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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Friday, February 11, 2000
Officials weigh future of juvenile center
By SMOKEY BRIGGS
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - Concerned citizens met last night at the Pecos
Community Center to discuss the future of the local juvenile justice program
with Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Albert Alvarez.
The Reeves County Juvenile Board, the entity charged with overseeing
juvenile justice programs in the county, sponsored the meeting. The board
is comprised of District Judge Bob Parks, County Judge Jimmy Galindo, and
County-court-at-law Judge Lee Green.
"I was asked to make a recommendation for the future of the juvenile
program by the Juvenile Board," Alvarez said. "The reason for this meeting
is to find out what the community wants to happen with the juvenile program."
Alvarez said that Reeves County had four basic choices for the future:
1) A 48-hour hold over facility. This is what the county has now. Juveniles
can be held up to 48 hours while a decision is made whether to detain or
release.
2) The second choice is total privatization. Privatization would shut
down the local 48-hour facility and all juvenile detention needs would
be contracted with a private facility. Right now, Reeves County contracts
out all detention needs that exceed the 48-hour limit.
3) A pre-adjudication facility. A facility of this type would be certified
to detain juveniles up until a court date.
4) A post-adjudication facility. This type of facility would be certified
to detain juveniles for any length of detention.
Alvarez said that all of the choices have pros and cons.
"Right now we are spending about $88,000 a year to house juveniles pre-
and post-adjudication. It would be nice to keep that money in Reeves County,"
he said.
"But, it will cost money to do that."
Alvarez said that there were other factors involved as well.
"This decision shouldn't be based strictly on money, either," he said.
"Right now our juvenile crime rate is down, and we think that one of the
reasons is that we have been shipping kids away from Pecos. Away from their
home where they are comfortable. This seems to be a real deterrent."
Alvarez also said that in the recent past juvenile detention facilities
have become big business and the market was now highly competitive.
"The standards required for the pre- and post-adjudication facilities
are much higher than those for the 48-hour facility. Staffing would become
very expensive," he said.
Converting the current facility into a pre- or post-adjudication facility
would not take any physical remodeling.
"We have staffed the current facility as a post-adjudication facility
in the past," he said.
The current facility has 12 beds.
It would take an average occupancy of six juveniles per day for the
center to break even with the increased staffing costs.
"There certainly is no guarantee that we could maintain that level of
occupancy," Alvarez said.
Alvarez said that just looking at the costs, simply shutting down the
facility completely and contracting for all detention needs made the most
sense.
"That's the cheapest option, but not necessarily the best one," he said.
"The 48-hour facility is a real benefit to the county, especially law enforcement.
Having the facility here drastically reduces the time a police officer
is tied down after he picks up a juvenile."
No decisions were made, but Alvarez said that he was very pleased with
the strong turnout for the meeting and that the Juvenile Board will meet
next Thursday, February 17. The meeting will be held in the courtroom on
the third floor of the courthouse and is open to the public.
RR commission not ready to place blame for outage
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - A frozen gas line east of Pecos and a service
failure west of town are the suspected causes of last weekend's gas outage
in Pecos, according to the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees oil
and gas operations in the sate. But a Railroad Commission investigator
said the agency is not yet ready to assign final blame to anyone for the
problem.
Glenn Taylor of the Railroad Commission's El Paso office, partially
confirmed a report in Thursday's Odessa American that frozen moisture in
Southern Union Gas Company's line coming out of Pyote is the suspected
cause of the outage, which lasted for about 18 hours, and left many residents
without gas for their furnaces, water heaters and stoves for as much as
36 hours between the early morning hours of Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
"Right now everything is real speculative at this time. We don't know
for sure yet how it happened and why it happened," Taylor said. Temperatures
in the area dropped below freezing in the early morning hours on Saturday,
at the time the line reportedly froze.
A failed piece of equipment on the line has been pulled for inspection
by the company, according to Taylor, who is working with Southern Union
officials in El Paso. Along with the Railroad Commission's investigation,
Southern Union is conducting their own probe of the incident.
When the main line fails, a backup line is supposed to provide emergency
service. But that line, coming into Pecos from the west, did not activate,
Taylor said.
"There's a contractual agreement between Southern Union and West Texas
Gas," to provide the emergency service, Taylor said. The Railroad Commission
is still trying to find out who was responsible for the failure of the
second line.
"What we will do if we find a violation of safety rules is to issue
citations," Taylor said.
Both the Railroad Commission and Southern Union said earlier this week
they did not expect to have a final report on the incident for at least
30 days.
Donation for Balmorhea center on county agenda
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - A donation of property to Reeves County from the
Balmorhea Independent School District for the purpose of a creating a Balmorhea
Community Center will be a topic of discussion at the regular Reeves County
Commissioners Court meeting Monday morning.
The group will meet at 9:40 a.m., on the third floor of the courthouse
and the public is invited to attend.
Commissioners will discuss and approve several contracts relating to
the 1,000 bed addition at the Reeves County Detention Center, including;
payment to DRG Architects, Banes General Contractors and Frank Spencer.
