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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Friday, May 23, 2003
Council delays funding roads for water field
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- The Town of Pecos City council delayed action
on a proposed $119,000 project to place caliche roads alongside pipelines
at the new South Worsham Water Field, during their regular meeting Thursday
evening at City Hall.
The council discussed a change order, which would have added approximately
76,000 square yards of caliche roads alongside pipelines, but decided to
wait on taking any action until they could tour the site southeast of Pecos.
Frank Spencer and Associate employee, Edgardo Madrid came before the
council and told them that he, City Manager Carlos Yerena and Utilities
Director Octavio Garcia had discussed the issue of placing caliche on the
road.
"Octavio mentioned that it would be better to place caliche on the roads,
because of the use of those roads," Madrid said.
After meeting with the contractor, Madrid said that they were able to
negotiate a price of $1.65 per square yard, compared to the $2 the contractor
had started off with.
"It is a good price for that," Madrid said about the installing of the
caliche roads.
He added that the total cost of the project would be a little over $119,000.
However, from that total they the council would only have to come up with
$20,000, with the remainder coming out of funds from the Texas Water Development
grant.
Yerena said that the caliche would cover the entire water line.
"Octavio feels that it is well worth it. The roads are used two to three
times a week," Yerena said. "It would cost more in the long run because
of the wear and tear of trucks and the repairs."
Yerena, Madrid and Garcia told the council that the roads would only
be used by the city employees, and possibly ranchers at the South Worsham
site. They also told the council that there are other roads in the area
used by oil and gas companies, but that the companies have their own roads.
"Nobody would use the road but the city," Garcia said. "We don't have
to do that much maintenance. The caliche roads we have now, we only have
to do maintenance on them once every three years."
Garcia also told the council that if the roads were not done now they
would eventually need to be done in the future.
"We can do it now or later," Garcia said. "We will eventually need it."
He described the current road surface as clay-like material where trucks
could get stuck during wet weather.
"The dirt is very soft," Garcia said.
Madrid told the council that the caliche roads had not been put in the
specification plans because they did not know if the city would be able to
afford it.
With that said, council members asked if there would be any more surprises
along the way.
"If there are any changes they will be minor changes," Madrid said.
However, after a lengthy discussion the council decided to table the
item until they could see the conditions of the roads.
With that the council and Madrid set a date of Monday, June 2, to take
a tour of the South Worsham Well Field and the landfill.
In other business the council approved the purchase of property located
at 11th and Cedar by Armando and Yolanda Hinojos for $1,000. Councilman
Danny Rodriguez made the motion with Councilman Michael Benavides seconding
it.
Another offer of $500 was made by Stephen Bustamante for the purchase
of the property located at 409 E. Fifth Street. The offer was accepted with
Rodriguez making the motion and Councilman Frank Sanchez seconding it.
The renewal of the curfew law, second reading was approved, with Sanchez
making the motion and Benavides seconding it.
The council also appointed Irene Dominguez to the Pecos Housing Authority
Board, filling one of the two current vacancies on the board.
Approval for the minutes of the regular council meeting held on May 8,
was made with Benavides making the motion and Councilwomen Angelica Valenzuela
seconding it.
In approving the accounts payable report, the council was informed that
they are waiting on the final inspection from the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality for the approval of the landfill.
The report was approved with Sanchez making the motion and Benavides
seconding it.
The municipal court report was approved, along with the monthly juvenile
report and the tax collection report.
Balmorhea set for graduation events tonight
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- Balmorhea High School's Class of 2003 graduates
will accept their diplomas at 8 p.m., this evening at the Balmorhea football
field.
Valedictorian for the 2003 class is Ivan Rodriguez and Salutatorian is
Tommy Garcia.
This year's graduation is being held outside at the football stadium
instead of in the high school gym due to construction work at the school,
which includes construction of a new gymnasium, which is scheduled for completion
early next year.
The class chose blue and silver as their colors and the flower is the
white rose.
Other graduates include: Christian Aguirre, Josue Carrasco, Sammy Dominguez,
Julia Garlick, Jeffrey Guebara, Michael Keeper, Jerald Lopez, Fabiana Lujan,
Mario Martinez, Jourmain Matta, Delilah Nunez, Valerie Rodriguez and Aaron
Tarin.
Balmorhea Superintendent Elizabeth Saenz will be on hand, along with
principal Mary Lou Carrasco.
