McAllen Voters to Decide on Performing Arts Center & Hotel Occupancy Tax on November 8

In a special election on November 8, City of McAllen voters will decide on 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and they will also vote "For" or "Against" a proposition to impose a hotel occupancy tax for the purpose of financing a performing arts center.

Here's the official ballot language:

VOTE: [ ] FOR or [ ] AGAINST

"Authorizing the City of McAllen to provide for the planning, design, development, renovation and construction of a Performing Arts Center, or operating or maintaining a Performing Arts Center, and related facilities, infrastructure and improvements including buildings, site work, utilities, plumbing, roads, walkways, sidewalks, plazas, bridges, parking lots and/or parking garages, traffic control devices, signage, landscaping, real estate, easements, rights-of-way and other improvements necessary to build the Performing Arts Center and related facilities located in the vicinity of a convention center or facility owned by the City of McAllen; and to impose a hotel occupancy tax at the maximum rate of up to two-percent (2%) of the price paid for a room in a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house, tourist court, lodging house, inn, rooming house or bed and breakfast, which is located in McAllen, Texas for the purpose of financing this Venue Project."

View & Download SAMPLE BALLOT (English & Spanish) on www.mcallen.net

View & Download Early Voting & Election Day Schedules on www.mcallen.net

Early voting: Monday, October 24, 2011 to Friday, November 04, 2011

at the McAllen Tax Office, 311 N. 15 St., McAllen, TX

Election Day:  Vote by Precinct

More Information

For more information about the upcoming November 8 election, contact the Hidalgo County Elections Division at (956) 318-2570 or City Secretary in McAllen at (956) 681-1020.

The City Lights Up the Night Sky in PINK October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

McAllen, Texas - On behalf of the City Commission, Mayor Richard F. Cortez has instructed city staff to join in the observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by switching the multi-color LED lights to pink at city buildings and city underpasses. Mayor Cortez believes people everywhere should join together to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and contribute to the global fight against this devastating disease, which has claimed too many lives.

“We just want to do our small part to remind women of the importance of early detection. If driving by one of our city buildings or underpasses starts a family discussion about the deadly disease and importance of early screening maybe we can make a difference in the lives of a family,” said Mayor Cortez.

Breast Cancer is one of the most urgent health concerns facing women today, as it is the most prevalent form of non-skin cancer. Approximately 200,000 cases have been diagnosed this year and sadly, approximately 40,000 individuals will die from this disease in the United States in 2010.

Mayor Cortez added, “The citizens of McAllen have always come together for the betterment of our community. I expect their support in this endeavor because any loss is devastating.”

The American Cancer Society recommends women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

For more information please visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org

City of McAllen to honor two members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation

McAllen, TX--Mayor Richard F. Cortez and the McAllen City Commission will honor two members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation today with a proclamation and award at the regular City Commission meeting, this afternoon at 4 p.m.

Representative Aaron Pena and Representative Ryan Guillen will be recognized by the mayor and city commission at the ceremony today.

The delegation worked diligently with the City of McAllen on several major pieces of legislation that impacted the residents of the city including helping bring $800,000 to expand the UTPA Teaching Site in McAllen. University and City officials are already meeting on how to leverage the funds to expand the school's footprint in McAllen to offer more opportunities.

Senator Hinojosa and Representative Guillen also led the city's effort, with the support of the delegation, to save taxpayers millions of dollars with the takeover of Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3.

While the effort was ultimately unsuccessful because Governor Rick Perry vetoed the legislation, the delegation fought the good fight for months to do what was right for the residents of McAllen.

Their efforts with these projects and many others, in what was very difficult legislative session, for all involved should not go unrecognized.

“We are extremely proud of our Valley legislative delegation for their dedicated service and unwavering support in the 82nd Texas Legislature,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez. “On behalf of the City of McAllen and its residents I commend them and thank them for a job well done.”

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

McALLEN -  This week marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month when the American Cancer Society along with other organizations intensify their efforts to encourage early detection.

 

Unfortunately, most of us know someone who has suffered through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.   Almost 40,000 women die each year because of breast cancer, and almost 230,000 women will receive this diagnosis each year from their doctors.  Although breast cancer rates among women have been decreasing steadily due to earlier detection and better treatments, it is still a deadly disease.

 

The good news, however, is that when diagnosed before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, breast cancer is 98% curable.  This is why early detection is so important because it will increase treatment options and saves lives.

