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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, March 17, 1999
Commissioers OK RCDC alteration
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - A flood plain study will not be necessary on
the 1,000 bed expansion at the Reeves County Detention Center.
Reeves County Commissioners decided to go with the architect's recommendation
not to do the flood plain study, based on her experience with this site
in an emergency meeting held Tuesday afternoon.
The study would have cost about $40,000 and would have delayed the project
by about 3-6 months, said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
"Lorraine Dailey suggested we not do the study and save time and money,"
said Galindo. "This is based on the civil engineer's study of the site,"
he said.
Instead her recommendation was to place the floor 18 inches above the
existing facility.
Galindo said there are still some people who remember the flooding
of the 1970's and that this was of some concern to them. "However, after
doing some checking they decided this would be a good way to go, in case
there were ever any flooding like in those days," he said.
"I think it's safe to go with her recommendation," said Precinct 1 Commissioner
Felipe Arredondo.
Personnel and salary changes during the meeting included moving Jeffrey
Baeza to the Permian Basin Drug Task Force as an investigator at an annual
salary of $26,000. Baeza was a deputy with the Reeves County Sheriff's
Department prior to being named to the task force.
Other hires recently at the Reeves County Detention Center include:
Patricia Abila, purchasing agent at a salary of $19,000; and Correctional
Officers 1, Tony Sharon, Katrina Robertson, Raymundo Pena, Jacob Marquez
and Gilbert Juarez at a starting salary of $19,000 per year.
Finley faces questions about letter
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
MONAHANS, March 17, 1999 - Testimony continued this morning in a 143rd
District Court civil trial in Monahans between former District Attorney
John Stickels and Commander Tom Finley of the now-defunct Permian Basin
Drug Task Force.
Finley was the first witness called by Stickels' attorney, Hal Upchurch
of Odessa. Finley claimed that a letter he wrote to law enforcement agencies
May 23, 1996, which Stickels terms libelous, was meant only to notify them
why the task force would not be working in Ward and Reeves Counties.
He said he didn't expect the news media to "have a field day" with the
letter.
Upchurch next questioned Peggy McCracken, Pecos Enterprise reporter
and webmaster, and Linda Stephens, Monahans News managing editor, about
stories that were published in their respective newspapers.
Those stories detailed Finley's accusations and Stickels' reply.
Finley said in the letter that Stickels had been a failure as a prosecutor
because he dismissed cases made by the task force at Stickels' request
or struck lenient plea bargains.
During his three hours on the stand Tuesday, Finley said he could not
cite a specific case as an example of Stickels' lenient plea bargains and
dismissals.
Judge Pat Baskin of Midland is presiding for the jury trial that began
Monday.
Cowboys, roustabouts rate low on job list
By CHELSEA J. CARTER
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK — Professional baseball player, president of the United States
and jeans-wearing cowboy — all great jobs, right? Wrong, says a new book.
Try Web site manager, computer systems analyst and software engineer.
Low stress, short hours and room for growth rank those among the top jobs
in America, according to the "Jobs Rated Almanac."
"I think what surprises most people are those jobs they always thought
were so glamorous are at the bottom. The work-a-day world for some of those
jobs is the pits," said the almanac's author, Les Krantz.
Using statistics from the Department of Labor, the census and telephone
surveys, Krantz ranked 250 jobs by income, stress, physical demands, potential
growth, job security and work environment.
As a result, being commander-in-chief come in at a lowly No. 229 — ranking
dead last in stress level and working environment. There's also no room
for job growth and it comes with a stagnant salary.
Professional baseball players (No. 202) and cowboys (No. 246) also scored
low because they require great physical demands and have little job stability.
"Some of the things your parents told you should always grow up to be
didn't rank so well," Krantz said.
Nine of the top 10 jobs were in computer or math-related fields, with
Web site managers at the top of the heap. The worst were manual labor jobs
in traditionally troubled fields, such as fishermen (No. 248), lumberjacks
(No. 249) and oil field roustabouts (No 250).
John D. Bell, the owner of a one-man oil well operation in Lamesa, disagrees
at the low ranking his job scored.
