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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Friday, April 28, 2000
Homemade ballot upsets candidates and voters
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 28, 2000 - A "homemade" ballot has some candidates and
voters upset, with just a week to go before the May 6 elections.
City, hospital and school board elections have been scheduled for next
Saturday, May 6 and early voters have been going to the Community Center
to cast their votes.
"It was brought to my attention that there was a `homemade' ballot being
circulated," said early voting clerk Debbie Thomas.
The "homemade" ballot featured only certain candidates of the maker's
choice. In other words, not all the candidates were listed on the ballot,
just those that the maker of the ballot wanted voters to vote for.
"I received complaints from candidates who were listed on the ballot
and some who weren't, and voters also, about this particular ballot," said
Thomas.
Thomas called the Secretary of State to find out if this was illegal
or wrong and was referred by them to the Texas Ethics Commission.
"I spoke to someone from the ethics commission, who told me that it's
a good thing I didn't have to deal with it," said Thomas.
If any of the candidates or voters want to complain about this particular
issue they are to contact the secretary of state.
"However, since they were passing them out in front, I thought I better
look into it," said Thomas. "I received complaints from both candidates
and voters," she said.
Thomas stated that she has talked to many of the candidates about this
and advised them to contact either the Secretary of State or the Ethics
Commission if they have a problem with this.
"As far as it constituting political advertising, it doesn't have to
have a disclosure," said Karen Lindquist, media relations officer with
the Texas Ethics Commission.
"But as far as passing it out that close to the voting poll, this isn't
in our jurisdiction," Lindquist said. "And it's not required to have a
disclosure statement," she said.
Early voting figures were high this morning, with 41 people casting
their ballots early. Early voting will end Tuesday, May 2 and the last
day to request a ballot by mail is 5 p.m., today.
The total number of early voters is at 815, as of yesterday, with 95
individuals casting their ballots early on Thursday and 41 this morning.
"The number keeps growing," said Thomas, who noted that the number of
early voters is up from two years ago, when the city, hospital and school
elections were last held.
The number of early voters is unusually high, according to Thomas.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., on election day.
In the Town of Pecos City elections, mayor Dot Stafford will be seeking
a fourth two-year term and is being challenged by Ray Ortega. In the council
election, incumbents Danny Rodriguez and Ricky Herrera are challenged by
Hector "Tito" Roman.
The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD election has four candidates seeking the
two three-year terms up for election. Incumbent Steve Armstrong will be
joined in the May 6 race by challengers Paul Deishler, Steve Valenzuela
and David Flores.
In the Reeves County Hospital District election, the only contested
race is for the at-large seat, where incumbent Hiram "Greg" Luna is challenged
by Leo Hung. Precinct 1 incumbent Chel Florez and Precinct 3 incumbent
Jesse Prieto are unopposed in their bids for new two-year terms.
The names for the candidates in the city, school and hospital elections
are all on one single ballot for voters at the Community Center.
Barstow City Council voters will also have a contested election for
the first time in years, and Balmorhea will again have contested elections
in its city and school elections.
In Balmorhea, early voting for the city elections will be at City Hall
between now and May 2, while early voting in the school board election
will be in the Balmorhea ISD boardroom.
In the Balmorhea city races, incumbent mayor Ismael Rodriguez is being
challenged by councilman Danny Reynolds and Doug Maynard. Reynolds' seat
was one of two on the council up for election this year. The other incumbent,
Rosendo Galindo, is seeking another two-year term and will face challengers
Tammy Marmillon, Bertha Brijalba and Eddie Roman.
In the Balmorhea School Board election the three-year terms of Reyes
Castillo and Paul Matta are up. Matta has filed to seek another three-year
term and will be challenged by Dora Machuca, Tommy Ray Dominguez, Louis
Rene Contreras and Raymond Carrasco.
In Barstow, early voting will be held daily and on May 1 and 2, from
3:30-6:30 p.m., at the Barstow Community Center. Barstow voters will have
one contested race, with incumbents Robert Ortega and Benny Avila facing
challenger Pablo Navarette. Benny Hernandez will be unopposed in the race
for Barstow mayor, where incumbent Salvador Villalobos opted against seeking
another term.
Toyah city elections won't be held this year, as both the new mayor
and council elections there are uncontested. Ann Marsh has filed to run
for mayor, while Paul Anthony Budlong and Sharon Sanchez signed up for
the two available Toyah city council seats.
