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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Top Stories

Tuesday, November 24, 1998

County eyes $30 million RCDC expansion


By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
A new expanded Reeves County Detention Center within the
current compound, and the creation of more jobs, are part of
the plans that were outlined at Monday's regular Reeves
County Commissioners Court meeting.

County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo told commissioners that the
proposed facility will be built inside the Reeves County
Detention Center compound, doubling the facility's current
1,000-bed capacity and creating 200 more jobs.

"A lot of planning and thought has gone into this," said
Galindo, who told the court of his recent trip to
Washington, D.C. in which he met with several officials
about the project.

Some of the concepts for the new facility are from the
Jonesboro prison and some from the La Tuna Prison, according
to Galindo.

"I think Mr. (RCDC Warden Rudy) Franco and Miss (Lorraine)
Dailey have done a good job in planning and designing this
new facility," said Galindo.

Dailey, registered architect with Dailey, Rabke and Gondeck
has made a schematic sketch of the new facility which will
add five dormitories with 192 beds in each dormitory. "It
will be split-level with part of the beds on the lower level
with additional beds on a mezzanine level," said Galindo.

Instead of having dormitories in both sections, they will be
only in one section, with day rooms in another section. The
facility will have one common kitchen with two dining areas.

"This makes for better and more efficient management of both
facilities," said Galindo.

He said that La Tuna prison near El Paso, where Franco
formerly served as warden, has the split-level design which
will be incorporated at the new facility.

"The ideas have come from different places for the
conceptual design," said Galindo.

Another inmate processing area will be added, along with a
multi-purpose recreational building. More administration
office space will also be added.

"The two facilities will be within one compound," said
Galindo.

The facility in question will cost about $30 million to
build, but will provide about 200 more jobs, according to
Galindo.

"We still have some final meetings with the (U.S.) Bureau of
Prisons to go to in the next two to three weeks," said
Galindo.

Galindo stated that they will know something by mid-December.

The revenue from the facility is estimated at $13-$14
million per year, according to Galindo.

"It looks real good right now, we'll have the same
arrangement in paying this off, that we did with the current
facility and it should be paid off in 10 years," said
Galindo.

"As far as workforce, do you think we'll have any problems
filling that?" asked commissioner precinct 3 Herman Tarin.

"I don't think so, things will start happening here, and
right now the creation of new jobs, helping economic
development is something the whole community wants to see,"
said Galindo.

The project will take about 18 months to complete and the
financial part of the project has been discussed with the
previous investment bankers. "I've already spoken to
Friedman, who financed the current facility and he doesn't
foresee any problems with the financing," said Galindo.

He added that as the project progresses a number of factors
will be presented to the court and to the public.

"Our point right now is to show the public where we are and
where we're going from here," said Galindo, who said there's
no question that there is a tremendous need for beds right
now by the Bureau of Prisons.

"I think this is great judge and it sends a message to the
community that we want to create jobs, further economic
development and we appreciate the hard work you have done,"
said Tarin.

Council seeking solution to situation


By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Volunteer versus paid remains the question for the Pecos
Volunteer Fire Department chief, following a Pecos City
Council meeting Monday.

After talking with the newly-elected chief, Roy Pena, in
executive session, the council tabled action on his
appointment for clarification of standards for a volunteer
chief.

A paid chief, which the department has had for the past 25
years, is required to have basic certification by the Texas
Commission on Fire Standards. That training takes four
months, said the current chief, Jack Brookshire.

In his seven years in the department, Pena has completed
training for basic certification by the Texas Fireman's and
Fire Marshals Association, which oversees volunteers. Those
hours would be accepted toward certification by the TCFS,
but many more hours would be required, said training officer
David Elliott.

Brookshire is the only one of the 38 volunteer firemen who
is certified to be a paid chief, said Elliott.

Brookshire has been a fireman for 19 1/2 years and served as
chief for one year. He holds basic certification by the
TCFS, plus fire and arson investigation and basic
certification in fire inspections.

