Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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| Positive Scene on Broadway.... In the past few months The Advocate has pointed out some negative “Scenes on Broadway’ that tend to give our town an unattractive look. However, there are also places, even some of our older buildings, that have been fixed up, cleaned up and made to be attractive, progressive-looking businesses. This small building, housing the Paradise Beauty Salon is certainly one of those places. Thanks to Cruz Parada for adding this positive look to our Main Street. |
- Van Horn City Council members met Tuesday evening before a packed council room and adjacent hallway. There were more people gathered for this council meeting than this reporter has ever seen in my 33 years of covering council meetings.
The reason why these folks were there became apparent as the meeting progressed.
The meeting agenda revealed that two items were attracting the crowd. City Hall Staff: City Hall personnel issues and concerns; and Public Works/Utilities/Golf Course/Gas Staff: Departmental issues and concerns.
Laura Barragan, assistant city secretary, addressed council as the spokesperson for city hall staffers. She told council members that “recent actions coming out of council meetings has got morale at an all time low, as city hall staffers believe they are being treated unfairly.”
Barragan went on to say, “We have complaints without answers. Council members are talking out of school so to speak. We ask for respect and to be treated fairly.”
She noted, “City Hall employees have, collectively, completed many years of dedicated service to the city and the community, and there is no reason why we’re having to endure this pressure without an explanation. I myself have over 25 years of service.”
Barragan concluded her remarks by saying, “We feel that we should be given the opportunity to respond. We feel we have a right to know about our jobs and performance. We won’t be deprived of our rights. Don’t ignore us! And, we want our answers in a public forum.”
Jodi Corrales addressed council members stating, “I spoke with one of you and I trusted you. Then I find out that what I said was used against us.”
Following the city hall staffers comments, Raquel Mendez took the floor as the spokesperson for the utilities, golf course and gas employees.
Mendez told council, “In the last 8 weeks employee morale is the worst I have ever seen. Many of the employees are actually seeking other employment and several have put in for their retirement.”
She went on to say, “Why was Israel Borrego hired at a higher wage and without qualification? We have an average of 20 years as employees. Is favoritism being shown?”
Mendez continued saying, “We feel that council is not supportive. We would like you to be more open with us, and provide us with answers to our questions.”
Following her remarks, Edward Torres, of the gas department, said “Have we made a mistake? I’ve been here 8 years and I’m still learning. Let’s learn from our mistake.”
Then Raul Rodriguez took the floor to say, “I’ve been with the city for 14 years. I came up from the ranks and I don’t make Israel’s salary and probably won’t!”
And then Refugio “Cuco” Corrales spoke to council saying, “This is the 2nd time I’ve applied and been turned down. I’ve got 22 years with the city and you didn’t have the courtesy to tell me. Raquel and I are the only certified and licensed water and sewer people you have. It’ll sure take Israel a long time to learn the job!”
Council members, following these remarks, thanked the employees for them and proceeded to approve the monthly financial report and bills for payment as presented by financial officer Jodi Corrales. Bills amounted to $130,276.50 of which over one half was for natural gas.
Council members heard monthly reports from various city staffers and learned that a new possibility now exists to televise council proceedings on the Public Service Channel 25. Jeff McCoy was asked to gather cost estimates and report back.
Before adjourning, council went into a behind closed doors executive session. Following that session, the meeting was adjourned with no further action.
Two more candidates toss their hat into the political arena
With four local elections scheduled for Saturday, May 10th, the filings have begun to heat up in the past week.
In the race for Mayor of the Town of Van Horn, incumbent Mayor Okey Lucas has a challenger in Ben Flanagan.
No one has filed for the two city aldermen spots that are up on the city council.
In the race for two full-term school district trustee seats, John Clark filed last week and he was joined Tuesday by Robert Segura.
As of Tuesday evening, no one has filed for Hospital District Director or Culberson Groundwater District Director.
Potential candidates have until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 10th to signal their intention to seek one of these offices.
Early voting underway for the March 4th primary election
Early voting for the March 4th Democratic Party Primary Election started on Tuesday, February 19th.
Early voting will continue through February 29, 2008.
The early voting place is the County Clerk’s office at the County Courthouse. To cast your vote early, go by the Clerk’s office during normal business hours.
Ft. Davis named one of best destinations for 2008
On Thursday, February 7th, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Fort Davis, Texas one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has annually selected communities across the United States that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and commitments to historic preservation, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place.
The little Community of Fort Davis, tucked in the heart of the Davis Mountains in west Texas, is a gateway to an unspoiled terrain that offers an extraordinary blend of majestic scenery, abundant wildlife, cultural resources and the history of the American West. With no traffic lights or chain stores, Fort Davis offers a retreat to an earlier—simpler—time of the 19th century western frontier.
At the center of this community is the Fort Davis National Historic Site, located at the foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and Hospital Canyon. A key post in the defense system of western Texas, Fort Davis played a major role in the history of the Southwest. The site, established in 1854 to protect emigrants, mail coaches and freight wagons along the San Antonio-El Paso Road, is now celebrated as one of the nation’s best preserved frontier forts. It has been faithfully restored to its original plan and the surrounding vistas remain largely untouched.
The renovated adobe structures at the base of Sleeping Lion Mountain are a significant part of the historic core of the Community. Many of the buildings created in the late 1800s are still in use today. The Historic Indian Lodge, a pueblo-style adobe hotel built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, underwent an extensive renovation in 2006 to bring it back to its original 1930s glory. The 1883 territorial style adobe Veranda Historic Inn has been a lodging property for more than 120 years. The Hotel Limpia, built in 1912, has long been a distinguished and comfortable refuge for tourists escaping the heat of eastern cities.
The physical surroundings of Fort Davis make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a retreat to the natural world. Long stretches of open space of the Chihuahuan Desert lead out from the Davis Mountains. West of town, a popular 74-mile scenic loop winds through canyons and woodlands dotted with pine, juniper and oak. The route passes through the 2,700-acre Davis Mountains State Park, which offers camping, picnicking, hiking trails and a scenic mile-high drive.
The National Historic Site Museum and the Overland Trail Museum have an extensive and diversified collection of artifacts and materials from Fort Davis and Jeff Davis County dating back to the late 1800’s. Nearby the University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory hosts star parties that offer a clear view of one of the nation’s darkest skies.
“Fort Davis is an all-too-rare community that has valiantly preserved the irreplaceable features of its past,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Its natural beauty and architectural significance coupled with its relaxed rural frontier ambiance offers an extraordinary mile-high vacation for any traveler looking for an authentic experience.”
“A mild year round climate, abundant wildlife, wide-open spaces, unique shops, a low population and great hospitality, makes Fort Davis a fantastic place to visit year round,” said Lisa Nugent, executive director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce.