PECOS ENTERPRISE

Daily Newspaper for Reeves County, Trans Pecos, Big Bend, Far West Texas

Sports|Opinion|Main Menu|Archives Menu|Classified|Advertising|Monahans|

TOP STORIES

Friday, January 31, 1997

City mananger's job draws 20 candidates


Return to top
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 31, 1997 - One day before the deadline, 20 applicants had
submitted resumes for the position of manager for the city of Pecos.

Steve McCormick, finance officer, submitted his resume late Thursday,
to become the fourth local applicant. Tom Rivera, Pecos Chamber of
Commerce manager, submitted the first application on Dec. 31, 1996.

The two other local applicants, Len Smallwood and Victor Thompson,
turned in their resumes on Jan. 14.

Applications are to be submitted to City Secretary Geneva Martinez by 5
p.m. today, and several others who had shown an interest in the position
may still beat the deadline.

In response to advertising placed in municipal publications throughout
Texas and on the Internet, resumes have come from throughout the state
and as far away as Springfield, Mo.

Ken Goslee of Springfield may be one of those who saw the ad placed on
the Internet by Dr. Elvia Reynolds, mayor pro-tem, as he gives an E-mail
address along with his home and fax telephone numbers.

Experienced in all aspects of municipal operation over 20 years, Goslee
last served as city manager for Nederland, Colo., from March, 1995 to
July, 1996. Prior to that he was city manager for Portales, N.M. for
over five years.

Closer to home, Richard Jorgensen of Odessa offers a master's degree in
public administration and experience in a family bonding business, Ector
County commissioner and in administration at Medical Center Hospital and
the Permian Basin Blood Institute, where he is currently employed.

Other applicants are:
- Raymond H. Kendall of Gainesville;
- Thomas Henry Caffall of Burleson,
- Thomas Walton Winder of Brady,
- Kenneth L. Neal of Anson,
- Kent R. Van Eman of Brenham,
- K.M. Waterstreet of Electra,
- Thomas E. Donaldson of Llano,
- William H. Lewis of Edna,
- Deck Shaver Jr. of Fritch,
- Kyle H. McCain of Denton,
- Stephen K. Shutt of Colorado City,
- Jim Allan of Canon City, Colo.,
- Andrew A. Wayman of Fort Worth,
- Corrin J. McGrath of Corpus Christi and
- Randall Ellis Holly of Farmersville.

Today is Holly's last day as city manager of Farmersville, located
northeast of Dallas. Explaining why the city council fired him, Holly
describes how they lost faith in his ability to lead the community
through a healing process:

"A rift in the community became very obvious after a police officer
shot the police chief in my office," Holly said in his cover letter.
"The police chief was in the process of suspending the officer for
shooting at a fleeing subject over the weekend. After being shot at
once, the chief retreated to my office. The officer pursued and a gun
fight ensued. The vocal minority openly supported the police officer..."

Despite the problems, Holly believes Farmersville made much progress
under his leadership. Other resumes reveal similar successes and many
years of experience in city government.

Five years experience in city government is the minimum required by the
council. Two local applicants admit they lack that experience, but point
to work experience and skills they believe qualify them for the position.

Victor Thompson was employed by Texas-New Mexico Power Co. as engineer
and construction coordinator from August, 1983 to November, 1996. As
coordinator, he supervised 10 employees and was responsible for
planning, scheduling and development of projects and personnel.

Len Smallwood has over 20 years management experience in private
businesses similar in size to the city of Pecos.

His most recent position was vice president of operations for Battery
Conservation Technologies, supervising more than 100 employees. Prior to
that, he was general manager for Smithers Scientific Services' test
tracks at Pecos and San Angelo.

Tom Rivera has served the Pecos Chamber of Commerce as executive
director since November, 1991. He was parks superintendent for the city
of Pecos five years and programs manager for the Reeves County Law
Enforcement Center five months. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1985
after 20 years as a platoon sergeant, intelligence analyst, terrorist
threat program manager and company executive officer.

Steve McCormick joined the city staff in 1993 as finance director after
working as an accountant with CPA Dan Painter for four years. He earned
his CPA certification and a bachelor of business administration degree
while working with Painter.

Prison staff gets riot training workout


Return to top
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 31, 1997 - Reeves County Detention Center employees were
busy Thursday afternoon with a riot and a hostage situation. But it was
all part of extensive training the RCDC personnel have been undergoing.

"This is something we have been wanting to do, to prepare everyone for
every possible situation that might arise," said RCDC Chief Executive
Officer Rudy Franco.

A "mock" riot was set up, complete with irate inmates and a hostage
situation ensued following the riot.

The Disturbance Control Unit and Emergency Control Team for the RCDC was
called upon to offer their services, along with hostage negotiators and
various other personnel.

"I think this will better prepare the RCDC for anything that might
arise," said County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.

He was among those observing the RCDC exercise, along with the new
assistant warden Antonio Perez. Also on hand were U.S. Bureau of Prisons
personnel, including Dan Simpson, Chris Zepher and Gary Payne.

The BOP provides most of the inmates for the 650-bed facility, which
last had to deal with a real riot situation in February, 1996.

