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| Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide for Pecos Country of West Texas Top Stories Wednesday, September 2, 1998 Senate approves Sierra Blanca waste compact By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON -- Years after Texas, Maine and Vermont first proposed an alliance that would allow the two New England states to ship their low-level radioactive waste to Texas, Congress completed action today on the deal. On a 78-15 vote this morning, the Senate approved the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact, sending the legislation to President Clinton for his likely signature. Approval of the compact, which paves the way for construction of a waste dump seven miles southeast of Sierra Blanca in Hudspeth County, triggers payments of $55 million by Maine and Vermont to Texas for the long-term disposal of waste generated mostly from nuclear power plants. Texas Gov. George W. Bush has said the state would not proceed with the dump's construction absent congressional approval. The House overwhelmingly ratified the compact in July. The measure's leading Senate opponent, Democrat Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, implored colleagues to reject the deal, saying Sierra Blanca was targeted for the dump because it is a poor, predominately Hispanic town far from the power corridors of Austin and Washington. ``This is a fight for communities all across the country who don't have the political clout to keep this pollution out,'' Wellstone said today. ``This is a fight for minority communities who are burdened with a disproportionate share of these sites.'' But Senate backers said the legislation is fair, following the same dictates as previous compacts approved by Congress. ``In making the decision to consider the proposed site in Hudspeth County, Texas, there has been extensive public involvement as well as thorough environmental and technical review,'' said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Me. A day before the vote, anti-dump activists rallied at the Capitol, urging Clinton to intervene. ``If this bill passes, President Clinton must veto it to stop the beautiful desert town of Sierra Blanca from becoming another chapter in this nation's sad, sorry history of racial discrimination,'' said Erin Rogers, executive director of the Sierra Blanca Legal Defense Fund. But a veto is ``unlikely,'' a White House official said Tuesday, noting that the compact is silent on the question of the dump's location. ``We do have concerns about the site,'' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. ``But the compact itself doesn't select the site. It's Texas' decision and we're expecting the governor to take the concerns that have been raised seriously before they make a final siting decision.'' Wellstone and other dump opponents have rallied under the banner of ``environmental justice,'' saying Sierra Blanca was targeted as the receptacle for the nuclear industry's waste because it is an impoverished, overwhelmingly Hispanic town that lacks political clout. They also have challenged Sierra Blanca's selection on geological, environmental and diplomatic reasons -- points that more than a dozen Texans made during lobbying trips on Capitol Hill in recent days. But compact supporters say any issues about the dump's location, approved by the Texas Legislature in 1991, rest with Bush and other state officials. ``Such location questions are the exclusive purview of the state of Texas,'' said Sen. Olympia Snowe, the Maine Republican who is the lead Senate sponsor of the compact. She and others noted the legislation is backed by the three states' governors and senators, and that Congress has approved nine previous compacts covering 41 other states. ``We ask for nothing more than what Congress has already given these 41 other states,'' said Sen. James Jeffords, R-Vt. Texas officials contend the location was selected after careful review and that it meets safety requirements. But critics gained some support in July when two state hearing officers concluded that licensing should be denied because of questions about an underground fault below the site. Faults within the mountainous areas of Far West Texas triggered a 5.3 magnitude earthquake near Marathon, 120 miles east of Sierra Blanca, in 1995, and a aftershock to that quake this past April. The officers' recommendation isn't binding on the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, which could issue a licensing decision as early as mid-September. Rehab, removal projects finished By ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer Sixteen homes in Reeves County have been given a "new look" thanks to a special grant aimed at improving the quality of life. The homes were worked on utilizing $326,051 in contract from funds from the state and federal government at an average of $20,378 per owner occupied home. "The funds are low interest deferred loans, with the stipulation that they live in the homes for the next five years," said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo. In conjunction, over $40,000 of in-kind services was accomplished, as part of a proposal made to the state as part of the grant. The proposal stated that the county would demolish and clear up five dilipadated buildings and a little over that amount was accomplished, according to Galindo. "It's been a very difficult process, but ultimately it has been a success, to try to imrove the quality of living for individuals living in the 16 homes in this community," said Galindo. Homes beneffiting from the program are located in Balmorhea, Saragosa and the Lindsay Addition. The homeowners go through a screening process before they are approved. "There are 16 families out there that we were able to help and that improved their way of living," said Commissioner Precinct 3 Herman Tarin. Although not everyone was completely satisfied, Tarin said that overall, the people are grateful to the county for having helped them improve their homes. "They're grateful that they had someone go out there and improve their home in some way and it's something they can enjoy for the rest of their lives," he said. "There's always