|
Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Community Christmas Tree lights up
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- Pecos "lit up" last night during the Annual
Community Christmas Tree Lighting held at Maxey Park, as a large group
saw the tree illuminated for the first time this year, one week later
than originally scheduled.
Community member and Master of Ceremonies Nancy Ontiveros welcomed everyone
to the yearly event, which was postponed from Dec. 3 due to bad weather.
Ontiveros told the group about the new additions at the park and the many
lights the tree held.
Leo Hung was project director and had help from so very friendly "elves."
The Christmas crew consisted of Julian Alvarez, Rudy Carrasco, George Dominguez,
Paco Perez, Marcos Contreras, Mario Borrego, Sonya Lerma, Mayra Dominguez
and Christina Lujan.
Parents, teachers, city and county employees all pulled together to help
out, according to Ontiveros.
"There were many generous donors, from businesses and community members,"
she said.
Ontiveros described work on the project by the Pecos Rotary Club, while
Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford gave a brief speech prior to the tree's
lighting.
"Everyone can make a difference and it's important to invest in the community
as the Pecos Rotary Club has done," said Ontiveros. "The idea started with
a little bit of vision and a lot of heart."
Ontiveros said that people driving by on Interstate 20 would know this
is a community with spirit and is united.
New additions included school decorations provided by Pecos High School,
Zavala Middle School and Bessie Haynes Elementary School.
The Texas State Guard, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 39
th Military Police Brigade of Monahans presented the colors and Christi
Kidd sang the National Anthem.
Mariachi Perla was on hand providing musical entertainment, along with
the students from Austin Elementary School in the first through third grades.
"We want to emphasize our appreciation for everyone's support and display
of community spirit for being present and making this event a success," said
Ontiveros.
Ontiveros said that the event would not be possible without the contribution
and participation of everyone.
"Plans are to expand the project each year by adding more scenes and lights,"
she said.
Participants and donors included: Austin Elementary School, first through
third grades; Pecos High School, Zavala Middle School and Bessie Haynes Elementary
School who donated lights exhibits; American Home Health, matching grants
provided to the schools for displays; Best Western Swiss Clock Inn Management
and staff prepared refreshments; West Texas National Bank, donated the refreshments;
Pecos Police Department provided security; the Pecos Youth Advisory Council
served refreshments; Wal-Mart was a donor along with the Lion's Club.
Gholson gets Chamber director's job
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- Pecos Chamber of Commerce Interim Director
Linda Gholson will be handling that job on a full-time basis from now
on, chamber members were told on Tuesday.
Chamber President Kevin Duke announced the decision to retain Gholson
during the regular Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting.
"We put an ad out and had four applicants," said Duke.
Duke said that the executive committee had met and reviewed all the applications.
"We contacted the city attorney to draw up a contract. "We're going to make
it a two-year contract and after first year have an evaluation," he said.
Duke said that Gholson would take over the position as a full-time employee
on Jan. 1 and that the committee would evaluate her every year.
"This will provide an out for the chamber," said Duke.
Duke said that this way if the chamber is not satisfied with the employee,
they could make some adjustments.
"Right now, we have 120 members," said Duke. "That will be one of the
stipulations in the contract, if the director can keep it at 120, she will
receive a bonus."
Duke said that if the membership dropped below that number, there would
be no bonus for Gholson. "Also, if the membership goes above that number,
the director will receive 15 percent of what we collect," said Duke. "This
is a way to balance and to see how the director is doing."
Gholson will be receiving $23,000 per year in salary and a $2,000 bonus,
if the membership remains as is, according to Duke.
All board members agreed that Gholson has been doing an excellent job,
since she took over the position after the January resignation of Tom Rivera,
who had held that position for the previous 10 years.
In other business on Tuesday, Women's Division president Laura Briggs
updated the group on what the women have been busy doing.
"We're still working on the newcomer baskets, so if anybody has anything
to add they can contact me or the chamber," said Briggs.
She said that the women's club had donated funds to needy families in
the community and would be sponsoring a Christmas Lighting Contest, which
will be done differently this year.
"We'll also have an evening meeting for January and hope to recruit some
new members," said Briggs. "We'll be meeting at He Brews and I invite all
the women in the community to come out and check out our group and the new
coffee shop," she said.
Michelle Workman is in charge of the Christmas Lighting Contest for this
year, with all judging scheduled for a single night, this coming Friday.
"This year we're doing it a little bit different and businesses are encouraged
to participate," said Workman. She explained that the women were going to
divide into nine groups and would drive around town judging homes and businesses.
"We'll also pick out a decorated block, which is something we've done
in the past," said Workman. "So get your neighbors to decorate also.
Workman said that the judging would take place from 7-11 p.m. on Friday.
"We'll meet at the Odessa College parking lot and scatter throughout town
looking for decorated homes and businesses," said Workman. "People don't
have to call in nominations, we'll look for them," she said.
The group will judge on three categories including, "Best Christmas Theme",
"Most Elegant" and "Most Use of Lights."
Residents will win prizes in the form of gift certificates. "All the gift
certificates will be purple and gold and have a buck on the front of them,"
said Workman. "The gift certificates will be used here in Pecos," she said.