In addition, he has attended the annual Texas A&M fire
school for 16 weeks, taking a variety of courses such as
fire prevention, fire fighting and fire investigation. He
has held the office of safety officer and fireman
representative in the local department and is the
city/county fire marshal.

"I learned how to be chief through experience," Brookshire
said. "I think the 18 years I had before I took the chief's
job helped me more than anything."

Pena said the council questioned him closely about his
qualifications in Monday's meeting and discussed whether he
would take less pay than the current chief so he could
remain a volunteer.

"There were some matters they wanted to check with the state
about," Pena said. "We will know Tuesday."

The council will consider Pena's appointment in a special
meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. If appointed, he would take
office the third Thursday in December, along with other
officers chosen by the department in their Nov. 5 election.

New economic corporation discusses goals


By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
Directors of the newly-created Pecos Economic Development
Corporation held their first unofficial meeting Monday night
to go over the corporation's budget, objectives and bylaws
for the upcoming year.

No official action can be taken until the articles of
incorporation are submitted by Town of Pecos City Attorney
Scott Johnson to the Texas Secretary of State's office and
are approved. The corporation was formed following the Nov.
3 passage by city voters of the 4A Sales Tax proposal. The
board was then appointed by the Pecos City Council.

"I think it's safe to say we may be legal by the end of the
year," board member Oscar Saenz said.

Gari Ward, president of the Pecos Economic Development
Corporation, said approval should come sometime by
mid-December, at which time the assets of the non-profit
Pecos Economic Development Corp. would be transferred to the
new corporation. The original PEDC was formed prior to the
election and pushed for passage of the 4A plan, which
allocates one-quarter cent of the city's 1 1/2 cent sales
tax for economic development.

Reeves County will add another $20,000 to that total,
following action taken Monday by county commissioners.
Precinct 4 commissioner Bernardo Martinez attended the
meeting to explain county judge Jimmy Galindo's actions in
establishing the Reeves County Industrial Commission at
Monday's meeting.

"You (Ward) kept going to Lynn Owens for the $20,000, but
Lynn couldn't give it to you because the judge has to make
the (commission) appointments," under state law governing
the ways county funds can be spent, Martinez said.

The five PEDC board members plus Pecos City Councilman
Johnny Terrazas make up the county's industrial
commission, Martinez added.

"That is the only vehicle the county could use to disburse
the money, and I appreciated Jimmy for doing this," Ward
said.

Ward also passed out a list of 37 items that would make up
the PEDC's strategy over the next year. Board members said
two of the items already being discussed by other local
governing bodies -- the creation of a new day care facility
and the addition of an Odessa College satellite campus in
Pecos -- were among the top priorities.

"The community is facing two key issues in the next year,
Odessa College and the day care center," Ward said.

"This is a very positive thing for Pecos, just so the kids
could walk over to a college campus and not be concerned
about driving back and forth to Odessa," board member Frank
Spencer said. He added that Pecos' chances of luring a
Chicago based company to the area was hurt by the lack of a
junior college, since it was seeking people with the ability
to operate high-tech cutting equipment.

The board was also told that sales tax money from the 4A
play will not begin to go to the PEDC until next December.
Ward said he would apply to the Texas Leverage Funds for a
loan to cover operating expenses over the next year, but it
could not be sent in until the incorporation papers are
approved by the Secretary of State's office.

Ward said he had already bought a laptop computer for $3,000
to use on industrial recruiting trips, and would also be
seeking to purchase software from Standard and Poors Corp.
to identify and track corporations that might be interested
in opening plants or relocating in the area. Other software
to track the 850 companies with maquila plants in the state
of Chihuahua in Mexico is also sought for purchase by Ward.

He said demographic information on Pecos and a narrative
already are on computer disk and can be printed out and sent
to businesses around the country. Spencer said maps will be
added to the final completed book.

Other items discussed included a four-year, $8,000 grant
from Wal-Mart, identifying existing buildings that could be
used by new firms, evaluation of local wage rates, and the
progress of the city's enterprise zone expansion.