Museum marks 40th anniversary with reception
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- Cloudy skies but mild temperatures greeted guests
in the courtyard of the West of the Pecos Museum Thursday, for a special
reception held to honor the museum's 40th Anniversary.
"We had a great crowd and the weather was perfect," said museum curator
Dorinda Millan of the reception, which was held from 11:30 a.m. until 1
p.m., in the courtyard. "We'll have other activities throughout the year
to mark the anniversary, but this reception was held especially for that."
"We also encouraged individuals to dress like the 1960's and we had some
that did," she added.
The event was sponsored by the Reeves County Teacher's Credit Union and
the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce.
A display, depicting the 1960's, has been set up in the special display
room and is free to the public. The room features trivia from the 60's including
a Pecos High School annual and a prom dress.
"It just has a lot of things that were popular back then," said Millan.
Other events that will be held at the museum include a West of the Pecos
Rodeo Parade Theme: "Salute to 40 years, West of the Pecos Museum" in July;
a Living History Day in August, including old fashion games, camp fire gathering,
horse shoeing, etc.; Folk artist at the museum and school art in September;
the release of balloons with messages by 40 "Eagle" students (advanced
students) in October; a museum and school time capsule in November and in
December: Christmas tree theme "Museum Rooms."
The West of the Pecos Museum's building was first begun in 1896, when
R.S. Johnson, a former Texas Ranger built the two story red sandstone building;
the first floor was a saloon, with bedrooms upstairs. The quarry, east of
Barstow supplied stone for this and many Texas buildings.
In 1904, Johnson added the three-story Orient Hotel, which is home to
most of the museum's exhibits and will mark its 100th anniversary next year.
The building was used as a hotel until the mid-1950s, and was then closed
until a group of civic-minded individuals got together in 1962 in order
to organize a museum. Recreating the turn-of-the century setting of life
in the cow country and railroad town became a community project.
A museum board directed the many organizations and individuals as they
raised funds and donated countless man-hours to the task of restoring and
furnishing the Lobby of the Hotel and the old Johnson-Heard "Number 11"
Saloon.
The Texas State Historical Survey Committee awarded an official historical
building medallion in 1963. In 1965, a descriptive plate was added to the
Reeves County Historical Survey Committee.
As in the beginning, the community has responded wonderfully with donations
of their time, funds and of items to be used for exhibits, according to
Millan.
"The West of the Pecos Museum is the result of community pride and great
interest in our history," said Millan. "With over 10,000 yearly visitors
and many community involvement projects, everyone benefits from the West
of the Pecos Museum," she said.
Between 1994 and 1996, $600,000 in renovations were made to the two buildings.
The Saloon's first floor front wall was removed and replaced with new red
sandstone blocks. The balcony on the entire front of the building was added
just as it had been years ago. The third floor was restored and new cases
built. Balconies were built on to the back, with a new office underneath
and the new spiral stairway fire escape was added. The beautiful antique
carved back door was donated by Emily Underwood Fernandes. It had been built
in Honey Grove in 1876 for the home of her great grandfather, Captain Wash
Underwood who had fought in the Civil War. He was in the 11th Texas Calvary.
This Week 50 Years Ago
FRONT PAGE
Hail Causes $650,000 Damage in Reeves County
Reeves County cotton farmers, mostly in the northwest section of the
cotton belt, lost an estimated $650,000 worth of cotton to a damaging hail
which beat down fields Wednesday afternoon.
Approximately 3,500 acres of cotton were completely and near completely
destroyed by the 10-mile swath of golf ball-sized hail, which hit about
17 miles northwest of Pecos and extended in a southeasterly direction.
Pony League Set; Little League Opens Fri.
Mayor Slated to Toss Out First Ball
Pre-game speech by Mayor Emmett Beauchamp, a possible radio broadcast
over KIUN and a double header ball game is all slated to get the 1953 Little
League off to a big start at Lions Field at 4 p.m. Friday.
John Dunn Receives Doctor Degree at Dallas Tonight
Advertising
Dunlap's E.O.M Sale
Summer Cotton Fabrics 44 cents yard
Ladies Cotton Dresses $3.89
Men's Belts 99 cents
H&M Truck & Tractor
International Trucks
Save up to $152 on new trucks
Balmorhea News
By Frankie Kingston
Mrs. Ione Parker was hostess to the Tuesday afternoon bridge club at
2:30. After six games the high score was won by Mrs. Frank Magee and the
second high by Mrs. Ellen Lethco. The bingo prize went to Mrs. Nora Boyd.