some pros and cons in any situation, but this project turned out really well, we're very pleased with the results and I think these families are too," said Tarin. One family was very pleased with the results and grateful to the county for the improvements made to their home. "My parents are just very, very happy, they did a very good job," said Rosa Dominguez, the daughter of homeowners Abel and Maria Sanchez of Balmorhea, who qualified for the home improvement program. "Their home needed a lot of work done inside and some minor items taken care of on the outside," said Dominguez. "They had no complaints whatsoever, everything was taken care of," she said. According to Dominguez, those working on the project, came in and told the homeowners exactly what they could do and what couldn't be done, under the project guidelines. "And they did exactly what they said could be done and both my parents are very happy," she said. "I'm just thrilled that they were approved for this project and want to thank everyone involved," she said. Tailgate party to precede `late' Kickoff By JON FULBRIGHT Staff Writer The "Kickoff Classic" actually doesn't fully live up to its name this season. But Thursday night's game does kick off the 1998 football season for the teams involved and will be a new experience for the Pecos Eagles, when they face the Denver City Mustangs at Odessa's Ratliff Stadium. A rule change for the 1998-99 seasons by the University Interscholastic League allowed all Texas football teams to play 10 games over 11 weeks for the first time this year, with the extra date added on the final weekend of August. So teams such as Odessa High, Andrews and Monahans have already started their 1998 seasons, though it's still the first week of play for most Texas teams. The game is also the Eagles' first in Odessa since 1981, the year before Ratliff Stadium opened. Pecos has played games in recent years in Midland's Memorial Stadium, as well as in Lubbock and El Paso, but not at the top facilities in those towns, like Jones Stadium and the Sun Bowl. "A lot of these kids won't play in a stadium this nice in their careers," said Craig Morgan of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event. "We basically provide a service for the coaches," Morgan said. "We do all the work for the teams. All the coaches have to do is take care of the officials, play the game and go home." Thursday's game is an 8 p.m. start, and before then, Pecos Eagle Booster Club members plan to hold a tailgate party in the west parking lot of Ratliff Stadium, starting at about 5;30 p.m. Morgan said the stadium gates will open at 5 p.m. for Thursday's game. Tailgate parties are common outside stadiums before college and pro football games, though Morgan reminded fans that this one would have to be non-alcoholic to conform with Ector County ISD rules. Booster club members are hoping to hold the tailgate events prior to the start of the Eagles' home games this season, and decided to test out support for the plan at Thursday's game. "My wife talked with Laura Quisenberry (wife of Odessa High coach Randy Quisenberry), and she said they had one last year before the Odessa Permian game," Eagles' coach Dan Swaim said last month. "Everybody sets up at one end of the field and brings something for before the game." "We're excited about Pecos coming here," Morgan said. The Eagles-Mustangs game is one of three neutral site games scheduled for Ratliff Stadium in September, down one from recent years, due to the early opening of the season. The other games are on Saturdays, and Morgan added that, "We also host a lot of playoff games. Seminole brought all their fans down last year. They followed the team bus here, and we ended up with about 10,000 people at the game." Morgan said the teams that are invited are the "first set matchup" of the first week of September. "That's been Denver City the past several years, but next year may be their last year, and coach Swaim has said he'd definitely like to put his name in the hat about having the first Thursday game. Commissioners eye tax hike with budget BY PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer Loving County Commissioners expect to adopt a $1.033 million budget on Sept. 14 and set a tax rate that will increase revenues by 8 percent. Increased cost of utilities, supplies, maintenance and repairs account for the $26,000 increase over the 1998 budget, said Auditor Janie Parker. No salary increases are included, but about $12,000 is earmarked for capital purchases. "We hope to do some work on the roads," Parker said. The court held a public hearing on the proposed tax rate Tuesday, as required by state tax law, since the budget requires an 8 percent increase in total tax revenues for 1999. That does not mean the tax rate will increase by 8 percent, however. Property valuations have increased almost $10 million from 1997, Parker said. The 1998 valuation is $129,136,821, up from $119,560,995 in 1997. If the court adopts the budget of $1,033,234, the 1999 tax rate would be 80.1 cents per $100 valuation, up from 78.4 cents this year, Parker said. P-B-T seeks ANGELS to help boost students By ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer Heaven isn't the only one seeking out angels. The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD is searching for ANGELS for their school program aimed at encouraging students and boosting their self-esteem. The ANGELS program is a mentor program which aims to pair concerning adults within the community with students needing increased self-esteem, motivation and self confidence for the purpose of improved learning, according to P-B-T ISD counselor Rosie Salcido. "These adults will go to the schools and visit with their designated student once a week for about 20-30 minutes," Salcido said. Anyone interested in the mentoring program can contact the counselor at the appropriate school. High school students will also participate and will have a criteria to be an ANGEL. Kindergarten and Austin Elementary School counselor is Rosie Salcido and she can be reached at 447-7248; Bessie Haynes Counselor Virginia Caballero can be contacted at 447-7243; Lamar Middle School and Pecos Elementary School Counselor