings, LLC, and Chevron Energy Solutions are pleased to announce the closing and disbursement of a $35 million loan for the construction of the Bryan Solar Park, a 10 megawatt (MWAC) photovoltaic solar park located near Presidio.

The framework for the Presidio solar park is in place and awaits the solar panels. The project is located about 2.5 miles north of the Lucy Rede Franco Middle School campus. (photo by and courtesy of BRAD NEWTON)

MIC Solar is a Macquarie Infrastructure Company LLC (NYSE: MIC) subsidiary dedicated to the development, construction, and operation of utility-scale solar facilities in North America. The electricity produced by the project will be purchased by Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU), a municipally owned electric utility based in Bryan, Texas.

“Bryan Texas Utilities is eager to be adding this long term renewable energy resource to our generation portfolio,” says BTU General Manager Gary Miller. “We use a balanced approach when planning for our future generation needs, which incorporates a diversified fuel mix, including some renewable energy”. “The energy output from this plant fits into BTUs long term strategy of maintaining a supply of energy sources that are well suited to meet our customers’ future needs” added Miller.

Certified by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) in July 2012, the project will be constructed on about 520 acres of leased private land. The project will use MEMC polycrystalline photovoltaic solar modules mounted on Array Technologies single-axis trackers, and will utilize SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) inverters. MEMC is the parent company of SunEdison, the original developer of the Project. Chevron Energy Solutions is participating in the project as both tax equity investor, and as the engineering, procurement and contracting (EPC) provider for the project.

“Projects such as this enable NADB to exercise its role in enhancing environmental quality in the U.S.-Mexico border region,” stated NADB Managing Director Gerónimo Gutiérrez. “By supporting the establishment and use of clean and sustainable sources of energy in the area, we are able to improve the quality of life in border communities.”

Environmental benefits related to this project include displacement of more than 16,805 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 14 metric tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 29 metric tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) per year. The project is expected to generate sufficient electricity for the equivalent of about 800 households.

The solar park is conveniently located near the new substation and transmission lines. (photo by BRAD NEWTON)

To date, NADB has provided $1.9 billion in loans and grants to support 171 infrastructure projects throughout the U.S.-Mexico border region. This amount includes $541 million in loans to support the implementation of eight renewable energy projects along both sides of border. For more information about NADB, visit our website at www.nadb.org.

The North American Development Bank is a financial institution established and capitalized in equal parts by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental infrastructure projects along their common border. As a pioneer institution in its field, the Bank works to develop environmentally and financially sustainable projects with broad community support in a framework of close cooperation and coordination between Mexico and the United States.

PRESIDIO – Presidio City Council members voted to approve two financing ordinances at a special meeting on Monday, as well as a measure to acquire a new City Hall building.

The ordinances will effectively authorize loans for a consolidation and refinancing of older debt, with a loan of $405,000, and the issuance of ...]]> By JOHN DANIEL GARCIA

PRESIDIO – Presidio City Council members voted to approve two financing ordinances at a special meeting on Monday, as well as a measure to acquire a new City Hall building.

The ordinances will effectively authorize loans for a consolidation and refinancing of older debt, with a loan of $405,000, and the issuance of a notice of intention to issue Certificates of Obligation, with a loan of  $1.3 million.

Tony Jaso of the Estrada & Hinojosa banking firm of San Antonio, along with attorney Dan Martinez, attended the meeting.

The Presidio city council in action.

According to Jaso, the firm is working to refinance the older debt over a 15-year period with an estimated interest of 4 percent. With this model, the city would expect to pay $36,436 per year, with the total principal and interest adding up to $546,390 when the loan matures.

The $1.3 million loan would cover expenditures for lighting equipment at the new baseball parks and the purchase and renovation of the old First Presidio Bank building, which would serve as City Hall.

The amount of the projects listed would add up to $1,260,000, and would come with $160,000 cost of issuance. Considering the same 15-year model with 4 percent interest, the banking firm estimated the total cost, including interest, at $1,753,845 with annual payments of $116,923.

Though Jaso stressed that some lenders might elect to finance the loan over 10 years, he remained confident that the firm could attract bidders for the 15-year model.

The loans being taken out by the city has come with some controversy. Prior to the approval of the authorization to seek the loans, mayoral candidate John Ferguson voiced his opposition to the purchase of both the lighting equipment and the building.

“As a former councilman (and mayor), I’m conservative about getting loans,” said Ferguson. “From time to time, a machine breaks at the landfill or an ambulance needs replacing. Things come up and we need to be careful about how far we extend ourselves with loans.”

Ferguson also proposed lighting just one or two of the four parks.

“That [new city hall] project has been ongoing for the last three years,” rebutted city special project director Carlos Nieto, supporting the measure. “It’s not until recently the purchase option became available. Right now it’s difficult for our elders to go to city hall and climb those steps. It’s inappropriate.”

Presidio resident Alcee Tavarez, a former council member, also showed concerns with the loans, stating that an ambulance would be a better investment for the city. Mayor Obed Escontrias followed Mr. Tavarez’s statement with the assurance that a new ambulance is indeed on its way.

