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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Air Force's "Lonestar" scoring site dedicated
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., March 20, 2002 -- "Lonestar" was officially christened during
a ribbon-cutting ceremony held southwest of Pecos Tuesday morning.
"Lonestar" is the name the U.S. Air Force has given to its new Pecos Electronic
Scoring Site, which is part of the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative (RBTI)
program for B-1 and B-52 bombers operating out of Dyess Air Force Base in
Abilene and Barksdale AFB near Shreveport, La.
Oscar Saenz, narrator for the special event, welcomed everyone to the
site. "On behalf of Brigadier General Wendell Griffin, the 7th
Bomb Wing Commander at Dyess AFB, we welcome you to our ribbon cutting ceremony
for the new Pecos Electronic Scoring Site, which has been giving the call
sign `Lonestar,'" he said.
Pecos High School student Marisa Sandoval sang the national anthem, while
Rev. Greer Willis of First Baptist Church gave the invocation.
"Today marks an important milestone in the development of realistic and
integrated training airspace for our Air Force bomber forces," said Saenz.
The electronic scoring site is located just outside the IR-I78 low-level
military training route, which has been used for years for flight training
missions. It is part of a larger project by the Air Force and Air Combat
Command in Langley, Virginia, to provide bomber forces a more realistic environment
in which to train, according to Saenz.
Lonestar's purpose is to provide B-1 and B-52 crews' electronic encounters
with realistic enemy threats and accurate scoring of their simulated bomb
drops.
"Thanks to Lonestar, bomber air crews will receive instantaneous and invaluable
feedback on what they did right and what they did wrong, and enable them
to hone the skills required for combat," said Saenz.
Bombers have been flying in this area for nearly 40 years, and B-1's have
been flying this route since 1986. The RBTI project was formally announced
by the Air Force two years ago, with the construction cost for the Pecos
site put at about $6 million.
The RBTI involves both the IR-178 route over West Texas and southeastern
New Mexico and the Lancer MOA area in the South Plains, located west of Abilene
and south of Lubbock.
"By utilizing much of what is already existing military airspace and supplementing
it with modern technology and facilities, the RBTI effort is easily destined
for success," said Saenz. "To use an old cliché, the Air Force is
getting `more bang for the buck.'"
"I would like to think that we, the citizens of Pecos and of Reeves County,
had a big hand in securing this site at this location and its supporting
locations," said Saenz. "Lonestar is more than just an economic boost to
the local economy, it's also a real opportunity to show our patriotism and
unbridled support for the people who wear the uniform and are willing to
sacrifice all to defend our way of life."
"This site and its equipment will give our airmen the best chance of survival
in combat and we are proud that we had at least a part in making that happen,"
said Saenz.
Saenz introduced Col. James Rowland, 7th Operations Group Deputy
Commander to the group, who said, "I can't think of anything I'd rather be
doing this afternoon that cutting this ribbon that will symbolize the realization
of many years of planning and work."
With this opening, B-1 B-52 aircrews will be able to receive more realistic
and more efficient training, according to Rowland. "If anyone had a question
as the importance of this project, they only need to turn on the news channel
of their choice and listen to the reports from Afghanistan," he said.
"The successes of these bone and buff crews flying those missions are
not from luck, the successes are the results of hundreds of hours of training,"
said Rowland.
"Those aircrews spent many hours in the cockpit on training missions _
mission which often had many non-productive hours flying from their bases
to either excellent, but far away, ranges in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and
Montana, or to local but non-integrated training areas that did not provide
a realistic combat environment like that being faced by the aircrews flying
into Afghanistan," said Rowland. "That is why RBTI was created, we needed
an integrated and realistic training environment closer to home to better
spend valuable Air Force dollars and provide better combat training."
While this will truly benefit the Air Force in producing highly training
bomber crews for the defense of America, it also will benefit the people
of West Texas through RBTI, Rowland said. A second site near Snyder is due
for completion late this spring.
"This project has created jobs and will bring in an anticipated influx
of over a million dollars annually into the local economies, this is truly
a win for our West Texas neighbors," he said.
