RGV Life Show #4

==Congratulations==
Congratulations to Valley in Exile for reaching 100 posts.

==Personal Stuff==
Theft and vehicle sales.

Courts face equal strain from incessant immigrant casework
This article describes how immigration status affects hundreds of cases in Hidalgo County's court system every year. Many of the incarcerated individuals are illegal immigrants, which is a federal crime. For the purposes of the county, these individuals pose a problem for probation, bond, and paying court fees. If convicted, they also drag the system down through the cost of incarceration. Definitely a must-read.

Cell Prone
There is a related article about the programs being implemented to combat the high crime rate from criminal illegal aliens.

Arizona debates charging illegals with trespassing
Although this does not pertain to the RGV, it will be interesting to see what comes of this move. Arizona is making it a state crime to illegally enter the U.S. so that state and local police can enforce state law.


Remember Tejano History
Today's Letters to the Editor section in the Monitor has a good story about Catarino Garza of Brownsville, who helped Juan Cortinas fight the Texas Rangers during the 1860s and 1870s.

Voter Registration Deadline
The deadline for registration to vote in the primary elections was today. If you missed the deadline, you won't be able to vote in the May election. However, you still have plenty of time to vote in November.

Cuellar's Coffers Hold advantage
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar ended 2005 with a sharp financial edge over rivals Ciro Rodriguez and Victor Morales. Things are still looking good for Cuellar who had 7 times more money than his closest rival, Ciro Rodriguez. After the circulated pic of Cuellar being embraced by George W. Bush, Rodriguez saw an increase in donations, but it probably won't be enough to cover the gap. Just in case, feel free to visit http://www.henrycuellar.coom to make your donations.

We won't be quiet!
This is a story about the situations of many RGV Veterans who are making an effort to bring a Veterans hospital to the area. State Representative Aaron Pena has helped publicise the cause to help the veterans. The nearest hospital is hundreds of miles away in San Antonio.

Valley Vets Hospital Has potential
Related story on Channel 5. Commissioner-at-large Ernie Hernandez tells NEWSCHANNEL 5 an abandoned rehabilitation center on FM 802 could serve as a potential hospital. All needed is equipment and personnel.

http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2006/02/logorrheic-law-profs-on-punishment-law.html


MP3 File

RGV Life Podcast #3

Comments and questions:
Call: 1-888-858-7978 record a message.
email: rgvlife@missiontexas.net
post a comment: rgvlife.blogspot.com

Thank You
Thanks to Hispanic Pundit at hispanicpundit.com for adding a link to RGV Life.

Also thanks to El Presidente for adding me to the Republic of the Rio Grande.

Podcast News
In other news, I finally went ahead and got an MP3 player. It's not an iPod, but it gets the job done. I decided to get one so that I can listen to podcasts while I'm doing stuff. This way, I won't be a slave to the computer while I am listening. I was actually going to buy a flash drive, but the 1 GB drive I saw was $80. The MP3 player was $99 with 1 GB of memory, FM radio, and voice recorder.

I also got a digital camera. Again, not top of the line. Most of the pics for the web don't require super-high resolution. So, it should help improve the look of the site when I have some news.

I was reading a book on podcasting. I almost convinced myself to get a mixer, good microphone, and other equipment. There's a saying about a bad carpenter blaming his tools.

Comments/Questions
No comments or questions.

Illegal Immigration
Human Smuggling Ring Broken
This story is about a couple of really bad guys, Jose Antonio Jaimes Vera, a.k.a. "Toño" and Magdeleno Alvarez Valdez, a.k.a. "Jarracho". These two men were leaders of a human smuggling ring that brought approximately 10 to 15 people into the country for the last 3 years. We know about these men because the Sheriff's Dept. found one dead man, Carlos Jesus Flores Alamirra — or "El Conejo" with a sigle gunshot to the head. They only recently gained knowledge of the perps because another man, Sylves-tre Vivar Ramos, emerged from a medically induced coma and was able to give details. Two men, Daniel "Nune" Ramirez Jr. and Guillermo "El Negro" Guzman were charged yesterday in connection with the attempted murder of Ramos. Although the article states that Ramos was not killed because the ring was more interested in getting back money that the two victims were skimming. So, the two victims were kidnapped, one killed and one beaten to a pulp.

Jaimes, 23, is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 210 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen driving a green or gray F-150 extended cab with Texas license plates O6G-CK3.

Alvarez, 29, is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds, with black eyes and hair.

Man and family assaulted in home invasion

Local
Politiqueras and the DA
The recently returned President of the Republic of the Rio Grande has been catching up on the political situation since his absence. He has expressed some issue with Hidalgo County DA, Rene Guerra's indictments and complaints about politiqueras.


