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Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Friday, January 15, 2010
Fog causes fatal multi-vehicle pile-up on I-20
One person was killed and another seriously injured Thursday morning, when the car they were riding in smashed into the rear of a truck-trailer that had been involved in a three-truck accident a short time earlier on a fog-shrouded section of Interstate 20 east of Pecos.
Rebecca Bormuda, 46, of Friona, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 10 a.m. by Reeves County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Eddie Rodriguez, about an hour after the crash occurred on I-20 between the 46 and 47 mile markers, about five miles east of Pecos. The second victim was tentatively identified as her husband and the driver of the white Hyundai Accent, was transported by Pecos EMS to Reeves County Hospital, before being transferred to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Willie Andino of Monahans, who was in charge of the investigation, the Hyundai struck the rear of a truck-trailer owned by Danny Herman Trucking Inc. of Mountain City, Tenn., that had jackknifed across the westbound lanes of I-20 following the first accident, in which the Freightliner truck had rear-ended a United Parcel Service tandem-trailer on I-20 in an area where visibility was less than 100 feet.
“He was traveling a little slower down the highway because of the fog conditions,” Andino said. “The other truck swerved left and hit the UPS truck.”
After that, a third truck, a Freightliner operated by BC Carriers of Crockett and hauling pipe on a flatbed trailer, then struck the rear of the Danny Herman truck. The crash caused the rear axle of the flatbed trailer to come off, while the truck was able to remain upright before coming to a stop in the center median of the highway.
“The car hit several minutes later,” Andino said. “They were trying to waive down traffic, but he didn’t stop.”
At least two other vehicles, a van and a pickup hauling a horse trailer, were able to avoid the first accident before coming to a stop to the west of the wreck site. The driver of the horse trailer, Tery Leafty said he was traveling from Odessa to Las Cruces, N.M. to drop off a horse when he drove up on the three-truck accident.
“I had just slowed down from 65 to 50 and got over into this (right) lane,” Leafty said. He was able to see the wreck scene just in time to swerve onto the left shoulder of the highway and make it past the jackknifed truck, and had stopped his pickup when he heard the Hyundai strike the rear of the trailer.
“I think the car didn’t have anywhere to go,” he said, as all but the truck of the Hyundai was wedged under the trailer. He said when he went back to the site to check on the victims, Bormuda apparently was already dead.
“I went to check her pulse. She was still really warm, but I couldn’t get a pulse,” Leafty said.
Pecos Police, Reeves County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Ward County EMS crews also were called to the scene. Pecos Volunteer Fire Department crews used the Jaws of Life to cut the driver out of the car so he could be taken to Reeves County Hospital.
Pecos EMS Chief Joe Tollett said the driver was the only other person injured in the crash. “Everybody else was all right,” he said.
B&B Wrecker was able to bring in a winch truck to lift the trailer off the Hyundai so that the vehicle could be pulled away and Bormuda’s body removed from the front passenger seat. Westbound I-20 traffic at first was diverted across the right median onto the I-20 service road, before the interstate was shut down westbound at Barstow and traffic detoured through downtown Pecos on Business I-20 until the wreckage could be cleared.
The heavy fog rolled into the Pecos Valley between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., creating low-sight conditions on the Interstate, which has an 80 mph speed limit in that area. Along with the low visibility caused by the fog, the crash took place just after traffic comes out of a 70 mph curve at the top of a hill about 1-½ miles west of the Pecos River crossing.
Police await further info into stabbing
Pecos Police are hoping to get more information on an early-morning stabbing this past Sunday, but as of now say the victim in the incident has not pressed charges.
Police Chief Clay McKinney said officers were called to the emergency room at Reeves County Hospital at 11:14 a.m. Sunday, where they met with Eric Rico, 24, who had suffered a one-inch stab wound in an incident he said had occurred about 10 hours earlier. “He said he was walking on Sixth Street on the east side of town when he was jumped by 3-4 male subjects about 1 a.m.,” McKinney said.
“He said he didn’t know the people, and could not identify them and did not want to file charges,” he added.
Rico was later transported to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa for treatment of his stab wound.
