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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide for Reeves County, Trans-Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

TOP STORIES

January 6, 1998

Reeves County ends 1997 with money in bank



By RICK L. SMITH
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 6, 1998 - Reversing a trend of deficit spending, Reeves County ended the past two years by increasing the amount of money in the general fund at the end of the year, according to county officials.

In a December revenue and expense comparison for 1996 and 1997 Reeves County Auditor Lynn Owens noted that the county increased the 1997 general fund ending balance by $194,987 more than the 1996 ending balance. In 1996 the county increased the general fund ending balance from 1995 by $431,600.

"This is two consecutive years that we have managed to add to our ending fund balance," Owens said.

County revenue to the general fund for 1997 increased by $55,651 compared to 1996, according to Owens. General fund revenue for 1997 was $82,125 more than was projected for the 1997 budget.

In 1997 the county increased general fund spending by $292,346 compared 1996 but still spent $170,404 less than was budgeted for 1997, according to Owens.

"Overall, we did achieve more revenue than was budgeted and spent less than was budgeted," Owens said. "This is in keeping with the conservative approach of budgeting.

Most financial advisors to governmental entities recommend keeping a balance equal to or exceeding three months worth of expenses. Reeves County has general fund expenses in the neighborhood of $300,000 per month, according to County Judge Jimmy Galindo. The 1997 Reeves County general fund ending balance of $1.1 million is within the recommended guidelines for reserve funds for a governmental entity.

"We spent more money this year than we did last year but still came in about $170,000 under budget and that is because we budget conservatively and the county departments have been very productive," Galindo said.

"Even though we did all these things, we have actually increased the ending balance, or the money the county has in the bank at the end of the year, by over $600,000."

Farewell party given for police chief



By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 6, 1998 - Pecos Police Chief Troy Moore has witnessed a lot of change at the police department -including the establishment of a narcotics office, 911 service and a computerized office -and he helped bring most of it to pass.

Moore was honored yesterday at a farewell lunch of sandwiches, tamales and sodas. He was presented with a clock engraved "From all the crew at the Pecos Police Department." Video footage of Moore's welcome aboard party in November, 1987, was shown.

The impending loss of his leadership became more of a reality for police department employees as news of the Thursday council meeting, which will decide the future chief of police for the department, circulated. Moore first announced his resignation to the city council Nov. 13.

Police employees Diane Tersero, communications supervisor, and Teenie Crider, secretary, arranged the farewell lunch along with the help of Lieutenant Kelly Davis.

Crider, who joined the department the same time as Moore, said "This has caught us all unexpected. We're really gonna miss him." She confided that everyone in the department was "apprehensive" of the change in leadership on the way, but said that "whoever we get we'll work with them."

Moore's even-temperedness and his ability to work with the employees were two of the qualities that were cited over and again.

"He is such an even-tempered person," said Davis, "He supported the people he worked with."

"This is kind of a sad time for us," said Tersero.

Early voting begins February 23



PECOS, January 6, 1998 - Early voting will begin on Feb. 23 for the March 10 Primary Election at the Reeves County Courthouse.

The last day to vote early by personal appearance will be March 6, according to Reeves County Clerk Dianne O. Florez.

Several county and area offices will be up for election, including the county judge, county court-at-law, county clerk, county treasurer, county surveyor, district clerk, commissioners precinct two and four and all four justices of the peace.

"The first day to receive an application request ballot by mail will be Jan. 9 and the last day will be March 3," said Florez.

The final day to register to vote in the March 10 Primary, for those not registered to vote in Reeves County, is Feb. 9.

Water boards early voting underway



PECOS, January 6, 1998 - Early voting is currently underway for seats on two area water district boards, with the regular election in both set for January 17.

Voters in Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1 and in Ward County Water Improvement District No. 1 can either cast early voting ballots in district offices in Balmorhea and Barstow between now and next Tuesday, Jan. 13, or vote in person on Jan. 17 for candidates in the races. The elections are open to landowners within the two districts that encompass southern Reeves County and western Ward County.

The Ward County WID#1 election is the more complicated of the two, with a dozen candidates running for five seats on the board. The district is switching to a staggered place election system beginning this year, and the top three vote-getters out of the five places up for grabs will earn four-year terms on the board, while two highest vote totals in the other two places will be elected to two-year terms. Those seats will then be up for election to four-year terms in January of 2000.

Seeking one of the five seats on the board from Place 1 are Calvin Gerke and Manuel Lujan, Sr. In Place 2, Jim A. Daniels, Clyde Daughhetee and Raul Garcia are competing, while Place 3 candidates are Tom Nance and Luis Carrasco. Place 4 candidates are Albert Navarette, Ben Munoz and Rex Allgood, and in Place 5, Ernest A. Armstrong and Luis Pena are seeking the available seat.

Voters in WCWID#1 will cast ballots for the candidates who will represent their place in the district. Daniels and Allgood are currently members of the Ward County WID#1 under the old at-large system.

In the Reeves County WID#1 election, four hopefuls are seeking the two seats up for election. Candidates for the two two-year terms include incumbent Lee Renz and hopefuls Norman Roman, Freddie Schrier and Larry Turnbough. The RCWID#1 election is at-large, so all eligible voters within the district will cast ballots for both seats on the board.

Candidates line up for state offices



By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 6, 1998 - In Texas, all 30 United States Representatives and the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General are up for election in the upcoming March 10 Primary Election. And that's not all. Also up for election is the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of General Land Offices and many others.

In the rush to restock the halls of Congress, three Democratic candidates have risen to challenge incumbent Henry Bonilla for his seat. Joseph P. Sullivan, Allen Rindfuss and Charlie Urbina Jones have all filed to run for the position of U.S. Representative of District 23 in the March elections.

