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TOP STORIESJanuary 26, 1998PHA upset with Community CouncilBy RICK CHAFEY and RICK L. SMITH Staff Writers PECOS, January 26, 1998 - Pecos Housing Authority board members last week expressed displeasure with the Community Council of Reeves County about the condition the council left the Community Building at 902 E. 10th St. when it moved out. The PHA owns the 10th St. building and chose not to renew the lease for the Community Council this year. When the council moved out this month it allegedly left the building in poor condition and owed back rent, according to PHA board members who addressed the matter Friday in their monthly meeting. PHA Board Chairman Frank Perea said, "I am very upset by the condition the building was left in. They left trash; they stripped out the carpet. It seems to me that they intentionally left it this way because they were mad that we terminated their lease." According to PHA board member Debbie Flores, the floors were appropriately covered when Community Council took possession of the building. "Whatever was on the floor when they got there should have been left there when they left," she said. "I could understand if they were going to use the carpet immediately for their offices down here. But my understanding is that they stripped it; they carried it down here, and it's just laying there," Perea said. Perea spoke with Bill Wendt, Board Chairman of Community Council of Reeves County, notifying him of the condition of the property. "Of course he was surprised. He couldn't believe that somebody had done a thing like that," Perea said. Today Wendt indicated that there might be some misunderstanding about the carpet but that the Community Council was willing to make good any damages. "The only thing I was aware of was the carpet, it was left in bad condition," he said. "They said everything we put in was ours and we put in the carpet. The executive director (Caprice Cox) thought that is why we should take it out. "I contacted Nellie (Gomez, PHA Executive Director) about the carpet and she never got back with me." Wendt went on to say that some windows were broken in the building when PHA employees removed air conditioners. "As far as the floor, I was going to get with them about the cost," Wendt said. "We're defiantly liable for that. At this point we're willing to put the carpet back." The PHA Board has asked to be placed on the agenda of the next Community Council meeting to show the board photographs of the damages. During the Friday meeting the PHA board read and approved a letter to be sent to Community Council concerning the condition of the building at the time it was vacated. The letter enumerates charges totaling $755.44 for unpaid rent and repairs to the building. Included are a $75.00 charge "to clean and haul trash" and a $602.00 charge "to replace damaged floor." "In light of the condition they left the property in, I personally would have very serious reservations about ever dealing with Community Council again," Perea stated. Wendt was concerned that the PHA board might think the Community Council left the building in poor condition as retaliation about the lease not being renewed. "That's not true at all," he said. "We have to work together because we have a lot of programs that co-mingle with the housing authority and we deal directly with them. We don't want anything to interfere with our relationship with the housing authority. "We're not trying to get even or do something of that nature because we have to have a continuing relationship for the benefit of the public." Wendt indicated that the problems between the PHA and the Community Council might have started before the PHA refused to renew the council's lease. "There was a member of their board who was assigned to be on our board who we did not take on because that person was supposed to be an elected official but was only an appointed official," Wendt said. "Our problems with the housing authority began about three weeks later. "It seems to us that they might not have renewed out lease out of retaliation for not placing their board member on our board. "This all needs to stop." The PHA also owns the Pecos Day Care building at 1001 E. 10th, where the Community Council operates the day care as a Community Action Agency. Greater Opportunities, the organization which has taken over operation of Pecos Head Start since the Community Council ceased operating it, has contacted Perea requesting additional classroom space for Pecos Head Start in the day care building. Since the lease the council held on the property has expired, Perea suggested that Greater Opportunities also consider operating the Pecos Day Care facility. Greater Opportunities has requested additional time to prepare a proposal for presentation to the PHA board, said Perea. Wendt expressed concern about the proposed changes at the day care center. "The day care is essential to our community," Wendt said. "The program there is under our license. "If they eliminate us from the day care I'm not sure of the impact that will have on the community." Wendt went on to explain that Greater Opportunities is a for-profit organization and if it operated the day care fees to parents could increase to make a profit. "The day care has been notorious with the Community Council as an expense," he said. "We usually only broke even or went in the whole with it. They would be more concerned with making a profit so there is a strong probability charges would go up. That will hurt low income people that we serve." In addition, Wendt said the Community Council also operates a meals for the elderly program and medical transportation services out of the day care building. "If we lose our space at the day care center the meals for the elderly might be discontinued because we would not have that facility to fix meals. It's possible we could find other office space for the medical transportation program. It will have a major impact on the community if they go that route." Wendt explained that the day care building and the building the council moved out of were both originally constructed for the Community Council when the City of Pecos ran the housing authority. In other business, the board heard a report from Nellie Gomez, PHA Executive Director, concerning the CIAP renovation project. The contractor has agreed to document progress on various aspects of the renovation on a bubble chart, which will then be verified by an independent inspector working on-site from four to eight hours per week. Gomez provided board members with copies of two letters sent to residents. One letter explained the purpose and scope of the renovation project. The other was a letter concerning vandalism and trespassing which has occurred on the construction site. The residents were notified that they would be held responsible for the actions of their children and that destruction of property could be grounds for eviction. According to the time-line filed by the architect, renovations should be completed Sept. 3.