The incident was the second of 2010 involving a stabbing where the victims have declined to press charges. A Lubbock man and an Odessa man were stabbed in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 following a dance at Saragosa Hall on East Sixth Street.
Hector Villegas, 39, of Lubbock, was stabbed once in the side and twice in the back, while 18-year-old Robert Quezada of Odessa was cut on the left thumb in the incident. As with Rico’s stabbing, those assaults were not reported directly to police, but by staff at Reeves County Hospital, where both men had gone for treatment of their injuries.
TransPecos officials say cuts aimed at increased efficiency
Twelve people lost their jobs recently at TransPecos Banks, as the bank finished a year-long restructuring effort aimed at improving efficiency and becoming a stronger bank into the future, according to CEO Dub Sutherland.
TransPecos is a state-chartered bank with its main office in Pecos and branches in Alpine, Sierra Blanca and Marathon.
Sutherland said that while the bank has remained strong and actually grown during 2009, a year that saw many banks nationwide on the financial ropes, a careful analysis revealed areas were the bank was not as efficient as it could be.
“Our mission is three-fold: we are committed to taking care of our customers, taking care of our employees, and providing a good return to our shareholders. Overall, that is what this restructuring effort was all about,” he said.
“Bottom line is that this needed to take place – we have been here for ten years, we plan to be here in the future, and we are going to grow with Pecos.”
Sutherland said that among other things, a more efficient structure would loosen money up for employee training and merit bonuses.
“We want our employees to be able to help customers with all of their banking needs instead of customers having to wait in one line for one thing, and then stand in another line for another. And, we want to be able to reward our employees for providing that kind of customer care,” he said.
“We have been very open with our people – the folks affected,” said B.J. Hennig, vice president of human resources for the bank. “We’re helping them every way we can to find new positions.”
He said that the bank had provided assistance with resumes, letters of recommendation, and was actively seeking and passing on leads to the former employees.
Sutherland also said that the bank had increased its capital holdings by $2 million the last three months of 2009, much of the money coming from the sale of the Iraan branch of the bank.
The $2 million represents a 15 percent increase in the bank’s capital and will allow the bank to make another $25 million in loans.
As part of the restructuring Sutherland said that customers can expect to see some new products and services in the near future, including an updated, “state-of-the-art website for online banking both for personal and business accounts.”
Olibas-Yanez welcomed in to legal profession
A former Pecos High School chose to come to Pecos for her swearing-in as a new attorney.
Former Pecos High School graduate, Lindsay M. Olibas-Yanez, was recently welcomed in to the legal profession as a Licensed Texas Attorney during her recent swearing-in ceremony held in Reeves County District Court with the Honorable Judge Bob Parks administering the Oath on Jan. 8.
Olibas-Yanez graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree, double majoring in Philosophy and English. In May 2009, she graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law with both a Doctor or Jurisprudence and a Master’s in Public Administration Degree.
Her professional plans include working alongside her sister, Dr. Lezlie D. Olibas, also a licensed attorney, in their law firm, The Olibas Law Firm, in Lubbock, where she resides with her husband Joseph and their daughter, Bentley Delia.
Olibas-Yanez is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gome Olibas, of Lubbock, formerly of Pecos.
Chamber sets dates for banquet, carnival
Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hosted local candidates during their regular meeting held at noon, Tuesday at the Pecos Valley Country Club, and also set the date for this year’s Chamber Awards Banquet and discussed plans for a carnival to be held at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena grounds in late April.
The board discussed and approved bringing in a carnival to the Rodeo Arena on April 28 through May 1.
“The name of the carnival is Moore’s Greater Shows and they want to come at the end of April,” said chamber president Joe Keese.
Chamber director Linda Gholson told the group that the company had told her they would give the chamber $500 or 20 percent of the gross rides for the opportunity to come to Pecos.
“What’s our part?” asked director Al Gomez.
“Nothing, they just want permission to come in and set up,” said Keese.
He added that they would make sure and check the carnival’s references.
“We want to make sure they are clean, safe and family-oriented,” he said. “They are subject to background checks,” he said.
The group set Thursday, Feb. 18 as the date for the Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. The banquet will again be held at the Reeves County Civic Center.
“The social hour will be at 6:30 p.m. and the banquet held after that,” said Keese.