Earlier, the board reviewed changes in the articles of
incorporation by the Pecos City Council, which appoints
members to the board. They included limiting all directors
to three, three-year terms with the option to resign before
then, making directors subject to removal by the council and
all employees hired by the PEDC subject to board approval;
making any borrowing of funds subject to approval by the
board; and advising the city of any projects with a cost of
over $10,000.

RCDC escapee gets 12-month sentence


By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Senior Judge Lucius Bunton on Monday sentenced one of four
escapees from the Reeves County Dentention Center to 12
months in prison.

Jose Jaramillo-Hernandez, 22, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to
the Nov. 1 escape and asked for immediate sentencing. The
12-month sentence will begin after Jaramillo completes his
current sentence of 28 months for possession with intent to
distribute marijuana.

The four men escaped from the prison in the early morning
hours of Nov. 1 and were recaptured two days later by local
law enforcement officials 40 miles away, near the
Reeves-Jeff Davis County line.

Others sentenced were Sandra Renteria, 60 months for
possession with intent to distribute marijuana; Jose
Molina-Mata, eight months for importing marijuana; Luis
Cardoza-Gamboa, 24 months for possession with intent to
distribute marijuana;

Lorenzo Gallegos-Valdez, 18 months for failure to report a
crime; Raul Viera-Guerrero, eight months for false claim to
citizenship; and Felipe Viera-Guerrero, 10 months for false
claim to citizenship. Both the latter were taken into
custody and will be departed.

Larry Michael Jones Jr., 30, of Sylacauga, Ala., pleaded
guilty to possession with intent to distribute 90 pounds of
marijuana. He will be sentenced Feb. 1.

City OKs Girl Sccout hut rehab funds


By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Girl Scout parents and leaders cheered Monday night when the
Pecos City Council voted to spend $6,941.70 out of the parks
budget to rehabilitate the Girl Scout hut on Park Street.

The city owns the building, which sits on a lot designated
as a city park. When J.J. Maxey was city manager, city crews
kept the building up, but repairs have not been made on it
since his retirement over a decade ago, said City Manager
Kenneth Neal, quoting maintenance foreman Conrado Saldano.

Louise Moore, accompanied by a host of Girl Scout parents
and leaders, petitioned the council for help with repairs,
including complete electrical re-wiring.

"The Girl Scout hut is in bad condition," she said. "It
needs a new ceiling, new walls, new carpet. There are 50
girls involved."

She introduced Isabelle Blanchard, who presented a list of
needs and estimates of the cost of repairs. Friends of Girl
Scouts has raised about $1,000, and parents have signed up
to pay for some materials, she said. But they are far short
of the funds needed.

Showing councilmen a video of the hut's interior, Blanchard
said the walls will have to be replaced. The Girl Scout
Council has already paid $5,000 for a new roof, she said.

"The electricity is outdated; it is not in code. If we put
in new walls and new ceiling (without rewiring), if anything
happens, any insurance we have is not valid," she said.

Councilman Danny Rodriguez said the city has budgeted
$10,000 for parks for five years, with none of it spent. He
made a motion to pay for repairs out of that budget line
item.

"If we dropped the ball somewhere, we need to fix it up and
go on and continue to budget it in the future," Rodriguez
said.

"There are few things you could do with $6,000 and touch
that many families," said Blanchard.

City Attorney Scott Johnson asked if other groups -- such as
the Tiger Cub Scouts -- could use the building, since it
belongs to the city.

"The building does belong to the city, but we have a policy
against smoking and drinking," said Delma Peterson, district
Girl Scout coordinator.

The council also agreed to amend the curfew ordinance to
move the time back to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 12 midnight on
weekends. The ordinance will be read and considered in the
next two regular council meetings.

Councilman Ricky Herrera said the gang intervention
committee recently formed has expressed some concern about
the curfew hours allowing minors to stay out too late.

The hours now are from midnight to 6 a.m. on week nights and
1 to 6 a.m. on weekends.

"We have had quite a bit of vandalism," said Rodriguez.

