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TOP STORIESFebruary 13, 1998Volunteers make Pecos a better townBy RICK L. SMITH Staff Writer PECOS, February 13, 1998 - Some people always seem to find extra time to help out the community. Donnie Dominguez, the Pecos Chamber of Commerce 1997 Outstanding Director, is one of those people. On top of his job as a correctional officer-3 at the Reeves County Detention Center, working at his father's business, Pecos Pest Control, and in addition to his duties on the chamber board of directors, Donnie takes on many volunteer projects. "Donnie is a real hard worker and even though he has shift work he has never let us down," said Paul Hinojos. "He has always supported the chamber 100 percent, even when he's tired. His family has always helped the community." Donnie gets his dedication to the community honestly. Both his father, Fred Dominguez, and his sister, Velma Dominguez, have received the Outstanding Director award from the chamber in the past. "I got involved when I first got back from the military," Donnie said. "My dad and sister were already involved and I enjoyed doing it. "I think we are the only family in town to have three members receive the Outstanding Director award. I'm honored to get the award and now that I have it I won't stop performing to the best of my abilities," Donnie said. Some of the activities Donnie has been involved in include: chairman of the annual barbecue cook-off for the past four years, co-chairman of the rodeo grounds for the fall fair concert last year, setting up for the Golden Gloves bouts and cleaning up afterward, he is a Meals on Wheels volunteer, he helps coach his daughter's basketball team and his son's T-ball team and he is a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church. "I recall when he was chairman of the barbecue cook-off," Hinojos said. "Donnie was there from the beginning of setup to the end of the judging. He then went home for a 30 minute shower and came back to work the concert. "Donnie worked all one night and all the next day, all that night and all the following day again for the concert. He worked 48 hours without sleep. There are not many people you can get out there to do that." Donnie said he gains a sense of satisfaction from his volunteer work. One of his favorite duties is the barbecue cookoff. "I like the cookoff because it gets everybody together having fun cooking, seeing who is the best," he said. "Then we get to give the awards out." As a member on the chamber board of directors for the next three years Donnie hopes to see more chamber members involved in the local Meals On Wheels. "Last year I got involved with the Meals On Wheels because I was on the board," he said. "Once I got involved I saw how this was needed to deliver meals to needy. I wish more people would get involved, we're always looking for more volunteers." About 110 people in the area depend on the Meals On Wheels program to provide food. Hinojos added that Donnie's wife, Pamela, is also a big supporter of the chamber and is often found at his side helping out. "If there were more like Donnie, the town would be in a better position and condition," Hinojos said. '97 school expenses exceed by $1 millionBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, February 13, 1998 - Hard news from the law firm of Card, Graham and Co. found its way before the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board in the form of the annual financial report for the year ending Aug. 31, 1997. According to Robert Card, CPA, who presented the findings to
Balmorhea may get new natural gas providerBy PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer BALMORHEA, February 13, 1998 -West Texas Gas representatives J.J. King and Brendan Cole presented a franchise proposal to the Balmorhea City Council Thursday to provide natural gas to the city. King said West Texas Gas plans to bid on purchase of the gas distribution system now serving Balmorhea, which Southwest Texas Municipal Gas is offering for sale. Should they be the successful bidder, the company would like to continue serving Balmorhea, King said. If the council approves the franchise, the city would receive 2 percent street and alley fees that they don't currently receive because Southwest Texas does not have a franchise agreeement. Councilors took the proposal to study and vote on after the auction sale, which is set for March 23. They also took copies of a preliminary report on the planning and capacity building fund grant, for which a public hearing had been scheduled. Engineers Abidur Khan and Victor Thompson, with Frank X. Spencer and Associates, left the report with the council after learning the public hearing had been postponed. Khan said his firm is conducting a study similar to that done in Pecos on the city's sewers. The council also agreed to fund a web page for the Balmorhea Chamber of Commerce, using hotel/motel taxes. In other business the council: * Added Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday to the list of approved city holidays; * Adopted an interlocal agreement for mutual aid in disaster assistance for cities and counties of the Permian Basin Region; * Agreed to build restrooms in C.T. Gray Park, using city and volunteer labor; * Approved use of state prisoners to clean brush from the TP Lake road and dam; * Heard a report from Pat Brijalba that state prisoners have one more week to work on the canal project, with two rock walls left to be constructed. The rock walls will help to maintain the canals, Brijalba said. The water will be turned back on Monday so farmers can begin irrigating. * Declined to act on a request from the Balmorhea Housing Authority that some of the $1,763 charge for water lost during a leak be refunded. Water superintendent Freddie Schrier said the authority's director knew about the leak for three days before it was repaired and did not ask for the city's help. * Heard a report from Danny Reynolds that the Balmorhea EMS declined to bid on the Toyah ambulance, agreed to buy their own oxygen bottle refill tank, and proposed that emergency medical technicians be paid for on-call time. Volunteers can no longer afford to pay out-of-pocket expenses and take time off from work, he said. The council agreed to the plan if funding can be obtained from Reeves County Hospital or other sources. The EMS and fire department will hold a demonstration the first Sunday in March at 3 p.m., in front of the fire department. The public is invited to watch emergency personnel extract "victims" from simulated vehicle accidents. "We want to let the public know what the fire department and ambulance have to do in order to be in compliance with everything," Reynolds said. "Especially the ambulance." The ambulance service is a bargain at $125 per call, Reynolds said, noting that they have to drive to Pecos to the hospital. * Schrier introduced a new water department employee, Luis Contreras. His department is running smoothly, he said. * City Secretary Jeannie Clark reported the vote favoring expanded calling to Pecos was 93 percent. * Terms of Mayor Ismael Rodriguez and councilmen Rosendo Galindo and Rosendo Carrasco expire this year, and will be on the May 2 city election ballot, Clark said. Rodriguez, Galindo, and councilors Olga Mendoza and Dick Hoefs were present for the regular meeting, which had been rescheduled from Tuesday.
