Public hearings on Hidalgo County Loop, including Edinburg session, rescheduled to August 5, 6, 7, 12, and 13

The State of Texas on Saturday, August 2, approved aerial spraying for the counties of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, III, has announced. At the request of the local counties and municipalities, the Texas Department of State Health Services has contracted with Chicago-based Clarke Mosquito Control to conduct the aerial sprays, which could start as early as Sunday night, August 3, but will begin no later than Monday night, August 4, weather-permitting. “Our residents will feel relief soon,” said Salinas. “The state of Texas and our state delegation, especially Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), have been extremely responsive. My hat is off to them. Now it’s time to pull out the big guns in our war on mosquitoes. My message to them is buzz off now or you’ll be sorry.” See story later in this posting.

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Hurricane Dolly is featured in this NASA image as i t hits the Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday, July 23, as a Category 2 hurricane, with sustained winds reported at about 100 mph near the coast – and at about 70 miles per hour in Edinburg. Although many in Edinburg were spared misery and suffering, other portions of South Texas, including thousands of fellow Hidalgo County residents, were hit hard by power outages, wind damage, and especially flooding. On Friday, August 1, Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, announced that disaster assistance is now available to individuals who qualify under guidelines established by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing impairment: TTY 1-800-462-7585. Individuals may also apply by going online at: http://WWW.FEMA.GOV. Disaster assistance available from FEMA includes: housing needs; other than housing needs; and other additional services. Individuals will need to have the following information available when contacting FEMA: A phone number where you can be reached; social security number; current mailing address; address of the affected property; brief description of the damages; and insurance information, including policy number. “I encourage all Rio Grande Valley residents who have been impacted by Hurricane Dolly to contact FEMA and see if they qualify for disaster assistance,” Martínez said. “With FEMA, individuals may be able to find get the assistance necessary to help them back onto their feet.”

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Coastlines can either evolve slowly, as a beach builds or erodes wave by wave, or they can change all at once in one mighty storm. Barrier islands are particularly prone to sudden change because they take the brunt of severe storms. Even the relatively mild Hurricane Dolly, which came ashore on July 23 as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of about 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), brought noticeable changes to the Texas coastline. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured the top image on July 26, immediately after Dolly moved out of the region. The image shows changes to both South Padre Island and the Texas shoreline. The image was made with a combination of visible and infrared light to highlight the presence of water on the ground. The plant-covered land is green, while sparsely vegetated areas are tan. Water is dark blue to black, and clouds are turquoise blue and white. South Padre Island appears to be painted with a film of pale blue in the this image. The color is from water-soaked sand. A closer look reveals more significant changes. The shape of the inland side of the island has changed. The Laguna Madre appears to have swollen, covering much of the western shore of South Padre Island. Just below the center of the image, a square-shaped section of the island is gone. The Texas coastline also changed. A thin line of land that ran through the Laguna M adre in an image taken several days earlier is missing in the July 26 image. Water intrudes into shore where low-lying coastal regions have flooded. The waters of the Laguna itself are bright blue. Soil and sand that washed into the Laguna from the storm and floods reflect light back into space, and this colors the water lighter blue. Dolly’s heavy rains also caused inland flooding on both sides of the border between the United States and Mexico. Rivers and streams too small to be visible prior to Dolly’s arrival stood out as a network of blue on July 26. NASA images courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. Caption by Holli Riebeek.

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As part of its response, the Hidalgo County government has established a hurricane hotline to assist any resident, according to Cari Lambrecht, public information officer for the county judge and county commissioners court.  The telephone number, which will remain active through August 8, is (956) 318-2903.  Residents will be able to reach operators, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., who will help residents with questions about debris removal, health concerns, assistance and flooding issues.  “We are working to make sure our residents’ questions are answered,” said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III, featured here with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, following a Thursday, July 24 press conference in McAllen. “All of us need to be on the same page so we can help each other through this difficult time.”

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Potential litigation involving the ongoing construction of the new Edinburg City Hall, featured here with a portion of its west facade, is set for consideration on Tuesday, August 5, in executive session by the Edinburg City Council. No other details were released in the August 1 posting of the city council’s agenda. Also behind closed doors, city leaders will take up the issue of what to do about hiring a permanent city attorney. Seven area firms, including the current interim city attorney, have submitted their credentials for the post, and their proposed fees range from $150 per hour to $20,000 per month. The city has retained an interim city attorney since January, following the resignation of then-city attorney Daniel G. R=C 3os in December, who was required to vacate his post after being appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as the presiding judge of Hidalgo County’s 449th District Court. Ríos, a Republican, is facing Jesse Contreras, a Democrat and longtime Mercedes Municipal Court Judge, in the November general elections.

