|
Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, October 20, 1999
RCH's situation good despite fall in patients
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - September's patient census fell below budget
projections, chief financial officer Richard Mathis told the Reeves County
Hospital District board of directors on Tuesday.
Total patient days totaled 180, considerably below the budgeted 256.
Still, year-to-date patient days are almost 400 above the same date last
year.
Patient revenue was $38,422 under budget for the month, Mathis said.
Lower expenses held the year-to-date operating loss to $668,280, while
$953,265 was projected.
Tax assessor-collector Elidia Prieto reported delinquent collections
of $35,000, with 94 percent of the 1998 taxes collected.
The board approved errors and corrections in 1997 and 1998 tax rolls
and adopted the 1999 tax roll as presented by Prieto. An additional penalty
of 15 percent was approved for collections on accounts of over-65 disabled
homeowners subject to quarterly payments, whose taxes became delinquent
after Aug. 1; and accounts with delinquency dates postponed until June
1 or later due to late mailed tax bills.
Purchases approved include a Datascope for anesthesia, microscope for
the lab and a carport for the staff apartments.
Anesthetist Jerry Giardina said that anesthesia monitors are nine to
11 years old. The new monitor will provide up-to-date technology to measure
oxygen in the blood.
"You need a good anesthesia machine with good monitors, and someone
to operate those monitors," Giardina said.
Board president Greg Luna said that the new monitor would help to keep
the hospital current on technology to compete with area hospitals.
"Outsiders tell us this is considered the best hospital in the region,"
he said.
Thanks to negotiations by administrator Charles Butts, the price was
discounted to $19,888.40.
Butts presented a request for a lab microscope, which he said he has
authority to purchase at $2,500.
"Unless it has to be done quickly, I like to run it through the board
and finance committee," he said.
The old microscope no longer focuses correctly, he said.
"I don't like to think we have allowed our lab to use that microscope,"
he said.
Construction of a carport along with replacement of the roof will cost
$8,678, Butts said. Of that, the insurance company paid $2,200 for roof
damage.
After viewing photos of a crumbling cabin on property near Ruidoso,
N.M. that was given to the hospital in lieu of a hospital bill, the board
voted to sell their one-sixth interest for $1,000.
Mathis said that some family members still own an interest in the cabin
and it is likely they will reject the offer of $6,000 for the lot and cabin.
Construction of new roads in the area has cut off access to the property,
he said.
Mathis said the cabin was built in the 1930s and has no running water
or electricity. The tax value is $3,000, he said.
Butts reported that 10 Crockett Middle School students worked alongside
hospital staff Tuesday as part of their career investigations class.
The architect hired to design a new emergency room will be here next
week for a site survey, he said.
And a doctor has shown an interest in moving his practice to Pecos.
He will be here next Tuesday to look over the hospital and city.
Director of nursing L.G. Crawford reported that two nurses attended
a radiation contamination seminar in Odessa, and they will share what they
learned with the staff.
"They learned how a hospital should respond and what we need to put
into a de-contamination room in the ER should we have a chemical spill,"
Crawford said, noting that the chances of a radiation spill here is one
in 1,000.
Butts said that the medical staff had an x-ray expert explain how to
upgrade the radiology department.
Bickley harvests honors from cotton farmers
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - Bob Bickley's agenda for the annual meeting
of the Trans Pecos Cotton Association went a little awry Tuesday night
when hundreds of people showed up to honor him for decades of service to
the cotton industry.
"We are dedicating this meeting to you and all the service you have
done for the cotton industry in Texas and the whole country," said association
president Larry Turnbough in opening the business session.
Reassuring the crowd of farmers and agriculture officials that Bickley
has not retired as executive director, Turnbough also assured Bickley that
he has not been fired, either.
"A lot of people from around the state may want to talk for him or against
him," Turnbough said. "If he handles that well, we will keep him for a
few more years."
Bickley did handle the accolades well, noting that the tribute was a
complete surprise.
