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Nov. 12, 1996

Council sets Nov. 26 vote on WTW contract

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By PEGGY McCRACKEN

Staff Writer


PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - Solid waste comments, pro and con, flew around
the Pecos City Council chambers this morning as the council considered a
contract with Wes Tex Waste Services Inc.

When all was said and done, the council agreed to make a decision Nov.
26 whether to continue with the company that began solid waste pickup 42
days ago as a trial prelude to a five-year contract.

Lawrence Kennedy, WTW vice president of operations, said he has plans
drawn up for a transfer station to be built when the contract is
finalized.

David Riggall of TMR Recycling in Socorro, N.M., said that once the city
contracts with WTW, no other company will be allowed to compete for
waste disposal.

"Where I come from, we had a problem with this kind of deal, because you
give exclusive right to one company to do all the business," he said. "I
am a recycler. If you would give me all your equipment, I would gladly
move down here."

Edward Tersero asked what it will cost Pecos three years from now if the
city has to go back to disposing of waste after selling their equipment
to WTW.

Councilman Randy Graham, who researched waste disposal options and
recommended WTW, said the contract has a buy-back option.

Don Foard of WTW said the city can repurchase the present equipment and
the new transfer station at a depreciated amount.

"If we sell you our equipment, what condition will it be in in three
years?" asked Councilman Gerald Tellez Jr.

"If it is brought up to our standards, it will certainly be in better
condition than it is in now," Foard said, referring to dumpsters that
have rusted-out bottoms and missing lids.

Trash trucks are in good condition, he said, and they will be well
maintained.

"We have already had them in Midland, tightening up, fixing bearings,"
said Lawrence Kennedy, vice president of operations. "We replace
equipment constantly. If we need to replace these trucks, we will."

Armando Gil, former city sanitation director, said he estimates it will
cost $1.3 million to replace the trucks and dumpsters.

Kennedy said WTW operates in 40 to 50 cities in Texas and has never been
asked to step down. They began operations in 1951.

"I realize we need to go into a contract," said Becky Spencer. "Why does
this have to be done so soon without giving us a chance? We have
encountered some little snags...I feel like we are being pressured a
little bit by this company to make this decision because of their
financing.

"Why should the citizens be held accountable to foot the bill for them
to get the contract to go ahead and take care of our waste? It is their
responsibility to be able to handle the job whenever we decide to give
them this contract. What's the probability that with one-week pick up of
trash our dumpsters will not become a sore sight to this town?" she
asked.

Rafael Hernandez said he owns 13 pieces of rental property, and his
renters are happier than they have ever been.

"People griped that the alleys were dirty. We didn't start cleaning
until close to the Fourth of July. Now we have a system (of regular pick
up)," he said.

Tersero asked how much the city would save per year with the WTW
contract. "I read maybe $30,000 per year," he said.

Graham said the way the city is operating now, the savings would be
$300,000 per year. That includes the $1.9 million cost of digging a
landfill trench and covering it after it is filled.

"That was a $2 million mistake," he said of the landfill located near
the airport, where birds are a hazard and the water table is shallow.

Graham said he and the council have looked at many different options
since November, 1995, and WTW can do it cheaper and better.

Councilman Ricky Herrera said that another option would be for the city
to continue collecting waste and hauling it to the Charter Waste
landfill near Penwell.

"That's more expensive," said Graham.

"I think there was $30,000 difference between WTW and our city staff,"
said Herrera.

"We couldn't shave $30,000 off of $750,000 revenue?" asked Tersero.

"That's pretty conservative," said Graham. "Plus, our costs are going up
every year."

He said he talked with former San Angelo city councilman Rudy Izzard
Monday night, and Izzard said that WTW has rarely asked for an increase
in the 20 years they have operated there.

"Would we have a choice if they did ask for an increase?" asked Tersero.

"Yes, it has to come before the council," said Mayor Dot Stafford.

"Do we have anything to negotiate with besides buying everything back?"
asked Tersero.

Graham said the city is not obligated to sell WTW its equipment. WTW has
bid on the equipment, but the city is free to solicit other bids and
sell it to the highest bidder, he said.

Birdie Slack, who lives on the west edge of Pecos, said she likes WTW's
plan to pick up waste that does not go in the dumpster, such as old hot
water heaters and equipment that is dumped on her property.

"We don't have to wait until June to get rid of them," she said. "That's
a great help. It will make the town look a whole lot better. I
appreciate the fact the council is trying to save us some money."