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Public hearings on Hidalgo County Loop, including Edinburg session, rescheduled to August 5, 6, 7, 12, and 13

By DAVID A. DÍAZ

Initially scheduled for late July, a series of five public hearings – including one session in Edinburg – on the proposed routes for the $650 million Hidalgo County Loop has been rescheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 5, and continue through Wednesday, August 13.

The date changes were forced by Hurricane Dolly, which hit deep South Texas with 100+ mph winds and up to 20 inches of flooding on Wednesday, July 23.

The public hearings are designed to solicit public feedback on the proposed routes of the planned loop, a major project of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA), a governmental entity whose seven-member board of directors are political appointees.

A detailed map of the Hidalgo County Loop may be obtained from the HCRMA by calling 956/969-5822 or by accessing their website at http://www.lrgvdc.org/RMA/

Under a state law that allows for the creation of a Regional Mobility Authority, the chairman of the HCRMA board of directors is an appointee of the governor. The Hidalgo County Judge and the four county commissioners each appoint one member. And, because it is the most populated city in the county, the seventh board member is an appointee of the McAllen City Commission.

The Hidalgo County Loop is being developed to part of the regional effort to more effectively manage transportation issues in one of the state’s top 10 most populated counties.

It will be designed to help move truck traffic from the international bridges in Hidalgo County to the Free Trade Zone and away from  the urban areas to cities in the north.

Following the disruption caused by Hurricane Dolly, the HCRMA announced the new dates for the five public meetings, which are  designed to provide public feedback on the proposed TPA.

The new dates, which will feature maps of the  sections of the planned Hidalgo County Loop, follow:

HIDALGO

Tuesday, August 5

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Valley View High School, 600 N. Jackson Road (corner of Hiline Road and North Jackson Road). This public hearing will focus on Section A of the loop. Section A involves a new location roadway connecting the Pharr International Bridge west to U.S. Expressway 83 at Peñitas.

PEÑITAS

Wednesday, August 6

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the cafeteria at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, 1801 Diamond Avenue.  This public hearing will focus on Section C of the loop.  Section C involves a new location roadway connecting U.S. Expressway 83 near Peñitas north to U.S. Expressway 281 north of Edinburg.

DONNA

Thursday, August 7

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Donna High School, 1/4 Mile EastWood Avenue. This public hearing will focus on Section B of the loop. Section B involves a new location roadway connecting from Military Highway in the vicinity of the proposed Donna International Bridge north to U.S. Expressway 83.

EDINBURG

Tuesday, August 12

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the library at Edinburg North High School, 3101 N. Closner.  This public hearing will focus on Section D of the loop. Section D involves a new location roadway connecting from U.S. Expressway 83 between Alamo and Donna north to U.S. Expressway 281 north of Edinburg.

MCALLEN

Wednesday, August 13

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in conference room, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Avenue.  This public hearing will present the entire project map.

The HCRMA is paying for the project with a series of financial mechanisms that include tolling and the newly authorized Tax Reinvestment Zone (TRZ), which uses property values from new development prompted by the road to  pay for its construction.

On July 2, the HCRMA approved the Technically Preferred Alignment (TPA) for the proposed Hidalgo County Loop.

The TPA was chosen in a unanimous vote by the HCRMA governing board after engineering analysis by Hidalgo County Road Builders (HCRB), environmental input from PBS&J, the RMA’s environmental experts on the project, and public input gathered at five information open houses in May.

“The RMA and our contractors are taking every step necessary to make sure the loop  project meets the highest of engineering and environmental standards,” Dennis  Burleson, chairman of the RMA, announced on July 2. “We all realize how important the loop is to the future  of transportation and commerce in Hidalgo County and beyond so we are determined to  make this an exemplary project on engineering, environment, and finance.”

(Jim Moore, director of media relations for Prevailing Trends, Inc., contributed to this article.)

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Sen. Hinojosa helps state provide financial help to pay for aerial spraying to kill mosquito infestation in South Texas caused by Hurricane Dolly

By CARI LAMBRECHT

The State of Texas on Saturday, August 2, approved aerial spraying for the counties of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, III, has announced.

At the request of the local counties and municipalities, the Texas Department of State Health Services has contracted with Chicago-based Clarke Mosquito Control to conduct the aerial sprays, which could start as early as Sunday night, August 3, but will begin no later than Monday night, August 4, weather-permitting.

“Our residents will feel relief soon,” said Salinas. “The state of Texas and our state delegation, especially Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), has been extremely responsive. My hat is off to them. Now it’s time to pull out the big guns in our war on mosquitoes. My message to them is buzz off now or you’ll be sorry.”