"And as neighbors, I want to re-emphasize our commitment to you, from
the beginning of this initiative, we promised to work with you and be your
partners so that the best results are achieved for all parties," said Rowland.
"Because of your inputs, and the involvement of Senate and Congressional
leadership, the RBTI has blossomed and not faced."
"A great example of this partnership is that the number of flights will
not increase and the altitudes of those flights will not be lower than is
currently flown here in this military training route," said Rowland. "However,
there is even a greater example, for in any large project there are a few
people that stand `head and shoulders' above the rest, these people are the
ones who place the needs of other's ahead of their own."
Rowland told the group assembled that in this case, Terry Burkholder,
with the support of his wife, Jean, was that kind of man.
"When the Pecos Electronic Scoring Site Project was floundering because
we couldn't find property on which to locate the building, Terry Burkholder
stepped forward to help by acquiring a suitable piece of land," said Rowland.
"Without any commitment from the Air Force, either verbally or financially,
Terry secured this piece of property, it took a lot of guts, plus backing
by Jean, for Terry to stick his neck out that far without a written commitment,"
he said.
Rowland presented a plaque to Jean Burkholder in memory of her husband
Terry, who died this past October.
Visitors to the "space station" located on County Road 332 about 17 miles
southwest of Pecos were given a tour of the facility, at the end of the presentation.
Herrera files to retain seat on city council
PECOS, Wed., March 20, 2002 -- A fourth candidate has joined the race
for the Town of Pecos City Council, but several other races either remain
uncontested or have no candidates for the May 4 election, with the filing
deadline set for 5 p.m. today.
Incumbent Ricky Herrera has filed for re-election to the council today,
the last day of filings for the May elections. Herrera joins fellow Councilman
Danny Rodriguez in running for their two open spots on the council, along
with two other challengers, Angelica Valenzuela and Michael Benavides.
Incumbent Ray Ortega and former Pecos mayor Dot Stafford have filed to
run in that election on May 4. Ortega defeated Stafford two years ago in
the race for mayor.
The only other contested local race as of this morning was down in Balmorhea,
where incumbent Balmorhea ISD board members Jimmy Barragan, Jesus Matta and
Javier Lozano are seeking new three-year terms and will be challenged by
Regina Lozano.
In the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD election, two seats will be decided on
May 4, and currently only two candidates have filed. Incumbent Billie Sadler
is seeking a new three-year term on the board, while Paul Deishler is looking
to regain a spot on the school board, after losing in last year's election.
Deishler sought a three-year term a year ago, and gave up the unexpired
term he was appointed to in 2000. Michelle Galindo won election to that seat
but has not filed to run for a full three-year term.
Down in Balmorhea, Ruben Fuentez is the only one person to file for election
to the mayor's seat. That position became open last May with the death of
second-term mayor Ismael Vasquez Rodriguez.
Current Balmorhea Councilmen Eddy Roman and Rosendo Galindo both have
filed for re-election to their seats, and as of now have no challengers.
In Barstow, Mayor Benny Hernandez and incumbent council members Robert
Ortega and Carol Gonzales are seeking two-year terms. Ortega and Hernandez
filed for the two-year terms they were elected to in 2000, while Gonzales
filed for the seat she was appointed to last year, following the death of
councilman Lucio Florez in a July train accident.
In Toyah, current Toyah Mayor Ann Marsh has filed for re-election to her
seat with no opposition as of today. There are also two council seats open
for the May election, but only one incumbent, Sharon Sanchez, has filed for
re-election.
In the Reeves County Hospital District Board of Directors race, only two
of the three incumbents have filed for re-election, with the other one being
ineligible to retain his current seat, according to RCH officials.
Leo Hung is seeking a new two-year term as the at-large representative
on the board, and Chel Florez is seeking to retain his Precinct 1 seat. However,
Human Resources Director for RCH, Nadine Smith, said that Precinct 3 representative
Jesse Prieto no long lives in that precinct. Prieto now lives in Precinct
2 and can only seek re-election by filing for Hung's at-large seat, according
to Smith.
