Despite rosy predictions by some economists the retail sales numbers for Rio Grande Valley cities continue to be troubling.

City manager Eleazar "Yogi" Garcia told commissioners at a regular city meeting last night that sales tax revenues in Raymondville are down by 9.1% for the first eight months of the current fiscal year.

The continued slump in city retail sales means that the local government has $77,000 less revenue in the budget than it had expected. And if the local economy doesn't right itself by the end of the year the losses will mount up to $115,500.

City department heads have been asked by Garcia to seek ways to spend less money until the situation improves.

Justin Duran Day

Mayor Orlando Correa introduced Raymondville High School Jr. Justin Duran and his parents, Robert and Eva Duran.

Justin won a gold medal at state powerlifting championships held in Abilene, TX on March 27 with a 675 lb. squat and 1,625 lbs. total.

Justin was also a member of the State Ensemble and is an honor student. He will graduate next year.

Justin will compete in powerlifting in Palm Springs, CA. on June, 20.

The mayor called him a "role model" and proclaimed May 25 as Justin Duran Day in Raymondville.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

The resignation of Jacqueline "Jackie" Roberson as the director of the Raymondville Economic Development Corp. for the past 9 years, was accepted with regret. She is a native of Raymondville and a RHS graduate. Jackie will move to Gregory-Portland, Texas with her husband and child at the end of this month.

The mayor and all of the commissioners joined city manager Garcia in thanking Roberson for a "job will done" and saying, "Everyone who talked with you became interested in Raymondville."

Commissioners voted to install a stop sign at 14th St. and Charles Ave.

The city manager was authorized to advertise for a secretary to work for the Economic Development Corp. at the new building on FM3168. The city expects to move the Chamber of Commerce and the EDC into the building on June 14.

The Straight Street Christian Ministry asked for and got permission to use Smiley Park for a free music service and as a spot to distribute food, drinks and clothing to the public. Rent fees will be waived for Pastor Balde Cantu's group.

Cris Caldera asked for permission to distribute Buddy Poppy flowers on Memorial Day on downtown street corners, near HEB and near city hall, for the VFW ladies Auxiliary.

The American Legion Auxliary will be doing the same thing on Saturday, May 29, she said.

Rosie Gonzales will again teach lessons at the city swimming pool. The pool will be closed on May 28 for the annual City Employees Appreciation Day. After that it will be open to the public for the summer.

An electrical bond for Pedro. A. Silguero, dba Pete's Electric, was approved.

The city will double the price of bulk water from its wastewater treatment plant from 3.47 per thousand gallons to $7 per thousand gallons. The move came after tanker trucks from Harlingen, San Benito, Kingsville and McAllen began coming here for the cheap water, which is used on calichi roads by oil field trucks, etc.

Police Chief Uvaldo Zamora reported on the organization of the new Neighborhood Watch which he said has been helpful in reducing the number of home burglaries and thefts on the southwest side of town. Between 35 and 50 indivduals are now patroling their neighborhoods and keeping watch on their neighbors' property, he said.

Operation Lone Star will again be held in Raymondville, this year at Raymondville High School from July 26 until 29, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The joint exercise will provide individuals from state health and human service agencies and healthcare professionals from the U.S. Army and county health departments.

Services provided include immunizations, diabetic screening, blood pressure checks, hearing and vision exams, sports physicals, some pharmacy and dental services. There is no cost to individuals for these free services.

On the same days there will be a Hurricane Fair at the Reber Memorial Library to prepare local residents for the possible threat of hurricanes this summer and fall, according to city manager Garcia.

Finally, EMS director Frank Torres reported that bees are swarming and that they attacked a student on his way home from school behind Dr. Munguia's dental office near the railroad tracks.

"We will take calls for swarming bees but we don't want to get involved in home bee remediations," said Torres.