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By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, December 23, 1996 - Plans for future expansion and development at
the Reeves County Detention Center were the topic of discussion at this
morning's regular Reeves County Commissioners Court meeting.
"Reeves County is facing tough economic times, so I began looking for
some way that we could do more with the operations that were already
doing well," said County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
The RCDC currently houses over 650 inmates, most under a contract with
the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and the new plan would increase that number
to 2,000 inmates at two sites by the year 2001.
"For the last two years, we done everything in our power to try and
provide the best service possible for the Bureau of Prisons," Galindo
said. "Our success has given us an opportunity to capitalize on the
relationship we have built."
"I began to consult with our Chief Executive Officer, Rudy Franco, the
RCDC staff and the commissioners to put together a four year plan for
the expansion of our prison, which will include the construction of a
brand new 1,000-bed facility for our best customer, the Bureau of
Prisons."
The first phase of the four-year plan will be the expansion of the
current facility to its maximum efficiency and revenue production with
as little risk as possible, according to Galindo.
"Our current facility will attain its maximum level of efficiency and
compete with other facilities in the area when we reach 1,000 beds
within the next two years," said Galindo. "When we have completed the
first phase of the four-year plan, we will use a portion of the revenue
generated from the expansion as a down payment on a new 1,000 bed
facility for the BOP," he said.
"While the new facility is being built, we will keep the old facility in
operation and producing revenue to finance the new facility," he added.
Galindo explained that as the new facility is completed, "we will
gradually shift the old facility into an INS and U.S. Marshal (Service)
detention center that will utilize the new courtroom just completed for
INS hearings," he said.
"If we are successful in our efforts we will have two 1,000-bed
facilities in full operation within four years," he said.
Commissioners agreed to the four-year plan and within the same motion
voted to contract legal counsel for the Reeves County Detention Center,
for reclassification of RCDC management positions and to amend the
Fiscal Year 1997 Budget for the detention center.
The motion on the four items passed by a 3-1 vote, with Commissioners
Precinct 1 Lupe Garcia, Precinct 3 Herman Tarin, Precinct 4 Bernardo
Martinez voting "yes," and Commissioner Precinct 2 W.J. Bang voting "no."
"I'm not opposed to all the new things at the facility, but I oppose the
contracting of legal counsel for the facility," Bang said, in explaining
his reason for voting no. "I think that should be the county attorney's
job."
Earlier in the meeting the judge read a letter which the court had
received from the county attorney-elect Walter Holcombe.
In his letter Holcombe told the court that they would need to seek legal
counsel, since he would not be representing the county or the detention
center.
"In the statement of work for the detention center it states that we
need to provide legal counsel and whether Holcombe wants to do it or
not, we will need to seek legal representation," said Galindo.
Bang said he wanted Holcombe, who will take office on Jan. 1, to appear
before commissioners to fully explain his reasons for writing the letter.
Galindo stated that Holcombe's opposition to representing the county
would not deter them from their long-range plans to upgrade the facility
and move on with plans for the county.
The two management positions which will be created at the RCDC include
an associate warden's position, at a $50,000 annual salary, and a budget
analyst and procurement specialist, at $27,500.
Chief Executive Officer Rudy Franco was on hand for the meeting and
stated that both these positions were vital to helping the detention
center progress and become the facility that BOP approves of.
"We have an excellent relationship with them and want to only improve
upon things, make it safer and more cost-effective," he said.
Both these positions would be "money in the bank, they will be
worthwhile," said Franco.
Amendments to the Fiscal Year budget included adding the cost of both
positions to the RCDC budget, which would be no problem since the
facility is doing "very well," Galindo said.
Additional money was added for new uniforms for the guards and special
training.
"We have an excellent staff, interested in learning more and I want to
provide additional training, so if any other occurrences ever happen we
will be ready for them," said Franco.
Hostage training is also on the agenda for the near future, according to
Franco, including a mock demonstration with a specialist from El Paso
providing the training.
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, December 23, 1996 - Town of Pecos City Council this morning
adopted on first reading an ordinance setting fees for solid waste
deposited at Wes Tex Waste's transfer station and rules for debris left
in alley for free pickup and disposal.