“This year, instead of having a guest speaker, we decided to have entertainment,” he said. “That’s a little bit of a change.”
Women’s Division President Gail Box told the group that they are busy planning for the banquet. “We will be decorating for the banquet and are getting ready for the Golden Girl pageant,” said Box.
A bicycle race that had been scheduled for February from Pecos through the southern area of the county has been postponed. “”It has been on the internet for three months and we have very few entries, so we decided to just postpone it at this time,” said Keese.
The Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame has been undergoing some renovations and the group is planning a grand re-opening.
“As soon as we get our plumbing, we will start moving some furniture in and computers moved,” said Keese.
The grand-reopening has been scheduled for April 23 or 24. “We will be inviting all the inductees.”
After those discussions, each of the candidates in the March 2 primary election were allowed five minutes before Chamber members, three minutes to speak and two minutes to answer questions, similar to a candidates forum held last Friday by the Reeves County Democratic Party. All but one of the candidates in this year’s county elections are running in the March Democratic primary.
Local Catholic church celebrates 50 year anniversary
A local church held a 50 year anniversary celebration last month with a special re-dedication and reception.
On Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m., St. Catherine’s Catholic Church celebrated it’s 50 year anniversary of the building.
A re-dedication of the altar and church was held. To commemorate this occasion, Father Fabian Marquez conducted a special Mass.
A crowd of over 150 people attended the Mass and reception. The church was beautifully adorned with golden decorations and the Knights of Columbus lined the front of the church and hall with 50 gold luminaries.
A special exhibit depicting the history of St. Catherine was also set up in the hall. The hall was also beautifully decorated with gold decorations. The reception was hosted by the Catholic Daughters.
The Carmelite Fathers, from Stanton, began to minister in Pecos in 1885. Their “parish” covered the area from Big Spring to Sierra Blanca.
St. Catherine’s church was born in a small adobe building 60 X 28 feet situated on the corner of Third and Plum Streets in 1892. The foundation was red sandstone quarried from the Barstow Quito Quarry. Prior to this, Mass was celebrated in the homes of the parishioners. Services were held on the first and third Sunday of the month. In the spring of 1900 a heavy west wind blew in the west wall of the church. Franciscans served the parish for a year in 1900-1901.
Father Joseph Hoban became the first resident pastor. He was to serve St. Catherine’s Church from 1901-1906. From 1906-1919 the Oblate Fathers from San Antonio ministered in our community. Since that time Diocesan priests have been responsible for the parishes in the Pecos area. In 1916, the Ursuline sisters came to Pecos and served here for the next 50 years. Sister Francis Johnston taught at Earl Bell Elementary and Patrole Community school for many years. The sisters taught kindergarten and primary school and had many other duties. Sister Aloysius Wagner taught First Communion to children at St. Catherine’s.
The Ursuline Sisters were followed by the Dominicans. The Victory Noll Sisters served the parishes from 1976 to 1985. They established the religious education program.
The first baptism recorded in St. Catherine’s was in September, 1885.
Father Joseph Hoban, a popular priest is remembered to this day by the Hoban gin and spur which were named after him. He also served churches in surrounding towns, traveling by train, buggy and horseback. He remained in Pecos until 1906.
A small wooden church was erected on the same sandstone foundation that had served the adobe church. From 1906 until 1919 the parish was put in the care of the Oblates of Mary. During this period Pecos became part of the newly created Diocese of El Paso. Father Victor Yannes served on several occasions as pastor and is credited with building the rectory that was used until 1959. The old rectory was built in the early 1920’s.
Ground was broken in July 1958 and the present church was finished in April of 1959. Father Gerard Gaynor was the pastor at the time.
Thousands of people, along with bishops, priests and sisters of the parish have always planned, sacrificed and worshipped in many ways so that their children and their children’s children would hear, see and experience the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Christian families lives have been woven together over the years, by a faith that is lived deeply in our community and parish.
Red Bluff sets lower 2010 water allotments
Red Bluff Water Power Control District board members tentatively set the 2010 water allotment for sub-districts along the Pecos River at 10,000 acre/feet, 4,000 below the level set a year ago due to a lack of rainfall in the Trans-Pecos region and fears they will receive no water deliveries from New Mexico in the upcoming year.
