May 3, 2008

‘M&M’ car wins BBORR

FORT STOCKTON – Dave Carpenter and Dan Stoltenberg of Parker, CO, won the unlimited class in the Big Bend Open Road Race between here and Sanderson Saturday. The two made it down and back at an average speed of 166.535 miles per hour in their 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix, dubbed the “M&M” car after its sponsor, the popular candy. It was the only car to finish in the unlimited class and it does not set a new record. But it beat last year when the car was not able to start because of a mechanical problem. Mike and Marsha Borders of Las Vegas, NV, still have that record in their trophy case, even though they did not enter this year. In spite of a collision with a buzzard last year, they broke their own record and the 21-minute barrier when their 1999 Winston Cup Monte Carlo zipped down in 20 minutes, 32 seconds. Overall, they set the course record with an average of 172.584 mph. The Borders were a “casualty” of a misunderstanding that canceled the race before it was re-instated in February. They signed up for another commitment and could not make it to BBORR. Winning the “Hand Timer” award this year and posting the closest time to their speed were Roger Greene of Henderson, NV, and brother Bill of Santa Rosa, CA, who came within .051 seconds of their speed of 150 mph in a 2004 Porsche. The time also was not the record, one that will be hard to beat. Billy Hunt and Mike Laurence of Fort Stockton came within .000014 seconds of their target speed of 120 miles per hour in the 2005 Big Bend Open Road Race. George Hansard, president of Pecos County State Bank, won the Sportsman Award this year. He navigated a 1990 Corvette driven by Ten Zaleski of Austin. They came in fifth place in the 150-mph class with a time of .863 seconds off the speed. “That was the fastest I have ever traveled in a car,” Hansard said. “There couldn’t be a better man” than Zaleski. Sanderson’s own Bobby Stegall won the trophy in the 85-mph class Saturday, when he and Art Rutz drove Extension Agent Mark Carroll’s 1986 Ford F-250 pickup to within 3.108 seconds of their target speed. An even dozen of the 152 entries did not finish because of mechanical problems including one of the two cars in the unlimited class. Charlie Friend of Alamogordo, NM, had ignition and oil pressure problems on the return lap after making it to Sanderson at an average speed of 161.883 miles per hour. He wound up beside the road about 15 miles short of completing the race. Friend, driving his unlikely 1965 Chevrolet Corvair, moved up to the unlimited class this year after running for several years in the 155-mph “Supersports” class. One other car did not start and seven more were disqualified. The most common cause of a disqualification is the driver going over or under his “tech” speed. Rebates to have started early WASHINGTON – US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez said last week that recovery rebates will go out ahead of schedule and he urged Texans to beware of an increasing number of rebate scams.  Instead of rebates beginning today, May 2, as originally announced, they were to have begun Monday, April 28. The announcement came the week before Rodriguez will take a train trip across his district from El Paso to San Antonio with stops in Alpine, Sanderson and Del Rio to talk about getting the economy back on track. He is scheduled to arrive in Sanderson about 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, May 3, and will speak to residents during the short stopover before continuing on to Del Rio. A community event is being planned from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow. “The recovery rebate I supported in Congress is important to getting our economy back on track but people need to be aware that there is fraudulent activity happening and should be careful with their personal information,” he said. “Law enforcement and the IRS are doing everything they can to prevent this activity.” Scam artists are using the rebates to try to steal taxpayers’ identities by calling unsuspecting taxpayers and posing as IRS agents. Imposters will often say that a rebate is being processed but, in order to complete it, they need a Social Security and bank account number. The federal government does not call taxpayers requesting personal information, Rodriguez said. If someone receives a call like this, he should hang up and immediately report the activity to the IRS at 800/366-4484. The rebate program became law in February and provides checks of up to $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple plus an additional $300 per child.  The rebate is in addition to any refund eligible taxpayers have received. “I will continue working to help keep families in their homes and aid to families who are struggling with rising gas and grocery prices,” Rodriguez said. “I look forward to a continued dialogue with people about our need for an economic recovery.”  