Police Chief Clay McKinney said his department has been
enforcing the curfew, and it has cut down a little on
graffiti and the juvenile problem.

"I don't want to get in a position where law enforcement is
trying to parent these kids all the time," he said.

McKinney added that deputies in Reeves and Ward counties
have told him that juveniles from Pecos are going out in the
country to drink.

Johnson said he deals with the gang problem "almost on a
daily basis," and earlier curfew hours might be more
effective.

"If we let them know we mean business, they will slow down,"
said Amonario Ramon, Precinct 1 justice of the peace.

Nellie Gomez, executive director for the Pecos Housing
Authority, said they have set a curfew of 10 p.m. on
weeknights and midnight on weekends at the PHA complexes.
Security personnel questions parents of any juvenile out
after those hours.

"I think midnight on weekends is probably too soon," said
Councilman Johnny Terrazas. "My son is 16. He doesn't like
me to go with him (to dances), but I do keep tabs on him."
He suggested 1 a.m. on weekends.

"That's when most of the activity happens," said Rodriguez.

Randy Graham said that if a juvenile is attending a
function, it is all right to stay past the curfew, then go
straight home.

Herrera made the motion to set the curfew at 11 p.m. on
weeknights (Sunday through Thursday) and midnight on
weekends (Friday and Saturday).'

"It won't solve our problem, but it will play an important
role in curtailing it," he said.

The council voted to waive Pecos Housing Authority's payment
in lieu of taxes for the years 1997-98-99; approved a
contract with Frank Spencer for engineering and other work
on water pipeline replacement; adopted a resolution
supporting an AMTRAK passenger route through Pecos; learned
that the first "stripper" permit has been sold under the new
ordinance regulating adult entertainment; agreed to let
Toyah have the city's half of a fire truck to be retired;
and approved reports from Municipal Court and tax
assessor-collector Lydia Prieto.

Tabled was a vote on the fire chief appointment and a bid on
the 1997 sanitary sewer system rehabilitation along Third
Street. Those items will be placed on the agenda for a
special meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, along with
acquisition of easement on the water line project.

Frank Spencer reported bids on the sewer project were much
higher than his engineering estimate. He suggested deleting
some parts of the project from the contract portion and
letting city crews install the new sewer in alleyways.

The contractor would have to do the work underneath Third
Street to ensure that Texas Department of Transportation
requirements are met, he said.

Johnson recommended tabling the matter for further study. "I
am not sure of the law," he said of changing the specs and
negotiating the contract with the low bidder.

"That's a large over-bid compared to what we budgeted," he
said.