Part of auction funds donated to Chamber
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- One of the auctioneers at last Saturday's
Pecos Peddler's Flea Market at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena has donated
money that will be going towards paying for new banners for this year's
West of the Pecos Rodeo.
Steve and Dawn Taylor donated $1,500 to the Pecos Chamber of Commerce
on Wednesday to pay for new banners to hang over U.S. 285, the main north-south
highway through Pecos, which also passes by the rodeo arena.
Taylor served as one of the auctioneers this past Saturday at the flea
market auction, which included surplus items sold off by Reeves County and
the Town of Pecos City. The auction sales brought in over $50,000, organizers
said.
The banners and decorations will be put out next month, prior to the start
of this year's West of the Pecos Rodeo. "In the past there have been about
100 of them, and they run about $85 to $100 apiece without the hardware,
which we still have," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda
Gholson, referring to the support poles that the banners are hung from on
light poles along U.S. 285.
"The old banners were just worn out," Gholson said, adding, "We're hoping
for more donations for this cause."
Scholarship awards handed out to PHS students
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- Scholarships were handed out to both Pecos High
School seniors and underclassmen on Tuesday, during the school's Senior
Scholarship and Awards Ceremony in the Pecos High School auditorium.
Two seniors were given two of the four traditional awards. The Erica
Dominguez Memorial Award went to Jessica Martinez, while the Letha Prewit
Basketball Memorial Award was given to Erica Franco. PHS sophomore Jummy
Akinyode received the Dorothy Curfman Award, while the Bill Dean Memorial
Award went to junior Will Oglesby.
Other awards of scholarships came from both universities, along with
local groups and organizations, and a number of seniors were recipients
of more than one scholarship.
Scholarships from local groups and organizations are listed below, in
alphabetical order:
Academic All American in Swimming/Aquatic Club
Lauren Wein, Gary Garcia, Chyloe Martin, Rebecca Reynolds, Kelsey Holt/Lauren
Wein ($500)
Association of Texas Professional Educators
Gary Garcia ($500)
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association
Marcos Jake McKinney, Phillip Salcido ($500 each)
Earl Bell Alumni
Chyloe Martin, Senovia Rubio, Phillip Salcido ($500 each)
Early High School Graduation
Laura Canales, Alma Porras, Erika Rodriguez ($1,000 each)
Evelyn Turpin Dowling Endowment
Phillip Salcido
Evening Optimist Club
Marisela Baez ($300), Annette Levario ($300), Rigoberto Ramirez ($300),
Phillip Salcido ($300), Daniell Lozano ($1,000), Barney Rodriguez ($1,000)
Floyd Estrada
Marcos Jake McKinney ($500)
Flying J
Marcos Jake McKinney ($2,000)
Golden Girl
Rebecca Reynolds, Kristian Aguilar, Erica Franco, Dena Dutchover
Jaime Rodriguez Courage Award Scholarship
Denise Chabarria ($1,000)
Knights of Columbus
Kristian Aguilar ($500), Chyloe Martin ($500) Lauren Martinez ($500),
Phillip Salcido ($500), Dena Dutchover ($500)
Downtown Lions Club
Erica Franco, Phillip Salcido ($1,000)
Modern Study Club/Alma Van Sickle/Pecos Valley Association WMU
GeNelle Willis, John Chappell/Allan Chappell/GeNelle Willis
Ollie Springfield Nunn
Phillip Salcido
Panhandle Plains - Permian Basin Sul Ross Exe's Scholarship
Dena Dutchover ($1,000)
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Educational Support Staff Association
Ramon Lujan, Senovia Rubio ($500)
Pecos FFA
Chase Laurence ($500)
Pecos High School Band Boosters
Ruvel Carrasco, William Dallas Goff, Oscar Ornelas, Senovia Rubio
Pecos High School Student Council
Phillip Salcido ($250)
Pecos Police Department
Marisela Baez ($500)
Pecos Women's Golf Association
Lauren Martinez ($500)
Reeves County Detention Center Executive Staff Scholarship
Travis Thorp ($500)
Reeves County Detention Center Staff Scholarship
Lorenzo Serrano, Phillip Salcido ($500)
Reeves County Sheriff's Posse
Clayton Cox, Brandi North, Chase Laurence
