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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Monday, January 19, 2004
Local hopefuls offer positions at Friday event
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 19, 2004 -- Over a dozen candidates for local
races had the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk briefly
about the issues during a Meet the Candidates Chili Supper held Friday
evening at the Reeves County Civic Center.
Those in attendance included candidates for contested races for
Reeves County Commissioner for Precincts 1 and 3. A total of five
candidates are seeking the Precinct 1 seat, including incumbent Felipe
Arredondo, while nine people are seeking the Precinct 3 seat in the
March 9 Democratic primary, which is held by outgoing commissioner
Herman Tarin.
Candidates were given five minutes to speak, and the order in which
the candidates spoke was determined by the ballot positions selected at
the start of Friday's event.
In the Precinct 1 race, Roy Alvarado introduced himself and told the
group that he was an engineer tech for Frank Spencer and Associates.
Alvarado said that his job has provided a broad insight into
community development. "It goes into ups and downs, but I feel that
with my job experience and education, I can contribute greatly to the
community," he said. "I will do my best to work for Reeves County," he
said.
Mondie Granado, told the group about his experience in law
enforcement. Granado is currently a deputy with the Pecos Police
Department.
"Right is the time for a change, if elected I plan to do the best of
my ability and will not be intimidated by anyone or any group," said
Granado. "I will not be anyone's puppet," he said.
"The county needs to move forward, not backwards and I will do the
best of my ability to get it going in the right direction," said
Granado.
Robert C. Natividad said that he is self-employed. "I will try to do
what is best for the county and do a good job," said Natividad. "I will
do the best I can to my knowledge," he said.
Arredondo, who is seeking his fourth term as Precinct 1
commissioner, talked to the group about the problems at the Reeves
County Detention Center.
"The most asked question is why the RCDC-III was built," said
Arredondo, who explained that the facility was built to create more
jobs.
"RCDC I and II employ approximately 370 employees," said Arredondo.
Most of the inmates at the two units come from the U.S. Bureau of
Prisons, which Arredondo said had not offered any guarantees about
providing inmates for RCDC III.
Even with the RCDC problems, Arredondo said, "The state of the
county is good, through the efforts of the county, taxes have been
lowered." He also spoke of other improvements made in the county
throughout the years.
Chel Florez said that he is currently employed with Wal-Mart and
serves the community as vice-president of the hospital board. "The
first year I entered the hospital board, the hospital was running in
the red," said Florez. "Now, they are in the process of expanding and
building a new dialysis center."
"I think we can make a difference and it is definitely time for a
change," said Florez. "All the cities are moving up and we're just
standing still."
Florez said he would like to help the community move forward and
improve.
Among the Precinct 3 hopefuls, candidate Joel Madrid said that he
felt that the position of commissioner required someone with a strong
financial background.
Madrid said was born and raised in Pecos, is married, has three
children and is the owner of two businesses, one in Balmorhea and one
in Pecos. He has been an officer with the Reeves County Sheriff
Department and a Justice of the Peace.
"I feel that education is very important for this position," said
Madrid, who holds a B.A. degree. "I am a concerned citizen and feel
that I can make a difference."
He said that every department needed to be looked at, to see what
needs there were. "Five minutes is not ample time to discuss all the
issues," said Madrid. "We need to create more jobs, that's the only way
to get this county back on its feet."
Rosendo Galindo was born and raised in Balmorhea. "I plan to work
for the people, if I'm elected," said Galindo. "One of my main concerns
is transportation for the senior citizens in Balmorhea."
Galindo said that he couldn't say he could fix all the problems. "It
will take all of us working together to fix the problems," he said.
Peter Rodriguez said that "we shouldn't dwell on the past," but that
we needed to move forward to improve this county.
"The RCDC is a main concern and the issue is very important because
it employs a lot of people," he said. "But right now is the time to
move forward."
Rodriguez said that he didn't plan to go into this with a negative
attitude. "And we don't need to be pointing fingers, we need to work
together," he said.
