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Archive 2002

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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Top Stories

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Diagnostic wing down to fine details

JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, Wed., August 28, 2002 -- Construction of a new diagnostic wing for Reeves County Hospital  is in the design and development stage, administrator Robert Vernor told  the board of directors in their regular meeting Tuesday.

During the meeting, the board saw plans drawn up by architects Hammal-Green-Abrahamson, Inc.

Vernor said that the architects are getting down to the fine details of what equipment will be in the rooms and what kind of shelves will be needed.

"We are on schedule right now," Vernor said. "Except for the kidney dialysis unit."

According to Vernor, by late September or early October a final drawing of the specifications for the building would be available, allowing the board to make a decision of the design.

"At that point we will start looking for a contractor," Vernor said.

The design for the exterior of the building would be have contemporary look, Vernor said.

"We will not begin on the interior until we get construction done," Vernor said. "We are progressing very nicely and they (architects) are a stickler for details."

The search for doctors and nurses to work in the new hospital room is also underway, he said.

Vernor said the water system is the key in the building's design.

"The building has to handle the water system," Vernor said.

Managing Contractor Richard Murphy said that he could provide the name of a man who could help them look for a vendor to provide the water system.

However Murphy also added that if the board chooses to go with another water provider, the man could still help in the installation.

In installing the water system for the building, Murphy told the board that they must be very careful in the kind of system installed.

"You must purchase what you need," Murphy said. "Not what you can afford."

Board President Linda Gholson said she is pleased with the planning of the hospitals expansion.

"So far it appears everything has gone well in the planning of the expanding of the hospital," she said.

With that said the board moved on to the next item on the agenda, the evaluation of the CRM Management Contract for an administrator.

According to Gholson, the contract for interim administrator Vernor will expire in January of 2003. If the board decides not to take any action on the contract it will automatically renew during the month of January.

Gholson said that the board could also decide not to extend the contract and buy it out before January. That money would be listed as a recruiter's fee, Gholson said.

Murphy said that in the beginning, Covenant Hospital of Lubbock provided the administrator for no cost.

"I was asked to come down and baby-sit on a 90 day bases," Murphy said. "Mrs. Lovett asked me at that time to stay permanently."

Murphy said that at that time he was not ready to relocate so he helped find Vernor.

At this point Murphy said that because of their small company they would not be able to replace Vernor if something were to happen to him.

Though Vernor is not an employee of the hospital, Murphy said that the board can evaluate Vernor and decide if and how much of a salary increase is given to him.

"An employee on the payroll would be more loyal," board member Leo Hung said. "There would not be any other agendas."

Murphy said that the board could guide Vernor in any direction but did say that they were not allowed to fire him.

If for some reason Vernor was to be fired as the administrator of the hospital the board would have to inform Murphy, and he would fire Vernor.

Murphy told the board that if they choose not to renew the contract, he would see it as just a business deal.

Not wanting to make a hasty decision, board member Hugh Box told the board that he would like to talk to the employees of the hospital and get their input.

"I do not want to make a decision that is wrong," Box said.

With that the board decided to hold a special meeting next week to decide on the renewal of the contract.

Making the medical staff report, Dr. W.J. Bang presented the board with the resignation of Dr. Akbar Ali from the medical staff, which was accepted.

The appointment and clinical privileges of Niles Foster, DPM for courtesy staff was also approved. Robert Woodrome, MD was approved for consulting staff-emergency Room. David Summers, CRNA was approved for allied health privileges.

In taking action on the amendments to the medical staff bylaws rules and regulations, Hung made the motion to amend amendment #13- handling patient bodies in a timely manner for organ donations, with Box seconding the motion.

Amendment #12 stated that patients are to be discharged by 11 a.m. The board approved the change of having patients being discharged all day with Hung making the motion and Box seconding it.

Amendment #5 states that physical and history of patient must be provided within 24 hours. Box made the motion, with Flores seconding, for a change of 48 hours.

The board will hold their next meeting on September 17.

Beach party luau hails end of long hot summer

By Rosie Flores
Staff Writer

PECOS, Wed., August 28, 2002 -- A big Hawaiian celebration is scheduled to bid farewell to a  long hot summer in the community.

Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a "Hawaiian Beach Party" Friday, and is encouraging all community businesses, individuals and members to join them.

"We want to get everyone involved," said chamber interim director Linda Gholson .

The big event starts off Labor Day weekend. Businesses and individuals are asked to decorate their offices and wear Hawaiian or beachwear to work and play Friday. Prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated business and individuals.

Businesses or individuals that would like to be judged for the contest can call the chamber office at 445-2406.

Businesses can have a drawing, dress in their Hawaiian outfits, serve refreshments or throw a beach party for the employees and their customers, Gholson said.

