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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Totals spike up for early voting on closing day
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., April 30, 2003 -- Things picked up during the last day of early
voting for the May 3 local elections, sending the final total up by over
400 before the 5 p.m. deadline.
The preliminary numbers showed a total of 1,014 people cast their votes
early for Saturday's city and school elections in Pecos, after only 578
votes had been cast in the first eight days of the early voting period.
"We had 765 vote by personal appearance and 249 ballots by mail," said
early voting clerk Debbie Thomas.
The final totals are still about 10 percent lower than in 2002. Last year,
1,107 people voted early in the local elections.
"We have only 30 yet to come in by mail," said Thomas. Those ballots
must be received by Saturday in order to be valid for this year's election.
Thomas said that she and her "crew" are busy getting ready for Saturday's
elections. Poll will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Community Center,
508 S. Oak St., on Saturday.
"We want to encourage everyone to come out and vote," said Thomas.
Thomas said that they are currently processing mail-out ballots and preparing
supplies for the Saturday polling places.
"We're getting things ready for the school elections in Barstow, Toyah
and Saragosa as well," said Thomas.
Thomas said that they are looking forward to Saturday and hope that they
have a lot of individuals come out and vote.
Polls opened on April 16 for the Town of Pecos City and Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD elections. Balmorhea voters also have been casting ballots early since
that day, and will vote in their local election this Saturday from 7 a.m.
until 7 p.m. at the Balmorhea Fire Hall.
Barstow voters will be casting ballots in the P-B-T ISD race and in the
special election to fill the vacant seat in the 19th Congressional District.
Four candidates are seeking two three-year terms in the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD race, while four candidates are seeking the three available two-year
seats on the Town of Pecos City Council.
Incumbents David Flores and Steve Valenzuela are seeking new terms on
the school board and are challenged by Randy Baeza and Amy Montgomery Miller.
In the city race incumbents Gerald Tellez and Frank Sanchez are seeking
new terms, along with Danny Rodriguez and Mark Bragg.
In Balmorhea, Abel Baeza, Paul Matta, Courtney Mellard, Sharon Oates
and Tommy Rey Dominguez are vying for the two seats on the Balmorhea School
Board.
Loving County voters will also be casting ballots in the 19th Congressional
District race on May 3. A total of 17 candidates are running in the race
to succeed Republican Larry Combest.
Payout rejected by P-B-T board
in complaint against ex-teacher
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., April 30, 2003 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board members denied
a request for relief involving a case against a former Austin Elementary
teacher, following a closed session meeting Tuesday at the School Technology
Center.
The board met in closed session Tuesday evening under Section 551.071
and 551.074, Texas Government Code to discuss a Parent Level III Complaint
against Susann Flowers and for a consultation with attorney. Following that
session, the board then approved a motion made by board member Steve Valenzuela
and seconded by Lila Cerna. The motion, which was approved by a 5-1 vote,
stated that:
Whereas, Ms. Flowers has resigned from the District, the request relief
that Ms. Flowers be terminated is moot, therefore, it is denied. I further
move that we deny the requested relief from outside counseling and the monetary
compensation.
Further, the board is requesting that the administration set up appointments
with each of the counselors at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD to provide counseling
for their student, should they desire.
The Board is requesting that the principal, (Austin Elementary School)
Cindy Duke, provide a contact person at her campus for the student to seek
assistance from, should she desire.
The Board's attorney will visit with the parents to explain the resignation
process of teachers.
"This concludes the matter for the board," said Board President Billie
Sadler.
Board members Steve Valenzuela, Paul Deishler, Chip Flores, Lila Cerna
and Billie Sadler voted for the motion, while board member David Flores
voted against it.
Annual highway seal coating beginning
PECOS, Wed., April 30, 2003 -- Visitors to Balmorhea State Park in southwestern
Reeves County will find State Highway 17 a bit sticky this week as construction
crews put down fresh asphalt 'seal coat' to refresh and extend the life
of the road surface from Interstate 10 to the Jeff Davis County line.
The highway is being resurfaced by the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT), and is the first of a series of seal-coating projects scheduled
over the next several weeks in Reeves and western Ward County.
Work on the Highway 17 project should be wrapped up by the middle of
the week, barring cold weather or rain, according to Jerry McGuairt, the
Texas Department of Transportation's project manager.
The contractor, Lipham Construction, Inc., of Aspermont, is putting down
the new asphalt surfacing. Motorists will encounter workers who will direct
them through the work zone, and brief lane closures in those areas where
seal coat work is being done.
When the section of State Highway 17 south of Interstate 10 is resurfaced,
the Lipham crew will move to:
Farm-to-Market Road 3334 (connecting SH 17 and FM 2903 north of Balmorhea).