Chamber holds awards banquet FridayBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, January 26, 1998 - Tickets are still available for the Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet set for Friday, Jan. 30, at the Reeves County Civic Center. The awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. with a dance scheduled for afterwards. "I've sold about 80 tickets so far, but have others on hold that will be picked up Friday," said chamber office manager Rachel Orona. About 250-300 are expected to turn up for the annual event, according to Orona. "Some of these people won't pick up their tickets until Friday," she said. The dinner will be catered by the Reeves County Sheriff's Posse. Pete Gallegos, State Representative from Alpine, will be the guest speaker at the banquet. Promotional items are needed to help decorate the tables and the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce is requesting promotional items from all businesses for use as table decorations for the banquet, according to the new president of the division, Suan Cross. Large items or banners that will be displayed need to be at the civic center by Wednesday, Jan. 28, after 5:30 p.m. "This is the date we will start decorating the civic center," said Cross. Awards to be presented at the banquet include: Citizen of the Year, Hidden Hero, Ruiz Profile of Courage Award, Out-Going President's Award, Women's Division Award of Service, Outstanding Student, Teacher of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Agricultural Service. Those retiring from the chamber board of directors will be recognized at the banquet, as well as incoming directors and newly elected officers. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased through the Pecos Chamber of Commerce office, or any of the directors. In conjunction, those who do not want to attend the banquet and dinner, can attend the dance after the banquet. Entry fee for the dance is $5 with disc jockey Ricky Barreno on hand to provide the music. People can use their banquet tickets to get into the dance, but they don't have to attend the banquet and dinner, they can purchase a ticket for the dance only, according to chamber of commerce director Tom Rivera. Reservations may be made by contacting the Pecos Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 24/111 South Cedar, Pecos, Tx., 79772, or call 915-445-2406. The chamber's fax number is 915-445-2407 or they can be reached by e-mail: pcoc@bitstreet.com.
Pecosites differ on Clinton escapadeBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, January 26, 1998 - President Bill Clinton and his most recent troubles have been the subject of conversation around the country and opinions in Pecos differ on the topic. His most recent problems stem from allegations that he had an affair with a White House intern. "I think he probably did it," said George Vasquez, owner of Vasquez Home Furnishings. "Anybody who does something like that, needs to suffer the consequences," he said. "Where there's smoke there's fire," said Bill Hubbs. Hubbs said he thinks the president should be impeached. "Anybody in public office should hold high moral standards," Hubbs said. "And he should be held accountable for what he has done." KIUN disc jockey Ricardo Corrales differed in opinion. "I don't think he's guilty, and even if he is presidents have been doing this sort of thing for the past 50 years and nobody did anything about it," said Corrales. "I think it's just publicity for the republicans," he said. "What bothers me, is that he told her to lie about it," said Jessie Stephens. "I think that's the part that bothers me, is that he told her to lie about it, and he himself was lying," said Harold Elders. "Well, he's got a good batting average," said Stephens. All agreed that the right thing should be done, according to the right officials, at this point in time. Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford stated, "I'm very disappointed and I think it's such an embarrassment for our country and our government." "I"m in public office and I think since he holds the highest office in our country, we should lead by example," said city councilman Gerald Telles. Telles stated, "If we're going to promote family values and moral values, we should abide by what we preach." Telles stated that this is especially true since he holds the highest office. "I don't know if morality is an impeachable offense, though," he said. Telles however stated that we should be held accountable for our actions, "us in public office." "I think right now, I don't want to be judgemental, because you're innocent until proven guilty," said councilman Johnny Terrazas. "As far as the president goes, I haven't made a decision either way, because I'm a firm believer that there are two sides to every story," he said. "If people would just listen to both sides, instead of just listening to one side and making a decision, everyone would be better off," said Terrazas. "The presumption of innocence is still there," he said.