Hiram Luna said he is concerned that something was overlooked in the
contract and is wondering if citizens can share their concerns with the
council and with WTW.

Stafford said that the council is always open to concerns, and that WTW
welcomes calls.

"Some of us have called WTW, and they have come over," she said.

Graham said he is keeping a complaint list and reviewing it weekly.

Jackie Reid, manager of WTW's Midland office, shared the monthly report
with the council. He said they added 150 dumpsters initially, and
another 30 in response to citizen complaints.

"We had to replace 34 containers that the bottom was out or lids
missing. We know there are more we have to replace," he said.

Complaints and questions are handled the same day they are called in, he
said.

"We feel there could have been some better communication between us and
the city," he said, referring to overflowing newspaper recycling
dumpsters and other matters.

WTW should have had an agreement with the city about replacing employees
who chose to return to another position with the city, he said.

"We went in with a good game plan," he said. "Based on the complaint
list, we have done very well. We are not getting many calls at all now."

Foard said the company's policy is to have a representative at every
council meeting to address concerns.

He said the company supports community activities such as school
projects, senior citizens, livestock shows. "We try to be a corporate
citizen in every area the city needs us," he said.

City Attorney Scott Johnson asked if WTW would give the city the full 90
days to make a decision, rather than giving 30-day notice as required by
the contract. And he asked for input from the truck drivers.

Ronnie Ruiz said the drivers have been put in a difficult position
because they don't know who to be loyal to.

"Armando is my friend. WTW is going to be my new boss. We are back and
forth," he said. "So far what we have seen, it has been O.K. We are
working overtime and they are going to pay us more. What we are making
now, the city couldn't pay us in eight years."

Ruiz said drivers are not enjoying the position they have been put in.

Gil said he agrees that something needs to be done now.

"We need to look at what's best for the city," said Herrera. "I'm not
saying we are not going to get WTW. I don't want to put Pecos in a
vulnerable position. I think it is prudent to extend (the trial period)
out a little longer."

Councilman Elvia Reynolds suggested going ahead with the WTW contract,
but holding up on the sale of equipment for six months.

Johnson said that after six months, the city can only cancel the
contract if WTW breaches the contract or fails to perform.

"We can't just unilaterally say `things aren't going so good, we want to
change,'" he said.

Tellez asked if WTW would agree to extend the trial period.

"We signed a contract for 60 days," said Kennedy. "We really want to get
on down the road. We want to work with you. We have shown you what we
want to do."

Tellez said he is not sold on WTW. "I would like to see you operate
more, get things cleared up."

"At the end of this month, you can call a meeting and tell us to get out
of here," Kennedy said.

Foard said the company's concern is to meet the needs of Pecos.

"The comments I have heard here today, there's a few that have concerns.
There's many that like what's going on. You are going to have that in
any election. That choice is yours."

Graham said the council knew the trial period would only be 60 days, and
he is satisfied with WTW.

"I have heard all the arguments," said Jessie Allen. "I am conservative.
I would like to see you do it. These people have been in business so
long; they know what they are doing. Let's give it a fair trial and sign
up and do it. And I'll be the first to call if my garbage is not picked
up."

Danny Rodriguez made the motion to place the item on the Nov. 26 agenda
for a decision, and the council unanimously agreed.

Animal control help for Barstow called temporary

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By PEGGY McCRACKEN

Staff Writer


PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - Pecos City Council this morning approved an
interlocal agreement with Barstow to provide animal control on a
part-time, temporary basis.

If approved by the Barstow City Council, Pecos will hire an additional
animal control officer to pick up strays in Barstow and house them until
they are retrieved by the owners or destroyed. Barstow will reimburse
all costs.

"Ward County is talking about hiring an animal control officer for all
the little cities in the 1998 budget year," said City Attorney Scott
Johnson. "This is a stopgap measure to meet their request and provide
for their safety and for the safety of Pecos. A rabies problem over
there is a problem for Pecos."

He said the agreement may be terminated by either party with 30-day
notice.

Councilman Danny Rodriguez said the agreement will help Pecos also,
because the new employee will be licensed and can back up the full-time
animal control officer.

James Henderson, who has worked for the city in the past, has declined
the position, Rodriguez said.

Barstow Mayor Abram Flores said that someone in Barstow may be
interested in the job. And he said that Ward County has a pickup and
cage that may be available to pick up strays.

"The only problem would be where to put them," he said.