"This started back in June and different exercises will continue," said
Galindo of the current training. "It was a good exercise, a very
productive day,"

This mock riot is just one of several tests planned for the future, to
ensure the safety and produce a more productive and efficient team at
the RCDC, according to Franco.

An area was set up at the front of the prison, and a public relations
officer was assigned to handle the media.

"We also want to prepare our staff for outside interference, such as the
media," said Franco.

Rosie Poitivint, public relations officer at the mock demonstration,
provided updated information on the riot and hostage-taking as the
situation progressed.

"We want to have the lines of communication open to the media, but at
the same time ensure the safety of everyone involved," said Franco.
"This will prepare the staff to know what to do with the media during a
crisis."

POLICE REPORT


Return to top
Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports
filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office,
Texas Department of Public Safety, or other agencies; and from
interviews with officers of those agencies.

On Dec. 28, 1996, at 3:30 p.m., a sheriff's deputy arrested Aaron
Zuniga, 21, of Saragosa, at Balmorhea Lake for making alcohol
available to a minor.

Steve Pitts, 41, 821 S. Cypress, was arrested on Jan. 9 for public
intoxication and driving with a suspended license. Charges were filed by
a Reeves County deputy.

On Jan. 20, police arrested Antonio Coria for public intoxication at
Interstate 20, Exit 42 interchange. His age and address were not given.

Police served Aguedo Rubio two warrants for burglary of a coin operated
machine and burglary of a building at the Reeves County Jail the morning
of Jan. 21. Rubio's age and address were not indicated.

Karen Ann Waters reported on Jan. 22 that someone had broken out the
driver's side window to her pickup sometime between 10 p.m. on Jan. 22
and 8 a.m. on Jan. 23, while it parked in the 600 block of South
Hickory. Her purse was taken in the break-in.

Police arrested Rudy Freeman, whose age and address were not indicated
on the police blotter, for theft under $50 on Jan. 22. Place of arrest
was not recorded.

Victor Romo was served a warrant for outstanding fines at the Pecos
Police Department Jan. 22 after he voluntarily went in to pay the fines.
His age and address were not given.

Just after midnight, Jan. 23, police arrested Pedro Mendoza for
possession of drug paraphenalia, no seat belt and possession of
marijuana, under 2 ounces. The arrest took place after a traffic stop at
the intersection of Fourth and Locust streets. Also arrested was
Neponuceno Hidalgo, 25, for no driver's license, no seat belt and
possession of drug paraphenalia.
Mendoza's age and both men's addresses were not available.
Hidalgo was served with three more warrants for outstanding fines at the
Pecos Municipal Court later that day.

Police arrested Ramon Noriega for public intoxication Jan. 23 in the 100
block of Mesquite Street. His age and home address was not available.

Arturo Gallego and Debra V. Martinez were arrested by police for forgery
on Jan. 23 at the Flying J Truck Stop. The two were allegedly attempting
to cash a check reported stolen out of Fort Stockton. Their ages and
addresses were not given.

Juan Carlos Lujan, 24, 717 S. Walnut St., was arrested at the Allsup's
convenience store on a warrant for forgery the afternoon of Jan. 24.

Omar Medina was served a warrant for forgery at the Reeves County Jail
the afternoon of Jan. 24 by police. His age and address were not
available.

On Jan. 24, police arrested Ruben Mendoza in the 800 block of South Oak
Street for possession of marijuana, under 2 ounces and drug paraphenalia.

Police arrested David Salcido, 25, in the 2900 block of Tolliver Street
(Zoo Bar), on a warrant for assault causing bodily injury and
terroristic threat just after midnight, Jan. 25.

Randy Edwards was arrested for assault by threat under the Family
Violence Act in the 700 block of South Alamo Street on Jan. 25 at 12:26
p.m.

The night of Jan. 25, Christopher Sims, 22, 622 E. 13th St., was
arrested by police for charges filed under the Family Violence Act at
his residence.

Nineteen-year-old Angel Ramirez, 805 S. Cherry St., was arrested by
police Jan. 25 at his residence for assault under the Family Violence
Act.

Police arrested Dante Cerna, 17, at the corner of 10th and Orange
streets for public intoxication, just after midnight, Jan. 27.

OBITUARY

Helen Paige


Return to top
Helen Paige, 84, died Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Reeves County Hospital.
Graveside services are scheduled for Saturday, at 3 p.m. at Mt.
Evergreen Cemetery with Minister Robert Sebesta officiating.
She was born Nov. 5, 1912 in Pecos, was a lifelong Pecos resident and a
Baptist. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneer Association and a
volunteer at the West of the Pecos Museum.

Survivors include one son, Scott Windham of Pecos; two daughters, Laura
Teal and Helen Miller of Pecos; eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.

WEATHER


Return to top
PECOS, Jan. 31, 1997 - High Thursday 64, low last night 46. Tonight,
clear. Low around 40. Light wind. Saturday, partly cloudy. High around
80. Southwest wind 5-15 mph.
Return to top

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. Neither these AP
Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for
personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for
any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages
arising from any of the foregoing.
_


Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@bitstreet.com
Return to Menu

Return to Home Page