SAN ANGELO – Ryan Rosas of Sanderson was the only Eagle and the only player from his district to make the All-West Texas Football
team for Six Man Football by the San Angelo Standard-Times.
The paper carried the story in its Dec. 26 edition, which honored Tyler
Ethridge of Richland Springs as “the best six-man football player in West Texas this season – and has been for a long time.”
The paper
chose Ethridge as most valuable player and Danny Davis of Rankin as coach of the year.
Ryan was selected as one of nine defensive players
on the “All-West Texas Team.”
“Rosas was a first-team all-district selection at cornerback and wide receiver and snagged ten interceptions
this season in helping the Eagles to the state quarter finals,” the paper said.
He also made the All-Region football squad on both
offense and defense.
Ryan was a significant part of the Sanderson Eagle football team that ended the season at 6 and 5 overall but
won all of its district games.
As the winner of the smallest district in terms of school size, Sanderson won district with a 60-28
victory over Balmorhea to spoil Parents Night for the Bears Nov. 9 and drew a bye for the first round of the playoffs.
The Eagles next saw action against Grandfalls-Royalty in Ozona on Nov. 23 when they “45d” their opponents and came home with a 52-6
victory and the regional championship.
It all came to an end the next week when the Jayton Jaybirds “45d” the orange and black 56-8
at Midland Memorial Stadium.
Ryan was hobbled somewhat by a shoulder injury in the Balmorhea game, which he hurt again at Midland.
But
he is expected to make a full recovery and be back in pads in the fall.
Also making the All-West Texas team on defense were Bryan Allgood
of Rochelle, Shelby Smith of Richland Springs, Adrian Hernandez of Fort Davis and Brody Dillard of Robert Lee.
Also Patrick Couch of
Richland Springs, Jason Valliant of Rochelle, Jake Schwartz of Garden City and Cameron Hodge of Robert Lee.
Offensive players included Garrett Avalos of Rankin, Brian Scott of Veribest, Jonathan Garcia of Water Valley and Greg Harper of Eden.
Also,
Mark Williams of Richland Springs, Chase Epley of Rankin, Seth Rucker of Eden, Wade Jansa of Garden City and Josh Gallegos of Robert
Lee.
Specialists and utility players were Jackson Richburg of Highland, Taylor Percifull of Robert Lee and Ethan Griffin of Panther
Creek.
PRESIDIO – The announcement that several feral burros had been killed by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (News Leader,
Dec. 14) has brought a flurry of responses from concerned citizens and readers.
The TP&W announced last month that a feral animal-harvesting
program was under way in the Big Bend Ranch State Park near here.
“We are writing this letter in hopes of requesting an external, unbiased
investigation of the tragic killing of at least 71 feral burros in Big Bend Ranch State Park near Presidio,” Crystal Ward of Placerville,
CA, wrote in a letter to the park.
“Two paid state employees killed at least 71 burros and wounded unknown others,” she wrote.
Ward
is president of the California Donkey and Mule Association.
“The park wants to introduce big horn sheep as a means to generate moneys
through the “Big Time Texas Hunts,” Sal Rhymes of Los Molinos, CA, wrote in a letter to the News Leader editor (Page 2.) “The park
sells tickets for the chance to hunt managed herds of big horn sheep and other exotics such as longhorn cattle, which are also encouraged
to graze in the park.”
In another letter to the Big Bend Ranch State Park, virtually identical to Ward’s letter,
Lt. Col. (ret.) Thelma Jean Hasler said she understands that two park officials were authorized to kill the animals but she noted
“the lack of notice to many park employees who opposed the slaughter while this was taking place during 2007.”
She said she feared
the event would be “swept under the rug” and would continue “after the dust has settled.”
Ward and Hasler said many of the killings
were done in an inhumane manner including some that were shot in the stomach or buttocks.
Former park employee Robert Garcia “witnessed
a young foal trying to nurse off his dead mother,” they wrote. “Garcia estimated over 100 donkeys have been shot since the killings
began.”
