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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Commissioners discuss lagging work at RCDC
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2003 - Reeves County Commissioners discussed several change
orders involving final work at the Reeves County Detention Center III
project, and discussed delays involving two of the contractors during
their regular meeting Monday in the third floor courtroom of the
Reeves County Courthouse to.
According to Gerald Tally with Carothers Construction Co.,
the main contractor on the project, the companies requesting change
orders have met the definition of completion that would allow the county to
occupy and use the facilities as intended.
However, Tally added that there were two additional companies
that did not meet with definition of completion.
"We will meet with them this week," Tally told the commissioners.
During their meeting Tally said that he would advise the contractors
the urgency for them to finish their work with in the next 18 days before
the facilities is scheduled to open on March 1.
Tally told the commissioners that the two contractors he was
talking about were NC Sturgeon and SamCorp.
Though Tally has meet with both companies, he said that SamCorp
has not made any effort to fix its areas.
"I have spoken and written to NC Sturgeon and I will be meeting
with them again on Wednesday," he said.
While working with these two companies, Tally said that the
RCDC addition was on line and that it was looking great.
Tally went on to say that if the prison becomes occupied before
the two companies are finished with their minor repairs it would
become harder for them to work in the building.
"If they sent in 40 people in now it would be cheaper then having
10 people working after March 1," Tally said.
He added that they are currently working on doing everything
they can to look after the county.
County Judge Jimmy Galindo asked Tally if the inside and
the outside of the facility was available to the contractors 24 hours a
day, which Tally said it was.
"We are in no means restricting them," Galindo said. "They are
able to work eight hours of a day."
According to County Auditor Lynn Owens, the county has
worked with NC Sturgeon in the past but has never worked with SamCorp.
Commissioners asked Tally if both companies were aware that if they
did not finish their repairs then they would have to have security escort.
"Do they understand that if they do not finish, security will
escort them by the appropriate number of staff members," Galindo said.
Tally hoped that the contractors would use every minute available
to them to finish their punch list. He also said he hopes after meeting with
them they will do everything they could to finish their repairs. However, he
added that there was no personnel working out at the facilities this weekend.
"I will be meeting with SamCorp on Wednesday at 2:30," Tally said.
Commissioner Felipe Arredondo asked if the work force was
available here so that the necessary repairs could be made.
Tally responded that both contractors employee labor
forces from El Paso and Odessa. He also added that contractors could
read their contract and would know the importance of finishing their
work. Tally said that they have also given them literature to read.
Again Tally informed the commissioners that the Texas
Jail Committee has approved everything else and that they are just
now working on minor cosmetic items as well as the repairs by the
two contractors.
Currently only one contractor, Tank Building, has received
its retaining fee Tally said. He added that the commissioners might what
to hold the money owned the two contractors until their jobs are
done and they have turned in the necessary paperwork and
their manuals.
Tally also informed the commissioners that he had
been having problems with one of the contractors turning in their
paperwork on time for payment.
Thought they contractors would turn in their paperwork seven to
eight days late, Talley said that he would make exceptions and go out
on Saturday or Sunday nights to check the building so that he could
approve payment on their work.
However he said this last time he received the paperwork two
weeks late, so he was not able to get the paper work in time for payment
by the county.
Other then the two contractors, the commissioners agreed to approve
the change orders for the following contractors, Scott Thane Ditching,
ISI Detention Contracting Group, Howard Mechanical, Inc.,
ACME Electric Company, Texas Commercial Fence, Jarrett Dirt Work and
Paving, R.W. Jones and Sons, Inc., and ABCO Fire Protection.
Trio jailed by police Saturday
during east side drug seizure
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2003 - The Pecos Police Department made three arrests this weekend
in connection with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and
a warrant of motion to revoke.
According to the police report Fernando Rios Jr., 22, Francisco
Coria Jr., 21, and Joe Lara Jr., 20, were arrested at 9:08 p.m. Saturday at
1015 E. Fourth St.
Rios was arrested on a warrant of motion to revoke out of
Ector County, which was originally for possession of marijuana.
Lt. Kelly Davis said that less then four ounces of marijuana
was recovered at that location along with a scale and a marijuana pipe.
An unknown amount of marijuana was also flushed down the
toilet, Davis said. The police however found some paper in the toilet.
An additional amount of marijuana was found underneath Rios bed inside a
shoebox at 2128 S. Park after police obtained permission to search the room.
Though Davis said he had not weighed the marijuana found, he
said that it appears to be less then four ounces.Coria was arrested
for possession of marijuana under two ounces while Lara was arrested
for possession of drug paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.
Police investigator Paul Deishler said that even though it wasn't a
big drug bust, at least some drugs were taken off the street by officers.
Awards go to Box, Campos at chamber banquet
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2003 - A Pecos native active in different groups and organizations
was recognized for his unselfishness and dedication to those in the
community during this past Thursday's Pecos Chamber of Commerce
Awards Banquet.
Hugh Box received the Ruiz Profile of Courage/Hidden Hero
award during the annual banquet at the Reeves County Civic Center.
Austin Elementary School Principal Cindy Duke presented
the award to Box and said that in the last 30 years Bo had worked in the
cattle and oil industry. "He has been an active volunteer in our
community," said Duke.
Box graduated from Texas Tech University and returned to Pecos
to raise his family. He has served on the executive board of the Chamber
of Commerce and was a member of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board
for many years. He is a director on the West of the Pecos Rodeo,
currently serves on the Reeves County Hospital Board, the Reeves
County Appraisal Board and the Reeves Loving Junior Livestock Show
and Sale.
