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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Thursday, May 8, 2003
Council renews curfew, OKs park site
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Newly elected council members Gerald Tellez,
Frank Sanchez and Danny Rodriguez were sworn into office this morning during
the city council, regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.
Council members also reviewed the city's teen curfew law, finalized the
site for the city's new skateboard park while taking no action on the TransPecos
Foods tax abatement request during the morning meeting.
Tellez, the Mayor Pro-Tem and Sanchez won re-election to the City Council
in last Saturday's election, while Rodriguez was returned to the council
after a one-year absence.
Before their swearing in, outgoing Councilman Johnny Terrazas said that
it had been a pleasure working with everybody during his three terms on the
council
"At this point in time, I believe things are going pretty well," said
Terrazas, who did not run for re-election.
He added that he would be calling the council if he had any question.
"There has been a lot of projects that have started and have been completed
since I have been on the council," Terrazas said. "I encourage everyone to
become a part of the council."
He said that people would then be able to see not only how and why things
get done but also why they don't get done if they get more involved with
he council.
Terrazas said that he hopes the council will continue to do what they
are doing and at the same time welcomed back his replacement Rodriguez.
Terrazas had served on the council for six years and said he decided not
to run again after making a promise to term-limit himself after serving
three terms.
However, before Terrazas was excused from his duties as council, Mayor
Dot Stafford presented him with a plaque for the time he had been a council
member.
Along with the new elected council members on board, Stafford also welcomed
the city's new Accountant, Mark Rushing. Rushing will be replacing Sam Contreras,
who became the new finance director after George Bejerano resigned his position
back in March.
Prior to his departure, Terrazas made a motion to approve the accounts
payable of $230,504.04, and seconded the motion of resolution canvassing
the city elections.
During the public hearing portion of the meeting in regards to the renewal
of juvenile curfew law, City Attorney Scott Johnson informed the council
that the curfew law must be reviewed every three years on how it effects
the community.
"My position is that it is very helpful," Johnson said. "It is a benefit
on the community."
In discussing and considering the law, Pecos Police Lt. Kelly Davis said
that he agreed with Johnson.
"It forces some kids to go home whose parents don't care," Davis said.
Currently the law states that any minor under the age of 17 must be at
home by 10 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays and 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Police Community Officer, Mike Balog said that he also agreed with both
Johnson and Davis.
"I agree totally. It is useful and helpful," Balog said. "It works as
a tool in getting them (minors) home at the times they need to be there."
With that said, Rodriguez made his first motion as councilman the continued
use of the current curfew law. Sanchez seconded the motion.
Balog also briefed the council on the construction site for the skateboard
park.
"The council knows my feelings about having the skateboard park near
the Girl Scout Hut," he said, adding that the site in the 700 block of Park
Street just seemed more reasonable there because most of the skateboarders
have no transportation out to Maxey Park. He said as it is now it is hard
for them to make it out to the Criminal Justice Center across I-20 from
Maxey Park when they met.
Balog said that in regards to them being out at the park at all hours
of the day that should not be a problem.
"They won't be out there past curfew," Balog said. "There won't be any
noise complaints because they have no music. They tend to concentrate on
their sport. They are very quiet."
The council was also told that the plans for the skateboard park would
also accommodate a walking path in the near future.
Before the approval for the construction site of the skateboard park at
the Girl Scout Hut could be approved the council had to rescind an earlier
motion for the construction of the skateboard park at Maxey Park. That motion
was reversed and the council then approved the new site near the Girl Scout
Hut.
The council also thanked Jeff Lindsey, Frank X. Spencer and Associates
employee Edgardo Madrid and Balog for all the time and dedication they have
spent in getting the skateboard park off the ground.
For the second time, the council tabled the tax abatement agreement with
Trans Pecos Foods after being told by Security State Bank President Bill
Oglesby, they had not received the official notice of the amounts requested
by the council.
TransPecos Foods owner Patrick Kennedy also owns Security State Bank.
Oglesby said that they only received the figures at 5 p.m. Wednesday. As
a result, the council opted to take no action at today's meeting.
