Director of Regional Transit Services to Retire at the end of 2010

America Recycles Day

Congratulations!

Are you Prepared for a Disaster?

Area Agency on Aging/Elder Rights and Foster Grand Parents Sponsor Aging Well in the Valley 2010.

Benefits Counselors appear on “Joy in our Town” Cable Show

9-1-1 Public Education

Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance CERT Training

REGIONAL PURSUITS is the newsletter published by the LRGVDC.

This publication is financed in part through funding assistance from State

and Federal grants.REGIONAL PURSUITS is available without cost

and inquiries should be directed to:

Ken Jones, Executive DirectorLower Rio Grande Valley Development Council

311 N. 15th Street, McAllen, TX 78501-4705E-Mail: info@lrgvdc.orgwebsite: www.lrgvdc.org

(956) 682-3481, Fax (956) 631-4670;

DECEMBER 2010 • VOLUME LXVII

Mr. Manuel Flores, Director of Regional Transit Services will retire at the end of December 2010 after loyally dedicating himself to the betterment of Public Transit in the Lower Rio Grande Valley since July 22, 1991. At the November Board meeting Mayor Chris Boswell, LRGVDC President, presented Mr. Flores with a resolution in recognition of more than 19 years of service.

Manuel Flores (left) receives a resolution of recognition from Board President Chris Boswell,

Mayor of Harlingen (right), on behalfof the Board of Directors

Director of RegionalTransit Services to Retire

at the end of 2010

from the LRGVDCBoard of Directors and Staff

Happy Holidays

The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC), along with many local communities celebrated America Recycles Day. November 15, 2010, the

designated America Recycles Day, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging people to recycle. Many communities hosted activities to raise awareness and motivate the public to make recycling part of their everyday lives. Students at Esteban Salinas Jr. Elementary in Alton held “The Alton Recycling Olympics”, the City of Alton’s very first recycling event, during which several students and faculty were recognized for their recycling efforts with awards. Recycling not only reduces the amount of waste going into our landfills, but it conserves our natural resources and saves energy.

The LRGVDC has been instrumental in the start-up of many of our local Recycling Centers and Recycling Projects. Through the years Solid Waste Grant funds have been available for many start-up projects. Please visit our Solid Waste web page at www.lrgvdc.org to view a list of some of the projects funded and a presentation on the process for applying for these funds.

Students from Esteban Salinas Jr. Elementary School in Alton, TX are pictured with Gabby Reyna, City of Alton Recycling Coordinator (back row, 3rd from left) as several

students proudly show their Recycling Awards.

America Recycles Day

Andrew Canon, Director of the Hidalgo County MPO (right) receives a NADO (National Association of Development Organizations) award from President,

Mike Norton (left) for the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards for the HCMPO initiative with Scenario Planning.

Mayor Chirs Boswell, LRGVDC Board President (left) presents Willacy County Judge Aurelio “Keeter” Guerra with a plaque in recognition of his serivce to the Board of

Directors from 2009-2010.

Kenneth Ennis, 9-1-1 Emergency Training Coordinator for LRGVDC was appointed the Texas NENA TERT Chairman as well as the South Regional TERT Director. TERT stands for Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce and is a highly needed resource asset for emergency response within the State of Texas. Implementation of new training standards and more hands on experience during training is a primary focus to be addressed at the state level. We here at LRGVDC 9-1-1 wish Kenneth Ennis the best of luck.

CONGRATULATIONS

DOCTOR’S HOSPITAL AT RENAISSANCECERT TRAINING

As the group gathers around their team leader, they are designated as Strike Teams One, Two and Three. Their leader gives the following order: “Strike Team One, search the perimeter of the building and report back.” Team One reports all clear after suppressing a small fire and turning off the gas main. Strike Team Two gives the all clear to enter the building to search for survivors.

This is the scene outside the Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) business offices on a Sunday afternoon in October 2010. The “disaster” is the final exam for the nineteen individuals that make up the newly trained DHR-Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The citizens that

make up this team come from all walks of life and bring with them their desire to be self-sustaining for their community, their families and themselves during any natural or man-made disaster.

All nineteen participants completed the eight training modules which include: disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster medical operations (2 modules), light search and rescue, team organization and disaster psychology, terrorism and CERT, course review and disaster simulation. Those who were not already certified in CPR were tested on their skills and earned their CPR credentials.

