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TOP STORIESMarch 27, 1998Duncan Disposal gets property, but no MTV for PecosBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, March 27, 1998 - Music Television, better known as 'MTV', may not be broadcasting on Pecos airwaves anytime soon, but Classic Cable Operations Manager Ben Hernandez informed the City Council at yesterday morning's meeting that his company had received a petition in favor of it. The City Council, who asked the representative to the meeting to discuss cable subscribers' complaints, received the information stonily. "How many signatures have you received?" asked Mayor Dot Stafford, breaking the silence. Hernandez responded that Classic Cable had received about 250 signatures. Not enough to bring the channel to Pecos. Of the 3,300 cable subscribers in Pecos, said Hernandez, it would take a "clear-cut majority" to bring in a channel like MTV. The operations manager said in a later interview that he had received one phone call from Pecos urging him not to bring MTV. Hernandez said the caller, who claimed to represent "some kind of a church alliance," was seeking to have Classic Cable bring religious programming to Pecos. This type of programming, he said, is difficult because of all the various denominations. Regarding the cable trouble reports, Hernandez distributed copies of the December and January logs of trouble calls and outages to all the council members. In December, said the representative, Pecos subscribers reported 40 trouble calls and a total of 5 outages, representing about 16.7 hours, to the cable company. "That's less than one percent of the subscriber base," he said. In January, Pecos subscribers reported 38 trouble calls and three outages, which represented 36.75 hours. "That sounds like a lot of time," said Hernandez, "but 24 hours was because of a lost character generator that we had to have Fed-Exed." The remaining 12.75 hours was comprised of 10.5 hours of channel seven being off the air (the television station's fault, said Hernandez) and two hours of channel five being off the air (Classic Cable's fault). "The pattern I'm seeing is a channel here and a channel there," said Hernandez, "but not any major outages." Councilman Gerald Tellez asked Hernandez how things were progressing with getting unwanted signals blocked out of some Pecos residences. Hernandez said that presently the company was back-logged on the "traps" which block the channels. Councilman Ricky Herrera asked the representative at what point the company would consider compensating their customers for outages. Hernandez replied that the average cost per channel per day for customers was about two cents and he didn't consider two cent refunds to be viable. "I think the value that customers place on their favorite shows is much greater than two cents," said Herrera. The council asked that Hernandez continue to provide copies of the monthly complaint logs, but said it was not necessary for him to attend the meetings personally. Duncan Disposal, Inc., formerly Wes Tex Waste, was granted a year's free rent at a former truck wash at US 285 and I-20 in exchange for repair work the company would perform on the facility. The council approved the provision pending the preparation of a written lease agreement. "It is my understanding that Wes Tex Waste will spend considerable money to refurbish the property," said City Manager Kenneth Neal, "So it is my recommendation that the first year's rent go toward getting the facility operational and after that start rent payments." Councilman Johnny Terrazas suggested that Neal and Ronnie Ruiz, manager of the transfer station, work out a check list of agreed repairs to be performed by the company. Texas-New Mexico Power's Senior Vice-President Jack Chambers attended the morning meeting to announce that hearings with the Texas Public Utility Commission had finally ended and a final decision is expected in June. "Then there will be a three percent rate reduction retroactive back to Jan. 1. Hopefully just in time for the hot weather," he said. The company's proposed five-year transition to competition plan, that, according to company officials, will lower residential rates by nine percent and commercial rates by three percent, was originally scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1. March 28 was declared Leadership Awareness Day by the council. According to the resolution, "the example set by the young men and women participating in the John Ben Sheppard Public Leadership Student Forum should inspire all citizens to become involved in public issues to help make our community a better place to live." The youth forum will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, in the new gym of Pecos High School. The