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TOP STORIESMarch 11, 1998Galindo sweeps county judge electionBy RICK SMITH Staff Writer PECOS, March 11, 1998 - Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo walked away with the Democratic primary election yesterday to retain his seat as county judge with a 2,315 to 1,415 victory against his opponent Linda Gholson. With 7,710 registered voters in the county 3,914 ballots were cast giving a 50.77 percent voter turnout in Reeves County, well above the state turnout of about 13.4 percent. About 1.47 million of the states 11 million registered voters cast ballots Tuesday. Galindo garnered 59.15 percent of the votes cast in the Reeves County Judge's race and Gholson received 36.15 percent. "It's been a long hard race and it shows what I've been saying, that it's important to take everyrace seriously," Galindo said after the results were tabulated. "I'm very, very proud to serve as Reeves County Judge and I want to thank all those who votedfor me." Gholson said she currently has no plans to run for another office. "My plans for now are to get things lined up, tend to my business and then we'll see," said Gholson. Gholson is also a member of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board. Her position is coming up for election in May. "I don't know about another election, I was so busy concentrating on this one," she said. Gholson said she doesn't know if she'll physically be able to seek re-election to the school board, but stated, "I really enjoy being on the school board, but as far as being physically able to run again, I don't know," she said. Coming off one campaign and hitting another seems like a big task at this time, according to Gholson. Gholson also expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her during her campaign for the county judge position. "I do appreciate the kindness shown to me as I went door to door and greeted people," she said. Galindo, who is a Pecos High School and a University of Texas at Austin graduate, said he is looking forward to continuing to do the best he can for the people of the county. "The biggest challenge we face is improving the quality of life in our community," Galindo saidinbetween shaking hands and hugging well wishers at his victory party at The RiversideBallroom. "That includes developing recreation facilities, economic development and running anefficient government that does more with less dollars." When Galindo was first elected county judge in 1994, Reeves County faced an $800,000 a yearbudget deficit. Since then, Galindo has played a strong roll in reversing the financial position ofthe county. Galindo and the commissioners' court have presented county budgets that lowered taxes twoyears in a row while giving raises to all county employees. Now Reeves County boasts a milliondollar reserve in the bank. During Galindo's first term in office the Reeves County Detention Center became one of thefastest growing employers in the County. Galindo traveled to Washington D.C. to negotiate withthe United States Bureau of Prisons and increased Bureau of Prisons payments to the RCDC by about $1 million annually. Progress at the RCDC created 50 new jobs at the prison. Grossrevenue projections increased from $6 million to $12 million dollars a year. Martinez and Rayos in run-off electionBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, March 11, 1998 - As the final voting box was being opened and counted at Reeves County Courthouse, several blocks to the south, at Suavacito's bar, Gilberto "Hivi" Rayos, candidate for Reeves County Commissioner Precinct 4, had obviously been following the blow-by-blow election results on local radio station KIUN. "It's going to be a run-off," he said flatly as friends and relatives buzzed with excitement in the ballroom. T-shirts with "Rayos" emblazoned across the front were displayed proudly. As the final votes were tabulated Precinct 4 encumbent Bernardo Martinez was busy calculating the commissioner's race on a scrap sheet of paper at the courthouse, while Reeves County Democratic Party Chairman Bobby Dean loaded the results into his laptop computer and Bill Cole, seated right of Dean, reported the results as they came in live on the radio. The final results gave Martinez the most votes, 359 (34.55 percent), but not enough to leave him clear and free for another term. There will be a run-off as Rayos had said. Rayos received 316 votes (30.41 percent), and Mari Maldonado received 291 votes (28.01 percent). Bernardo Martinez said he looks forward to the run-off election. "I'll have to change my strategy, but I'm glad it was a good, clean race." After thanking all those who had voted for him and those who had participated in the political process, Martinez said, "If anyone has any questions about my resume, I want them to please ask me." Several blocks away, Rayos was pleased with the results, allowing