Mike Burkholder presented Bickley a plaque cut in the shape of Texas
with a cotton boll in the Panhandle and an engraved tribute to "Sweet Old
Bob" covering central Texas.
Jaroy Moore, director of the Texas A&M Research Station at Lubbock,
presented a miniature cotton bale with a plaque from Texas Tech University,
the Lubbock station and the Pecos station and on behalf of the agriculture
program.
"Dr. (John) Gannaway wanted to come, but he picked the cotton for the
bale, and he gave out," Moore quipped.
Tributes from those unable to attend came by letter. Executive directors
of cotton associations and others who have worked with Bickley on numerous
agricultural committees and political jaunts supporting the cotton industry
praised his diligent efforts, honesty, integrity and dry humor.
Responding to the accolades and affectionate barbs, Bickley said he
was in a little bit of a state of shock.
"I have never seen a thing covered up like this and kept secret for
so long," he said. "I really appreciate the kind things said about me.
They are a little overdrawn in some cases, but I still accept it."
Noting that several speakers had complained that Pecos is 100 miles
from everywhere, Bickley said he resented them knocking his hometown.
"I have explained to some people we have a nice little corner of the
Chihuahuan Desert here, which can be beautiful in its own way.
"All Pecos really needs is a little better class of people and a little
better climate," he said.
Pausing for effect, Bickley drew the biggest laugh of the night when
he added, "Upon reflection, I realize that's all Hell needs."
"It is very difficult for me to put into words the humble feeling I
have towards all of you," he said. "I have enjoyed working with you and
socializing with you. I thank you very much for your kindness."
In the business session, members of the Trans Pecos Cotton Association
re-elected directors Larry Turnbough, Ysidro Renteria, Ted Godfrey, Sam
Miller, David Hess and Jesus Ruiz.
FBI agent to speak at anti-drug rally
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - The FBI's Supervisory Special Agent for the
El Paso region will be the guest speaker for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD's
Drug Free Rally, scheduled for Friday at Eagle Stadium.
Antonio "Tony" Franco, who was raised in West Texas and attended schools
in the area will be in Pecos Friday for the annual event.
Franco came from a similar background as the residents/school students
in the Pecos area and can identify with the peer pressure that middle and
high school students face in school. He is very familiar with the crime
problems, especially the drug related crimes in the area and has over 30
years in working drug related crimes all over the country.
Franco is presently assigned to the El Paso Division of the FBI, which
covers the Pecos area.
He has 34 years of law enforcement experience, has been a military policeman,
prison guard, police officer/sergeant, detective and has served as a Special
Agent with the FBI for the past 23 years, working all over the country.
Franco said he is very familiar with the Pecos, area, has friends and
acquaintances in town and in the surrounding areas. He has also attended
several football games in Pecos and other towns where the Eagles have played.
The Drug Free Rally will begin at 9:30 a.m., at the Pecos High School
football field. All other campuses will be bused to Eagle Stadium.
The Pecos Eagle Band will play the National Anthem, a color guard will
hoist the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence will
be observed.
P-B-T ISD Superintendent Don Love will welcome everyone and introduce
the school counselors. Recognition will be given to all law enforcement
personnel and a history of Red Ribbon Campaign red.
PHS varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders will be on hand throughout
the event, and the Crockett Middle School Cheerleaders will also perform.
Bike drawings will be held for the Pecos Kindergarten, Pecos Elementary,
Bessie Haynes Elementary, Austin Elementary and Lamar Middle Schools.
Sudden Impact will be performing and the Pecos Eagle varsity football
captains will make a speech during the rally.
CCRC board gets update on day care site
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - Community Council of Reeves County board members
discussed the daycare situation in Saragosa during their regular monthly
meeting, held Tuesday in Pyote.
"We still have some things to do out there, like put fencing around
the playground area and install panic bars on doors," said Community Council
Director Mary Jane Ontiveros.
