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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
April 3, 2001
P-B-T hopefuls provide background info
to local voters during candidates' forum
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 3, 2001 - Community residents had an opportunity to meet
the candidates for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board's May 5 election on
Tuesday evening, during a forum at the Pecos Technical Training Center
of Odessa College.
Cynthia Armbruster, president of Delta Kappa Gamma, which sponsored
the event, introduced all candidates that were on hand. She thanked the
candidates that were able to attend the forum, which was limited to only
the P-B-T election. Voters will also cast ballots in area city and hospital
board elections on May 5.
The candidates presented their biographies and talked with those in
attendance, but did not take any formal questions from the crowd.
There are three candidates seeking a one-year unfulfilled term, with
seven candidates vying for one of the three positions on the board for
a full three-year term.
Positions that are up for the three-year term include those currently
held by board members Louis Matta, Brent Shaw and Earl Bates. Matta and
Bates did not file for re-election.
The one year unexpired term is held by Paul Deishler, who is among the
seven seeking a three-year term in May. Seeking his position are Michele
Galindo, Frank "Frankie" Rodriguez and Ruben Salazar.
Others besides Shaw and Deishler in the other area are Lila Rae Cerna,
Veronica "Ronnie" Dutchover, Saul "Chip" Flores, Crissy Martinez and Julio
Torres.
Galindo is a native of Pecos, who graduated from Pecos High School in
1982. She is the mother of two children, Jamye Catherine, who is nine years
old and attends Pecos Elementary School and John Charles, who is five years
old and attends Pecos Kindergarten. She is married to Jimmy Galindo.
Before she was married, Galindo served as Assistant Manager of Flying
J Travel Plaza. While living in Lubbock, she worked at St. Mary's Hospital
processing medical claims for the hospital. In Austin, Galindo worked for
a group of Internal Medicine doctors. But most importantly, She worked
as an instructional aide at Austin Elementary for several years.
Over the last 10 years, she has completely focused her attention on
the education of her children. "As a mother of a non-verbal Autistic child
and a Gifted and Talented child, I have seen the different degrees of educational
opportunities we must provide for our children to learn appropriately,"
she said. "Every child deserves a meaningful opportunity to learn."
"As a candidate to fill an unexpired term, I look forward to visiting
with teachers, administrators, and parents about the educational needs
of our community. The future of our kids will be determined by how well
prepared they will be for all of life's challenges. If given the opportunity,
I will work hard to bring parents, teachers, and administrators together
to improve the educational opportunities for our kids," she said.
Rodriguez apologized in a letter read to the audience for not attending
the session.
"I am 46 years old or young, depending on whom I'm talking to," said
Rodriguez. "I have been married to Elida Martinez Rodriguez for almost
26 years."
The couple has six children, Stephen, 24; Angela 23; Cisco Jr., 21;
David, 19; Richard, 17 and Antonio, 6. "We have five grandchildren," his
letter said.
Rodriguez graduated from Pecos High School in 1973 and attended Angelo
State University for four years.
"I work at Pizza Hut here in Pecos, for the past five years," said Rodriguez.
"For those of you who know me come by and say hi, for those of you claim
to know me and for those of you who don't know me, come meet me; get to
know Frank Rodriguez."
"I want to be your voice on the school board. I really believe that
my management experience, (23 years), and my people skills will benefit
the board. I can work with people," he said.
Salazar was born June 27, 1954, in Corpus Christi. He grew up in Colorado
and completed his first years of education there. Then he started his years
of higher education in the University of Colorado. In the early 1980's
he moved back to Texas, his home state, to raise his six children.
Salazar has an immeasurable amount of experience working in partnership
with the schools for the past 29 years. He has been involved in his children's
education throughout their lives. He was a member of the school advisory
committee and received awards from PTA for going beyond the call of duty
in lending a helping hand in the schools. His wife, Eufemia Salazar, dedicated
her time raising her children at home the first 20 years of their marriage.
Then she pursued a teaching career, completed a Bachelor of Arts from
Texas Tech University in 1996, and received her elementary and secondary
teaching credentials. She also cleared her Bilingual Credential and is
presently teaching bilingual fourth grade in Bessie Haynes.
He said he is proud to live in a country that is full of rich opportunities
and freedom. Having worked long, hard hours in agriculture work, made him
sensitive to knowing that he wanted something better for his family. Salazar
encouraged and motivated his children to pursue a college degree and all
his five children that have completed high school are presently enrolled
in a university. His family adopted a new family member three years ago
and is attending Pecos Elementary School.
Salazar is a correctional officer, a licensed minister and served in
the U.S. Navy. He decided to run for school board because he strongly agrees
that students should be first, partnership with schools and the community
is essential, curriculum alignment is needed for quality instruction, and
believes model bilingual program to benefit all students will help them
become life-long learners. He is ready to listen, voice your concerns and
is eager to offer the best of himself to you.