Workman said that the women would provide a list of all chamber members
and that the recipients of the prizes could use them here in Pecos.
"We're also trying to promote Pecos businesses and we thought this would
be a good way," she said.
Workman said that the idea came from one of the Women's Division members,
who had lived in another community. "They did this in their community and
it worked out really well, so we hope it will work out for us, too," said
Workman. "We'll probably make changes next year and we hope to hear from
the community on anything new they would like to add or take away from this
project."
Debbie Thomas spoke to the group about the recent Flea Market that was
held at the Reeves County Civic Center grounds recently.
"Everything went really great," said Thomas. "We had 19 booths and had
about 600 people come through the gates."
Thomas said that this was the first time the event had been held and that
they are already planning another event. "We're planning another one for
the spring," said Thomas. "We already have a lot of people that had set up
a booth there ready to set up another one."
"This time we only had one concession stand, but we might get some more
next time," she added. "Anybody that is interested can call us."
Board member John Grant said that a silent auction is taking place and
will end on Monday, Dec. 16. "The silent auction is for a beautiful sculpture
and the starting bid is $500," said Grant.
The statue can be seen at the drive-in area of West Texas National Bank.
Grant said that he would like to encourage community members to bid on
the statue and that the proceeds would benefit the art class at the Pecos
High School.
Attending football game earns Pecos man 10-year penalty
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- A trip to see a high school football game
may end up costing a Pecos man up to 10 years in prison, as a result of a
ruling last month in 143rd District County.
The case was one of 30 felony criminal cases heard on Nov. 22 by 143
rd District Court Judge Bob Parks. The cases dealt with a number of
criminal charges, including the case involving the football game, which led
to a probation revocation in connection with a previous drug arrest.
Parks heard 11 cases in Pecos and 19 in Monahans on Nov. 22 according
to 143rd District Attorney Randy Reynolds.
Of those 30 cases, eight were settled that day. Parks sentenced seven
of those defendants in separate cases to serve prison time and ordered one
other defendant to serve community supervision, according to Reynolds.
Some of those sentenced involved probation revocations where Reynolds
presented evidence to the court and some involved negotiated plea agreements
and recommendations.
"Judge Parks heard three asset forfeiture cases which are included in
the above figures as well," said Reynolds.
One such probation revocation case involved David Gonzales Pando, of Pecos.
On June 28, Pando was placed on community supervision following his plea
agreement in a cocaine possession case.
"On Oct. 18, Sam Lujan, Community Supervision and Corrections officer,
joined with Reynolds and filed a motion to adjudicate Pando's guilt after
alert Pecos Police Department officers Kelly Davis and Paul Deishler had
observed Pando in Kermit, on Oct. 11, at a football game," said Reynolds.
Pando attended the Pecos-Kermit football game at Walton Field that night,
but Reynolds said, "Pando did not have permission to travel out of Reeves
County on that date."
After hearing evidence at a hearing on Nov. 22, Judge Parks sentenced
Pando to serve 10 years in prison and assessed him a fine of $5,000.
"This sentence fits the crime," said Reynolds.
"This sentence was the direct result, initially, of several hours of hard
work and investigation by officers with the Pecos Police Department and the
further vigilant observations by off-duty officers Deishler and Davis."
"CSCD (probation) Officer Lujan did an outstanding job in putting the
probation violation case together," said Reynolds. "We are fortunate to have
dedicated officers like Deishler, Davis and Lujan, working in our town in
the interest of criminal justice."
Parks handled most felony cases on Fridays as well as many civil cases,
according to Reynolds. Court is held most every Friday morning in Pecos for
Reeves County cases and most Friday afternoons in Monahans for Ward County
cases, and on an as-needed basis in Mentone for Loving County cases.
Council eyes Yerena pact amendment
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- The Town of Pecos City Council will discuss
a change to the contract for the city manager during their regular morning
monthly meeting Thursday at 7 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The members will also discus and consider the contract amendment with
the City Manager, Carlos Yerena, and will also study an offer to purchase
property located at 825 Martinez St. during the meeting.
Council members will hear a presentation on the financial statements and
a presentation by citizen Gilda Vejil on the grocery stores.
The council will approve the minutes of their regular council meeting
held on October 24 and November 14, accounts payable report, juvenile monthly
report for November 2002, municipal court report also for November 2002 and
the tax collection report for October 2002. They will also discuss changing
of the second monthly regular meeting due to the Christmas holiday, and items
to be placed on the next agenda.
Appointments will be made by on the council for the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Pecos Housing Authority and the Airport Board.
Little League holds Thursday meeting
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- A Little League meeting will be held at
7 p.m., Thursday at the Best Western Banquet Room.
All coaches and individuals interested in helping with the Little League's
2003 season are encouraged to attend.
Weather
PECOS, Wed., Dec. 11, 2002 -- High Tuesday 57. Low this morning 33. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows 30 to 35. Northwest winds 5 to 15
mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms.
Highs 55 to 60. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Thursday night: Mostly
clear. Lows around 30. Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs 55 to 60. Saturday:
Mostly clear. Lows 25 to 30. Highs 60 to 65.
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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
|
