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Weekly Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Pecos Army Airfield veterans holding reunion
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
Luncheons, tours and a flag-raising ceremony are just some of the events planned for those who will be attending the Pecos Army Airfield Reunion this weekend.
Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford signed a proclamation this week in honor of the group, which has been returning to the airfield bi-annually for the past decade.
The proclamation read in part: “The need for the citizens of Pecos to observe a day to honor the Pecos Army Air Field Veterans, and give consideration to their many efforts in protecting our country. Great tribute should be given in recognizing their efforts and remembering their many hardships and contributions and that the West of the Pecos Museum and the Town of Pecos City appreciates all the Pecos Army Air Field veterans.”
The group started arriving in Pecos Wednesday evening, and on Thursday they will register at the Quality Inn and have a luncheon at the West of the Pecos Museum at noon. They are scheduled to do some visiting at 2 p.m., and a cocktail party is planned for that evening at 6:30 p.m., the Quality Inn.
On Friday, the group will participate in a flag raising ceremony at 9:30 a.m., at the Pecos Municipal Airport and dinner will be at 6 p.m., at the West of the Pecos Museum.
The men will take a tour of the Rattlesnake Bomber Base Museum in Pyote at 9:30 a.m., Saturday morning, while the ladies in the group go shopping at 10 a.m., Saturday morning.
A business meeting will be held at 2 p.m., and a banquet is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday at the Pecos Valley Country Club.
The Pecos Army Air Field activated on July 11, 1942, while still under construction, first served in the Army Air Forces West Coast Training Center (later the Western Flying Training Command) as a basic pilot school. The field was redesigned an advanced pilot school (twin-engine) on Dec. 29, 1943, and had four auxiliary fields.
PAAF was placed on “temporary standby” status on May 1, 1945 and was never again an active military installation. Originally the Pecos Municipal Airport, the field initially included 400 acres located three miles south and slightly west of Pecos. Proceeds of a $10,000 bond issue authorized in a special election on Sept. 14, 1940, were used for land purchase. The site was cleared, fenced and graded under a WPA contract. As the war in Europe intensified in 1941, the desire of Pecos residents for a military base increased. Efforts were unsuccessful, however, until the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 of that year galvanized the army air forces into launching a training program, first for 50,000 and then for 70,000 pilots.
At that time, Pecos was chosen as one of five new training fields. Because more land was required for the long runways necessary for novice pilots, the town council promptly called another bond election to authorize an additional 50,000. The field’s size was increased to 1,834 acres, accommodating one runway 7,200 feet long and two others of 6,200 feet each.
Following the formal announcement of a military base on March 25, 1942, construction contracts were let in May. Both the construction and the early flying phases of the base were handicapped by wind-whipped dust until late 1943, when extensive palliation efforts relieved the situation.
Although the city tried to develop a continuing federal use for the field, it was closed on May 12, 1945, and was deactivated on Aug. 30. A year later it was returned to municipal control.
Over the years part of the field was sold off, and Interstate Highway 20 cut through it. Sold portions were used for the site of a hospital, zoo and trailer park. The Pecos Municipal Airport is on the remaining airfield property, but most of the original facilities were torn down. The last hangar came down about 1986, and the last barracks were torn down about 1989. In the 1990s the airport still used four runways that had been maintained since the 1940s. An original ramp and rotating beacon were still in use. The West of the Pecos Museum in Pecos maintained a permanent exhibit at Pecos Army Air Field.
Bradley deployed to Iraq
Sr. Airman Michael Bradley of the 435th Communication Squadron left Sunday, Aug. 29, for Iraq.
Airman Bradley is currently stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.
After combat training last week in Georgia he was deployed to Iraq with a United States Army unit.
A 1996 graduate of Pecos High School, he is the son of Al and Belinda Bradley of Monahans and Greg and JoBeth Thomsen of Tucoma, Washington.
Chamber discusses plans for Fall Fair’s events
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
The upcoming Reeves County Fall Fair, World Championship Barbecue Beef Cook-off and the Pretty Baby Contest were discussed during the regular Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting held Tuesday at the Pecos Senior Center.
This year’s fair will set-up on Thursday, Sept. 30 and run through the weekend with the cook-off scheduled for Oct. 1-2 at the Reeves County Sheriff’s Posse Arena.
