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"We've decided to push everything over into the first of the year, and
then we'll start plowing and laying water lines," said Alpine farmer
Bruce Hackett, a primary investor for the project. "But this thing is
progressing, we're moving right along."
Pistachio trees are being raised in greenhouses in New Mexico, on
Hackett's own property and at Sul Ross State University. The project is
being overseen by the state General Land Office, which owns the land
that Hackett leases north of Saragosa land that has been deemed by
Israeli scientists as ideal for raising pistachios and asparagus.
Hackett's plan is to plant 60 acres of pistachios, 40 acres of Christmas
trees and about 30 acres of herbs, chilis and asparagus crowns.
Working the land and installing water lines will likely take laborers
through February. Hackett said local labor will be used, and equipment
is also being purchased or leased from businesses in Pecos.
"After February, we'll go in and dig the holes and plant the trees -
when the weather is right," Hackett said, saying that planting time will
be in the spring after the mesquite blooms.
Right now, officials are hard at work in arranging financing and getting
lists in order on what types of equipment will be needed.
Hackett and Sul Ross Range Animal Science Center director James Nelson
are also setting up a student grant program for next year of $10,000 or
more.
Students will be "paid while they go to school" to raise 50,000 more
Christmas trees and 10,000 more pistachios that are expected to be
planted in 1989, Hackett said.
He said he also plans to eventually offer student grants in the
marketing profession as the trees become available for sale.
"I want to stress that this is a tri-fold effort between us, the General
land office and Sul Ross," Hackett said. "Other businessmen could do
this, too."
Isabelle Carrillo of Balmorhea claims in the suit filed against Liberty
Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Boston that she was injured in the course
of her employment with the Community Council of Reeves County.
She claims injuries to her body, right eye, left eye and right
arm,resulting in statutory total and permanent incapacity.
She seeks $224 per week for life, asking that it be paid in a lump sum.
The tornado hit Saragosa as the Head Start graduation ceremony was in
progress, collapsing the concrete walls of the Catholic Church hall on
students and their families and friends.
Reeves County commissioners had hoped to accept bids on the construction
of the 12 homes to be done with TDCA funds. But Pigman reported that
delays at the Austin office made it neccesary to table the bid
acceptance until the commission's next meeting later this month.
Commissioners also were told of delays in payments for October and
November to the county Law Enforcement Center for our prisoners. They
gave permission to dip into the LEC Escrow fund if the October and
November payments are not received by the time payroll is to be met on
Friday.
In considering monthly reports from the juvenile detention center,
commissioner Bernardo Martinez questioned its financial dependency on
the county. "Would we be better off just sending ours to another
county?" he asked.
Center director Louis Moore said that although the center "will never be
a money-making project," its existence makes it possible to best serve
juveniles here. She cited the continued education they receive while
detained here that they would not receive elsewhere.
Pigman said juvenile probation officer Albert Alvarez has reported
savings of $33,000 the past year in keeping juveniles here rather than
sending them to other facilities
As the county contracts to keep other juveniles from other counties,
adult jail facilities are similarly loaned.
Commissioners this morning approved a contract with Dawson County to
house prisoners in cases of that county's jail becoming full.
Also approved today was the purchase of a new radar unit for the local
Department of Public Safety to replace a malfunctioning unit. The radar;
unit will cost $2,485.
Commissioners also today were braced for an increase in Medicare
insurance premiums for employees over 65 or retired. The premium is to
rise from $36 to $44 per month.
In other business, commissioners agreed to close the south end of Sierra
Street to prevent dumping of trash and refuse in that area of the
Lindsey Addition.
Ken Winkles had gathered nine names on a petition requesting the road
closure from Sacaton to Yeso roads in the addition.
Commissioners also today lined out service contracts for the county for
1988.
In awarding sole bids, commissioners accepted Pecos Insurance's bid of
$106,448 for insuring county buildings, automobiles and heavy equipment
and Professional Pharmacy's bid for pharmaceutical drugs.
The pharmacy's bid was wholesale price for over-the-counter drugs and
$1.39 above wholesale for prescriptions was accepted.