Lisa Boicourt said she was raised in Saragosa. "The majority of
young people are leaving to make a better life," said Boicourt.
Boicourt spoke about the high taxes. "Along with the rest of the
community I plan to work hard to serve the public," she said.
Abel Baeza said that he has three children and enjoys living in this
area. "I think this area has a lot to offer," said Baeza. "We can do
better and I hope we can all unite and come together to make it a
better community."
Manny Lopez said that the county needed help with the Reeves County
Detention Center, but that it could be fixed. "But what about the other
departments," said Lopez.
Lopez said that the other departments were short-handed, especially
the district clerk's office. "The road department just goes out and
tears the road apart, they don't fix it," he said.
Lopez said that he was in the Marine Corps and served as supply
officer and had experience with budgets. "I think all the departments
need help and they should be looked at as well," he said.
Saul Herrera told the audience he is a graduate of Pecos High
School, is currently married and had worked for Pennzoil Sulphur
Company for many years. He has an Associates' Degree and is the
business manager for Desiree's Boutique.
"I'm a concerned citizen and feel that education and experience are
good qualities to have for this position," said Herrera. "I'm not
connected to any special group."
"The people of Reeves County deserve a county that is responsible
and together we can make a difference," he said.
Bailey Wheeless said he is retired from teaching after working at
Pecos High School for many years.
"There are many issues that are of concern," said Wheeless. "I don't
have the statistics and cannot make any promises at this time."
"But if I'm elected, I plan to make a difference," he said. "I don't
know all the issues, but together we can improve the situation," he
said.
Jimmy Gallego was unable to attend the meeting.
In the earlier drawing for positions on the ballot, incumbent
Arnulfo "Andy" Gomez will be first on the ballot in the race for Reeves
County Sheriff, with newcomer Jeffery P. Baeza second.
Tax assessor/collector Elfida Zuniga is not being challenged during
this race.
For county commissioner precinct #1, Rojelio Roy Alvarado's name
will appear first; Armando "Mondie" Granado second; Robert C.
Natividad, third; Felipe Arredondo, fourth and "Chel" Florez fifth.
For county commissioner precinct #3: first on the ballot will be
Joel Madrid; second, Rosendo Galindo; third, Joseph "Peter" Rodriguez;
fourth, Lisa Lopez Boicourt; fifth, Abel Baeza; sixth, Manuel "Manny"
Lopez; seventh, Saul F. Herrera; eighth, Bailey Wheeless and ninth,
James "Jimmy" Gallego.
Constable, Precinct 1, Arnulfo H. Granado is unopposed; constable
precinct #2, Jerry C. Matta is unopposed and constable precinct #4
Heriberto "Eddie" Rodriguez is unopposed.
For constable precinct #3 Alma Fleenor's name will appear first and
she is challenging, Tomas "Tommy" Martinez.
Organizers happy with stock show, auction sale
By BRENDEN BRIGGS
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 19, 2004 -- The 2004 Reeves-Loving County Junior
Livestock Show went off with out a hitch on Friday and Saturday,
according to organizers, though final totals for the show's Saturday
night auction are not yet available.
According to the stock show's Co-Vice Chairwoman, Cookie Canon, the
show "was a great success. We are extremely pleased with the show
itself, and the success of the sale is just added bonus."
The judging was quick paced on Friday night for the goat-steer-lamb
show, as was the case on Saturday during the hog show, according to
spectators. John Kearney of San Angelo did the judging for Friday's
goat, steer and lamb shows, while Jason Belew of Tahoka did the judging
for Saturday's hogs show.
The festivities following the judging on Saturday also went well
according to Canon. "We had over 27 entries for the cobbler contest,
and judges Al Gomez, Jim Ed Miller and Joyce Fisher of Odessa, were so
impressed with the entries that they came out of their own pockets to
provide additional slots for the fourth and fifth place winners," Canon
said. "Saturday's BBQ plate sale also went well, with over 360 plates
sold all together."
