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TOP STORIESFebruary 2, 1998
Chamber awards citizens for extra effortsBy RICK L. SMITH Staff Writer PECOS, February 2, 1998 - People making a difference was the focus at the 1998 Pecos Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Dinner Friday night. Outstanding community members from many walks of life in the city were honored at the awards dinner and several speakers told the packed banquet room at Reeves County Civic Center how such people improved the quality of life in Pecos. "It's people that make the difference," said guest speaker Pete Gallego, State Representative, Dist. 74. "I always remember what my grandmother used to tell me, You have to get involved.' It's not the differences between people that's the problem, it's the indifference between people that make difficulties." Gallego went on to encourage those present to volunteer their services to the community. He pointed out that if the 12,000 Pecos residents gave only 2 hours of their time per week it would amount to 24,000 man-hours a week of community service. Richard Crider, 1998 Pecos Chamber of Commerce President, continued the theme for the evening with his interpretation of what the letters in Pecos stand for: "P" is for Pride, Projects, Participation "E" is for Enthusiasm "C" is for Concern "O" is for Optimism "S" is for Service Those receiving awards were: Donnie Dominquez - Outstanding Director Brandy Owen - Women's Division Award of Service Larry Turnbough - Agricultural Service Award Fred Martin - Ruiz Profile of Courage Megan Freeman - Student of the Year Betty Cook - Educator of the Year Joyce Morton - Hidden Hero Award Floyd Estrada - Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Gerald "Junior" Tellez - Citizen of the Year Retiring chamber directors recognized were: Bob Curry, Dick Alligood, Gilbert Abila, Gwen Green, Steve Valenzuela, Randy Graham, Dickie Morelan, Sebero Jaquez, Chrissy Martinez and Jeff Parras. New chamber directors are: Henry Dominguez, Dianne Flores, David Madril, Louis Matta, Fred Dominguez, Velma Dominguez, Mark Auniga and Donny Dominguez. Other chamber officers, directors and staff are: Jim Bob McNeil - President-Elect Paul Hinojos - Past-President Linda Jones - Treasurer Suan Cross - Women's President Tom Rivera - Executive Director Rachel Orona - Office Manager
UIL realignment good news for Pecos football
Driver refuses DWI tests after accidentPECOS, February 2, 1998 - Friday night was not a good night to be out driving around Pecos. There were two accidents, one at 9:49 in the 1600 block of West Fourth Street for which details are not yet available, and one at 10:21 which resulted in two people being transported to Reeves County Hospital. One of them is facing charges of no insurance and DWI refusal. According to a police report, Pamela Frances Blackstock, 39, 2270 Barilla Road, was driving a 1988 red and gray Ford F-150 pickup, owned by James Worsham, south in the 1100 block of S. Cedar at 10:21 p.m. Jan. 30 when she struck another vehicle in the rear. The other vehicle was a 1988 Gray Nissan Stanza, driven by Cyrus Gordon of Barstow. After hitting the car, Blackstock went right and struck a stop sign at the corner of Twelfth and Cedar and came to a stop by the windmill, according to the report. The Nissan came to rest in the left turn lane in the 1200 block of Cedar Street. Both vehicles had major damage. According to the report, Blackstock was under the influence of alcohol and refused to give blood for alcohol/drug analysis. The report indicates that in addition to Blackstock being under the influence of alcohol, her failure to control her speed contributed to the accident. Both vehicles were towed by B&B Wrecker Service and both drivers were transported to Reeves County Hospital, where they were treated and released. This morning, Municipal Court Judge Phyllis Salyer said, "We are in the process of issuing warrants and they will be out by this afternoon." The warrants will be for failure to maintain financial responsibility and DWI refusal, the judge said.