Hasler said she understood the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue from southern California would arrive this month “to humanely
capture many surviving donkeys. This apparently will be done without taxpayer dollars.”
In another letter to the editor, Macky Shackelford
of Marathon wrote that the killings were the result of the Big Horn Sheep project to wildlife areas, a program he said has generated
$760,000 in revenue since the 1960s but has cost taxpayers “millions of dollars” which will never be replaced “because the Big Horn
Sheep program will never be successful.”
Zach Zniewski, who wrote a burro column for the Marathon News Leader, said in a letter to
the editor last month that the Texas Parks Department “owes it to us to find and fund humane and decent solutions to the ecological
difficulties our parks face. After all we pay their salaries.”
TP&W spokesman Scott Boruff told the News Leader last month the
department does not condone cruelty to animals.
“If there is an opportunity that is reasonable to harvest a burro we will do it,” he
said. “All our people engaged in this are certified in the use of firearms for the harvesting of animals.”
Federal law protects burros
and mustangs on federal land but there are no state statutes that prohibit the killing of such animals on state lands.
“There were
no laws or policies broken. We are in the process of harvesting feral animals from the Big Bend State Park, audad, hogs and burros,”
Boruff said. “West Texas has an incredibly sensitive eco-system and we have to remove the ferals to restore endemic species.
“We now
have 1,000 Big Horn Sheep in Texas in three places, Elephant Mountain, Sierra Diablo and Black Gap,” he said. “We’re trying to make
Big Bend State Park next. Restoration of an endangered species like the Big Horn Sheep is quite an accomplishment.”
Burros evidently
carry diseases that are not tolerated well by the Big Horn Sheep.
“I think it would be mismanagement not to try and take out the burros,”
he said. “There are non-lethal ways to harvest the burro but they spook pretty bad.
“We spent six days recently baiting corrals in
the park and ended up with just two burros,” Boruff said. “We’re willing to give them to the public. They might be able to rope them,
if they’re good.”
Shackelford said the state has tried to introduce big horn sheep into the Black Gap area south of Marathon and “if
they try to introduce the big horn into the Big Bend Ranch, again millions of dollars will be spent on trying to find them, water
them and keep diseases away from them.
SEGUIN – Alberto “Beto” Gonzalez Calzada of Sanderson died Monday here.
Calzada was a longtime oil field worker died at the home of
a daughter, Estelle Menchaca.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time. A complete obituary will be in the January 11 News
Leader.
By R.M. GLOVER
ALPINE – Other than a few leaves blowing across the grass, the east side of the Brewster County Courthouse
here was quiet New Year’s Day – there was no auction.
Kelcy L. Warren’s $13.5 million was transferred in time to the creditors of
the “Ultimate Hideout,” the bankrupt 25,000- acre Lajitas resort, making Warren the new owner.
Warren, chief executive officer and
chairman of the board for Energy Transfer Partners LP, a Dallas based oil and gas pipeline company, won the bidding for the “Ultimate
Hideout” last month.
Creditors, who forced the sale due to unfulfilled loan obligations by previous owner Steve Smith of Austin, were
hopeful that the Warren deal would go through. A public auction would have been necessary had it not.
Warren wasted little time in
changing the name to Lajitas Resort and Spa and hiring Houston-based resort operator Edwin W. Leslie to serve as CEO.
In an open letter
to the public, Leslie promised chicken-fried steak instead of $50 steak, lower green fees and $29-a-day RV hook-ups.
Meantime, Warren
landed in his private jet at the 7,500-foot runway at the private airport inside the resort.
One of his first stops on his pre-Christmas
walk-through was a visit with artist and songwriter Collie Ryan. She’s been squatting on the Lajitas land in her old school bus for
20 years.
“That’s who I want to be and I can’t,” Warren was overheard saying after his brief meeting with Ryan.
MIDLAND – The Better Business Bureau has some tips for coping with the after affects of the holidays.