“We’ll be sponsoring our annual Pretty Baby Contest again this year during the annual fall fair,” said women’s division president Michelle Workman.
Workman said that the group is also finalizing financial statements stemming from the Golden Girl/Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant. “Hopefully, I’ll have some figures for you next month,” he said.
“We’ll also be sponsoring the Mother Goose Parade,” said Workman.
Fall Fair booklets are out, listing the times of the events and the times for entries.
“We have a lot of activities planned, including a St. Jude’s Bike-A-Thon, sponsored by the Pecos Police Department,” said chamber director Linda Gholson.
Cody West is co-sponsoring the barbecue cook-off. “Last year, I was chair and this year I’m just the co-chair,” said West.
West said that they had fewer entries in 2003 than two years ago, when it was up to 60 entries.
“We’ll have the same prizes and the cook-off will be for barbecue beef and pork spare ribs,” said West.
If anybody would like to sign up for the cook-off they can do so at the KIUN Radio Station. “We have all the applications there and it will be the only place they can sign up for the cook-off,” said West.
West said that one of the ideas that had come up was having electricity for the campsites, and charging more for those spaces. “But we’re not going to have electricity after all,” he said.
Workman said that the Women’s Division will be meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 21. “If anyone would like to join us, they can call the chamber to find out where we’re meeting,” she said.
Workman said that they have been meeting at the homes of the different members. “This is a little bit more informal and easygoing,” she said.
In other business, Jason Garduno announced that he was the new president of the West of the Pecos Rodeo Committee, replacing Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney.
“Clay McKinney stepped down , due to his many other obligations,” said Garduno, who added told the group that he has some new ideas for the rodeo for next year and will work hard for the committee.
“I’ve got some ideas for 2005 and we’re also looking at having a carnival,” he said.
“We just had a $4,500 profit from this past year and we need to work really hard on next years” said Garduno. “New members are always welcome.”
Board member John Grant asked Garduno what had been done about the missing money. A box containing entry fees from the July 2 show was stolen from the press box, just prior to the end of that night’s show.
“It (the problem) went back to the stock contractors, because they had not turned that money in to the rodeo committee,” said Garduno.
The amount of money that was lost was estimated to be between $10-$12,000, according to Garduno.
“It was their fault, so they are taking responsibility for it,” he said.
“Did the PB help us?” asked Grant, referring to the Professional Bull Riders Association event that took place on June 29.
“Yes, it did and they actually wanted to do it for two nights next year, but I don’t think that will be possible,” said Garduno.
Chamber president Al Gomez encouraged the group to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest restaurant in Pecos. “Popo Frank’s will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 24,” said Gomez. “I would as many of us as can to attend this and welcome them this new business,” he said.
A citywide cleanup will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24. “Volunteers are always needed,” said Gomez.
Commissioners renew lobbyist pact for DeLay
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
A strategies consultant who is the brother of the No. 2 man in the U.S. House of Representatives has been retained for a second year to help Reeves County in Washington, D.C., despite questions about the cost of the agreement.
Reeves County Commissioners approved Commissioners approved hiring Randy DeLay of Public-Private Strategies, Inc., on a new 12-month contract, at a total cost of $120,000, during the regular Reeves County Commissioners Court meeting held Monday.
County Auditor Lynn Owens raised some concern over retaining DeLay, the brother of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, when the county is going through financial difficulties.
Galindo said that the county had hired Randy DeLay last year with regard to the county’s business with the federal government and U.s. congressmen. The hiring was made when the county was seeking prisoners to fill the 960-bed Reeves County Detention Center III unit. The county built the $40 million prison but was unable to get the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to commit to putting inmates in the facility.
“I’m asking for the renewal of his contract, from July of this year until June 30, 2005,” said Galindo.
“I fully realize that business is conducted with the federal government, but we have to use our own local tax money to fund this,” said county auditor Lynn Owens.
Owens said that the county has paid out $165,000. “This was to include his expenses,” said Owens. “I think his expenses are excessive.”
Owens said that he just questions if the county can afford this.
“We already have a three-year contract with the federal government, do we really need his services?” said Owens. “Are we going to pay $165,000 for no purpose?”
