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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
February 28, 2001
RCH weighs addition of dialysis service
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - The Reeves County Hospital Board of Directors
approved researching the possibility of providing a dialysis service in
Pecos, during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night in the hospital
classroom.
"What we did is authorize Mr. (RCH interim administrator Richard) Murphy
to do a preliminary study on the feasibility of providing a dialysis service
for Reeves County and the surrounding areas," board member Holly Key said.
Board member Leo Hung commented on the fact that many community members
must travel to Midland or Odessa approximately three times a week in order
to receive dialysis treatment.
Hung said each drive could easily turn into an all day trip because
of the time it takes to get to the hospital and wait for the treatment,
as well as the hours it takes to receive the treatment and then travel
back to Pecos.
"It's very stressful," he said.
Hung said that some patients have even had to move to Midland or Odessa
in order to receive the treatment because they do not have anyone who could
take them each time.
He also explained that some patients who are considered "borderline"
would rather wait to receive treatment when it is absolutely necessary.
Hung said that if there were a dialysis center in Pecos not only local
patients would be able to use the center but also patients from surrounding
areas including Presidio, Balmorhea and even Fort Stockton.
Murphy, who helped with the installation of a dialysis center in Port
Lavaca, said that adding a center in Pecos would be very costly and would
require a separate physician and staff trained in giving dialysis treatments.
Murphy said that the center in Pecos would most likely not make much
money for the hospital.
"It would have to be managed tightly to break even," he said.
Despite that Hung said he believed that the center would help the community
members.
"I think this is a good opportunity to look into it," he said.
Key said that having a local dialysis center would benefit the community
and worth looking into.
"It would be beneficial to the community," she said. "It doesn't hurt
to check it out."
The board also discussed authorizing Murphy to begin advertising for
bids for an oil and gas lease on some property in Reeves County.
He told the board that he has received an inquiry from a company on
leasing the hospital's mineral interest on the property.
Murphy explained that the property was given to the hospital as part
of payment of services.
"These mineral interests were given to the hospital in lieu of payment,"
Key said.
However, Murphy said the hospital could not lease the mineral interests
legally without advertising for bids, and the board then authorized him
to do so on the mineral interests of the property.
The board also approved new substance abuse and harassment policies
for the hospital. Key said the new policies only enhance the current policies
in place at RCH.
The board also approved an agreement with Pecos Nursing Home for the
transfer of nursing home patients to and from the hospital.
The board approved the agreement with Hung abstaining from the vote
due to the fact that he is currently in the process of buying the nursing
home from current owner Greg Johns.
The board approved banking resolutions with West Texas National Bank
and Security State Bank allowing Board President Marcella Lovett, vice
president/secretary Jesus Prieto and Murphy to sign and endorse checks
as well as other documents on behalf of the hospital.
The board approved the order election for May 5, 2001, and the election
judges and clerks for that election, and also authorized the adoption of
a resolution for a flexible benefits plan for hospital employees.
Members approved numerous requests for purchase of property and tabled
one request.
The board tabled the request from Pascual Olibas to purchase 495 acres
of land in Reeves County for the amount of $750. The land has an appraised
value of $14,850.
Properties approved for sale include:
n 605 S. Palm Street to Johnny Jordan for the amount of $1,000.
n 1101 S. Locust Street to Heriberto Rivera for the amount of $1,500.
n 2025 S. Eddy Street to Isabel Flores for the amount of $3,000.
n 616 Ross Blvd. to Isabel Flores for the amount of $3,000.
Other items approved included the joint conference committee report,
the medical staff and administrator's report, the monthly tax report, the
payment of bill, financial statements and budget amendments as well as
the minutes from the previous meeting.
City delays annexation suit action
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - Town of Pecos City Council took no action
on the pending litigation against the city by Hugh Box concerning possible
annexation of property following an executive session of the special meeting
this morning in council chambers.
The council has recently been discussing the possible annexation of
land in and around the Pecos city limits in order to manage the growth
of the perimeter of the city.
During public hearings held on Feb. 14 and 15, community members were
invited to voice their opinion on the city's plan for possible annexation
and many showed up in opposition of the plan.
Walter Holcombe, who represented some of those members, asked the council
to drop the plans to annex after hearing the public comments, adding that
if they did not they should prepare themselves for a lawsuit.
City Attorney Scott Johnson informed Holcombe that the city would not
respond to threats.
The discussion of the suit was one of two main items on today's council
agenda.
During open session of this morning's meeting Principal Scientist for
Arcadis Geraghty and Miller, Inc., Hugh Robotham and Frank Spencer of Frank
X. Spencer & Associates gave a groundwater exploration report for the
seven test holes and one test production well in the South Worsham Water
Well Field to the Council.
Robotham reported to the Council that the testing in South Worsham turned
out results that were expected.
He said that they had planned that the groundwater quality would be
there at South Worsham and said they were proven right.
