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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Monday, June 2, 2003
Students urged to set new goals at graduation
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 -- Pecos High School's Class of 2003 heard from
the area's state representative on reaching their goals, and from the top
two graduates from this year's class on Friday night, during commencement
ceremonies at Eagle Stadium.
State Rep. Pete Gallego took a break from the closing days of the 2003
session of the Texas Legislature to fly into Pecos and deliver the commencement
address, which came in-between the addresses by 2003 salutatorian Phillip
Salcido and valedictorian Kristian Aguilar.
Gallego, D-Alpine, who is in his seventh term representing the 74th District
in the state legislature, said that while his father was a member of the
Alpine school board, he was not one of the top graduates when he left high
school in the late 1970s.
"But as I went on through life I realized everything I could dream about
in life I could do," said Gallego, who went on to get his law degree and
was elected to the Texas House in 1990. "Anything I wanted I could do with
a little work."
"Always think for yourself and make up your own mind on what you want
to do in life," said Gallego, who told those students who did not earn top
grades in school to move past their high school problems the way he did
following graduation.
"Life is a kind of education. You never stop learning, and learning is
the most important thing you can do with your life," said Gallego, who flew
back to Austin after delivering his speech to the Eagle Stadium crowd.
"I always try to accommodate schools that wear purple and gold," Gallego
joked before the ceremony began. Pecos and Alpine share purple and gold
as their school colors.
Both Aguilar and Salcido thanked their family and friends during their
commencement addresses.
"We have always been a competitive class," Aguilar said. "You need to
take that competitiveness out into the real world."
Along with giving specific thanks to several of his friends, family and
teachers, Salcido also added thanks to the Pecos High School custodians
during his speech. "I don't know how many times I forgot a book or paper
at school. I'd like to thank the custodians for helping me out," he said.
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board members Crissy Martinez and Chip Flores
helped PHS principal Danny Rodriguez hand out the diplomas for this year's
graduation ceremony, during which students were able to keep themselves
entertained at times with a beach ball toss among the graduating class during
the 45 minute roll call of the 2003 graduates. The beach ball ended up in
the possession of P-B-T personnel director Gome Olibas, but the students
were able to toss their caps in the air after Rodriguez officially certified
their graduation.
Gallego sees redistricting in special session
From Staff and Wire Reports
Action by the Texas Legislature over the weekend has made the chances that
Gov. Rick Perry will call a special session of the legislature slightly less
likely. However, several issues remain unresolved as the session enters its
final day, and a special session that could include the controversial redistricting
proposal remains a strong possibility.
Republicans have a vested interest in a ballyhooed congressional redistricting
bill that fizzled at the hands of quorum-busting Democrats, but could be
revived if a special session is called.
The redistricting push was successfully killed in regular session when
several Democrats successfully fled the state to block the bill.
But, round two could be looming as Republican Gov. Rick Perry holds
the authority to call a 30-day special session for legislation on which
redistricting could be piggybacked.
"Unless the governor calls a special session and puts redistricting
on it, it's dead until 2005," said Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford. King drew
the proposed map which led 50 House Democrats to flee to Ardmore, Okla.,
for four days, until the deadline had passed for introducing the legislation.
Agreements over the weekend on several key issues, including medical
malpractice and ethics reform, have been passed by the legislature. However,
Rep. Garnet Coleman, a Houston Democrat, predicted that redistricting legislation
would be addressed in a special session called for school finance. Perry
has already announced his intention to call a special session for school
finance.
State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, said on Friday that if one is called
by Perry, he expects redistricting to be added onto the agenda.
"The governor gets to decide the rules of the session. It's the only time
he gets to do that," said Gallego, who was one of the leaders of the House
Democrats who fled Austin to block the redistricting plan. "Whether he puts
it on the call is what we're talking about.
"I know he would very much like to have redistricting done. The question
is whether he wants it badly enough to call a special session. My guess
is if he calls a special session on something else he will use it to add
redistricting."
In an e-mail obtained Saturday by The Associated Press, Dub Maines, a
Washington consultant and former employee of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, sent
a series of political insiders a map that "we likely will start with in
the event of a special session."
Maines said he was sending King's substitute map to a list of people
who weren't able to find it on their own. The list included state Rep. Dan
Flynn, a Republican from Van.
Democrats in Texas, however, were skeptical.
"Obviously, they're still looking at maps and ready to move forward with
redistricting," said Coleman, upon seeing the e-mail.
"I'm not surprised," said Rep. Richard Raymond, a South Texas Democrat
who sat on the House Redistricting Committee, after reading the e-mail.
"I feel confident that (U.S. House Majority Leader Tom) DeLay wants to continue
to manipulate Republicans in Austin."
Rep. Jim Dunnam, chair of the Democratic Caucus, called the prospect
"repugnant."