However, the board was more hopeful a deal could get done with the company looking to build salt extraction ponds along the Pecos River in New Mexico, as part of the long-delayed Malaga Bend salt alleviation project.
The board set the water allotment for Red Bluff’s seven sub-districts during their January meeting, held on Tuesday at the district’s office in Pecos. The 10,000 acre/foot total was decided on after hearing a report that Red Bluff Lake contained only 68,000 acre/feet of water as of Monday, slightly lower than a year ago and over a third less water than the lake held four years ago.
“We may get water, and we may not,” said managing director Randal Hartman, while Ward County Water Irrigation District No. 1 secretary Robin Hernandez said there are still some farmers in the Barstow area planning to use the remainder of the 2009 allotment in February.
“Last year we had 76,000 acre/feet at this time, and we allotted 14,000,” Hartman said. “We caught a little rainwater (last year), but we can’t count on it.
Due to evaporation and plant absorption south of Red Bluff dam, it takes about two acre/feet of water being released to deliver one acre/foot downstream. Hartman said the district had to limit the releases to keep the area around the dam’s gates and tunnels submerged, to protect the integrity of the dam.
“I believe we shouldn’t set it over 10,000 acre/feet, but if we get some more (rain) we can allot it,” he said. “If we go over, we’re in trouble, and I feel like we can do 10,000 acre/feet without going over.”
Pecos River Compact Commissioner J.W. Thrasher said New Mexico currently has a 100,000-acre/foot water credit with the state of Texas. “Don’t count on any water from them, unless there’s a major flood,” he said, with any runoff from winter snows in northern New Mexico likely to remain in Brantley Lake north of Carlsbad.
Thrasher also told the board he would be meeting with officials from Southwest Salt, along with others involved in monitoring the Pecos River water and salt levels, this Monday at Midland International Airport.
“They’ve got some people flying in, so it will be more convenient,” Thrasher said, while Hartman added that Southwest Salt officials Charlie Dixon and Chuck Sheppard would be coming to Pecos after the meeting, before traveling up to New Mexico.
Thrasher said it looked like most of the details of the agreement for Southwest Salt to pump water into their man-made ponds have been set. The company will pump out water from a salt spring before it enters the Pecos at Malaga Bend, and then evaporate the water to mine the salt.
The process is expected to lower the salt levels of the water entering Red Bluff from New Mexico, and Thrasher said the one remaining detail is the monitoring schedule to check on the salt levels.
“We’re going to request two monitors a month, not just when they’re pumping,” he said, adding that Southwest Salt will also be responsible for paying for the monitoring costs if funding through the New Mexico State University’s Center for Excellence runs out. NMSU is also looking at the salt water from the Pecos for an algae biofuels project.
Southwest plans to do only limited pumping until all their ponds are built. Red Bluff asked the company to begin continuous pumping of the salt spring as soon as possible.
“I’d like to see something happen in my lifetime,” board member Jay Lee said.
“I think they’re going to go ahead and get on it,” Hartman said.
“They have an agreement to buy the land (for the pits), now they have to go ahead and get the permits,” Thrasher said.
Board members also covered several other items during their 30-minute meeting, including hearing a report from Hartman that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved the district’s flood plan, which involves chaining open the floodgates on the spillway at Red Bluff Lake. Hartman said repairs to the canal system below the dam that feeds water back into the Pecos River is also underway.
“It lacks a little bit, but we’re going to get it done,” he said.
The board also approved retaining Kermit attorney Robert Scoggins to represent the district in a legal action between T-N-T Engineering, Inc. and Brad Bates. The suit involved drilling activity on land owed by the district. Hartman said the action was needed because T-N-T had not yet taken care of the litigation.
“I don’t know where it will go, but we had to do something immediately,” Hartman told the board. “We’ve got a written statement signed saying they were supposed to take care of it.”
Chamber members question county judge candidates
Pecos Chamber of Commerce members heard presentations from several candidates in the March 2 Reeves County Democratic Party primary election, during the chamber’s monthly meeting at the Pecos Valley Country Club.