Budlong is currently serving as mayor for the little community, a position
he won in 1998. The council seats up for election are those won by Clara
McConnell and Howard Dennett two years ago.
School organizations hold banquet, honor Wheeless
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 28, 2000 - What is the purpose of life? Do what you want
to do, have fun doing it and do it in God's way.
That's the message shared by the guest speaker, Jeff Klose, at a special
banquet held Thursday evening at the Pecos Valley Country Club, in honor
of Career and Technology Education.
Students and employers were recognized at the special event and were
given awards during the dinner.
Klose, a Texas Tech Ambassador who is majoring in agriculture,
said that he talks to a lot of different groups and organizations and spent
a year going around Texas making speeches.
"Had it not been for what my parents made me do, I wouldn't be here
today," said Klose.
"I've often heard that if children don't have discipline by the time
they are five years old, they won't have discipline," said Klose. "My parents
often made me do things I didn't want to do, and most parents do that,
but that's what makes you the individual that you are," he said.
Klose said that by being yourself you get much closer to what you want
in life instead of trying to be someone else.
In closing, Klose shared his "simplicity theory." There are no hard
questions and no hard answers, according to Klose.
He offered everyone a challenge, "to go out in your organization or
business and bring in more members, be a leader."
Career and Technology Training Stations in marketing education recognized
included, Beall's, Laura Lodge, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dairy Queen, Bob's
Thriftway, Flying J, Discoteca Mexico, McDonald's, Anchor West, Inc., Wal-Mart,
Town and Country, Anabel Aguilar Insurance, Uncle's Convenience Store and
Gibson's.
In Business Education, businesses recognized were, Anchor West, Inc.,
First National Bank, Justice of the Peace, Municipal Court, Pecos Enterprise,
Pecos High School Office, Pecos Insurance, Reeves County Clerk's office,
West of the Pecos Museum, Community Council of Reeves County, Dr. Joseph
Darpolor, Needleworks, PBT ISD Tax Office, PHS counselors, Professional
Pharmacy, Security State Bank and the West of the Pecos Museum.
In Agriculture Science, Pecos Animal Clinic, Bryan's Nursery and Elliott
and Waldron Abstract.
"These employers help us by hiring the students in the community," said
teacher Judy Holland. "They teach the students a lot and help them to go
out in the business world," she said.
Business and Professionals of America who attended State Competition
this year were also recognized during the evening. Competitors included,
Marissa Salgado, Administrative Specialist; Kristen Evans, Payroll Accounting;
Jennifer Fuentes, Database Management; Anabel Carrasco, Payroll Accounting
and Financial Analyst Team; Veronica Valenzuela, Financial Analyst Team;
Jessica Carreon, Administrative Specialist; Grant Holland, State Officer
Candidate; Wesley Roberts, Campaign Manager; Timothy Harrison, Campaign
Manager; Anthony Casillas, National Officer Candidate; Daisey Chavez, Financial
Analyst Team; Miriam Dominguez, Financial Analyst Team; Michelle Gabaldon,
Advanced Accounting; Rebecca Natividad, Information Processing Assistant
and Isela Flores, Information Processing Specialist.
The DECA program also had some students attend state competition and
awards were handed out to those students last evening.
DECA competitors who advanced for state were Heydy Gomez and Jaime Machuca,
Quiz Bowl Event; Stacy Rivas and Nicole Payne, Business Service Marketing
and Ashley Abila, Apparel and Accessories.
FFA school members honored a former teacher with a special award and
thanked him for his many years of service and dedication.
FFA President presented the special award to former agriculture teacher
Bailey Wheeless.
Wheeless was honored earlier this year with the Outstanding Citizen's
Award by the Pecos Chamber of Commerce.
Students who participated in chapter conducting team for FFA were handed
awards. The students in the chapter conducting team conduct a "mock meeting"
using parliamentary procedures during the event. On the team were president,
Brandi Harrison; vice-president, Chance Holder; secretary, Lauren Martinez;
treasurer, Amanda Stickles; reporter, Chase Laurence and sentinel John
Canon.
The students who are officers in FFA at Pecos High School include, president,
Brandi Harrison; vice-president, Chance Holder; secretary, Amanda Stickles;
treasurer, Chase Laurence; reporter, Lauren Martinez and sentinel Courtney
Clark.
The Lamb Judging Team missed going to state competition by only 12 points.
