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Dos Republicas Hearings Before The Texas Railroad Commission

Submitted Commentary
Jan 31, 2012 9:27pm

On Monday January 30,2012 the much awaited hearings of Dos Republicas started in Austin, Texas. With recent coverages in a major state newspapers the story about the coal mines permit is again news. This time the players have been well identified. The motives for securing a permit at this time can be better understood and the requests with their additional changes for greater land use than the initial permit will indeed have added value for its investors than in the previous initial permits of years ago. It is these added areas of excavations and water holding sections that make this project even more dangerous to this community. And it is these changes in permits in addition to the the original permit of many years ago, that has not been executed, that the opponents of Dos Republicas are fighting. If the Texas Railroad commission approves these permits they will more easily contribute and enable the investors to have a better marketing position for these mines than in the past and enhance the capital gains that can be made in positioning them for a sale. With recent local newspaper reports that companies from China may be interested in this Mexican Investor's holdings the stakes for the issuing of these permits are even higher.

(Continued) In light of such toxic language being used in the present Republican Presidential Debates with such words as "Crony Capitalism " and "Vulture Capitalist" these words can surely resonate with what is taking place in the border community of Eagle Pass and the County of Maverick. Prime players and investors who's sole purpose and goal is to make a profit by extracting some of the poorest quality of coal in Texas and exporting it to Mexico for a profit. In the process they will be polluting the water and air of this poor community as they gain legitimacy if the Texas Railroad Commission grants their permits even though all governmental entities in the community are opposed.

While the term" Vulture Capitalist" may refer to investors who purchase dying businesses at reduced cost and then bring them up to life and later sell them for a profit the same can be said of these abandoned mines who's investors are resuscitating these mines after decades of inactivity and legitimising their operation through the wielding of influential politics.

The assault,exploitation,and well being of this poor, predominately Mexican-American Community on the Texas-Mexican Border by these Mexican Investors can not and should not be rubber stamped by the Texas Railroad Commission. The community should not be at the mercy of a governmental commission which seems to time and time again side with high ranking officials such as State Secretary Andrade who feel that these Mexican investors are making this border community a favor by indicating that there will be benefits to the community by providing a measly 200 jobs for its citizenry as miners.

The time to stop these Venture Foreign Capitalist is now and it is now time for the Railroad Commissioners to evaluate this permit application thoroughly and objectively; see that the harm that they can cause by their approval will far outweigh any positive out come of jobs. The environmental effects and health manifestations that this type of industry has already proven to produce in other areas of the country is something that the commission should not further. The ramifications to the community by way of health cost to the citizens and the state as well as any legal litigation that may develop from their actions is something that must be considered. The Texas legislature already has sufficient problems to handle with other pressing issues such as school finance where money is an issue.

In doing the work of the Commission each member must and should consider all future problems that that their actions can cause.

Maverick County Junior Livestock Show draws hundreds

EPalumni.Com
by Robert Castillo

EAGLE PASS - Jesse James De La Cruz was pleasantly surprised when his steer was selected as the grand champion at this year's Maverick County Junior Livestock Show.

"It came to me as a real surprise when my steer was selected."explained Jesse. "I was told that my steer had a real big top which made it a winner."

Jesse, a sophomore at Eagle Pass High School, is not sure whether animal husbandry is in the future but he is looking at Texas A&M as a potential college destination. Jesse's Grand Champion Steer was bought for $9,500 by Dos Republicas Mining Co.

Daniela Molina's Grand Champion Lamb sold for $6,750 and the Grand Champion Boer goat sold for $4,800 and was shown by Ernest Molina. The Grand Champion Hog owned by Nayla Telles sold for $5,750.

Preliminary sales estimates totaled $217,000 according to MCJLS organizers. Final totals will be available next week.

Eagle Passan Grant E. Bibb charged with conspiracy

Jan 26, 2012

SAN ANTONIO - A story published today in a San Antonio newspaper, reports that Grant E. Bibb, 40, from Eagle Pass, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the federal government and is scheduled to go before Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery on Monday.

According to the publish report, Bibb and five others allegedly were involved in a scheme where they received $2,000 bonuses for enlisting soldiers thru a recruiting program.

Bibb and others could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. MORE.

Arizona Gov. Brewer disrespects the President

EPalumn.Com
Comment By Robert Castillo

Republican Governor Jan Brewer has joined a growing number of Republicans that have recently been disrespectful to the President. Aside from the daily racist innuendo broadcasted by both Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannidy, Governor Brewer went further today as she waved her finger in the President's face upon his arrival at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona for a political event.

Reports indicate that Brewer became incensed when President Obama told Brewer that he disagreed with what she wrote in her most recent book in which she claimed that she had not been well received at a white house meeting. Apparently, Brewer was upset when White House staff asked all attending the meeting with the President to leave their cell phones outside the President's oval office, a practice that has always existed.