Back Davis named assistant BP chief MARFA – Randy Davis has been named assistant chief patrol agent at Border Patrol Marfa Sector by Chief Patrol Agent John J. Smietana, Jr. Davis began his career at the Marfa station on August 3, 1992. He was promoted to supervisor and transferred to the Presidio Station in 2001. He came to Sector Headquarters in 2003 when he was promoted to patrol agent in charge of the Sector Intelligence Unit. In 2004, Davis was transferred to the headquarters of the Customs and Border Protection Office of Anti-Terrorism in Washington, DC, as an assistant chief. He became an assistant chief in the headquarters office of Border Patrol in Washington, DC, in October, 2006, Davis and his wife Deborah have been married 14 years. They have a son and a daughter. Back Course in CPR/First Aid offered SANDERSON – Four Terrell County Road and Bridge workers were among those taking CPR and First-Aid this week. Hunter Smith, Dale Stratton, Corry Hafner and Alx Castro were recertified, something they must do every two years. Keith and Wanda Coburn of Crane made the trip down to teach the course in the Community Building. Keith was an EMT in Crane for 16 years as well as a volunteer fireman for 22 years. He then went on to teach emergency medical technician classes for 15 years. The Coburns are certified through the World Safety Organization of Eugene, OR, and have their own business called Basin Safety. The two retired school teachers travel around instructing CPR and First-Aid courses. Back Race cars go back to school ByLYN ROSAS News Leader Business Manager SANDERSON - The Big Bend Open Road Race came to Sanderson Elementary School. last week, just two days before the annual road race between Fort Stockton and here. Audrey Turner made a lot of kiddos happy when she arranged with Superintendent Gary Hamilton to have a few of the crews come to the school and show off their "wheels." She then called BBORR Director Randy Archer who said several of the racers were pleased to come show the kids their cars. He told the annual awards banquet Saturday night he hoped the school visit would become an annual event. Sanderson Volunteer Coordinator Dale Lascano put together a coloring contest for the kids. The committee and several racers chose winners in categories such as BBORR favorite, most creative, most colorful and most detailed. Hunter Truesdell was named the BBORR favorite and most creative. Archer presented him with a goody bag full of things including a BBORR T-shirt and various treats. Most colorful went to Matthew Portillo and most detailed went to Grace Jahn. All winners received a Disney Car's lawn chair and a certificate. Back Third VBS planned SANDERSON – Brother David Bugg and his team of nine from Wilmer will return for the third consecutive year to head up the Vacation Bible School here June 9 to 13. This year’s theme is “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth.” It is based on Psalms 86:11, which asks God to lead us to walk in his truth with an undivided heart. Vacation Bible School teaches children about God and the love of Jesus Christ through games, skits and songs on their age level. Classes will be from 9 a.m. to noon and a snack will be provided. Children ages three through the sixth grade are encouraged to come and be a part of the fun. While here, the team plans to “conduct VBS, visit friends and, of course, visit the pool,” Bugg said. “We just love Sanderson,” he said. “We are looking forward to coming.” The team has had a taco sale and other fundraisers to finance the trip. Back Pecos Trail to review burning ROCKSPRINGS – the history of burning in Texas and how it relates to community and property owners will be a major topic of the third meeting of 2008 for the Texas Pecos Trail Region at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, here. Butch Taylor of The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station will make his presentation at the station office and the Rocksprings Historical Society will host the meeting. The station is located just off State Highway 55 about 28 miles northwest of Rocksprings and 27 miles south of Sonora. The cost is $12 per person or $10 for seniors. The networking luncheon will be at the station and catered by Kathy Walker's Catering. Reservations are required by May 5 for the luncheon only. Cost is $10. “If you would like to drive in the night before and go to the Devils Sinkhole to watch the bat flight, it is very much worth it,” Trail Chair Betty Cash said. The Pecos Trail Region office is in Sonora and Region Coordinator Paula Walker said she encourages preservationists, tourism managers and community development leaders to attend the events and meet their regional peers. Janie Hendricks, state coordinator for Texas Historic Commissions Heritage Tourism Program, and Sarah Tober, brochure development coordinator for the THC, will attend the meeting to provide an update on the progress of the Texas Pecos Trail brochure. The TPTR promotes preservation, protection and promotion of historic, cultural and environmental heritage in the 22-county Region. Back