Candidates for county judge, commissioner and several other local positions made their five-minute presentations at the end of Tuesday’s noontime meeting. Most also had been on hand for the Democratic Party’s “Meet the Candidates” event on Jan. 8 at the Reeves County Civic Center, but Tuesday’s event included a two-minute question period for all of the candidates.
Among those on hand were county judge challengers W.J. Bang, Al Gomez and incumbent Sam Contreras.
Dr. Bang told the group that he had served as commissioner Precinct 2 Commissioner from 1990 to 1998.
“I want to help bring in new industry,” said Dr. Bang.
Dr. Bang told the group that during his time as commissioner he had helped establish the Road and Bridges Department, combining them in to one department instead of four different precincts.
“We also helped to come up with a solution to stop dumping,” said Dr. Bang.
He told the group that one of his major concerns at this time is the situation at the Reeves County Detention Center.
“When I was commissioner, we started building R-I and II, with the idea that by establishing this facility we could create jobs,” said Dr. Bang.
He said that because of the riot, it would cost about $40 million to rebuild the facility. “The insurance will not cover all of it,” said Dr. Bang. “One of the reasons for the riot, was because of medical issues,” he said.
The county currently contracts with Physicians Network Associates out of Lubbock to provide health care for all three units at the RCDC.
Dr. Bang said that since he’s a physician, he knows about health problems.
“We don’t have to pay someone else to come and do the medical work at the facility, we have great doctors right here,” said Dr. Bang.
“I would like to revive medical care and look into the areas of spending,” he said.
Dr. Bang told the group that if elected he would push for the county to provide these medical services, instead of paying outsiders to do it.
Gomez said he too was concerned about the stability at the prison.
“As unstable as it is, we’re going to end up losing it,” said Gomez. “That prison was designed for Reeves County employees to have jobs, but unfortunately a lot of people here can’t get hired because of their credit,” he said.
Gomez said that they couldn’t afford to have any more riots.
“My objective is to stabilize business affairs and I can’t believe we can’t get our people hired here,” he said.
Gomez said that at the moment we don’t have a business manager at the facility.
“They hired an embezzler, they can do credit checks, but they can’t do a criminal check and not hire individuals like this,” said Gomez. “Our own people can’t get hired out there,” he said.
Gomez said that he would focus on trying to hire local employees.
“I’ve always believed that a successful business is because of its successful employees,” he said, before drawing a question from Contreras
“You said that the county judge is a full-time position, since you say you have a business, will this position be you’re full time job?” the county judge asked.
Gomez said that he had asked his family and his partner before even thinking about running for county judge.
“I have the best business partner in the world, my wife, she takes care of the house and will be taking care of the business, if elected, I can devote all my time to doing this job,” said Gomez. “She can take care of business and takes care of me, so yes, when I decided to run I asked her first and she agreed to help me.”
“Everybody’s talking about the prison, but what about the rodeo arena and the civic center?” said Olga Keese. “There are other things that need to be taken care of.”
Contreras said that they had started taking care of these problems, but there was some problem with the venue tax. “The funding from that was what we were going to use to fix the rodeo arena and civic center,” said Contreras.
“This was done improperly, but we have to have another election in May,” he said.
Contreras said that they have partnered up with the city to get it repaired and that they have been discussing adding some funding.
“We gone to Austin and talked about solar, wind and thermal,” said Contreras.
Contreras told the group that the general land affairs had talked to them and that they are looking at Reeves County.
“All the operations and expenses stay with the operation at the prison,” he said.
He said that the new contract for the prison is different and very demanding. PNA has partnered with GEO to provide medical services.
“Everyone says let’s get rid of GEO and keep it ourselves, but it would put the county at risk for more losses,” said Contreras. “What people don’t see is that GEO is doing a lot behind the scenes,” he said.
Contreras said that there are still job opportunities at the prison, but that the job wasn’t for everyone. “It’s the BOP policy that prevents a lot of people not being hired out there,” he said.
Keese told the group that since he felt that the candidates had more to stay it would be better to sponsor a town hall meeting, which board members approved.
The Town Hall Meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Reeves County Civic Center.
Also on hand to talk about the issues were candidates for Precinct 2 Commissioner, Kyle Taylor, Ron Garcia and Mario Flores; Reeves County Clerk candidates, Dianne Florez and Connie Levario and Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 candidate Jay Haney.