Using a Pecos city ordinance as a guide, the Barstow City Council will
adopt an ordinance on animal control, Flores said.

The council also approved fire chief Doug Cox's request to advertise for
bids to purchase a new booster truck for the Pecos Volunteer Fire
Department.

Cox said he wants to replace a 1976 Dodge that is wearing out, and for
which no parts are available. He estimated a new booster truck with
1,000 gallon capacity and 350 gallon-per-minute pump would cost $90,000.

Finance officer Steve McCormick said the fire truck accrual fund has
$123,000 available.

Cox said the old booster truck is one of six operated by the department,
giving them a capacity to pump 4,250 gallons per minute.

"We have had to get real close to that on the Trade Center fire and
others," he said.

The last purchase was in 1994 when the department bought a pumper to
replace a 1966 model. Pumpers last longer than booster trucks because
they are operated mainly in town, while booster trucks travel to grass
and structure fires in the county.

With a change in state regulations governing insurance rates, a city's
equipment will determine the property insurance rates, Cox said.

Fire Marshall Jack Brookshire reported that of 11 fire alarms in
October, five were inside the city and six were outside the city.

Mayor Dot Stafford appointed Bill Oglesby and Oscar Saenz to the
planning and zoning commission for two-year terms. Their first meeting
will be Nov. 26, when the commission will consider a request to re-zone
the Parker Heights Addition from C-1 to C-2.

City Manager Harry Nagel said the commission's recommendation will be
made to the council. They can approve it by a majority vote, but if they
want to overrule it, four-fifths of the council must vote to overrule,
he said.

Routine reports were approved after lengthy discussion of bills totaling
$485,574.82.

Cox gave the council a list of officers elected by the fire department
Thursday, which included his re-election as chief.

Others are: first assistant chief, Obie Maddux; second asst. Mike
Elliot; secretary-treasurer, Mark Mendoza; fire representative, Jack
Brookshire; safety officers, Roy Pena and Amonario Ramon; training
officer, Lynn Foster; benevolent committee, Arcadio Baeza and Michael
Carrasco; and pension board, Joe Mena.

Christian Home seeks Thanksgiving aid

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By PEGGY McCRACKEN

Staff Writer


PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - Holiday cooking starts early at the Pecos
Christian Home, where turkey and all the trimmings is served to Meals on
Wheels clients and all comers on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.

Bruce Dury, Christian Home director, said they will need about 20
turkeys, and the staff can cook only two a day. So anyone who plans to
donate a turkey should do so soon.

"We will take them up to a day or two before Thanksgiving," Dury said.
"We have to cook, cut and de-bone them. If they want to cook them,
that's great."

Giblet gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans,
salad and pie - mostly pumpkin - and cranberry sauce are also needed.
They may be cooked and left at the Christian Home, 1201 S. Elm St., or a
staff member will pick up the food at your home.

Dury said that bread and other stuffing ingredients may be donated, and
the staff will assemble and cook the dressing. Raw potatoes, sweet
potatoes and canned sweet potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce are
also welcome.

"We will need volunteers to help serve and to deliver to Meals on Wheels
clients," Dury said.

He asked that anyone who can help call 445-2049 to let him know ahead of
time so delivery routes can be assigned. At least 100 Meals on Wheels
dinners are to be delivered by noon, so volunteers should go to the
Pecos Community Center by 9:30 a.m. to help get plates filled.

Meals will be served in the community center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Dury said. Everyone is invited to partake of the special meal.

Turkeys not used at Thanksgiving will be frozen and served Christmas Day.

Area's scouts get new coordinator

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By ROSIE FLORES

Staff Writer


PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - Volunteers are what make up the Boy Scouts and
Cub Scouts a success, according to Alex Sosa, the new coordinator for
Trans-Pecos and Big Bend scout troops.

"My job is to work mostly with the volunteers that help coordinate the
Boy Scouts, they're what make up the group," said Sosa, who is currently
stationed in Pecos, but travels throughout West Texas.

His territory includes Van Horn, Monahans, Grandfalls, Kermit and Wink
in the Trans-Pecos, and in the Big Bend area, Sosa covers Alpine, Fort
Davis, Marfa, all the way down to Presidio.

"I also cover all the little communities in between," said Sosa. "I
transferred here from Odessa and am living here now."

"The volunteers, the people who give of their time freely, are who make
up the scouts," said Sosa, who added there are currently 5 million
volunteers in the United States.

