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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, June 15, 1999
County invites golf pro bids, ups salaries
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, June,15, 1999--Reeves County Commissioners voted Monday to advertise
for bids to operate the pro shop at the county golf course and gave generous
raises to prison staff.
The court rejected a proposal submitted by an advisory committee on
the golf pro shop.
"There are still a few items that need to be worked on, on that contract,"
said Reeves County Auditor Lynn Owens. "There were some things on there
that were not legal," he said.
The advisory committee was made up of representatives from the county,
the city, the men's golf association, women's golf association and the
current operator, Royce Cassell.
City councilman and advisory committee member Larry Levario told the
court that the group had met and come up with this proposal.
"One concern that was put in there, and I don't know if it's legal or
not, is that the greenskeeper be a Pecos resident. We feel it's important
that they live within the city limits," he said.
Advisory committee member Jo Cooksey told the court that Cassell needed
to be contacted about their decision so he can seek other employment.
"If he doesn't have the concession stand (pro shop) he might resign
as greenskeeper. He used to be a teacher, and he may want to resume teaching
if he doesn't get the concession stand. They are hiring teachers now,"
she said.
"This is advertisement for the concession stand, not the greenskeeper's
position," said Reeves County Commissioner Precinct 3 Herman Tarin, who
presided in the absence of County Judge Jimmy Galindo.
Award of the proposals is scheduled for commissioner's court, June 30,
at 2 p.m., on the third floor of the courthouse.
"Mr. Cassell can submit his bid," said Tarin. "We'll get the advertisement
going and then go through everything at the special meeting," he said.
"It's a business venture. Anybody that wants to bid can do so," said
Commissioner Precinct 2 David Castillo.
The request for proposal reads in part: for Golf Pro/Pro Shop Operator.
To provide golf professional services and pro-shop operations at the Reeves
County Golf Course.
The term of the contract shall be for a period of three years, with
duties as follows:
—The contractor/operator is required to furnish a minimum of 30 golf
carts to meet the requirements of the users of the course;
—The contractor/operator is required to collect all locker rentals that
shall be paid during the terms of this agreement and remit the lock fees
to Reeves County at the close of each month in which locker rental fees
are received;
—The contractor/operator is required to collect all private cart trail
fees and remit the trail fees to Reeves County on a semi-monthly basis;
—The contractor/operator is required to collect all green fees, annual,
and semi-annual dues for the use of the golf course.
—Daily receipts sheets shall be maintained showing the fees collected,
and course use by annual and semi-annual membership holders. All such fees
collected shall be transferred to Reeves County on a semi-monthly basis.
—The contractor/operator is required to stock and operate a proper pro
shop that will fulfill the needs of golfers utilizing the Reeves County
Golf Course and to provide all services necessary to the golfers use of
the course, providing that the facilities are available, or can be made
available by Reeves County.
Other provisions are written in the request for proposals. The deadline
to bid is 2 p.m., June 30.
"Will Reeves County get a percentage of the concession stand?" asked
Commissioner Precinct 4 Gilbert Rayos.
"The golf course is provided as a service to the community. They're
doing an excellent job and the advantages it provides to the county shouldn't
be an issue," said Levario.
Cooksey said that when tournaments are held at the course about 64 teams
join and 44 of those are from out of town.
"This means they spend the night in Pecos, spend money here and about
seven tournaments are held each year," she said.
"So we do reap a little from out-of-towners and it's great P.R. for
Pecos," she said.
"We're all looking for the same outcome," said Tarin. "The county is
not here to make money off of taxpayers, but if we can work out a deal
that will make us break even," he said.
Cooksey said that Reeves County is one of the cheapest golf courses
in West Texas. "I don't think it would hurt the business to raise the fees,
and all that comes back to the county," she said.
Advertisement for the pro shop is in today's newspaper and anyone can
bid on the position.
Commissioners approved new hires at the Reeves County Detention Center
for the position of Correctional Officer I, Hector Nunez, Adam D. Graves,
Martina R. Armendariz and Larry E. Acosta.
Arturo Pallan was promoted to the position of Food Service Foreman II
at a salary of $21,000.
Richard Prieto Natividad has joined the Reeves County Sheriff's Department
at an annual salary of $20,500 as a deputy sheriff.