PEDC seeking faster progress on railyard plan
Pecos Economic Development Corp. members are looking for more information from Texsand on the company’s plans for its intermodial rail yard west of Pecos, while PEDC president Robert Tobias said the company plans to break ground on a separate project on the 500-acre site sometime before the end of January.
The board met at noon on Monday at the PEDC’s Cypress Street office and was given an update on the project by Tobias, who said that grant applications needed for state and federal help with infrastructure at the site are awaiting further details from the company.
“Since July I’ve been trying to get information from their headquarters on their business plan,” Tobias said. “And they’ve been extremely slow to respond to this particular request.”
“All I can tell you at this point is based on the discussions I’ve had with Texsand, their officers have had a change in their management team, and they’re trying to make other investments,” he said, citing other projects in the Denver and Pittsburgh areas and in Louisiana.”
Tobias said getting funding for the infrastructure improvements, including utilities and a new Interstate 20 interchange to be built by the Texas Department of Transportation at the Locker Road (CR 408-203) overpass is awaiting sending the business plan details to the state and federal agencies involved with approving rural infrastructure grants.
“I think they’re very eager to get that information, because they want to support these grants,” Tobias said.
“If a company of that size doesn’t have a business plan for Pecos, something’s major wrong,” said Pecos mayor and board member Dick Alligood, who wanted to see a more active commitment from Texsand to go along with the PEDC’s work in seeking grants for the rail yard’s supporting infrastructure.
On the positive side, Tobias said company officials told him they are going ahead with a brine disposal project at their site, two miles west of Pecos, and he said Dennis Hudgens, Texsand area manager, has seen a big demand for sand brought in by the company to two satellite sites, in Seminole and Fort Stockton.
“All he’s been able to get, he’s been able to sell,” Tobias said.
Board member Leo Hung asked if Texsand might not opt to set up all their area operations in Fort Stockton.
“Many people are concerned about Fort Stockton, but that rail line is owned by TxDOT, and it’s going to take a lot of money for that line to be able to handle those rail cars,” Tobias said. Board member Joseph Torres added that the Union Pacific line through Pecos “is a Class 1 line certified to handle cross-country rail service.”
The South Orient line in Fort Stockton has been used only on a limited basis for the past two decades. Texsand has used the line to bring in some of its shipments, however, Rick Carlisle of Carlisle & Associates out of The Woodlands, who is scheduled to begin a planning study for Pecos this spring and just completed one in Fort Stockton, said in November that it would cost a quarter billion dollars to bring the line up to Class 1 standards between Presidio and San Angelo.
The cost of a rail switch and spur off the UP line in Pecos would cost between $2.5 and $3 million.
“We have the strength of UP here, and that’s a major asset for this community,” Tobias said.
Along with the Texsand plans to haul sand in from Wisconsin to the Pecos area for use on oil and gas drilling projects, other companies also are looking at the site as a regional off-loading location, while another project involving fertilizer transportation needs a 4,000-foot linear rail track for off-loading.
“We don’t have that right now. The only thing we have is the Texsand project to get it,” Tobias told the board.
He said Hudgens told him the brine disposal site would break ground in January, and the company hopes to have the site in operation by July. The work could bring 10-15 construction jobs to Pecos for about a six-month period, and other companies reportedly are looking at the project as well, as a source of commercial salt once the water is evaporated out of the brine.
“I don’t have any reason to doubt they’re going to do what they say they’re going to do,” he said, noting that the company’s business was also adversely affected by the downturn in oil and natural gas prices at the end of 2008.
Tobias added that in recent discussions with Union Pacific, the company has become more open to helping with local projects on their main line between Fort Worth and El Paso, due to the decline in the national economy that has left the company with many rail cars idled.
“I visited with Dennis and he was having a hard time getting UP to take to him, but now they are,” said board member Hugh Box. He said Texsand plans to get a contract with the railroad locked in before the economy picks up and rail car usage increases.
The board also discussed the development of a rural rail transportation district, which would oversee the site and the area around the rail yard. “PEDC has already recommended that we create this district,” Tobias said, adding that the work would have to be done through the Reeves County Commissioners Court, since the area is outside the Pecos city limits.