School board to swear in new members today
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board member will hold
a special meeting at 6 p.m., to canvass election returns, and will then
swear in the winners of Saturday's election during the regular portion of
their meeting
Board members will meet today at the Technology Center, 1301 S. Eddy
to canvass the returns, and when the regular meeting begins will swear in
new member Ann Montgomery Miller and incumbent Steve Valenzuela to their
three-year terms. Members will also vote for the board's new president and
vice-president and secretary.
In regular business, the board members will recognize several Pecos High
School student groups including: Business Professionals of America state
qualifiers; UIL Academic District winners - Regional qualifiers; 6th grade
state science fair qualifiers; FFA Career Development Events state qualifiers
and boys' District 4-3A track champions.
A presentation of candidates and announcement of P-B-T Teacher of the
Year will take place at this time.
Under correspondence the board will hear letters dealing with donations
from Reeves County Tax Appraisal District and Wal-Mart Foundation and the
superintendent's report on Pure Resources L.P. vs. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD.,
et al.
Old business will consist of an update on the girls' softball field.
Under new business: consider and possible action on citizen's request
concerning sale of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of a school; agree
upon procedures for leavers; update of Summary of Finance for 2002-03 and
2003-04; employer health care benefits for 2003-04 plan year; Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas Department of Health (TDH) concerning
smallpox response plans and use of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD facilities
and establish a sick leave pool, sick leave bank, or additional days to
extended sick leave and add to Policy DEC Local.
The group will discuss and take possible action on sale of foreclosed
properties; summer recreation program; Pecos High School summer school;
payday schedule; 2002-2003 budget amendments; superintendent's update on
Title-IX issues and purchasing a special education bus.
Board members will meet in closed session as authorized by the Texas
Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.101 et. Seq., Section
551.074; Discuss personnel or hear complaints against personnel and Section
551.071; Consultation with the Board's attorney.
They will return to open session and take action, if any, on items discussed
in closed session.
Consider and possible action on professional personnel: resignations,
retirements, appointments, change of contract.
Regular agenda items: tax report; depository securities report, cafeteria
report and commodities received; current bills and financial report; investment
transaction report; Reeves County Community Recreation Department Report;
enrollment/attendance report; date and time for next meeting.
Pecos High School graduation - May 30, 2003 - 8 p.m., at Eagle Stadium
(weather permitting) Board member receiving line.
Grant monies get Balmorhea new fire truck
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- The Balmorhea Volunteer Fire Department took
possession of a new vehicle on Wednesday, a new brush fire truck that was
mostly paid for through a state grant.
The fire truck cost $41,900, and of that amount, $38,000 was paid through
a grant from the Texas Forest Service, according to Balmorhea Fire Chief
Luis Contreras.
He said that the department could not have purchased the unit without
the help and support of the Balmorhea Independent School District, Reeves
County Judge Jimmy Galindo and the members of Commissioners Court, the Balmorhea
City Council and private donors.
The unit is the second vehicle they have received since their 2001 fire
and rescue unit that came in from New York. Contreras said that fire truck
has improved their response time and performance and believes that the new
unit will to the same.
olf scramble held to benefit Molinar
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- A nine-hole scramble will be held today
at 5 p.m., at the Reeves County Golf Course.
Money raised will go towards the medical expenses of Nettie Molinar.
Style Show tickets on sale for Saturday
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- Tickets for this weekends Golden Girl and
Little Miss Cantaloupe Style Show are still available.
The style show is scheduled for 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Reeves County
Civic Center.
Tickets may be bought from any Golden Girl, Little Miss Cantaloupe Nominee,
Style Show Chair Jennifer Galvan or Mary Ann Gomez for $10.
Weather
PECOS, Thurs., May 8, 2003 -- High Wednesday 100. Low this morning 56.
Forecast for tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. West winds 10
to 20 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny and windy. Highs in the lower 90s. West
winds 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest 20 to 30 mph. Friday night: Mostly
clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Saturday: Mostly clear and windy. Highs in
the mid 80s. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Highs in the upper
80s.
Obituaries
Johnny Billeiter and SIlveria Castillo
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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