Lifeguards approved for the Northside Swimming Pool for the recreation
program on a part-time basis are Jason Abila, at $7 per hour; Mark Abila,
at $6 per hour and Sarah Flores as concession stand operator/lifeguard
at $5.15 for regular pool hours and $6 for parties.
Leroy Rodriguez has been hired as a part-time substitute lifeguard/concession
stand operator at the Northside Pool at $5.15 per hour, along with Patrick
McChesney.
Julia Rayos will working as an office aide for the recreation program
on a part-time basis, at $8 per hour.
County auditor Lynn Owens' salary will be increased from $40,590 to
$44,649. Angela Harrison, as first assistant county auditor will receive
an increase from $20,000 to $21,500.
In the Road and Bridges Department Ruben A. Cazares will be working
as a Tech I at $13,978.40, and Jaime Mendoza moved from Tech I to Tech
II at $16,100 per year.
Stella Nichols will be working at the Reeves County Library as a part-time
temporary library clerk. Lindsay Olibas will work on a part-time basis
at the the Reeves County Judge's Office at $5.15 per hour.
In the Reeves County Clerk's office Crystal Gochicoa will go from $13,000
to $17,000 per year.
RCDC Warden Rodolfo Franco's salary will go from $90,000 to $120,000
on July 1.
Assistant wardens receiving raises are: Antonio Perez, $65,000 to $85,000;
and Regaldo Guadalupe, $45,000 to $50,000. A recently-hired third assistant
did not receive a raise.
Transportation director Mike Lecuyer went from $40,000 to $42,500.
The vacant position of infirmary director was set at $50,000.
Secretary Laura Contreras' salary will go from $19,000 to $21,000.
At the beginning of 1999, total RCDC salaries and benefits were $6.7
million for the 1,000-bed prison. The court expects to add 181 employees.
Starting salaries begin at $19,000.
Trustees set special agenda
PECOS, June,15, 1999--An interlocal agreement with Reeves County and Town
of Pecos City for repair/replacement of Pecos High School track and advertise
for bids will be the topic of discussion at a special Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD Board meeting.
The special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday at 1304 S. Park.
The public is invited to attend.
A presentation by David Atkinson from Texas Association of School Boards
on a salary study and compensation plan for administrative/professional
and auxiliary personnel will also be held at the meeting, along with a
discussion and approval of revisions to the student dress code.
The board will discuss/approve options for increasing vehicle fleet
and advertise for bids.
The group will meet in executive session to discuss personnel and hear
complains against personnel.
In open session the board will discuss/approve raises for administrative/professional
and auxiliary personnel.
Stagehand experience fuels dream
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, June,15, 1999--Lillian Creasy and Nan Zeman hang around the
lobby of the State Theater every day, but they're not waiting for the feature
to start. They're pulling staples and removing soiled upholstery from the
theater's opera seats.
"We are going to open this year," said Creasy. "We don't know what day
yet, but, having been in the business, we have contacts with people where
we can get equipment we need."
A walk through the dusty old theater that has been closed for years
makes one wonder how it could possibly be renovated in six months by a
dedicated foursome and a few school kids.
"It will take a lot of time and money," Creasy admitted. "We are waiting
for some grants to come through."
Creasy, whose parents taught school in Pecos, has come home to stay
after traveling all over the country working backstage in live theater.
"In `Phantom of the Opera,' we were in every state except four," she
said. "Richard (her husband) did pyrotechnics for awhile and then was flyman
(assistant carpenter), and I worked in the wig department."
Nan Zeman came from Albuquerque, N.M. to Pecos and married Alan Zeman
one year ago on June 13. She taught fourth grade at Bessie Haynes Elementary
School last year.
It was her cousin Alan who introduced the Creasys to the State Theater,
and it was love at first sight.
"Last summer Richard and I came out, and I sang at their wedding," Creasy
said. "Alan took us driving around and we saw the `for sale' sign and we
knew we were in big trouble."
Creasy feels right at home because her father, Dr. Joe R. Humphrey,
graduated from Pecos High School in the 1920s and later became superintendent
of schools. Her mother, Marana, was a teacher.
"We have owned property here since then," she said.
Richard Creasy and his family have always worked backstage in the theater,
touring with Broadway shows.
