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Wednesday, November 24, 1999

Gym expansion plan comes in over budget

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Construction of racquetball courts at the old Pecos High School gym may have to be put on hold for a while due to lack of funds, Reeves County Commissioners were told Tuesday afternoon.

Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss the project, which is part of the county's Community Sports and Recreation Department, and ways to fund it.

After a lengthy discussion and at the recommendation of County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo, commissioners opted to table the racquetball project until a special meeting can be held Dec. 6 when more information on ways to fund it can be explored.

Commissioners did approve construction of batting cages outside the facility, at a cost of $25,000.

"I had come to you at an earlier meeting and has asked for $100,000 out of the health care fund to finance the racquetball courts," said Galindo. "However, the project is way over that amount."

Estimated cost for the racquetball courts based on the new plans was set at $216,757, however, Galindo stated that that amount had been reduced to $175,000.

"We've taken out some items, such as the brick, to reduce the amount and now the amount needed is $175,000, which is still over the amount we had set aside," said Galindo.

He said he has spoken to some people in the community who had said they would contribute to the fund to make the project possible.

"I need to go back and talk to these people again and see if they still want to contribute to make this project a possibility," he said.

Architect Lorraine Dailey, outlined the plans for both the batting cages and the racquetball courts and told the group that the plans were for an office to built by the racquetball courts that would have windows. "This area will have windows and will be in the center of everything," said Dailey.

This would allow the recreation department to oversee the batting cages and the racquetball courts.

"Hopefully we can put cameras in the gym to supervise that area," said Galindo.

"Didn't the school furnish an office for the recreation department manager?" asked Precinct 1 Commissioner Felipe Arredondo.

"This office would allow the recreation department manager to oversee the racquetball courts," said Galindo. "If that office were not there, the racquetball courts would be set apart, away from everything."

The five batting cages will be used for girls' softball, slow pitch and regular softball. "These machines can be adjusted to various speeds, fast and slow pitching," said Galindo. "They will serve a wide variety of uses."

The additional $75,000 is the main issue, according to Galindo. "What I wanted to do today, is for the court to look at the figures," he said.

"I want to move forward on the batting cages and bid those out, but I wanted you to see the preliminary numbers and the all-inclusive," said Galindo, who added that other things could be looked at to reduce the cost of the project.

"We could consider scaling it down, but if we leave the racquetball courts way over there, they will be in blind spot, away from the gym and that might be a problem," said Galindo.

Galindo stated that brick and possibly the front porch could be eliminated out of the project.

"But without it would just be one big block and you would basically have an unsupervised area," said Dailey.

The central area was created to eliminate this particular problem, according to Dailey.

Dailey stated the firewalls were one of the items that had been added to the project. "We've gone to the bare bone on the facility, we've outlined just the items that you need," she said.

The project is very conservative, according to Dailey.

"Can the school or city help out with some money?" asked Arredondo.

"We'd need to talk it over with them," said Galindo.

"The $25,000 for the batting cages is out of this budget, it's a separate project, so I we go ahead with the batting cages it doesn't mean we're doing the racquetball courts," said commissioner precinct 2 David Castillo.

"No, that's a separate project," said Galindo.

"Our challenge is to come somewhere in between and be able to support without asking for more money out the health care fund," said Galindo

He told commissioners that the work on the plans for the project were being done by Dailey, pro-bono. "She's doing this because of al the work she has done with the county and the excellent relationship we have with their firm," he said. Dailey is also involved with then current 1,000-bed expansion of the Reeves County Detention Center.

Commissioners also approved to consider MGT as a professional service provider for the performance audit review.

County Auditor Lynn Owens had looked into the matter and found that the attorney general had ruled that the commissioners court was the finder of the fact. "So, this would be in the realm of the commissioners court," said Owens. Questions had been raised on whether or not the performance review contract for the RCDC would have to be open for bidding.

Pecos court working well, U.S. attorney says

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Things are going smoothly at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Pecos with far more felony cases being prosecuted than just a few years ago, according to Bill Blagg, U.S. Attorney for Western District, San Antonio.