When DeLay was first hired, Galindo said, “I understand we were not able to negotiate a contract with him on a two or three month basis. We could only negotiate for a full year to get his services. Randy DeLay can represent our political interests better than anybody else up there.”
Galindo said on Monday the county still needs political influence in Washington to help get funds appropriated for the RCDC.
“I think it’s a good proposition, for a significant number of people employed at the RCDC,” said Galindo. “In light of our situation, I think it’s vital we can have a direct line into that process.”
He said that DeLay has done an excellent job of keeping the county in tune with what is going on.
“We had a difficult year and I think this is something we need to do,” said Galindo.
“It’s just that we’re strapped for cash and are taking out some of the employees here at the courthouse and to pay this gentleman this amount of money, I just don’t think we should,” said Owens.
Owens said that the county still owes him $27,000 and are paying him expenses and cost for next three months. “It will raise it to $40-$50,000,” said Owens.
“I know we will have to scrape and claw, but in light of the jobs we need to preserve. The RCDC employs about 500 employees,” Galindo said.
He explained that the RCDC has become the largest employer in Reeves County with the closing of several private businesses over the past 10 years.
“Since one of our largest employers, which was Pennzoil, was wiped out because of federal action, having to do with NAFTA, RCDC has become the biggest employer,” said Galindo. “Pennzoil employed about 400 people, from Pecos and Carlsbad,” he said.
Galindo said that federal action can devastate a community. “And currently we’re going through some tough financial times, because of federal action and we need someone to represent our interests,” he said.
“Respectfully, it’s something that we need to keep a good team together to represent us,” said Galindo. “We need this team in Washington and the county to keep those jobs in the community.”
Owens said that he understood, “But I think it’s my duty to caution the court,” he said.
In other action on Monday, commissioners listened to an audit report from David Duree, with Elms, Ferris and Company.
“As we do on an annual basis we requested an independent auditor to come in and look at our books,” said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
Galindo told the group that the firm that previously worked on the books could no longer do it and the county had hired the Odessa firm that works with several different counties and entities.
Duree provided the 2003 independent audit report to commissioners, and said that the group had not found material errors or financial irregularities in the county’s statements.
He said that the county uses the cash basis in accounting. “We’ll have to discuss that with the county auditor, about possibly changing to the accrual basis next time,” he said.
Duree said that the firm also handles Gasb-34, (Government Accounting Standards Board).
Owens said that it was a more comprehensive method of accounting and that all small counties would be required to use the new method. “We don’t actually have to use it, but then grants and other things like that won’t be taken into consideration,” he said.
During the next few months, staff from Elms, Ferris and company would be in Pecos to help with the conversion to generally accepted accounting principles.
The group approved Road and Bridges Auto Registration Fees of $45 for the fiscal year 2005.
“They had sent me the information and I just filled it out and send it back,” said Owens.
Sheriff’s and constable fees will remain the same, according to Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez.
The group also approved a new provider for electric power during their regular meeting. The new provider had “the better price.”
Commissioners approved Tractebel Electric as the new provider. The move went against the action of other local taxing entitles, which have opted to retain Texas-New Mexico Power Company’s First Choice Division as their providers.
The others said switching to another utility could result in the loss of local jobs.
“They were much cheaper and had a better price, I guess that’s why the group voted to go with them,” said Owens, explaining why the county opted for the Tractebel deal.
An indigent defense grant resolution was also approved for 2005.
“We have received some help for attorneys who defend indigent clients and this is for a grant for $11,000,” said Owens.
In other business, the group approved new hires at the Reeves County Detention Center I and promotions and promotions for employees at RCDC-II and III.
Editors named for school supplements
Senior Joseph Valencia has been named editor of The Eagle, Pecos High School’s yearbook, and junior Marcelo Salgado will serve as editor of the school’s newspaper, The Eagle Echo, according to Bill Roberts, sponsor of the two publications.
Joining Valencia on the yearbook staff are Samantha Lopez, student life section editor; Krystal Matta, senior section editor; Chris Hernandez, junior section editor; Sarah Wentworth, sophomore section editor; Susan Moore, freshmen section editor and advertising manager; Sandra Alba, academics section editor; Sarah Clark, clubs and organizations section editor; Roger Quintana, sports section, faculty section and underclassman index editor along with Rebekah Gomez, senior index editor.