Don’t throw away packaging or
sales receipts if you plan to file for rebates, the BBB says. Those items may be required to secure reimbursements.
Companies offer
billions of dollars in discount and rebate coupons every year – on everything from toothbrushes to digital cameras – but not every
consumer makes the effort to collect.
The Promotional Marketing Association reports the average redemption rate is about one in five.
“Some consumers who go through the redemption process miss the filing deadline or submit insufficient information,” said Trish Powell,President and CEO of the BBB of the Permian Basin. “Those who do succeed in claiming their rebates can save hundreds of dollars.
“If
you were among the holiday shoppers enticed to purchase gifts offering rebates, the Better Business Bureau suggests that you review
rebate offers as soon as possible and note expiration dates,” she said. “You may be approaching the filing deadline.”
In most cases,
rebate paperwork must be sent to the manufacturer or retailer within 30 days of the product purchase.
Rebate offers typically require
consumers to mail the requested documentation to a redemption address but some retailers offer the opportunity to file for a rebate
online.
Check the company Web site if you have rebate questions.
The documentation required usually includes the original sales receipt,
UPC code – it sometimes must be cut from the product package – rebate certificate and the customer’s name, address and telephone number
or e-mail address.
Consumers generally receive their rebates within 12 weeks of submitting their documentation.
“To help assure a
successful rebate claim, the BBB encourage consumers to follow the instructions exactly as detailed on the rebate form and provide
all requested documentation,” Powell said. “Consider sending your rebate paperwork via certified mail if you want to secure proof
that you mailed your form by the required deadline.”
She suggesting making a copy of all paperwork that you submit when applying for
your rebate. It’s the only record you will have of the transaction if anything goes wrong.
Contact the company if the rebate does
not arrive within the time promised. The Federal Trade Commission requires companies to send rebates within the time frame promised
or, if no time is specified, within a “reasonable” amount of time.
“If the rebate never arrives or arrives late, consider filing a complaint with the BBB,” Powell said. “Contact the Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on any business or charity by calling 432/563-1880, toll-free at 800/592-4433 or by visiting www. bbb.org.”
SANDERSON – Ashley Hagelgans of Sanderson has been nominated to attend the National Young Leaders State Conference in Texas.
Ashley,
the 12-year-old daughter of David Hagelgans and Laura Ochoa of Sanderson, was nominated by Sanderson schools coach and teacher Trisha
Nichols, based on her academic achievement and leadership potential.
The conference will be June 26 to 29 in Dallas.
Eighth and ninth
grade students from across the nation will take part in the leadership development program being held in 32 cities across the country.
The
conference helps young scholars take an introspective and highly-personalized assessment of their leadership skills and abilities.
“I
am very nervous and excited at the same time,” Ashley said. “I am going into this with the expectation and hope to gain a lot of useful
knowledge. I would like to thank Coach Trisha Nichols for the nomination and believing me.”
Throughout the four-day program, scholars
will build a working “toolkit” of strategies to help them successfully dream, create and implement plans that will change how they
view their role as leaders in their communities.
“The steps each person takes in discovering his or her own leadership strengths can
be a very personal process,” said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization
that sponsors NYLSC. “The National Young Leaders State Conference will help students get at the heart of their innate talents and
skills and will also help them identify how best they can serve within their communities.”
Hagelgans told the News Leader, “I am very
nervous and excited at the same time. I am going into this with the expectation and hope to gain a lot of useful knowledge. I would
like to thank Coach Trisha Nichols for the nomination and believing me.”
WASHINGTON, DC – The US Border Patrol said here last month it has continued to experience an increase in assaults against its agents.
Border-wide assaults continued on a record pace with 250 assaults occurring from October 1 through December 16, compared to 181 assaults
for the same time period a year ago – a 38 percent increase.
Assaults against agents occur more frequently from Mexico immediately
south of the border where organized criminal gangs and elements have little to no fear of apprehension or arrest by Mexican authorities.