Cerna was born in Singapore in 1961. "My parents were missionaries;
my father, a math and science teacher in high school, and my mother, a
grade school teacher. "My brothers and I spent our growing years in Bangkok,
Thailand, where my parents were teachers."
Growing up in a mission field has allowed her to appreciate people of
different cultures and backgrounds as well as learn a different language.
She graduated from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif., with
a four year Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1985. Cerna is an
RN Nurse. "I have worked as an RN in pediatrics, pediatric ICU and Neonatal
ICU settings, as well as a little home health nursing experience. "I am
currently devoting my time to the most important job I will ever have,
being a mother to my children, and a wife to my husband, Dr. Orville Cerna,"
she said.
Together the couple have four children: Christina Marie, 11 years old;
Carina Nicole, 9; Carissa Leana, 8 and Catherine Elise, 6 years old.
"As a beneficiary of excellent education from caring teachers, I have
a vested interest in the issues facing the district school system," said
Cerna. "I want my children, as well as all children in this district to
have a quality education, an education that will not only make them better
citizens of our communities, but one which will also provide them with
a solid foundation upon which they can reach for their dreams," she said.
"That is the legacy we must leave for our children," said Cerna.
Deishler was born and raised in Pecos. After graduating from high school
he joined the United States Air Force where he served eight years. After
discharging from the Air Force, he returned to Pecos where he began his
law enforcement career.
In 1981, he worked at the Reeves County Sheriff's Department; in 1982,
he started working at the Pecos Police Department and has been there for
19 years.
Deishler has been married to Vicky for 24 years and they have three
children, Tammy, 23, Chris 18 and Alyssa, two years old.
"I attended Odessa College and U.T.P.B. and have a degree in criminal
justice," said Deishler.
He is the president of the Pecos Athletic Booster Club, is on the board
of directors for the Pee Wee Football League and has been a member of the
Pecos Downtown Lions Club for the past 15 years.
"If re-elected to the school board, I will continue to serve the community
to the best of my ability," said Deishler.
Dutchover was unable to attend, but sent her daughter, Dena, to represent
her.
She was raised in Pearsall. "There are two things we are famous for
in my hometown, the first is peanuts and the second is George Strait, Jr,"
Dutchover said in a letter read by Armstrong.
Dutchover attended Sul Ross State University in the early 1980's. She
majored in education with a hope of one day becoming a teacher. "Although
I come from a long line of educators, I realized my interests were in social
services. Helping those who could not help themselves was my motto," her
letter said.
She worked for the Alpine Independent School District from 1988-1990.
In 1990, she became employed with the Texas Department of Human Services
in Midland. "Doing exactly what I wanted to do," Dutchover's letter stated.
The family moved to Pecos five years ago, the hometown of her husband
Jimmy Dutchover, who started working for the school district as a Special
Education teacher.
"Now, I want to do something for the educators who have helped educate
my children and children of this community," said Dutchover. "I want to
represent you as a board of trustee," she said.
"My slogan is, `Step by Step Improvements Can Be Made,'" she said.
Flores was born and raised in Pecos. After graduating from Pecos High
he attended Texas Tech. He returned to Pecos to work in the oilfield. He
worked for Texaco Incorporated and at the present time works for Apache
Corporation, out of Wink.
He is the son of Chuy and Virginia Flores and is married to Debbie,
a fifth grade teacher at Bessie Haynes. The couple have two children, Sarah
Catherine, 18, a senior at Pecos High, who will be attending McMurray University
in Abilene in the fall and Kelsey Jane, 14, an 8th grader at
Crockett Middle School.
Flores has always been active with whatever his daughters have participated
in. Both Sarah and Kelsey started swimming in the second grade and he has
become a swimming official, officiating swim meets for at least eight years.
He not only officiates in Pecos, but in Seminole, Big Spring, Fort Stockton
and Monahans. He coaches Kelsey's softball teams. He has been involved
in softball for the last four years.
He and his family are members of St. Catherine's Catholic Church.
"If given the opportunity to serve the community, I will perform my
duties to the very best of my abilities," said Flores.
Flores believes that every child in our district should be given an
education that will truly prepare our future leaders.
Martinez has lived in Pecos almost all her life. Here is where she met
and married her husband, Gabriel Martinez, mechanical service director
at the Reeves County Detention Center and owner of GabeCo Air Conditioning
and Heating. The couple has three children, Alex, 13 and in the seventh
grade, Christopher who is seven years old and in the second grade and Matthew,
six years old and in the first grade.
She graduated from Pecos High School where she participated in sports
and several school organizations. "And with lots of help from my parents,
Louis and Mary Lou Carrasco, I graduated from the University of Texas at
the Permian Basin with a bachelor's degree in accounting," said Martinez.