Serving with Salgado on the newspaper staff are Michael Nichols, sports editor; Jesus Gomez, photo editor; and Jessica Abila, features editor. Staff writers include Juan Chavez, Taryn Rodriguez and Olivia Marruffo.
Roberts, in his first year as sponsor of PHS’ two newspapers, has been serving as student publications sponsor at Lake Dallas High School for the past three years. He has taught journalism for 17 years and has also worked for several weekly and daily newspapers, including The Odessa American.
New gym for Austin students due to be finished
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
Younger students will have a place of their own indoors to play by next week, with the completion of the Austin Elementary School Gym.
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board members listened to an updated report on the construction of the new school gym for all first through third graders during their regular monthly meeting last Thursday, along with a report on the Eagle Stadium synthetic turf installation and track renovations, which were also part of the $950,000 project approved earlier this year..
Engineer Jeff Bresee and architect Monte Hunter, with Hunter and Corral out of Midland were both on hand to discuss the two projects with the board and give them an update on the construction including the field, which needed to be completed the following day for Pecos’ homecoming football game.
“We’re planning to work throughout the night and all Friday to have the turf completed,” said Jeff Bresee. Workers were able to get enough rubber onto the field and get the goalpost in place about three hours before game time, though more work being done this week, incldungi the insertion of more rubber and sand for padding.
Bresee said that this was something that happened often when installing turf. “We had some of the same problems when we were doing the one in Andrews, it wasn’t until the last minute that the job was completed,” he said.
Bresee said that at most of the other schools where the turf was installed, the same problem arose. “I guess it’s like homework, you don’t do it until you really have to,” he said.
Hunter told the group that the first through third grade students would be able to enjoy the new gym by the end of next week.
“They tested the mechanical system and set up the basketball goals,” said Hunter.
Hunter said that by the end of next week the students will be able to use the new gym, with exterior shell, painting, mechanical, electrical and finishes almost completed.
“Right now they’re laying out the floor tile and will begin installing gym sports floor tile last this week or early next week. Concrete walls are due to be installed this week,” he said.
Hunter said that they are installing new aluminum doors at the existing building.
He told the group that the Jeff Lindsay Company is doing the cleanup at Eagle Stadium, and that the extra turf material would be open to the public.
“They usually throw it away,” said Hunter, while PBT-ISD Maintenance director Joe Coody added, “I think the coaches wanted to keep some of that material.”
“There’s usually a large amount of it left, if anybody wants it,” said Hunter.
PBT-ISD Superintendent Ray Matthews said that both Hunter and Bresee had done an excellent job and had worked diligently on both projects. “We have had our share of issues with this projects, but I really want to thank and commend both Jeff and Monte, they really stayed on top of things,” said Matthews.
“It took a lot of people, but we appreciate it,” said Hunter.
In other action, board members listened to an updated of Summary of Finance.
Finance director Cookie Canon explained to the board how much the state had paid the district, what the overpayment was and how much the district would need to put back.
“We had $1.2 million of overpayment and we will be putting that back,” said Canon. “We’re still in pretty good shape,” she said.
During the discussion of the enrollment report, Matthews told the group that they were down by 100 students of what they had last year.
“That’s pretty much been the trend for the past few years,” said Matthews.
“We had adjusted for that and predicted how many students we would have,” he said.
Matthews talked to the group about drug testing in the schools.
“A parent actually brought this up to our new high school principal, Steve Lucas,” said Matthews.
He said that he then discussed it with Lucas and other administrators, while Lucas said that he spoke to a representative from Longhorn Safety Drug Testing and received some information from him.
“The school will not punish a student if he comes up positive,” said Lucas.
He said that the individual he talked to said that the drugs stay in their system too long to confirm that the drugs were used on campus. For example cocaine stays in the system about three days and marijuana for a few weeks. “So we won’t know for sure if they were doing drugs during the school hours,” said Lucas. “The school would not be able to punish the student, the parents would be the ones to receive the results of the drug test.”
The school wouldn’t know if they were under the influence at school, since the drugs stay in their system that long, according to Lucas. “Now, with alcohol, since it leaves the system faster, we would be able to tell if they had been doing it at school,” said Lucas. “Then the school would be able to punish the student,” he said.
The cost would run between $10-$12 per person and the tests would be done randomly. “They would do it by the student ID number, so we wouldn’t even know the name of the student,” he said.
“It would be up to the board to decide how many students,” said Lucas. “If the student tested positive the parent would be notified, but the school could not punish them, but if it was alcohol, the school could punish them,” he said.
Lucas said that this would be done more of a deterrent for students who are being pressured into doing drugs.
“Some of the negative is that they would think the school has a drug problem,” said Lucas.
“This would be just an extra deterrent to help kids stay off drugs, because if they did test positive they wouldn’t be able to participate in extracurricular activities.”
“This is also not going to get kids that are not in extracurricular activities,” said Matthews.
Lucas said that it would also be getting the students that are older and drive.
Matthews said that he felt that if the students were going to get drug tested, it was only fair the employees would have to also. “We already drug test the bus drivers,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that another draw back was that the students would eventually learn how to beat the system. “People are always finding ways to beat the system and they would,” he said.
“But if you only target the students who are in extracurricular activities, I would think that those would be the students least likely to be doing drugs,” said board member Amy Miller. “The way it was brought up, it just didn’t sit well with me, it sounds like one person sensationalizing something,” she said.
Matthews said that one parent had called Lucas about this, because she had heard that Andrews was drug testing. “The next thing I know, I’m on the news and they asked me that,” said Matthews. “I told them I didn’t think we had a big problem,” he said.
“I think we need to look at this a little closer,” said board member Steve Valenzuela.
“We also need to get more advice from our attorneys,” said Matthews.
Board members took no action on this item, since it was informational only.
The board also discussed a truancy officer for the school district.
“That officer will work four hours a day, five days a week and it will probably be more than one officer, someone who has that time off from their regular job,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that they had asked that they come up with a job description and he and Lucas and some other administrators worked on the contract.
“We came up with a job description for them and will start interviewing,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that the officer would be primarily for the high school and the administration would have to figure out the hours.
“We have parental aides that go out and check on students that are not in school and have already had some go out to check on students,” said Matthews. “This officer will help with that also.”
School board discusses student, staff drug testing
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board members discussed, but took no action, on drug testing of both students and staff at district schools, during their regular monthly meeting last Thursday.
Superintendent Ray Matthews talked to the group about drug testing in the schools.
“A parent actually brought this up to our new high school principal, Steve Lucas,” said Matthews.
He said that he then discussed it with Lucas and other administrators, while Lucas said that he spoke to a representative from Longhorn Safety Drug Testing and received some information from him.
“The school will not punish a student if he comes up positive,” said Lucas.
He said that the individual he talked to said that the drugs stay in their system too long to confirm that the drugs were used on campus. For example cocaine stays in the system about three days and marijuana for a few weeks. “So we won’t know for sure if they were doing drugs during the school hours,” said Lucas. “The school would not be able to punish the student, the parents would be the ones to receive the results of the drug test.”
The school wouldn’t know if they were under the influence at school, since the drugs stay in their system that long, according to Lucas.
“Now, with alcohol, since it leaves the system faster, we would be able to tell if they had been doing it at school. Then the school would be able to punish the student,” he said.
The cost would run between $10-$12 per person and the tests would be done randomly. “They would do it by the student ID number, so we wouldn’t even know the name of the student,” he said.
“It would be up to the board to decide how many students,” said Lucas. “If the student tested positive the parent would be notified, but the school could not punish them, but if it was alcohol, the school could punish them.”
Lucas said that this would be done more of a deterrent for students who are being pressured into doing drugs.
“Some of the negative is that they would think the school has a drug problem,” said Lucas.
“This would be just an extra deterrent to help kids stay off drugs, because if they did test positive they wouldn’t be able to participate in extracurricular activities.”
“This is also not going to get kids that are not in extracurricular activities,” said Matthews.
Lucas said that it would also be getting the students that are older and drive.
Matthews said that he felt that if the students were going to get drug tested, it was only fair the employees would have to also. “We already drug test the bus drivers,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that another draw back was that the students would eventually learn how to beat the system. “People are always finding ways to beat the system and they would,” he said.
“But if you only target the students who are in extracurricular activities, I would think that those would be the students least likely to be doing drugs,” said board member Amy Miller. “The way it was brought up, it just didn’t sit well with me, it sounds like one person sensationalizing something.”
