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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Galindo alleges Matta campaign sign, flyer violations
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., March 6, 2002 -- The campaign for Reeves County Judge
is heating up with one week to go before the March 12 Democratic Party
primary election, with incumbent Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo filing
complaints alleging campaign rule violations against challenger Louis Matta.
Meanwhile, Matta said he was unaware of a separate complaint to the
Reeves County Clerk's office involving alleged coercion in mail ballot
voting, and a charge of coercion against a Galindo supporter by two other
local voters, one of whose statement was disputed by a resident of the
same Pecos home.
"This is news to me," said Matta, in regards to a sworn affidavit signed
by Estella Villareal, who alleges that two Matta supporters had gotten
a voting ballot from her disabled 49-year-old nephew after several visits
to the family's home.
In her affidavit Villareal stated that she is 75 years of age and is
qualified to give this affidavit.
"I am the caretaker of the my sister's son, Cristobal Carrasco, who
is 49 years old. My sister died and left him in my care. Cris cannot hear
or speak. I am the only who can communicate with him," the statement says.
"On many occasions Linda De-La-O Baeza and Sandra R. Burciaga came to my
house (at 801 S. Plum St.) insisting that we vote by mail for Louis J.
Matta. I told Linda De-La O Baeza that we did not want to vote for Louis
Matta. Linda De-La-O Baeza said for us not to vote at all if we did not
want to vote for Louis. I told her that we did not want to vote this year
then.
"When I returned from Odessa on Monday, Feb. 18, I found the leftover
voting materials in the trash. Cris communicated to me that the lady came
by for Louis Matta again for him to vote and took his ballot," said Villareal
in her statement.
"Those are volunteers that are helping me out, but I don't think they
would do that," said Matta. "Those ballots are supposed to be mailed in."
In the other incident involving sworn affidavits, James A. Green who
resides at 501 E. 13th claimed that a Galindo supporter took
his unmarked ballot for mailing, without giving him a chance to vote for
Matta.
Green said that "On the week of Feb. 17, 2002, I do not recall the exact
day, a lady known to me as Anita Baeza came to my residence with the intention
of helping me with my ballot, she placed the pointer to a number for me
to vote for County Judge, I told her that I wanted to vote for Louis J.
Matta, she told me that I wouldn't have to worry about mailing in my ballot
that she will take it, place a stamp on it and mail it for me.
"She took the ballot with her, I never found out which candidate I voted
for, since I didn't get to see the number that I punched. I am not sure
that my choice of candidate was selected. I am asking that this ballot
be voided and that I be given the opportunity to vote by personal appearance
without anyone helping me other than an election clerk," Green said.
However, another affidavit was filed by Jessie Lee Ephriam, a man who
is residing with Green, who disputed his claim.
Ephriam, 51, said that on or about the week of Feb. 17, 2002, he was
at the residence where he lives with James Green when Anita Baeza came
by the house. "Anita Baeza asked Mr. Green who he wanted to vote for in
the county judge's race? James Green punched his own ballot and I did not
see anything wrong with anything that happened that day. A few days later
Linda De-La-O Baeza came by the house and was trying to stir up something
about Mrs. Baeza coming over to the house," said Ephriam.
The other affidavit filed claiming coercion by Baeza was by Juanita
Gutierrez, who resides at 316 S. Walnut St.
"That at approximately 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, Mrs. Anita
Baeza came to my house and knocked on my front door. The door was opened
and not locked because I am not able to answer the door due to my illness.
Mrs. Baeza walked in and asked if I had already voted, I answered that
I wanted to vote for Louis Matta, Mrs. Baeza then stated that she had everything
so I could vote now. She instructed me to punch a number, but I am not
sure which number I punched, at this time became very frightened and confused,
I am not sure that my choice was recorded as I wanted.
"I am respectfully requesting that this ballot be voided and that I
be given a second ballot as per Sec. 64007cd and the facts listed above,"
said Gutierrez.
"If people want me to help them vote, they vote for whoever they want
to," Baeza said in response to the allegations.
In as related matter, campaign signs placed in the area by Matta are
also being criticized by for not conforming to state law by Galindo, who
has filed a complaint with 143rd District Attorney Randy Reynolds
and with Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez.
Galindo said he took a picture of a sign posted in front of a house
that was in support of candidate Louis Matta. The sign did not meet the
election requirements because the word "for" in the sign was not at least
one-half the type size of the words county judge, which is a clear violation
of Section 255.006, part c, section two of the Texas Election Code.
Under Section 255.006. Misleading use of office title. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person knowingly enters into a contract or other
agreement to print, publish, or broadcast political advertising with the
intent to represent to an ordinary and prudent person that a candidate
holds a public office that the candidate does not hold at the time the
agreement is made.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly represents in
a campaign communication that a candidate holds a public office that the
candidate does not hold at the time the representation is made.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person represents that a candidate
holds a public office that the candidate does not hold if: (1) the candidate
does not hold the office that the candidate seeks; and (2) the political
advertising or campaign communication states the public office sought but
does not include the word "for" in a type size that is at least one-half
the type size used for the name of the office to clarify that the candidate
does not hold that office.
The violation is a class A misdemeanor.
Galindo obtained permission from the homeowner to take a picture of
the sign.
The county judge also complained that flyers mailed out to Reeves County
homes attacking him did not list the name of the group or individual paying
for the mailings, which also is in violation of the Texas Election Code.