Agents have experienced assaults by rocking, gunfire, Molotov cocktails, vehicular assaults and physical assaults.
Recently, helicopters
flying in support of Border Patrol agents on the ground have received gunfire.
“The American public and the border community must
understand that this situation is no longer about illegal immigration or narcotics trafficking” US Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar
said. “It is about criminals and smuggling organizations fighting our agents with lethal force to take over a part of American territory
so that they can conduct criminal activity.
“Criminals are discovering they can no longer operate with impunity in certain areas and
are systematically being prevented from using the border for their criminal activities,” Aguilar said. “Our message to the criminals
and criminal organizations trying to exploit the border communities through violence is that this is unacceptable and violence against
our officers will not be tolerated.
“These criminal organizations are victimizing border communities,” he said. “Citizens on both
sides of the border stand to lose if these organizations are allowed to operate with impunity on our nations’ border.
“US Border Patrol
agents protect and defend America’s borders but they also protect our border communities from the criminal element’s attempts to turn
communities into battlegrounds,” Aguilar said.
While the Border Patrol has seen an increase in violence against its officers throughout
the southwest border, the San Diego sector has seen the largest increase in assaults this year.
San Diego has now become the most
violent sector for the US Border Patrol.
This fiscal year through December 16, there have been 110 recorded assaults on San Diego
Border Patrol agents, a 358 percent increase over last year when there were 24 assaults reported during the same time period.
Agents
are most often attacked by smugglers and criminal elements in areas where drug and human trafficking organizations have been entrenched.
Nationally, there are approximately three agents assaulted on a daily basis.
Today, the vast majority of assaults are occurring on
the southern borders of California and Arizona.
On the southwest border, there were 384 total assaults recorded during fiscal year
2004.
Over fiscal year 2007, there were 987 attacks. Nationally, during fiscal year 2006, there were 752 reported assaults compared
to 687 assaults during fiscal year 2005.
In response, Border Patrol has implemented several measures to help combat the rising assaults
against agents.
Agents are equipped with less-lethal items such as collapsible steel batons, oleoresin capsicum spray and pepper ball-launching
systems.
This year, the Border Patrol implemented the use of the FN-303, a less-lethal projectile launcher, in select sectors.
These items are not a substitute for firearms but they give agents more options to respond to an assault before escalating to the
use of deadly force.
Ultimately, the agent under assault will respond to an assault with the appropriate use of force as trained,
equipped and prepared, Aguilar said.
Also available to agents are helmets, shields and vehicles, commonly called “war wagons,” retro-fitted
with steel mesh over glass surfaces.
The patrol also is continuing its efforts to work with Mexican authorities in stemming violence
along both sides of the border.
Each time an assault occurs in the border environment, local Border Patrol authorities notify their
counterparts in Mexico. Many times, though, there is little or no response, the patrol said.
By R.M. GLOVER
MARATHON – The town could loose a little of its sound and fury this year, if backers have their way, as the
“quiet zone” looks to become a reality.
Construction of a seven-inch curb will make it harder for vehicles to zig-zag around the crossing
arm at the railroad tracks at Avenue D, theoretically eliminating the need for trains to blow their horns while rumbling through town.
“The
spur rail has already been cut,” Brewster County Commissioner Reuben Ortega said this week. “I expect the project to be completed
late this spring.”
Materials for the construction project, funded by Gage Hotel owner J.P. Bryan, were received at the county yard
last week.
“We’ll start working on the curb later this month,” Ortega said.
“The train horns bother some people in town, especially
guests at The Gage,” said Niel Chavigny, president of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. The Gage management refused to comment on
the matter.
“Most of our guests appreciated the train horns and took it in as part of the romance of the west,” said Harry Mois, owner
of Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine and former owner of the Holland Hotel across the street from the Union Pacific depot. “But we also supplied
ear plugs in each room.”
Construction of two improved barricades at the railroad crossings at Fifth and Seventh Streets in Alpine may
also become a reality in 2008.