Al issues with U.S. Fish and Wildlife were resolved late Friday night. Aerial mosquito sprays must remain at least one-half mile away from federal wildlife refuges and reserves, as well as state-owned wildlife areas as to not disrupt protected species and their food supply.

Hidalgo County had needed USFWS approval in order to be eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Aerial mosquito spraying will cost approximately $2 million or more in Hidalgo County alone.

Mosquito counts conducted by the region’s health departments are in some cases as high as 384 (Harlingen) mosquitoes per minute, with an estimated average count of about 120. A count measures how many mosquitoes land on one leg from the waist down in 60 seconds. Mosquito counts are required to be conducted in affected areas to provide documentation to the federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Emergency Management Agency that aerial spraying is needed.

Mosquitoes can’t just be annoying either; they have to pose a public health threat. Affidavits collected by DSHS and the CDC support that claim. DSHS has even declared the Deep South Texas mosquito infestation “a public health emergency.”

“With recent instances of dengue across the border and the 13 cases of West Nile virus reported here in 2004, we must take all preventative measures to avert long-term medical and health problems,” Salinas said.

Aerial sprays with the chemical Dibrom will target the areas with the highest landing counts and the highest population density first. Hot spots include La Villa, Edcouch, Elsa, and La Blanca in Hidalgo County; Harlingen, Santa Rosa, Combes and Primera in Cameron County; and Sebastian, Raymondville and Port Mansfield in Willacy County. Dibrom is an EPA registered chemical that can be used for public health mosquito control without posing unreasonable risks to the general population when applied according to the label.

“Aerial spraying has shown to significantly reduce the mosquito population, although it will not rid us of the problem completely. In Cameron County, we are just happy that we can get some relief,” said Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos, C.P.A. “We still urge people to take steps to reduce the mosquito population around their homes by getting rid of standing water and keeping drains and ditches clear of debris so water will recede quicker.”

The aerial sprays will give local vector control officers breathing room to target mosquito larvae. The spraying kills live adult mosquitoes on contact, but not the eggs. Local efforts must continue. The counties may consider a secondary spraying if it is deemed scientifically necessary by trappings and mosquito counts.

More than 1.1 million acres has been identified by state and local officials as in need of aerial vector control. One plane can cover approximately 20,000 acres per hour at a speed of 170 mph. Spraying occurs at night when mosquitoes are more active, the wind calms and fewer people are outside. One plane will likely be able to cover about 100,000 acres in one evening. Multiple planes will be used. The entire operation is expected to take five to six days.

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Workers, self-employed have until September 2 to file for disaster unemployment assistance, says Rep. Martínez

By SCOTT JENKINES

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Dolly starting Tuesday, July 22, 2008, and continuing, according to Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco.

Applications for DUA must be filed by Tuesday, September 2, 2008.

Applications filed after Tuesday, September 2, 2008, will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for filing after the deadline.

DUA is available to individuals who:

• Worked or were self-employed in or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the  place of employment as a direct result of the disaster;
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;
• Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state, cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

“Hurricane Dolly has prevented many individuals from returning to work,” said Martínez. “Now, individuals can apply to receive compensation for their lost wages.  I strongly encourage that all impacted individuals who qualify under this assistance program apply as soon as possible.”

Individuals will need their Social Security number, a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, or documentation to support they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. DUA is available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning Sunday, July 22, 2008, and up to Saturday, January 24, 2009, as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster.

To file for DUA, individuals may call the nearest TWC Tele-Center from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, or call the toll-free number at (800) 939-6631.

Additional information is available at http://www.texasworkforce.org. Reemployment services are available through Texas Workforce Centers or by accessing http://www.WorkInTexas.com for information.

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Hidalgo County Commissioners Court asks appraisal district to re-evaluate property values of those affected by Hurricane Dolly

By CARI LAMBRECHT

The Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, July 28, requested that the Hidalgo County Appraisal District consider re-evaluating property values of those homes affected by Hurricane Dolly.

“A re-appraisal of this property will help the people impacted by the hurricane save money. We don’t anticipate that the re-appraisal, which will be prorated for the year, will impact the county’s tax base by a significant amount, but it will help these residents get back on their feet,” said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III.

Rolando Garza, Chief Appraiser of the Hidalgo County Appraisal District, said he would conduct a survey of the flooded neighborhoods and document the damage, reporting it to the tax assessor collector to determine the amount of taxes. The average residential property is assessed at $40,000 to $50,000, according to Garza.

