Project: 2018 Bond Referendum Project #31 – Pharr-McAllen Drain
Owner: Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1
Contractor: Mor-Wil, LLC
Project Start Date: February 17, 2020
Project End Date: March 6, 2020
Project Scope: Pharr – Mcallen Drain consists of an installation of an additional storm structure at the Ridge Road crossing. The proposed structure consists of 10’ x 9’ reinforced concrete box along with ditch concrete rip-raps at both ends of the crossing and improvements to the existing roadway storm system.
All Pharr Department Directors Trained and Certified in Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt; Pharr is the First Government Entity Trained through this Program
Pharr, Texas – As part of its efforts to maximize productivity and to reduce inefficiencies in government operations, Pharr city leaders have made it a priority to ensure all employees are functioning at their highest level of effectiveness. Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., has implemented a business-oriented mentality in the workplace, streamlining government services to better serve Pharr constituents. As such, city officials partnered with the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley’s Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) to have all department heads go through a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt training and certification program. The training was held over two days last week and was provided by TMAC. According to TMAC, Pharr is the first government entity that it has trained through this program, which is typically utilized by companies in the manufacturing industry.
The Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt training and certification program provides participants a two-day, in-depth overview on the concepts and methodologies of Lean Six Sigma (known as LSS) and the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) process. According to TMAC, this program is beneficial for those who would like to become familiarized with Lean Six Sigma and how it can impact an organization by effectively supporting improvement efforts in their organization. Key points covered in this training include determining customer value, defining and identifying waste, understanding standard deviation and sigma levels, roles and levels of LSS Belts, defining variance, repeatability and accuracy.
“Pharr is leading the way to better serve our community, and we are always searching for ways to improve our delivery of government services,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “By thinking outside of the box and looking toward proven methods that have worked in other industries, we can implement these operational procedures and make them work for us in government, ultimately benefiting our community and the citizens we serve,” Hernandez continued. “I am proud of our staff’s commitment to continue striving toward excellence and for adopting our administration’s focus on ensuring we are providing the best service to our community,” he added.
TMAC Business Development and Continuous Improvement Specialist Jesus Cano agreed. “There has always been the common misconception that Lean and Six Sigma only apply to manufacturing settings, but many other industries and governmental entities have reaped the benefits from utilizing these tools and concepts,” said Cano. “We’re excited and commend the City of Pharr for taking this initiative to learn these powerful tools, this clearly shows the commitment they have to the people and city of Pharr!” Cano added.
About TMAC
TMAC is an affiliate of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce. TMAC is hosted at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (previously UTPA) under the College of Engineering and Computer Science and has been in service for over 20 years. Our main goal is to assist small to medium-sized U.S manufacturing companies to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, become more efficient and ultimately save time and money. TMAC does this by providing open enrollment trainings and certifications in the areas of Lean, Quality, Six Sigma, Safety, Strategic Planning, Smart Manufacturing, Cybersecurity and many more. It also develops customized trainings depending on the customer’s needs and provides consulting and/or coaching services.
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr International Bridge will host a special celebration to kick-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season and will celebrate the occasion alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event will take place at 10 am, Thursday, October 10th, 2019, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577).
“Pharr continues to remain the leader as the port with the largest amount of produce entering the United States,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our Pharr International Bridge director, board, and staff have done a wonderful job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season,” he added.
Pharr city officials, as well as special guest State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, among other notable representatives from the produce industry on both sides of the border, are scheduled to attend the event.
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr to Host Celebration to Kick-Off the Start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 10 am
WHERE: The Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Redesigned Patch Unveiled as Part of Inaugural First Responders Festival FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is excited to unveil its newly redesigned police patch. The redesigned patch and logo includes a more modern look and feel, and is intended to capture the essence of the City of Pharr and the work that the police force does to serve and protect its citizens.
According to Pharr Police Chief Jose Luengo, the police patch is the identity, brand, and source of pride for officers and employees of the department. Patches are proudly sported on the police uniform. Over the years, there have been different versions of the patch, including elements such as the outline of Hidalgo County, the seal of the State of Texas, and an even earlier one only had the words “Pharr Police.” Previous versions of the Pharr Police Patch
The new patch was designed to incorporate certain elements that represented specific values and incorporated the seals of the State of Texas and the City of Pharr.
