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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Thursday, December 18, 2003
PD's Granado prepares to run for Pct. 1 seat
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- An investigator with the Pecos Police
Department has become the third candidate to take the first step
towards running for the Precinct 1 seat on the Reeves County
Commissioners Court.
Armando "Mundie" Granado has filed his treasurer's designation for
Precinct 1 commissioner in the March 9 Democratic Party primary and
assigned Luzema E. Olivas as his campaign treasurer. Granado is the
gang officer for the Pecos Police Department, and was just recently
promoted from investigator to sergeant.
Granado becomes the third person to have filed with Florez's office
in the race for Reeves County Precinct 1 Commissioner. Incumbent Felipe
Arredondo filed his treasurer's designation in September, while Elizer
"Chel" Flores, who currently holds the Precinct 3 seat on the Reeves
County Hospital District board filed with the County Clerk earlier this
month.
Four people already have taken steps to run for the other
commissioner's seat up for election in March, representing Precinct 3
in Reeves County. Elizabeth "Lisa" Boicourt filed her treasurer's
designation on Tuesday with the Reeves County Clerk to run for Reeves
County Commissioner Precinct 3. Boicourt designated Thomas R. "Tommy"
Boicourt as her treasurer.
She joins incumbent Herman Tarin and two other challengers, Manuel
"Manny" D. Lopez and Bailey E. Wheeless in having filed treasurer's
designations with Florez' office.
The information filed with the Reeves County Clerk's office is only
one of two steps candidates need to take before January 2 in order to
run in the March 9 primary. The other step required filing either a
petition or paying a filing fee with the local party chairman.
Democratic Party Chairman for Reeves County, Bobby Dean, has refused
to provide information on candidate filings to the Enterprise, over a
dispute with publisher Smokey Briggs. Any candidate that has filed with
Dean can call the Enterprise directly and provide the necessary
information. The Enterprise appreciates the candidates' cooperation.
Along with the county positions, other local offices that will be up
for election on March 9, are Reeves County Attorney; 143rd District
Attorney and 143rd District Court Judge.
Judge Bob Parks filed in Austin to retain his position as 143rd
District Court Judge, while former 143rd District Attorney Hal Upchurch
announced in November he planned to run for that seat again, after a
12-year absence. Randall W. Reynolds currently holds the position, and
was first elected to office in 1996.
The District Attorney and District Judge positions cover Reeves,
Ward and Loving Counties.
Both the District Attorney and the District Judge candidates will
file their petitions or pay a filing fee in Austin.
Other local incumbents who also plan to seek re-election but as of
now have no opponents include Reeves County Sheriff Arnulfo "Andy"
Gomez; Reeves County Tax Assessor/Collector Elfida Zuniga; Precinct 2
Constable Jerry C. Matta and Precinct 3 Constable Tomas "Tommy"
Martinez.
To file officially, candidates must file a petition with 50 names or
pay a filing fee to the local party chairmen, so the individuals who
have filed with the county clerk, will now have to take this second
step. Almost all candidates in Reeves County run in the Democratic
primary and file with Dean.
Filing for the Reeves County primary elections in March will
continue through Friday, Jan. 2.
Christian Home still seeks Christmas food, volunteers
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- Desserts and volunteers are still
needed to complete the holiday meal that will be served on Christmas
Day at the Reeves County Civic Center.
"We have plenty of turkeys and dressing, but we need pies and
different desserts to compete the meal," said Christian Home Director
Mark Polzin about next Thursday's event.
Meals at the center will be served for four hours. "The meals for
those that will eat here will start at 10 a.m.," said Polzin, with
serving scheduled to end at 2 p.m., or until all the available food is
gone.
Polzin said that volunteers are needed both to serve and to help
deliver dinners to customers of the local Meals on Wheels Program,
which doesn't operate on Christmas Day
"I'd like to start delivering the meals to those on the Meals on
Wheels Program at 8 a.m.," said Polzin. "So if anyone wants to
volunteer they can meet us at 8 a.m., at the Civic Center."
There are currently 120 people on the Meals on Wheels list. The food
program for the elderly and disabled does not operate on Christmas, but
those individuals will start receiving their meals from the Christian
Home volunteers at 8 a.m.
"We need a lot of volunteers to help deliver those meals, because it
does take time," he said.
Polzin said that his crew would be out at the Reeves County Civic
Center early to set up, and more families and individuals are expected
this year for the annual event.
"It's been a hard year for everyone," said Polzin. During
Thanksgiving, 122 dinners were served to Meals on Wheels recipients,
and overall a total of 383 meals were served, about 60 more than the
Christian Home served a year ago.
"We usually serve anywhere from 200-300 people, but we expect more
this year," he said. Last year, the Christian Home served meals to
about 325 people on Christmas Day.