“The quiet zone project has been around for a while but in 2007 it re-birthed,” Alpine Mayor Mickey
Clouse said. “We’re working hard on it”
Negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad, the Texas Department of Transportation, Brewster
County Sheriff’s Department, the City Council and the federal government are under way.
“Midland and Odessa already have Quiet Zones
in certain parts of their towns,” Clouse said.
But not all favor the “quiet zone.”
Isabel Shackelford lost her father and two brothers
at the Marathon railroad crossing on the way to The Post one night 43 years ago.
“My dad and brothers might still be alive today if
the train had blown its horn,” she said.
“I don’t approve at all of this no-blow nonsense,” Shackelford said. “Trains having been coming
through here since before I was born.
“People should be thankful trains today give us a warning,” she said. It wasn’t always like
that.”
SONORA – Friends of Historic Sonora and its Main Street will play host to the first meeting of the New Year for the Texas Pecos Trail
Region Tuesday, Jan. 15.
A VIP tour of the historic Sutton County Courthouse, designed by Oscar Ruffini and built in 1891, will begin
at 10:30 a.m., conducted by Main Street Director Mary Ann Kay.
The Networking Luncheon will be at the St. John Episcopal Church Fellowship
Hall with catering by Sutton County Steakhouse. Reservations are required by Tuesday, Jan. 8, for the luncheon only.
The Pecos Trail
Region’s management office is located in Sonora and Region Coordinator Keith Godwin said she encourages preservationists, tourism
managers and community leaders to attend the Networking luncheon and meet the new Board of Directors that were recently elected for
2008.
“Our first year was a truly successful one for the Pecos Trail and 2008 should prove to be quite noteworthy for all of our partners,”
Godwin said. “I hope many of our partners and community stakeholders in this Region will attend.”
The TPTR promotes preservation, protection
and promotion of historic, cultural and environmental heritage in the 22-county region.
The 2008 Directors and Executive
Committee for TPTR are Chairman Betty Cash of Pecos County, Vice Chairman Ann Schneemann of Reagan County, Secretary Brenda Kissko
of Martin County, Treasurer Bill Oglesby of Reeves County and Immediate Past Chair Shannon Biggerstaff of Crockett County.
Others are
Nancy Jenkins of Edwards County, Linda Jordan of Ward County, Mary Ann Kay of Sutton County, Sherry Phillips of Upton County, Debbie
Vickers of Ector County and Burr Williams of Midland County.
By KIM RAPP
SANDERSON – Alas, the holidays are behind us once again.
Yolie Connelly took her parents,Tony & Edelmira Calzada, to spend Christmas day in Monahans where brother Tony Calzada, Jr., & family hosted a Christmas dinner
for the whole family.
“There had to have been at least 45 people there. Great fun,” Connelly said. “We opened gifts and
ate ham and the trimmings plus my brother made a mean Asado outside in his disco. The day was warm and really nice.”
This Christmas,
I went home to Las Vegas, where my family and I had a “family reunion,” if you will.
Coming from Springfield, OH, was mom-in-law Mary
Rapp, formerly of Sanderson, along with sister-in-law Dianna Davidson, Mikey Boyts, kids Tommy & Kelly Boyts, Tommy’s friend Kyleand longtime friend Dwayne Mitchell.
From Trona, CA, was sister-in-law Kimmie & Bob Peterson along with kids Sara Jacks & Mary
Peterson.
Diana’s oldest son Darrel Langton and wife Heather graciously opened their home to the slew of us as we celebrated the birth
of their firstborn Darrel Langton III.
That covers my husband Robert’s family. After they left to go home, we met up with my family.
Big
brother Richard Anthony Vandermark, my little sister Christina Frasier, her kids Christian, Jesse & Nicola, Krista Myers, Brittney
Myers, niece Amy and her mom Wendy Vandermark.
Coming in from Ridgecrest, CA, was my step-dad Daryl Moline.
From Florida was my uncleCraig Speranzi with son Craig, Jr., and a few friends.
