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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, January 3, 2000
Commissioners make RCDC water bill offer
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Jan. 3, 2000 - Reeves County Commissioners hoped the results
of a closed-door session on Thursday will end their ongoing problems with
the Town of Pecos City over water payments for the Reeves County Detention
Center.
Commissioners approved several items during their final meeting of 1999,
including the water dispute, which was handled in executive session and
has been a topic for both the city and the county for some time.
They agreed to pay a water bill and to offer a proposal to the Town
of Pecos City in their dispute over the water rate at the RCDC, which is
just outside the city limits. Customers outside the city that are connected
to the water line pay higher rates than those within the city's boundaries,
and the dispute stemmed from Pecos' demand that the RCDC pay the difference
between the city and county rates for past water deliveries.
Commissioners agreed to offer the city $4 million at 1 percent interest
for 20 years in exchange for being treated as a regular (in-town) commercial
customer on water and sewer. The city would also have to fulfill what they
had already agreed on, to install water lines from Lincoln and Eddy streets
to the elevated storage tanks at the Reeves County Detention Center. The
city would also continue with the parks and recreation agreement over the
same terms under the plan
Reeves County is currently paying Pecos $3.75 per every 1,000 gallons
used at the RCDC.
"I think it's in the community's best interest and for us to move forward,"
said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
The proposal will have to be considered, and then approved, by the Town
of Pecos City Council, before it could go into effect.
Commissioners also approved hiring a Health Services Administrator for
the Reeves County Detention Center, and a safety manager for the facility.
"This is the first time that we've an individual with that kind of experience,
but he's indicated that he will not renew his contract," said RCDC Warden
Rudy Franco.
He said he would like to find a medical professional to train under
the current Health Services Administrator.
"We're looking for someone with a good medical background and supervisory
experience," said Franco, who added the person would have to have some
correctional experience as well.
"We hope to recruit someone that will stay here and fill that slot,"
he said. The position was budgeted at $40,000 per year.
A safety manager position, which was budgeted into the new fiscal year,
is also open at the facility. "We have a second safety manager that has
taken over those duties, because we don't think the other one is coming
back," said Franco. "He's been out on workman's comp for almost a year
and we need someone else."
The position is a lieutenant's level position budgeted for $28,500 a
year.
In other action Thursday, commissioners approved fee policies for the
golf course, similar to those outlined last year and approved an agreement
with the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD and the Reeves County Golf Course.
They awarded employees uniforms contract to Suburban Uniforms Company
out of San Angelo; discarded food products was awarded to Ismael Dutchover
and surface treatment to Trans Pecos Materials out of Midland.
Under reports from various departments it was noted that the county
had received a payment from the U.S. Marshals office. "That's just a payment
for October and November, the December payment hasn't come in," said county
auditor Lynn Owens.
The county also received a payment for the Trans Pecos Drug Task Force
that will cover expenses for the payroll and bills and the following payroll,
but Owens noted that after that they would be broke again.
"The seizures they have done recently might help out a little," said
Owens.
Budget amendments and line-item transfers were approved as presented.
Personnel and salary changes approved include at the Reeves County Detention
Center, Fred Jernigan as a correctional officer I at $19,000 per year;
Eric Carrasco, Bart Sanchez, Ruben Hernandez, Annabell Marquez, Joann Villanueva,
Martha Gabaldon and Florinda Anchondo, also as correctional officers I;
Christopher Cisneros receive a promotion at the detention center to $24,000
per year, along with Mary Rivera, as unit counselor.
In the county clerk's office Norma Chavez was approved as a full-time
employee at $15,000 per year, with Crystal Gochicoa named as chief deputy
in that department and her pay raised to $17,200. Estella Anaya was also
boosted to $16,000 in that department and all were budgeted for the following
year.
Erasmo Acosta was approved as a full-time employee in maintenance at
$16,640.
Minutes from the previous meetings were approved as presented.
Police see normal New Year's activity
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Jan. 3, 2000 - Millennium weekend in Reeves County and Pecos
was busy, but not any different from past New Year's weekends, according
to local law enforcement officials.