"We found good quality of water," Robotham said. "We found the reserves
are there but that the productivity was not there."
He explained that the productivity of the land was not as high as expected
and that water would only last the community for about 20 years.
Spencer said that when the city acquired the land for South Worhsam
they only acquired 10 sections of land when 17 sections were available.
Spencer and Robotham recommended to the Council that they pick up the
remaining sections of land in order to gain many more years of water out
of the water wells.
"You would be assured 40 to 50 years of water," Robotham said.
Spencer also said they recommended the city pick up the remaining sections
plus one more section making the total number of section come out to 18½
sections.
"We need to acquire the additional seven and a half sections to guarantee
a 40 year life," he said.
Councilman Ricky Herrera asked Spencer if the city would be required
to go before the Texas Water Development Board in order to acquire the
additional sections.
Spencer explained that the Board had already approved six sections and
the city would only need to keep the Board informed on what they want and
would do for the remaining sections.
City Manager Carlos Yerena said that the six could be easily acquired
with only two left that would require TWDB approval.
"We would acquire six and then go back to the Water Development Board
for the remaining two sections," he said.
The Council approved both the report and the recommendation from Spencer
and Robotham to acquire additional sections of land.
County to house Marshal's prisoners at RCDC
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - Reeves County Commissioners approved an intergovernmental
agreement with the Bureau of Prisons to house U.S. Marshal's Service inmates
at the Reeves County Detention Center.
"BOP has approached us in regard to the possibility of being able to
house marshal inmates at the Reeves County Detention Center," said Reeves
County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo, during the regular meeting held Monday morning
at the Reeves County Courthouse.
Galindo said that he, along with RCDC Warden Rudy Franco, had spoken
to BOP and assured them that they didn't think this would be a problem.
"We just wanted to look into possibly keeping the bills separate," said
Galindo.
The agreement will allow the housing of the U.S. Marshal's inmates,
most of who are due to hearings and trials at U.S. District Court in Pecos.
Galindo said the submission for billing will be made separately from other
federal inmates kept at the detention center.
"We would like to honor the request of the BOP to house inmates at the
RCDC," said Galindo.
"This will definitely be something good for the county," said Precinct
2 Commissioner David Castillo.
In other action on Monday, commissioners approved an interlocal agreement
with the Town of Pecos City for a landscaping project at the intersection
of Highway 285 and Interstate 20 in Reeves County.
In the agreement, the county will obtain all necessary permission from
the State and or federal government and the city will provide the county
with two water taps with meters on each side of I-20 at the city's expense.
Pecos will provide water to the county at the tap at the city's cost of
production and Reeves County will be responsible for maintaining the water
line from the tap and for the landscaping.
The agreement will be for a one year term beginning March 1 and will
be automatically renewed for successive one year terms unless either party
gives 30 day written notice of termination.
Commissioners also approved payments to Banes General Contractors, who
have the contractors for the RCDC II, construction, which is near total
completion.
"All the freezers, laundry room and workshops are complete," said Chuck
Smith, with Banes General Contractors. "The washers, dryers are all working."
Smith said the crew was still trying to figure out the purification
system being used in the laundry room, but that all is going well.
The final work on the 1,000-bed expansion at the prison is almost complete
and Smith will provide commissioners with a copy of the list of each of
the subcontractors. "We should be getting relatively close to get it totally
complete," he said.
In conjunction with the construction at RCDC II, commissioners approved
payment to Trinity Engineering for testing fees. "These were all included
in the budget and fees," said county auditor Lynn Owens.
Commissioners approved a golf tournament sponsored by the Knights of
Columbus on July 21-22 at the Reeves County Golf Course.
"There's no conflict in having it that weekend," asked Castillo.
"No, everything was set up by the personnel at the golf course," said
George Dominguez, spokesman for the Knights.
The Knights of Columbus provide scholarships for deserving Pecos High
School seniors, try to help out at least five churches each year and help
with other community projects.
A Balmorhea Clean-Up Project has been scheduled for Saturday, April
7. "The cleanups will be have to be done on public right of ways and not
on private property," said Galindo. Reeves County Road and Bridges Crew
from Pecos will be on hand to lend their assistance.
Commissioners look high and low at pest problem
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - Reeves County commissioners took time on
Monday to discuss ways of solving problems with pests both above the roofs
of county buildings and beneath their floors, as they heard an exterminator
review ways of solving the "bird" problem in Pecos and the termite problem
at the Reeves County Library.
Charlene Gunn, with Hert Exterminating Co., has been in the business
for 20 years and spoke to the commissioners about the ongoing problem of
termites at the library.
"The current problem at the library is a construction problem with the
building that does not allow us to get good penetration for the termites,"
said Gunn.
Gunn told the group that they have been working on trying to solve this
problem for several years.