For providing gasoline and oil for county vehicles, commissioners
awarded Kesey Oil Co.'s bid. Others who bid slightly higher prices were
Wafer Oil Co. and Locker Oil and Chemical, both of Pecos.
Kesey Oil, Pecos Tire and Battery and General Tire of Odessa were all
awarded bids for tires and tubes, with materials to be purchased locally
when available.
Delaware Basin of Barstow will be providing county road materials this
year, but Precinct 2 and 3 commissioners want to call for their own bids
in hopes of securing contracts nearer to their Toyah and Balmorhea
headquarters.
Commissioners also today selected members to a salary grievance
committee. Names of nine members and three alternates were picked from
the roster for the past grand jury.
Commissioners also agreed to hire Ramona Ruebush to replace the
resigning part-time assistant at Reeves County Library. Mrs. Ruebush
will make the same $350 monthly salary as was given the former
assistant.
Personnel changes from the Reeves County sheriff's department were also
approved today.
Arnulfo Granado, Jim Barfield and Jose Villalobos were hired as
probationary jailers, and Jeffrey Baeza, Robert Mendoza and Jamie Brown
were promoted to Supervisor I.
Commissioners also approved the termination of sheriff's department
employees Raul Machuca, Bobby Arreguey, Frank Ramirez and Arturo
Granado, to be replaced by Elias Payan, Simon Jaquez, Reynaldo Tarango
and Pedro Garcia.
Promotioris to Jailer I included Rosa Hill, Daniel Leyva, Robert Orona
and Sharon Stephens.
Commissioners also approved the hiring of a part-time secretary for the
Precinct 2 justice of the peace's office. for their own bids in hopes of
securing contracts nearer to their Toyah and Balmorhea headquarters.
Commissioners also today selected members to a salary grievance
committee. Names of nine members and three alternates were picked from
the roster for the past grand jury.
Commissioners also agreed to hire Ramona Ruebushi to replace the
resigning part-time assistant at Reeves County Library. Mrs. Ruebush
will make the same $350 monthly salary as was given the former assistant.
Personnel changes from the Reeves County sheriff's department were also
approved today.
Arnulfo Granado, Jim Barfield and Jose Villalobos were hired as
probationary jailers, and Jeffrey Baeza, Robert Mendoza and Jamie Brown
were promoted to Supervisor I.
Commissioners also approved the termination of sheriff's department
employees Raul Machuca, Bobby Arreguey, Frank Ramirez and Arturo
Granado, to be replaced by Elias Payan, Simon Jaquez, Reynaldo Tarango
and Pedro Garcia.
Promotions to Jailer I included Rosa Hill, Daniel Leyva, Robert Orona
and Sharon Stephens.
Commissioners also approved the hiring of a part time secretary for the
Precinct 2 justice of the peace's office.
Tornado deaths jumped to 59 in the United States last year, almost
quadruple the toll of 1986, but still below the long-term average of 90
fatalities, the National Weather Service reported Thursday.
Texas suffered the most from tornadoes last year with 42 fatalities.
Boosting that total were 30 deaths in the storm that struck Saragosa in
West Texas on May 22.
Many of those victims were attending a preschool graduation ceremony at
the community center.
About 120 people were injured in the storm and the town is still
struggling to rebuild amid continuing questions over what happened to
some of the donations that flowed in from around the nation.
In mid-November, 11 East Texans died when a series of tornadoes smashed
into towns ranging from Cherokee County's Jacksonville in the north all
the way down to the Gulf Coast.
In addition to the 42 deaths in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi cash
recorded six tornado fatalities. States with one twister death apiece
were Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan and Minnesota.
Increasing public awareness of the danger of tornadoes has helped reduce
the toll in recent years, especially in the most twister prone states,
said Fred Ostby, director of the federal National Severe Storms Forecast
Center in Kansas City.
But, he warned, "although tornadoes are most prevalent in about 10
states between March and May, they have touched down in every month and
in every state."
The tornado season in Texas historically runs from March through June,
when weather conditions are at their most unstable.