Denise McNeese, can be reached at 447-7216; Zavala and Crockett Middle School Counselor Michelle Workman at 447-7251 and Pecos High School Counselors are Pat Cobos and Jim Adams can be reached at 447-7229. Pecos, Monahans EMS reach deal on coverage By PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer Pecos and Monahans emergency medical services have worked out an agreement for double coverage of a stretch of Interstate 20 that has been a point of contention for the past several years. Pecos Ambulance Service Chief Bill Cole said this morning that he and Monahans EMS Chief Tim Kidwell worked out the agreement with the help of administrators for the two hospitals. A past administrator for Ward Memorial Hospital had insisted that the Monahans EMS respond to all calls on I-20 as far west as Mile Marker 52, better known as "Beer Hill," just east of Barstow, even though Pecos is closer. That resulted in some long delays for critically injured accident victims. Kidwell said the agreement, which took effect Aug. 4, will be much better for the patient. "We are making sure an ambulance is going out there, and we don't expect any problems. It is a joint effort between the two entities," he said. If both units are not needed, the first one on the scene will notify the second and it will turn around and head back home, Kidwell said. "Our number one goal is the same as theirs - patient care," he said. "There is no boundary to me. I know it will be better for the patient. I never did like the original plan, where Pecos didn't go past the 52 mile marker." Cole said his crew has always been willing to go as far as they are needed, and he is pleased to have the written agreement so both entities know what is expected of them. "We haven't had any calls (in that area) since we established the new policy," Cole said. "But we have a real good working relationship. It will make things a little easier on dispatching. We both have a real ppositive feeling about this." Administrators Charles Butts of Reeves County Hospital and Steve Holmes of Ward Memorial met with the two EMS chiefs to work out the policy, Cole said. "We are real appreciative for their help. "Our membership seems real excited about it, and we will be working real close with them in that 11-mile stretch," Cole said. "There's been lots of bad accidents in that stretch." Some of the Pecos EMS volunteers may help out Monahans while they are trying to rebuild their staff, Cole said. Six of the 11-person Monahans crew have resigned as of Sept. 30, and Tidwell asked Cole to spread the word he needs trained personnel. Kidwell said the EMS has five full-time slots, including his, and six "as needed" slots. AREA NEWS ROUNDUP The Big Bend Sentinel MARFA, Aug. 27, 1998 -- During the early hours of Monday, Aug. 24, Border Patrol agents staffing the checkpoint near Sierra Blanca encouraged a semi-truck trailer combination eastbound on Interstate 10. The agents heard pounding and cries for help as the truck came through the checkpoint. A closer examination of the truck revealed a total 113 illegal immigrants concealed in the cab and trailer of the rig. Two individuals, a driver and co-driver of the semi-truck, were arrested and charged with alien smuggling. They are Ronald Eugene Jones, of Charlotte, N.C. and Kenneth McCoy Jr., 25, of Emory. The International PRESIDIO, Aug. 27, 1998 -- A fire Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, destroyed a four-apartment building under construction in Presidio. No one was injured in the 3:45 p.m. blaze that was fought by Presidio Volunteer Fire Department and Ojinaga, Mexico, firefighters. Presidio Fire Marshal Don "Doc" Lewis said it appears negligence on the part of plumbers led to the fire at the Big Bend Apartments. The McCamey News McCAMEY, Aug. 27, 1998 -- On Monday, Aug. 3, at about 3:35 p.m., the Upton County Sheriff's Department served a search warrant at a residence located at 1619 Crenshaw in McCamey. In the course of the search a 4 oz. scale, believed to be used in the weighing and packaging of drugs, and a small amount of marijuana were seized. Raymond Acosta and Vicky Armendarez, both of McCamey were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Iraan News IRAAN, Aug. 27, 1998 -- Federal disaster funds were made available last week, to help families and businesses recover from Tropical Storm Charley, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA Director James Lee Witt said President Clinton authorized the assistance under a major disaster declaration issued Wednesday, Aug. 26. The declaration covers damage from Tropical Storm Charley which drenched southwestern portions of Texas beginning on Aug. 22. Sanderson Times SANDERSON, Aug. 27, 1998 -- Teachers and students, particularly, have gained bragging rights, administrators are to be commended, and parents and local citizens owe a sincere expression of gratitude to all those responsible for their motivating the students of the Terrell County Independent School District and the students' willingness to accept the challenge in earning an "exemplary" rating by the Texas Education Agency. The "exemplary" rating was awarded to all three campuses in the school district and is the second consecutive year for this highest commendation or rating by the Texas Education Agency. Monahans News MONAHANS, Aug. 27, 1998 -- Laura Bush, the First Lady of Texas, came to Monahans, Thursday, Aug. 20, to boost her drive for adult literacy and her husband's re-election campaign. Incumbent Republican Gov. George W. Bush faces Democratic gubernatorial nominee Garry Mauro in the November general elections. While in Monahans on a calendar-filled morning. The First Lady met privately for 45 minutes with executives for of the Monahans News, toured the Rainbow Room under the guidance of Sheri Lord for 30 minutes and ate lunch at Leal's. After lunch she returned to Austin. WEATHER High Tuesday 94. Low this morning 66. Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. Light east winds. Thursday, partly cloudy. Highs in the mid to upper 90s. East to southeast winds 5-10 mph. Search Entire Site: Pecos Enterprise Mac McKinnon, 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 1998 by Pecos Enterprise