How come there are no available after school programs within the school and/or community centers like the YWCA/YMCA?

Asked by Crystal on July 11, 2011

Unfortunately, we don't have a YMCA or YWCA but we have tried to attract one by offering land to build it on. We are still trying, but for now we are depending on the school's facilities. On Thursday's, we have basketball at the gym for the public and I think the school has a recreation program during the day. One of my goals is to build a community center and offer after school programs such as tutoring and recreational activities. For this, I would like to ask the Anthony ISD to partner with us, to which I believe will make it a feasible project.

Are there any chances of getting at least a Walmart Neighborhood? Big 8 and La Feria are expensive. There's a task for you.

Asked by Pedro on July 4, 2011

There is always a chance and we have been working on this for some time. Just like the Walgreens we were rejected a number of times but our persistence paid off and we finally got one. We will continue to do the same for Walmart!

It would be nice if you could start to get people to stop parking on curbs and their front yard; it looks ugly. There are a lot of loose dogs as well. Is that street cleaner up and running? I have not seen it yet.

Asked by Robert on May 26, 2011

I agree with you on the matter of cars parked in the street. Unfortunately, old habits are hard to change and some people have up to 3 cars, so we need to start changing their habits. But we do need to address this since it will hinder the street sweeper when we start using it this month. I hope people will comply voluntarily when we ask them to stop parking in the street. If not we will have to do it by ordinance.

Yes, there are a lot of dogs and we are in the process of building a temporary shelter which we can use when we set out the traps for them. Currently, we have to wait until animal control gets here and sometimes they refuse to come out that same day. This way, we can capture and keep them for a day in case we have some that just got out of the yard or away from their owners. However, most of them are strays. We will try to do what we can about these situations and I thank you for your email.

Is there any possibility of having the empty railroad cars moved to another section or area? There is a lot of beauty in the farm fields and I love to see farm equipment moving about. These rail box cars just block that from my view. And whatever they empty onto other trailers or tanks, it fills the air with a sticky, granule-like substance that sticks to vehicles, which is hard to take off when I wash my car. Thank you.

Asked by Raquel on December 16, 2010

I agree that the railroad cars are an unsightly thing on Main Street, but we have tried to deal with the railroad and have them moved, but unfortunately they don't feel the same way and claim this is a drop off for their cars. We wanted to see if they could move them out of town a little and help us with the Main Street problem but we have run into a wall.

We have also had complaints from the businesses that are on the west side of the tracks as they sometimes block the entrances. I assure I will try again to talk with them and maybe they will have a change of heart and help us out. I will keep you informed on the progress we make. I thank you for your interest and taking the time to write.

Mayor, why doesn't Anthony have a community center? It would be great for our small community to have a recreational place for our children and our youth!

Asked by Josh on September 3, 2010

A community center would be a great addition to the town and we have kept that in our plans for the last five years. Unfortunately, funding in the form of grants is not out there for a center since they are considered less important than infrastructure such as water and sewer. I am currently looking at partnering with the Anthony ISD to apply for a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife to build a community center on AISD's property next to the school. By partnering, we would be very competitive and could also use the property as in-kind matching funds for the project.

I see a new shopping center is opening. [Is the town] doing any thing to encourage business to come into town? We got enough gordita places. Glad city telling people to clean up lots.

Asked by Joe on August 18, 2010

The town's priority is businesses, although we encourage residential development too. A business not only adds to the tax base, but also brings in sales taxes and jobs. We have sales-tax abatement and grants that we can offer new businesses or for current expanding ones. Foxworth-Galbraith and American RV (now Camping World) are recipients of grants to locate in Anthony. I agree with you that we have enough food establishments but we cannot keep them from coming in and they also contribute to the local economy. Our emphasis is on larger ventures that contribute more, but they require more persuading because of their large investment.

Besides the recent Independence Day parade, what else do Anthony, Texas and Anthony, New Mexico share? Is Anthony, Texas helping their newly incorporated neighbor in any way?

Asked by Laura on July 9, 2010

The Town of Anthony has several partnerships with the City of Anthony, NM, although these have been with organizations, not the city. For instance, we participate in the Anthony Chamber of Commerce, and now that they are incorporated, we anticipate working even more with them. As far as helping our neighbors, we have met with them and attended functions such as council meetings, a forum with the new council and the community, and I have met with Mayor Gonzalez on a number of occasions since he became mayor to assist him and answer questions regarding our procedures.

Why doesn't Anthony, TX, have a recycling program?

Asked by H on June 15, 2010

Anthony, Texas, is dedicated to keeping our environment clean and healthy and is constantly having community cleanups. The town is applying for a grant from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, to start a recycling center. The recycling center will be located at the maintenance yard on Antonio Street. Anthony, Texas, is also a member of Keep Texas Beautiful and promotes recycling and cleanup projects.