POLICE REPORT


EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is
obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department,
Reeves County Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those
agencies.
The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines
of either traffic citations, animal control violations or
other court costs are considered arrests and will be printed
as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such
instances we will indicate payment and release.
***
Jeffery Paul Luck, 21, was served with a warrant at 12:48
p.m., on November 10, at Lea County Jail, for a false alarm
or report. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Brian Rodriguez, 28, was arrested at 1:15 p.m., on November
10, in the 1700 block of Gingerlane Street, for public
intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Irma Orona, 26, was arrested at 12:10 a.m., on November 11,
at the corner of Ninth and Cedar streets, on warrants for
running a stop sign and violating a promise to appear.
***
Jeff Luck, 21, was served with warrants at 12:16 a.m., on
November 11, at Reeves County Jail, for theft and forgery.
***
Roberto Valdez, 44, was arrested at 12:15 p.m., on November
11, at I-20 and FM 2903, for public intoxication.
***
Jaime Navarette, 17, was arrested at 3:18 p.m., on November
11, at Pecos Municipal Court, on Capias Pro Fine warrants.
He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Rosalba Rodriguez was arrested at 4:58 p.m., on November 12,
in the 1300 block of Plum Street, on Capias Pro Fine
warrants. She paid the fines and was released.
***
Omar Garcia, 19, was arrested at 1:22 a.m., on November 14,
in the 200 block of East Second Street, for possession of
marijuana (under 2 ounces) He was transported to Reeves
County Jail.
***
Sonny Chavez, 20, was served with a warrant at 9:45 a.m., on
November 14, at Reeves County Jail, for burglary of a
habitation.
***
Paul Diaz, 22, was arrested at 11:19 p.m., on November 15,
at the corner of Eighth and Walnut streets, on a DWI
refusal. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Jose Luis Falcon, 17, was arrested at 7:46 p.m., on November
16, in the 1000 block of Jackson Street, for presenting a
false ID to a peace officer/no driver's license. He was
transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Emilico Nicolas, 36, was arrested at 9:30 a.m., on November
16, at the Reeves County Detention Center, on a Grand Jury
Indictment warrant. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Gerardo Estrello was arrested at 10:26 a.m., on November 17,
at Pecos Municipal Court, on Capias Pro Fine warrants. He
paid the fines and was released.
***
Saury Salgado was arrested at 2:46 p.m., on November 18, at
Pecos Municipal Court, on Capias Pro Fine warrants. He paid
the fines and was released.
***
Hal Pratt, 57, was arrested at 6:13 p.m., on November 19,
near Pizza Hut, for public intoxication. He was transported
to Reeves County Jail.
***
Jose Luis Garcia, 34, was arrested at 7:26 p.m., on November
19, in the 600 block of Almond Street, for public
intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Piedad H. Vargas, 36, was arrested at 1:55 a.m., on November
20, at Motel 6, for public intoxication. She was transported
to Reeves County Jail.
***
David Pando, 17, was arrested at 4:38 a.m., on November 20,
on the I-20/U.S. 285 overpass on PD warrants. He was
transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Frank S. Salcido was arrested at 3:12 p.m., on November 20,
at the Police Department, on DPS warrants. He paid the fines
and was released.
***
Marta E. Vela, 36, and Concepcion T. Garcia, 50, were
arrested at 3:58 p.m., on November 20, in the 1200 block of
Martinez Street, on grand jury indictment warrants. They
were transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Sylvia Roman, 37, Keyton Roman, 18, and Manuel Rayos, 39,
were arrested at 4:40 p.m., on November 21, at Reeves County
Sheriff's Office, each on a grand jury indictment for drug
possession. They were turned over to the jail staff.
***
Ciro Ortiz, 49, was arrested at 5:05 p.m., on November 22,
at the corner of `F' and Cedar streets, for public
intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Eric Florez, 19, was arrested at 8:52 p.m., on November 22,
in the 2200 block of Missouri Street, for disorderly
conduct. He was transported to Reeves County Jail.
***
Manuel Lopez, 53, was arrested at 9:30 a.m., on November 23,
at the Reeves County Sheriff's Office, on a grand jury
indictment for drug possession. He was turned over to the
jail staff.

OBITUARY

Charlie Millan


Charlie N. Millan, 82, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998 at Reeves
County Hospital.

A rosary will be held today at 7:30 p.m., at the Pecos
Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Santa
Rosa Catholic Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery

He was born Sept. 30, 1916, in Fort Davis, was a retired
ranch hand, had lived in Pecos for 42 years and was a
Catholic.

Survivors include his wife, Lorenza Millan of Pecos; five
sons, Mike Millan of Barstow, Henry and Tommy Millan of
Andrews and Charlie and Julian Millan of Pecos; five
daughters, Mary Millan, Adela Guebara, Sally Gomez and
Cinderella Pallanes of Pecos and Eloisa Contreras of Odessa;
five sisters, Socorro Rodriguez and Yvonne Martin of Pecos,
Barbara Ortega of Carlsbad, N.M., Cinderella Garcia of
Balmorhea and Francis Conners of Marfa; 43 grandchildren and
numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WEATHER


High Monday 76, low last night 37. Tonight, fair. Low in the
mid 40s. South to southwest wind 5-15 mph. Wednesday, mostly
sunny. High 70-75. Northwest to north wind 5-15 mph.
Thanksgiving day forecast, mostly sunny. Low in the mid to
upper 30s. High in the lower to mid 70s.



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