FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 26, 2009
Public Information Office Aracely Lazcano I PIO
County of El Paso, Texas 500 E. San Antonio I Suite 301
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The following are the highlights of the decision made by El Paso County Commissioners Court, during today's meeting.
January is designated as the "National Mentoring Month"
The members of the Commissioners Court adopted a resolution declaring the month of January as "National Mentoring Month."
Several local organizations, such as Mobilizing Mentors Program, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Border Children's Mental Health Collaborative, Children's Protective Services among others, will offer mentoring opportunities to at-risk children in the community.
The adopted resolution states that mentoring will increase the chances of El Paso children to graduate from high school, improve their self confidence, enhance relationships within the family, increase their academic success, and avoid early parenting.
According to studies made locally around 58,000 children in El Paso would benefit from the stable and secure relationship of a mentor to enhance their success in childhood and increase pro-social characteristics and behaviors.
The resolution was adopted unanimously by the members of the court.
Court Approves Thomason Financial Statement
During today's meeting the county commissioners were informed that the El Paso County Hospital District's finances are better than ever.
Thomason Hospital President and CEO, Jim Valenti, stated that for the third consecutive year the hospital has experienced positive earnings at the end of the fiscal year.
During his quarterly presentation to the court, Valenti said Thomason had net earnings of $18.8 million during the 2008 fiscal year.
Valenti also invited the members of the court to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony of the new Children's Hospital to be held on Saturday, February 14 of 2009.
El Paso County Presidential Packet Committee Team Identifies Projects to Work
County Commissioner Pct. 3 Willie Gandara, Chairman of the El Paso County Presidential Packet Committee Team, made a presentation about the projects the county of El Paso will pursue further approval of the $825 billion economic stimulus bill expected to be voted on Wednesday, January 28th. However, pending negotiations could delay the vote until mid February.
In a presentation, Dora Oaxaca, Executive Assistant of Gandara, explained the Bill Sections of county interest which include twelve main goals.
Among them are the allocation of funding for the completion of the Tornillo-Guadalupe International Port of Entry, Health Care Provisions, Clean Water, Flood Control, and Environment Restoration; Senior Nutrition Programs Recovery Fund; Transportation Infrastructure, Jail Pod annex and Water/Waste Projects among others.
Also, the county of El Paso is looking for funding to provide Broadband Internet Access in rural and other underserved communities.
The main goal is to provide wireless capability to approximately 50,000 individuals at 15,000 households in the areas of Vinton, Westway, Anthony, Canutillo, Socorro, Clint, Fabens, Tornillo, San Elizario, Horizon, Montana Vista, Agua Dulce, Sparks and other concentrated unincorporated areas.