Matthews said that one parent had called Lucas about this, because she had heard that Andrews was drug testing. “The next thing I know, I’m on the news and they asked me that,” said Matthews. “I told them I didn’t think we had a big problem,” he said.
“I think we need to look at this a little closer,” said board member Steve Valenzuela.
“We also need to get more advice from our attorneys,” said Matthews.
Board members took no action on this item, since it was informational only.
The board also discussed a truancy officer for the school district.
“That officer will work four hours a day, five days a week and it will probably be more than one officer, someone who has that time off from their regular job,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that they had asked that they come up with a job description and he and Lucas and some other administrators worked on the contract.
“We came up with a job description for them and will start interviewing,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that the officer would be primarily for the high school and the administration would have to figure out the hours.
“We have parental aides that go out and check on students that are not in school and have already had some go out to check on students,” said Matthews. “This officer will help with that also.”
Also last Thursday, board members approved a contract with AbTexas, the area’s Pepsi distributor, for a one-year contract.
Pepsi is the current provider and board members said that they had not received any complaints about their product or services.
Tax rolls and corrections were approved as presented by the tax-assessor collector Lydia Prieto.
Foreclosed property at 407 E. Second St. was approved in the amount of $600 by Mary Alice Benavides; property at 1603 Cowan St. was approved for sale, the bid amount was $3,000, by Lila Blount; property at 221 N. Walnut St., a bid by Raul Hidalgo in the amount of $500 was approved and property at 1016 E. Second St., a bid by Carlotta Salas, in the amount of $1,500 was accepted.
Local pharmacist John T. Rediger, with Rediger Pharmacy, made a presentation to the board during the audience portion of the meeting.
Rediger talked to the group about mail-order pharmaceuticals and provided information concerning the mail-order practices and comparison charts.
Rediger said that he had received an article which stated, that TrueCare, the state’s largest group of independent pharmacies, called for a moratorium on the hiring of new pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by Texas state agencies.
TrueCare, with member pharmacies in over 200 Texas cities, said growing concerns over the lack of rules and regulations governing the PBM industry caused them to ask for the moratorium. PBMs handle prescription drug programs for governmental entities as well as private employers and health insurers.
The article further stated: “Currently, three of the country’s largest PBMs are facing investigations by state or federal officials over business practices including violations of various consumer protection laws or engaging in deceptive schemes. In addition, a fourth major PBM recently settled a lawsuit by 20 states for $29.3 million over the alleged practice of “drug switching.” Collectively, those four companies control 80 percent of the country’s PBM market.
Rediger said that encouraging employees to fill their prescriptions through mail-order pharmacies does not necessarily result in a reduction in overall costs for health plans.
He provided articles that outlined research done and comparisons mail-order pharmaceuticals.
Pecos cable viewers to begin getting ABC signal
Pecos cable television subscribers will have a clear view on their ABC channel by the time the Dallas Cowboys play their first “Monday Night Football” game of the season later this month, as Cebridge Connections plans to add WKRN out of Nashville, Tenn., to the local cable lineup next week.
The addition of the ABC satellite signal to the lineup is designed to fix the ongoing problems with KMID, the Midland-Odessa ABC station. Since the discontinuation of microwave transmission service three years ago, KMID’s signal has been poor on the Pecos system and unwatchable most times during the afternoon and early evening.
“We gave them a 30-day notice on August 11. If they came back in 30 days with a viable solution, even if it wasn’t something that could be done right away, we’ll keep you in your current spot on the system,” said Cebridge official Pete Abel. “But they have not gotten back to us with any viable solution.
“We now propose that on or about Sept. 20 we will place WKRN out of Nashville in KMID’s slot,” Abel said. He added that the company plans to conduct tests this week on the signal before make the change, and that KMID won’t be taken off the system.
“What we’re going to do is not remove KMID all together, but move them up to Channel 95, because there is still programming on that channel that WKRN doesn’t carry and that people want to watch,” Abel said.
Aside from football fans, Town of Pecos City Council members have heard from soap opera fans complaining about being unable to watch shows like “All My Children” due to the poor signal from KMID. The Nashville station will air the soap operas and most other network shows at the same times they currently air on KMID, though for football fans, some regional events, like Big 12 football, may be replaced on Saturdays by Southeastern Conference games.