Duke said that in his spare time he volunteers preparing and
serving food for such events as the EMT Appreciation Dinner, the
Rodeo Cowboy appreciation dinner and Hospitality room, the livestock
show barbecue, fundraisers for the Pecos Valley Country Club and many
school and church functions for friends and family.
"He not only helps large groups, but he also helps individuals
in need," said Duke. "His numerous acts of kindness _ time and monetary
are greatly appreciated," she said.
Duke said that she could be more specific about his giving, but that
Box did these things, not for recognition, but because he was a perfect man.
Box humbly accepted his award and thanked everyone.
Also receiving an award on Thursday was Reeves
County Sheriff's Deputy Israel Campos, who was named Officer of the Year
for 2002.
Louis Carrasco made the presentation during the banquet,
and said that Campos was an outstanding law enforcement official
who deserved the award.
Deputy Campos was born Sept. 17, 1974, and raised in Pecos.
His current functions include working with the community's
youth, showing leadership skills to prepare tomorrow's world, providing
a positive environment through the explorer youth program and
assisting the community by proudly participating in charitable events.
Campos was employed with the Reeves County Detention Center
as a correctional officer, worked for the Ector County Sheriff's Office, and
was a patrolman for the Wink Police Department before going to work
for the Reeves County Sheriff's Office.
Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez said that he
volunteers approximately 30 hours a month, assisting the communities' youth
as the Reeves County Sheriff's Explorer Post, advisor. "On the weekends
he volunteers a lot of his time to assist in different areas," said Gomez.
Gomez said that Campos had come a long way, since starting with
the sheriff's department. He was assigned to all the schools, while
at the same time doing other duties, such as, serving civil process,
arrest warrants, court duties and is also in the city-county narcotics entry
team. "Deputy Campos and the Reeves County Sheriff's Explorers have
also worked on several fundraisers to help the community," said Gomez.
Campos said that he was honored, surprised and happy to receive
the Officer of the Year Award. "I'm a little bit nervous right now," said
Campos, upon accepting the award. "I'm not used to speaking to
non-hostile crowds," he said.
"When the sheriff first told me to write a resume, I didn't know it
was for this, I thought he wanted to ship me off somewhere else,"
said Campos.
"I really appreciate this and want to thank everyone for it," he said.
His hobbies include card collecting and hanging out with
his family, which includes his wife, Veronica Carrasco, their two
children, son Noah and daughter Verenice. His parents are Margaret and
Ancesion Franco and his grandparents are Jesus and Maria Soto, all of Pecos.
Students receive regional band honors
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2003 - Several Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD `musicians' earned spots
on the All Region High School and Junior High Bands during the
last few weeks.
Savannah M. Orona, Carlos Salgado, Donald Walker,
Savanna M. West, GeNelle Willis and Kenneth W. Winkles earned
spots in the High School Region Band, while students who earned a
spot in the Junior High All Region Band were; John Paul Salcido,
Kayla Natividad, Stephanie Galindo and James Navarette.
Students must compete against Region 6 band members from
other Class 3A, 2A, and 1A band programs to earn a spot in
these groups, according to Eagle Band Director Merle Lenfest.
"I would like to thank all the students who worked on this
music and those who actually competed for one of the region groups,"
said Lenfest. "These students demonstrated a desire to
improve themselves and it is this attitude that will help the Eagle Band
continue to improve in the future," he said.
Students who auditioned for the Junior High Region Band
include, Alyssa Garcia, Eleanor Mason, Katherine Ornelas, R.J.
Guerra, James Navarette, Stephanie Galindo, Sada Orona,
Quinten Roman, Andres Lujan, Kayla Natividad, John-Paul
Salcido, Joseph Tarin, Francisco Ornelas, Isaiah Porras and Vanity Vasquez.
The students who auditioned for the High School Region
Band: Sarah L. Clark, Jacob C. Guzman, Hipolito M. Lira, Joe A.
Lopez, Jonathan P. Martinez, William M. Moody, Stephanie J.
Ornelas, Savanna M. Orona, Roger L. Quintana, Carlos F.
Salgado, Donald Walker, Savanna M. West, GeNelle Willis and Kenneth
W. Winkles.
These students performed with the All Region Bands in
concert Saturday, Jan. 25, at the ATSSB Region VI Clinic Concert in Crane.
The high school all region process continues with
area auditions and finally the All-State Band, according to Lenfest.
"Over 33,000 Texas band members start this
extremely difficult process in the fall to try and become one of the 240 All
State Band members," said Lenfest.
Orona, Salgado, West, Willis and Winkles auditioned Jan. 11, at
the Area West Band auditions at Sundown High School.
Area West goes from Dalhart to Sanderson to El Paso.
"These five are among the best from band programs across this
area and although none advanced to the All State band they
have distinguished themselves as being among the elite musicians of
our state," said Lenfest.
Riley attends seminar for JPs
PECOS, Feb. 11, 2003 - Justice of the Peace Jim Riley was certified at the recent Justice of
the Peace 40-hour Seminar held January 26-31 in Austin. The seminar
was sponsored by the Texas Justice Court Training Center, a division
of Southwest Texas State University.
The seminar is the second of three held for newly elected Justices of
the Peace so they can fulfill their Continuing Judicial
Education Requirements of "obtaining eighty hours of training within one year
of taking office" as set forth in Article 27.005 of the Texas Government
Code. Riley took over as Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace for Reeves County
on Jan. 1.
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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