If no one files for the Precinct 3 seat by 5 p.m. today, the hospital
board will appoint a new board member following the May 4 local election.
Finance reports show Galindo, Matta were top spenders
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Wed., March 20, 2002 -- With Election Day come and gone, most of this
year's candidates for the Reeves County Democratic primary elections
have submitted their final pre-election campaign expenditure reports
for the March 12 primary, though several reports have yet to be turned
in to the Reeves County Clerk's office.
The most recent reports, which do not include spending during the final
week before the primary, show that Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo was
the largest spender of any of the local candidates
Galindo, who won renomination as County Judge by just under a 2-to-1 margin
over challenger Louis Matta, also outspent Matta by just about the same 2-to-1
margin through the first weekend of March, according to reports filed by
the two candidates.
During his campaign, Galindo spent a total of $20,176.61 and received
$17,700 in donations. Matta reported using money that came mostly out of
personal savings to finance his campaign. He spent a total of $10,795.16
with only $3,500 of that in donations, according to the financial report.
"Most of it (the money spent) was mine," he said. "It was just out of
my working capital."
Most of the candidates filed a final expense report before the elections
in early March for the 8th day before election report.
However, few of the candidates were not required to file any expense reports
because they filed a modified declaration report, which allows those candidates
to run for office without filing reports.
Candidates that filed for modified reports include Linda Clark, Pat Tarin,
Gilberto "Hivi" Rayos, Jerry Matta, J.T. Marsh, Clinton Glenn and Lamberto
Herrera, according to Reeves County Clerk Dianne Florez. Clark, Tarin, Rayos
and Herrera ran for re-election in uncontested races on March 12, while Jerry
Matta defeated Glenn in the race for Reeves County Precinct 2 Constable.
Marsh is currently in a runoff election with Jim Riley for the Justice of
the Peace position for Precinct 2.
Reeves County Commissioner candidate David Castillo has only turned in
one expense report throughout his campaign for re-election but plans to turn
in his final expense report which is due 30 days after the election.
"That way I can close out all the books," he said.
In Castillo's report that he filed in February, he reported spending $1,596.08
and receiving $800 in donations.
Castillo's opponent Norman Hill, who won the election for County Commissioner
Precinct 2, was the only candidate who was able to spend less money than
his contributors gave him.
Hill spent a total of $690 and received $723.83.
Individual donations and expenditures for the 8th day before
elections are listed below:
Jimmy Galindo
Re-elected as County Judge
Donations
$50 or more: Robert Natividad, $75 on Feb. 2; Juan S. Galindo, $1,000
on Feb. 20; Weldon Brookshire, $150 on Feb. 22; Anabel Aguilar, $100 on Feb.
22; Randy Graham, $550 on Feb. 22; Cassandra Hoshor, $100 on Feb. 28; Blanca
Barragan, $100 on Feb. 28; Ernesto Alvelais, $100 on Feb. 28; Veronica Sanchez,
$300 on Feb 28; Leo Aguirre, $1,000 on Feb. 28; Manuel Salcido, $1,500 on
March 2; Bruce Salcido, $1,500 on March 2; Julian Florez, $1,500 on March
2; Sam Patel, $75 on March 2; and Lazaro Baeza, $500 on Feb. 27.
$50 or less: none.
Total donations: $8,550
Expenditures
$50 or more: Pecos Enterprise, $742.92; Sam's, $296.98; Pecos Enterprise,
$1,119.72; Pecos Enterprise, $698.36; Elliot Printing, $60; KIUN, $797.58;
Ruben Ramos and The Texas Revolution, $5,500; Sam's, $88.75; KIUN, $436.92;
Pecos Enterprise, $866.01; KFC, $96.04; Quality Inn, $117.32; Roman Bros.,
$800.
$50 or less: Triple I Supplies, $38.97; P-B-T ISD, $40; Reeves County,
$30; Wal-Mart, $27.06.
Total expenditures: $11,756.63.