They also approved contracts with Reeves County for fire protection and
with Reeves County Hospital for ambulance service.
Reeves County has agreed to pay half the Pecos Volunteer Fire
Department's total cost of $182,710.
Ambulance service fees for the hospital district are $59,279.
If approved on second reading, the trash disposition ordinance will be
changed to include the following:
- Refuse that cannot be put in garbage containers - wood, metal, old
furniture, scrap lumber and other debris - should be placed in the alley
during the week designated for cleanup for that area of town.
- Items should weigh no more than 60 pounds and measure no more than
3'x4' for each pickup. Tree limbs should be no longer than 4 feet and
bundled.
- It will be unlawful for any person to meddle or tamper with any
garbage can or receptacle or any debris left in the alley.
- Thorny limbs should be placed in the dumpster to protect employees
from injury.
- Accumulations of brick, broken concrete, lumber, ashes, dirt and
plaster, sand or gravel, automobile frames and parts, dead trees and
other bulky heavy material shall be disposed of at the expense of the
owner.
Wes Tex Waste will charge $35 per ton for debris left at the transfer
station, with a $10 minimum.
Jackie Reid, Wes Tex Waste manager, said the transfer station may be in
operation about mid-February. In the meantime, the city landfill remains
open for trash left in the alleys.
The council will discuss in January whether to continue operating a Type
IV landfill for such trash and for disposal of roofing materials that
Wes Tex Waste does not pick up.
Currently, city residents do not pay a fee to dump trash in the
landfill. Local contractors pay $24 per ton for construction debris such
as shingles. Those charges will be considered in the landfill discussion.
Councilman Randy Graham said he would like to continue to subsidize city
residents and local contractors.
Reid said a special alley pickup is planned for Christmas trees.
Residents should put the trees beside the dumpster, and the alley
cleanup crew will pick them up as soon as possible. Pickup will take
about two weeks, he said.
City Attorney Scott Johnson gave the council a copy of an advertisement
to be published in the local paper and statewide municipal publications
for a city manager. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 1997.
He also proposed an advertisement for the sale of landfill and garbage
collection equipment, listing minimum bids on each item. Should a bidder
other than Wes Tex Waste make the purchase, delivery will be made in 90
days.
Reid said Wes Tex Waste needs the trucks and dumpsters. If someone else
purchases them, he will need 90 days to replace the trucks and longer to
replace the dumpsters.
In reviewing monthly reports, Danny Rodriguez noted that Chief Juvenile
Probation Officer Alberto Alvarez has started a boot camp at the
juvenile detention center.
"It is very effective," he said.
Juveniles are required to keep their rooms clean and participate in
physical training. Twelve juveniles were detained in Reeves County and
three from outside the county.
"It is military style," he said.
Pecos Ambulance Service reported 91 calls made during November, with
$7,288 invoiced.
Bills payable in the amount of $207,528 were approved for payment.
Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports
filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office,
Texas Department of Public Safety, or other agencies; and from
interviews with officers of those agencies.
Adan Machuca was taken into custody at the Pecos Police Department the
morning of Dec. 11 after being served with a warrant charging him with
having outstanding traffic tickets and fines. His age and address were
not given.
Dec. 11, police arrested Robert Lujan for evading detention and
resisting arrest at the corner of Ninth and Elm Streets. His age and
address were not indicated.
Osvaldo Garcia, 33, 511 S. Mesquite St., was arrested by police for
public intoxication the night of Dec. 11.
Police arrested Rudy Paul Freeman at the Zoo Club in the 2900 block of
Toliver Street on an outstanding warrant for assault causing bodily
injury the night of Dec. 12. His age and address were not indicated.
Danny Salcido, 27, 504 Almond St., was arrested for having no driver's
license and making alcohol available to a minor on Dec. 13.
After looking into an abandoned home the night of Dec. 13 in the 100
block of South Sycamore Street, police arrested Marshal Lynn Alexander
for warrants out of Paducah County, possession of marijuana out of
Winkler County and parole violation. His age and place of residence were
not listed.