Crowding the Course
EDINBURG — More than four thousand people are expected to participate in the 24th annual All-American City 10K and 2-mile Walk/Run today in Edinburg. Runners from all over the world will competed for a $1000 grand prize for men and women.
Rep. Aaron Pena Goes to Edinburg's 10k Race

Member of PSJA Board Arrested in DWI Case

PHARR — A local school board member, Vangie DeLeon, secretary and treasurer for the PSJA ISD, was arrested Jan. 22. She refused a breathalyzer test and failed the field sobriety test. She will continue to serve on the school board. PSJA school board already has other brushes with the law in recent investigations and an indictment.


More on Henry Cuellar's One Day Story
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The recent picture of George W. Bush holding Rep. Henry Cuellar's face between his hands has sparked Democrats, who vehemently hate George W. Bush and anything he touches, to contribute money to Cuellar's opponent, Ciro Rodriguez. Cuellar is being called a Republican in Democrats clothes because he's actually friendly with Republicans. The drive against Henry Cuellar is being headed by two popular super-liberal sites, the Daily Kos and Eschaton. This goes to show how the Democratic party is being dragged around by the nose by the left fringe rather than consisting of a more centrist core, where most of the country votes. The "party of tolerance" apparently has no tolerance for fraternizing with the other side. I often perplex people when I support Democrats. I often hear, "but you're conservative". Yes, I am, and I vote for or support people who will do a good job, not by party affiliation. It doesn't occur to people that Henry Cuellar may be able to get more for his district by being nice to the party in power rather than demonizing them. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

There are two ways you can contribute to Texans for Henry Cuellar:

1) Send a check to:

Texans for Henry Cuellar, P.O. Box 6147, Laredo, Texas 78042.

2) Make a secure online donation through the PayPal® electronic payment system at http://www.henrycuellar.com/contribute/

That's all for RGV Life Show #3.
Contact info.
Tonight's music provided by Podshow Podsafe Music at
music.podshow.com.


MP3 File

Podcast No. 2

1-888-858-7978
Immigration
Border Sheriffs Receive State Grant
Gov. Rick Perry announced funding, yesterday, of $3.8 million to help sheriffs increase border security. Both Hidalgo and Star Counties will receive $223,000 each. The program is called Operation Linebacker.

Federal Agents Raid a Safe House in Brownsville
Immigration and Customs agents found illegals in a Country Club home in Brownsville. The immigrants, who will be deported, are from Central America.

New ID Database for Lost or Missing Immigrants
This is old news, but the Mexican consulate has a database that helps families in Mexico find lost relatives in the U.S. Many times illegal immigrants lose touch with their families back home who are left wondering if their loved one is alive or dead.

Medicare
Stumbling Start for Drug Program Spark Congressional Debate
This isn't local news, but it's interesting that people blame Congress for making the program too complicated. But there is plenty of blame to go around. Some people blame George Bush while others blame the insurance companies. Democrats are already working to use the issue towards the upcoming elections. The majority of people using the program are getting their prescriptions filled, but there are problems for some.

I am totally disturbed that the entitlement program was created at all, especially by a Republican controlled government. What were they thinking?

Local
San Benito home used as prostitution house
In San Benito, a man named Donald Frisbie was running a prostitution operation out of his home. His workers were Mexican women that he would bring over. He also made a little extra money selling porn DVDs.

Former Mayor Joe Ochoa Will Run Again
In Edinburg, former mayor Joe Ochoa announced his intent to run for mayor to regain his seat, which he lost to current mayor Richard Garcia in 03. Joe Ochoa was mayor for 10 years. People who attended the campaign kickoff on Thursday feel that Richard Garcia has not attracted any major projects like Ochoa did.

New Wal-Mart in the Works for McAllen
The McAllen Wal-Mart on 23rd and Nolana is about to move and become a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The new location will be down the street on Nolana at the corner of Ware. I drove by today and crews were busy preparing the grounds for the coming construction. There will also be a third McAllen Target near that same intersection.

Jessica Reyes-Martinez
Martinez V Martinez No Mas

Future Ex-wife Now Ex-candidate

Reyes-Martinez Staying out of Race

Civil Rights vs. Hidalgo County Democratic Party

I have four links on the website about Jessica Reyes-Martinez deciding not to run for District 39 Rep against Mando Martinez. To recap, she is citing a desire to focus on her family. Rio Grande Valley Politics blog, the last of the links, has a chronology of the whole matter.

Misc. Stories
Fighting City Hall

Migrant Story

Concert Schedules

Comments
Read comments on blog

Some of the music provided tonight from the PodShow Podsafe Music Network. Check it out at 'music.podshow.com'

Reminder
rgvlife.blogspot.com
1-888-858-7978
rgvlife@missiontexas.net


Listen to Podcast!

