Sports|Opinion|
Main Menu|Archives Menu|Classified|Advertising|Monahans|
All nine grievance committee members were on hand for the hearing
requested by Marsh, who was requesting a 10 percent increase in his
$17,762.88 annual salary and $500 more in travel expenses.
Salary grievance committee members include Rosalinda Pena Corrales,
Rojelio Alvarez, Armando Garcia, Paul Anthony Budlong, James Brasher,
Mary Apolinar, Harvey Gonzales, Frances Powell, Millard L. Cupples and
Gay Maynard.
No elected officials received a raise from Reeves County Commissioners
when they approved the modified budget, in which salary increases for
county employees were awarded for the coming year out of money in the
general fund.
"Elected officials stayed at the same salary as it has been for the past
two years," said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo, who testified
during Monday's hearing.
Marsh is already receiving more in expenses than the other JP's, which
amounts to about $13,000 more than JP #4 Lamberto Herrera.
Marsh's attorney, Scott Johnson, told the group that if they were to
vote for the salary increase, commissioners would have to grant it.
"He's not asking for much," said Johnson.
Johnson provided committee members with a report outlining the amount
each Justice of the Peace has brought into the county.
"If you look at the report, Marsh has brought in double what the other
JP's have brought in, in regard to funds," said Johnson.
The report stated that Marsh has brought in over $60,000 in funds so far
this year.
Marsh's territory covers parts of Interstates 10 and 20 in western
Reeves County, and Johnson said Marsh has been a judge for 19 years and
has not received a raise since 1989.
"The 10 percent raise he is requesting is justified by the work load,"
said Johnson, who also told the group that all JP's don't necessarily
have to get paid the same amount.
"I'm always available, 24 hours a day, and I don't think I'm asking for
too much for the work that I do," said Marsh.
He told the committee that when no other JP's are available, which is
something that happens often, he is the one to be called on.
"As budget officer you're making it very difficult for me to treat one
judge different from the others, I think that's an issue that should be
taken up during elections," said Galindo.
Galindo stated that there are some people, "pushing the wagon, while
others are just riding in it."
"I realize you're one of the individuals who is really pushing the
wagon," Galindo told Marsh, but added, "By setting your salary different
it would make it unfair to others."
Johnson pointed out that no other elected officials can request a salary
change for the coming year at this late date.
"In my opinion the one who produces more, works harder, should get paid
more," said Johnson. "And Marsh is not putting down the other judges,
but this is just the way things are."
"How many years have the others been JPs'," asked Frances Powell.
Justice of the Peace I Amanario Ramon has been in office for nine years;
JP III Joel Madrid since 1995 and JP 4 Lamberto T. Herrera since 1987.
"Do you have records of your mileage?" asked Mary Apolinar.
"The mileage is all recorded, but there are some things I don't charge
the county for," said Marsh.
"In the records, since you're the one bringing in more funds, do you
attribute it to the fact that no other JP's can be found, is that why
you're producing more," asked Apolinar.
Marsh explained that he also acts as magistrate and the funds are not
directly attributed to the fines he assesses.
"I'm just wondering what the others are doing," said Apolinar.
Galindo stated that from 1988 to 1995 the revenue diverted from JP's
courts has gone down considerably.
"The actual revenue was $223,000 in 1988, we've gone from this to
$99,000 in 1995, and what do you attribute it to?," he said.
Galindo stated that all this goes back to who's pushing the wagon and
who's just riding in it.
"We either tighten our belts or raise taxes, and I'm totally against the
latter," Galindo said. "I know the judge pushes the wagon."
Paul Budlong, of Toyah, spoke on behalf of Marsh stating, "I live in
Toyah and I know how much he does, I work with the DPS and Sheriff's
Office and I see him running around all the time."
"I can't see that he's asking for a whole lot," he said.
"Will you need the whole $2,500 in mileage or other expenses?" asked
Powell.
"I don't know how much I'll use, we can't predict that," said Marsh.
Marsh told the group that what he doesn't use from his allotted budget,
he turns back in to the county.
"I turned back in quite a bit last year," said Marsh.
"I know he works very hard, but my job is to look at the whole picture,
other JP's, other elected officials will be coming in here asking for a
raise, not this time, but for the next budget," said Galindo. "They knew
how much the job paid when they ran for it."
Galindo praised Marsh's work and noted that he was very much appreciated.
"I realize how much you work and we (the county) really appreciate it,"
he said.
Tentatively, the president will make his appearance at an afternoon of
Nov. 1 in the El Paso International Airport. It will conclude with a
quick excursion by helicopter to Las Cruces, N.M.
According to Clinton's campaign chairman, Clinton will be thanking the
El Paso community, which is the 19th largest in the nation, for its
support during his 1992 campaign.
In an El Paso Times excerpt, dated Oct. 27, Texas Land Commissioner Gary
Mauro, who is also the Texas campaign chairman for the president, is
quoted, "...he wants to make the people in El Paso know that he's not
taking them for granted. And he wants to thank them for having carried
him in 1992 when nobody else in Texas did."
In the article, El Paso Democratic congressional candidate Silvestre
Reyes said, "We think we're long overdue for a presidential visit. We've
been working hard to get the Democratic Party to understand that it's
important to El paso, and it's important to this region to have the
president come here because it will make a difference in generating more
interest and more activity throughout the week (of voting)."
Ward County Commissioner Julian Florez, and staunch advocate of the
Democratic Party, also feels the West Texas is well deserved. "There are
32 electoral votes in Texas," thus making the stop a crucial campaign
point.
The visit will boost campaigns for Texas Democratic candidates seeking
congressional seats, Florez contended.
The Democratic party, Florez said he believes, "does more for education,
welfare, Head Start and other outreach programs." He points out that
Democrats has voted stop $270 billion in Medicare cuts; raise the
minimum wage for Texas workers; oppose tax cuts for millionaires; put
more cops on Texas streets and college loans for Texas students.
He confidently promotes the Democrat motto, "When the Democrats win, we
all win!"
Copyright 1996 Pecos Enterprise. All rights reserved. AP contributed to
this report.
All those being arraigned today were indicted by the federal grand jury
in Pecos on Oct. 10.
Judge Platt introduced court personnel before beginning the first of 33
arraignments on today's docket. He explained the duties of court
security officers, deputy U.S. marshals, prosecutors, defense attorneys,
an interpreter and his courtroom deputy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Blankenship of Alpine stood in for Glen
Jackson of Midland, who will prosecute the felony cases at trial.
Deputy Marshal Billy K. Johnson held a list of defendants and saw that
they approached the lectern as Judge Platt called their names. Those who
had attorneys pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
Judge Platt set trial before District Judge Royal Furgeson for Dec. 21,
with pre-trial Dec. 18. He warned one defendant who is free on bail that
his bail could be revoked if his urine samples continue to test positive
for drug abuse.
One such defendant was arrested last week on a warrant issued by Judge
Bunton. Jeff Lindsay, who pleaded guilty last month to possession of a
firearm during commission of a drug offense, was placed in Reeves County
Jail to await sentencing.
Judge Bunton issued the warrant after Lindsay's probation officer
reported three urine samples tested positive for cocaine.
Some defendants arraigned today had an initial appearance before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Katherine Baker when they were arrested, and she
appointed them an attorney.
Cases where an attorney was not present were reset for arraignment on
Nov. 5.
Blankenship has recently moved to Alpine from Austin. He is the new
full-time AUSA for the Pecos Division.
Judge Platt said that the U.S. attorney's office in Midland will
prosecute the cases already indicted, but that Blankenship will handle
any new cases filed.
One of those who made an initial appearance before Judge Baker is Jesus
Jose Pena, 22, of Presidio.
Pena was arrested Thursday in Marfa and charged with possession with
intent to distribute marijuana.
Weinacht was arrested by Reeves County Sheriff's Deputy Floyd Estrada
after he allegedly went to the bar owned by his uncle, Donnie Weinacht,
and damaged the interior about two weeks ago.
Arraigned before Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Joel Madrid, Weinacht
was charged with criminal mischief, a fourth degree felony. Madrid set
bail at $10,000.
Stickels said he chose to place Weinacht on pre-trial diversion after
reviewing the facts and circumstances of the crime.
"I determined, in the interest of justice, he should have the option to
voluntarily repay damages to the Circle Bar," Stickels said.
If Weinacht does not pay up within three months, he could be prosecuted
on the charge, the district attorney added.
PECOS, October 29, 1996 - A local teen made the top ten finalist roster
this weekend at the 1996 Miss Texas Teen All American Pageant in Dallas.
Marisa Levario was selected as an entrant in the in pageant that was
staged in the Grand Ballroom of the Harvey Hotel - Brook Hollow in
Dallas, and attracted to 138 participants this year.
The event was scheduled to select Texas' representative to the 19th
Annual Miss Teen All American Pageant in Miami, Fla., next August.
Levario competed against young women from all over the state for the
title. The ladies were scored based on evening gown, swimsuit
appearances and interviews conducted by the judges panel and by the
master of ceremonies on stage on a one-to-one basis.
Levario is a Pecos High School senior and participates in Business
Professionals of America and Office Administration, in which she was
placed to work half day for local attorney Randy Reynolds. She is a
Pecos High School Band Drum Major and flautist and is a member of the
Youth Commission.
The 17-year-old honor student enjoys reading, writing and working out.
She was was first runner-up in the Golden Girl of the Old West Pageant
in June.
Levario plans to attend Angelo State University in San Angelo and major
in Business Administrations or Law.
When asked what was the best advice she's ever received during her
onstage interview, Levario answered it was handed down by her mom when
she advised, no matter what happens, "always smile."
Her parents are Robert and Bertha Natividad.
Levario extends her gratitude to all that sponsored her trip to Dallas
and pageant participation and added, "It was a great success and thanks
to them I was able to do the best I could and placed in a very high
position. Thank you for helping me succeed."
Antonio Chavez, 70, died Sunday, Oct. 27 at Medical Center Hospital in
Odessa.
A rosary will be held today at 7 p.m. at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel in
Odessa.
Services are set for Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's
Catholic Church in Odessa with Deacon Jesus Mercado officiating. Burial
will be Rosehill Cemetery in Odessa.
Survivors include three sons, Ernesto Chavez and Joe Chavez of Pecos,
Benito Chavez of Odessa; six daughters, Maria Louisa Sais of Andrews,
Beda Machuca, Josie Antillon, Teresa Chavez, Susanna Chavez and Isabel
Rodriguez of Odessa; three brothers, Meleton Chavez of San Jose, Calif.,
Tomas Chavez of Pecos, Victor Chavez of Odessa; two sisters, Santa
Garcia and Bernice Chavez of Pecos; 31 grandchildren and 16
great-grandchildren.
Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PECOS, October 29, 1996 - High Monday 63, low last night 55. Tonight,
clear. Low around 40. Southwest wind 5-10 mph. Wednesday, mostly sunny.
High in the mid 70s. South wind 10-20 mph.
Return to Menu
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. Neither these AP
Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for
personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for
any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages
arising from any of the foregoing.
_
Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@bitstreet.com
http://www.pecos.net/news
Return to Menu