Commissioners will also discuss the RCDC construction manager - general
conditions. Pharmaceutical and dental services contracts will also be on
Monday's agenda
Other items include discuss and approve fire protection services interlocal
agreement between Reeves County and Town of the Pecos City for FY 2000,
and a contract between the county and Reeves County Hospital for Emergency
Medical Services at the RCDC.
Commissioners will also look at the Juvenile Detention Services Contract
and agreement between Pecos County and Reeves County; interlocal cooperation
contract for Natural Resources Conservations Services between Reeves County
and Upper Soil and Water Conservation District; Reeves County on-site sewage
facilities regulations amendment and a resolution for Texas Community Development
Program Contract 71810.
A request for varsity girls golf tournament and junior high school golf
tournament will be discussed along with Reeves County Golf Course proposed
policies amendment.
Other items to be discussed and approved include:
· Reeves County Revolving Loan Fund.
· Reports from various departments.
· Budget amendments and line-item transfers.
· Personnel and salary changes (RCDC, Road and Bridge, Task force,
county treasurer, recreation department and county auditor).
· Minutes from previous meetings.
· Semi-monthly bills.
· Spread on minutes: Notice of over-axle over gross weight permits;
appointment of assistant county auditor, Zulema Dominguez and Texas Departmetn
of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dianne Florez.
Aguilar seeks to increase trust in running for sheriff
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - Developing trust and credibility among the sheriff's
department for all of Reeves County is the main goal of Reeves County Sheriff
Candidate Anthony "Tony" Aguilar.
"Let's have a new beginning," said Aguilar, who is running against incumbent
Arnulfo Gomez in the March 14 Democratic primary. "Without trust and credibility
we cannot function as a community."
Aguilar is a native of Pecos. He has been married to Linda Rodriguez
for 17 years and the couple has been blessed with three children: Tony
Jr., 15, Jonathan, 10, and Jessica, 7.
His parents are Gene Marquez Aguilar, Jr. and Janie Mora Aguilar Martinez.
Grandparents are the late Eugene Aguilar, Sr., Maria De La Luz Aguilar,
the late Camilo Dominguez Mora and Amelia Bitolas Mora.
"I am currently employed by West Texas State School and Reeves County
Juvenile Detention Center," said Aguilar.
Past employment includes: 11 years with the sheriff's department as
a jail supervisor, patrol deputy, member of the SWAT Team and in charge
of the Reserved Deputies. "I obtained my certification from the Pecos Police
Academy through Odessa College," said Aguilar. "I also acquired 1,200 hours
of law enforcement training," he said.
Aguilar said he has dedicated 10 years to the youth of this community.
"I coached, umpired, refereed football, basketball, and summer track for
the Pecos Youth Recreation Department," he said.
"I have been involved with the Pecos Little League Organization for
the past eight years. I am currently president for Pecos Little League
and a former volunteer fireman," Aguilar added.
"I am asking for the opportunity to work for you and to be a servant
to all of Reeves County residents," he said.
If elected, Aguilar stated that the sheriff's department would help
in elderly programs, church activities and community functions.
"Another priority is to battle the war on drugs. I will work with all
local government and law enforcement agencies to strengthen our county
by working jointly with our judges, prosecutors, city, school, and state
law enforcement agencies," said Aguilar.
"I will give more patrol to our farms and ranch areas to decrease thefts
and burglaries," he said.
Aguilar said local residents we have a youth problem and that Pecos
youth are intimidated (by the gangs) and will not attend community functions.
"Another priority is decreasing gang membership, gang activity, and gang
involvement by working with our juvenile probation officers," he said.
"I will also work with the school district to find ways to keep students
in school and raise the education level of our citizens in our communities,"
said Aguilar. "I will start a D.A.R.E. program, and have more hands-on
involvement with youth programs."
Aguilar would also like to start a boys and girls club in Pecos and
Balmorhea. "This will be sponsored by the sheriff's department through
donations and fund raisers, which will be open to each and every child
in our community," he said.
It will include a safe environment where kids can come and do their
homework, watch educational videos, play games, fellowship with one another,
and have the opportunity to speak with mentors, according to Aguilar.
"My door will be open day and night, regardless of your gender, race,
and religion," said Aguilar. "I will walk that extra mile for everyone
and listen to all suggestions and concerns," he said.
"I will team up with our community leaders to improve the quality of
life and give Reeves County a brighter, better, and safer future," said
Aguilar.
"Most importantly, I will restore dignity and respect between the sheriff's
department and all the citizens of Reeves County," said Aguilar.
"If we, the caring people, unite together with the grace of God, we
can and will make a difference," said Aguilar.
Private investors purchase of TNP approved by state
FORT WORTH (AP) - The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday approved
the sale of TNP Enterprises Inc., the holding company for Texas-New Mexico
Power Co., to a group of private investors.
The buyers are led by William J. Catacosinos, Laurel Hill Capital Partners
LLC and CIBC World Markets. The deal is expected to close in late March.