 

The American Cancer Society recommends an annual mammogram for women age 40 and over. Women with a family history of breast cancer or at an increased risk should start magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening at age 30. 

 

The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases as a woman ages.  Other risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, high breast-tissue density, a long menstrual history, obesity after menopause, postmenopausal hormone therapy, never having children or having one's first child after 30, or consumption of one or more alcoholic beverages per day.

 

In addition to breast self-exams and mammograms, women should watch for symptoms which include a lump or swelling of the breast, breast pain, skin irritation, a lump in the underarm area or nipple discharge other than breast milk.  These changes could also be signs of an infection or a cyst which is why it is so important to get any breast changes checked out by a doctor promptly.

 

"I urge women to get a yearly mammogram since it is the most important action in identifying the cancer early,"  stated State Rep. Veronica Gonzales.  "Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good time for family members and friends to remind their loved ones to seek early detection screening."

 

For more information on breast cancer please call the 24-hour a day, seven days a week, toll-free National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-ACS-2345.

“If It’s Not Your Money - It’s a Crime!”

Adult Protective Services (APS), a division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), is urging all Texans to make it their business to protect people who are older or have disabilities from financial exploitation.

APS investigations confirmed 1,544 victims of financial exploitation in Texas last year, although there are likely many more that went unreported.

That is why, each October, APS embarks on a community-based campaign that includes financial exploitation conferences, expos, and other events to sheds the light on this serious and under-reported crime. APS is also handing out brochures and meeting with banks and local organizations that can help intervene to protect exploitation victims all year long.

There are several events open to the public being held region wide:

October 8:
Weslaco: 9:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m., 2011 Safety Fair at South Texas College (Building G), 400.

October 12:
Laredo: 8:00 a.m. –3:30 p.m., Round Table: Financial Exploitation Awareness at the Border Region Behavioral Health Center, 1500 Pappas.

October 25:
Corpus Christi: Annual Week without Violence (YWCA) - Protecting Our Seniors Day. Join us for the "Senior Savvy" presentation (Alan Bligh, Better Business Bureau) on Financial Exploitation and Scams which target Seniors and Adult Protective Services presentation and information. Bring your documents which need to be shredded, a Shredding Truck will be there. 4601 Corona Drive, Corpus Christi, TX. Contact:




October 25:
Corpus Christi: Protecting Our Seniors Day Event at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Drive.

"Financial exploitation remains a serious threat," said Beth Engelking, DFPS assistant commissioner for Adult Protective Services.

"Victims are sometimes exploited by their own adult children, other relatives, paid caregivers, or others who win their confidence. It's critical that everyone understands that if it’s not your money, it’s financial exploitation, and it's a crime," said Engelking.

Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of another person's money or property for personal profit or gain. Signs of financial exploitation include:

Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices.
Unexplained or unexpected withdrawal of large sums of money.
Adding names to someone's bank signature card.
Unfamiliar people accompanying bank customers to withdraw large sums.
Unauthorized withdrawal of funds using ATM cards or sudden transfers of assets.
Sudden changes in financial documents.
Unpaid bills despite having enough money.
Previously uninvolved relatives who suddenly claim rights to a person’s affairs and possessions.
Abuse of power of attorney.


APS urges all Texans who know someone with a disability or who is 65 or older to be on the lookout for signs of financial exploitation. If you suspect exploitation, call 1-800-252-5400 and file a report so APS and law enforcement can investigate. Or you can report online at TxAbuseHotline.org.

Find out more at EveryonesBusiness.org, including tips on how Texans can protect themselves from financial exploitation.


Facts and Figures

· APS is a division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. APS' mission is to protect people who are 65 or older or have disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by investigating, and providing or arranging for services to alleviate or prevent further maltreatment.

· Texas has more than 2.5 million residents 65 or older. Another two million younger adults have a disability.

· APS confirmed that 56,056 Texans living at home and 1,568 Texans living in institutions were victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation last year. (57,624)

· About half of abuse, neglect, and exploitation victims were 65 or older and about half were younger adults with disabilities.

· APS investigations found that 1,445 adults living at home and 99 adults living in institutions were victims of financial exploitation last year. (1,544)

· APS referred 7,662 allegations of financial exploitation to law enforcement last year.


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Region 11 is comprised of the following South Texas Counties:
Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kennedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy, Zapata.