It is with reluctance that I am submitting this letter. Although my time with the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials has been, on the whole, satisfying and productive, for quite a while now I have become less and less satisfied with the course we have recently taken. The direction of AHMO and the new targets and methods of accomplishing them are making it increasingly difficult for me to feel that I am contributing sufficiently. I have enjoyed working with everyone and have learned a great deal.
Therefore, it is with regret that I wish to inform you that I will be resigning from my position with AHMO as President as of today. I regret any inconvenience that this will cause, and I wish you and AHMO continued success. I will not go in to any details, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,

Frank Estrada

Mayor Pro-Tem
Lockhart, Texas

Farmers Market Promotion ProgramThe Farmers Market Promotion Program is a competitive grants program that funds projects related to farmers markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. The most recent round of proposals were due April 27th. The next round of applications will be announced in January of 2010. If you missed the application period this time, start planning for the next cycle by reviewing the current guidelines.

Rural Energy for America: Audit and Technical Assistance GrantsIn March, USDA issued a notice seeking applications for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Applications for the grants are due on June 9, 2009. The maximum grant award is $100,000 and grant recipients whose project includes energy audits must pay 25 percent of the audit costs. See the Federal Register Notice here (pdf).

Toll Fees

I just received an invoice form TDOT for tolls fees. Toll amount $47.00 and $775.00 for administrative fees, I can see some legislation here would help.

Cesar Chavez Farmworker Appreciation Month

Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Estrada and Councilman Paul Gomez receiving a resolution recognizing March 31 to April 23, 2009, as Cesar Chavez Farmworker Appreciation Month from Mayor Bertram in Lockhart, Texas

Councilman Mike Sanchez of Odessa, Texas

As President of the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials, I am shocked to hear the sudden news of Councilman Mike Sanchez of Odessa, Texas passing away. While words are not sufficient consolation for the bereaved family, AHMO and the Board Members request that our heartfelt condolences be conveyed to them.

We, at the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials, will all miss him very much. Mike served as my Treasure and was a Board Member of AHMO 2008-2009. We have indeed lost an excellent councilmember and a very good friend and colleague.

Frank Estrada

President, AHMO
Mayor Pro-Tem
Lockhart, Texas

http://lockharttexas.blogspot.com/
http://ahmo2008.blogspot.com/

Who's next to blame?

The republicans must really be hurting now, first it was Joe the Plummer and now it’s Rush Limbaugh, who’s next, the Chipmunks.

Senator Tom Daschle and Frank in Washington DC

help....my man is in troubel

Hillary and Frank at rally in Austin, Texas

ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'

Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.
ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'FYI-
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence, this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' (In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.' For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc. This is a great idea that will make a difference!Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today! Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.

Take a look at the link <----------------

I am proud of what he and his family represents for all America. Hope
In case you have not seen this Barack photo album.....

http://www.change.gov/

Hmm...Immigration Official Charged With Hiring Undocumented Workers!!!!

A top U.S. Customs and Border Protection employee was arrested Friday on suspicion of encouraging one of her cleaning ladies -- said to be an illegal immigrant -- to stay in the country. Lorraine Henderson, whose job as Boston, Massachusetts-area port director for the agency included helping keep illegal immigrants out of the United States, was charged in federal court with harboring an illegal alien.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2008 in SA

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
AHMO Executive Committee meeting
TBD

Thursday, October 30, 2008
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, Salon K
Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (AHMO) Reception
“Mariachis” and “DJ”
Welcome by AHMO President Frank Estrada Mayor, Pro Tem City of Lockhart, Texas.
Special Guest, the Honorable Congressman Henry Cuellar. Welcome to San Antonio by Honorable Mayor Pro-Tem Justin Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas and Honorable Diana Cibrian, Councilmember City of San Antonio, Texas

Friday, October 31, 2008
Convention Center Room 007 AB - River Level
Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center
8:00 -8:20 am
Welcome AHMO! By Honorable Mayor Pro-Tem Justin Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas

8:30am – 10:00 am
Panel Discussion
The Honorable Joaquin Castro, State Representative, District 125, Honorable State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, District 116, (Bexar County), Honorable Tara Rios Ybarra, Alderman, Town of South Padre Island, and candidate for State Representative, District 43; and TML Past President Carol Alvarado, former councilmember, City of Houston, and candidate for State Representative, District 145

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Meetng canceled

Yes sir..That One

Remembering Dionicio Morales

Dionicio Morales, one of the heroes in the U.S. Hispanic civil rights movement, passed away Wednesday. Mr. Morales, the founder of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MOAF), touched many lives. Here are comments from just a few.
Click here a 2006 video interview.

95.1 FM here in Austin

Effective August 29th at 11:59pm, KTXZ AM 1560 will change it’s format to reintroduce to the Austin market a new music format that will feature Tejano Music. The format change will once again provide a venue for the promotion of the live Tejano music scene in the state capital.

