County meeting focus on grant applications

Willacy County Commissioners focused on approving state grant applications at their special meeting Monday afternoon, and on how to spend grant funds already approved.

The first grant considered was a $20,000 Youth Grant from Michael Harling, of Muncipal Capital Markets Group, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Harling is the bond manager on the 3000-bed ICE detention center in Raymondville.

A citizens advisory committee considered various projects that could use the money to benefit youth, including the Raymondville golf course, a skateboard park, and improvements to the riding & roping arena but none were picked.

Instead, the county divided the funds three ways with $6,666 going to each, Sebastian Pony League, Willacy County Little League, and Raymondville Sports Foundation (Pony League). The awards were based on the committee's recommendations.

Next the commissioners approved an application for $412,500 from Texas Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs. The grant will pay for roof repairs for homes damaged by Hurricane Dolly last summer. If home owners are disabled or elderly, mold damage from the same storm can also be taken care of.

"There are a lot of roofs that have not been repaired and that is what we are going after," said grantsman Carlos Mondragon.

Commissioners also approved a grant application for $480,000 from the Coastal Impact Assist. Program. The grant will also pay for an administrator to oversee the spending of the funds and the grant will total $1.5 million over four years.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Erasmo "Eddie" Chapa said the funds come from the operation of oil wells in the "middle of the Gulf of Mexico," and can only be used for environmental remediation of coastal areas.

Commissioners also approved an application for a $532,832 grant to pay overtime wages to sheriff's deputies who patrol the coastline in our county.

Deputy investigator Danny Solis, said that the money can also be used for equipment such as thermal imaging devices that can spot human movement in the dark. Such equipment will aid in spotting drug movers and illegal aliens with criminal or terrorist intentions.

Known as "Operation Stonegarden" the funds can be used county wide.

In other business:

Commissioners agreed to abandon the portion of a road at Port Mansfield that crosses property leased by Manuel "Manny" Armenta and his wife, Susan. The couple has bought the Port Mansfield Marina and are busy adding a second floor and expanding the business.

Mrs. Armenta said they plan to reopen the business in late July and that they expect to add a restaurant at a later date.