Council speaks with Wes Tex repsBy GREG HARMANStaff Writer PECOS, February 13, 1998 - The City Council of the Town of Pecos City held session for over two hours on Thursday morning, Feb. 12, to hear and take action on 17 agenda items, which included dialoguing with representatives of Wes Tex Waste over their past performance in Pecos, adjustments to the chain of command at the Pecos Police Department, and the closure of an alleyway to facilitate incoming new businesses. Problems with services provided by Wes Tex Waste were addressed at the Thursday meeting when members of the council were able to speak with representatives of Wes Tex Waste, including General Manager Jack Burns and transfer station Manager Ronnie Ruiz. A representative had been expected at the last council meeting, but none attended. Several councilmen have commented at previous meetings that they have fielded calls from citizens angry over poor pickup service. Councilman Randy Graham said he had received complaints from some who say they have called the 1-800 number for assistance to no avail. "They either get the run-around or there is no 24-hour response," he said. Burns apologized for problems with the service and advised that those with problems with trash service call Ronnie Ruiz at the transfer station for the quickest response. "If you do call Midland, ask for Jason or myself," he said. As for complaints, he said, "I personally have not received a call from Pecos." Wes Tex Waste has recently gone through an organizational change, Burns said. Councilmen complained that they had not been receiving monthly reports from Wes Tex and said that they should be receiving a complaint log regularly. Burns suggested that Ruiz may be able to supply one weekly for the council. Graham asked to also receive the monthly solid waste origin report. "My understanding is that we are to provide hand pick-up to residents once a month," said Burns. Ruiz said that alleys are filling up very fast with tree limbs as Pecos residents begin to prune. "That rear loader can fill up real quick," he said, "I've been out myself trying to pick up 40 foot branches." Burns suggested that a comprehensive map explaining the trash pick up dates and requirements be drafted and published in the Enterprise to inform residents better of Wes Tex Waste's services. "I will expend whatever resources we need to get a decent map put together," said Burns. Burns said he would collaborate with City Manager Kenneth Neal putting together the citizen resource. Chief of Police Clay McKinney presented an annual narcotics report to the council detailing drug arrests over the past year, which included a five-year graph that mapped the felony drug arrests associated with cocaine, heroin and marijuana. From this McKinney drew some conclusions. "The decline in heroin activity is great news in the law enforcement community. The great majority of burglaries are associated with heroin use," he said. McKinney also pointed out that cocaine use has risen dramatically over the past four years, from eight felony arrests in 1994 to 34 in 1997. This he attributed to the street price of the drug decreasing as it became more available. McKinney also asked for, and received, the council's approval for updating the chain of command at the police department and creating a position of Second Lieutenant to head the police patrol, reserves and communications. City Finance Director Steve McCormick said that if the position was filled from within the department it would cost the city an additional $1,500 per year in salary. "Right now we have only three quarters of a year left," said McCormick. "As far as salaries, it could be handled." However, if someone were hired from outside the department, McCormick continued, it would mean laying someone off. Clay McKinney said he received six vehicle bids for a new police car, the best option being the 1996 Chevy Lumina priced at $10,750 from Valley Motors. The council approved the purchase of the car for the Pecos Police Department. The council voted to close the alley across block 123, original town, and block 4, college addition, on condition that the developer interested in locating 2-3 retail stores on the lot begin construction within 90 days and pay for moving of the sewer lines. The stores could represent as many at 20-30 new jobs for Pecos, according to chamber officials. Neal said he had contacted the owners of an abandoned property located on the lot and was told they would not sell. Neal speculated later that the developer would have to "work around" the property. Larry Levario, maintenance and transportation supervisor for the Texas Department of Transportation, asked that the city put a 15-acre lot on the southeastern corner of Highway 17 and Interstate 20 up for bids. He said that the department's current properties (located at 2100 W. Third and the corner of 2nd and Oleander) would then be offered to the local entities, i.e. the city and county, to bid on. The council agreed to put the property up for bids and look into the matter further at the next meeting. Abidur Kahn and Victor Thompson, from the office of Frank X. Spencer and Associates, were at the meeting to ask that the city take action in applying for a permit renewal on the waste water treatment plant, including an amendment that would incorporate currently abandoned ponds at the wastewater treatment plant. The current permit will expire on June 26, 1999 and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission requires a renewal to be filed at least six months prior to expiration. Johnson expressed solidarity with Graham, who encouraged putting a financial cap on the project, by