PBT schools awarded for improvementBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, January 26, 1998 - Four Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD schools received monetary awards through the Texas Successful Schools Award System (TSSAS). The Texas Education Code, Section 39.092 provides for financial awards to schools that have demonstrated the highest levels of sustained success or the greatest improvement in achieving the education goals. "We're very proud of these schools, the teachers there, the students and of course the parents," said PBT personnel director Gome Olibas. Olibas stated that the teachers are in the front line along with the students in achieving these goals. "We also want to thank the parents for helping in achieving this," he said. "They play a major role also," he said. Schools which received the awards included Zavala Middle School, $500; Lamar Middle School, $500; Barstow Elementary School, $500 and Bessie Haynes Elementary School, $581. Campuses that are designated as exemplary or recognized based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test and on dropout rates are TSSAS winners. Campuses are also TSSAS award recipients if they ranked in the top 25 percent of all campuses statewide that are in the same category with respect to improvement in their performance in reading and math. Campus categories are based on several factors including the percent of students identified as African American, Hispanic, White, Economically Disadvantaged, Limited English Proficient, and Mobile. The 75th Texas Legislature appropriated $5 million to be used during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years to fund the Texas Successful Schools Award System.
Fatalities, injuries result in separate accidentsBy CARA ALLIGOOD
County commissioners meet tonightPECOS, January 26, 1998 - The Reeves County Commissioner's Court will hold its regular meeting at 5:30 tonight in the third floor courtroom of Reeves County Courthouse. On the agenda is the early hiring of new employees for RCDC expansion; advertising bids for RCDC support services; agreement with Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission and Reeves County for mutual aid in disaster assistance; contract with Permian Basin agency on aging amendment; approval of early voting workers for primary election; contract for the detention of juvenile offenders from Presidio, Upton, Brewster and Reeves counties; and a fee schedule for proposal 15-97 dental service. Also to be discussed: award food bids and/or General Services Commission food purchasing program; bylaws and plan of operation for Texas Association of Counties Worker's compensation self-insurance fund; departmental reports; budget amendments; personnel and salary changes at RCDC and tax office; and payment of semi-monthly bills. On the spread on minutes, the court will discuss and order regarding compensation and duties of county auditor's assistant's notice of over-axle over-gross weight tolerance permit; a continuing education certificate for County Auditor Lynn Owens and County Clerk Dianne O. Florez.
OBITUARYLuis Roman, Sr. Luis Morales Roman, Sr., 74, of Pecos, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. A rosary is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Roman was born June 21, 1923, in Ruidosa, Tx. He was a butcher and a Catholic. Survivors include: his wife, Eduarda Jaquez Roman of Pecos; five sons, Hector (Tito) Roman of Balmorhea, Luis (Louie), Andy, Joel and Arturo (Artie) Roman all of Pecos; four brothers, Raul Roman of El Paso, Manuel Roman, Jr. of Balmorhea, Charlie Roman of Odessa and Israel Roman of Tucumari, N.M.; seven sisters, Alicia Aguirre and Olivia Telles of El Paso, Nancy Franco and Ellen Roman of Odessa, Mary Lou Apodaca of Saragosa, Coa Hinson of Abilene and Carmen Vige of Lubbock; and 11 grandchildren. Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
WEATHERPECOS, January 26, 1998 - High Sunday, 74, low this morning, 30. Warm days and cold nights are in store across Texas because of clearing skies across the state. West Texas will have clear skies at night and sunny skies during the day on Tuesday. Skies will be clearing across North Texas tonight, becoming sunny on Tuesday. It will be mostly sunny across South Texas on Tuesday after a cold night in the Hill Country. Lows tonight will be in the 30s and 40s in West Texas, the 30s across North Texas and near 30 in the Hill Country and in the 40s and 50s elsewhere in South Texas. Highs Tuesday will be in the 60s and 70s in West Texas, the 50s and 60s in North Texas and in the 60s and 70s in South Texas. Strong thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and some large hail as they moved across North Texas on Sunday night. Most of the activity ended before dawn Monday.
Pecos Enterprise
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