By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Four of the five members of Val Verde County Commissioners Court were present. Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia was absent because he was attending a training seminar.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Cienegas citizens call for new lights
• Three residents and property owners in the Cienegas Road area in southern Val Verde County spoke to commissioners court during the Citizens Comments portion of the meeting. Maria Cordoba, Dan Miller and Ismael “Izzy” Ortega urged the court to support Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores’ repeated requests to install a series of new streetlights and upgrade others along a section of Cienegas Road.
Court honors Francisco Javier Gonzalez
• Commissioner Pct. 1 Kerr Wardlaw led county commissioners court members in honoring the late Francisco Javier Gonzalez, who worked for Val Verde County for many years. Wardlaw said Gonzalez “was more than just an employee in Precinct 1; he was part of our family.” Wardlaw also described Gonzalez as “dedicated and dependable, someone who always showed up early and ready to work.” Wardlaw presented a plaque to Gonzalez’s widow, Maria Gonzalez. Cesar Gonzalez, one of the couple’s two sons, was also present for the ceremony. Another son, Javier Gonzalez Jr., was unable to attend. Wardlaw presented the plaque in the company of his Precinct 1 road crew, Gonzalez’s co-workers.
Court recognizes top mohair, wool judging 4-Hers
• Commissioners court members recognized the Val Verde County 4-H Wool and Mohair Judging Team and coaches. County Agent Tommy Yeater told the court one of the team’s coaches, William “Bill” Zuberbueler, has been involved in the county’s 4-H youth programs for about 40 years. Yeater said the local program took 15 young people to compete at the state level in different categories. He also singled out competitors Neal Billings, John Zuberbueler and Helen Zuberbueler, along with coaches Bill Zuberbueler and Adriana Acosta. Yeater said the trio finished third overall in the state in wool judging and was the top team in the state for mohair judging. The group will compete at the national level in October. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. led the court and audience in a round of applause for the team.
Court votes to support Border Animal Mission initiatives
• Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to allow Border Animal Mission (BAM) to use the Judge Antonio “Tony” Faz III County Annex from 8 a.m. to noon July 4 to host a free microchipping event for local pet owners. BAM members will also assist pet owners with the registration process. The court also voted 4-0 to support BAM’s plan to place a series of holding kennels at the county animal control facility. BAM Director Jessica Halprin said the kennels will temporarily house rescued animals before they are transported to other parts of the country for adoption.
Court sets aside funding for Ports-to-Plains conference
• Commissioners court voted 4-0 to approve an expenditure of $5,000 from the county’s contingency fund for the annual Ports-to-Plains conference, which will be held in Del Rio Sept. 8-10. Blanca Larson, executive director of the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, told the court the conference’s first day will be held in Del Rio, the second day in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, and the third day at the Del Rio Civic Center. Larson said 200 to 250 attendees from Canada, Mexico and locations in between are expected.
Court votes to extend screwworm disaster declaration
• Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to extend the declaration of local state of disaster signed earlier this month by County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. The action extends the declaration for an additional 20 days, after which it will return to the court for further consideration. Owens said local ranchers remain the county’s “boots on the ground” regarding the New World Screwworm. He also expressed frustration with what he described as a disconnect between state and federal agencies regarding information about the infestation and efforts to contain it.
Court again rebuffs commissioner’s request for new streetlights
• Commissioners court members did not vote on a request by Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores to install a series of new streetlights and upgrade several existing lights along Cienegas Road in southern Val Verde County. Flores has placed the item on the agenda at least seven times. During the meeting, Flores made a motion to approve the lights, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Court accepts grants for county library
• Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to accept a $3,500 grant from H-E-B to help fund the county library’s summer reading program. The court also voted 4-0 to accept three $50 donations from Barbara Galvan in memory of Jerry Grabeklis, Carol Pendergrass and Pam Smith.
Court votes to allow jurors to donate to veterans
• Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to add a veterans assistance agency donation option to both the petit and grand jury process, allowing jurors to make voluntary contributions to the local veterans service office. Members of the district clerk’s staff told the court jurors currently have the option of donating to the county child welfare board or the crime victims fund. County Auditor Matt Weingardt said the donations will be placed into a restricted fund dedicated to assisting veterans.
Court hears update on Escondido Estates water testing
• Commissioners court members took no action after hearing an update from County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. and County Engineer Carlos Velarde on testing conducted in the Escondido Estates area east of Laughlin Air Force Base. Owens said the county authorized testing after discussions with Air Force officials regarding the possible presence of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in the area. Ten locations were tested, including seven water wells and three draws. PFAS were detected at two sites. Owens said one well tested only slightly above EPA guidelines, while another site showed significantly elevated levels. Owners of the affected wells will be notified and advised not to use the water for human consumption.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