saying that he "always worried about open-ended projects." Graham said that the city would want to do as much of the work as possible to help keep the project costs down. The council agreed to draft a letter of support for the sewer line rehabilitation lines to go on public record for future city councils and possibly to be included in the city's permit renewal application, but decided to take more time to review the implications of the renewal application. The council agreed to enter into a multi-county agreement for disaster relief assistance; to transfer records of births and deaths from the city to the county; and investigate whether Odessa College may be interested in a property formerly owned by Furr's cafeteria before donating it. Joe Bradley told the council he was interested in opening a batting cage in Maxey Park and perhaps he would be interested in running the miniature golf also. The council recommended he meet with Neal and Johnson to discuss liabilities before proceeding. Tom Rivera, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, was present to represent the proposed amended hotel/motel tax expenditures. The council voted to approve the amended contract with various changes on condition that should money be received by chamber, it be put back into the community projects fund. Also approved were the January Municipal Court report, which showed 150 cases filed in and 178 filed out, resulting in $8,617.82 total fines/fees collected; the monthly juvenile report reporting 12 juveniles detained from Reeves County and seven from out-of-county; and the January ambulance report. The ambulance report listed 114 calls for the month. Over $28,000 was invoiced and $1,750 was collected. Councilman Graham said that the collections for the month looked down, and McCormick responded that part of the decline was due to Medicare rejections that had to be refiled. City Attorney Scott W. Johnson said he has still not received the delinquent accounts from the ambulance service's old collection agency Management Koncepts. "If this isn't resolved by our next meeting we may have to put it on the agenda," Johnson said. "I've done everything I can do." Accounts payable was approved at $373,622.04.
Voting in Democratic primary begins soonBy ROSIE FLORES
Students invent games to learnBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, February 13, 1998 - Learning can be fun, according to some very creative elementary school students. The fifth grade students from Bessie Haynes Elementary have come up with some "games" that can make learning fun, earn them prizes and extra credit in school. Candace Jacobs, Susan Bradley and Sarah Kratzmeyer, are the inventors of the "Multiplying Go Fish Game." The girls invented the game in their effort to learn multiplication faster, easier and better. "The game is played with three people," said Jacobs. "Each person gets seven cards and is played similar to the go fishing card game,'" she said. For instance, Jacobs explained that a person gets a card from the table with a multiplication question. "The other person then has to answer the multiplication question before they get the card and receives a point at the same time," said Jacobs. The person with the most points wins. "We've been teaching some other classes and kids how to play and we receive prizes such as stickers, and stuff for winning," said Jacobs. The game is not only fun, but it has helped the students tremendously in learning their multiplication problems. "It's been fun showing the other kids and of course it's fun to win," said Sarah Kratzmeyer. Susan Bradley thought up the name and the others helped with the rules. "That's what we were working on in math and decided to try to make it a little bit more fun," said Bradley. "We might do a reading game next," said Jacobs. All three girls are good students in their other subjects as well and enjoy reading. "In my spare time, I enjoy playing with my many cats," said Bradley. "I love cats and when I grow up I want to be veterinarian," she said. Jacobs loves horses and stated that when she graduates from high school she wants to become a lawyer and a model. Sarah Kratzmeyer likes dogs, which is obvious from the four she has at home. "I also enjoy playing basketball," Kratzmeyer said. "I want to be a nurse someday," she said. Multiple Monopoly is another "new game" circulating in the elementary school. The game is patterned after the monopoly game, but the objective is learning. The girls who came up with the idea were seeking extra credit and decided to be a bit more creative. "We wanted to do something different and also something that would help us," said Myra Payen. Payen along with Sara Natividad are the creators of this new learning game. "We start on `go', roll the dice, and when it lands on a problem, you have to answer the problem," said Payen. "If you land on the letter `c' you get an extra question, which helps you get more points," Sara Natividad. Natividad explained that by landing on the `c' the individual then gets to pick out a card from the stack and answer another question, thus earning more points. This too is a mathematical game. "The first person to pass go and get 100 points wins and when you pass go you receive an extra 12 points," said Natividad. The girls even drew up a rule's list, which is included in the game. While both are good students at the school, Payen stated that in her spare time, she enjoys jumping on her trampoline. Both are also the top readers in their class, and stated that they enjoy reading. Of course, the extra points we get for reading which will be used to purchase items, come in handy, according to Payen.
