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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, July 17, 2001
Walker part of group fighting Cornyn plan
From Staff and Wire Reports
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- What wouldn't seem to be a natural combination
_ House Democrats, the Texas Farm Bureau and Republican State Rep.
Gary Walker _ have come together as part of a rural-urban battle over
redistricting plans for the Texas House of Representatives.
Walker's office sent out a fax today of a letter sent by the Texas Farm
Bureau to Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, who is chairman of the Legislative
Redistricting Board. The letter, written by Farm Bureau President Donald
Patman, is highly critical of Cornyn's proposed redistricting plan for the
House. The Farm Bureau also voiced its opposition to the plan during a meeting
of the board in Austin on Monday.
A preliminary plan for redistricting the House, which occurs every 10
years, would have moved Reeves County from Walker's District 80 into District
74, a seat held by Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine). But that plan failed to
make it through the Texas Legislature, and the task of redistricting the
state's House, Senate and U.S. House seats was turned over to the Legislative
Redistricting Board.
Patman's complaint against Cornyn's plan focus on its pairing of rural
incumbent House members with other incumbents from urban districts. "The
plan seeks to pair 42 incumbents with 17 of those currently representing
agriculture and rural areas," Patman wrote. "These rural members represent
six committee chairs, the chair of the rural caucus, a member of the appropriations
committee and three members of the House Agriculture and Livestock Committee.
"This is a huge loss for one of the state's most important industries.
It and the many businesses dependent upon it add approximately $64 billion
to the state's economy," Patman wrote.
Among those who stand to be affected by the change is Walker (R-Plains),
who was first elected to the House in 1994. Under Cornyn's plan, he would
be paired against Lubbock Republican Carl Isett, the only two Republicans
who would be matched against each other under the Attorney General's proposal.
In contrast, the plan would pair incumbent Democrats in 10 new districts,
while nine would have incumbent Democrats and Republicans facing off, according
to the Farm Bureau release. A total of 22 open seats would be created, and
Harris County (Houston) would maintain all of its current 25 House seats,
all but two of which Patman said would be under-populated.
Walker would be moved into District 83 with Isett under the plan. The
Farm Bureau said it would be the most over-populated district under Cornyn's
plan. The district would include part of Lubbock County, along with Walker's
home county of Yoakum. Cochran, Gaines and Hockely counties would be the
others in District 83. "It makes no sense to force an already dwindling representation
in rural Texas into fewer seats than is justifiable," Patman wrote in his
letter to Cornyn.
"Farm Bureau is non-partisan. Agricultural issues are neither Republican
or Democratic, and we will oppose any attempt to gerrymander a partisan House
at the expense of rural issues," Patman said.
Black and Hispanic Democrats on Monday also argued against Cornyn's plan
on Monday, saying it would hurt minority representation.
Walker has voice support for a redistricting plan proposed earlier this
year by House Speaker Pete Laney, who is also a member of the Legislative
Redistricting Board. On Monday, discussion of the Farm Bureau's objections
to Cornyn's plan led to some terse words between Cornyn and House Speaker
Pete Laney, the lone Democrat on the five-member board.
"I'm just trying to keep you consistent, general," Laney said to Cornyn
during a clash over their dueling House plans.
"Well, I understand, and that would be a goal we should all strive for,"
Cornyn shot back.
Laney has presented his own plan, one approved by the Texas House in May
and supported mostly by Democrats. It would allow some Republican gains but
would likely let him get re-elected speaker by House members in 2003.
Cornyn wants to maintain 25 districts in Harris County, while
Laney's plan would drop that number to 24 and keep more representation
in rural regions. Laney is a cotton farmer from Hale Center in West Texas.
Several other House Democrats also voiced their opposition to the plan,
and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund urged reconsideration
of its House and Senate plans, which call for more Hispanic districts than
the existing proposals.
Cornyn contends his plan has no minority retrogression. The reason 25
seats must be maintained in Harris County is to avoid reducing minority voter
strength there, Cornyn said. Democrats control the House 78-72.
Pair arrested in heroin bust following raid
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- Two people were arrested Monday evening
and a dangerous drug taken off the streets, following a search warrant
executed by Pecos officers.
Police said that at about 7:37 p.m., officers from the department executed
a narcotics search warrant at 323 Mesquite St., the home of Gilbert Vasquez
and Delma Hernandez Campos.
"Once the occupants inside the residence were secured, officers then proceeded
to search the residence," said Pecos Police Investigator Paul Deishler.
During the search of the residence a substance believed to be heroin was
found in various places of the inside of the premises, according to Deishler.
Also located were materials for the packaging and injecting of heroin.
Officers completed their search of the premises and placed Vasquez, 31
and Campos, 33, under arrest.
Both were charged with the offenses of possession of a controlled substance
with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a playground, a third
degree felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor.
Both are still in the Reeves County Jail awaiting arraignment.
OC looks to expand non-credit courses
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- Cake decorating? Learning to speak Spanish?
Or a class to keep up with the changing technology? Odessa College
will be exploring the possibility of offering a wide variety of classes
to the community.
Paula Howard, Continuing Education Coordinator for Odessa College, Pecos
Technical Training Center will be in charge of setting up these classes in
Pecos.
"We want to offer courses that are geared to what the community wants,"
said Howard.
She said that if the community has an idea about a class they want to
take they can contact her at the Pecos Technical Training Center.
Continuing Education classes are offered on a non-credit basis and have
been designed to give students an opportunity to explore new activities for
personal growth and enjoyment. Students also have an opportunity to keep
up with new developments relating to their present occupations or to train
for new career fields.