An annoyed Jesus Sotelo took the courtroom to address the naysayers.

“I moved here four years ago. In those four years, I thought ‘why are these people not willing to grow? Why do they want to stop things that are good for everybody?’ Aren’t you glad that now your kids can enjoy a nice swimming pool and nice parks? That’s what I want for my kids. No matter what we do, it will be bad for some people and good for other people.”

Mayor Escontrias, in a telephone interview, defended the council’s decision to authorize the notice of intention for the Certificates of Obligation.

“We’re looking to move Presidio forward,” he stated. “With the new building, we’ll have offices for a city secretary and for code enforcement, which is something we don’t have right now. The amount is also a really good deal. We need it right now before the old city hall roof falls on our heads.”

Escontrias was unable to provide the amount offered by the property owner until “the papers are signed.”

PRESIDIO COUNTY – The West Texas Economic Development District, operated by the Rio Grande Council of Governments, along with the Presidio Rural Rail Transportation District, received a substantial grant two weeks ago to conduct a feasibility study to look into enhancing the county’s rail transportation infrastructure.

The two entities received $65,000 in federal ...]]> By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

PRESIDIO COUNTY – The West Texas Economic Development District, operated by the Rio Grande Council of Governments, along with the Presidio Rural Rail Transportation District, received a substantial grant two weeks ago to conduct a feasibility study to look into enhancing the county’s rail transportation infrastructure.

The two entities received $65,000 in federal funds, $13,000 from the Municipal Development District of Presidio and an in-kind donation of roughly $15,000 worth of Presidio County’s staff time.

“The purpose of the grant is for us to post requests for proposals for consultants,” Rio Grande Council of Governments Executive Director Annette Gutierrez said. The consultants will help guide the rail district in deciding what route they should take to increase commercial rail traffic on the South Orient Railroad.

“The feasibility study will assist in determining whether it’s more feasible to construct a transloader or intermodal facility and also determine what crossing goods can be sent in the U.S. to the mid-Plaines as well as what can come from Mexico through Presidio,” Gutierrez added. Transloading refers to the shipment of goods from one mode of transportation to another, such as from truck to train or vice versa. Intermodal transportation involves using an intermodal, or standardized container, in which multiple modes of transportation are used.

The South Orient Railroad stretches about 391 miles in length from the border in Presidio to San Angelo Junction and is owned by the state of Texas and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT). The South Orient connected to a Ferromex rail line in Mexico through an international rail bridge between Presidio and Ojinaga, Mexico. A deliberate fire destroyed a portion of the rail bridge in February 2008. In March 2009, a second section of the bridge near Presidio was also set ablaze. The U.S. portion of the bridge has yet to be rebuilt.

The South Orient Rail Line.

In 2001, freight rail service company Texas Pacifico, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, entered into a 40-year operating lease with the state for use of the railroad. Due to poor track conditions, the South Orient line has not operated in Presidio County for a number of years. TxDotT says that, “No cars have interchanged at the border since August 2006.”

According to TxDoT, the South Orient is one of five rail border crossings between Texas and Mexico, and one of eight between the U.S. and Mexico. Currently, train speeds on the rail line are limited to just 10 miles per hour with one exception for a 131 mile stretch between San Angelo and Sulphur Junction where the speed increases to 25 mph.

The county, through the rail district, is hoping to revitalize the South Orient to increase commercial trade in the area, including accommodating international trade from Mexico.

“I think it will be shown as feasible,” Presidio County Judge and rail district member Paul Hunt said. “Part of the process is to identify commercial customers and identify businesses we want to develop as a first step. That will be really critical for long-range plans.”

Fellow rail district board member and Presidio businessman Jess Burner is hopeful of bringing life back to the South Orient.

“I think for the future of the whole area, it would have a possibility of making the largest impact on our economy, much more so than any other program,” Burner said. “This line has better access to the west coast of Mexico,” a reason he thinks is a potential gold mine for commercial international rail traffic.

With regard to commercial traffic, international or domestic, Gutierrez and TxDoT believe that the petroleum industry could potentially help boost traffic along the rail line.

“What’s happening in the energy sector, with fracking and the need for sand, is something that is going to be a natural [use of the line],” Gutierrez said.

Hunt, who was skeptical in endorsing fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, due to its controversial practices, as a potential commercial use of the railway only said of the issue, “Well, maybe this study will start that conversation.”

He was quick to note that commercial uses of the South Orient could be specialized agricultural products that are suited to rail travel and mineral transportation.

Ultimately, Hunt believes the rail line needs to be revitalized to help develop new commerce in the county while keeping an keen eye on environmental protection.

“The main reason is a substantial improvement to our transportation infrastructure; to increase trade without increasing truck traffic and being sensitive to environmental issues. Our natural resources are vital to nature tourism and heritage tourism, a significant part to our economy,” Hunt said.

Another long-term hope for the rail line is to enhance tourism as well, Hunt said.

“One dream that people have is [the rail line] connects to Copper Canyon,” he said referring to the major tourist destination in the Sierra Madre mountains in southwest Chihuahua.