his campaign spokeswoman, Lorena Rayos Martinez, to speak for him. "We are very happy and will work extra hard in the run-off election," she said. "We want everybody to help us make a difference." Angel Rayos, Gilberto's father, who was at the club, said only, "We are very proud." The senior Rayos said he was confident that his son would win in the run-off election. This will be the third run-off election Bernardo "Chaquen" Martinez has had to face in his 20 years as a commissioner. The run-off election will be held on Tuesday, April 14. What remains to be seen now is which way Maldonado's 291 supporters will turn when faced with a choice between Martinez and Rayos. Theirs is the vote that must be sought and secured by the two over the next month. JP Precinct 3 will see run-off electionBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, March 11, 1998 - In the race for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace a run-off will be held next month involving incumbent Joel Madrid and challenger Rosendo L. Carrasco. Carrasco took more than 38 percent of the total vote, equaling 388 votes, and Madrid received just less than 30 percent with 303 total votes. Two other candidates divided up the remaining 25 percent, with Janell Ward receiving 84 votes and David Dominguez Vejil receiving 168. Carrasco, speaking from Carrasco's Mercantile in Balmorhea, said it felt real good to receive so much of the vote and was glad people felt he could do the job. "We need a judge that is available full time. That is my platform." But at the same time, Carrasco said he wasn't taking anything for granted. "I'm gonna hit it hard and go house to house," he said of the future run-off election. Though he felt that those votes that went to Ward would be turning his way, he said "I'm going to fight for them." He said that he and Ward both believed strongly in a full-time judge for the people of Precinct 3, and had agreed before the election that if there was a run-off involving either of the challengers, the loser would pitch their support behind the other. Incumbent Madrid, who was elected four years ago in a run-off election, said he was optimistic in the face of another run-off election. "With four candidates it was bound to be a run-off," he said. Madrid said he planned on "campaigning a little harder," and believed that those who had voted for Vehil and Ward would fall in behind him. "I just want to thank those that got out there and supported me," he said, "I've enjoyed these four years." Incumbent wins in county treasurer raceBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, March 11, 1998 - Linda Clark plans to continue the best she can to help the public, according to a statement she made last night after winning her bid to retain her position as Reeves County Treasurer in the Democtratic Primary. She faces no opponent in the November election. Clark said that she wanted to thank the voters of Reeves County for the confidence they have shown in her. "I'm just glad that they will let me continue serving them as their treasurer," said Clark. Clark was all smiles last evening at the Reeves County Civic Center, surrounded by her family and friends. The group was busy celebrating after hearing the news that she defeated her opponent, receiving 1,928 votes. Her opponent Terry Terrazas netted 1,678 votes. Clark began working in the Reeves County Treasurer's Office in 1989. In 1993 she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Reeves County Treasurer (Nina Abila), and was elected to a four-year term in 1994. She received her Treasurer's Certification in 1994. To date she has earned 80 hours of continuing education units as a County Treasurer. "I received certification as an Investment Officer in 1996, and I have received 30 hours of continuing certification credits as an Investment Officer," she said. "I' glad that it's all over," said Terry Terrazas. Terrazas was tired after the lengthy campaign and stated, "I wanted the opportunity to run and that's what I did." "If it just wasn't for me, then it just wasn't for me," Terrazas said. "I truly believe that God must have other plans for me, or for me to just stay where I am," she said. "I do want to thank everybody that helped and all the people in Reeves County and I hope Linda continues doing a good job for the county," said Terrazas. Terrazas had earlier stated that she thought this was something she might like to do. "But if the voters of Reeves County decided otherwise, then that's alright," she said. "But it was a great opportunity and I enjoyed it," she said. Terrazas began a banking career in Austin with Texas Commerce Bank and was employed for 11 years. "My experience in banking was in the operational area that involves bookkeeping, teller area and the accounting department all of which deal with money and account balances," Terrazas had stated during her campaign. Florez retains