The board discussed fixing the items and opening the daycare by next
summer, according to Ontiveros.
Training and conferences were also approved during the meeting.
A fall conference is scheduled for Nov. 17-19 in Galveston, and board
training sessions were also approved for the future. "We don't have a date
for the board training, but it was approved," said Ontiveros.
Weatherization training will be held Dec. 13-14.
In other action, the board approved revising bylaws and personnel policy,
which will be approved at the next meeting.
"We'll send them a copy of the current bylaws and personnel policy and
if there's any changes they will be approved with the changes," said Ontiveros.
Program updates were heard, from CIAP and CSVG.
Ontiveros said registration sessions were held in Monahans, Kermit and
Pecos to provide assistance for the elderly and disabled. The turnout was
not as good as in the past, but Ontiveros said the reason was because many
of the individuals who qualify have already been helped throughout the
year.
"We'll have another one again the first week of November and December
to get new clients," said Ontiveros.
If anyone knows of someone who needs help, they can go to the office
and pick up an application. "We welcome new clients and they can just come
get an application," she added.
This year the council has provided 11 air conditioners, six heaters
and two water heaters to clients, according to Ontiveros. And they currently
have 13 families awaiting assistance.
"Two homes have been completed in the Winkler County area," said Ontiveros.
Elderly and disabled individuals may be eligible for the weatherization
program. "If they need help with their electric or gas bill, they can come
pick up an application," said Ontiveros. "We need to assist them before
the budget closes," she said.
`Goose Parade' scheduled for Thursday
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - Children will dress up in costumes and "parade"
through downtown Pecos this Thursday, during the Annual Mother Goose and
Friends Parade.
This year's event, which was moved back from its former late September
date, is sponsored by the Women's Division of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce,
and will begin at 6 p.m., at the First National Bank Parking Lot.
Line-up and judging will be at 5:30 p.m. and children are encouraged
to be at the bank early.
The parade will travel five blocks down South Oak Street and will end
at the West of the Pecos Museum, with a Halloween Carnival planned in the
courtyard.
Floats and trailers are welcome.
For more information call the Chamber of Commerce at 445-2406.
Pecos Elementary schedules carnival for Monday
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - A Halloween Carnival and Enchilada Plate Supper
will be held next Monday, Oct. 25, at the Reeves County Civic Center.
The event is sponsored by the Pecos Elementary School.
The Enchilada supper will be held from 5-9 p.m., with the carnival beginning
at 6 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m.
Tickets for the supper can be purchased from any Pecos Elementary School
parents or from the office.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Tuesday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 4-10-27-29-36. Number matching five of five: 0. Matching four of
five: 186. Prize: $1,020. Matching three of five: 6,570. Prize: $29.
***
AUSTIN (AP) — The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Tuesday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 2-2-1 (two, two, one)
Obituary
Jean Wall
Jean Wall, 71, of Sonora died Sunday, Oct. 17, 1999 in a San Angelo hospital.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Sonora Cemetery.
She was born Jan. 27, 1928, in Boonesville, Ark., was a homemaker and
a member of the Baptist Church.
Survivors include four daughters, Betty Stallard of Pecos, Linda Whitten
of Big Lake, Deborah Stimac of Battle Creek, Mich., and June Wall of Pampa;
one son, Keith Wall of San Antonio; three brothers, Junior, Clifford, and
Steve Johnson all of Sherman; one sister, Mildred Brown of Ore City; 10
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Kerbow Funreal Home of Eldorado was in charge of arrangements.
Weather
PECOS, Oct. 20, 1999 - High Tuesday 70; low last night 35. A warming trend
was forecast for Texas through the week's end, with fog in some sections
of the state burning off today. With high pressure building across western
parts of the state, afternoon temperatures should range from the 50s in
the north and west to 70s along the Rio Grande and 80s in the Big Bend.
Overnight lows are expected in the 40s to 50s.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
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.
Copyright 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
|