If anybody would like to dress up as Santa Claus and volunteer
during the dinner, they will be welcome. "We don't have anybody to do
that, but if anybody wants to, we'll gladly welcome them," said Polzin.
"We want to thank the community for coming through for us once more
and welcome all volunteers," he added.
Donations can be taken to the Christian Home, located at 1201 S. Elm
St., or by calling 445-2049 and someone will pick up the items.
Schools beginning break for holidays
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- Today is the final day of classes for
2003 for Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD students.
School will be out for all students starting on Friday and
continuing through Friday, Jan. 2. Classes will resume for the P-B-T
ISD on Monday, Jan. 4.
Break leaves Lindsey residents without water
By BRENDEN BRIGGS
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- Lindsey Addition residents woke up this
morning to dry faucets in their kitchens and bathrooms, after a water
line break last night Madera Valley Water crews were rushing to repair
today.
The break occurred on one of the largest PVC water supply lines for
the division. A four-inch line at the intersection of Sacaton and
Chinati Streets burst around 11 p.m. Wednesday. according to Madera
Valley Water Supply Corporation operator James Akins.
The crew had not reached the line by noon today, but expected to
have the break repaired by this afternoon, according to Akins.
Temperatures have been at and below the freezing level in recent
weeks, but Akins said he doubted that freezing water in the pipeline
would have been to blame for last night's line burst.
"The break probably occurred because of the pipe's age. If it were
temperature related then pipes all over the division would have broke,
as well as some in town most likely," Akins said.
"We bury the pipes 36 inches underground, so temperature is out, but
the break probably occurred where a one and a half inch lines comes off
of the main one here," Akins added.
Some affected residents discovered the water problem before they
went to bed on Wednesday.
Lindsey addition resident, Corina Pando, said that her daughter
tried to take a shower last night around 11 p.m., but all that would
come was a trickle.
"That was the first that I had noticed the loss of water pressure,"
Pando said.
Madera Valley Water Supply Corporation supplies water to rural areas
of Reeves County, with service extending from its wells south of
Balmorhea to approximately 12 miles north of I-20.
"We service any area of Reeves County that is not serviced by a
municipal water system, that includes the outlying areas excluding the
cities of Balmorhea, Pecos and Toyah," said Madera Valley Water manager
Peggy Cox. " We have over 600 miles of pipe in the county, and with
only two field employees, we really try to do the best we can."
The lines in the Lindsey Addition were installed in 1968, according
to Cox. "Breaks of this type are to be expected in lines of this age.
However, once the break is fixed we can return water service after
flushing the line and check the residual chlorine content," Cox added.
'Christmas" helpers deliver gifts to area kids
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- Elves trekked through Pecos last night
delivering gifts to children in the community to make it a brighter,
happier Christmas for everyone.
Christmas for Kids volunteers were busy last evening delivering
gifts to 512 children in the community. The group had 167 families on
their list.
"We delivered most of them last night, but still have some left,"
said organizer for the event Sofia Baeza.
Six more families were added to the list yesterday, at the last
minute. "These were 'emergency' families that we really needed to
help," said Baeza.
A private group of elves donated $1,500 to the group yesterday. "We
are still taking donations to help families throughout the year, who
lose their homes in fire or other unexpected tragedies," said Baeza.
"These funds will also help during the holidays, when something tragic
always seems to occur," she said.
Last year there were 492 children on the list and 167 families and
this year it's 512 kids and 171 families, according to Baeza. "The
number seems to grow every year and this year was especially hard on
everyone," he said.
The group is comprised of volunteers who raise funds to provide the
essentials for children in the community, who would otherwise lose out
on having a Merry Christmas.
"Our main goal is to provide a happy Christmas for as many children
in the community as we can," said Baeza. "We don't just provide toys,
but the essentials, such as coats and shoes."
Elf Linda Clark said that they were grateful for the many volunteers
that helped this year. "This is a group effort and we appreciate
everyone that helps us," she said.
Baeza said that she wanted to thank everyone in the community, the
businesses, organizations and especially the volunteers.
About 13 families were not at home at the time the deliveries were
made and those will be delivered today or they can pick up their gifts
at the Reeves County Sheriff's Department.
"I appreciate everyone showing up to help us deliver and everyone
that helps make this program possible," said Baeza. "Thanks also goes
out to our boss, the sheriff, who helps us a lot and allows the
employees to help," she said.
Baeza said anyone wanting more information on Christmas for the Kids
could call the Reeves County Sheriff's Department, at 445-4901.
Weather
PECOS, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2003 -- High Wednesday 68. Low this morning
35. Forecast for tonight: Mostly clear. Lows near 30. Light and
variable winds. Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs 60 to 65. Southeast winds
near 10 mph. Friday night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 30. South winds 10
to 15 mph. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs near 70. Southwest winds 10
to 15 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Sunday:
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Sunday night: Partly cloudy.
Lows in the mid 30s.
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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