Ronald McDonald House Charity Scholarship
Denise Chabarria, Rigoberto Ramirez ($1,000)
Rotary Club Citizen Award
Marisela Baez, Marcos Jake McKinney, Rebecca Reynolds, Phillip Salcido
($1,000)
Sam Walton Community Scholarship
Phillip Salcido ($1,000)
Texas Rural Water Association
Clayton Cox ($1,000)
Twentieth Century
Amanda Armstrong
TSTA
Amanda Fleming, Brandi North, Hannah Paz, Lauren Wein ($100 each)
United States Army
Amanda Matta ($40,000 + $1,000 sign-in bonus) Zachery Dickinson ($32,400
+ $7,000 sign-in bonus), John Saenz ($32,400 + $7,000 sign-in bonus, Abel
Lopez ($32,400), Rachel Lease ($32,400)
Texas State Teachers Associated Scholarship
Jay Dannelley
The following College/University Scholarships were also handed out on
Tuesday:
Angelo State University - Carr Academic Scholarship
Hannah Paz ($2,500)
Hardin Simmons University
Alma Porras ($2,000)
Howard Payne University
William Dallas Goff ($8,000), GeNelle Willis ($9,600)
McMurray University Scholar Scholarship
Gary Garcia ($56,000)
Our Lady of the Lake
Marisela Baez ($12,653), Annette Levario ($11,653), Phillip Salcido ($26,000)
Pepperdine University
Rebecca Reynolds ($22,285)
St. Mary's University
Phillip Salcido ($30,000)
Sul Ross State University Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship
Dena Dutchover ($1,500)
Texas Tech University
Amanda Fleming, Jay Dannelley ($4,000 each)
University of Texas - Permian Basin Alumni Scholarship
Marcos Jake McKinney
University of Texas - Permian Basin Beacon Award/Scholarship
Jay Dannelley, Marcos Jake McKinney, Phillip Salcido, Jesus Torres, GeNelle
Willis
University of Texas - Permian Basin - Freshman Scholarship
Elizabeth Carreon, Bobby Valenzuela ($2,000 each)
University of Texas - Permian Basin - Presidential Plus
Gary Garcia ($18,000)
Western New Mexico University
Tony Trujillo ($5,728)
Western Technical Institute
Genaro Mendoza ($5,287)
Awards given in recognition of leadership and excellence in performance:
President's Education Awards Program
Kristian Aguilar, Casey Breiten, Laura Canales, Allan Chappell, Jay Dannelley,
Amanda Fleming, Gary Garcia, Lauren Martinez, Jake McKinney, Hannah Paz,
Alma Porras, Phillip Salcido, Jesus Torres, Lauren Wein, Lara Weinacht,
GeNelle Willis, Amanda Armstrong, Will Armstrong, Danielle Avila, Marisela
Baez, Isis Baeza, John Chappell, Kelsey Holt, Chase Laurence, Fernando Lerma,
Chyloe Martin, Oscar Ornelas, Rebecca Reynolds, Jack Stickles, Amanda Tremble,
Bobby Valenzuela
Principal's Leadership Award
Kristian Aguilar
2002-2003 TAASP Award - Academic Excellence Commended Scholar
Kristian Aguilar
2003 TAASP Award - Teen Serving Texas
Phillip Salcido
University of Rochester - Humanities & Social Studies Award
Daniel Quintana
University of Rochester - Kodak Young Leaders Program
Kaci Harrison
UIL Scholar Award
Kristian Aguilar, Allan Chappell, Amanda Fleming, Phillip Salcido, Lara
Weinacht, GeNelle Willis
GED sign-ups set for Monday, Tuesday at HS
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- GED Testing has been scheduled for Monday,
June 2 and Tuesday, June 3, at 4:45 p.m., at the Pecos High School.
Registration is set for this coming Monday and Tuesday from 1-5 p.m.,
at the PHS Counselors Office.
Examinees must present a Texas Driver's License or Texas Department of
Public Safety ID Card.
For more information contact PHS Counselors Pat Cobos or Eva Arriola,
at 447-7229.
Weather
PECOS, Fri., May 23, 2003 -- High Thursday 88. Low this morning 62. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows
in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph. Saturday: Partly cloudy with
a 30 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Southeast
winds 10 to 20 mph. Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance
of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Sunday: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent
chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs near 90. Memorial day: Partly cloudy
with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows near 60. Highs in the lower
80s.
Obituary
Aminda Allgood
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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