Kevern Joyce, TNP chairman, president and chief executive, said the
PUC vote removes the biggest uncertainty in completing the acquisition.
Texas-New Mexico Power was created in 1935 and provides electric service
to 85 cities and more than 233,000 customers in Texas and New Mexico. It
has 823 employees.
Shareholders of TNP voted in September to approve the sale for cash
and debt totaling about $1 billion. TNP shareholders will get $44 per share
in cash, the company said.
Humbug - Christmas tax rebates plunge
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - Christmas sales were anything but merry for businesses
and cities in West Texas, according to figures released Thursday by state
comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's office.
Outside of Wink, Balmorhea and Grandfalls, city sales tax figures for
the recent holiday season plunged throughout the region, mostly by more
than 10 percent, while sales tax rebates overall in Texas were unchanged
from December, 1998, Rylander's office said.
Pecos' sales tax rebate check for February, based on its 1½-cent
share of the state's 8¼-cent tax, was 77,391, down 16.89 percent
from a year ago. The decline came despite an improving economic picture
in the area, thanks to rising oil prices.
Pecos' total was about average for the region this month. Big Spring
and Fort Stockton saw their rebate checks fall by over 18 percent, Andrews'
check dropped by over 19 percent, Kermit was down by over 20 percent and
Monahans saw its check for February plunge by almost 25 percent from a
year ago.
Sales tax rebates in the area's two biggest cities, Midland and Odessa,
were down a little bit less. Midland saw sales decline by 10½ percent
and Odessa by 13¾ percent, though both got back checks of over $1
million, thanks to holiday sales.
Even cities in the Big Bend - which avoided the drop in sales tax revenue
created last year by lower oil prices _ saw their rebate numbers drop.
Alpine was down by just 3½ percent, but Marfa's rebate check fell
17.3 percent, Presidio was down just under 11 percent, and Van Horn saw
its February check come in 23 percent lower than a year ago.
The drops came after double-digit increases were recorded by most area
cities on their January rebate checks. Wink was the only city to duplicate
that in February, as its check for $3,153 was up over 131 percent, after
a 133 percent rise a month ago.
Balmorhea also bucked the trend. Its rebate check for 1,351 was up 11.38
percent, but that was due in part to a half-cent rise in the city's sales
tax since last year, according to Rylander's office.
Toyah's rebate check was down 67 percent, from $907 to $299. Toyah was
also down 40 percent a month ago, but some of that could be due to the
large number of workers in the area in late 1998 and early 1999 involved
with the rebuilding of Interstate 20 in western Reeves County.
Reeves County Hospital also took a hit in its ½-cent sales tax
rebate. The hospital got $29,540 back from Austin, down 21.58 percent from
a year ago.
The Permian Basin's drop in tax rebates were offset by the rest of the
state, and rebates to all of Texas' cities totaled $293.69 million, up
just 0.01 percent from the $293.63 million of a year ago.
Houston again got the largest individual check, for $41.2 million, up
3.4 percent from a year ago. Dallas was next, with a rebate check of $25.9
million. 1.7 percent higher than February 1999.
P-B-T seeks applications for Gifted and Talented
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD is seeking students
in the district for the Gifted and Talented Program.
If you have a child, or know of a child, who learns and understands
things much faster and at an earlier age than most children his or her
age, he or she may be intellectually gifted.
If a child demonstrates an unusual ability in the visual or performing
arts, thinks in creative or unusual ways, or shows strong leadership traits,
he or she may be gifted in one of those areas. Children who have any of
these characteristics may be nominated for the Gifted and Talented Program.
Nominations may be made by parents, relatives, teachers, or community
members and should be submitted by March 1.
Forms must be completed on each student nominated and can be obtained
by calling the G/T Program Coordinator, Nancy Russell, at 447-7236, or
by calling the G/T facilitator at the student's school. Facilitators for
the grade levels are: Sue Parent at Pecos Kindergarten; Jane Green for
Austin Elementary, First Grade; Anita Zubeldia for Austin Elementary, Second
Grade; Lynette Portillo at Pecos Elementary; Alice Wein for Bessie Haynes
Elementary, Fourth Grade; Beverly Thomas for Bessie Haynes Elementary,
Fifth Grade; Betty Cook at Lamar Middle School; Ronny Daniel at Zavala
Middle School; Gail Box at Crockett Middle School and Jeanine Ivy at Pecos
High School.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Cash 5 drawing Thursday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 6-14-32-34-36. Number matching five of five: 3. Prize per winner:
$27,424. Winning tickets sold in: Austin, Copperas Cove, Paris. Matching
four of five: 214. Prize: $577.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Thursday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 1-0-8 (one, zero, eight)
Weather
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2000 - High Thursday 81. Low this morning 42. Forecast
for tonight: Partly cloudy. Low in the lower 30s. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. High in the lower 70s. South to Southwest wind
5 to 15 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Low 35 to 40. Sunday: Partly
cloudy. High from the mid 70s to near 80.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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