Misunderstandings continue in Head StartBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, February 2, 1998 - Betty Carter, director of Greater Opportunities, may wonder just what she has gotten herself into by agreeing to function as interim provider of Head Start in Reeves County. Earlier in the week she disputed several comments made by members of the Pecos Housing Authority and the Community Council of Reeves County. Probably the most glaring objection she has is with Bill Wendt, board chairman of Community Council. Wendt went on record recently as saying that Greater Opportunities was a "for-profit" organization that could "eliminate" Community Council from running the day care. He warned that if this happened there was a strong probability that the fee for the program would increase because the new provider would be more concerned with making a profit. Rising in defense of Greater Opportunities, Carter said that while she had no doubt that PHA and Community Council were at odds with each other, Wendt "knew better than that." She stressed that Greater Opportunities was a non-profit agency. "We are a limited-purpose agency. We are just a grantee for Head Start," said Carter. Wendt's concern that Greater Opportunities was out to take over the day care was addressed when Carter stated that her agency was in no way interested in running the day care program currently run by Community Council. She said, speaking of her agency, "We have operated Head Start both in Ector and Howard counties for the past 32 years . . . The only other program we would even consider is Infant Head Start." Infant Head Start is a version of the Head Start program, still in the pilot stages in Dallas and San Antonio, that provides for children from infancy to Head Start age. It is being promoted by national and regional offices of the Department of Health and Human Services as another tool to help low-income families to move from poverty to self-sufficiency. Carter pointed out that her agency had not sought to take over the Head Start program in Reeves and Ward counties, but that "They relinquished it themselves," Carter said of the Council. "We were asked by the regional office to be interim administrator." Wendt said that his claim that Greater Opportunities was a for-profit agency was based on "some kind of a paper" he had read and hasn't been able to find again. He also claims that Frank Perea, board chairman of the Pecos Housing Authority, told him that Greater Opportunities was interested in taking over the day care program. Carter's views also contrasted with those of Frank Perea. She disputed Perea's claim that anyone from her agency ever contacted him or anyone else seeking additional classroom space for the Head Start program. Carter said that they had only been "making sure there is proper space" for the program. Perea maintains that he received two phone calls from Richard Smith, assistant director of Greater Opportunities, while Carter was out of town. Perea said that Smith asked him if Community Council still had a lease on the day care building on 10th Street, where Head Start and Community Council share space. According to Perea, Smith told him that he needed to do some measurements and find out what the needs of Greater Opportunities were. Perea said that Smith expressed interest in leasing all or part of the 10th Street building which currently houses two Head Start classrooms as well as the day care and Meals on Wheels. Smith admits to contacting Perea about securing space for the Head Start program. Their first conversation centered on the 10th Street building. "I told him we were interested in the building and very likely could use all the space," said Smith. "He [Perea] told me that if they [Pecos Housing Authority] needed to relocate the day care, they could." But, Smith also holds that he never approached anyone about taking over the day care. "We only want to continue and improve [Head Start] operations. We are not trying to run anybody out of business." Meanwhile, Wendt said that the housing authority is taking bids on the 10th Street property, and the council may be forced out of the building. "This will put nine people out of work, there will be no elderly meals and no medical transportation program," said Wendt. These actions of the PHA, he claims, will be "putting people back into poverty instead of working to pull them out." Perea said that PHA is waiting on a proposal from Greater Opportunities for the building. "I don't know if Community Council is going to make one, but we're entertaining the idea of soliciting both." Perea insists that the Pecos Housing Authority has no intention of dissolving day care. "There is a great need for day care. PHA will support whatever efforts -whether by Greater Opportunities or Community Council -to keep it going." Caprice Cox, director of Community Council, said that her agency held a parents meeting on Tuesday, January 27, to "straighten out the rumors," and discuss what action must be taken to keep the day care. Obviously angered over Perea's suggestion at a recent PHA meeting that Greater Opportunities should take over the day care, Cox asked, "What gives Mr. Perea the authority to recommend anything concerning our program? The day care belongs to Community Council." But despite the rough edges surrounding Greater Opportunities' new service area, Carter says her experience has been predominately favorable. "I have found the staff to be very pleasant and helpful," said Carter. "We will try to make sure the services continue as smoothly as possible for the children." Greater Opportunities will be holding a buffet for parent's at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Reeves County Civic Center. Parents of Head Start children from Saragosa, Monahans and Pecos are invited to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the idea of parental involvement and to assure parents local Head Start services will continue. "Parents need to know Head Start is OK," said Carter. Greater Opportunities became the interim provider of the Head Start in Reeves and Ward counties when the program was dropped by its previous provider, Community Council of Reeves County, as of the first of the year. Head Start is a national program providing comprehensive developmental services (such as health, nutritional, education and other services) primarily to low-income, pre-school children between three years of age and the age of compulsory school attendance, and their families. About 130 children benefit from Head Start programs in Reeves and Ward counties.
