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By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, December 6, 1996 - Despite a trip to Orla to post notices of
early voting, Nora Briceno and Brenda Casillas have had no takers.
Their voting booth in the Reeves County Courthouse lobby has remained
unused all week.
They offered Precinct 9 (Red Bluff-Orla) voters the chance to avoid
`long lines' Tuesday in a special election runoff for state senate in
District 28, which includes northern Reeves County.
Early voting concludes at 5 p.m. today, while polls will be open from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, when long lines are also unlikely.
Fewer than 20 voters are registered in the Orla box, the only one in the
county which is part of District 28. Only seven voters cast ballots in
last month's general election, and just five of those voted in the State
Senate race.
David R. Langston, Democrat, and Robert Duncan, a Republican, are the
only candidates on the short paper ballot. They were the top two
vote-getters out of seven candidates in the Nov. 5 general election.
Duncan currently is a state representative in the Lubbock area, while
Langston resigned as Lubbock mayor to run for the state senate seat.
The winning candidate will replace John Montford of Lubbock, who
resigned the District 28 seat to become chancellor of Texas Tech
University.
District 28 is centered in Lubbock, but stretches through Reeves County
to include part of El Paso. Most of the county is part of Senate
District 19, which extends from El Paso to San Antonio.
By MARI MALDONADO
Staff Writer
PECOS, December 6, 1996 - The Pecos Police Department and the Pecos
community will be saying goodbye to a longtime member of the force later
this month when Police Captain David L. Montgomery steps down from his
position.
December 18 will be the last official work day for Montgomery, who will
be "starting over," in Colorado.
Both Police Chief Troy Moore and Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford
extend their best wishes to the 19-year veteran of the Pecos police
force.
"We'll miss him sorely," said the chief, who has worked with Montgomery
for nine years and promoted him from lieutenant to captain earlier in
the decade.
"I had mixed emotions," said Stafford, when first confronted with the
captain's intentions, describing herself as, "selfish, and wish David
would reconsider and decide to stay."
"He's certainly been an asset to the police department of Pecos," said
the mayor, "having worked very diligently with the Neighborhood Crime
Watch and D.A.R.E. programs in addition to his regular duties."
"However, I'd be the last person to prevent him from accepting any
position that he feels would be more challenging and assist him in his
chosen field of law enforcement," she added.
Both Mayor Stafford and Chief Moore agreed that, "it will be very
difficult to replace him."
"Pecos' loss will be Aurora's (Colorado) gain," said Stafford.
The Colorado-bound Montgomery said he will be entering the Aurora Police
Academy, "Dec. 30 at 7 a.m."
Placing sixth out of 300 hopeful applicants on the entry exam, he
contends, "I'll be the oldest rookie in the academy."
The exam consisted of eight days of, "massive testing," in physical and
writing natures, including a polygraph.
Upon graduating from the 21-week training course, of which he'll enter
laterally, "I'll get placed," within the 700-member force of the Denver,
Colo., suburb.
Born and raised in Pecos, Montgomery said, his, "career move," was a
difficult decision.
He did learn to, "never say never," as he, "thought I was destined to
retire here (Pecos)."
"This is probably the best time for me to start all over," said
Montgomery, "at this stage in my career."
He said in a letter to the editor that his employment for the Pecos
Police Department, "has been vast and successful and I contribute most
of my success to the people of this community."
He added, "Your support has been my strength, which has carried me
through many rough times."
Montgomery's excerpt thanks the people of Pecos for their support and
offers his farewell wishes.
"Being a police officer here wasn't a job," he said during this
morning's interview, "it was my life."
The captain points out, "...I would not have achieved my dreams of being
a police officer without the guidance and constant support of my mother
and father."
He thanks Moore and the PPD staff and refers to them, "as part of my
family."
To Mayor Stafford, Montgomery said, "...thank you for all the
opportunities for which I have had serving under your leadership. You
have made a difference in city government for the betterment of our
community...," calling her a, "dear friend."
Prior to rejoining the force in 1985, Montgomery worked for Ector County
under Sheriff Reggie Yearwood and for the Kermit Police Department,
after having left the PPD in the late 1970s.
"I'll do my best to keep in touch," he said, and added he'll be spending
his holidays and vacations in Pecos.
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, December 6, 1996 - Four defendants came to federal court this
morning ready to plead guilty before District Judge Royal Furgeson and
get on with their lives.
Although he had planned only to confer with attorneys about the 33
pending cases and set trials for Dec. 16, Judge Furgeson took time to
hear three of the pleas. A mixup prevented action in the fourth case.
Alpine attorney Mike Barclay had four cases set for trial Dec. 16, and
agreed to a guilty plea before Magistrate Judge Stuart Platt in a fifth.
Judge Furgeson agreed to hear the other guilty pleas during the morning
on Dec. 16, set a hearing on a probation revocation for noon and jury
selection for 2 p.m.
Prosecutor Glen Jackson said he was unable to provide documentation on
three immigration cases to defense attorneys. Assistant U.S. Attorney
Jan Bonner of El Paso was assigned the cases but sent the files to AUSA
Jim Blankenship in Alpine. However, Blankenship has gone to Albania,
Jackson said.
In setting the cases for Dec. 16, Judge Furgeson instructed that Bonner
be notified she is to handle the prosecution.
"Someone tell Mrs. Bonner she is going to have an active December,"
Judge Furgeson said.
He also commended attorneys for talking to their clients and being
prepared to enter guilty pleas.
"I am very grateful," he said. "That's good work. No one has to plead
guilty, but if they want to, there is no sense in waiting."
James Ashing, 56, died Tuesday, Dec. 3 at his residence.
Services were held at 11 a.m. today at Fairview Cemetery.
He was born Feb. 13, 1940 in Pecos and was a seismograph employee.
Survivors include one son, Tommy Ray Ashing; one brother, Jim Ashing of
Odessa; one sister, Margie Deishler of Pecos, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Services are incomplete for Martha Prieto Serna, 40, of El Paso.
She is the granddaughter of Vicenta and Tito Prieto of Pecos.
PECOS, Dec. 6, 1996 - High Thursday 74, low last night 54. Tonight,
partly cloudy. Low in the mid 30s. West to northwest wind 5-15 mph.
Saturday, mostly sunny. High in the mid 60s. North wind 5-15 mph.
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