A Ferromex train picks up tourists in Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Of course, any plan to revitalize the South Orient could potentially carry a large price tag.

According to TxDoT, since 2001 they have invested $6,437,368 to rehabilitate parts of the line and grade crossings while Texas Pacifico has put in $7,988,349.

According to a 2009 feasibility study reported to the state legislature on the possibility of selling the South Orient, TxDoT said, “The estimated cost of rehabilitating the entire [South Orient Railroad] is approximately $150 million.”

Hunt said the feasibility study the county rail district will conduct will look into how to finance the rail line.

“Not only could we potentially seek grant funds,” he said, “but there could be revenue from commercial use of the rail line.”

In his most recent state of the state speech, Governor Rick Perry made improving transportation infrastructure a key goal of the current legislative session, so much so that he proposed using $3.7 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for an investment in infrastructure programs.

“It could be good news for the rail division of TxDoT,” Hunt said of the governor’s proposal.

One piece of the puzzle is the destroyed international rail bridge between Presidio and Ojinaga and how to address rebuilding it.

Burner cites politics of getting in the way and preventing any swift action to prevent it from being rebuilt. “Politics and too many U.S. agencies involved is the reason we have not replaced the bridge to date,” Burner said.

Under a 1970 boundary treaty between the United States and Mexico, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a federal agency in both countries, is responsible for maintaining the Rio Grande as the international border between the U.S. and Mexico. Part of their mission is to prevent the construction of infrastructure on or along the Rio Grande that could cause a blockage or acerbate flooding, and to prevent the movement of the water channel.

A portion of the international rail bridge between Presidio and Ojinaga was burned in February 2008. Arson was suspected as the cause of the blaze that destroyed the bridge. (photo by JOEL NUÑEZ)

According to Sally Spener, a spokesperson for the U.S. section of the IBWC, the bridge between Presidio and Ojinaga was built prior to the 1970 treaty and was, until its destruction, an obstruction to flood flows in the Rio Grande. Spener says that the bridge has caused flood and obstruction problems since the 1930s.

“We had met with TxDoT, and are coordinating with TxDoT and requesting that the bridge be raised in order to address the treaty requirements,” Spener said. She added that TxDoT was concerned over raising the bridge in terms of the impact it will have on the trains, the engineering challenge and the costs.

IBWC has been working with partners in Mexico to address the bridge, including coming up with three options, which include rebuilding the bridge at the same level, building it to prepare for a 25-year flood and for a 100-year flood.

“We’re doing hydraulic modeling. We’re still in the testing phase,” Spener said referring to tests to see the impact of a flood on the Rio Grand and if and how the bridge would impact the flood or be impacted. “You look at those different volumes of water and see what the bridge impact would be.”

According to TxDoT, Texas Pacifico is developing plans for replacing or rebuilding the bridge. According to a TxDoT fact sheet on the South Orient, Texas Pacifico, “Should have the bridge reconstructed by June 2014.”

Hunt agrees with Burner, to a certain extent, that international political issues have stymied international trade between Mexico and Presidio County.

“The only thing keeping this from being a north/south vector is recent political pressures that are somewhat arbitrary,” Hunt said referring to post-9/11 politics and the drug cartel violence in Mexico.

“Paranoia at the border has been the main reason why this natural and historical pathway has not been developed.”

Despite the challenges, Hunt believes it is vital for Presidio County to see the operation of the South Orient to resume in the county, arguing that residents on both sides of the border want the commerce.

“There isn’t resistance to rail possibilities,” Hunt said.

Game time is 7pm in the Gallego Center on the Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine.

Lady Marfa Shorthorn ...]]> MARFA, ALPINE – The Marfa Lady Horns came out on top in a pick-up game against the Sanderson Lady Eagles on Friday to prepare for tonight’s bi-district championship game with the Marathon Mustangs.

Game time is 7pm in the Gallego Center on the Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine.

Lady Marfa Shorthorn Tristen Anderson blocks a Fort Davis Indian shot in recent action. (photo by and courtesy of TERRY NORMAN)

The Lady Horns led Sanderson for the first half before the Lady Eagles tied the score in the third quarter. The Lady Horns answered back in the last quarter with a 14-point rally, finishing the game with a score of 38-30.

Seven of the nine players on the Lady Horn squad contributed points to the board. Amy Hernandez and Jennifer Conners scored in the double digits, bringing in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Yasmine Guevara followed with eight points. Daycia O’Donnell scored four, Tristen Anderson and Anissa Lujan each scored a field goal, and Selene Pineda sunk a free throw.

“We had seven players score out of our nine players,” said Coach Richard Hibbitts. “We managed to put up 38 points in a good outing by our girls.”

The Lady Horns snuck into the playoffs last week as the Dell City Lady Cougars were knocked out of the contest by the Fort Davis Lady Indians.

“We will probably have to score in the 40-point range to stay with Marathon [tonight,] as they have a high-scoring team with several players that can score from the outside or in the post area,” said Hibbitts of tonight’s game. “Our defense needs to play well to give us a chance to win.”