council also approved monthly reports from the tax collector, municipal court, ambulance and municipal financials. Tellez cautioned department heads that the mid-point of the financial year was approaching, so they should "watch those budgets." Accounts payable was approved at $169,977.69. Student rewarded for readingBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, March 27, 1998 - One Bessie Haynes Elementary School student has reached his reading goal and will be enjoying music on his new CD boom box. Michael Razon, a 12-year-old fifth-grade student at the school, netted 200 points, his goal to purchase the boom box. He was the first student at the school this year to reach that goal. "Students receive points for books they read," said school librarian Cynthia Armbruster. The more difficult the book, the more points it is worth, according to Armbruster. "The students are then given a comprehension test in the computer lab," she said. The test also ensures that the students comprehend what they are reading and don't just receive points for reading the book, according to Armbruster. "We want to make sure they understand what they are reading," said Armbruster. Razon stated that the next book he plans to read is, Little Women, which is worth 36 points. After purchasing the boom box and using up all his points he had netted 20 more points on that day. Books are worth points, ranging from one point to 36 points, depending on the difficulty and the length, according to Armbruster. "We're going to have to purchase new items to put in our little store," said Armbruster. According to Armbruster, the students have been doing so well with this reading program, they have been purchasing many items. "We're just very proud of all our students, they have been doing really well, they read a lot," she said. Prizes range from stickers to balls, such as basketballs and volleyballs to the big prize of a boom box. "We just had a D.J. party to raise more funds, to restock our 'store'," said Armbruster. Armbruster stated that this is a great way to get the students to read and actually comprehend what they are reading. "The students get really excited about this also, because not only are they learning more, but are getting rewarded for it," she said. Right behind, Razon, is Gilbert Barragan who has 193.7 points and is also wanting to purchase the big item. "I'm glad I got the boombox, now I don't have to share with my younger brother," said Razon. Razon stated that he wants to save his points and probably will purchase a walkman or a basketball next. He likes to read and spends his time reading at home or playing basketball. "I also enjoy drawing, and spend my extra time doing that also," said Razon. He is the son of Abner and Nef Razon. Council proposes program to helpBy RICK L. SMITH Staff Writer PECOS, March 27, 1998 - People who need, but cannot afford, prescription medication may soon get help from the Comunity Council of Reeves County, according to the council executive director. "Cara Alligood and I have kicked around some ideas to start a program to benefit residents who seem to fall in the cracks," Caprice Cox said during the council board meeting held last night in Pyote. "These people are working but have no insurance or the job doesn't offer insurance. They are in the gray area. "Mr. Ray Carreon from the DHS (Department of Human Services) has shared som information with us from a company in Missouri that will match people with pharmaceutical companies to obtain free prescription medicine." Cox said a $5 setup fee would be the total cost to those eligible to participate in the plan if it is adopted by the council. Cox also told the council board she is working on a program to help the aged and disabled to obtain money to pay for medication and doctor visits. In other business, Ward County Commissioners agreed to help with funding for the Meels on Wheels Program, according to Cox. Cox expressed displeasure at the way Card, Graham and Co. handle the books for the council. "They have balked about filling the needs of the council, even though they agreed to the terms of the bidding proposal." Cox said many mistakes are found in paper work returned by Card, Graham and Co., and corrections have to be made. Appointed to the private sector of the council board were Jessie Heard, a member of the Grand Falls City Council; and Suzie Smith. Sherri Downing was removed from the board due to lack of participation. Also on the council agenda was a review of Executive Director Cox' job performance. "The evaluation went well and she received a good rating," said Community Council Board President Bill Wendt. The council board offered Cox a $500 a year raise but she refused to accept it, Wendt said. Before the board entered executive