"They need to be concentrating on the real business of the state," said
Dunnam, D-Waco.
The proposed map by King is expected to increase the Texas GOP delegation
by five, tipping the scales in the party's favor in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Constitution mandates that congressional lines are redrawn every
10 years in Texas and 2003 is not a redistricting year. But, because a federal
court drew Texas' congressional districts after state lawmakers failed to
do so in 2001, Republicans say districts should be redrawn by the Texas
Legislature. The federal court gave the legislature the option to attempt
a new redistricting plan when they drew up their map for the 2002 elections.
Democrats vehemently oppose redistricting and have lambasted DeLay for
bringing their bias to Texas lawmakers.
"(Barton) wants a special session with redistricting on the call. Most
Republicans obviously want that," Maines said.
King has denied that members of Congress had command of his map.
"For me it was just our congressional delegation makeup didn't reflect
the Republican voting strength in Texas," King said. "I think I drew a good
map."
Earlier this week, 55 House Democrats sent a letter to Perry asking that
he drop consideration of redistricting.
"The decision to bring up congressional redistricting during the regular
session caused unnecessary wounds that are now healing and can be overcome,"
the letter said. "We trust that you will help us come together to focus
on the serious issues facing our state."
Four Republican House members late Saturday implored the governor to
call a special session to address ethics legislation. "We feel that the
glare of the limelight will encourage members of both the House and Senate
to get serious about tougher ethics rules," said Mary Denny, R-Aubrey.
Searchers find Odessa victim of drowning
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 -- The body of a man who drowned out at Red Bluff
Lake over the Memorial Day weekend was recovered Friday afternoon, after
it floated to the surface near the last place he had been seen.
Reeves County Sheriff Department's Lt. Mike Dominguez said that they
were conducting a boat search when he located the body of Nathan Mazoch
through his binoculars late Friday afternoon.
"We found him floating," Dominguez said. "He was about 100 yards from
where he went down."
"Judge (Amonario) Ramon ordered an autopsy of the body," Dominguez said.
The search came after Mazoch had gone underwater when trying to swim
to shore to get help, after the boat he was in ran out of gas. He reportedly
was in the middle of the lake when he called for help.
The 26-year-old Mazoch, of Odessa, was with friends and family members
when the drowning occurred. His friends had swum out to try to help him
but were never able to find him.
Dominguez said that Reeves County Game Warden Brad Reeves is the lead
investigator in the case, and deputies only assisted them. Both Reeves and
Loving counties share Red Bluff Lake, and the search was focused in the
Sandy Beach area on the Loving County side of the lake, located 40 miles
north of Pecos.
"It is a Game Warden investigation," Dominguez said. "We assisted them.
During the four days we were living out there until the body was recovered."
Reeves said last week that the search for the victim began late Monday
afternoon, which turned into what Reeves said "was more of a recovery effort,"
after Mazoch could not be located by Tuesday afternoon.
Dominguez said that he would like to also thank Paul Putnam for all of
his help during the four-day search.
"He let us use his boat and hooks," Dominguez said. "He was a major help."
Ward, Loving special election voting Tuesday
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 -- Ward and Loving county voters will be going
to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the special election for the
19th Congressional District runoff election. However, in both counties,
there will be only one polling place open to cast ballots.
The election will run from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. but the only polling sites
open will be at the Loving and Ward County courthouses. Anyone living in
Barstow, Pyote, Wickett or Grandfalls who wants to cast a ballot will have
to drive to the Ward County Clerk's office in Monahans to do so. Loving
County voters will be casting ballots at the courthouse in Mentone.
Randy Neugebauer, 53, of Lubbock, and Mike Conaway, 54, of Midland are
in the election to decide the replacement for Larry Combest, who retired
from Congress at the end of May. The winner will serve out the final 19
months of Combest's two-year term.
Weather
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 -- High Sunday 105. Low this morning 67. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows
in the upper 60s. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Tuesday: Partly cloudy with
a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs near 100. Southwest winds 5
to 15 mph. Tuesday night: Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Lows in the mid 60s.
Police Report
EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is
obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County
Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those agencies. The serving of warrants
by an officer for outstanding fines of either traffic citations, animal
control violations or other court costs are considered arrests and will
be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such instances
we will indicate payment and release.
***
Gregorio Barrera, 41, was arrested at 7:55 p.m., on May 31, in the 900
block of West Eighth Street for possession of a controlled substance, heroin
- a second-degree felony.
***
Mike Jimenez, 47, was arrested at 11:29 p.m., on May 31, on the corner
of Seventh and Peach streets on a warrant for possession of a controlled
substance, heroin - a state jail felony.
***
Ana Saenz, 28, was arrested at 7:55 p.m., on May 31, in the 900 block
of West Eighth Street on two warrants for animal at large and two warrants
for violation promise to appear.
