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Archive 2003

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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Thursday, May 8, 2003

Council renews curfew, OKs park site

By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Newly elected council members Gerald Tellez, Frank Sanchez and Danny Rodriguez were sworn into office this morning during the city council, regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.

Council members also reviewed the city's teen curfew law, finalized the site for the city's new skateboard park while taking no action on the TransPecos Foods tax abatement request during the morning meeting.

Tellez, the Mayor Pro-Tem and Sanchez won re-election to the City Council in last Saturday's election, while Rodriguez was returned to the council after a one-year absence.

Before their swearing in, outgoing Councilman Johnny Terrazas said that it had been a pleasure working with everybody during his three terms on the council

"At this point in time, I believe things are going pretty well," said Terrazas, who did not run for re-election.

He added that he would be calling the council if he had any question.

"There has been a lot of projects that have started and have been completed since I have been on the council," Terrazas said. "I encourage everyone to become a part of the council."

He said that people would then be able to see not only how and why things get done but also why they don't get done if they get more involved with he council.

Terrazas said that he hopes the council will continue to do what they are doing and at the same time welcomed back his replacement Rodriguez.

Terrazas had served on the council for six years and said he decided not to run again after making a promise to term-limit himself after serving three terms.

However, before Terrazas was excused from his duties as council, Mayor Dot Stafford presented him with a plaque for the time he had been a council member.

Along with the new elected council members on board, Stafford also welcomed the city's new Accountant, Mark Rushing. Rushing will be replacing Sam Contreras, who became the new finance director after George Bejerano resigned his position back in March.

Prior to his departure, Terrazas made a motion to approve the accounts payable of $230,504.04, and seconded the motion of resolution canvassing the city elections.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting in regards to the renewal of juvenile curfew law, City Attorney Scott Johnson informed the council that the curfew law must be reviewed every three years on how it effects the community.

"My position is that it is very helpful," Johnson said. "It is a benefit on the community."

In discussing and considering the law, Pecos Police Lt. Kelly Davis said that he agreed with Johnson.

"It forces some kids to go home whose parents don't care," Davis said.

Currently the law states that any minor under the age of 17 must be at home by 10 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays and 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Police Community Officer, Mike Balog said that he also agreed with both Johnson and Davis.

"I agree totally. It is useful and helpful," Balog said. "It works as a tool in getting them (minors) home at the times they need to be there."

With that said, Rodriguez made his first motion as councilman the continued use of the current curfew law. Sanchez seconded the motion.

Balog also briefed the council on the construction site for the skateboard park.

"The council knows my feelings about having the skateboard park near the Girl Scout Hut," he said, adding that the site in the 700 block of Park Street just seemed more reasonable there because most of the skateboarders have no transportation out to Maxey Park. He said as it is now it is hard for them to make it out to the Criminal Justice Center across I-20 from Maxey Park when they met.

Balog said that in regards to them being out at the park at all hours of the day that should not be a problem.

"They won't be out there past curfew," Balog said. "There won't be any noise complaints because they have no music. They tend to concentrate on their sport. They are very quiet."

The council was also told that the plans for the skateboard park would also accommodate a walking path in the near future.

Before the approval for the construction site of the skateboard park at the Girl Scout Hut could be approved the council had to rescind an earlier motion for the construction of the skateboard park at Maxey Park. That motion was reversed and the council then approved the new site near the Girl Scout Hut.

The council also thanked Jeff Lindsey, Frank X. Spencer and Associates employee Edgardo Madrid and Balog for all the time and dedication they have spent in getting the skateboard park off the ground.

For the second time, the council tabled the tax abatement agreement with Trans Pecos Foods after being told by Security State Bank President Bill Oglesby, they had not received the official notice of the amounts requested by the council.

TransPecos Foods owner Patrick Kennedy also owns Security State Bank. Oglesby said that they only received the figures at 5 p.m. Wednesday. As a result, the council opted to take no action at today's meeting.

School board to swear in new members today

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board member will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m., to canvass election returns, and will then swear in the winners of Saturday's election during the regular portion of their meeting

Board members will meet today at the Technology Center, 1301 S. Eddy to canvass the returns, and when the regular meeting begins will swear in new member Ann Montgomery Miller and incumbent Steve Valenzuela to their three-year terms. Members will also vote for the board's new president and vice-president and secretary.

In regular business, the board members will recognize several Pecos High School student groups including: Business Professionals of America state qualifiers; UIL Academic District winners - Regional qualifiers; 6th grade state science fair qualifiers; FFA Career Development Events state qualifiers and boys' District 4-3A track champions.

A presentation of candidates and announcement of P-B-T Teacher of the Year will take place at this time.

Under correspondence the board will hear letters dealing with donations from Reeves County Tax Appraisal District and Wal-Mart Foundation and the superintendent's report on Pure Resources L.P. vs. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD., et al.

Old business will consist of an update on the girls' softball field.

Under new business: consider and possible action on citizen's request concerning sale of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of a school; agree upon procedures for leavers; update of Summary of Finance for 2002-03 and 2003-04; employer health care benefits for 2003-04 plan year; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas Department of Health (TDH) concerning smallpox response plans and use of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD facilities and establish a sick leave pool, sick leave bank, or additional days to extended sick leave and add to Policy DEC Local.

The group will discuss and take possible action on sale of foreclosed properties; summer recreation program; Pecos High School summer school; payday schedule; 2002-2003 budget amendments; superintendent's update on Title-IX issues and purchasing a special education bus.

Board members will meet in closed session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.101 et. Seq., Section 551.074; Discuss personnel or hear complaints against personnel and Section 551.071; Consultation with the Board's attorney.

They will return to open session and take action, if any, on items discussed in closed session.

Consider and possible action on professional personnel: resignations, retirements, appointments, change of contract.

Regular agenda items: tax report; depository securities report, cafeteria report and commodities received; current bills and financial report; investment transaction report; Reeves County Community Recreation Department Report; enrollment/attendance report; date and time for next meeting.

Pecos High School graduation - May 30, 2003 - 8 p.m., at Eagle Stadium (weather permitting) Board member receiving line.

Grant monies get Balmorhea new fire truck

By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- The Balmorhea Volunteer Fire Department took possession of a new vehicle on Wednesday, a new brush fire truck that was mostly paid for through a state grant.

The fire truck cost $41,900, and of that amount, $38,000 was paid through a grant from the Texas Forest Service, according to Balmorhea Fire Chief Luis Contreras.

He said that the department could not have purchased the unit without the help and support of the Balmorhea Independent School District, Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo and the members of Commissioners Court, the Balmorhea City Council and private donors.

The unit is the second vehicle they have received since their 2001 fire and rescue unit that came in from New York. Contreras said that fire truck has improved their response time and performance and believes that the new unit will to the same.

olf scramble held to benefit Molinar

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- A nine-hole scramble will be held today at 5 p.m., at the Reeves County Golf Course.

Money raised will go towards the medical expenses of Nettie Molinar.

Style Show tickets on sale for Saturday

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Tickets for this weekends Golden Girl and Little Miss Cantaloupe Style Show are still available.

The style show is scheduled for 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Reeves County Civic Center.

Tickets may be bought from any Golden Girl, Little Miss Cantaloupe Nominee, Style Show Chair Jennifer Galvan or Mary Ann Gomez for $10.

Weather

PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- High Wednesday 100. Low this morning 56. Forecast for tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny and windy. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest 20 to 30 mph. Friday night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Saturday: Mostly clear and windy. Highs in the mid 80s. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Highs in the upper 80s.

Obituaries

Johnny Billeiter and SIlveria Castillo



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