Blagg, who oversees all U.S. Attorney offices in an area stretching from Waco to El Paso, paid a special visit to the Pecos courthouse Tuesday and stated that he was happy to find out things are working out really well there. "We have a lot of hard working folks here," said Blagg.

The Pecos division has added an assistant to this division and next month the number will be up to five.

"They've filed about 400 cases, which is almost 10 times the number from three years ago," said Blagg. "We had about 45 in 1995," he said, referring to the year before the new Lucius D. Bunton III Federal Courthouse was built.

Five prosecutors are currently employed at the courthouse and Blagg stated that they are working diligently.

"I like to come out and visit about three times a year," said Blagg. "We were in Alpine this morning and now we'll be headed home."

Blagg said he likes to visit with both prosecutors and law enforcement officials and find out what their needs are and get their input.

A lot of the cases prosecuted in Pecos come out of Alpine and the surrounding area, according to Blagg.

"I haven't had a chance to visit with the Pecos law enforcement this trip, but I have in the past," said Blagg. "That's one of the main things that I like to do, because I get a lot of valuable information from them, about what is needed."

"Everything seems to be working really well here and we're very pleased with everyone in Pecos," said Blagg.

Blagg stated that the courthouse experienced a few minor glitches with procedures just after the federal offices moved out of their 59-year-old facility at Fourth and Oak streets and into the new courthouse. "We experienced some growing pains, but the prosecutors seem real happy to be working together and are doing a good job," he said.

Most businesses closed Thursday for Thanksgiving

PECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Most local businesses will be closing their doors on Thursday for Thanksgiving, though a few places will remain open for the holiday.

Pecos-Barstow-Toyah schools began taking their holiday break today, and will remain closed until next Monday. City, county, state and federal offices will be closed on Thursday, along with the U.S. Post Office. Normal mail deliveries will resume on Friday.

Both First National and Security State Banks will close for Thanksgiving and re-open on Friday, though Security State will be open for late hours from 5 to 6 p.m. that day.

Bob's Thriftway will be closed all day on Thursday, while La Tienda Thriftway will be open until 1 p.m. for last-minute holiday food purchases. All local convenience stores will remain open for Thanksgiving.

The Pecos Enterprise will also close for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will publish a regular issue on Friday.

Lotto

AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Cash 5 drawing Tuesday night: Winning numbers drawn: 11-15-16-22-23. Number matching five of five: 3. Prize per winner: $25,742. Winning ticket(s) sold in: Dumas, San Antonio, Splendora. Matching four of five: 278. Prize: $417.

***

AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Tuesday by the Texas Lottery, in order: 5-7-0 (five, seven, zero)

Obituaries

Beda Larremore

Beda Louise Larremore, 84, of Toyah, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, at Medical Center Hospital.

Services will be held at 4 p.m today at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel, in Odessa with Rev. Bruce Abbott officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, in Odessa.

She was born Sept. 17, 1915, worked for the Balmorhea School District for 12 years in the cafeteria department, was a Methodist and a member of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include one daughter, Martha Hobbs; one brother, Otto Renz; one sister, Pauline Barton of Dallas; two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Harmon C. Stell

Harmon C. Stell, 88, of Bowie, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, at Bowie Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie, with Pastor David Hall officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia C. Simmons of Vashti,; two sons, Donald R. Stell of Wichita Falls, and Bruce A. Stell of Vashti; one sister, Iva Lewis of Wichita Falls; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to their favorite charity or to Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie.

Weather

High Tuesday 63. Low this morning 31. Forecast for tonight: Cloudy and continued cold. A 40 percent chance of snow. Low 25-30. Northeast wind 5-10 mph. Snow ending toward morning. Total accumulations near 1 inch possible. Thanksgiving day: Decreasing clouds. High in the mid 50s.

West wind 5-10 mph. Thanksgiving night: Partly cloud and cold. Low 25-30. Friday: Partly cloudy. High 55-65. Remainder of thanksgiving weekend: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 30s. Highs in the 60s.



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Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
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