In all but the unlimited class, drivers compete not on the highest speed but how closely they can come to the posted speed for their class. Each speed has “tech” speeds and going over or under that speed is grounds for disqualification. Race Director Randy Archer said there were a number of cars that did not finish because of mechanical problems but he noted there were no injuries. He also said the rookie class of 57 drivers was the largest rookie class in the 12-year history of the race. The 152 cars in the race was also the largest number after the cutoff was increased from 150 last year. A serious misunderstanding in February threatened to cancel the race altogether and it was pulled together only after some recriminations and name calling back and forth. “The only reason I came back was you guys,” Archer said to the drivers and their crews. He said there had been several “ups and downs” in the 12-year history of the race but had special praise for Dale Lascano, branch manager of Pecos County State Bank in Sanderson, for taking over as volunteer coordinator with only two months left after the race was back on track in late February. Marathon murder probed MARATHON – Friends don’t let friends drive drunk but unofficial reports here said that commandment took on a new urgency Saturday. Marathon is known as a quiet little town but it didn’t quite fit that description last weekend. Sheriff Ronny Dodson said Richard Lyn Purdy, 48, of Lubbock, was shot and killed outside the Gage Hotel at around 10:15 p.m. Purdy and long-time friend T.J. Dunlap, 68, of Presidio had volunteered for the Big Bend Open Road Race that day. They were seen walking up the sidewalk from The Oasis Café, and some witnesses said they apparently were arguing about who would drive the car back to the hotel in Sanderson. Dodson said that part of the story is still “under investigation.” Dunlap allegedly pulled a .44 caliber snub-nose pistol and shot Purdy in the face. He died at the scene at approximately 10:35 p.m. Dunlap was arrested near Alpine and has been booked on a charge of first-degree murder. He is being held at the Brewster County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. Back J.D. gets trip to podium LEVELLAND – Sanderson High School’s J.D. Brotherton made it to the podium at the regional track meet here last week. J.D. was one of six athletes from Sanderson at the meet. He placed third in the 100-meter dash, running the race in just 11.47, to qualify for the podium honor. He also placed fifth in the 200-meter race with a time of 23.54. J.D. did well in the preliminaries, placing fourth in the 100-meter dash, clocking in at 11.80, and seventh in the 200-meter dash, crossing the line in 23.38, to advance to the finals in both races. Davis Stumberg placed fourth in the high jump competition, clearing six feet even. Travis Roberts ran the 1,600-meter race in 5:05.01, placing eighth. In the preliminaries, he ran the 3,200-meter race in 11:26.10 for tenth place. Sophomore Jacob Benavidez ran the 400-meter race in 53.68, placing him tenth in the preliminaries. In girl’s action, Noemi Nuñez came in thirteenth place, running the 1,600-meters in 6:59. She ran the 3,200-meter run in 13:23.72 in the preliminaries, finding eleventh place. Hannah Black ran the 100-meter hurdles in 17.91 in the preliminary races. Back Arrests of immigrants down By R.M. GLOVER MNL Editor MARFA – Arrests of illegal immigrant along the US-Mexico border are down 17 per cent this year, the latest US Border Patrol numbers state. In Arizona’s Yuma sector, a 76 per cent drop has been reported. Marfa Sector Border Patrol spokesman Bill Brooks attributed the decrease in arrests to “beefed up” patrols. “There are more agents on the border now and we’ve had help from the National Guard for the past two years,” Brooks said. The National Guard has been assisting the Border Patrol by providing vehicle mechanics, radio operators and intelligence analysts. “This has helped us free-up agents so they can go back to the border,” Brooks said. “In some instances the National Guard monitors hot spots, acting as deterrents,” he said. “They do not patrol and they do not make arrests.” Brooks said the economy also might be affecting the number of people crossing the border illegally. An article in the April 18 edition of Newsweek Magazine suggested that arrests are not only down because of a slow US economy but also because of recently-passed state legislation in Arizona and Oklahoma that criminally prosecutes entities that hire illegal aliens. Meantime, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff continues to push toward construction of the final 300 miles of border fence remaining to be built under the Secure Border Initiative of 2005. In February, to expedite construction, Chertoff waived more than 30 federal laws including the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to build the wall. Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club have taken the issue to the US Supreme Court, arguing that due process of the law has been displaced by the Bush Administration’s unilateral exercise of power. “Too many people have died for this country to get due process,” Alpine resident Peter Symke said recently. “If the Court issues an injunction, they issue an injunction,” Brooks said. The design phase for the six miles of border wall planned along the Presidio/Ojinaga frontier will be completed by the Army Corp of Engineers in approximately two weeks. At that point, Brooks said, the contract to build the wall will be put out for bid and, in 30 days, a builder will be declared and wall construction will begin. The federal government owns all of the land along the six-mile corridor in Presidio, except for one small parcel where Brooks said they have already obtained “rights of entry.” Back Georgianna in honor society SAN ANGELO – Georgianna Escamilla Valdez of Sanderson will be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, at a ceremony here next week. The daughter of Diana Escamilla of Sanderson and Alex Escamilla of Del Rio will graduate from Howard College next week, certified as a licensed vocational nurse. She will resume her studies for one more year at Angelo State University in pursuit of certification as a registered nurse. “Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a highly coveted honor that will enrich your life while you attend Howard College and also will remain with you as you pursue your further educational or career goals,” PTK Coordinator Beverly Jones wrote. “Phi Theta Kappa membership guarantees you access to more benefits than any other student organization.” Valdez is married to Bryan Valdez. They have a four-year-old daughter Bryianna and another child on the way. Back Los Jaks Two in the books By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager MARATHON – More than 50 riders registered for the second annual Los Jaks biker rally here last week – 51 to be exact. Of the 51, 42 riders participated in the poker run in which the riders were required to bring back three scratch-off lottery tickets along with a poker hand. The high hand went to Danny Fuéntez, of Austin. He got to choose between $300 cash or the scratch tickets. Fuéntez opted for the cash. There were riders from all over, including Vancouver, BC, Oregon and North Dakota. There were several items up for raffle including an outdoor cooker, complete with full bottle of propane, donated by Sanderson Propane. Phoebe Campbell was the winner of the cooker. Another much-wanted item was a gas powered chain saw, won by Melinda Garcia of Kermit. Other items included a $15 gasoline certificate from Ernesto’s filling station, a gift certificate from J & G Shell and a gift certificate from the Big Hair Shop for $80. Gily Rodriguez of Alpine was the winner of the “Ball in Pipe” game with help from Sierra Lowe. He also won the “Slo-mo” race. Hugo Galindo and “Butter,” aka Joanna Ramos, won the “Weenie Bite” contest. Dinner consisted of BBQ brisket and sausage with all the trimmins’. Seven plates of food and cokes were donated to the firefighters battling the fire near Cathedral Mountain west of Marathon. Before the drawings, a “hog” was fired up and a moment of silence was observed to remember Ray Beverly who was killed in a car accident the day after the rally last year. Beverly was a member of the Los Jaks MC club. A DJ set up shop and partakers were invited to dance the night away both Friday and Saturday night. Back El relato de La Marrana de Oro Por SUSANNA FUENTES Especial al News Leader Esta historietita la oí muchos años pasados cuando estaba chica y luego otra vez de mis suegros en los 70s. La historia de las dos familias era igual, así que llegué a creerla porque los que me la contaban eran gente buena y sincera. (¡Además, mis suegros actualmente vieron esta aparición!) Antes de contar la historia, es importante que comprendan que de entre la cultura mexicana había una creencia que si alguien veia una aparición de animales en el campo, de seguro que había un entierro o tesoro allí. Así que los que veían algo, lo iban a seguir para encontrar ese tesoro. También, mucha gente religiosa y temerosa, como eran mis padres y mis suegros querían que alguien encontrara ese entierro para que las apariciones se fueran. Ellos no tenían interés en hallarlo porque también las apariciones eran espantuosas porque se decía que esas personas que hallaban el tesoro eran víctimas de mala suerte en alguna forma. Sin embargo, a estas apariciones les daban mucha importancia, ya fuera por temor o curiosidad. Sí, es muy corta, pero muy interesante: supuosamente, en los 20s, la casa de mis suegros estaba cerca de un llano o monte con zacate muy alto y se le refería “Chihuahuitas” porque había una u otra familia de Chihuahua viviendo allí. La gente no iba por allí porque era un lugar muy solo. (Ese llano ahora está lleno de casas. Yo y mi esposo también vivimos allí.) Pues, algunas tardes cuando el sol se desaparecía detrás de las montañas, se oía un ruido muy extraño, y con mucha luz, como caballos o algo que corrían entre el zacate alto. Esto pasaba casi al mismo tiempo por alguna temporada. Una vez, cuando mis suegros, disfrutando de una tarde hermosa, oyeron este ruido y decidieron investigarlo. Lo que encontraron era algo supernatural: era una marrana grandota con sus marranitos . . . ¡y eran color de oro! Se asustaron y se regresaron para sus casas. Después, al cuanto tiempo (mis suegros trabajaban afuera en sus jardines todas las tardes) volvieron a ver esa marrana y sus marranitos dorados. Decían que la marrana se paraba y los miraba, como que quería que la siguieran. Mi suegra nada más bendecía a la marrana y seguía con sus quehaceres. Nunca la siguieron y hasta la fecha no se sabe si alguien siguió esa marrana de oro y si se halló un entierro o no. Tal vez, algunos de ustedes que han vivido muchos más años en Maratón saben esta historietita mejor que yo y tienen un fin mas interesente que el mío. EDITOR’S NOTE The above was provided for our Spanish speaking readers. A translation will be provided next week. Back