"If we get enough people interested in a particular class we can have
that class," said Howard. "For the smaller classes, we won't need a lot of
people, but for the larger ones, we'll require that a few more be interested
in it."
Howard said that two people have already expressed interest in a cake
decorating class. "If we can get at least three more people interested, then
we can have the class," she said.
"We'd also like to teach something like water coloring and need some individuals
interested in that, so that we can find a teacher," said Howard.
Howard said that one gentleman had expressed an interest in learning how
to play golf. "We'd really like to have that class," said Howard. "We're
only limited to what people want," she said.
In cooperation with business, industry and organizations in the community,
Odessa College will plan additional non-credit courses, seminars and workshops.
"We'd love to hear from businesses, organizations and clubs, if they're interested
in setting up classes or seminars," said Howard.
Instructors for Continuing Education are not only educators from Odessa
College, but also are professional men and women experienced in business,
government and other fields in the community.
"We have instructors that come in from Odessa, but we like to use local
individuals," said Howard. "If anyone is interested in teaching a course,
they should contact this office."
Howard said that continuing education gives people a chance for a lifelong
commitment and keeps the mind active.
These courses don't offer credits and are less expensive, according to
Howard.
"They're less expensive, because they don't have lab work or anything
like that and require less time," she said.
One course that is already in the making is "Conversational Spanish,"
which will begin July 24. "That course is really filling up quickly."
Local teacher David Reyes will be the instructor for that class, according
to Howard.
Another class that will begin soon is the CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant)
class, which will begin Sept. 4.
"We're willing to schedule computer classes and hope to do costumer satisfaction
classes and some management classes," said Howard.
Howard can be reached at Odessa College, Pecos campus from 8-3 p.m., Monday
through Friday. "I also teach, so I'm not here in the evenings, but there
is someone here until 5:30 p.m., that they can leave a message with," said
Howard.
Continuing Education is a new department. "We would also like to offer
classes on Saturdays, because a lot of people work and can't attend during
the day," said Howard.
Most credit courses are offered during the day, so the non-credit courses
are offered in the evenings. "The ones during the day are great for mothers
whose children are in school, but we have a lot of people that work and have
other commitments in the evenings that would benefit from Saturday classes,"
she said.
Howard said they would also be offering a basic jail class, with at least
10 individuals.
"This is separate from the class offered by the local prison," said Howard.
"Continuing Education is a lifelong learning experience designed to give
students a chance to explore new activities for personal growth or keep up
with new developments related to their present occupation or train for new
career fields," said Howard.
For more information contact the Pecos Technical Training Center, 1000
S. Eddy St., or by calling the center at 445-5535.
Open volleyball at gym resumes on Wednesday
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- Open volleyball for Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD students will resume on Wednesday at the new Pecos High School gym, according
to Pecos Eagles' volleyball coach Becky Granado.
Open gym will be alternate weeknights at the gym, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Rec department's volleyball sign-ups open
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- Reeves County Community Sports and Recreation
Department director Nora Geron said sign-ups for the department's youth volleyball
program continue through August 17 at the old Pecos High School gym, and
not July 17 as had been listed on Channel 6.
The league is open to children in Grades 3-6, with a registration fee
of $10 per child. Parents registering their children should bring a birth
certificate to the RCCRD office, and both parents' signatures will be needed
on the registration form.
For further information, call the recreation department at 447-9776.
Marriages
Marriages for June 2001, as filed with the Reeves County Clerk's Office.
Jose Lujan Gomez and Bertha Alicia Hinojosa Rodriguez.
Mario Javier Morqueto Arementa and Manuela G. Villegas.
Steve Acosta Reyes and Maria Eugenia Rodriguez Mendoza.
Brian Scott Gibson and Kittie Colleen Bramblett.
Raymond Rivera Avila and Pamela Renee Juarez.
Carlos Gutierrez Baeza and Marisol Gonzales.
Oscar Carrera Portillo and Susan Armendariz Terrazas.
Robert E. Clinton and Karen Leann Capers.
Eliaser Valadez Saucedo and Karime Mayhez Rodriguez.
Angel Anchondo, Jr. and Debbie Sosa Millan.
Frank Tarango Carrasco and Marie Rochelle Ybarra.
Roger Daniel Matta, Jr. and Joann Inez Gurule.
Divorces
Divorces for May 2001, as filed with the Reeves County District
Clerk's Office.
Ignacio H. Rodriguez and Maribel Alvarado Rodriguez.
Ricardo H. Florez and Sylvia Natividad Florez.
Nikki Fowlkes and Jay M. Fowlkes, III.
Belinda Mirelez and Gilbert Mirelez.
Maria Baeza Mendoza and Adolfo Tarango Mendoza.
Jesus Ernesto Franco, Jr. and Jessica Patino Franco.
Abigail Salcido and Ismael Salcido.
Pedro Morales and Deena Morales.
Criselda Navarette Corrales and Paul Rubio Corrales.
Monce Medina Palencia and Julio Artemio S. Palencia.
Divorces for June 2001, as filed with the Reeves County District
Clerk's Office.
Joe Alvarado and Petra Alvarado.
David Leamon Brantley and Sherry Lee Marie Schwindt Brantley.
Virginia Franco Palomino and Raul Lopez Palomino.
Weather
PECOS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- High Monday 110. Low this morning 73.
Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers
and thunderstorms. Low in the mid 70s. Southeast wind 5 to 15
mph. Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High around 105. Southeast wind 10
to 20 mph. Wednesday night: Mostly clear. Low 70 to 75. Thursday
and Friday: Partly cloudy. Lows 70 to 75. Highs 100 to 103.
Obituaries
Jesse W. Bush and Coy Miller
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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