In the coming weeks, due to changes in FCC rules and regulations, KTXZ will commence simulcasting the format in stereo on 95.1 FM here in Austin. The new format will feature Tejano, Norteno “Tejano Style” and Grupero Music.

Single-member options go to voters

HARLINGEN - Voters will have the opportunity to choose whether they want Harlingen to have a single-member district form of government come Nov. 4.

City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance that calls for a special election that will give voters the choice of:
* Five single-member district city commissioners and an at-large mayor,
* A hybrid system of three single-member district city commissioners, two at-large city commissioners and an at-large mayor.

One of these propositions has to win by more than 50 percent of the vote to pass. If not, the current at-large system will remain.
Commissioners made the decision after about an hour and 15 minutes in closed session.

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund

The NALEO Educational Fund estimates that at least 9.2 million Latino voters will cast ballots in this year’s November Election, an increase of more than 20% from 2004. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the NALEO Educational Fund noted that “Latinos have become an important part of the American Political process. Whichever course either party intends to chart in 2008 and beyond, will require a strong understanding of the Latino electorate.” The publication will be formally released at the NALEO Educational Fund’s luncheon briefings on the Latino vote held during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions beginning next week.

Key Statistics:
b Latino voters may help decide as many as 46 Electoral Votes, at stake in critical battleground states.
b Latinos are an emerging electorate: Nearly half of the Latino Electorate in Nevada has registered since the 2004 Presidential Election (49.7%).
b Naturalized voters may play a key role: Nearly a third of Latino voting-age citizens are naturalized citizens (32.1%).
b Latino turnout is expected to increase: More than one million Latinos are expected to cast ballots in Florida
b Latinos are a young electorate: One in four Latino voters in Colorado are under the age of 30 (25.7%).

And the next President of the USA!!!!

Frank --

I have some important news that I want to make official.

I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.

Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.

I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone. We need your help to keep building this movement for change.

Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team. Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:

http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe

Thanks for your support,

Barack

P.S. -- Make sure to turn on your TV at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to join us or watch online at http://www.BarackObama.com.

Paid for by Obama for America
This email was sent to: festrada1@austin.rr.com

I thought I was the only one that owed the IRS

Elsa to start paying IRS after four years

The city is taking its first steps to get back in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service.
Elsa owes the IRS $436,854 for not paying federal taxes it deducted from employees' paychecks from 2004 to early 2007.

$$$$$ could be made off wastewater

The answer to one of civilization’s oldest question, what to do with treated wastewater, may be a simple one. Sell it.

Bush Administration Projects Record 2009 Deficit....what else is new

Bush Administration Projects Record 2009 Deficit
The next president will inherit a record budget deficit of $482 billion, according to a new Bush administration estimate. A Bush administration official said the deficit was being driven to an all-time high by the sagging economy and the stimulus payments being made to 130 million households in an effort to keep the country from falling into a deep recession. A $482 billion deficit approaching billion would easily surpass the record deficit of $413 billion set in 2004.

Lockhart High School Football #7 Christian Estrada

Employers Fight Curbs on Illegal Immigrants

Under pressure from the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in two decades, employers across the United States are fighting back in state legislatures, U.S. courts, counties and city halls.

Business groups have resisted measures that would revoke the licenses of employers of illegal immigrants. They are proposing alternatives that would revise U.S. rules for verifying the identity documents of new hires and would expand programs to bring in legal immigrant laborers.

U.S. guest worker

Honduran president Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales and representatives from El Salvador and Guatemala met with California farmers Saturday to hash out a plan that will train laborers from those countries to work in the Western U.S. The plan is set to start with about 300 workers from Mexico and Central America. It will operate under existing U.S. guest worker laws and take at least a year to implement, said Manuel Cunha Jr., president of the Nisei Farmers League, a group that represents hundreds of agriculture businesses in California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.

New Mayor in San Juan Texas

SAN JUAN - City Commissioner Pedro Contreras and his slate swept the city's runoff elections Saturday, defeating incumbent Mayor San Juanita Sanchez and her allies.

At 29 years old, Contreras is set to be one of youngest mayors in the city's history.

Judge throws out Farmers Branch rental ban

Dallas Business Journal
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A federal judge has denied Farmers Branch's request to have its latest ordinance banning home and apartment rentals to illegal immigrants declared constitutional, according to The Associated Press.

That ruling came as U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay issued a permanent injunction on the Dallas suburb's first attempt to ban rentals to illegal immigrants, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The city's first ordinance would have required apartment managers

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan Recent Comments

It’s sad but true, I feel the same way. So much hope from the beginning and so much disappointment at the end. It’s truly time for a change!!!!

Frank Estrada

Lockhart, Texas

Selena teaches you the origin, location, etc of tejano music.

This was my speech last night and some pics taken by a friend where Hillary Clinton hosted her last rally at the Tony Burger Center in Austin, Texas.