"Richard has worked on movies and re-doing theaters as part of his profession
as a stagehand," she said. "When we looked at this theater, we were looking
at what it could be, not what it is right now, because we have seen it
happen."
Surgical masks helped when the foursome cleaned pigeon droppings out
of the theater and sealed the holes to keep them out. Still to be repaired
is the roof, which has allowed water leaks to ruin the ceiling.
Alan Zeman said the roof will have to be repaired before they can complete
interior work, such as replacing the ceiling and screen, carpeting the
lobby and aisles and re-covering the backs and seats of the opera chairs.
"Most people would run screaming and set a torch to it," Creasy said.
"We intend to have it looking like it did when it was built, or better,
and become a big part of the community and help Pecos."
She said they will extend the stage so the theater can be used for small
productions, such as the Western melodrama that a local group performs
each July 4.
They hope to have first-run movies that will show daily during the summer
and at least on weekends the rest of the year.
"We are just working it as we can," said Alan Zeman. "We are not overly
endowed with money. It is do-it-yourself as much as possible. We have done
a lot. All the cushions are out, and we should have them re-upholstered
in the next few weeks."
Richard Creasy is using his skills in pyrotechnics (fireworks) to earn
a living while the others work on the building, said his wife. He is in
Delaware for an aerial fireworks show now and will be in Coleman, Ala.
on July 4.
Lillian plans to teach special education this fall.
"I hope people will stop by and watch the progress," said Creasy.
Sales tax rebates drop on April sales
PECOS, June,15, 1999--Down, down, down is the report on state sales
tax rebates to area cities and special districts for the month of June.
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander said that the $814 million
rebated to 1,097 Texas cities and 118 counties shows a downward trend statewide.
But, she said, total payments for the year are running 7.1 percent ahead
of the same period last year.
"The Texas economy continues to grow at a steady pace," Rylander said.
"Sales tax collections show that consumer confidence is strong.
In Pecos, the drop for June - based on April sales - was 13.14 percent
from the same month last year. Balmorhea also shoed a decrease, while Toyah's
receipts jumped 588.51 percent due to an increase in the sales tax to 1.5
percent.
Reeves County Hospital District received $20,485, down from $27,372
in June, 1998.
Tax office closes Friday for Y2K
PECOS, June,15, 1999--Reeves County Tax office will be closed Friday,
June 18.
The office is in the process of Y2K conversion and data will be converted
to that format on that day.
As a result computers will be down the entire day and the staff will
be unable to conduct business for the day.
For more information contact county tax assessor/collector Elfida Zuniga
at 445-5473.
LOTTO
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Monday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 2-3-13-27-31. Number matching five of five: 4. Prize per winner:
$20,727. Winning tickets sold in: Baytown, Dublin, Houston, San Antonio.
Matching four of five: 224. Prize: $556. Matching three of five: 8,304.
Prize: $25. Next Cash 5 drawing: Tuesday night.
Obituary
Bill Dewayne Dearing
Bill Dewayne Dearing, 77, died Saturday, June 12, 1999, at the his residents
in Barstow.
Services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Pecos Funeral Home Chapel
with Pator Raymond Bugg officiating.
He was born Sept. 15, 1921, in Hunt County, was a World War II veteran,
who served with the last horse calvary unit before it disbanned, had been
in the ranching business in the Pecos, Van Horn and El Paso area since
1948 and was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Parsons Dearing of Barstow; two
sons, David Dearing of Garland, Jim Dearing of Garland; one daughter, Lynn
Dearing Watson of Abilene; two brothers, Waylond Dearing of Commerce, Tx.,
Weldon Dearing of Dallas; three sisters, Ila Ray Peyton of Roswell, N.M.,
Bessie Pear of Plainview; Mary Roach of Livington, Tx.; and five grandchildren.
WEATHER
PECOS, June,15, 1999--High Monday 74; low last night 61. Rainfall .02 inch.
June rainfall .28 inch. Year-to-date 1.52 inches. Records for this date:
High 111, 1939; Low 49, 1936; Rainfall 1.02, 1941. Tonight, partly cloudy.
Low in the lower 60s. Southeast wind 5-10 mph. Wednesday, partly cloudy
with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High in the upper 80s.
Southeast wind 5-15 mph. rain chance 20 percent.
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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