Listen to RGV Life audio blog entries. Usually if I can't access a computer.

RGV Life Podcast 2-2-06

Judge issues default judgment against Guerrero
A judge granted a judgement in favor of First National Bank for a $17,000 loan plus interest and attorney fees after Omar Guerrero, Hidalgo County District Clerk failed to appear at his hearing. According to the article, Channel 5 tried contacting Guerrero at work, but he was not there. Duh! He's the District Clerk. Somebody at work would have tipped him off to a hearing if he were there. Guerrero is still facing charges for DUI and drug possession.

Cameron County rules for employees
Cameron County, which is in direct competition with Hidalgo County for corruption scandals, is taking steps to make clear to employees how they should conduct themselves. This is along the lines of my belief that our local governments are becoming more and more professional over time.

Former Mission city employee denied bond
The first corrupt official of the year, Alberto Hugo Pena was denied bond. He and another person were storing 200 pounds of cocaine.

Santa Rosa police employees indicted
Police Chief Xavier Martinez and Lt. Juan Manuel Censes, Jr. on charges of "official oppression", whatever that means.

Harlingen City Commissioner license suspended
It's hard to believe that so many things like this happen so frequently in the RGV with government officials.

Jessica Martinez will run, after all
She says that Juan Maldonado is a lie-yer. If he did lie to her, he cost the county about $30k to have the ballots reprinted. It would have been really simple to call her up and ask her to complete the application. Rico Politico has a funny post.

Not long after that last paragraph, I got an update that Jessica decided not to run. Instead she will focus on her personal life. She did visit with Juan Maldonado.

Tax Commission Getting Closer to Recommendations
Aaron Pena points out the following:

The panel, made up of state business leaders, hopes to make its recommendations in March. We legislators are expecting to be called back for at least a 30-day special session in April. April Castro over at the Associated Press reports that the commission is getting closer to its recommendations.

Sorry, Aaron, it's going to sting a little. We elect our Reps to handle these kinds of things. It's disappointing that business leaders have to come in and put this together for our state government. This goes equally for Republicans. It's fashionable to criticize business people as greedy and always out to make a buck. We should look at the other side, successful business people are successful because they know how to get things done, and they are. There is a saying, "mejor un mal arreglo que un buen pleito". It's better to have a bad agreement than a good fight.

Speaking to the issue, expanding taxable activities is better as it creates new revenue streams. Property tax is a problem because it's a fixed cashflow. Dealing with sales taxes is much better because a good year of sales in Texas can give the state more money than anticipated. It then shifts the concern from finding new taxes to promoting business activity in the state to generate more income. I agree that business does need to support having an educated workforce. Income tax is a big no-no.

The Rep reports that JD Salinas's father passed away last night after a long fight with cancer.

Background music is called String Groove by Anthems of a Bygone Era. The music provided tonight is from the PodShow Podsafe Music Network. Check it out at 'music.podshow.com'.

The wall, indigents, and Reyes-Martinez

UTPA Forum http://itec.panam.edu/msirc

I got a comment from Scott Henson on a recent post about building a wall along the border. I've been thinking about the problem over the past couple days. I'm starting to change my mind about the wall. I'm not to the point of opposing the project, I don't think I will get to that point. I am considering, however, practical matters like the scale of the project, maintenance, and staffing. More detail in the audio.

You can find the President's State of the Union speech here.

Hidalgo County's indigent health care budget fell short $400,000 in 2005. This year's budget is $8.4 million, about $1 million more than last year's. Recently I posted on tuberculosis concerns in the RGV. We have what are called Multiple Drug Resistant strains of tuberculosis. Often, these occur in our indigent population and is expensive for the county to treat. Our indigent population is growing while state funding is shrinking. This means, basically, that the county is having to dip into contingency funds and other programs to cover the shortfall. This is a problem for the county, for which I am beginning to lean towards JD Salinas for County Judge. He seems more concerned about healthcare in Hidalgo County.

Going back to the story of Jessica Reyes-Martinez's campaign, it looks like she will be in the race again. The only obstacle is that both she and Juan Maldonado are uncertain how to proceed with reinstating her. Just to recap, Reyes-Martinez has been married to Rep. Mando Martinez less than a year and is currently in the process of getting divorced. She would be the Rep's only challenger in this election. Reyes-Martinez wrote a letter to the Texas Supreme Court seeking guidance on the matter.

Post State of the Union Address

Some thoughts after the President's State of the Union address. Libs are freaking out. They shouldn't. It took 40 plus years to get "progressive" changes this far. Alito and Roberts are not going to change things overnight. Best advice for libs, don't take issues before the SCOTUS. Life goes on. Try to live in peace and harmony amongst conservatives now that we have the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in our favor. You get more flies with honey than with vinegar.