KRGV.com

HARLINGEN - People who live in west Harlingen want answers about fire protection and city services. Ask the folks on Pinehurst Drive whether they live in the Harlingen city limits and you'll get an earful.

"Well, it's like a Mickey Mouse operation one minute to the next... We just don't have any idea," says Thomas Kelly.

Harlingen annexed several neighborhoods in November 2008. Many residents sued. Under pressure, city leaders voted to de-annex the areas this past October. Then, commissioners changed course and brought everybody back in in December. It's tough for Kelly to believe.

"It's very confusing for most of the people in this area," says Kelly.

The road looks like about every street in Harlingen, but if you look closely, you'll see one exception: no fire hydrants.

"The main thing is they annexed us, and I think they put in one fire hydrant over on Stuart Place Road somewhere. That's about a mile from here," says Kelly.

We started investigating the fire hydrant situation last year. The city promised at least 25 new hydrants would be added over 10 years. We confronted Harlingen City Manager Carlos Yerena again.

"We have been providing the services to that area, and we're going to continue... The plan was for 25 (hydrants). It's a plan to provide additional hydrants, and we will do that," says Yerena.

He couldn't give us a clear answer. Neither could Commissioner Joey Trevino. This is his district.

"Well, that's budgetary, and we'll make those determinations during the budget session," says Trevino.

It's not just the hydrants. The long-term plan calls for better roads, more street lights and sewer lines. The commissioner supports keeping the area in the city limits.

"It's been in my district, and I've been taking care of the constituents that called me and making sure all of the services have been out there and available," says Trevino.

Kelly wants a concrete plan for the future.

"Just make up their mind what they're going to do," says Kelly.