While there we enjoyed karaoke, bowling and rollerskating. But most of all,
we just enjoyed being together.
The purpose of our trip was to transport my daughter Bobbi to Vegas where she will begin classes at
UNLV this month.
We saw some old friends and made some new ones, but I think every one was glad to be home.
Boss man Jim Street traveled
to North Richland Hills to see kids Stuart & Jan Street, Laron & Dawn Street and grandkids Sasha Caves & Chase Street.
Surely there was more visiting over the holidays. Let us hear from you.
Enjoy the time you have with your family. We miss them
terribly when they’re far away.
COLLEGE STATION – The Academy for Ranch Management has scheduled two workshops next month for prescribed rangeland burning, a technique
that renews vegetation by using fire to burn off unwanted brush.
A prescribed burning rangeland workshop is scheduled for Feb. 21
to 23, while an advanced workshop on the method is scheduled March 6 to 8.
Both workshops will be at the Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station near Sonora.
Cost for each workshop is $395 and includes meals and lodging at the Sonora station, said Ray Hinnant, senior
research associate with the Experiment Station and one of the workshop instructors.
The first workshop provides basic information
on prescribed burning, weather, fuels, equipment and planning.
It is designed to be a prerequisite to the advanced workshop.
Hinnant
said a prescribed burn will be conducted, weather permitting.
The advanced workshop provides additional information on weather and
fuels with emphasis on planning and conducting a prescribed burn.
A comprehensive exam is administered for those interested in completing
the educational requirement for a certified prescribed burn manager.
For more information about the workshops and to register, call
979-820-1778 or 325-387-3168.
By MARK CARROLL
SANDERSON – With the holidays behind us, it is time to think about proper care of the poinsettias
many of us received during Christmas.
After the holidays, keep the plants in indirect sun and water regularly.
Poinsettias require moderately
moist soil. Water the plants thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
Remove the plant from decorative pots or covers
and water enough to completely saturate the soil.
Do not allow the poinsettia to sit in any standing water. Root rot could result
which could kill the plant.
It is not necessary to fertilize the poinsettia when it is in bloom.
After outside night temperatures
reaches 55 degrees or above, place your plants outdoors where they can bask in the warmth of spring and summer.
When the leaves age
and lose their aesthetic appeal, usually by late March or early April, cut the poinsettia back to about eight inches in height.
By
the end of May, you should see vigorous new growth. Around June 1, you may transplant your poinsettias into larger pots.
Select pots
no more than four inches larger than the original inner pot.
A soil mix with a considerable amount of organic matter such as peat
moss or leaf mold is highly recommended.
If you wish, you may transplant the poinsettias into a well-prepared garden bed.
Be sure
the planting bed is rich in organic matter and has good drainage.
Pruning may be required during the summer to keep plants bushy and
compact. Do not prune after September 1.
Continue regular watering during the growth period. Fertilize every two to three weeks throughout
the spring, summer and fall months with a well-balanced, complete fertilizer.
For more information contact the County Extension Office
at 432/345-2291
By JASON HENNINGTON
ALPINE – A Sul Ross State University delegation saw the controversial proposed La Entrada international
trade route from the Mexican side during a recent trip.
Associate Professor of Business Administration Dr. Pamela Marett, Associate
Vice President of Advancement and University Relations Leo Dominguez, Sul Ross MBA students and I joined MBA students from Chihuahua
for a field trip to Port Topolobampo last month.
The trip was for students to see first hand what they had been researching and gain
insight into the project.
La Entrada seeks to create a more efficient way to transport goods from Pacific Ports in Mexico to the central United States.
This route would use the under-utilized border crossing in Presidio as an alternative to the overcrowded crossing
in El Paso.
At the same time, La Entrada would relieve some of the traffic in the port at Long Beach, CA.
But the proposed truck route
threatens to pass through Alpine and the Big Bend, causing local controversy.