Galindo cited Section 255.01 of the code, which deals with required
disclosure on political advertising. Under subsection (a) A Person may
not knowingly enter into a contract or other agreement to print, publish,
or broadcast political advertising that does not indicate in the advertising:
(1) that it is political advertising; (2) the full name of either the individual
who personally entered into the contract or agreement with the printer,
publisher, or broadcaster or the person that individual represents; and
(3) in the case of advertising that is printed or published, the address
of either the individual who personally entered into the agreement with
the printer or publisher or the person that individual represents.
The notice further reads that a person who violates this section commits
an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Galindo also cited Section 255.004, who has filed with the Reeves County
Sheriff's Office a complaint, regarding violation of this section.
Section 255.004. True source of communication. (a) A person commits
an offense if, with intent to injure a candidate or influence the result
of an election, the person enters into a contract or other agreement to
print, publish, or broadcast political advertising that purports to emanate
from a source other than its true source.
(b) A person commits an offense if, with intent to injure a candidate
or influence the result of an election, the person knowingly represents
in a campaign communication that the communication emanates from a source
other than its true source. (c) An offense under this section is a Class
A misdemeanor.
Section 255.005. Misrepresentation of identity. (a) A person commits
an offense if, with intent to injure a candidate or influence the result
of an election, the person misrepresents the person's identity or, if acting
or purporting to act as an agent, misrepresents the identity of the agent's
principal, in political advertising or a campaign communication. (b) An
offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Matta, a former Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board president, filed on
Jan. 2 to run against Galindo, who is seeking his third four-year term
as Reeves County Judge. During a "Meet the Candidates" event in January,
Matta charged that Galindo and his supporters of lying about the future
of the Reeves County Detention Center if Matta wins next Tuesday's election.
"People are being told by Judge Galindo and his people if they vote
for you they're going to close down the Reeves County Detention Center
or fire everybody in county government," Matta said. "That's a lie. That's
not a way to win an election and it's not a way to run county government."
Early voting for the election continues at the Reeves County Courthouse
through this Friday. Polls will be open in Reeves County at 11 sites from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. next Tuesday.
Board to study campus project building plans
PECOS, Wed., March 6, 2002 -- Construction procurement methods for grant
projects at Bessie Haynes Elementary, Crockett Middle School, Austin Elementary
and Lamar AEP will be one of the items for discussion at the regular Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD Board meeting.
The board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 7, at the Technology
Center, 1301 S. Eddy. The meeting is being held a week earlier than the
usual second Thursday of the month due to a conflict with Spring Break
for P-B-T campuses next week.
Along with discussion of the school construction projects, a report
will be read on renovations at Pecos High School, Crockett Middle School,
Bessie Haynes Elementary, Zavala Elementary, Lamar AEP and Pecos Kindergarten.
The board will also recognize Pecos High School Visual Arts Scholastic
Event students and Solo and Ensemble band students/flute trio performance
in recent competition.
Under correspondence board members will hear from Region 18 Education
Service Center Board of Directors' Election (board members vote) and a
donation from Golden Girl Revue.
Board members will discuss and approve 2002-2003 school calendar and
early release days; TIF Special Projects Grant for Pecos Kindergarten;
Pecos High School Student Councils' request for approval of the Watt Watchers
Program; offers to purchase foreclosed properties; resolution giving property
tax relief to organizations that provide specific charitable services;
request by the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce and the Golden
Girl Committee for use of the Pecos High School auditorium for Golden Girl
Revue practices and pageant and waive fees; 2001-2002 budge amendments;
Summary of Finance 2001-2002 and first estimate of Summary of Finance for
2002-2003; report, possible action on board member training hours and Reeves
County Juvenile Detention Center Anti-Crime, Anti-Drug poster contest.
The group will meet behind closed doors as authorized by the Texas Open
Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.101 et seq., Section 551.074:
a. To discuss evaluations and renewal of probationary and term contract
employees; b. Discuss other personnel.
Section 551.071: Private consultation with the board's attorney concerning
pending litigation Civil Action #P-01-CA-10; Bauer and Bauer vs. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD et. al.
Board members will return to open session and take action, if any, on
items discussed in closed session.
Regular agenda items include to discuss and approve:
Professional personnel contract renewals.
Professional personnel: resignations, retirements, appointments, change
of contract.
Tax report.
Cafeteria report and commodities received.
Depository securities report.
Investment transactions report.
Reconciled bank balance report.
Current bills and financial report.
Community Recreation Department report.
Attendance/enrollment report.
Date and time for next regular meeting.
Calendar of events.
Request for items for next agenda.
Council to vote on CJC phones, pool repair bids
PECOS, Wed., March 6, 2002 -- The Town of Pecos City Council is scheduled
to approve a contract for the inmate phones at the Pecos Municipal Criminal
Justice Center during an emergency meeting at noon Thursday at City Hall.
During the meeting the Council will also discuss an agreement for physician
services at the criminal justice center.
The last item on the emergency agenda is to discuss and approve a bid
for work on the city swimming pool located next to Rocket Park.
Weather
PECOS, Wed., March 6, 2002 -- High Tuesday 71. Low this morning 36. Forecast
for tonight: Increasing cloudiness. Lows in the mid 40s. South winds 5
to 15 mph. Thursday: Considerable high cloudiness and breezy. Highs near
80. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Thursday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 45
to 50. Friday: Considerable high cloudiness and breezy. Highs near 80.
Saturday: Partly cloudy: Breezy: And cooler. Lows 25 to 30. Highs near
60.
Obituraries
Marina Carrasco, Norine Hoover and Max Stool
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 newsdesk@nwol.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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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