Those planning to participate include: Pecos Enterprise employees, who will dress up and decorate; Beall's Department Store employees will decorate and dress up; West Texas National Bank staff will be handing out leis and serve refreshments from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m

Post Office employees will have drawings for stamps from 10 a.m. to noon; La Tienda staff will decorate and provide samples of fruit trays, deli and produce all day; and Security State Bank, employees will dress up, decorate and serve refreshments.

Popular Check Cashing staff will dress up, decorate and serve refreshments; Reeves County Hospital, decorate and have an employee's beach party; Movie Gallery will serve refreshments to the public from 2-4 p.m. and decorate; and Pecos Nursing Home will decorate and have a dress up contest for employees and residents.

Pecos Valley Country Club will be handing out leis to all customers, and employees will dress up; Pecos Animal Clinic staff will decorate, and Town of Pecos City will serve refreshments from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

"We just want everyone to have a great time," said Gholson. "This will also give the community a chance to visit other businesses and individuals."

A big finale for the day is planned at the West of the Pecos Museum Courtyard, from 5-7 p.m., hosted by Peaceful Garden Funeral Home.

"Hopefully the schools will participate in this as well," said Gholson.

Hot air balloons to soar at Labor Day festival

ALPINE - Colorful balloons will be seen floating in the skies around Alpine this weekend during the Labor Day weekend, with other events planned in the surrounding area.

"Twenty-five hot air balloons and 15 power-parachutes will paint West Texas skies in three weeks. Everyone is invited," said Ken Clouse, president of Big Bend Balloon Bash, Inc., the Alpine non-profit group sponsoring air activities in the entire Big Bend Region.

This is the seventh straight annual balloon weekend in Alpine, Clouse said.

"We have never had a day we couldn't fly balloons on Labor Day Weekend," said Clouse. "The winds are just right, with the high mountains surrounding Alpine in a bowl shape. These mountains offer unique protection from the sometimes strong Trans-Pecos winds."

Powered parachutes are multi-colored parachutes driven by gas-engines and steered by pilots in metal cages. After the balloons have landed, 15 of these ultralight gliders will thrill the crowds until noon. "This is the first time that this crowd-pleaser has ever been staged here," said Clouse.

"This summer is the wettest in years, the grasses and mountains providing a most beautiful backdrop for this three-day event, Aug. 31-Sept. 2," he said.

Location is the Alpine Casperis Municipal Airport, two miles north of downtown on the Fort Davis Highway.

For shoppers, over 25 downtown Alpine merchants will sell their treasures on the sidewalks in the annual Saturday Morning Sidewalk Sale.

This is a lively and unique event for families to experience local Big Bend crafts and gifts, Clouse said.

Sunday night a balloon glow concert is planned at Jackson Field. "When the gas engines squeal out in unique melodical patterns, the sounds are entrancing," said Clouse. "And visual patterns of night fires from these balloon engines at twilight leaves most everyone spellbound."

Entertainment will also be provided for traditional music lovers, 20 minutes away at the 16th Annual Marfa Lights Musical Festival. Shelley Laine and David Lee Garza are the headliners of a multi-day Labor Day Weekend venue.

This year's festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The concert is the evening of Saturday at the Vizcaino Park stage.

The good old-fashioned family fair takes place on the Presidio County Courthouse lawn with food, games and vendor's booths opening at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30.

This year's street dance features three groups, the Mixed Company Band of Balmorhea, Muela del Juicio of Presidio and the Mules of Presidio County. The dance is from 7 p.m. to midnight, Friday.

An opening ceremony is set for 8 p.m. Friday, followed by a Light of the Night Parade at 9 p.m.

On Saturday there's a five-kilometer fun run, beginning at the courthouse and sponsored by the Marfa Boy Scouts, as well as fun and entertainment all day at the courthouse stage.

The day parade begins at 11 a.m., Sunday's festival finale. A dance is scheduled from 8 p.m., to midnight at the MAC building, featuring Sierra Blanca favorite Wayne West y Los Realisticos.

School board to adopt budget on Thursday

PECOS, Wed., August 28, 2002 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board members will consider both old and new budgets in a special meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday in the Technology Center, 1301 S. Eddy.

A public hearing on the 2002-2003 budget and proposed tax rate tops the agenda.

The board will discuss and approve amending the 2001-2002 budget; dedicating fund balance; adoption of 2002-2003 budget and the adoption of the 2002 tax rate by ordinance.

Weather

PECOS, Wed., August 28, 2002 -- High Tuesday 106. Low last night 71. Isolated thunderstorms  were expected in the Permian Basin and Guadalupe Mountains south to  the Big Bend. It should be mostly sunny and hot elsewhere.  Daytime highs should range from the lower to mid-80s in the  Panhandle to near 107 along the Rio Grande. Lows  overnight were expected from the 60s to 70s.

Obituary

Amber-Lee Matta



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