“The district is willing to re-appraise if authorized by the Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court or any other governmental entity,” Garza said.

“We are doing all we can to get our residents back on their feet after Hurricane Dolly,” Salinas said.

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Sen. Hinojosa encourages constituents to contact his office for help in the wake of Hurricane Dolly

By ARTURO BALLESTEROS

Constituents of Senate District 20, including Edinburg, along with Hidalgo, Brooks, Jim Wells, and Nueces counties, may contact the office of State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, for assistance with recovery efforts from the impacts of Hurricane Dolly.

Hinojosa’s office may be reached at 1 (866) 259-5016.

Since days before Hurricane Dolly hit South Texas on Wednesday, July 23, public and private agencies were hard at work assessing and attending to damages.

The senator’s office can assist consumers by putting them in touch with agencies that can assist with a variety of issues, including problems with insurance claims, price gouging, power outages, and other storm-related issues.

These are some additional resources for residents of South Texas:

Attorney General’s Office

Consumer Complaints Hotline

1 (800) 621-0508

American Electric Power (AEP)

To report downed lines or utility poles

1 (866) 223-8506

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Gov. Perry, Sen. Cornyn tour 15 South Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Dolly, declared disasters

President George W. Bush on Thursday, July 24, granted Gov. Perry’s request for a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration, which will provide assistance to 15 Texas counties. That afternoon, the governor and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, toured the impacted areas and were briefed by local officials regarding ongoing emergency response efforts as Tropical Storm Dolly moved slowly through south Texas.

“Though some areas in south Texas have incurred significant damage, preparedness efforts on the part of our local, state and federal officials and private sector partners ensured that our number one priority – protecting lives– was successfully met,” said Perry. “As damage assessments begin, the state stands ready to help south Texas residents rebuild and restore their homes, businesses and communities.”

Cornyn said this latest hurricane highlights the importance for Congress to pass his legislation that would allow county governments in the Valley to make immediate repairs to their outdated levee system, and be reimbursed by the federal government at a later date.

Cornyn sent a letter earlier last week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, urging him to bring the levee-repair bill to the Senate floor swiftly for consideration.

“The levee system of the Rio Grande Valley—intended to protect homes and businesses from flooding—is outdated and repairs are long overdue. I introduced legislation earlier this year that would allow local government entities in the Valley to begin making repairs to the levees to protect Texas families and businesses against flooding. The most important component of this bill is that it enables local officials to proceed with immediate repairs. Yet, with Hurricane Dolly’s arrival and hurricane season upon us, this important bill remains stalled in the Senate. I’m hopeful the Majority Leader will grant my request and call this bill to the floor, so we can prevent serious damage and harm to homes, businesses, and residents in the Valley,” Cornyn said.

Hours after Hurricane Dolly passed through Deep South Texas, President George W. Bush on Thursday, July 24, issued a disaster declaration for several counties including Hidalgo County.

The type of assistance available to Hidalgo County through the Federal Emergency Management Agency is public assistance only. Public Assistance refers to costs that state and local governments incur as it relates to a disaster. Hidalgo County may now be eligible for federal reimbursement for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, infrastructure and tools such as buildings, vehicles, and roads.

Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation. Currently, individual assistance for items such as damaged homes is not available. FEMA and state preliminary damage assessment teams will arrive as early as today to begin putting together damage estimates.

“Hidalgo County is working diligently to document damages related to this storm,” said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III. “We are grateful for the federal government’s quick reaction to the needs of our residents.”

The Major Presidential Disaster Declaration covers Aransas, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria and Willacy counties. While decisions on individual federal assistance requests cannot be made until damage assessments are conducted, the declaration does include public assistance for emergency protective measures taken before, during and after the disaster, including:

• Warning devices such as barricades, signs and announcements
• Search and rescue efforts
• Security forces such as police and guards
• Construction of temporary levees
• Provision of shelters or emergency care
• Sandbagging
• Bracing/shoring damaged structures
• Provision of food, water, ice and other essential needs
• Emergency repairs
• Emergency demolition
• Removal of health and safety hazards
• Emergency communications, emergency access and emergency public transportation costs may also be eligible.

Expanded public assistance also must await joint state federal damage assessments.

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AIR Worldwide estimates insured losses in Valley from Hurricane Dolly to approach $600 million

Catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates total insured losses from Hurricane Dolly in the US and Mexico at between $350 million and $700 million.

Estimated insured losses from Hurricane Dolly, in the U.S. only, have been narrowed to between $300 million and $600 million. The revised loss estimate falls at the low end of the AIR’s preliminary estimate of U.S. losses issued Wednesday, July 23, due to the fact that Dolly’s actual track inland was on the northern edge of the range of forecast tracks issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at the time of landfall.