session to evaluate Cox she had stated that she wanted a raise and would use the additional money to help fund a council-sponsored medical relief program for the poor. According to Wendt, the council had $1,500 available to give Cox as a raise but some board members did not want to give her the full amount. Cox refused the $500 raise because it was not enough money to make a difference for the medical program, Wendt said. "It kind of hurts," Wendt said, "because she was not going to use $1,500 for herself. She was going to use it for the medical program to get it going. That's what upset her, she knew $500 wouldn't meet program needs. Even $1,500 would only be a token but would get the program going." In other community council business, the council board agreed to hire an attorney to handle a lawsuit brought against they council by a person who fell and was hurt on council property, Wendt said. Meteorite eye-witnesses soughtBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, March 27, 1998 - Did you see it? People from as far as 120 miles from the Monahans meteor crash site Sunday reported witnessing the bright descent of extra-terrestrial rock. But the odd thing is, said Steve Schmidt, director of the Blakemore Planetarium in Midland, nobody west of the crash site in Monahans has reported viewing the object as it fell. Schmidt is working with a team of scientists from NASA and elsewhere on studying the recovered meteorites. "It is extremely rare that so many observed the event," said Schmidt, "and then for it to be recovered so quickly." Any eye-witness accounts, especially including video or audio tapes, of the event by Pecos-area persons would be enthusiastically welcomed by the team of scientists at Blakemore Planetarium. "We are particularly asking that (merchants) with monitoring cameras review their tapes from Sunday night." These tapes, he said, may contain very slight lightening caused by the meteor's flash or reactions of shoppers that may help pinpoint the exact time and direction of the meteor. Video evidence of meteors has been helpful to scientists in the past. Much was learned about the El Paso Superbolide, which crashed through the Earth's atmosphere on Oct. 9, 1997, by eye-witness accounts of the meteor's vapor trail. Also, in the early `80s, a meteor that struck an automobile in Peakskill, N.Y. was found before the owner of the vehicle was aware of the incident due to extensive recordings by football fans who videoed the meteor as it streaked by near the football stadium. When a meteor is recovered as quickly as Sunday's twins were much may be learned about where the meteor came from by studying the radio isotopes issuing from the meteor. "Many of these are not harmful to humans," said Schmidt, "and have extremely short half-lives (or, lifespan). One lasts only for 72 hours." Schmidt said he had been able to perform a visual survey of the twin meteorites. By studying these unique rocks, scientists will be able to view the condition under which the matter was fist formed. "It's sort of like looking back in time," said Schmidt. To report any information about the Monahans meteor call 915-683-2882 during regular business hours. Tips on storm spotting offeredBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, March 27, 1998 - As a cold front rolled over Pecos, filling the sky with thick dust that shielded the Earth from the Sun, National Weather Service Warning Coordinator and Meteorologist George Mathews made some national weather predictions based on what could be seen in the violent-looking sky above. With a small class of interested pupils ringed about him, some from the police and fire departments, some simply interested citizens, Mathews pointed to a gathering "cumulus" cloud -a small mountain of white floating independently in the sky. "As soon as it gets to Odessa or Midland, where it can get some moisture, it will probably become a continuous thunderstorm that will move through Dallas, Louisiana, and to the Eastern Seaboard later in the week," he forecasted. The worst Pecos could expect from the strong winds was possible "verga-showers," he said, when rain evaporates before it can hit land, causing cold air to "crash" into the ground. But nothing dangerous would occur in Pecos as a result of this gathering storm. Nine people attended the evening meeting yesterday, including some who had lost loved ones to the Saragosa tornadoes 10 years ago, at the Pecos Community Center to learn how to safely spot and report violent weather. Safety was the first topic discussed by Mathews. "The safest place during a tornado is the lowest floor possible in an interior room," the instructor said. The first thing a tornado will take is the roof, then the outside walls and lastly the interior walls. Bathrooms