“At the end of the day, as it exists today it is in the county, and it can only be driven by a county Rural Rail Transportation District,” he added.
Alligood said the Texsand project, first brought to the PEDC and Pecos City Council in late 2006, caused the city to suspend development of an industrial business corridor on Highway 17 south of Interstate 20, under the idea that businesses would prefer to locate at the rail yard.
“If they want to do it, we’re willing to be good partners, but we’re willing to move forward without them,” he said.
“I think we’ll be able to make some progress on the business plan in the next 30 days,” Tobias said.
“Everything hinges around Texsand,” Alligood said, while asking Tobias to seek a meeting with higher-ups in the company. “Have them come in, because everything we’re working on right now hinges on this one idea.”
Candidates present cases in two-person local races
Reeves County Commissioner Ramiro Guerra and the Reeves County Clerk Diane both have one-person challenges in their bids for new teams in the March 2 Democratic Primary election, and all four hopefuls were on hand for the Chili Supper held last Friday at the Reeves County Civic Center.
Tony Trujillo is challenging Guerra for his Precinct 4 Commissioner’s seat, while Connie Levario is challenging Florez in her bid for a new four-year term as Reeves County Clerk.
The candidates also drew for ballot positions, and Trujillo’s name will appear first on the ballot for Precinct 4 voters.
He told those in attendance at the Civic Center that he was born and raised in Pecos; had graduated from Pecos High School in 1979, had been married to Tina Trujillo for 31 years. The couple has three children, Valerie, Tony and Jessica and two grandchildren, Christian and Kaitlyn.
“I am the owner of Tony Trujillo Land Surveying for seven years, in which I employ seven people including myself, my wife and my son,” said Trujillo.
Trujillo said that his motive for running was simple: “I feel that I can be a positive and knowledgeable influence for this community and county,” said Trujillo.
“I have always been inspired by the leaders of my community, and in return I would hope to be an inspirational figure if elected. My family, business and heart are and will always be in Pecos,” said Trujillo.
“With your support, I can achieve this goal. Please elect me your next Reeves County Commissioner Precinct No. 4,” said Trujillo.
Guerra said that he is married to Grace Guerra and has one son, R.J., who is currently attending Midland College and working towards his degree in computer science.
Guerra, who was first elected in 2006, defended the decisions he’s made over the past three years.
“These decisions as well as others were always made with the sincerest and best interest of our residents, employees and county. Not always was everyone satisfied with the decision made, but I was confident that through research and honesty, I reached a conclusion that was fair to all,” he said.
In spite of the unfortunate circumstances that Reeves County has incurred, such as the slowdown in the economy and the prison riots, “I strongly believe that Reeves County will progress through the efforts of our community leaders and the steady rebound of our oil and gas industry,” said Guerra.
He said that over the last couple of years, they have invested time and money to acquire the equipment needed to improve the county road system.
“I will continue to focus my efforts to make sure that improvements are being made. The area that I have enjoyed the most is helping oversee the development and improvement of our youth program,” said Guerra.
Guerra said that he would continue to keep his doors open to everyone. “This is your community and together we can make a difference,” he said.
In the county clerk’s race, Florez’ name will appear first on the ballot, and she spoke first on Friday.
Florez is the daughter of Leandro Orona and Angelita Carrasco. She has two brothers and one sister. Her children are Bryan and Jessica.
“I would like to start off by thanking God for my job as a county clerk and also for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me,” said Florez. “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for allowing me to represent our county as your Reeves County Clerk for the past 16 years,” she said.
She was first elected in 1994, and in 1998 she was appointed as Local Registrar, which was an addition to the county clerk’s duties.
A county clerk can only issue birth records to those born in Reeves County. “A Local Registrar signs, records and can issue all vital records to qualified applicants. The reason I asked to be appointed as Local Registrar was because I started taking account back in 1995 and 1996 that the citizens of Reeves County needing birth records were not able to obtain their records here, but only in the county they were born,” said Florez.
Florez said that she knew it would be additional work that would be added to her office, but also more money coming in to the county.
Prior to becoming the Local Registrar the clerk’s office was collecting $1,600.00 per year with $271.00 going to the State.