Because wind speeds and storm surge are higher on the right-hand side of hurricane tracks in the northern hemisphere, the largest concentration of exposure in the US – Brownsville, Texas – was spared the worst of Dolly’s winds.

In Mexico, AIR estimates that insured losses from Hurricane Dolly are between $50 million and $100 million. The uncertainty in the insured loss estimate for Mexico stems in part from uncertainty surrounding take-up rates-the percentage of properties actually insured against wind and flood losses.

“After slowing for several hours to a near standstill about 35 miles offshore, the eyewall of Hurricane Dolly finally crossed South Padre Island at around 1:00 pm EDT Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph,” said Dr. Peter Dailey, director of atmospheric science at AIR Worldwide. “One hour later, winds had diminished to 95 mph as Dolly hovered just onshore over Laguna Madre, Texas.”

Dailey continued, “The closest distance between the center of Hurricane Dolly and the sister cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico was roughly 30-32 miles, and because the storm tracked to the north, both cities were spared the storm’s strongest winds. Nevertheless, at landfall, tropical storm force winds extended outward some 140 miles from the eye, lashing a broad swath of the coast near the Texas/Mexico border with strong winds and heavy rain.”

“In Brownsville, downed trees and shredded roofing materials litter the ground today, and some homes are flooded,”  he added. To the west of Brownsville, in the Rio Grande Valley, Dolly destroyed a large portion of the cotton crop. Fortunately the levees along the Rio Grande, which officials had feared would break, remained intact.

“Insured residential properties in Mexico are overwhelmingly of confined masonry construction. Insured commercial properties are dominated by confined masonry and reinforced concrete. Both construction types should fare well in the face of wind speeds of the kind generated by Hurricane Dolly and structural damage is, therefore, expected to be minimal. Still, many homes are likely to have suffered damage to roof shingles. Non-structural elements, such as signs and awnings are likely to have been blown off and there may be also damage to unprotected windows from the wind-borne debris. Informally constructed and typically uninsured houses-particularly those in fishing villages along the coast-have not fared so well.”

At 2:00 pm EDT on July 24, Dolly was downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of near 40 mph and higher gusts. The tropical storm warning that had been in effect along the Texas coast from Brownsville to Port Arkansas was lifted at 11:00 am EDT on Thursday morning.

AIR Worldwide Corporation (AIR) is the scientific leader and most respected provider of risk modeling software and consulting services. AIR founded the catastrophe modeling industry in 1987 and today models the risk from natural catastrophes and terrorism in more than 50 countries. More than 400 insurance, reinsurance, financial, corporate and government clients rely on AIR software and services for catastrophe risk management, insurance-linked securities, site-specific wind and seismic engineering analyses, and property replacement cost valuation. AIR is a member of the ISO family of companies and is headquartered in Boston with additional offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

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UT-Pan American opened doors to Texas National Guard and H-E-B associates who provided help in aftermath of Hurricane Dolly

By GAIL FAGAN

While its campus was closed July 23-25 during Hurricane Dolly’s march across the Rio Grande Valley, The University of Texas-Pan American opened its doors Thursday, July 24 to assist the Texas Air National Guard and H-E-B associates who came to aid South Texas communities and residents in the aftermath of the storm.

According to Dr. Richard Costello, director of Environmental Health and Safety at UTPA and a key member of its Crisis Management Team, the university provided housing in the UTPA Fieldhouse for approximately 200 members of the Texas Air National Guard who arrived to provide help in supplying water and food to victims as well as assistance in engineering and regaining electrical services.

UTPA’s Office of Auxiliary Services and Sodexho, the University’s food service provider, also fed the guardsmen during their five-day stay on campus.

In addition, about 75 H-E-B employees from around the state who volunteered to help distribute food, water and ice to those without electricity or drinking water, were housed in two of UTPA’s residence facilities.

Costello said that UTPA currently has agreements with three entities – Texas Department of Public Service, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Department of State Health Services – to provide assistance in relief efforts to include housing and possible food service. These agreements are part of the state’s official emergency response plans.

“When we were contacted by the Department of State Health Services on Thursday for assistance, our physical plant employees immediately readied the Fieldhouse for the National Guard. While here, guardsmen were also afforded the use of the University’s Wellness and Recreation Center as well as the laundry facilities at Unity Hall,” Costello said.

As part of UTPA’s Hurricane Preparedness Plan, university staff also participated in pre-storm procedures and notification to the University community and media and post-storm damage assessment and remediation. Essential staff members also stayed on campus during its closure to accommodate those in campus housing and to maintain services to UTPA buildings and campus security.