Abel said that the company could put KMID back on one of the lower channels, where the CBS, NBC, Fox and WB Network affiliates out of Midland-Odessa are located. “If they are able to fix their picture quality in the future, we can revisit the situation,” he said.
The problems with KMID were discussed by city council members with Gary Pomonis of Cebridge in early August. At the time, the signal for KPEJ, the area’s Fox Network affiliate, also was unwatchable, and Pomonis said he would also contact station officials there about the signal problems.
Since then, the KPEJ signal has been stable coming off their translator station on Gomez Peak, but Abel said Cebridge remains in talks with the company to make sure the current situation continues.
“The officials there have been far more cooperative about their situation than KMID,” Abel said. “But we’d also like to get to a permanent solution and a lasting solution, so that it’s not ‘Fox is good sometimes and not-so-good other times’. But we don’t have a similar solution with them, because there’s no alternative station that will carry the Cowboy games.”
KPEJ began broadcasting off their Gomez Peak antenna in 1994, the same year Fox acquired rights to National Football Conference games, including most of the Dallas Cowboys games each season. Abel said previously the only alternative station was out of Denver, Colo., which he said would probably not carry the full schedule of Cowboys games that would air on KPEJ.
Red Bluff awaits ruling on board seats
Red Bluff Water Power Control Board members had former - and possibly future - board members in attendance for their monthly meeting on Tuesday in Pecos, as they await a ruling from 143rd District Court Judge Bob Parks on seating of Tom Nance and Ava Gerke on the seven-member local board.
Both were in attendance as non-voting observers for Tuesday’s brief meeting, as were former Red Bluff General Manager Jim Ed Miller and Theresa Walker, who has represented Ward County Water Improvement District No. 3, but would be replaced on the board by Gerke, depending on Parks’ decision, which could come as early as Monday.
Managing Director Randal Hartman said “We may hear from Judge Parks on the 20th,” on the legality of the action taken by the district, which centers on the change of status of Ward County districts 1 and 3 from water improvement to water irrigation districts.
Both sides argued their cases last month in Monahans during a hearing by Parks on the suit brought by the Red Bluff board, which questions the legality of the elections in WCWID 1 and 3. The change to a more limited form of water district also meant a change in the eligibility of voters in the district’s election to select a member to the Red Bluff board.
In the lawsuit Red Bluff said that because the new district limits voting to landowners who live within the water district, the status went against the charter for voting eligibility under which the water districts were originally created. Water improvement districts allow all landowners within the district to vote in the election, regardless of residency.
Officials with the two Ward County water districts, along with Reeves County Water Improvement District 2, which supports their petition, argued that the changes from water improvement to water irrigation districts, allowed under Chapter 58 of the Texas Water Code, did not prevent the districts from altering their legal status while remaining voting members of the Red Bluff board.
The attorneys for the districts argued that neither the original 1934 Master Contract nor the Chapter 58 addition in 1977 prevented the districts from making the changes while retaining their seats on the board.
Tuesday’s meeting lasted only 15 minutes, during which board members approved accounts payable, cash disbursement and account balances, and talked briefly about the Malaga Bend salt alleviation project and water levels at Red Bluff Lake.
“Malaga’s going along,” Hartman said, though he added New Mexico officials are causing some delays for Sun West Salt Co., newest salt water collection pond.
“They’ve got their largest pond they want to build, but they’ve got to get it cleared by the State of New Mexico’s Department of Water and Air Quality,” Hartman said. The pond would cover 25 acres and would go along with the two ponds of three acres and a 10-acre pond already in operation.
“They always come up with something,” Hartman said of the New Mexico regulators, though he added that getting approval for the new collection pond, “shouldn’t be that difficult.”
The monthly water report showed Red Bluff’s level at 66,294 acre/feet at the start of September, which is down 1,851 acre/feet from a month ago. “Imperial’s caught quite a bit of lake water from the reservoir,” Hartman said. Only 2,200 acre/feet of the 2005 allotment has been used by the seven sub-districts
Tax rebates in county decline for September
After seeing their August sales tax rebate checks jump sharply from a year ago, both Pecos and Balmorhea received smaller checks for September from the state comptroller’s office than they did at the same time a year ago. But Balmorhea’s tax collections for 2004 are still up sharply and Pecos’ are still up slightly from the first nine months of 2003.