FM 2007 (west from U.S. 285 south of Pecos).
FM 1450 between U.S. 285 and Coyanosa.
U.S. 285 (Cedar Street) from Interstate 20 through Pecos to just north
of the city limits.
FM 3398 from just west of the Pecos River to FM 516.
FM 516 in Ward County.
"Drivers should always use caution and drive carefully to avoid conflicting
windshield and paint damage on other vehicles," said McGuairt.
The seal coat work in Reeves County is part of an annual $7.1 million
preventive maintenance program involving nearly 360 miles of highway throughout
the 12-county TxDOT district.
'Seal coat' is a rock and asphalt layer put down on the highway surface
as a preventive maintenance measure to seal the surface and keep moisture
from damaging the road base. The seal coat extends the life of the highway.
Soldier in Kuwait thanks community for support
p>By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., April 30, 2003 -- A Pecos resident is "proud to serve" in Kuwait,
and thanked the local community for its support during the war with Iraq.
David V. Carrasco, Petroleum Operations Officer for the 240th QM BN,
is currently serving his country in Kuwait, and sent a letter back to the
community recently thanking area residents for their support.
"As I finished reading the letter that I've just received from my family
I had to express my heartfelt thanks not only to my family, but to the entire
Pecos community," said Carrasco. "Included in my care package was a clipping
from a newspaper showing how the community is in support of our efforts
here."
Carrasco said that it was apparent from the picture that the town has
really come together to support the armed forces. "We are all grateful,"
said Carrasco.
Pecos will always be home. "As I travel the world with my family there
is something that never changes, and that's where I came from," said Carrasco.
"I come from a small town where a man can hold his head high for earning
an honest living."
Carrasco said he came from a family where selfless service to others
is a family tradition. "My own family serves the Pecos community daily,
Pop, Nina, Mom, Tia Jess, Tia Rose, each of you serve the Pecos community
proudly in a variety of roles and each of them is important," said Carrasco.
"I am proud to continue this tradition of service in my role in the Armed
forces," he said.
Carrasco said that the 240th Quartermaster Battalion is providing fuel
support in historic proportions.
Your efforts supporting soldiers on the home front, makes us more mission-oriented
and focused at this end," he said. "I appreciate your service to our nation
and our Army."
Carrasco said that they continue to be busy as the U.S. military leaders
transition the operation into peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, along
with policing actions.
"We still have a huge mission operating the Inland Petroleum Distribution
System, a transportable fuel pipeline with large bags that hold up to 210,000
gallons of fuel each," said Carrasco.
"Currently, we are operating 178 miles of pipeline, which has been constructed
since we have been here," said Carrasco. "We have more than 16 million gallons
of fuel in storage at various locations (fuel terminals) which provides
all fuel consumed by Army, Air Force and Marine Corps planes, helicopters,
tanks, and trucks," he said.
The battalion's motto is "Proud to Serve!"
"We are proud to serve the USA; proud of our families, serving our nation;
and proud to do our part for the national interests of our great nation,"
said Carrasco.
Carrasco said that their role over there is still not over. "I ask that
you continue to keep us all in your prayers and thoughts," he said.
Petroleum Operations Officer Carrasco is the son of Pablo Carrasco and
Mary Louise Nabarrette of Pecos.
This Week 50 Years Ago
ADVERTISING
Grand Opening of Pecos' newest and largest drive-in theatre
The Texan
One mile southwest of Pecos on the Balmorhea Highway
Thursday night, April 30, 1953
Home owned and operated
WANTED: Taxi drivers. Apply to Hal Arthur, Pecos Cab Company.
SPORTS
5-3 loss to Alpine Bucks throws Eagles off top in district play
SOCIETY
Camp, Brown plan wedding for June.
The forthcoming marriage of Miss Billie Jane Camp to Bobbie D. Brown
was announced this week by Miss Camp's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Tom Camp.
OIL
Sun Oil Hits Total Depth of 5,105 feet
FRONT PAGE
803 students are on 5th honor roll
Lions orchestra invited to Chicago
Invitation is extended for convention
The Pecos Lions club orchestra, under the direction of Joe Henderson,
has received a formal invitation to be on the program of the Lions International
Convention in Chicago in July.
Weather
PECOS, Wed., April 30, 2003 -- High Tuesday 95. Low this morning 60. Forecast
for tonight: Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. West winds 10 to 20 mph Becoming
light and variable. Thursday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds 10
to 20 mph. Thursday night: Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Friday: Sunny. Highs
in the mid 80s. Saturday: Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Highs in the lower
90s.
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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