“Our cooling plant employees, for example, were fighting electrical surges to keep the chillers that cool the campus on during the event. Our UTPA Police provided surveillance before and after the storm – the officers and guards were here during the duration,” Costello said.

Costello indicated that the Crisis Management Team were scheduled to meet July 29 to assess their response and make recommendations to be even better prepared for the next storm. However, he regarded the team’s response to Hurricane Dolly as an “A+ effort.”

“What I thought was most impressive was the fact that none of the team members said ‘no’ to any of the challenges before and after the storm. This is no doubt a reflection of the charge from UTPA President Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas, who has made it clear that we act conservatively when dealing with the safety of the UTPA community. She has also made it clear our commitment to the Rio Grande Valley community during relief efforts,” Costello said.

In a post-storm letter to UTPA staff and faculty, Cárdenas expressed her gratitude for level of caring and professionalism exhibited by University employees.

“I am especially grateful to our outstanding Physical Plant staff whose meticulous preparation of the campus and their response to the related storm damage was without a doubt responsible for the very low level of disturbance to any of our facilities,” she wrote. “Dolly proved that we should never underestimate the potential power of any storm in the Gulf of Mexico.”

For more information of UTPA’s current hurricane preparedness program, go to http://www.utpa.edu/hurricane.

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Hurricane Dolly hit Sebastian, a Willacy County city where more than 50 percent of residents are elderly

By SALLY VELÁSQUEZ

More than 50 percent of the 4,000 residents of Sebastian, a community in Willacy County, are 65 years of age or older, and were among the thousands of people hit hard by Hurricane Dolly.

Significant damage caused by floodwater and drainage issues associated to the lack of improved street infrastructure did not surprise many, challenging emergency response teams because of major environmental damages and flooded streets.

Many of Sebastian’s elderly citizens live on minimum income to overcome unplanned economic setbacks. The natural geographic elevation of this town is considered a recessed area.

As a result of Dolly, water levels seeped in higher levels into  homes and throughout streets. Water levels reached two- to three-feet far above the ground, causing continued structural and environmental damage.

Sebastian is an unincorporated town under the jurisdiction of the county for sole support of public services.  Historically, this county has been designation as an economic distressed area according to national and state income averages.  In recent months, county elected officials have been working with state and federal agencies in attempt to attain funding for flood mitigation planning, structural and improved roadway projects.

Willacy County officials said they appreciate the help they are receiving from state and federal sources.

“We are grateful to Gov. Rick Perry and his emergency response team to offer immediate assistance to Willacy County.  His office and Steve McCraw, State Director of Homeland Security, recognize the significant damage and safety hazard our region faces,” said Emilio Vera, Jr., Interim County Judge.

Willacy County officials are eager to continue working closely with FEMA and other state emergency response teams.  County personnel including community leaders will be available to provide continued recovery efforts and damage assessment for consideration of the granted Major Presidential Disaster Declaration.

“We truly appreciate the enormous coordinated state, federal and private sector partners who directed emergency protective measures before, during and after the hurricane disaster.  As elected officials, we take our leadership serious and are appreciative to get additional help when a natural disaster occurs,” said Aurelio Guerra, County Commissioner for Sebastian.

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Comptroller Combs offers tax help to victims of Hurricane Dolly

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says businesses damaged by Hurricane Dolly may postpone paying state taxes, if necessary, while they clean up wind and flood damage. Taxpayers may request extensions of up to 90 days to file state tax returns due in July and August.

Upon request, tax extensions are available for businesses located in counties the Governor has declared disaster areas. The affected counties are Aransas, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria and Willacy.

“South Texas is fortunate to have escaped the widespread, catastrophic impact a hurricane can bring to the Texas coast,” Combs said. “Many homes and businesses did suffer significant damage, however, and postponing taxes for people who need time to focus on recovery is one way the state can help taxpayers in counties where the governor has issued a disaster declaration.”

In addition to extending tax-filing deadlines, Texas law allows the Comptroller to exempt certain recovery-related expenses from sales taxes, including:

• The cost of labor to repair storm-damaged, non-residential property, including office buildings and stores. Labor charges must be separately stated on the repair bill. Texas does not impose sales tax on labor for residential repairs.

• Services used to restore storm-damaged property, including dry cleaning of clothing and draperies; rug and carpet cleaning; and appliance repairs.

For more information or to request a tax filing extension, call the Comptroller’s toll-free tax assistance line in Austin at (800) 252-5555.