"I am still pursuing my career goal of Certified Public Accountant," she
said.
"During the pursuit of my degree, I had the privilege to work and gain
experience in the accounting field," said Martinez.
Her business experience began while working for Dan Painter, CPA for
seven years.
"After Mr. Painter's relocation to El Paso, I became a part of the team
of Card, Graham and Company, CPA's," said Martinez. "I continued with my
daily accounting duties of preparation of financial statements and payroll
reports," she said. Tax preparation was then added to her responsibilities.
"I also assisted in several audits performed by Randy Graham and Bob
Card, one of which is that of PBT-ISD," said Martinez.
She then continued her accounting career with the Reeves County Auditor,
Lynn Owens, as an auditor assistant. "During my employment, I learned the
daily business of county government and was able to assist in the budget
process," she said.
She worked for the accounting department for Frank X. Spencer. "Shortly
thereafter, I then decided to completely focus on my career goal and my
family," said Martinez.
"This decision has allowed me more time, in which I take care of the
finances for our air conditioning company, chauffeur the kids from soccer,
basketball or baseball practice to swim practice then run to a football
game or basketball tournament or even a stock show and still study for
school," she said.
"With three children, I have been to many campuses and volunteered for
many different events; fun nights, book fairs, AR stores, class parties
and sponsor on field trips," said Martinez. "I have also served several
PTO's in different capacities, such as an officer and a volunteer," she
said.
She also served on the CIDC for Austin Elementary.
"Along with serving the schools, I participated in the Pecos Leadership
Class and served on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce,"
said Martinez.
Shaw was born and raised in Pecos. He graduated from Pecos High School
in 1981. He has been employed with Oasis Pipeline Company for 20 years,
and is currently the compressor operator at the Waha Compressor Station
in Coyanosa.
He is married to Tracy and they have two children, Lindsey, a seventh
grader at Crockett Middle School and Bradley, a kindergartener at Pecos
Kindergarten.
During his three-year term on the school board, Shaw has served on the
school insurance committee for three years, the Reeves County Recreation
Committee for two years and is currently serving as board secretary.
He has attended the Texas Association of School Board's annual convention
all three years and also served as the board's voting delegate two of those
three years. He has received 42 continuing education credit hours from
the Texas Association of School Boards.
Torres has been happily married for 30 years and a proud father of four
children. "I have been fortunate to have three children graduate from Pecos
High School and one is currently enrolled as a sophomore," he said.
He has been a resident of Pecos since 1970, when he first arrived from
Fort Hancock, where he was raised and graduated from high school. "After
my service in the armed forces, I arrived in Pecos as an employee of Conoco
Oil Company," said Torres.
"I have been actively involved in little league on and off since 1972.
I have also been a member of the Evening Optimist Club since 1978," said
Torres.
"My career in the oilfield service consisted of several major oil company's
such as Conoco, Gulf, and Chevron," said Torres. "I have benefited greatly
through the extensive training period by this companies. I have been involved
in many aspects from ground level to supervisory positions."
"It is these skills that I feel I can contribute to the efforts of the
PBT-ISD board and community," he said.
PHA board reappoints Lira, eyes FLH housing changes
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 3, 2001 - Pecos Housing Authority board members reappointed
Sandra Lira to the resident commissioner's position on the board during
their monthly meeting on Friday, were updated on current budget expenditures
and on the situation with Farm Labor Housing prior to the start of the
2001 harvest season and discussed a future change in status for the FLH
apartments.
Lira was reappointed to a new one-year term under a revised state law
that allowed for consecutive appointments of resident commissioners. Under
the law, one seat on housing authority boards is filled by a resident commissioner,
who must be a tenant in a housing authority building.
PHA Executive Director Nellie Gomez said the law allows for consecutive
terms, and Lira could be reappointed to a regular spot on the PHA board
at a later date, while another tenant fills the resident commissioner's
spot.
"If you all want to, she's willing to go another term," said Gomez,
and her reappointment was approved by acting board president Ray Golden
and board members Juanita Davila and Alberto Alvarez.
Gomez updated the board on the CIAP `99 funding expenditures, which
have almost been completed. "It's just about all used up except for the
fence," Gomez said, referring to the cinder block and iron fencing going
up around the PHA apartments on West Second Street.
The total cost of the fencing is $22,055, with about $9,000 of that
due to come out of the CIAP 2000 funds, Gomez said. Other CIAP 2000 funds
are going towards putting in new sidewalks at the PHA apartments on Orange
Street, she added.
The Farm Labor Housing portion of the meeting was taken up mainly with
discussions about removing the West County Road Apartments from Farm Labor
Housing designation.
