City attorney William "Bill" Wepfer presented his revised graffiti ordinance to commissioners last night. Wefer suggested a workshop to work out the details after commissioners have a chance to review his suggested changes in the local ordinance.

Meanwhile county and district attorney Bernard Ammerman instituted his own version of a graffiti abatement plan last week when he got a 19-year-old graffiti offender 30 days in county jail and five years probation.

The city is concerned about what to do about juveniles and Wepfer said he surveyed cities from Brownsville to Lubbock and from Houston to El Paso "and just about everywhere in between" in coming up with his suggestions.

Graffiti fines range from $20 to $500 in the cities Wept er checked and the courts can order violators to clean up the mess they made, make restitution to the property owners and in the case of minors, make the parents jointly responsible.

Property owners also have to be responsible, Wepfer says. The key to getting rid of graffiti, he believes, is to paint the gang signs over immediately.

"In many cases there is no one caught, so there is no one to fine, clean it up, or make restitution. To get rid of this problem we have to clean it up quickly to discourage future graffiti. You need to make it a violation for the owners who don't clean up the damage. Give them (property owners)7 days after they are notified by the city. If they don't clean it up the city can go in and do it and bill them (property owners). You have make allowances for old people, or sick people who can't do it. (Clean up their property).

Wepfer said police can consider it a violation to find spray paint in the possession of a juvenile, or if they are in violation of the curfew (in the case of minors).

The judge can also order community service of 30 hours minimum. No action was taken pending further consideration.

Raymondville High School Senior Class of 2010 will hold their final fundraiser during the Spring Carnival on March 6. Commissioners agreed to waive the rental fee for the city park pavilion on that day. The seniors will go to San Antonio on May 27 for their Senior Trip.

On the recommendation of police chief Uvaldo Zamora, Thomas Gomez was promoted to patrol sergeant and Cesar Sepulveda, Jr. was promoted to patrol corporal. Both promotions depend on completing a probationary period.

City police officers will be allowed to work on South Padre Island during down time in March again this year, but Chief Zamora believes the city will get funded by Operation Stone Garden and his officers may be able to get all the overtime they want here in Raymondville.