“After I was appointed in 1998 our fees went up close to $8,000, from there on the fees just kept going up every year. Last year we made a total of $22,055.00 in 2009 birth certificates only,” said Florez.
Florez and her staff also work with land records and the elections.
“We are at this time, reducing some of the old books to create more room as my office is in dire need,” said Florez.
“Through the approval of the commissioner’s court, I was able to purchase the M-650 Central Count Ballot Tabulator” she said.
This machine counts 300 ballots per minute as opposed to the M-100’s that would count three ballots per minute. The machine was paid through HAVA Grant Funds. The other equipment that was bought with the HAVA funds include: election signs, ballot boxes, net poll books, and were able to have voting box 8 designed to be ADA compliant (American with Disabilities Act).
Florez said that she is a member of the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, have participated in the Christmas for Kids program delivering Christmas presents; board member of the Christmas in Spring Program for the elderly and assisted in delivering meals for the Meals on Wheels Program.
Levario currently is secretary to Reeves County Judge Sam Contreras. She told the group that she is married to Larry Levario and the couple have two daughters, Precilla, a Sul Ross graduate and Gabby a freshman at Pecos High School.
“I have had the privilege of working in both the private sector and in government. My experience with Pecos Insurance, the school district, county auditor’s office, the City of Pecos, as city secretary and now as executive assistant to the county judge has prepared me for this challenging position,” said Levario.
“I know how accurate record keeping, good customer service and efficiency are important factors in running any business both in the private sector and government,” she said.
Levario said that the county’s clerk was the door in to the county. “I know that I am fully qualified for this position and my knowledge and experience will better serve the residents of Reeves County and anyone doing business with the county clerk’s office,” said Levario.
Trails board of directors plan meeting in Pyote
A Texas Pecos Trails Board of Directors meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Rattlesnake Bomber Base Museum, 10th Street and Ward Street), in Pyote.
Lunch will be served at noon for $10.00 and RSVP by Friday, Jan. 15, if anyone wants to attend at HYPERLINK "mailto:info@texaspecostrail.com" info@texaspecostrail.com or 325-387-3900 Scott Jordan.
The Texas Heritage Trails Program is the Texas Historical Commissions award-winning tourism initiative. The THC is a leader in implementing and promoting heritage tourism efforts in Texas. ?eh Texas Pecos Trail Region encases 22 West Texas counties in the TransPecos area.
GED registration to get underway in February
GED Registration will be held from 3-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1, at the Pecos High School, Room 2.
Testing dates will be Tuesday, Feb. 2 and Wednesday, Feb. 3, at Pecos High School, Room 2.
Examinees must present a Texas Driver’s License or Texas Department of Public Safety ID Card.
For more information, call Eva Arriola, Pecos High School Counselor’s at 447-7406.
Veteran’s Town Hall meeting rescheduled
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Daniel L. Marsh, Director, West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) reschedules the Ft. Stockton Veteran’s Town Hall meeting.
The Ft. Stockton Town Hall meeting was scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Veterans who have questions regarding this Town Hall meeting are encouraged to contact Iva Jo Hanslik, Public Affairs Officer, West Texas VA Health Care System, at 432-263-7361, ext. 4824 or 1-800-472-1365, ext. 4824.
Census Bureau to sponsor kick off event
The Census Bureau’s national theme, “It’s In Our Hands,” is a call to every person living in the United States to play a key role in this once-in-a-life time opportunity to be counted in the upcoming 2010 Census. The Reeves County Complete Count Committee has been busy gearing up its’ 2010 Census Kick Off.
The event will be at 5 p.m., on Jan. 16, at the Reeves County Civic Center in conjunction with the Reeves County Jr. Livestock Show, Sale and BBQ.
Community leaders will be in attendance to speak about the importance of Census and how it affects their community. The committee will be hosting a booth at the event which will have information, games and prizes given to those who stop by.
“Census is so vital to our community,” said Jonathan Fuentes, Chairman for the Reeves County Complete Count Committee. “We are committed to making sure that our communities are educated and informed about the whole process. We encourage everyone to participate,” said Fuentes.
Census Day is April 1 and the committee is planning several other events within the Town of Pecos.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
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