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Community College Week ranks South Texas College in the top 100 community colleges in nation

By HELEN J. ESCOBAR

South Texas College ranks in the top 100 community colleges in the nation out of more than 1,100 community colleges in awarding associate degrees according to the national education journal Community College Week. STC ranks third in the nation in awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students.

“We are very proud of our continued accomplishment and I must thank our entire Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff for their support of our mission and vision,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, STC president.  “We are focused on creating a college-going culture in the Rio Grande Valley and our continued high rankings prove that we are headed in the right direction.”

According to the publication’s June report “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers,” STC also ranks in the top 50 in the nation for awarding degrees in the fields of criminal justice, multi/interdisciplinary studies, parks, recreation, leisure and fitness studies, and security and protective services.

Community College Week ranks colleges based on the number of degrees granted annually. The data is collected by the National Center for Education Statistics. For additional information about the publication and its national rankings visit http://www.ccweek.com.

For additional information South Texas College visit http://www.southtexascollege.edu or call 872-8311.

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Congressman Hinojosa hails final House passage of Higher Education Opportunity Act

By ELIZABETH ESFAHANI

The U.S. House of Representatives gave its final approval to a major overhaul of America’s higher education laws on Thursday, July 31, announced Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education.

The historic bill which drew bipartisan support advances now to the Senate for final clearance before being sent to the President for his signature.

Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, who introduced the bill last November with Education Committee Chairman George Miller, applauded the Higher Education Opportunity Act’s efforts to reform the nation’s higher education programs to increase the affordability and accessibility of higher education.

“This bill is crucial to the health of our economy and will ensure that more students graduate prepared for the 21st century workplace,” said Hinojosa. “It puts smart strategies in place to improve our student aid process, restore confidence in our student loan programs, and provide more low-income, first-generation, and minority students the chance to pursue a college education.”

A report released by the College Board in June shows that tuition and fees at four-year public institutions in Texas increased by 8 percent – after inflation – between 2006-07 and 2007-08. The report found that tuition prices were up across the board nationwide, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges.

In light of these alarming trends, the legislation would provide students with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases. It also would increase the authorized Pell grant maximum to $8,000 by 2014, streamline the federal financial aid application process, and increase college aid and support programs for veterans. It would also set up on-campus centers to help returning veterans successfully transition to college life.

Troubling revelations about the student loan industry also prompted Hinojosa and other lawmakers to include protections to clean up corrupt practices in student loan programs and safeguard students from aggressive lender marketing practices. The bill requires better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans as well.

Unprecedented gains for Hispanic-serving institutions

As chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee, Hinojosa was able to include an unprecedented number of initiatives to boost the achievement of Hispanic students in higher education. Hispanics continue to have the lowest levels of education attainment of any group in the country.  In the 1999-2000 academic year, Hispanics earned only 6 percent of bachelor’s degrees, 4 percent of master’s degrees, and 3 percent of doctor’s degrees.

To address these dismal statistics, Hinojosa successfully added a provision that will for the first time establish a program, authorized at $100 million, to help set up long overdue graduate programs at Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs). Additionally, there will be roughly $12 million in direct funding available next year to jumpstart this program.

HSIs are the gateways to higher education for Hispanic students, educating 50 percent of all Hispanics who attend college. Hinojosa’s efforts to promote HSIs directly impact The University of Texas-Pan American, The University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, and 42 other HSIs in Texas that enroll a large percentage of Hispanic students. Hinojosa also successfully boosted the authorization for undergraduate HSI programs to $175 million.

“If we do not invest in advanced education and training for this emerging population, we put our nation’s economic foundation at risk,” said Hinojosa. “It has been 10 years since I started fighting for the creation of a graduate program for HSIs and with President’s signature, we will finally achieve this long-overdue initiative.”

Far-reaching impact on students

Other provisions in the legislation would:

• Authorize a grant program modeled after HESTEC to encourage young people, especially minorities, to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers
• Make textbook costs more manageable for students by helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;
• Increases the authorization of Pell Grants and allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;
• Strengthen the nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.
• Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities

The College Opportunity and Affordability Act is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the primary law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. It was first signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a part of his Great Society domestic agenda.

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UTB/TSC, Homeland Security reach agreement on Border Wall

By LETTY FERNÁNDEZ

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) reached an agreement on Thursday, July 31, that ends all court proceedings between the parties.

DHS/CBP has agreed to end condemnation actions against UTB/TSC, effectively allowing UTB/TSC to retain ownership over all its property.

As part of the agreement, UTB/TSC would enhance campus security in two ways. University-owned fencing adjacent to the levee would be augmented to a height of 10 feet and upgraded with high-tech devices. The current fence varies between six feet and eight feet. The enhancements to UTB/TSC’s perimeter security, at the university’s expense, would complement methods already in use on the campus.

