Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 49 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
FORMER SURGEON GENERAL KOOP DIES With his striking beard and starched uniform, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop became one of the most recognizable figures of the Reagan era — and one of the most unexpectedly enduring.
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
February 26, 2013
New terms proposed for Navajo casinos
SANTA FE (AP) — Negotiators for Gov. Susana Martinez and the Navajo Nation have agreed on key terms of a possible gambling compact that would allow the state’s largest Indian tribe to operate five casinos and for New Mexico to collect a greater share of casino earnings. The goal is to submit a new compact to the Legislature for approval before lawmakers adjour n this month, said Jessica Hernandez, the gover nor’s deputy chief of staff and general counsel. “We’ve tried to build a compact that is fair to all sides,” she said Monday. A committee of the Navajo Nation Council must endorse the proposals before a final compact can be prepared and sent to the Legislature. The Interior Department also must approve any compact
TUESDAY
www.rdrnews.com
agreed upon by the state and tribe. The Navajos operate two Las Vegas-style casinos under terms of a compact expiring in 2015. The tribe has a third casino in New Mexico with low-stakes gambling not subject to state regulation. Negotiators propose a new gambling agreement extending until 2037 — the same date as 2007 compacts with nine New Mexico tribes. The longer term of a compact helps tribes obtain financing for their economic development and infrastructure projects. The Navajos signed a compact with New Mexico a decade ago and its terms match those of 2001 agreements with four other tribes. Those provide maximum revenue sharing to the state of 8 percent of slot machine proceeds. Negotiators agreed to a
maximum payment rate of 10.75 percent that starts in 2030 — the same as 2007 compact terms — but revenue sharing will vary depending on the proceeds from the tribe’s casinos and over the duration of the agreement. Once a new compact is approved, the Navajos will pay the state 9.75 percent of slot machine proceeds and that will increase over time and if the Navajos open more casinos that generate additional revenue. Negotiators agreed to a new rate schedule for a tribe with more than $150 million in gambling proceeds. The 2007 compacts highest payment rates apply to tribes generating $50 million or more from their casinos. New Mexico received about $65 million from tribal casinos in 2011, and Hernandez said that will
increase if a new compact is approved with the Navajos. The goal is to have a new compact approved within the next few months “because it provides much benefit not only for the Navajo Nation but also for the state of New Mexico,” said Karis Begaye, an attorney with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. Hernandez said the state has been negotiating for months with the Navajos and the four tribes with 2001 compacts — the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apaches as well as Acoma and Pojoaque pueblos. The tribes asked for the negotiations. She said the administration hopes to reach agreements with the four other tribes similar to what’s proposed with the Navajos. Other tribes could seek to renegotiate their 2007 com-
- PAGE A2
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Fire destroys home off Pine Lodge Road • One of Roswell’s Most Wanted now serving ... • Man shot twice after ... • Man leads police on high-speed chase • Haeny paces NMMI at home
INSIDE SPORTS
AP Photo
President Barack Obama addresses the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday.
