McAllen Receives Scenic City Certification

McAllen, TX (August 02, 2011) – The City of McAllen has been designated as a Scenic City by Scenic Texas. The Certification Program supports and recognizes municipalities that implement high quality scenic standards for public roadways and public spaces. Scenic Texas has identified a direct correlation between the success of a city’s economic development efforts and the visual appearance of its public spaces. The Program also plays a vital role in giving a voice to the proposition that citizens of any city are entitled to a green, uncluttered, visually appealing place to live, work, and play.

The distinction demonstrates a responsible local government. “This Certification is difficult to achieve and the ordinances and programs evaluated relate to how responsible and progressive a city is in its commitment to economic development and quality of life,” stated Carla M. Rodriguez, Grant Administration Director, whose office was responsible for assembling, for a second time, the Scenic City application.

Applicants were rated on seventy-three criteria including: a high percentage of park and open spaces; implementation of multi-use trails and recreation areas; strong litter enforcement laws; street lighting standards; parking lot landscaping; utility line management, and a budget that supports these programs and their ongoing maintenance.

“The benefits of the Scenic City certification allow us to educate McAllen residents about the importance of the local planning process. The certification also highlights McAllen as a destination center for tourists and meeting planners,” stated Julianne Rankin, Planning Director.

Scenic City has five Certification levels consisting of: Certified, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The City of McAllen earned a Certified status in the rankings and certification is good for five years, at which time the City will need to reapply for a new evaluation in order to retain (or upgrade) its status. If McAllen’s ordinances are modified to increase scenic standards, the City would be eligible to reapply sooner to achieve a higher certification level.

“The City of McAllen is honored to have been named a Scenic City. This distinction exemplifies McAllen’s dedication to providing a clean, beautiful city to our residents, visitors, and businesses alike, as well as increasing property values and attracting new businesses here,” stated Mayor Richard F. Cortez.

The City of McAllen will be recognized in Houston on Thursday, October 13, 2011, at 5:30 pm during the Texas Municipal League (TML) Conference.

McAllen Recognized as a Top 100 Place to Live By RelocateAmerica.com

Brighton, Mich., July 18, 2011 -- RelocateAmerica has published its “Top 100 Places to Live” report in its 14th annual listing of the top communities in America and McAllen is on it.

“This is great news. It confirms our belief that McAllen is among the top places in America to live,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez. “However, we need to continue to improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors, every chance we get.”

With help from area residents, McAllen could also receive recognition as a Top 10 overall community.

“We are looking for a strong show of support among local residents, community and business leaders as the Top 10 breakout category winners are now determined through a special nomination process” said Steve Nickerson, President of RelocateAmerica,

“Community pride is a good indicator of great leadership and a mark of what makes it a great place to live, work and play.”

Voting for Overall Top 10 is new for 2011. It's part of a year-long initiative to give local residents and leaders direct input about how their community rates in various quality of life categories. There will be six different breakout categories released throughout the year, including the top areas for education, recreation, and places to retire as well as several others.

The winners of Overall Top 10 will be determined by resident input submitted to the website by July 31, 2011. The results will be released on August 2, 2011.

Visit http://top100.relocateamerica.com to vote.

The 2011 Top 100 Places to Live list along with archives of previous years' winners can be viewed at www.RelocateAmerica.com.

Congressman Hinojosa meets with Constituents on Child HealthCare Issues

I would like to share some recent information about the Republican budget plan being proposed by the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives that would drastically affect the health care of millions of children in the country, including those children living in the 15th District of Texas.

Approximately 400,000 people, about two thirds of them being children, would be left without health care coverage by 2013, according to a report released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Our children, who are our next generation of educators, civil servants, members of our Armed Forces, scientists, and future leaders of tomorrow, could be affected by these irresponsible cuts.

The same report cites that by 2016, 1.7 million children would lose their Child Health Insurance Plan coverage which is provided by Medicaid. Children could lose prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams, glasses, doctor’s visits, and more. The CBO report goes on to say that the GOP plan would cut $1 TRILLION from Medicaid by providing block grants, which CBO estimates will result in 15 million Americans losing coverage through Medicaid.

I come from a family of hard workers. My parents raised 8 children and we all worked together to keep each member of our family safe and healthy. Fortunately we all made it through our teenage years to become healthy adults. While this was true for us, there are many families who have fallen on hard times and who are in need of health care. Every child should be able to receive health care and every parent should be able to feel that despite having fallen on bad economic times, their child will still have access to medical services.

I have always supported making health care available for South Texans by improving care for the uninsured, underinsured and for those medically underserved in rural and urban areas. As Congress continues negotiations on deficit reduction, I am committed to protect children and their healthcare needs against these irresponsible cuts.

As always, it is my honor to represent you in Congress. If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact our offices throughout the 15th District of Texas or in Washington, D.C.

Sincerely,

Ruben Hinojosa
Member of Congress

McAllen Police Department to Recognize Community Volunteers, Officers at Awards Ceremony

McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez plans to recognize a group of citizens and members of law enforcement at the McAllen Police Department’s Command Staff Roll Call Training Session, Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 12 noon, the McAllen Convention Center.

The Command Staff Roll Call Training Session is a staff development training seminar for McAllen Police Department supervisory personnel and select department employees. This is an annual 12 hour training event attended by 45-55 supervisors of the McAllen Police department. It is called “Roll Call” training because multiple training issues are presented throughout the day; each is presented back to back.

“The great number of topics we cover during this non-stop day creates a fast paced briefing on the issues that simulates roll call type coverage of issues during normal shift roll calls,” said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.

An awards luncheon is scheduled for noon, inside the Convention Center Ballroom.

“Although we present awards throughout the day, this year, during the lunch period, we will present several persons with recognition awards,” Rodriguez said.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 Noon McAllen Convention Center, Ballroom 700 Convention Center Boulevard (Parking West Side of Convention Center)

Don't let Independence Day End in Tragedy

On a hot 4th of July weekend there is no place Texans would rather be than near water with family and friends. Yet, water and children can be a deadly combination. 53 children and teens have already drowned in Texas this year and summer is the most dangerous time of the year. That's why Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) urges everyone to never leave children unsupervised near water, not even for a minute.

Accidental drowning is one of the leading causes of death among infants, toddlers, and young children. 37 of the children who have drowned this year were six years old or younger. 22 of them where age two or younger.

Most of this year's tragedies have happened in swimming pools (51%) or lakes (13%) but children can drown in almost any amount of water. Bathtubs (8%) are particularly dangerous for infants and toddlers. Children have also been known to drown in hot tubs, mop buckets, ice chests, toilets, and even septic tanks. Examples of this year's tragedies include:

A two-year old Bexar County girl drowned in a river. A four-year old Harris County boy died at a water park. A 14-year old Tarrant County boy drowned in a lake. A nine-month old Dallas County boy drowned in a bathtub. A nine-year old El Paso boy died in an irrigation canal. A seven-year old South Texas girl drowned in a city swimming pool. A four-year old Central Texas boy drowned in a swimming pool.

Children under one year of age are more likely to drown in bathtubs, buckets, and other indoor containers. Older children are more likely to drown in swimming pools and other outdoor bodies of water. Most young children who drown in pools are out of sight less than five minutes and are in the care of one or both parents at the time.

Many of these tragedies can be prevented. Never leave children unsupervised for any length of time around water because, in a matter of minutes, the results can be devastating.

Don't let this holiday end in tragedy. Keep children in sight at all times.

See & Save - "If you can't see them, you can't save them!"

For more information about water safety for children, please visit SeeandSave.org.