These are the citizens who stand ready, prepared to coordinate and supplement the efforts of the community’s professional emergency response staff. CERT Master Instructor, Darrell Loftus of Harlingen Fire Department, understands the importance of citizens being prepared to assist themselves

during the first moments of a local disaster since he is also the Battalion Chief. This training opportunity is provided through the Citizen Corp Grant and is free of charge. If you are interested in receiving these potentially lifesaving skills, you may contact Manuel Cruz, Director of Homeland Security and Master CERT Instructor for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. Muster your neighbors and family members and become prepared.

In October the LRGVDC 9-1-1 Public Education Staff attended several events in the community: Pharr Fire Fest, Edinburg Fire Prevention Week and Weslaco PD National Night Out. The 9-1-1 Department’s mascots, Red E. Fox and Cell Phone Sally made an appearance and posed for photos. Information regarding the importance of having a 9-1-1 Physical Address was provided to all those attending these fun and educational events.

Staff was also invited by area schools to participate in their Red Ribbon Week Celebrations. Our Public

Education Team was delighted to make presentations at Alton Elementary in the Mission ISD, and Juan N. Seguin, Emiliano Zapata and Narciso Cavazos Elementary schools in the La Joya ISD. The 9-1-1 presentation provided information on the importance of dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency and knowing your 9-1-1 address and phone number. Students were also shown a video featuring Cell Phone Sally that teaches the different types of phones that can be used to make a 9-1-1 call. Mascots Cell Phone Sally and Red E. Fox made an appearance at the end of each presentation as a grand finale.

Community events and school presentations continue to be a great success for the LRGVDC 9-1-1 Public Education Department. For more information please contact us at 956-682-3481.

Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance Community Emergency Response Team

9-1-1 Public Education

Dorina Moya, LRGVDC 9-1-1 Staff member introduced Red E. Fox and Cell Phone Sally at the end of the presentation given at Juan N. Seguin Elementar in La Joya, TX

Students and faculty from Emiliano Zapata Elementary pose with Red E. Fox and Cell Phone Sally

Cell Phone Sally greets students at Juan N. Seguin Elementary

Dorina Moya, Cell Phone Sally and Red E. Fox pose with faculty and students from Juan N. Seguin Elementary

CONTACTS FOR LRGVDC ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS

ExECuTIVE COMMITTEEMayor Chris Boswell PresidentCity of Harlingen

Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Samano 1st Vice-PresidentMember-At-Large

Hon. Norma G. Garcia 2nd Vice-PresidentMember-At-Large

Mayor Pro-Tem Eddy Gonzalez SecretaryCity of Edcouch

Commissioner Edward C. Camarillo TreasurerCity of Brownsville

Commission John Ingram Immediate Past PresidentCity of McAllen

REMAINING BOARD MEMBERSCommissioner Sofia Benavidez Cameron CountyCommissioner Hector “Tito” Palacios Hidalgo CountyJudge Pro-Tem Aurelio Guerra Willacy CountyCommissioner Roel Landa City of AlamoMayor David S. Simmons City of DonnaCouncil Member Gus Garcia City of EdinburgMayor Steve Brewer City of La FeriaCommissioner Ruben Guajardo City of MercedesCouncil Member Norie Gonzalez Garza City of MissionMayor Leo “Polo” Palacios, Jr. City of PharrMayor Orlando Correa City of RaymondvilleCommissioner Celeste Sanchez City of San BenitoMayor Pro-Tem Lupe Rodriguez City of San JuanCommissioner Robert J. Garza City of WeslacoDr. Cesar Maldonado T.S.T.C.Mr. Roberto Loredo Donna I.S.D.Mr. Gale Armstrong El Jardin Water SupplyMr. Michael G. Wilson Willacy County Navigation DistrictMr. Don Medina Member-At-LargeMr. Arturo Ramirez Grassroots Organizations

Kenneth N. Jones, Jr. Executive DirectorAnn Lyles Director, FinanceAnna Hernandez Director, Human Resources Terrie Salinas Director, Economic DevelopmentJoe Gonzalez Director, Area Agency of AgingTom Logan Director, Transit Services

Andrew Canon Director, Hidalgo County MPOManuel Cruz Director, Homeland SecurityJuan Gomez Director, 9-1-1 ServicesVictor Morales Director, ProcurementPaul Williams Director, Regional Police Academy & Training Center