The team consists of Brandi Harrison, Chance Holder, John Canon, Chase
Laurence and Jack Stickels.
Receiving certificates for participation in livestock shows were Israel
Lara, Brandi Harrison, Lauren Martinez, Amanda Stickels, Chris Armstrong,
John Canon and Trey Perkins.
Task Force Commander talks to Rotary Club
PECOS, April 28, 2000 - Gary Richards, commander of the Trans Pecos Drug
Task Force was the featured speaker at the Rotary Club meeting yesterday.
"The task force has been operational since June of 1999," Richards said.
"Since then we have seized more than $140,000 in cash that will hopefully
be forfeited and taken about $800,000 in drugs off the streets."
Richards said that in its short history the task force has made more
than 200 arrests and worked more than 450 cases in its eight-county area.
"The task force has done a lot of good. We've been successful, and sometimes
just the presence of the task force is enough to interrupt drug trafficking,"
he said.
"One lady in Kermit told me that she had been complaining of drug trafficking
in a nearby house for months. She told us that the day after the task force
came into Kermit, the drug dealers were gone," Richards said.
Richards also explained how the task force is funded.
"Seventy five percent of our funding comes from a federal grant administered
by the state. The participating entities have to contribute 25 percent,"
he said.
Richards said that local law enforcement agencies contribute one of
their officers to the task force and then the task force tries to use that
officer in the area he is familiar with.
The Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 12:00 noon at the Pecos Valley
Country Club.
Pecos Elementary celebrates Arbor Day
PECOS, April 28, 2000 - An Arbor Day Celebration was held at Pecos Elementary
School this morning.
In prelude to the celebration local third graders participated in an
essay and poster contest illustrating Arbor Day.
During the celebration Principal Gail Norris introduced the winners
of the contest and five of the winners read their essays and a poem to
their fellow students, members of the Pecos Tree Board, and visiting guests.
Oscar Mestas of the Texas Forest Service also addressed the students
concerning the history and importance of Arbor Day and Smokey the Bear
was on hand to talk about the care and feeding of trees.
"We've had an Arbor Day celebration in Pecos each year for more than
10 years," Pecos Tree Board member Judy Tipton said.
Tipton said that the Tree Board donated a live oak tree to the school
that will be planted on the campus in honor of the day.
Registration starts Monday
PECOS, April 28, 2000 - Pecos Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten registration
will be held beginning May 1 through May 5.
Hours will be on May 1 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.; May 2, 8:30 a.m.
until 6 p.m. and May 3-5, 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Parents are asked to bring the child's birth certificate, immunization
record and social security card.
Requirement for kindergarten students is that the child must be 5 years
old on or before Sept. 1.
Pre-kinder, the child must be four years old on or before Sept. 1, and
is unable to speak or comprehend the English language, educationally disadvantaged
or homeless, as defined by federal law.
A child must be enrolled by the child's parent, guardian, or other person
with legal control under a court order.
The parent is asked to bring the enrolling child to school when enrolling
in order to tour the school and visit the classrooms.
There will be activities in the classroom if your child would like to
participate.
For more information call 447-7259.
Obituary
Cleofas Gomez
Cleofas Olivas Gomez, 78, of Balmorhea, died Friday, April 28, 2000, at
the Reeves County Hospital.
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, at Christ the King Catholic
Church in Balmorhea.
Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, May 1, at Christ the King Catholic
Church in Balmorhea with burial in Balmorhea Cemetery.
He was born April 9, 1925, in Balmorhea, was retired, a Navy World War
II veteran and a Catholic.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Juana O. Gomez, Florencio
O. Gomez and Thomas O. Gomez.
Survivors include, one son, Raymond Gomez of Lubbock; one daughter,
Melinda Guevara of Midland; four sisters, Candida O. Gomez of Balmorhea,
Ramona O. Natividad of Saragosa, Augustina Fuentez of Odessa, Margarita
Meril of Phoenix, Ariz.; two brothers, Marcelo O. Gomez of Balmorhea, Joe
O. Gomez Sr. of Poteet, Tx.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
Forecast for tonight: Increasing cloudiness with a 20 percent chance of
showers and thunderstorms. Low near 60. Southeast wind 10-20 mph.
Saturday:Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and Thunderstorms.
High around 90. South wind 10-20 mph. Sunday:Partly cloudy with a slight
chance of showers and Thunderstorms. High 85-90.
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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