"I don't see it as a terrible type thing," Bell said Tuesday. "It beats
working at McDonald's and usually pays better than those jobs."
Not according to the almanac, which ranked cooks at No. 172, dishwashers
at No. 213 and waiters and waitresses at No. 136.
Krantz also lists the jobs with the best perks. At the top of that list
— geologists (No. 60), who get subsidized housing during field work, private
offices, paid trips to exotic locations and secretaries who help with the
job's nuts-and-bolts.
"Yes, there are great benefits," admitted Gary Ehret, a geologist for
Texaco. But, "I think it's safe to say that most people don't become geologists
because they think they are going to make a lot of money or get a lot of
extras. People do this because they like the outdoors."
Laura Berman Fortgang, author of the career advice book "Take Yourself
to the Top," doubts many people who read the book will decide to switch
careers.
Krantz agreed: "The book is really about everything you wanted to know
about your neighbor's job and didn't have the courage to ask."
Plans for Y2K on school board's agenda
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - A Y2K update will be given at the regular school
board meeting scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday in the school board room,
1304 S. Park St.
The group will discuss a request by Golden Girl Committee of the Women's
Division of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce for use of the Pecos High School
Auditorium for rehearsals and Golden Girl Revue and waive fees.
Other items for discussion and approval include:
* Discuss/approve preliminary plans and specifications on Pecos High
School Building A roof replacement/repairs, Engineer's Project #E9901.
* Discuss/approve relocation allotment for math, special education and
bilingual teachers.
* Recognize students for People of Texas Student Art Exhibit.
* Recognize Business Professionals of America students who qualified
for national.
* Approve alternate election judges for Orla and Barstow.
* Discuss/approve selling 1 lot (Block 1, Lot 17 Meadowbrook Addition,
located at 1500 Cherry Street.
* Discuss/approve bilingual/ESL additives.
* Discuss/approve textbook committee recommendations.
* Discuss/approve air conditioner bids for two buses.
* Discuss 1999-2000 school calendar.
* Second reading and approve local instructional policies (Section E),
revise policy DQA, delete policy DB and replace with revised policy DB,
delete policy EIE and Policy EMC.
Other items to be discussed include discussing the 1998-99 budget amendments,
attendance report, tax report, depository securities report, cafeteria
report, commodities received report, current bills and financial report,
investment transaction report and the reconciled bank balance report.
The group will also meet behind closed doors in executive session to
discuss evaluations and renewal of professional personnel's contracts and
to discuss other personnel.
In open session, board members will discuss an 11-month contract for
band director; consideration of intent to terminate probationary contract
of professional employees at the of the contract period and discuss contract
renewals and proposed non-renewals for professional personnel.
PHA board eyes rehab work updates
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - Discussion of the CIAP 96 and CIAP 98 apartment
rehabilitation projects, and a walk-through by Vaungh Architects Plus will
be topics for the regular Pecos Housing Authority Board meeting scheduled
for Thursday afternoon.
The board will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, at the PHA/FLH, Administration
Office, 600 Meadowbrook Drive and will also consider a resolution on the
security patrol program; review/adopt the PHA investment policy and discuss/approve
repairs needed for 1992 ford maintenance truck.
Also on the agenda under communications will be a letter to PHA/FLH
security patrol officer dated March 5, 1999 from Nellie Gomez, PHA Executive
Director.
A commissions workshop scheduled for April 30 in Austin will also be
discussed along with revised health insurance coverage policy as presented
by Mutual of Omaha.
In the Farm Labor Housing portion of the agenda the board will discuss
an FLH inspection by Rural Economic Development Officials; review/approve
report on audit of financial statements and supplemental data for the 12
months ended March 31, 1997 by David O. Tate, C.P.A.
Under new business, the group will review and approve a resolution,
FLH Audit for FY ended March 31, 1998 scheduled for March 29, 1999; discuss/approve
resolution, change fiscal year ending from April 1 to March 31 in Jan.
1 to Dec. 31.
The group will also discuss sewer and plumbing repairs at the Farm Labor
Housing.