county clerk positionBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, March 11, 1998 - An early Christmas gift arrived at Dianne O. Florez' doorstep last night after the Democratic Primary Elections. Florez was re-elected to her position as Reeves County Clerk and said she felt great. She faces no opponent in the November election. Final totals showed Florez received 2,862 votes, with her opponent Kristina Kaye Talamantes receiving 654. "It feels like this was a Christmas gift, something you wait and wait for, but don't know if you're going to get it or not," said Florez. Florez was surrounded by her family and well-wishers last night at the Reeves County Civic Center for a victory celebration. "I just want to thank everyone for their support, especially my family," she said. Florez plans to continue operating her office in the same courteous manner. "I plan to continue working to speed the process in recording public records and to help the public," said Florez. On Feb. 2, she was approved as the local registrar of the county in order to be able to issue birth records to not only those born in Reeves County, but to all of those born in the state of Texas. This will become effective June 1. Talamantes was unavailable for comment. Marsh retains JP 2 seatPECOS, March 11, 1998 - Incumbent J.T. Marsh beat challenger Wesley Harpham in yesterday's Democratic primary race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, by 507 votes to Harpham's 281. Marsh will run unopposed in the November election. Marsh was appointed by the commissioners' court to fill an unexpired term in 1977 and has held the position of Justice of the Peace for more than 20 years. The job consists of documenting and filing all fines processed through the Precinct 2 Justice court. It requires completing all local, state and federal reports in a timely manner. "I'm just proud to be back in for another term," Marsh said. "I would like to thank everyone in Precinct 2 that supported me," he continued. "I'm glad to be back in office and will continue to do what I've always done, take care of everyone fairly." Harpham said this morning that he really didn't have anything to say about the outcome of the race, other than, "I thank my opponent for running a clean campaign." Jaquez wins District Clerk primaryPECOS, March 11, 1998 - Juana Jaquez won last night's Democratic primary election for the position of District Clerk with 2,087 votes. Challenger Rosemary Chabarria received 1,109 votes and Catalina "Kathy" Ybarra received 451 votes. At this time, Jaquez has no opponent in the November election. Jaquez has already held the position of District Clerk for 11 years, and was a deputy for former Reeves County Clerk Catherine Ashley for 12 years before that. "I want to thank God first of all, and everyone who has helped me whatsoever," Jaquez said about last night's victory. "I want to thank my deputies for holding up under the pressure. I especially want to thank my husband and children and Pat Tarin. I couldn't have done it without my son and daughter," Jaquez said. "I'm glad the voters of Reeves County weren't ready for a change as proposed. I will continue helping everyone as I have been doing. We'll put this election behind us and start over," she said. Jaquez is a 1964 graduate of Pecos High School who is now married with two children and two grandchildren. WEATHERPECOS, March 11, 1998 - High Tuesday, 54, low this morning, 26. It will be turning even colder across most of Texas tonight with a wintery mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain forecast for West Texas. And forecasters say there could be some sleet in the Hill Country and in the San Antonio area during the night before ending on Thursday. The rest of the state will have cold temperatures with wind expected to make it seem even colder across North Texas before dawn on Thursday. Clouds will be increasing across West Texas tonight with rain expected in most areas east of the mountains. The rain will be changing to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain after midnight and continuing through the night. It will be mostly cloudy and cold across North Texas tonight. Clouds will be decreasing on Thursday. Clouds will be increasing tonight in South Texas. There is a chance of rain in southern areas and a slight chance of light rain, possibly mixed with sleet in the Hill Country. Temperatures will be climbing in South Texas on Thursday. Lows tonight will be in the teens in the Panhandle and in the 20s and 30s in the rest of West Texas, the 20s and 30s in North Texas and in the 30s in the Hill Country and in the 40s and 50s elsewhere in South Texas. Highs Thursday will be in the 30s and 40s in the Panhandle and in the 50s and 60s over the rest of West Texas, the 40s and 50s in North Texas and in the 50s and 60s in South Texas.
Pecos Enterprise
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