Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
|
| Conservation Day in the county.... Culberson County Commissioners officially declared April 27th to be Conservation Day in Culberson County in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the State of Texas. Pictured above, signing the proclamation, are (L to R) Commissioner Lyndon McDonald, Commissioner Adrian Norman, County Judge Manuel Molinar, Chanley Turner and Gary Fuentes, both of the NRCS office here in Van Horn. |
- Van Horn city council members met Tuesday evening short two members, alderman Matthew Molinar and Gilda Morales.
Even with the shortage, they had enough members to transact business and that is what they did.
First off, they looked at bids to upgrade and replace the SCADA system on the city’s water lines. That is the systems that turns pumps on and off and directs the flow of water to storage tanks.
The city has a grant to install this upgraded new system. The lowest bid was submitted by Kendrick Electric of El Paso and was in the aount of $234,300
Following some discussion, council unanimously approved the Kendrick bid. Work will commence as soon as the system is in.
Council members next heard a report from Scott Robason, the licensed building inspector the city hired to inspect “unsafe” buildings.
According to the report, made by City Administrator Fran Malafronte, while the buildings were deemed unsafe, there was a problem with the time lines and as a result, the city will have to start the process over on them.
Mayor Flanagan reported that he had spoken with the Capehart heirs and they are going to demolish the Capehart property themselves.
And while council was talking about demolishing structures, Director of Municipal Services Israel Borrego told them that the former Quinto Sol building, owned by the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation, has been demolished.
Rocky Navarette is going to haul the debris to Sierra Blanca for $175 per load.
Other agenda items considered by council and actions taken include the following:
* Approved a benefit golf tournament for May 8th to benefit Maria Carrasco.
* Mayor Flanagan proclaimed the month of April as Fair Housing Month in Van Horn.
* Following an executive session, council members rejected the two computer IT bids it had received for computer and website maintenance. They will re-bid.
* Council learned that the Sanchez water well had been struck by lightening and required a new motor. The city will try to get the motor under warranty, however, if that fails, they will file an insurance claim. The well has been repaired and is running again.
* And, council learned that it will be approximately $9,500 to complete repairs to the Thrift water well. That expenditure was approved by council.
* Mayor Flanagan reported that the Hudspeth County Water Improvement District (the city sells them water) had called last Saturday complaining that they had no water and wanted the city to resolve the problem. Mayor Flanagan told council the problem turned out to be a broken 40 joint of PVC located just outside of Sierra Blanca.
It was their problem not ours, however, our city crews were the ones that found the leak. Mayor Flanagan told Hudspeth County WID that they will be billed for our time and expenses.
* After receiving an update on various ongoing grant projects, the session was concluded.
Prom night beer party gets busted
Sheriff’s deputies recieved information about an after hour party south of Van Horn that involved minors and beer last Saturday night.
Deputies arrived at the party located at 103 Herford and cited 21 minors for consuming alcohol. Deputies additionally arrested a 17 year old minor Auden Urias who hosted the illegal gathering charging him with Making Alcohol available to minors.
According to Sheriff Oscar E. Carrillo, “Several vehicles that were abandoned when the police arrived at the illegal party were impounded.” Additionally, “the minors that fled on foot are being identified and cited.”
Sheriff Carrillo went on to note, “With the onset of graduation nearing and celebrations being planned , I hope to inform the public that making alcohol available to minors is an arrestable offense, so be cautious with minors accessing and consuming alcohol and have a safe and joyous event.”
Early voting begins on April 26th
Early voting for the 4 local elections set for Saturday, May 8th, begins on Monday, April 26th.
The early voting place will be at Van Horn City Hall and will be during normal business hours.
The election ballots look this way:
Van Horn City Officer:
Mayor: Voters will choose one from incumbent Ben Flanagan who is being challenged by former mayor Okey D. Lucas and former city alderman Dennis McBride.
Alderman: Voters will choose two from incumbents Domingo “Mingo” G. Corrales and Gilda Morales and challengers Dusty Etheridge, Ruben Mendez, and Steven Urias.
Culberson County Groundwater Conservation District:
Directors: Voters will select 3 from incumbents Don Collins, Vance Cottrell and Howard Shelley and challenger Refugio “Cuco” Corrales.
Culberson Hospital District:
Directors: Voters will select 3 from incumbents Edwin Easley, Carole Fitzgerald and Lloyd Taylor and challengers Jesus Olivas and Armando Ortega.
Culberson County-Allamoore ISD:
Trustees: Voters will again select 3 from incumbents Angie Gonzales, Omar Ortega and Andrea Ramirez and challengers Lourdes Connely, Gracie Mendoza, Jason Owen, Romy Ramirez, Paul Uranga and Emilio Iglecias.