Monthly financial statements, accounts payable, occupancy status and
rent roll and cash journal will also be discussed.
Tennis Carnival set for Thursday
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - The second annual USTA Tennis Carnival is scheduled
for this Thursday at the Pecos High School tennis courts, according to
Pecos Eagles' tennis coach Bernadette Ornelas.
"We had a big turnout last year, and we're hoping to do as well," Ornelas
said last week.
The event is sponsored by the United States Tennis Association to promote
the sport among elementary school-age boys and girls. The event is free
and will take place from 6 to 7:30 p..m. at the PHS tennis courts.
New job in Pecos less hectic for Kane
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - Patricia Kane is used to being busy, coming
to Pecos in January after working two jobs in two countries.
"I came from Conroe, but I was also working in Mexico," said Kane, the
new physician's assistant at the Trans-Pecos Health Center, located on
Eddy and Daggett streets.
"I had been planning to move west, and Leo asked me to come here," said
Kane. "It looks like I'm here to stay."
Kane had a part-time position in Conroe, outside Houston, and worked
the rest of the time at Rio Bravo, Mexico.
She is a full-fledged doctor in Mexico, with a Physicians' Assistant
degree here in the United States.
"When I first moved to Mexico I didn't know any Spanish, it took me
six months to learn it," said Kane. "But after that I was at the top of
my class."
Her French-German background might have helped her learn the language
a little faster. "French is a little like Spanish, except they end the
words a little differently," said Kane. "I'm also part American-Indian."
Speaking different languages is a talent that is shared by other members
of the family. "My father speaks seven languages and my brother speaks
five," said Kane, who comes from a large close-knit family consisting of
six boys and 11 girls.
"My whole family is really very unusual, but we're very close and we
talk to each constantly even though we're all scattered," said Kane. "I
almost became an actress, but decided that wasn't for me."
Kane said that when the entire family gets together it's a lot of fun
filled with love and laughter. "We're all very social people," she said.
When she's not busy at the clinic she likes to spend time with her 9-year-old
son, Matthew, camping and doing things outdoors. "I used to ski, but I
can't do that anymore," said Kane. "I like to take a bike ride every day,
for about five miles and then walk five miles, and I used to play tennis,
but I haven't done that in a while either."
Her son Matthew is home-schooled, which also takes up some of her time.
"He's really a very bright, social boy," said Kane.
The rest of her family _ her dogs _ are still in Conroe, but will come
home soon, according to Kane.
Kane can be reached at the Trans-Pecos Health Center at 447-3699. Her
office hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and
from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., on Fridays.
"We treat everything from the flu to other more serious illnesses,"
she said.
Kane said that she hasn't been busy enough, since she was used to seeing
from 30-40 patients a day at her old positions in Conroe and Mexico. "One
time we saw 60, which is really too much, but the normal would be from
30-40, and I like it that way," said Kane. "I like to keep busy, and see
as many patients and help them get better."
Her office staff consists of her faithful and very dedicated nurse,
Tina Guerrero, her secretary Michael Pallan and billing clerk Jennifer
Martinez. Other employees who work at Trans-Pecos Health Center and who
are on hand to help out Kane and her staff are Jennifer Martinez, Rosie
Rodriguez and Frances Martinez.
"All of my staff is very helpful and we're really enjoy Pecos, everyone
has been so nice to me," said Kane. "We plan on staying for a long time."
Texas Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Tuesday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 16-17-24-29-38. Number matching five of five: 1. Prize per winner:
$90,621. Winning ticket(s) sold in: White Settlement, Texas. Matching four
of five: 211. Prize: $644.
***
AUSTIN (AP) — The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Tuesday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 7-6-3 (seven, six, three)
Weather
PECOS, March 17, 1999 - High Tuesday 83; low last night 47. Tonight, mostly
cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Low in the upper 30s. North
to northwest wind 10-20 mph. Thursday, mostly cloudy and cooler with a
30 percent chance of showers. High in the upper 40s. North wind 15-25 mph
and gusty.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, 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 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
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