"I've always been interested in the scouts," said Sosa, whose scouting
`career' began at a young age, in the third grade.

"I was a boy scout since then, have always been interested in scouting
and this job offer was really coincidental," he said.

"I look at my job from an educator's point of view," said Sosa. "Boy
Scouts as I see it is an educational program for both youth and adults."

Sosa stated scouting is a family program which depends on family support
to work. "Scouting is involved in schools, church, civic and community
organizations," he said.

As new area coordinator, Sosa said, "My responsibilities will be broad
and varied, my duties will be administrative...promoting, supervising,
and working on the scouting program in the district through a volunteer
corps."

"Actually, I've got two main jobs, one, I see to it that new scouting
units are organized - cub scout packs, boy scout troops, varsity scout
teams, explorer posts, learning for life groups involving any and all
youth who want a chance at scouting," he said.

The other part of Sosa's job is focused on services. "I make sure the
scouting program reaches the units and that the program is being used in
the best way," he said.

The Buffalo Trail Council out of Midland-Odessa is the main office for
this area, Sosa explained.

"There's four district executives in the Buffalo Trail Council and a
scout executive which covers all of this area and the Big Bend area," he
said.

Sosa works mostly out of his home, since the main office is located 75
miles away.

"I also work out of my car a lot since I have a lot of traveling to do,"
he said.

There are currently a total of 84 youth and 42 adults involved in Boy
Scouts in Pecos. One explorer post, which is for both boys and girls,
ages 14-20 is also active in Pecos.

"We're always accepting new members and they can start as early as
elementary school," said Sosa.

Cub Scouts are for boys in the first through fifth grades, while the Boy
Scouts are open to boys in grades sixth through 12.

"The explorer post is a career awareness program, open to both boys and
girls," said Sosa.

It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by
helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare
them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full
potential, according to the Boy Scout brochure.

The scout law is: A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

"We're trying to instill these qualities in all the youth and encourage
anyone who wishes to please join us," said Sosa.

He encourages anyone interested in becoming a scout to contact him at
his home/office, at 509 S. Hickory or by calling 445-3071.

Midland JP expects long wait

for cause of Rodriguez' death

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PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - Midland County Justice of the Peace Keith Jobe
said today he did not expect to rule for several weeks on the exact
cause of death of Pecos resident Manuel P. Rodriguez

Rodriguez, 27, was discovered in the front driver's seat of his 1991
Ford sedan shortly after midnight on Saturday by Midland Police. He was
pronounced dead by Jobe, who ordered an autopsy be performed in Lubbock.

"It's going to take several weeks to get the toxicology reports back to
determine the cause of death," said Jobe, who would not speculate on a
preliminary cause or on exactly when the results would be sent down from
Lubbock.

"At this point and time, the cause of death is pure speculation,"
Detective Sheldon Johnson, investigator for the Midland Police
Department, said Monday.

Rodriguez was found in his vehicle, which was parked at the corner of
Bluebird Park and Bluebird Lane, on the north end of town. His body was
transferred to the Lubbock Medical Examiners Office in Lubbock from
Thomas Funeral Home in Midland.

Pecos Funeral Home is handling his services, which are scheduled for 2
p.m., Wednesday at Santa Rosa Catholic Church.

Area Roundup

The Fort Stockton Pioneer

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FORT STOCKTON, Nov. 7, 1996 - The United Way of Fort Stockton and Pecos
County closed its month-long 1996 fund raising campaign on a dramatic
note when, on the last day of the campaign, it was announced that this
year's goal of $78,000 had been met and exceeded by more than $4,000.
Totals were expected to be given higher in the days ahead as the last of
the contributions were collected and turned in by campaign volunteers.
"After thirteen years of making our goal in the United Way, we once
again did it," said 1996 Campaign Chairman Gorman Wiseman. "We went way
over our goal, $82,000-plus. And we're real happy with that."

Jeff Davis County Mountain Dispatch

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FORT DAVIS, Nov. 7, 1996 - The public again will have the opportunity of
seeing Fort Davis National Historic Site by moonlight. On Saturday, Nov.
23, visitors will be able to step back into the 1880s as they are guided
too various buildings and locations around the fort. At this special
event, entitled "From Retreat to Tattoo," FDNHS volunteers and staff
members, dressed in period costumes, will re-enact scenes that might
have taken place at the fort when it was an active military post.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., nine tours will be conducted at twenty minutes
intervals. The tours are free, but because each tour is limited to 22
participants, reservations are required. Parking will be in the regular
parking lot where visitors will be met and escorted across the entrance
bridge where the tours will begin.