“She did an excellent job,” he said. “Speaking for the whole town, we had a blast,” Lascano said. Lascano not only pulled together volunteers for course workers, she also arranged for several booths selling food, gifts and jewelry at the Courthouse Lawn Saturday. She said she wanted to make the event a celebration for Sanderson residents as well as the participants in the road race. Back Band director mulled By LYN ROSAS News Leader Business Manager SANDERSON – Three applicants for band director at Terrell County Independent School District could well fill the bill. As of Thursday of last week, 13 potential band directors had applied for the vacant position but eight of them were “absolutely out of the question,” Superintendent Gary Hamilton said. Some of the candidates were not Texas certified and there were other issues, Hamilton said at the school board meeting, moved from Monday because of a scheduling conflict. Board members had earlier agreed that no one not Texas certified would be considered. The vacancy was created earlier this year with the resignation of Tom Torres. Board President Ada Lee Robbins told the News Leader the board could change the certification requirement if necessary but three of the candidates “look pretty good.” The wife of one of them is a math teacher. Hamilton said that currently there are no openings for a math teacher but math teacher Amy Carman reminded the board that upcoming freshman in the 2008-09 school year would be required to acquire four credits in math before graduating, up from two. The new state law also requires four years of science for next fall’s freshmen. Carman said she thought it would be a good idea to consider that bandleader application because of the workload about to be placed on her. She said at least a part-time teacher might be helpful. In other business, Hamilton told the board that his trip to Austin for the annual Texas Education Association conference produced good results. Sanderson Schools got a good review and final results would be mailed to the school soon. He said results of the recent TAKS tests were excellent. Back Range fires return SANDERSON – A grass fire broke out late Wednesday at Gray Ranch Road north of here, the same area in which a 51,400-acre fire burned for about a week in mid-March. The fire broke out about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday just north of the devastated area on the Gerald Porter ranch, where wildfires consumed some 51,400 acres six weeks ago. The Texas Forest Service said the fire was caused by a downed power line and affected about 2,000 acres. One ranch complex threatened. Fire crews from Fort Stockton and Sanderson were augmented by Forest Service aircraft. Other fires were reported near Big Spring, west of Odessa, southwest of Ozona and near Hobbs, NM. The 23,000-acre Cathedral fire west of Marathon was reported 75 percent controlled Wednesday. Lightening bolts set off flames in this dry, parched country last week, sending black smoke spiraling above the Glass Mountains. The smoke choked the thin air with carbon and the flames glowed eerie red at night. As many as six air tankers assisted smaller craft, bombarding the flames with water. Firefighters from as far away as Montana arrived here, packing their lunch boxes and disappearing into the scrub for days at a time. “It’s pretty rough country,” Forest Service spokesman Jeanne Eastham said Wednesday morning. “The ground crews are ‘billy-goating’ in the northeast part. And they’re cold-trailing with the bulldozers.” A “norther” blew through over the weekend but did little to slow the lines of flame creeping along the ridges of the mountains. One residence has been evacuated and two other residences remain threatened. The firefighting cost so far was estimated at $1.875 million. “I think they should let it burn,” Marathon High Science Teacher Travis Jarrell said. “Its nature’s way of replenishing soils and strengthening the desert.” At the Brewster County Commissioners Court Tuesday, a letter of thanks was issued to the Texas Forest Service for providing fire-fighting services. Commissioner Ruben Ortega of Marathon verbally thanked the Texas Highway Department and county workers for their assistance as well as J.P. Bryan for allowing the air-tankers to replenish water at his well. Back History Fair this weekend AUSTIN – A dozen students from Sanderson and a pair from Marathon will represent their schools this weekend at the 28th Annual State History Fair here at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum at the University of Texas at Austin. The students all advanced by placing first or second earlier in the spring. Raquel Hinkley, Jessica Garza, Vicky Busch, Noemi Nuñez and Andy Milstead will make the trip from Sanderson. Also going will be Juliana Castro, Casey Couch, Travis Roberts, Jalen Chriesman, Daniel Luevano and Mason Blackmon. Taylor Roberts