Mayle McElroy's goat received Grand Champion honors on Friday, while
John Clark earned both Grand Champion and Senior Showmanship honors in
the Steer Show. Clay Teague and Alex Morales won Junior and Senior
Showmanship honors in the Goat Show, and Nathan Box was the Junior
Showmanship winner in the Steer Show. Clark won both titles is the
Steer Show in 2003 as well, while Box also was a repeat winner from
last year's show.
Kaci Harrison took Grand Champion honors for her Medium Wool Breed
sheep entered in the Lamb Show on Friday, while Adrienne Bagley and
Katie Lee were the Junior and Senior Showmanship winners. In the Hog
Show on Saturday, Marissa Tarango's OPB Breed Champion hog took the
overall Grand Champion honors at the end of the show, while Clay Teague
picked up his second Junior Showmanship award and Natalia Ornelas won
Senior Showmanship, which is named for longtime stock show worker
Hardin Moore and was presented by last year's winner, Jack Bradley.
McElroy, Tarango and Bradley also took home some of the top honors
from last year's show.
As part of this year's auction sale, a cobbler cooking contest was
held Saturday afternoon, prior to the barbeque dinner at the Reeves
County Civic Center. Gloria Windham picked up both top honors for her
strawberry cobbler and for presentation.
Overall show results are as follows:
Grand Champion Goat: Mayle McElroy
Reserve Grand Champion Goat: Adrienne Bagley
Junior Showmanship: Clay Teague
Senior Showmanship: Alex Morales
Grand Champion Steer: John Clark
Reserve Grand Champion Steer: Nathan Box
Junior Showmanship: Nathan Box
Senior Showmanship: John Clark
Fine Wool Breed Champion: Mia Roman
Fine Wool Reserve Champion: Mayle McElroy
Cross Breed Champion: Adrienne Bagley
Cross Breed Reserve Champion: Adam Roman
Medium Wool Breed Champion: Kaci Harrison
Medium Wool Breed Reserve Champion: Mayle McElroy
Grand Champion Sheep: Kaci Harrison
Reserve Grand Champion Sheep: Mayle McElroy
Junior Showmanship: Adrienne Bagley
Senior Showmanship: Katie Lee
Duroc Breed Champion: Luis Carrasco
Duroc Reserve Breed Champion: Marissa Tarango
Hampshire Breed Champion: Mateo Tarango
Hampshire Reserve Breed Champion: Justin Hannsz
OPB Breed Champion: Marissa Tarango
OPB Reserve Breed Champion: Matt Elliot
Grand Champion Hog: Mateo Tarrango
Reserve Grand Champion Hog: Mysela Alvarez
Junior Showmanship: Clay Teague
Senior Showmanship: Natalia Ornelas
Cobbler Contest Winners:
1st Gloria Windham (strawberry)
2nd Nancy McAnally (peach)
3rd John Grant (peach)
4th Cecil Stickels (blackberry)
5th Birdie Slack (apricot)
Home construction commission plans Midland meeting
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 19, 2004 -- The Texas Residential Construction
Commission will hold public comment meetings on Friday in Midland, part
of a series of meetings around the state to allow all stakeholders the
opportunity to bring an array of objective viewpoints to the table to
help ensure that all the interests are represented during the
rulemaking process.
Any person wanting to provide comments regarding the proposed rules
is encouraged to appear and offer verbal or written comments or
statements on the issue, at noon, on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Midland
City Council Chambers, 300 N. Loraine.
For copies of the emergency and proposed rules or more information
about the commission, visit the website at www.trcc.state.tx.us.
Weather
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 19, 2004 -- High Sun. 58. Low this morning 33.
Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows near 35. SW winds 10 to 15
mph. Tues.: Mostly cloudy. Highs near 60. West winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tues. night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Lows near
30. Wed.: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs in the
mid 40s.
Obituary
Rebecca Ortiz
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 432-445-5475, FAX 432-445-4321
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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