with showers are especially good hiding places because the pipes in the wall help to stabilize it. To be a successful weather spotter, one must not only be able to find and identify dangerous weather, but it is critical to be able to report it. "Otherwise," said Mathews, "how does that help the community at risk?" Keys to safe spotting include: always spot with a partner (driver drives, and spotter `spots'), know your local environment (always have an escape route in mind and keep a five-mile buffer between yourself and the storm), and remember that lightning and flash floods kill more people than tornadoes do. Be aware of all elements of a storm. If you are caught in a rural area by a tornado the first thing to do is get out of your car, said Mathews. Then, get as low as you can. The class spent the next couple hours learning the different visual elements of storms on slides and video presentations. Along with this came the new language of storm spotters. Words like metacyclone, supercell, wall cloud, back-sheared anvil and rear flank downdraft were flowing loosely over tongues by the break-up time of 10 p.m. Mathews cautioned the group that while Reeves County has been fairly quiet in the past few years (with 7 warnings issued in 1996 and 1997, compared with Pecos County's 35 and 50), the weather service expects this to be a "particularly active" year. El Nino is to thank, he said. So, while with proper knowledge of storms comes the power to protect one's community, the violent fingers of air, known as tornadoes, are nothing to trifle with. The Jarrel tornadoes, which reached top wind speeds of 260 mph, "strong enough to rip flesh from the bone," said Mathews, left 70 vehicles unaccounted for. "They were either buried so deep in the mud or tossed so far they couldn't be found," he said. And with tornado season approaching in Texas, where more tornadoes will form than any other state, several more meetings will be held by the National Weather Service to prepare communities in the Trans-Pecos. An advanced meeting will be held in Monahans on Monday, March 30. Others will meet in Hobbs, Carlsbad, Presidio, Fort Davis, Alpine, Van Horn, with a "wrap-up" session being held in Odessa on Thursday, April 23. For more information, call (915) 563-5006. OBITUARIESPilar DominguezPilar D. Dominguez, 83, died Friday, March 20, 1998, in El Paso. Services were held March 23, at St. Paul Church with burial at Restlawn Memorial in El Paso. Dominguez was born Jan. 13, 1915, in Pecos. He had lived in El Paso for more than 40 years, was retired from the civil service, El Paso ISD and Circle K Corp. Survivors include: his wife, Cruz M. Dominguez of El Paso; one son, Reymundo Dominguez; seven daughters, Dora Lara, Eva Archuleta, Martha Calderon, Cruz Franco, Patsy Torres, Betty Leon and Helyn Jones; seven brothers, Ciprano, Eziquel, Ruben, Roberto, Chente, Ysidro and Oscar Dominguez; four sisters, Josepha Chacon, Mary Jane Villanueva, China Galvan and Paola Gonzalez; 19 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Luceal WrightLuceal Behrens Wright, 91, died Wednesday, March 25, 1998, in San Saba, Tx. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, March 28, at Howell-Doran Funeral Home Chapel in San Saba, with Rev. Keith Robertson officiating. Burial will be in San Saba City Cemetery. Wright was born Dec. 26, 1906, in San Saba. She was a housewife and a former member of the Rebecca Lodge in Pecos. Wright was preceded in death by her parents, Augusta and Andrew Behrens; her husbands, Wesley Miller in San Saba, 1928, James E. Wright, in 1966; and one grandson. Survivors include: two sons, Benton Miller of Locker and Dell Wright of Houston; one daughter, Anna Talley of Alpine; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Masonic Lodge "Lamar Scholarship," in care of John Bannister, P.O. Box 937, San Saba, Tx., 76877. WEATHERPECOS, March 27, 1998 - High Thursday, 98, low this morning, 52. Clear skies and pleasant temperatures are expected across Texas tonight and Saturday. But forecasts called for showers and thunderstorms across most of the state today. The precipitation is being triggered by a combination of a low pressure system and and upper level system that also generated high winds across most of the state for the past two days. Skies will be fair tonight and mostly sunny on Saturday across West Texas. A chilly night is in store for West Texas as temperatures will dip into the 30s and 40s. Highs Saturday will be in the 70s and 80s statewide. Showers and thunderstorms were reported in West Texas early today from the Panhandle southward into the Edwards Plateau area. Another line of showers moved across North Texas during the early morning hours.
Pecos Enterprise
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