|
Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Group seeks to boost city's available housing
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 -- A newly formed organization is dedicated
to help more Pecos families become homeowners.
The Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce has formed the non-profit corporation,
called the Pecos Housing Association, which is solely dedicated to supplying
housing for local low-income citizens.
The association is tax-free and all donations made to the association
are tax deductible.
The association's board of directors includes Chairman Jesse Stephens,
Vice-Chairman John Grant, Secretary Nellie Gomez, Reecia Pigman, Carlos
Yerena and Gari Ward.
Stephens came up with an idea that many of the abandoned houses in Pecos
could be renovated and sold at reasonable prices.
"All these house are empty around here and all these people need homes,"
he said.
The Chamber also realized the amount of empty houses and buildings in
Pecos and that there are 50 low-income families that are on a waiting list
for housing through the Pecos Housing Authority.
Stephens said that he came up with the idea to contact the property
owners and ask them if they would like to donate the property to the association,
which would qualify them for a tax break.
Stephens said that having people donate their abandoned properties would
benefit not only the families that would live in them but also the community
because it would "improve the looks of Pecos by renovating unsightly houses."
Gomez, who is executive director of the Pecos Housing Authority, said
that Stephens asked her and the other board members to participate in the
association.
"He approached the different people that have any interest in housing
in the community," she said.
Stephens said that he picked what he believes is a good cross-section
of the community.
"I thing we've got a good board," he said.
Right now, Stephens said that he is looking for property owners to discuss
the possibility of them donating their property to the association.
Before taking on a house, Stephens said the association would examine
the building for termites, how sound the structure is and if it is practical
for renovating, according to a press release from the association.
He went on to say that once the association accepts a house or building,
the board would work on donations made by citizens and organizations.
He also said that he believes that they would be able to use volunteers
to do the actual renovations, similar to organizations like Habitat for
Humanity and Christmas in April.
"If we can get the materials and some know how, I think we could get
the volunteers," he said.
In order to make the association a success, Stephens said that they
would need the support of the community.
Yerena, who is also Town of Pecos City Manager, said that the city fully
supports the association and would be ready to help with administrative
work if needed.
"We're just acting as a support entity because it benefits the community,"
he said.
Stephens said that the association is just getting started and hopes
to be successful with the help and support of community members.
Art show replaces Pioneer Family at museum
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 -- As with anything else things tend
to come and go. They also tend to come back. So during the summer months
in Pecos, residents as well as tourists will be able to view the works
of local artists.
In the past the Pecos Pallet Club and the Art Association would set
up shows of local artists exhibiting their western artworks during the
West of the Pecos Rodeo. The display was usually held at the Reeves County
Civic Center.
This July, the West of the Pecos Museum will host an exhibit of local
artists and their paintings, which will be available for purchase.
The paintings can then be bought with or without a frame.
"We have great artists in this town," Debbie Thomas said. "In the past
we have tried out art shows. We are just bringing back a different variety."
The show will exhibit the western works of artists within Reeves County.
The museum will then display their works in a room that will be designed
in a Western theme.
Currently, the museum offers people the opportunity to view an exhibit
that contains eggs.
This exhibit consists of porcelain, jewel, emus and ostrich eggs decorated
by local artists.
While the art show is being revived, the West of the Pecos Museum's
annual Pioneer Family event will be a thing of the past beginning this
year.
Since it was established, the museum has honored 40 families who have
been part of the Trans-Pecos area for a century or more, and just like
exhibits tend to come and go, the Pioneer Family had seen its time.
"It has run its course," Thomas said. "It's just like exhibits, they
come and go."
However, Thomas said that if the Pioneer Family was to come back some
change would come with it.
"If it was brought back, we would have to re-invent it and have different
criteria."
Thomas also said that one of the things that will never die will be
the Old Timers Reunion, which is held annually as part of the West of the
Pecos Rodeo.
"The Old Timers Reunion will continue because you don't have to pick
and choose," Thomas said. "Anyone can join."
The reunion will be held on the Fourth of July this year, which will
also be the day of the West of the Pecos Rodeo Parade. The parade is held
annually the first regular night of the rodeo, which will run from July
4-7 this year, at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena.
Former Pecos man sentenced by Frugeson
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 -- U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson
sentenced a former Pecos resident to 33 months in jail on Wednesday, during
proceedings at the Lucius Bunton III Federal Courthouse in Pecos.
Juan Manuel Lujan, 42, of Willis, Tx., and formerly of Pecos, was sentenced
to 33 months at Federal Correctional Institute in Beaumont and three years
supervised release.
He was also assessed a $100 special assessment fine, which will go to
the Crime Victim's Fund.
Lujan was charged with possession of marijuana with intention of distribution.
His case was one of a series of trials and sentencings that kept federal
court officials in Pecos busy all week.
Ferguson's main case this week has been a trial for which jury selection
began on Monday, and involves six defendants arrested on drug-related charges.
The defendants, who are all illegal aliens, have been charged with "backpacking"
into the United States with a load of marijuana.
The group was traveling through rugged terrain in an effort to transport
the illegal drugs in bags.
The trial will resume today and tomorrow.
KWES anchorman Hendricks marshall for Rodeo Parade
PECOS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 -- The Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce is
happy to announce that the Grand Marshall for the West of the Pecos Rodeo
Parade which will take place on Wednesday, July 4, will be Jay Hendricks,
of NewsWest 9 of Odessa.
The chamber is asking the community to welcome Hendricks, co-anchor
of KWES-TV's 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, and participate in the parade.
Weather
PECOS, Thursday, June 21, 2001 -- High Wedensday 99. Low this morning 69.
Forecast for tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers
or thunderstorms. Low near 65. East wind 5 to 15 mph. Friday: Mostly cloudy
with a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. High near 90. Southeast
wind 10 to 20 mph. Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance
of showers and thunderstorms. Low 65 to 70. Saturday and Sunday: Partly
cloudy. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Low 65 to 70. Highs 90 to 95.
Obituaries
Becky Allen and Margaret Money
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
|