Louis Matta
Candidate for County Judge
Donations
$50 or more: Cipriano Matta, $100 on Feb. 24; and Juanita Davila, $500
on Feb. 28.
$50 or less: $350
Total donations: $950.
Expenditures
$50 or more: Home Depot, $290.11; Gibson's True Value, $355.70; Reeves
County Sheriff's Posse, $350; Elliot Printing, $198; Chevron Oil Co., $100;
City of Balmorhea, $125; KIUN, $125; KIUN, $200; Pecos Enterprise, $207.60;
Pecos Enterprise, $737.88; Elliot Printing, $485.42; Needleworks, $562.90;
Catalino Hernandez, $100; Pecos Enterprise, $216.30; KIUN, $480; La Tienda,
$191.05; Crooked River Band, $250; Bob's Thriftway, $85.22; KIUN, $600; Pecos
Enterprise, $188; Northside Cafe, $256.38; La Tienda, $1,658.28; Pecos Enterprise,
$311.40.
$50 or less: De Coty Coffee Co., $27.20.
Total expenditures: $8,101.44.
Dianne Florez
Re-elected as County Clerk
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: Cruz Garcia, $20 on Feb. 19.
Total donations: $20
Expenditures
$50 or more: KIUN, $178.
$50 or less: Totally Sharp, $43; Sign Solution, $42.
Total expenditures: $263.
Sofia Abila
Candidate for County Clerk
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total donations: none
Expenditures
$50 or more: KIUN, $105.
$50 or less: none
Total expenditures: $105.
David Castillo (filed on Feb. 20)
Incumbent for County Commissioner Precinct 2
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: $800
Total donations: $800
Expenditures
$50 or more: KIUN, $165; Home Depot, $144.58; Allied Advertising, $1,286.50.
$50 or less: none
Total expenditures: $1,596.08.
Norman Hill
Elected as County Commissioner Precinct 2
Donations
$50 or more: Norman Hill, $71.17 on Feb. 22.
$50 or less: $28.83.
Total donations: $100
Expenditures
$50 or more: KIUN, $71.17; KIUN, $100.
$50 or less: KIUN, $28.83.
Total expenditures: $200
J.T. Marsh
Candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: $30
Total donations: $30.
Expenditures
$50 or more: Pecos Enterprise, $638.20.
$50 or less: Jim Leonard, $30
Total expenditures: $668.20.
Jim Riley
Candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total donations: none
Expenditures
$50 or more: Pecos Enterprise, $100.
$50 or less: Bob's Thriftway, $43.19.
Total expenditures: $143.19.
Clinton Glenn
Candidate for County Constable Precinct 2
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total donations: none
Expenditures
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total expenditures: none
Walter Holcombe
Elected County Court at Law Judge
Donations
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total donations: none
Expenditures
$50 or more: none
$50 or less: none
Total expenditures: none
Book fair planned for 4th-5th graders
PECOS, Wed., March 20, 2002 -- Bessie Haynes Elementary School is sponsoring
a Scholastic Book Fair next week and on the Tuesday after Easter for the
fourth and fifth graders at the school.
The fair will be from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. on March 25-28 and
on April 2 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., in Room 11.
A wide selection of books, posters, CD-ROMs and crafts, along with Harry
Potter merchandise, will be available.
Enrich your child's vocabulary, imagination and reading skills with books
from the book fair.
Weather
PECOS, Wed., March 20, 2002 -- High Tues. 60. Low this morning 42. Rainfall
last 24 hours at Texas A&M Experiment Station .05 inch. Forecast
for tonight: Clear. Lows 35 to 40 with light and variable winds.
Thurs.: Sunny and warmer. Highs in the lower 70s. SW winds 5
to 15 mph: Becoming NE 10 to 20 mph during the afternoon. Thurs.
night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 40. Fri.: Partly cloudy and cooler.
Highs 60 to 65. Sat.: Partly cloudy. Lows 45 to 50. Highs 75 to 80.
Obituary
Jose Fuentes
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 newsdesk@nwol.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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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