Now, he is helping workers construct Saragosa's MultiPurpose Center.
The center will have facilities for the Head Start and community meals
programs, a medical clinic as well as a large meeting room and office
spaces. It's 30 by 76-foot underground storm shelter will accommodate up
to 180 people.
The project is being funded by the Meadows Foundation, and construction
is being supervised by George Harrison of the Baptist General Convention.
Harrison this week will also take over the Job Training Partnership Act
program in Saragosa, previously part of assistant disaster coordinator
Manuel Galindo's responsibilities.
Reeves County Judge Bill Pigman, disaster coordinator, said Galindo's
position is being terminated because much of the work in Saragosa is
drawing to a close.
Galindo, hired by the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission, was
originally to work through May of this year.
Indeed, homes have sprouted up in Saragosa, with 23 completed, five in
the work stages, and 12 more awaiting only finalization of plans and
work contracts. A grocery store is also being rebuilt, and construction
on the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is to begin this week.
While progress can be seen in many parts of Saragosa, the community
center is the most obvious if only because of its size and completion.
Professional carpenters from Hobbs, N.M., and crane operators from
Monahans have placed the trusses on the roof of the building with the
assistance of six other Saragosans working under JTPA.
Lopez, whose family is now living in one of the Red Cross homes, was
working at the multipurpose center as a volunteer.
"Right now, I don't have anything else to do," he said, smiling.
"Besides, this is for the whole town. Everybody lost something in the
tornado I just wanted to help."
Funds from the Texas Department of Community Affairs will be used in
building the homes. Commissioners at their 9:30 a.m. meeting plan to
qualify a number of home builders interested in contracting the work.
Individual families in Saragosa may choose a contractor for their own
homes from the list of qualified builders, said county judge Bill Pigman.
In an executive session, commissioners are to discuss personnel,
according to the agenda.
Regular business for the meeting includes the approval of reports from
various departments and the payment of semimonthly bills.
Commissioners will also receive bids on road materials for precincts 2
and 3.
Amendments to the 1988 budget are also on the agenda for Monday's
meeting.
Only 41 percent of the students who took the TEAMS, success on which is
required for graduation, reportedly mastered the math portion. Sixty-one
percent mastered the language arts portion of the TEAMS test.
"Please keep in mind that this year's junior class had seven of its
members in the Saragosa tornado and they lost two class members in the
tornado, which has most certainly affected their test scores," Clanton
said.
Still, the juniors came out above the national mastery level in math of
33 percent and in language arts of 18 percent in reading and 33 percent
in writing, according to data provided by Clanton.
In comparing 1985-86 school year TEAMS test results to those of the past
school year, students statewide showed increased mastery levels in every
grade tested in math, reading and writing.
First grades at Balmrohea showed their biggest increase in mastery in
reading, from 33 percent mastery in 1985 to 67 percent mastery in 1986.
Decreases in mastery were seen in math, down 10 percentage points to 80
percent, and writing, down 18 percentage points to 60 percent.
Large strides in mastery advancement were seen those years among third
graders given the TEAMS test. Mastery in math rose from 60 percent to 94
percent, reading, from 40 percent to 63 percent; and writing from 50 to
$6 percent.
Fifth graders tested remained constant at 72 percent mastery in reading.
Their percent mastery in math increased by 11 percentage points to 94
percent last year, and decreased in writing by 17 percentage points to
11 percent mastery.
Seventh graders went from 75 percent mastery to 74 percent in math, and
from 46 percent to 56 percent in reading. The largest growth among this
age group was seen in the mastery levels on the writing test, from 46
percent in 1985 to 70 percent in 1986.
Another big jump was in the ninth graders' mastery of math from 69
percent to 100 percent. The ninth graders also improved in mastery of
reading, from 63 percent to 76 percent, and in writing, from 31 percent
to 44 percent.
Eleventh graders progress slightly in both math and reading tests, from
79 percent to 81 percent and from 84 percent to 81 percent, respectively.
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324 S. Cedar, Box 2057, Pecos TX 79772
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