Roswell Daily Record
INSIDE NEWS
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Title IX sparks House fireworks
Vol. 121, No. 28 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
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JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
The controversial topic of money and school sports as it relates to T itle IX ignited a contentious debate on the House floor Wednesday. House Bill 161, introduced by Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico, deals with reporting requirements for universities and schools under
LAWMAKERS PUSH TO STOP ATTACKS
February 2, 2012
One amendment to the bill, presented by Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell, passed the House.
T itle IX. Specifically, the bill addresses equal distribution of funds for male and female athletics, as it pertains to booster clubs,
organizations created to support, through financial or other means, an associated sport’s team.
In its description, the bill reads, “amending the school athletics equity act to eliminate certain reporting requirements for grades seven and eight; clarifying other reporting requirements."
One amendment to the bill, presented by Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell, passed the
House. The amendment removed the four words, “fundraising and booster clubs,” from the section of the bill that discusses the accounting of funding sources that are used to support the school's athletics programs in grades nine through twelve and to which teams those funds are allocated. Ezzell attended a meeting earlier
‘Here’s some for you, and some for you, and ...’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military provided sweeping details Wednesday of the problem of insider attacks by Afghan security forces against U.S. and other coalition troops, prompting lawmakers to call the screening process for Afghan forces “tragically weak.” - PAGE A7
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INSIDE SPORTS
74 DEAD AFTER SOCCER GAME UPSET
CAIRO (AP) — At least 74 people were killed and 248 injured after soccer fans rushed the field in the seaside city of Port Said Wednesday following an upset victory by the home team over Egypt's top club, setting off clashes and a stampede as riot police largely failed to intervene. It was a bloody reminder of the security vacuum that faces the Arab world's most populous country as instability continues nearly a year ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S • • • •
OBITUARIES
Nell Murchison Katherine McKenzie Juan Herrera Jr. Bill Carrigan - PAGE B3
HIGH ...74˚ LOW ....34˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....B6 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8 WASHINGTON .........A7
INDEX
Mark Wilson Photo
Elijah Mayorga, 3, feeds the ducks, geese and other waterfowl while visiting Spring River Park with his aunt, Wednesday afternoon.
License dispute on hold
See HOUSE, Page A3
SANTA FE (AP) — A fight over whether to stop illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses in New Mexico is on hold while Democrats make a lastditch effort to reach a compromise with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez who wants to scrap the license policy. The House Judiciary Committee put off a final vote on the issue Wednesday night after spending more than four hours debating the politically charged issue. New Mexico and Washington are the only states allowing illegal immigrants to obtain the same driver’s license as a U.S. citizen.
President proposes BBBS taps Bill Wolf for CEO help for homeowners
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Conceding his earlier housing programs have fallen short, President Barack Obama on Wednesday proposed a vast expansion of government assistance to homeowners, aiming to make lower lending rates a possibility for millions of borrowers who have not been able to get out from under burdensome mortgages. The president’s proposal is laden with election-year politics and faces a difficult path in Congress. Obama wants to pay for the estimated $5 billion to $10 billion cost with a fee on the nation’s largest banks, a proposal that has failed to
win support even when Democrats controlled both the House and Senate.
In addition, its potential impact could be limited by the fact that it would not apply to borrowers who are behind on their home loan payments, those most threatened by foreclosure. The housing issue, while national in scope, particularly resonates in election battlegrounds such as Nevada and Florida that have faced record foreclosures. Obama himself drew attention to the politics surrounding the issue with a jab at former Massachu-
VANESSA KAHIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
With a new board of directors and business plan, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern New Mexico started 2012 with the hiring of a new CEO. Bill Wolf, a fourth-generation Roswell native with an extensive background in marketing and business, became CEO of the local BBBS on Jan. 9. “It was part of the restructuring of the organization,” Wolf said of his new position. “I think, because of my management skills (and) business skills it’s a good match for me and for the
See DISPUTE, Page A2
agency.” Past and current volunteerism, he said, has also helped mold him for the job.
“I’ve always done a lot of volunteer work. ... Most of my volunteer work has involved youth,” Wolf said. His volunteer work is extensive. Wolf is president of the Roswell Sertoma Club, a civic organization that donates thousands of dollars each year to youth activities and scholarships. He is also on the governing council for Sidney Gutierrez Middle School, is the former president of the Parent Advisory Council for Sierra Middle School, and a former basketball league coach for the Yucca Youth
Bill Wolf
Courtesy Photo
Center. The MainStreet Roswell program owes its existence, in part, to Wolf, who was a founding
Boomer Expo set for Saturday House passes federal workers pay freeze See OBAMA, Page A3
the idea for the expo three years ago, said she wanted to provide Baby Boomers with an educational forum that incorporated health care and business in an entertaining way.
More than 70 vendor booths are expected to be set up at the event. Attendees will be able to receive financial tips, information on skincare procedures, and attend a presentation on how to Mark Wilson Photo avoid identify theft, to Staci Vandewart and Barbara Gomez during a press con- name a few. Sam’s Club ference announcing details on this Saturday’s 2012 Baby will be sponsoring a free Boomer Health & Business Expo. hot dog luncheon from 12 to 1 p.m. Gomez said her On Wednesday, Mayor director of marketing at favorite part of the event Del Jur ney, a Baby Frontier Medical, and is everybody dressing up Boomer himself, issued a Stacy Vanderwart, marin Boomer style. Those proclamation declaring keting director at KrumFebruary 2012 as Roswell land Auto Group, will be who purchase a $10 raffle Baby Boomer’s month, held at the Roswell Con- ticket will get the chance giving community mem- vention and Civic Center, to win a 2012 Toyota bers an additional reason 912 N. Main St., Satur- Scion XD. Vanderwart to attend the third annual day from 10 a.m. to 6 said the car is release ediBaby Boomers Health and p.m, and is open to any- tion, and only around Business Exposition. one 18 years of age or 1,000 were made. The winner must be present The free event, organ- older. ized by Barbara Gomez, Gomez, who generated with the ticket at 5 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday voted to freeze the wages of federal workers for a third straight year and put members of Congress on record as opposing a boost in their $174,000 annual salaries. Republican supporters said their measure, which would freeze federal worker wages through 2013, would save taxpayers $26 billion. It would not apply to military personnel. The nation’s 2.3 million federal civilian workers currently are in the second year of a wage freeze imposed as part of efforts to trim budget deficits. Sponsors said the two-year halt in wage increases will save the government $60 billion. “We must act now to extend the pay freeze on federal workers and on members’ salaries until Washington finally gets its finances under control,” said Rep. Sean Duffy, RWis., the bill’s sponsor. Republicans also have
See WOLF, Page A3
sought to add a year to the federal wage freeze and have federal workers contribute more toward pensions as ways to pay for legislation, now being negotiated between the House and Senate, to extend a payroll tax cut and federal unemployment benefits until the end of this year. The pay freeze legislation could have difficulty moving through the Democratic-controlled Senate. In the House, most Democrats opposed the measure, saying deficit reduction should not be carried out on the backs of federal workers. Federal labor groups have strongly opposed an extended freeze. Still, it was a tough election-year vote for some Democrats reluctant to be seen as supporting a raise for themselves. The salary of rank-and-file members of Congress has remained at $174,000 since 2009 and is unlikely to go up as long as See FREEZE, Page A3