Some have described this growing anger and hatred toward the President as personal and reminiscent of deep rooted resentment for minorities by some ultra-conservatives. Rush Limbaugh has recently targeted Mrs. Obama as well.

Many of those that are sympathetic towards the President do not expect for anything to change but do expect the hatred to continue as long as President Obama remains in office.

Adult Mission Trip to Eagle Pass, TX
January 13 - 16, 2012

After an extremely beneficial and spiritually rewarding trip in October, we have decided to make this Mission a quarterly event. The need in the Colonias in this area is immense, but we can make a difference in their living conditions, as well as their spiritual journey.

Poverty and illiteracy are very high in Eagle Pass. This trip we will be doing some light construction projects (no experience or skill required) for people who need help maintaining their homes, as well as having a book fair for children and adults, in conjunction with their ongoing literacy project. The Mission team is also collecting new or gently used books for children and adults, so any book donations would be greatly appreciated. MORE

Johnny Ruiz pleads not guilty

EAGLE PASS -- Johnny Ruiz, Eagle Pass Independent School District Chief of Police entered a plea of not guilty to a theft charge he faces in Eagle Pass Municipal Court on Friday.

The charge stems from Ruiz arrest after he allegedly took merchandise without paying from a local Wal-Mart store in Eagle Pass. Ruiz has stated that it was a misunderstanding and that he was not arrested. However, on the day of the incident, Ruiz was taken to the Eagle Pass Police Department and processed and given a citation for theft.

There was speculation that Ruiz would plea no contest but with his plea of not guilty, its now up to Wal-Mart and its security staff to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ruiz in fact took mechanize without paying. The court appearance has been set for February 9 before Municipal Judge Francisco Martinez.

In the meantime, Ruiz remains suspended from his position as EPISD Chief of Police pending the court's outcome.

The Class of 1970 & Friends at Chris Madrids

EPalumni.Com
Webposted: Dec 30, 2011

SAN ANTONIO - Classmates from the Class of 1970 and friends continue to get together and they did it again last night by meeting at the well-known Chris Madrids in northside San Antonio. Throughout the year, this group has met almost monthly in San Antonio. On last night's menu were the famous Machoburger for some.

Some travel from Eagle Pass to San Antonio to meet while others have already relocated and now work or reside in the Alamo City.

It is during this "mixers" that the group often shares life's milestones while at the same time reminisce about the way it was.

The group always welcomes all others that may not necessarily be from the Class of 1970 to join them. They urge anyone that wants to be notified of future gatherings to contact Jane Castillo at janercastillo@yahoo.com.

Vangie and Benito Reza helped organize last night's event and while at Chris Madrids they met another family from Eagle Pass having lunch at the same time, which goes to show that Eagle Passans are everywhere.

One killed in vehicle collision, Eagle Pass family seriously injured

EPalumni.Com
Webposted: Dec 27, 2011

Media sources reported a two vehicle accident in Frio County on U.S. Highway 57 yesterday around 6pm which resulted in numerous injuries and one fatality.

Nicole Barber, 18 years of age from Eagle Pass was pronounced dead at the scene. Reports indicate that Barber was driving north in a Chevrolet Cobalt and drifted into a head-on collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 43 year old Juan Escalante who suffered serious internal injuries and was subsequently transferred to a San Antonio Hospital.

With Escalante was Beatrice Escalante, 30, who suffered a fractured arm. Three other children were in the Tahoe with ages 17, 9 and 4. Most suffered facial and head injuries but are considered in fair condition. The Escalante family is believed to reside in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Kaylee reacted to Santa Claus during the gift giving in Eagle Pass. Photo by R. Castillo

A religious celebration was held Monday at 5am at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto located in the northside of San Antonio. Parishioners listened to mariachi music. A mass followed. EPassans are invited to attend the Grotto at any time. Photo by EPalumni.Com

The Eagle Pass Class of 1966 held their 45th Class reunion at Cha-Cha's in San Antonio. Attendance exceeded expectations as classmates contined to arrive after 7pm. Photos can be seen at EPalumni.Com's Facebook by clicking HERE.

Photo by Eagle Pass Daily

Tom Schmerber hace oficial su candidatura para Sheriff del Condado de Maverick

Written by Eagle Pass Daily
Monday, 05 September 2011 16:22

EAGLE PASS, Texas – Tom Schmerber, veterano de la Patrulla Fronteriza en Eagle Pass, anunció oficialmente este lunes su candidatura para correr para Sheriff del Condado de Maverick.

Schmerber, quien cuenta con 26 años de experiencia en el enforzamiento de la ley, estuvo acompañado de su esposa Blanca, maestra del EPISD, y su hija Nikki.

Schmerber actualmente labora como educador en la C.C. Winn High School y pide el apoyo de la comunidad en estas proximas elecciones que se llevarán a cabo en marzo del 2012. Complete article