***
Mickey Gabaldon, 19, was arrested at 11:58 p.m., on May 31, at the Riverside
Ballroom on East Third Street on a capias warrant for public intoxication.
***
Sergio Cerna, 18, was arrested at 12:59 a.m., on June 1, in the 1400
block of East Fourth Street for public intoxication.
***
Leroy Chaves, 22, was arrested at 2:44 a.m., on June 1, in the 200 block
of East "B" Street on a capias warrant for unrestrained child under two-years
of age.
***
Herby Armendariz, 51, was arrested at 10:27 a.m., on May 30, in the 400
block of East "D" Street for possession of a controlled substance.
***
Louis Bierman, 49, and Arvilla Bierman, 43, were arrested at 2:46 p.m.,
on May 30, at the Pecos Inn. Louis Bierman was arrested on a warrant for
failure to register as a sex offender - Colorado. Arvilla Bierman was arrested
on a warrant for theft/forgery - Colorado.
***
Juan Vasquez, 21, was arrested at 9:51 p.m., on May 28, at the corner
of Fourth and Elm on a warrant for unlawful to issue worthless checks.
***
Erika Lopez Alvarez, 30, was arrested at 3:32 p.m., on May 28, at the
corner of 11th and Sycamore streets on a warrant for speeding in a school
zone and a warrant for violation promise to appear.
***
Chasedy Alvarez, 24, was arrested at 9:40 p.m., on May 27, in the 2200
block of South Hackberry Street for assault - family violence act.
***
Arturo Hernandez, 20, was arrested at 11:51 p.m., in the 1000 block of
East 10th Street on two warrants for public intoxication.
***
Thomas Marquez, 35, was arrest at 8:28 p.m., on May 27, in the 1100 block
of South Hickory Street on a warrant for theft under $50.
***
Arturo Chavez, 38, was arrested at 10:22 p.m., on May 27, in the 900
block of South Pecan Street on a capias warrant for city ordinance - animal
at large, a warrant for an outstanding DPS warrant for no drivers license
- Reeves County, a warrant for an outstanding DPS warrant for operation
of an unregistered motor vehicle - Ward County and a warrant for an outstanding
DPS warrant for no liable insurance - Ward County.
***
Erek Brown, 22, was arrested at 7:40 p.m., on May 27, in the 400 block
of Sycamore Street on a capias warrant for possession of alcoholic beverage
open container.
***
Isabel Esparza, 19, was arrested at 8:11 p.m., on May 27, in the 2100
block of Country Club on a capias warrant for minor in possession of alcohol.
***
Samuel Fuentes, 25, was arrested at 10:59 p.m., on May 27, in the 900
block of South Plum on a warrant for failure to control speed causing an
accident and a warrant for violation promise to appear.
***
Jaime Losoya, 20, was arrested at 7:05 p.m., on May 26, at the corner
of Third and Locust on a warrant for theft by check out of the Williamson
County Sheriff's Office.
***
Javier Herrera, 40, was arrested at 7:52 p.m., on May 26, in the 1200
block of South Plum on a warrant for probation violation - Reeves County
Sheriff's Office.
***
Jesus Barreno, 45, and Yolanda Rodriguez, 33, were arrested at 8:50 p.m.,
on May 26, at the corner of Hackberry Street and Veterans Boulevard. Barreno
was arrested for expired registration and inspection sticker. Rodriguez
was arrested for evading.
***
Mauricio Rodriguez, 17, was arrested at 4:17 p.m., on May 26, at the
corner of Eddy and Jackson streets for driving while license invalid.
***
Willie Mae Simmons, 49, was arrested at 10:35 a.m., on May 22, in the
700 block of Daggett Street on a Reeves County warrant for probation violation.
***
Quastasha Barton, 24, was arrested at 3:11 p.m., on May 22, at Bessie
Haynes Elementary on East 11th Street on a Reeves County warrant for probation
violation.
***
Katie Gabaldon, 17, was arrested at 7:30 p.m., on May 21, in the 100
block of South Pecan Street on a warrant for possession of a controlled
substance, cocaine - state jail felony.
***
Jerry Dominguez Jr., 21, was arrested at 9:21 a.m., on May 21, in the
700 block Daggett of on a Reeves County warrant for motion to adjudicate
- aggravated assault, warrant for possession of alcohol open container and
a warrant for violation promise to appear.
***
Ricky Don Oliver, 43, was arrested at 3:56 p.m., on May 21, in the 1900
block of West Fourth Street on a warrant for parole violation.
Obituaries
Miguel C. Contreras, Cora Lee Lasky, Chun S. Lee, M.D., Jose Felix Mesta, Rosenda M. Pisana and Harriet Ester Scott
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
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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