Five indicted by grand juryBy PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer PECOS, February 13, 1998 - A 59-year-old truck driver was among five persons indicted Thursday by the Reeves County Grand Jury. Dan T. Arrieta is charged with manslaughter in the Jan. 4 death of Lisa Dawn Morales in a two-vehicle collision. The grand jury alleges that Arrieta was driving a truck/semi trailer when he failed to yield right-of-way at a stop sign and collided with the automobile occupied by Morales. She died of resulting injuries. Two housing authorities are victims in two unrelated indictments. Manuel Duran Lopez, 49, is charged with forging a $324.17 check on the Housing Authority of the City of Balmorhea and passing it to Super Shops 130 on Dec. 20, 1997. Vanessa Marie Hernandez, 25, is charged with theft from the Pecos Farm Labor Housing, operated by Pecos Housing Authority. She was a clerk at the time of the alleged embezzlement in July, 1997. Claudia Martinez, 26, is charged with forging a $300 money order on American Express Nov. 29, 1996. Javier Castillo Navarette, 18, is charged with possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Pecos Kindergarten, on Dec. 4, 1997. District Judge Bob Parks set bail at $10,000 on each defendant except for Martinez, whose bail is $5,000.
AREA NEWS ROUNDUPFebruary 13, 1998The Fort Stockton PioneerFORT STOCKTON, Feb. 12, 1998 -A negotiation process that has been years in the making apparently came to an end Tuesday night with the announcement of an agreement between the City of Fort Stockton and Texas-New Mexico Power Company that will translate into lower rates for local consumers. By a unanimous vote, the Fort Stockton City Council adopted a resolution during its Tuesday night meeting, ratifying the agreement reached between Public Utilities Commission and the Texas Industrial Energy Consumers for rate reductions and a plan for transition to retail competition. The Alpine AvalancheALPINE, Feb. 12, 1998 -The U.S. Air Force public scoping meeting on the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI) was held at Alpine Civic Center Thursday, Feb. 5. The meeting took place just a few days after a U.S. military plane on a low level training flight cut through a cable car line in Italy and killed at least 20 people. The SkylineSul Ross State University, Alpine, Feb. 12, 1998 -Dorothy Talamantez, a sophomore criminal justice major at Sul Ross State University, was killed Sunday in a traffic accident east of Sanderson. According to Sergeant Luis Najera of the Texas Department of Public Safety in Fort Stockton, the one-vehicle rollover occurred before 4:30 p.m. Feb. 8 on U.S. Highway 90, 32 miles east of Sanderson. Talamantez was the vehicle's only occupant. The Sanderson TimesSANDERSON, Feb. 12, 1998 -There will be a calf production and marketing program in Sanderson, Tuesday, March 31, according to an announcement in a newsletter sent out by Mike Barbour, Terrell County Extension Agent-Agriculture. There will be beef cattle industry people here, displays of new products on the market, door prizes, free lunch, continuing education units, and a calf will be autopsied. The McCamey NewsMcCamey, Upton County, Feb. 12, 1998 - A local teacher has been cited for outstanding performance in reading education, The Institute for Academic Excellence announced. Wanda Brock, who works at McCamey Middle School, was awarded Reading Renaissance Model Classroom Level 1 Certification by the Madison, WI, based Institute. Model Classroom certification indicates that Brock's efforts to adopt Reading Renaissance methods have resulted in measurable increases in student reading performance. The Monahans NewsMONAHANS, Feb. 12, 1998 -School district administrators Monday, Feb. 9, were asked to review the possibility of a formal "moment of silence" to begin the day on the school district's campuses. Board President Johnny White and board member Steve Hurst said they did not want anyone to think there is a sectarian motive in the request. And both noted that the "moment of silence" at other campuses in other school districts had been a successful focusing factor for students. WEATHERPECOS, February 13, 1998 - High Thursday, 60, low this morning, 24. Texans had better plan their Valentine's Day activities indoors because it looks like the state is in for a rainy weekend. Forecasts called for scattered showers and even a few thunderstorms around the state tonight and Saturday. Clouds will be increasing tonight across West Texas with rain possible in most areas on Saturday. Lows tonight will be in the 30s and 40s in West Texas, highs Saturday will be in the 50s and 60s except in the Big Bend area of Southwest Texas where readings will climb into the 70s.
Pecos Enterprise
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