Elements include: -Oak Branch which represents strength -Olive Branch which represents peace -Lone Star to represent the Great State of Texas -City Seal maintains consistency with city identity and brand – Community, Progress, Learning, Pride New Police Patch
“We wanted a modernized look and feel for our new police patch,” said Chief Luengo. “Our community has grown tremendously over the years, and our police force has done such great work to ensure the safety and security of our Pharr families, while also instilling and fostering a strong sense of pride and enhanced community outreach and relations,” he continued.
“Wearing this badge of honor will continue to demonstrate to our Pharr citizens and families that we are here to serve to protect our communities through peace, strength, and with pride for our community and our state,” Luengo added. The new police patch was unveiled to coincide with Pharr’s inaugural First Responders Festival, which combines the former separate Pharr Night Out and Pharr Fire Fest events held by the City of Pharr. The First Responders Festival was created to celebrate and honor not only the work of Pharr police and fire staff, but also expanding its purpose to honor all first responders, including EMTs, telecommunications officers, and more. The Pharr First Responders Festival will be held TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
All media and the public are invited to attend. DETAILS What: Pharr First Responders Festival When: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm Where: Downtown Pharr
City of Pharr to Host Annual Pharr HUB Phestival on Saturday, 3/30 @ 2 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will host its annual Pharr HUB Phestival on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 2 pm to 11:30 pm in downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage Blvd). There will be plenty of family-friendly fun with carnival rides, food vendors, live entertainment, a car show, a bbq cook-off, and much, much more.
“We invite our entire Pharr and Rio Grande Valley community to join us as we celebrate our Pharr roots,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Each year this event gets bigger and better and we expect a great turnout this year with more attractions for our families, a great atmosphere, and an exciting line-up of performers, including our headliner, country music star Tracy Lawrence,” he continued.
Featured events at the Pharr Hub Phestival include the Pharr-Out Kids Nature Day with attractions including Contacto Animal Petting Zoo, Raptor Project, World Birding Center, Austin Bat Exhibition, Dock Dogs, an Exhibit from the Texas State Aquarium, and the West Texas Rattlesnake Roundup. Also, get your motors ready for the Pharr Hub Phestival Car & Motorcycle show! Car and motorcycle collectors will be displaying their show-stopping rides.
Live entertainment will feature performances by Lauren Corzine, Ruby Arroyo & the Band, Ruben Ramos, Serjio & Ropin’ the Wind, and close with headliner Tracy Lawrence. Entry into the Pharr HUB Phestival is FREE before 5 pm and $5 after 5 pm for ages 12 and over.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr HUB Phestival
WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 2 pm to 11:30 pm
WHERE: Downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78552)
Pharr and PSJA ISD Host 2019 Lunar New Year Festival
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr, the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD), and the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) held a joint celebration for the 2019 Lunar New Year Festival, celebrating the Year of the Hog. Considered the most important holiday in China, the Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout the country with festivals, special traditions, and food. The festival, which was held at PSJA Southwest Early College High School attracted students from throughout the district and community, helping to provide an understanding and knowledge of the Chinese culture.
“Events like these are crucial to expanding our student’s worldview and broadening their understanding of other languages, cultures, and traditions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “The City of Pharr is proud to participate and support this culturally-immersive event which helps students further understand the Chinese culture,” he continued. “Additionally, this type of cultural immersion prepares our students to be globally competitive in an internationally driven workforce,” he added.
PSJA ISD has a renowned Dual Language Enrichment Program, which has become a model for local, state, and national educators. As such, they are one of the only, if not the only, district in the Rio Grande Valley to offer a Mandarin Chinese Program. A program such as this one exposes students to cultural events, foods, traditions, and many other aspects of the culture, adding a more in-depth understanding of a culture than just language acquisition.
“As a globally competitive economy, it is crucial that we work with our students and educators to develop the skills, knowledge, and languages that will benefit economic development for future generations,” said Victor Perez, Pharr EDC Executive Director and PSJA ISD School Board Member. “We are thankful to the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) your continuous support,” he added.
The festival was attended by hundreds of local community members, students, and officials. A vibrant celebration including traditional Chinese customs such as food, music, calligraphy, martial arts, songs, clothing, and a dragon dance was showcased throughout the evening of festivities.