"We had PIs (public intoxication), and people firing shots into the
air," said Reeves County Chief Deputy Victor Prieto. "We had a few fights,
but nothing serious."
Pecos police investigator Kelly Davis identified the man as Roland Reyes,
who was arrested at the corner of Eighth and Cherry streets. "He was emptying
his shotgun into the air," Davis said. Reyes was charged with deadly conduct.
Cities across the Southwest try to discourage people from firing shots
into the air each New Year's, since the falling bullets can strike and
kill people when they return to the ground.
"Thank goodness we didn't, but other people did," Davis said, referring
to people being struck by falling bullets.
"A lot of people fire shots up into the air, but only one got arrested.
Fortunately, there was nothing serious," Prieto said.
Along with the guns, the other problem officials dealt with was shooting
off fireworks inside the city limits.
"We talked to a lot of people about fireworks. Every time you turn the
corner you have to tell them about the ordinance against shooting off fireworks
inside the city," Davis said.
One thing that went better than expected in town was traffic. "There
were no accidents inside town," Davis said.
"I worked until 5 a.m. and didn't hear of any, which is unusual."
Election filing deadlines set for 5 p.m. today
PECOS, Jan. 3, 2000 - Just a few hours more are left for those prospective
candidates that want to throw their hat in the ring for the March Primary
Elections.
Although most county offices remained closed today, Reeves County Clerk
Dianne Florez is on hand at the courthouse for those that waited until
the last day to file for the elections.
Florez, along with tax-assessor collector Elfida Zuniga were both in
their offices as a courtesy to prospective candidates.
"I'll be here until 5 p.m. today if anyone wants to file and Elfida
is there to check the signatures on the petitions that they have to turn
in to Bobby Dean," said Florez. Dean is the Reeves County Democratic Party
chairman.
Candidates who want to be on the ballot but do not have the minimum
50 signatures can also pay a $600 filing fee before 5 p.m. today. Candidates
will run in either the Republican or Democratic primaries on March 14.
FIRST BABY OF 2000 FOR COUNTY
Sylvia Mendoza holds her grandson and Reeves County Hospital's first baby
of the year this morning. Jo Allison and Bea Owens of the RCH Ladies Auxiliary
where also on hand to present Pecos' newest citizen with a basket of gifts.
The baby - who hasn't been named yet - was born at 4:21 p.m. on January
1, and weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 21 inches. Dr. Theresa
Whitt delivered the child. Dr. Whitt was filling in for Dr. Joseph Darpolar
who was on vacation.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Lotto Texas drawing Saturday night: Winning
numbers drawn: 11-13-23-25-27-32. Estimated jackpot: $10 million. Number
matching six of six: 1. Winning ticket sold in: Friendswood. Matching five
of six: 108. Prize: $1,322.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Cash 5 drawing Thursday night: Winning
numbers drawn: 5-19-26-29-30. Number matching five of five: 1. Prize per
winner: $84,579. Winning ticket sold in: Corpus Christi.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Cash 5 drawing Friday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 2-12-21-29-37. Number matching five of five: 1. Prize per winner:
$93,201.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Texas Million drawing Friday night: Winning
numbers drawn: 9-47-53-72. Number matching four of four in Group One: 0.
Number matching four of four in Group Two: 0. Number matching four of four
in Group Three: 1. Prize: $10,000.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Thursday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 3-3-3 (three, three, three)
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Friday by the Texas Lottery,
in order: 7-5-7 (seven, five, seven)
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Saturday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 8-2-7 (eight, two, seven)
Obituaries
Clyde McDaniel
Funeral s services are incomplete for Clyde McDaniel, 62, who died this
morning, Jan. 3, 2000, at Reeves County Hospital.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Eulanda Milner
Funeral services are incomplete for Eulanda Milner, 89, who died Sunday,
Jan. 2, 2000, at her residence in Pecos.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
High Sunday 78. Low this morning 42. Wind advisory in effect today. Forecast
for tonight: Clear. Low 15-20. Northwest wind 10-20 mph. Tuesday: Sunny.
High around 55. Southwest wind 10-20 mph. Tuesday night: Mostly clear.
Low around 20.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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