earned his spot at the state level by winning the Trans Pecos Award, taking home $150 cash with his third-place exhibit on early 20th century Texas Rangers. He also won best regional entry, which qualified him to go to the state competition. Winners of first or second place in the state competition will advance to the national level June 15 to 19 in College Park, MD. The Sanderson students will be accompanied by Adam Portillo and other sponsors. Representing Marathon will be Omar Grano and Zach Gonzales. Going up with them will be Andrea Johnson. Omar and Zach won first place with their exhibit, “The Conflicts and Compromises of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts,” at the regional level last month in Alpine. Back Racers funds causes By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager SANDERSON – When participants in the Big Bend Open Road Race circled the Terrell County Courthouse a few years ago, there was little here to greet them. A couple of volunteers scurried home to make sandwiches so the crews at least could get a bite to eat. What a difference this year with several booths around the courthouse offering everything from tamales, sandwiches and pizza to jewelry to arrowheads to autographed CDs. The Sanderson youth group, “180° Revolution” raised $207 for youth activities by washing windshields of racecars for donations. The club is undecided what to do with the money. Jessica Garza offered food as well as a few games to help fund her summer trip to Europe. She also had some music CDs autographed by the artists. The Terrell County 4-H Club sold food as did the senior class. Cinco de Mayo, Sanderson Pizza Company and several others also took part in the event. New Sanderson Volunteer Coordinator Dale Lascano lined up a daylong list of activities to entertain race crews and locals alike. She also greeted each car as it pulled up with water for the crewmembers. One of the racers was Roger Greene of Henderson, NV, who grabbed his brother Bill Greene of Santa Rosa, CA, and made the trip to enter the race. Along the way, they took home the “hand timer” award when they came within .051 seconds of their speed of 150 mph in a 2004 Porsche GT3. The two travel around entering open road races all over the country. This is their fifth trip to the BBORR. They have entered about 50 races in all. Bill is the navigator for his brother but Roger said, “next year we will switch jobs. His is a whole lot more difficult than mine.” Roger said he and his brother are “absolutely thrilled that this race was not cancelled,” as had been threatened earlier this year. When asked why he does this, he said “the first two times it was because you can legally drive really fast. Now I come back to see my friends.” “It’s like a family reunion,” said Charlie Friend of Alamogordo, NM, one of two cars in the unlimited class. Friend was one of a dozen cars that didn’t finish because of mechanical problems in his V-8-powered 1965 Chevrolet Corvair. But he said he’d be back. Back CHSI to have blood drive SANDERSON – Cactus Health Services and United Blood Services will sponsor a blood drive from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Community Building. For more information and a sign up time, call Cactus Health Services 432/345-2508. Back Workers get safety awards FORT STOCKTON – The key to workplace safety starts with the worker. And that is especially true when your “workplace” is the highway. That was the message that Texas Department of Transportation employees heard Friday at the Odessa District’s 26th annual Safety Awards ceremony at the Pecos County Civic Center here. ‘We’re about to start our busiest time of the year, the 123-day summer construction season,” District Engineer Lauren Garduño told TxDOT employees from across the 12-county region. “I want to challenge you to do everything in your power to finish those 123 days without an incident.” Garduño presented safety awards to employees who have gone a year without a vehicle or injury accident, many extending streaks beyond 20 years and millions of miles – just as construction activities on the area’s highways shift into high gear. The District’s longest safe-driving mark belongs to Jerry McGuairt, a construction manager in the Fort Stockton area office, who has never had a vehicle accident in his entire career spanning 42 years. And a Fort Stockton co-worker, Benny Walker, is close behind with 37 years of accident-free driving. Sanderson Maintenance Supervisor Ruperto O. Perez, with 22 years, has also compiled a notable safety record. Other Texas Department of Transportation employees in Sanderson receiving safe operator, no-injury awards for accident-free driving included George Estrada, Eddie Bena-videz, Juan Rodriguez, Martin Arredondo, Jr., and Pete Olivares. “Safety continues to be our top priority – both for ourselves on the job and for the driving public on our roads,” said Garduño, who handed out the safety awards. “When an employee works an entire year without a vehicle or injury accident with all the construction going on, we think that it deserves notice,” he said. “That is why we have a safety awards event, to say to those employees, ‘Congratulations and thanks.’” Back