Taking The Good With The Bad

"Working Married Couples If you and your spouse both had jobs in 2009, each of you was eligible for a $400 credit -– a total of $800 if you filed together (this assumes you made more than $13,000 between the two of you). Well, someone didn’t double-check the math and you and your spouse actually received $600 each for a total of $1,200 in tax credit. Now you and your spouse owe the government $400 because of the glitch. Not that it’s any consolation, but you’re not alone -– 55% of married couples fall into this category." By Ken and Daria Dolan On AOL

Way to go U.S. Goverment!!! Let me make sure I understand this.... If we the people make a mistake on our taxes we pay a penalty, if the goverment makes a mistake "glitch" on our "tax credit", we the people still have to pay a penalty? Why don't they down size to cover the cost of their screw up.

I have a Santa Question

As long as I can remember the Santa Claus on the East side of the Hidalgo County Courthouse has always symbolized the arrival of the Christmas holidays to Edinburg. I have one question. When was the first time that Santa made his appearance there? I'm 44 and I don't think he's ever been absent. I know one year he stood proud on the south west side of courthouse grounds because of construction. Anyone out there that knows please post date. Thanks!

Photo Contest Deadline Extended

Just got word that the "Reflections of Edinburg" photo contest registration has been extended to December 28th. The contest however has already started.

Awards, Friends, Music, and Fun

Yes its the annual City of Edinburg Employee Christmas party and service awards banquet. There was not an empty table in the Activity Center Saturday night. I was pleased to see our employees come out to celebrate another year gone by with their peers. Awards were given out to five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty five, and thirty year employees. I have to say our Christmas committee did an outstanding job in preparing the center for this special night. Mayor Garcia and I had the pleasure in presenting these awards to the hard working, and loyal employees of this great city. During the event there was over sixty door prizes given to the lucky winners. Let me say thank you to the local merchants who donated the prizes. Oh, by the way did I mention the food was great!! I was joined at my table by my brother and his wife, and my compadre David "Jello" Garza and his wife. I tried to make my rounds to thank all the employees for their service with a hand shake and a pat on the back. To those that I may have missed, THANK YOU, for ALL that you do! After all the eats and awards it was time for some great music and dancing. I left the party in good hands of our dedicated employees around 11:00 for some coffee and menudo. For those of you employees that did get to make it, you missed another great party!

Wonderful Night In Edinburg

What a wonderful night in Edinburg! Just got home from a very well attended Night of Lights Parade. The Edinburg Chamber did an outstanding job in organizing this years Christmas Parade. This year I decided to watch the parade instead of riding in it. My daughter Cora has had an exceptional year in band so I thought it would be nice if I cheered for her along the parade route. All three high school bands performed together, and they sounded great. This weekends cold air snap has put everyone in the Christmas mood. Congrats to the Chamber!

Leadership Edinburg To Host Photo Contest

The Leadership Edinburg Class and The Edinburg Chamber will be holding a photo contest. The name of the contest is "Reflections of Edinburg". The contest is open to amateur adults as well as youths. The awards and prizes are money and an opportunity for the winning photographs to appear in an annual publication called "Reflections of Edinburg Magazine". The categories are culture, people, places, and nature. The key to the contest is that all photos must be taken within the city limits. I think its a good idea! You don't have to have the expensive photo equipment to take a photo of your favorite Edinburg spot, any digital camera will work. Start coming up with ideas! For more information call Letty at the Chamber 383-4974 or Myra at City Hall 383-5661. Registration deadline is December 15th. Good Luck!

A Gentle Giant Has Left Us!

Got word Saturday that my friend Arnold Vera has gone to be with our Lord. Arnold was one of my greatest supporters. He was a friend, supporter, and my city advisor when I had questions about drainage, streets, and politics. He had been fighting leukemia in Houston for sometime. Arnold always had time for anybody that needed help. After one of those hard rain storms Arnold was always the first person out on the streets checking on our city ready to help. I remember calling him whenever I had received a concern from a citizen. His response was a always happy "I will make sure it gets done today". Arnold was a caring man, he loved his family, Edinburg, and his friends. It's amazing, as I type I can see his face and smile clearly. God bless his family and all the people he touched with his heart and wisdom.