Commissioners table recreation programBy Mac McKinnon Enterprise Editor PECOS, February 2, 1998 - Reeves County Commissioners meeting in emergency session this morning approved a resolution on consolidation of the county and Town of Pecos City for maintenance of birth and death records and tabled one item for lack of information. Commissioners also approved paying $8,149.06 to Amardillo Drilling of Alpine for drilling of a well at Saragosa Cemetery. The well has not been hooked up, according to Commissioner Herman Tarin, as West Texas Utilities has not yet provided electric service. Also approved was a budget amendment to pay for the well drilling. One other item on the agenda was the take action on the interlocal agreement between the county and Balmorhea school district on a community recreation program whereby school facilities will be open for three evenings -Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday -to the public. The county is providing money to help buy more exercise equipment. Tarin reported that the school board, which has approved the contract, wants more specific information in the contract on the amount of money provided by the county and exactly what that money is to be used for. However, County Judge Jimmy Galindo was not present for the meeting as he had an illness in the family and he was the one working on the contract. The matter was tabled until the next meeting. Regarding the consolidation for maintenance of birth and death records, the matter was requested by County Clerk Dianne O. Florez so that anyone, regardless of where they were born, can come into the clerk's office and get a birth certificate as a result of an online service with Austin and using special birth and death certificate printing paper. Money for the new computer and required software is available in a special clerk's fund. This will become effective June 1. Also not present for the meeting was Commissioner Bernardo Martinez.
Schools focus on counseling this week
OBITUARIESJesus DuhonJesus Duhon, 61, of Galveston, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998, at Midland Memorial Hospital. Graveside services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2, at Mount Evergreen Cemetery, in Pecos, with Father Roberto Alvarado officiating. Duhon was born July 1, 1936, in Pecos. She was a homemaker who had lived in Galveston for 30 years and was a Catholic. Survivors include: one son, Michael Gonzales of Texas City; one daughter, Rosa Gonzales of Texas City; three brothers, Carlos Gonzales of Pecos, Jose and Cipriano Gonzales of Odessa; six sisters, Antonia Gonzales of Midland, Jacinta Wallas of Crosby, Andrea Bruson, Pauline Jacoby and Narcisa Gonzales of Odessa and Adela Gonzales of Mobil, Ala.; and two grandchildren. Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Rosa SalazarRosa Salazar, 35, died Friday, Jan. 30, 1998, at UTMB Hospital in Galveston. Graveside services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2, at Mount Evergreen Cemetery with Father Roberto Alvarado officiating. Salazar was born June 19, 1962, in Pecos and had lived in Texas City for 30 years. She worked for the Cook School District and was a Catholic. Survivors include two sons, Alberto and Baldomero Salazar of Texas City and one brother, Michael Gonzales of Texas City. Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Rachel EppenauerRachel Irene Eppenauer, 50, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1998, at her home in Von Ormy, Tx. Funeral services were at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, at Sunset Chapel in San Antonio. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Fort Davis. Eppenauer was born Dec. 16, 1947, in Alpine. She graduated from Pecos High School and attended South West Texas University in San Marcos and Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Eppenauer was a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Finalist during her college years. She was the founder of a jewelry design company known as "Pin-A-Pocket." She was preceded in death by her grandparents, A.R. Eppenauer Sr. and Rachel Eppenauer and her parents, A.R. (Buddy) Eppenauer Jr. and Elizabeth Fowlkes Eppenauer. Survivors include: two brothers, A.R. (Bob) Eppenauer III and Edwin Holland Eppenauer of Fort Davis; two nephews; and one niece. Memorial Funeral Home of Alpine is in charge of arrangements.
WEATHERPECOS, February 2, 1998 - High Sunday, 62, low this morning, 27. January 1998 was the first rainless month in the area since November, 1995. A cold night is in store across most of Texas tonight before unseasonably warm temperatures continue on Tuesday. Lows will be below freezing as far south as the Hill Country tonight. It will be clear to partly cloudy across West Texas. It will be sunny on Tuesday. Lows tonight will be in the 20s in the mountains and in the 30s and 40s elsewhere in West Texas. Highs Tuesday will be in the 50s and 60s over most of West Texas, ranging upward into the 70s in the Big Bend area Temperatures were in the 20s and 30s in West Texas.
Pecos Enterprise
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