Meanwhile, Toyah saw its rebate check drop sharply this month, which put its year-to-date total in the negative column, according to the numbers released last week by Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s office.
Pecos’ check for the month from its 1 1/2-cent sales tax was $67,457, which was down 4.36 percent from last year’s 47,533. But for all of 2004, the city’s $601,7991 in rebates remains up by 4.6 percent from a year ago.
Balmorhea’s rebate check for the month was down 12.69 percent, from $1,061 to $926, but for the first nine months of the year, the city has gotten back $14,917, which is up over 84 percent from 2003. Toyah’s check for the month plunged nearly 50 percent, from $731 to $369, and for the full year, its rebates are down 4.69 percent, to $3,903.
Out of Pecos’ total for the month, one sixth, totaling $11,246, goes to the Pecos Economic Development Corp.
Meanwhile, the Reeves County Hospital District also saw its September rebate check dip lower from a year ago. The hospital’s 1/2-cent sales tax brought in $27,169, based on sales made during July, which was down 8.22 percent from last year’s $29,606. But overall, the hospital is still up by almost 15 percent from last year, having gotten $275,376 in rebates through the first three quarters of 2004.
Reeves County wasn’t alone in showing declines in rebate checks from 2003. Other Permian Basin cities also saw their checks fall slightly this month, though a couple of cities did report double-digit increases. Big Spring’s rebate check for $305,820 on its two-cent sales tax was 15.28 percent higher, Midland 1 1/2-cent tax brought in $1.65 million, a 13.91 percent increase; Marfa’s check for $14,735 on its 1 3/4-cent sales tax was up by 11.36 percent; and Monahans’ two-cent sales tax gave that city an $82,000 rebate check this month, up 30.47 percent from last year.
Among those with lower rebate checks were Andrews, which received a $63,130 check on its one-cent sales tax, down 4.08 percent; Van Horn’s $28,172 check was down 1.29 percent; Fort Stockton’s two-cent tax rate netted $111,741, a 6.24 percent drop; Wink’s one-cent tax earned it $3,600, an 11.87 percent decline, and Presidio saw their check drop by $2.01 from a year ago, or 0.01 percent, to $19,612.
Odessa’s rebate check on its 1 1/4-cent sales tax was $1.12 million, a 3.88 percent increase, and Midland’s Up by 1 1/2 percent for the month was Alpine, with a $64,013 check for its 1 1/2-cent tax rate; Crane was up 5.73 percent, to $24,014; and Kermit saw their check for the month rise 8.86 percent, to $31,935.
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.
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Five persons were arrested on drug and weapons charges on Sept. 12, following a report of shots being fired on the north side of town.
Police said they were called to the 400 block of North Alamo Street at 4:11 a.m. about the report, and found a group of people at the site, along with a sawed-off shotgun. Two adults and three juveniles were arrested as a result of the incident.
Police said Robert Jimenez, 2223 S. Missouri St., was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of marijuana under two ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia. Freddy Rayos and the three juveniles were charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of marijuana under two ounces.
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Arturo Lara Chavez, 39, 923 S. Pecan St., was arrested by police on Sept. 11 at 10:28 p.m. and charged with public intoxication. The arrest took place in the 900 block of South Pecan Street.
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Gregario Saenz Barrera, 42, of 1109 S. Ash St., was arrested by police at 12:53 p.m. on Sept. 11 on a warrant charging him with possession of cocaine.
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Billy Maurice Faulkner, 38, of Violet, La., was arrested by police at 3:31 p.m. on Sept. 11 on a warrant from the U.S. Marshal’s Service charging him with smuggling illegal aliens. Faulkner was arrested at the Criminial Justice Center.
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Rona Davis, 508 S. Mulberry St., was arrested by police at 11:32 p.m. on Sept. 13 on a warrant charging her was theft by check. Police said the arrest was made after a traffic stop at Fourth and Sycamore streets.
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Roderick P. Garcia, 2330 S. Eddy St., was arrested on Sept. 10 at 9:57 p.m. on charges of driving without a license and violating a promise to appear. Police said the arrest took place at Washington and Eddy streets.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 432-445-5475, FAX 432-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
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Copyright 2003-04 by Pecos Enterprise
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