Texas Governor George Bush, who declared that he would be seeking re-election, has also been challenged, and not only from the other party. Republican R.C. Crawford, a contractor from Round Rock, has filed to seek the Governor's seat. Also, Democratic candidate Gary Mauro has filed to challenge Bush.

Seeking the Lieutenant Governor position are Rick Perry, who filed as a Republican and is the current Commissioner of Agriculture, and Democratic candidate John Sharp.

The Attorney General slot is being sought by: Jim Mattox (D), Morris L. Overstreet (D), Gene Kelley (D), John Comyn (R), Barry Williamson (R), and Tom Pauken (R).

On the State Board of Education, District One, incumbent Rene Nunez (D) is faced with two Republican candidates. Donna Ballard (R) and Mary Helen Cantu (R).

Incumbent State Senator Frank Madla has filed unopposed to reclaim his chair in District 19, and no candidate has filed for District 25 Senate position.

In the State House of Representatives, District 80, only Republicans Gary L. Walker and Skeet Workman have filed.

The following are also being sought in the primary election:

Comptroller of Public Accounts: Carole Keeten Rylander (R), current Texas Railroad Commissioner, and Paul Hobby (D).

Commissioner of General Land Office: David Dewhurst (R), Don Loucks (R), State Senator Jerry Patterson (R), and State Representative Richard Raymond (D).

Commissioner of Agriculture: L.P. (Pete) Patterson (D), Ernesto L. De Leon (D), Susan Combs (R), and Hamp Hodges (R).

Railroad Commissioner: Joe B. Henderson (D), Gary Dugger (D), Steve Holzheauser (R), Steve Stockman (R), and Tony Garza (R).

The state judges seats are also up for election, beginning with four justices of the Supreme Court: Craig Enoch (R), Rose Spector (D), Greg Abbott (R) and Deborah G. Hankinson (R). All are defending their seats. Mike Westergren is challenging Enoch, Spector is challenged by Republicans Harriet O'Neil and Candace G. Tyson, Abbott must fend off Democrat David Van Os, and Hankinson is up against Steve Smith (R) and Jerry Scarbrough (D).

In the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place One has been flooded by five Republican candidates and one Democrat: Lloyd W. Oliver (R), Mike Keasler (R), Vicki Isaaks (R), David Barron (R), David A. Schulmar (R), and Charles "Charley" F. Baird (D).

Place Two is an even hotter seat, with eight Republicans filed to run and one Democrat: Winston Cochran (D), Murff F. Bledsoe (R), Harvey Hudson (R), Cheryl Johnson (R), Forrest Lumpkin (R), John C. Moncure (R), William Harrison Ray (R), Jeffrey Brian Keck (R), Jerry E. Smith (R).

Place Three is being sought by Lawrence Meyers (R) and Herb Hancock (R).

Deadline to file for a place on the general election ballot was Jan. 2, 1998; to file as a write-in candidate the deadline is Jan. 7, 1998.

PBT coach arrested for assault



By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

PECOS, January 6, 1998 - A Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD teacher and coach was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting a child. Raul (Rudy) Jurado, 36, coaches football at Zavala Middle School, cross-country track at Pecos High School and teaches physical education at Bessie Haynes Elementary.

According to police reports, Jurado, 311 S. Willow, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, on a Pecos municipal court warrant for injury to a child, a third degree felony, served at his residence.

Jurado was transported to the Reeves County Jail where he posted bond and was released the same day, according to a jailer at the facility who did not want to be identified. Court records show his bond was $1,000.

"I was down here (Pecos police station) when the parents came in," Pecos Police Chief Troy Moore said this morning. He explained that the parents of the unidentified victim filed charges against the coach because the victim is a juvenile.

"For some reason, he shook or slapped an 11-year-old child," said Moore, who also confirmed that the suspect is the PBT coach.

Danny Rodriguez, Pecos High School Principal, also confirmed that Jurado is a coach, but said he was unaware of Jurado's arrest. Attempts to contact PBT Athletic Director Mike Belew, Mary Lou Carrasco, Bessie Haynes Elementary and Zavala Principal, Don Love this morning were unsuccessful.

OBITUARIES

Michael Garcia



Michael J. Garcia, 26, of Pecos, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998, at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland.

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with Father Juan Narez officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Garcia was born June 7, 1971, in Pecos. He was bartender and a Catholic.

Survivors include: his parents, Lupe and Sylvia Garcia of Pecos; two brothers, Gerald Garcia of Midland and Timothy Garcia of Pecos; one sister, Dori Esmeralda Garcia of Pecos; maternal grandparents, Severo and Vicenta Jaquez of Pecos; paternal grandparents, Dionicio and Manuela Garcia of Barstow; two nieces; and one nephew.

Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Genevieve Bryan



Genevieve Bryan, 89, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998 at her residence in Pecos.

Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Greer Willis, of Pecos, and Rev. David Briggs, of Dallas, officiating.

Bryan was born Aug. 9, 1909, in Mansfield, La. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

Survivors include: her husband, Henry P. Bryan, Sr. of Pecos; two sons, Jerry W. Bryan of Pecos and Henry (Buddy) P. Bryan, Jr. of Pecos; one daughter, Mary Elaine Wilson of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WEATHER



PECOS, January 6, 1998 - High Monday, 64, low this morning, 43. A cold front extended across the Panhandle and South Plains early today. Areas of low clouds and fog prevailed well ahead of the front over about the eastern half of West Texas. Wind was from the north to northwest behind the cold front at 10 to 20 mph with occasional higher gusts. Ahead of the front, wind was variable at 5 to 15 mph. The weather service said rain, sleet or snow could occur across northern regions of the Panhandle today and tonight, with rain possible over the Permian Basin.



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