Concerned residents believe the increased truck traffic
will jeopardize the beauty of the region and seek an alternate route.
“Weekly reports and editorials in the local papers make it clear
that the reasons people choose to reside in Brewster County – its beauty, unique topography and peace and quiet – shall be destroyed
by this trade route,” Marett said prior to the trip. “Yet, apart from the image provided in the papers of hundreds of trucks barreling
through downtown Alpine, what do we really know about La Entrada?”
Port officials said the geographic position of Port Topolobampo
is strategic for importing and exporting goods between the Central-East region of the United States and Asia.
Because of this, the
governments of the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Chihuahua and Texas in the US have encouraged commercial interchanging by the North
Logistic Corridor Project.
Presently, the port invests in machinery and equipment for the shipping of bulk minerals such as iron and
copper as well as material from the mineral deposits located near the port.
The location and infrastructure of the port’s facilities
allows the handling of containers, agricultural bulk and minerals as well as adequate conditions for receiving large vessels.
“Mexico
needs this and wants this,” Marett said. “Just seeing everything is a real wakeup.”
The journey included a drive to Creel, Chih.,
and a train ride through Copper Canyon to Los Mochis.
From there, students took a tour of Port Topolobampo, met port officials and
representatives and heard a number of presentations on the benefits of the port.
“It will provide opportunities and jobs for people,”
said Juan Carlos Nieto of Presidio.
Students had their own views on La Entrada before embarking on the trip and some changed after
returning.
Diwash Pokharel of Nepal, believes that this can be a plus for the American economy.
“Although it has positives and negatives,
for the economy it will be good,” Pokharel said.
Ying Jing Xing of China thinks the controversy in Alpine will cause a re-route to
a different area.
“It may go to another community because of the resistance,” Xing said.
“The idea is to gain access to Asian goods
coming into Mexico and relive congestion in Long Beach,” said Ryan Zent of Alpine.
Zent said a compromise can help both the environment
and the transporting.
“If the economy can be taken care of in a friendly way through a compromise, then it would be good,” he said.
After
visiting the port, some students agreed that La Entrada is good for the country but both sides will have to bend to make it work.
“A
bypass out of Alpine’s city limits would make it work,” said Steve Sawit Sriwarom of Thailand. “Somebody has to sacrifice for the
whole country.”
At Port Topolobampo, presentations were given about the benefits of La Entrada and it seems that everything is already
in order to happen.
“They really want to get started,” Nieto said. “Funding, government and private investors are ready, now they
just need to coordinate.”
It’s definitely happening,” said Vicky Barge of Fort Davis.
Traveling in this area was a first for the students
and was an educational experience.
Some were surprised by their visit in Mexico and at Port Topolobampo.
“I never saw ports before,
and it’s good to know about them,” Pokharel said. “I was expecting big ports with 50 or 60 ships. There were only a few
ships because this is just the beginning stage.”
Students witnessed no physical construction at the port.
Presentations revealed that
the actual work is to begin this month.
Port Topolobampo was showcased as a shipping port as well as a tourist attraction.
Students
experienced much of what the port had to offer through a land and water tour.
“I expected to hear more about the port expansion,” Nieto
said. “It was interesting that they were also speaking of tourism”
During the trip, students saw both beautiful scenery and poverty
on the train ride.
Throughout Copper Canyon, there were a number of small houses and very poor communities.
Marett and others
did not expect to see these types of living conditions.
“I expected to go through and not be sad,” Marett said.
“I thought it would
be beautiful and picturesque,” Barge said.
Expectations for the travelers were met and exceeded during the trip, not just for Port
Topolobampo, but for Mexico itself.
“Everything is totally different from what I had heard,” Sriwarom said. “You don’t really
know about Mexico until you are there.”
Participants said the entire trip was an educational and enjoyable experience for the student
representatives.
“This was a very enjoyable trip and it was a fantastic group that went. We saw and learned a great deal,” Marett said. “All of my expectations were exceeded. We were treated well. The Mexican people are very gracious.”