UTB/TSC President Juliet García praised the hard work of all parties.

“This agreement demonstrates the hard work and good faith that were brought forth when the parties finally sat down at the table and talked about what solution would best serve the mutual interests,” García said. “I am particularly pleased at what this agreement means for our educational mission and the continued safety of our students.”

The agreement also would allow UTB/TSC more room for capital construction and expansion on the land and the federal agencies would support the university’s long-term efforts to move and enhance a flood control levee to the edge of the Rio Grande.

At the core of the agreement, UTB/TSC and DHS/CBP would collaborate in the establishment of a center to study border issues including security. It would examine, among other elements, the use of technology for securing the border. The UTB/TSC campus southern perimeter will be part of a laboratory for testing new technology and infrastructure combinations.

“We are gratified that these public entities representing local, state and federal interests have arrived at an amicable solution that preserves UTB/TSC campus life while enhancing border security for the nation,” said Barry D. Burgdorf, the vice chancellor and general counsel for the University of Texas System.

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Attorney General Abbott files action in Edinburg halting IF Tech Medical Institute in Rio Grande City

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Wednesday, July 30, charged two South Texas defendants with unlawfully operating an uncertified nursing school in Rio Grande City.

According to the state’s enforcement action, IFTech Medical Institute, L.L.C., and its owners, Robert Jean-Marie and Claude Wilder, failed to obtain a legally required certificate of approval from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The Office of the Attorney General opened an investigation into IFTech Medical Institute after receiving referrals from the TWC and Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.

According to state investigators, IFTech Medical Institute charged students approximately $10,000 in tuition for nursing courses that the defendants were not certified to provide. Because the school is not approved for instruction by the TWC, it cannot lawfully teach nursing courses and its students are not eligible to take the Texas nursing licensure examination. The TWC issued a cease and desist order against IFTech Medical Institute last May, but the defendants refused to comply with the commission’s directive.

The July 30 enforcement action, announced in Edinburg, sought a temporary restraining order, which the court granted to prevent IFTech from soliciting new students or collecting tuition from students. It also seeks court-ordered restitution for students who were financially harmed.

The temporary restraining order also prohibits the defendants from operating any career school in the future without prior approval from the TWC, which regulates professional training institutions in Texas. The Attorney General also informed the court that Jean-Marie falsely represents to students and the public that he is licensed as a physician in Texas.

The legal action cites violations of the Texas Education Code and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). The Attorney General seeks penalties of up to $20,000 per day for each violation of the DTPA and up to $1,000 per day for each violation of the Education Code.

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UT-Austin nursing researcher gets $1.3 million to study disability influences among women

Dr. Tracie Harrison, assistant professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, has received $1.3 million from the National Institutes of Health for a study comparing experiences of women with disabilities.

Harrison wants to look at white and Hispanic women ages 55-75 to compare how women developed mobility impairment and how it impacts their lives. She is interested in how impairment affects functioning and how the timing of disability in women’s lives impacts subsequent health as they age.

Study participants should have a limitation in their ability to walk, climb steps or stand. Mobility problems may be caused by numerous diseases, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, polio, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s, said Harrison.

“Persons with disabilities are living longer than ever and, yet, they have accumulated more social and health-related problems than people in general,” said Harrison, adding that the healthcare system must be prepared to address the age-related issues that millions with disabilities face.

Statistics show that Hispanics with disabilities, estimated at more than three million in the United States, report greater levels of disablement than white, non-Hispanic women with disabilities. Hispanics experience more functional limitations, more difficulties with activities of daily living and more unemployment due to impairments.

“The reasons for this health disparity are unclear,” said Harrison.

“Some women have equal degrees of impairment and, yet, some have more problems functioning and performing in their work, social and family roles,” said Harrison. “I want to explore what it is that is different in their lives. Are there factors, such as attitude, socioeconomic class or culture, that make impairment worse?”

In previous studies, Harrison found that women adapt to impairment in culturally specific ways. The meaning that they give to their impairment impacts how they live their lives once a limitation occurs. She wants to examine the ways different groups adapt to their impairments and learn from their experiences.

She hopes her current study will provide the knowledge needed to address health disparities in disablement among women.

The study involves personal interviews with Harrison. Participants will be financially compensated. Those interested should contact Harrison at 512-471-9085 or e-mail at [email protected].

For more information, contact: Nancy Neff, Office of Public Affairs, 512-471-6504;  Tracie Harrison, School of Nursing, 512-471-9085.