On Dec. 14, Basilio Salazar Ramirez, 23, of Midland, was arrested in the
700 block of Eddy Street on a Midland Police Department warrant for
aggravated assault to a child.
Police arrested Antonio L. Rodriguez for disorderly conduct and public
intoxication the night of Dec. 15 at the corner of Fifth and Peach
streets. His age and address were not given.
Trevor Teague was arrested for outstanding traffic tickets at the Pecos
Municipal Court the morning of Dec. 17. His age and address were not
available.
Lupe Rodriguez was served a warrant and arrested for outstanding tickets
the morning of Dec. 17 at the Pecos Municipal Court. Her age and address
were not given.
Carmen Iniguez Bernal was arrested at the Pecos Municipal Court for
outstanding traffic citation the afternoon of Dec. 17. Her age and
address were not indicated.
Police arrested Gloria Menchaca in the corner of Pinehurst Street and
West County Road on a warrant for disorderly conduct Tuesday night. Her
age and address were not indicated.
Police arrested Gloria Salcido Menchaca, 19, in the corner of Pinehurst
Street and West County Road on a warrant for disorderly conduct and
failing to provide proof of financial responsibility the Tuesday morning.
After investigating a two-vehicle collision Thursday morning at the
intersection of Cedar and Eleventh streets, police cited Vivan Amy
Fuentes, 73, for having no driver's license after the 1991 Chevrolet
Lumina she was driving struck a 1993 Nissan pickup, driven by Juanita
Pena Muniz, 66.
Michael Ortiz, 21, 1114-A Orange, was arrested by police after being
served a warrant for burglary of a motor vehicle the Thursday afternoon
in the 1100 block of East Eleventh.
Police arrested Paz Garcia for burglary of a habitation after checking
out a report of a burglary in progress in the 200 block of North Walnut.
He was apprehended about 4 p.m., Dec. 19.
Gilbert R. Ortega and Jesus R. Ortega were arrested for theft at the
Flying J Truck Stop Thursday afternoon. Their ages and addresses were
not given.
Police arrested Maria Yadira Holguin, 21, 703 Rancho Road, for assault
at the Saragosa Hall in the corner of Sixth and Peach Streets Saturday
night.
Ageda Garcia, 23, 508 S. Pecan St., was arrested by police for
outstanding DPS warrants at the La Tienda parking lot Sunday night.
Police arrested Joshua Wayne Daniels for outstanding fines and tickets
Sunday night at the Town and Country, 800 W. Palmer St. His age and
address were not given.
Sunday night, Larry Windham, owner of Gibson's True Value Center,
reported an act of criminal mischief to police. He indicated that
someone had broken on of the front windows to his place of business at
810 Walthall prior to his report.
Police arrested Jaime Soto, 17, 201 W. "D", in the 800 block of Adams
Street for evading detention, no driver's license and no seatbelt. He
was apprehended at 1:07 a.m. this morning.
Filiberto Morales was arrested for DWI by refusal, leaving the scene of
an accident, no driver's license and failing to display proof of
financial responsibility early this morning after striking a car in the
corner of Lincoln and Cedar Streets. He was apprehended in the 1100
block of Orange Street.
Pecos resident of 77 years, Kathryn Ethalia Bradford, 86, died Saturday
at Odessa Medical Center.
Services will be 11 a.m., Dec. 24 at the First Christian Church of
Pecos, with Dr. Bill Parkey oficiating, followed by a burial at the Mt.
Evergreen Cemetery.
Bradford was born in Mason County, May 17, 1910, was a homemaker and
member of the First Christian Church.
She is survived by husband, Bond Bradford, of Pecos; three daughters,
Joanne Doak of Albuquerque, N.M., Kathren C. Bradford, of Bedford and
Linda J. Bowden, of Graham; seven grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren.
High Sunday 77, low last night 48. Tonight, mostly clear. Low 30 35.
Northwest wind 5-15 mph. Tuesday, mostly sunny. High around 60. West to
northwest wind 5-15 mph. Christmas forecast, dry. Low 30 35. High around
65.
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Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
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324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
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