The Big Bend Sentinel

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MARFA, Nov. 7, 1996 - Danny Dominguez was elected Presidio County
sheriff in a lopsided contest with a write-in candidate last Tuesday.
Dominguez, a Marfa Police sergeant and former Presidio based Presidio
County deputy sheriff, took 91 percent of the votes cast. Dominguez
received 1,466 votes and write-in candidate Ellen Kimble, a Marfa EMS
paramedic and reserve deputy sheriff, polled 151 votes. Sheriff Abe
Gonzalez was defeated by Dominguez in the March Democratic primary
election.

The Alpine Avalanche

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ALPINE, Nov. 7, 1996 - The foundation for the state's case against
Alvaro Hernandez was shattered Monday morning as Assistant District
Attorney dismissed the aggravated robbery case. According to the
defense, the Alpine Police Department made it easy to dismiss by not
being thorough in their investigation. "The Alpine Police Department
apparently failed to properly investigate the accusation and the eye
witnesses to the event were never interviewed," said Mike Barclay,
attorney for the defense. "My client believes that had it been anyone
but he there would not be such a rush to judgment," said Barclay.

The International, Presidio Paper

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PRESIDIO, Nov. 7, 1996 - David Simmons is the top contender for the
superintendent's position in Wimberly schools. Simmons said Wednesday
that a couple of months ago he was contracted by a consultant about the
Wimberly job opening, and after consulting with his family believed it
was something he should investigate. "Quite frankly, I didn't think I
would be the top candidate." After applying for the position, Simmons
was contacted for an interview. "I was one of six people interviewed out
of over 50 applicants.

The Ozona Stockman

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OZONA, Nov. 7, 1996 - Ozona Country Club and its policy of not allowing
local non-members to play golf there came under attack by a South Texas
senator late last month and again last week. Sen. Eddie Lucio of
Brownsville, in Ozona Oct. 23, on a get-out-the Democratic-vote tour,
said in a press release he was "appalled" when a member of his
six-person group was asked to leave the course during a benefit golf
game that morning. The player, County Attorney Orlando DeHoyos, is not a
member of the club. The men were there with member Jesse Fierro Jr.

Sanderson Times

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The Community Thanksgiving service will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November
24, in the elementary school auditorium, according to information
received Tuesday morning. A choir and some high school band students
will bring special music for the thanksgiving service. Everyone in the
community who would is urged to sing in the choir. The practices will be
at 8:00 p.m. in the band hall on November 11 and November 18. Everyone
in the community is extended a special invitation to attend the special
Thanksgiving service.

OBITUARIES

Manuel P. Rodriguez

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Manuel P. Rodriguez III, 27, died Saturday, Nov. 9 in Midland.

A Rosary is scheduled for today at 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos Funeral Home
Chapel.

Mass will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m., at Santa Rosa Catholic Church
with burial at Greenwood Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 27, 1969 in Pecos, was an oilfield worker, a Catholic
and an Army veteran.

Survivors include one son, John Paul Gonzales of Pecos; one daughter,
Taryn Rodriguez of Pecos; his parents, Manuel and Teresa Rodriguez of
Pecos; his grandmother, Angelita Rodriguez of Pearsall; two brothers,
Rick Rodriguez of Austin, Mark Rodriguez of Midland and one sister Jo
Ann Carrera of Midland.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A.E. `Dusty' Rhoads Jr.

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A.E. "Dusty" Rhoads Jr., 74, died Monday, Nov. 11, 1996 in White Deer.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church of
White Deer, with burial in White Deer Cemetery directed by
Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.

He was born Nov. 22, 1921 in Decatur and moved to White Deer in 1956
from Amarillo. He worked for Southwestern Public Service for 38 years,
served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was a Boy Scout leader,
Little League coach, retired volunteer fireman and civic leader.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn "Jerry" Rhoads of White Deer; one
son, Terry Rhoads of Midland; one daughter, Tina Hendrick of Pecos; four
grandchildren.

WEATHER

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PECOS, Nov. 12, 1996 - High Monday 81, low last night 36. Tonight,
partly cloudy. Low 45 50. Southeast wind 5-15 mph. Wednesday, mostly
cloudy morning, otherwise partly cloudy. High in the mid 70s. South wind
10-20 mph.



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Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
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