Gomez asked the board to allow her to reapply for membership in the
Rural Rental Housing Association, which would allow the FLH Apartments
to be changed to rural family status, a change that would allow for year-round
occupation of those apartments. Currently, over half the apartments must
remain vacant during months when migrant workers are not in the Pecos area.
Gomez said the change would include a $196 payment to the RRHA, but
would allow her to use their application and lease agreements to change
the units over to rural family status. The board approved the measure unanimously.
The housing report showed that 27 of the FLH units are currently occupied,
and 29 are vacant. Of the 27, a total of 25 are being rented to ineligible
(non-migrant) individuals and families," Gomez said.
She also told the board three unoccupied apartments had to be repaired
after a vehicle ran into them either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
"Everybody was gone, so we don't know exactly when it happened," she said.
The FLH received an insurance check for $2,971.48 to cover the repairs,
Gomez added.
Hung assuming control of Pecos Nursing Home
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 3, 2001 - One step at a time, the new owner of Pecos Nursing
Home is striving to provide quality health care at the facility and to
assure future certification.
Leo Hung, owner of Professional Pharmacy and American Home Health in
Pecos, assumed control of the facility on Sunday from longtime owner Greg
Johns. He had been operating the nursing home for the past 25 years and
had moved to El Paso several years ago.
"He just decided to move on," said Hung, who will operate the under
new management.
Jim Lofton will assume duties as the nursing home administrator, while
Carolyn Hughes will take over as director of nursing. Lofton had been the
administrator of the facility and had left about 14 months ago. "He's not
new to the area or to the nursing home business, he is very experienced,"
said Hung.
The Pecos Nursing Home is a 90-bed facility with private and semi-private
rooms located on Memorial Drive, just behind the Reeves County Annex building.
It is the only nursing home in the Pecos area.
Once the change of ownership occurs, the facility will once again be
inspected for certification. "Right now, that's what we're preparing for,"
said Hung.
Hung said that once "things get rolling" and everything is taken care
of, he will work towards getting Medicare certification again.
"This is a studying period for us," said Hung, who has been a resident
of Pecos for the past 21 years. He is the owner of American Home Health
and Hospice and Professional Pharmacy and is a member of the Reeves County
Hospital Board, the Rotary Club and the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Our long-term goal in regard to the facility, is to continue to improve
the quality of care at the nursing home," said Hung. "So that we won't
need to send our loved ones to Odessa or Fort Stockton."
Hung said that providing excellent care to the older generation in the
community was the most important aspect of ownership. "Having a good nursing
home in the community is convenient for all the residents," said Hung.
The facility employs an average of 85 associates, with the majority
of the staff in nursing.
Housekeeping personnel take care of all the laundry, cleaning, maintenance
and gardening.
Dietary personnel take care of cooking and dish washing, while a dietary
consultant helps with the menus.
The home also has a social activities director, along with volunteers
and a social activities consultant. They organize bingo, birthday parties,
holiday parties, picnics, exercise classes, senior citizens luncheons,
church services of various denominations, Spanish reading Bible Study,
weekly movies and bus rides. Residents also enjoy arts and crafts activities.
Residents are provided 24-hour nursing care with licenses personnel
on each shift. Services provided include medications, bedside care, and
treatments such as respiratory therapy, oxygen, skin/wound care and access
to physical therapy.
Suctioning, catheterization, nasal gastric and gastric feedings, along
with insulin therapy and lab work are all a part of the nursing care provided
to residents.
Residents also have access to social service, dietitian, orthopedic
surgeons, ophthalmologist, dentist, and optometrist and make doctor's office
visits locally if a patient is able to go.
A pharmacy consultant, a medical director, and three registered nurses
are available as consultants seven days a week to provide coverage.
"We're going to strive to provide the highest quality of care to the
residents of the nursing home and will take all concerns seriously," said
Hung.
Blood Drive set Saturday at RCH during Health Fair
PECOS, April 3, 2001 - United Blood Services will be holding a blood drive
in Pecos this Saturday, in conjunction with the annual Reeves County Health
Fair.
The drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the hospital.
Along with collecting blood, officials will United Blood Service will also
encourage people to register for the bone marrow program and encourage
people to sign up as organ and tissue donors.
For further information, call either United Blood Services at 1-800-371-5539
or Nancy Ontiveros at Reeves County Hospital, 447-3551.
Obituary
Frances Rodriguez
Weather
PECOS, April 3, 2001 - High Monday 94. Low this morning 61. Forecast for
tonight: Partly cloudy. Low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday:
Partly cloudy. High around 90. South wind 10 to 20 mph. Wednesday night:
Partly cloudy. Low around 60. Thursday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance
of mainly nighttime thunderstorms. High around 90. Friday: Partly cloudy
with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows near 60. Highs in the upper
70s to the lower 80s.
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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