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 31McALLEN, TX

78501

Lower Rio Grande ValleyDevelopment Council311 N. 15th Street • McAllen, TX 78501-4705

Lower Rio Grande Valley Development CouncilBOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010-2011

During the months of July and November 2010, LRGVDC staff

managing the Citizen Corps Program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), with assistance from Battalion Chief Darrell Loftus, City of Harlingen Fire Department and Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Stubbs, City of Weslaco Fire Department provided assistance and training to residents from the Cities of La Feria, San Juan, McAllen and Weslaco. The CERT course provided the knowledge and skills citizen volunteers need to effectively serve their community; efforts to prepare for local emergencies and respond to them were the focus. The CERT teams of La Feria and South Texas College are organized, trained, and equipped to educate the public in emergency preparedness and most importantly able to perform many of the emergency functions needed in the aftermath of a disaster. The CERT teams will coordinate with and supplement the efforts of the community’s professional emergency response staff if called upon.

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

Since 2006, with collaborative efforts between the first responders of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and LRGVDC the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program has provided Disaster Preparedness training to the citizens of this region and has produced over 200 CERT volunteers. If you are ready for a challenge and would like to participate in the CERT program, please contact Manuel Cruz,

Director of Homeland Security at (956) 682-3481 Ext. 105.

CERT TIP OF THE QUARTER: (Source: CERT Instructor Guide) Water Purification – Potable water supplies are often in short supply or are not available in a disaster. Purify water for drinking, cooking, and medical use by heating it to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or by using water purification tablets or unscented liquid bleach.

“ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A DISASTER”G-317 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

City of La Feria, TexasSouth Texas College – Mid Valley Campus, Weslaco, Texas

CERT class receives demonstration on fire suppression.

(Left: Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Stubbs, Weslaco Fire Dept. demonstrates the “Control Bleeding” technique on

CERT Vol. Alan Moore)TEAMWORK=SUCCESS

Battalion Chief Darrell Loftus, Harlingen Fire Dept. demonstrates to CERT group the location and proper

technique to shutoff utilities)TEAMWORK=SUCCESS

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the

greatest good for the greatest number.

Benefits Counselors appear on “Joy in our Town” Cable Show

Area Agency on Aging/Elder Rights andFoster Grandparents SponsorAging Well in the Valley 2010

Benefits Counselors, Anna De Leon and Mary Solis, recently taped a segment on the Medicare Part D enrollment period for “Joy in our Town” a community education program on cable station KLUJ. Ms. De Leon and Ms. Solis covered several aspects of this year’s issues and concerns regarding the Medicare Part D Program. This included but was not limited to changes in the program, such as covered health screenings, the Low Income Subsidy Program and the Medicare Savings Programs. Beginning November 15 – December 31, senior citizens have the opportunity to make changes on their Part D Prescription Drug Program. Those with Medicare only that do not make the December 31 deadline will be locked in until November 15, 2011. Cable station KLUJ-TV will run the segment until the end of December. For more information please contact LRGVDC’s Area Agency on Aging staff at 956-682-3481.

The Elder Rights Division and the Foster Grandparent Program held their annual Aging Well in the Valley event, September 22 at the Pharr Convention Center. Aging Well is designed to inform seniors about services and benefits that are locally available as well as provide updated information on a variety of health care situations.

The event has expanded from its inception by adding a dance contest about 4 years ago. Dancing for seniors is a popular way of providing exercise,

fun and competition at the same time.About 300 seniors attended and took advantage of the 25 agencies/businesses providing information, (Social Security Administration) free giveaways (lunch boxes) and health screenings (free eye exams).

A sack lunch was provided to all attending. The “COW” from Chik-fil-A made an appearance and provided entertainment and even danced with some of the seniors.

First, second and third place were awarded in the dance contest by a panel

of judges made up of Polo Sandoval, Channel 5; Asst. Commissioner Gary Jessee for DADS IR&A; and Ken Jones, Executive Director of LRGVDC.

Seniors enjoying dance contest duringAging Well in The Valley 2010.

Senior receiving blood pressure screening at Aging Well in the Valley 2010.

AAA staff joined by DADS Assistant Commissioner Gary Jessee (back 2nd from left)

Dance Contest Judges from left to right: Gary Jessee (DADS), Polo Sandoval (Channel 5) & Ken Jones

(LRGVDC)

Pictured left to right: Mary Solis, Anna De Leon, and interviewer Frances Benavides.