"I've brought some very valuable information on a new product that's
very expensive, but very successful," said Gunn, who told commissioners
to look at the information and to possibly consider it. "Review it and
we can come back with a proposal," she said.
"I want to strongly recommend that you consider this system, it's the
only way you'll get control," she said.
Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo asked how much it would cost to get
the termite treatment. "Normally, it would cost around $2,500, but since
we've been treating that building and have dealt with you before we'll
give you a discount," said Gunn.
The treatment would take place once a month, and then when the termites
are more under control, change it to a quarterly basis.
Gunn also told commissioners that she had taken the liberty of including
some information on the bird problem and the havoc that they can cause
to buildings and employee's health. Pigeons have been a constant problem
on buildings in the downtown area, including the Reeves County Courthouse.
"We had been told about the pigeons on the buildings and the mess and
havoc they create not only to the buildings, but to health problems," Gunn
said.
Gunn told the group that the birds carry over 40 different parasites
and six different diseases.
"The feces they leave behind on the buildings, the streets, the pavement,
get dry and become airborne and then you breathe that, which can lead to
health problems," said Gunn.
"This is an opportunity and option available to you," she said. "I hope
you give me the opportunity to come back and address you again, this is
just for you to review and think about," she said.
Barstow incumbents file for new terms on council
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - All three incumbents on the Barstow City
Council whose terms are up for election on May 5 have filed to retain their
seats.
Aldermen Olga Abila, Dora Villanueva and Lucio Florez have filed to
seek new two-year terms in the upcoming local elections.
Council seats also will be open on May 5 in the Pecos, Balmorhea and
Toyah city elections, along with the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah and Balmorhea
ISD boards and for two of the four precincts in the Reeves County Hospital
District.
Three candidates, two of them incumbents, have already filed for seats
on the Town of Pecos City Council. Gerald Tellez was the second incumbent
to file to retain his seat on the council last Thursday. He joined former
Pecos Mayor Frank Sanchez and incumbent Larry Levario, who filed earlier
in the week.
Sanchez became Pecos' first Hispanic mayor in 1984, and served two terms.
Levario is one of the three city council members whose terms expire this
year. He is currently finishing his first term on the city council while
Tellez will be seeking a fourth term on the city council.
Johnny Terrazas holds the other council seat whose two-year terms expire
in May. March 21 is the final day to file in the area elections.
In the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board election, four of the seven
seats will be voted on this year, and two incumbents already have filed.
Paul Deishler, who was appointed last year to replace Frank Apolinar,
Jr., on the board, has filed for one of the full three-year terms along
with incumbent Brent Shaw.
Three-year positions on the board up for election on May 5 are those
currently being held by Shaw, Earl Bates and Louis Matta, who is president
of the board. Deishler's unexpired term will also be up for election.
In the Reeves County Hospital Board election, only voters in Precincts
2 and 4 will be casting ballots this year. No one has filed for either
of those seats, which are held by Marcella Lovett and Holly Key.
If there are no opposed candidates, along with no propositions and no
vacancies to be filled by special election in the various city, school
and hospital board races, the election may be canceled anytime after this
date.
The last day a person may register to vote in the local elections is
April 5. Early voting by personal appearance will be April 27 through May
1. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., on Election Day, May 5.
Big Bend visitors told to book sites early for March
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - Big Bend National Park reminds people planning
to visit in March to make their reservations early, because the month is
usually one of the busiest at the park each year.
Large numbers of visitors historically travel. to Big Bend National
Park during Spring Break, Superintendent Frank J. Deckert said. "The Presidents'
Day holiday weekend is expected to kick off the busier Spring Break season
this year, which is anticipated to extend through the month of March,"
he said.
The busiest time during Spring Break this year should be March 12 through
23, when most of the Texas public schools and universities are scheduled
to be closed for the break the demand for campsites and overnight lodging
will be far greater than the number of campsites and rooms available within
the park.
Visitors seeking lodging without reservations may have difficulty finding
a room. The Chisos Mountains Lodge, the only lodging facility in the park,
reports that few reservations are available. A fortunate few may be able
to take advantage of last minute cancellations. Potential visitors should
call the lodge at (915) 477-2291 for more information.
Obituary
Jose Botello
Weather
PECOS, February 28, 2001 - High Tuesday 72. Low this morning 33. Rainfall
last 24 hours at the Texas A&M Experiment Station .14 inch Forecast
for tonight: Cloudy and cool with a chance of rain, possibly mixed with
sleet or freezing rain late. Low near 30. East wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance
of precipitation is 30 percent. Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent
chance of rain. High in the mid to upper 50s. East to southeast wind 5
to 15 mph. Thursday night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers
or thunderstorms. Low near 40. Friday and Saturday: Mostly cloudy with
a chance of showers or thunderstorms. Lows 35 to 40. Highs in the mid 50s.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows near 40. Highs 55 to 60.
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
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Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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