KUCHAR WINS MPC MARANA, Ariz. (AP) — Even in the most stressful form of golf, Matt Kuchar and his easy smile made the Match Play Championship look like a weekend game with his buddies. It was fun when he built a 4-up lead at the turn. And when Hunter Mahan ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES • • • • • •
Robert Allman Patricia Byrne Maurine Dodson Ruth Hulse Emiterio Peralta Nina Taylor - PAGE A7
HIGH ...60˚ LOW ....30˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
INDEX CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
Obama warns of risks over budget cut uncertainty WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday said looming automatic spending cuts are already affecting the economy, while a top administration of ficial
warned that the nation’s borders would be less secure if billions of dollars are yanked from the budget Friday. “The uncertainty is already having an effect,”
Game chairman McClintic remembered as outdoorsman
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — New Mexico Game Commission Chairman Jim McClintic was remembered Monday as an avid outdoorsman who was dedicated to improving one of the state’s most well-known fisheries along the San Juan River. Family members and state officials confirmed that McClintic died Feb. 15 after a short battle with cancer. He was 63. A private burial was held last week, and plans were announced for a Mass this Friday at John XXIII Catholic Community church in Albuquerque. McClintic was appointed to the Game Commission in 2007. He was elected chairman two years later. “Jim was an avid outdoorsman and a respected public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” Gov. Susana Martinez said in a statement. State Game and Fish Director Jim Lane called McClintic a friend and mentor, saying his direction and counsel will be deeply missed. McClintic’s family said he spent many summers as a teenager working at Valle Grande and that he rode horses, fished and hunted in his spare time. He was at home in any pursuit related to nature, they said. He was also involved in professional drag racing with his family and worked as a licensed contractor. During his time on the Game Commission, McClintic oversaw the development of the San Juan Fish Habitat Enhancement Project in northwestern New Mexico. Home to some trophy-sized trout, the river is known as a hot spot for fly fishing. McClintic, a lifetime member of New Mexico Trout, also served on the state Economic Development Commission during Gov. Garrey Carruthers’ administration and was the chairman of the Albuquerque Municipal Development Sustainable Enhancement Team. He also helped at the Albuquerque homeless shelter Joy Junction and supported high school booster clubs. He is survived by his brother, John McClintic; sister-inlaw Patricia McClintic; and nieces and nephews.
Obama said. “Companies are preparing layof f notices. Families are preparing to cut back on expenses. The longer these cuts are in place, the bigger the impact will
become.” Despite the urgent rhetoric, there was no indication the White House and See RISKS, Page A3
Brief snow surprise
pacts and a new agreement with the Navajos could serve as a foundation for any changes. Other provisions proposed by negotiators: — The Navajos could operate five casinos — three in addition to its current two. There is no limit under its current compact, but tribes can have two casinos under the 2007 agreements. — The Navajos could operate their casinos 24 hours a day. Currently, tribal casinos must close four hours daily Monday through Thursday. — The gambling revenue payments to New Mexico would end if the state approves Inter net gambling. Limits on nontribal horse racing track casinos and their slot machines would be the same as 2007 compacts.
Horse antidoping bill passes
The New Mexico House of Representatives passed Monday a bill, sponsored by Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, RRoswell, that would create a fund in the state treasury for the testing of race horses. HB 187, which passed the House floor unanimously, is an effort to decrease doping in horse racing. Ezzell has said the sport is a vital part of the state’s communities, but its future “has been severely jeopardized by scandal, doping, and cheating.” “This is incredibly harmful to the animals, creating the increased possibility of accidents and even death among race horses,” she said in a statement. “Additionally, each accident has the potential to greatly injure and harm jockeys. We must put an end to this.” While the New Mexico Racing Commission has attempted to reduce cheating and doping, she said “they can only do so much without the help of additional funding.” “I am thankful to my colleagues for passing this legislation to combat a very serious problem here in our state, and I hope that the Senate will give it the same consideration,”she said.
Jessica Palmer Photo
Mother Nature treated Roswell with a brief glimpse of winter, providing a light lacework of snow upon the trees, Monday morning. With the 20 mph winds, the temperature struggled to achieve 50 degrees, much less the 55 degrees that had been predicted.
Water bill to increase 22% starting in March ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
In March, homeowners will pay 22.11 percent more for water and sewer services, following an ordinance recently passed by City Council. The rates will again increase in 2014 by 7.69 percent. In 2015, they
will increase by 7.13 percent and by 6.67 percent in 2016. In 2017, however, water and sewer rates will increase based on the annual Consumer Price Index of utility maintenance and operation. The increases are to benefit the Joint Water and Sewer Enterprise
Fund. Wastewater Manager Art Torrez said the city needs to generate at least $30 million in 20 years to perform necessary water projects and repairs to infrastructure. “The city of Roswell’s water rates are the most fair because they’re based See WATER, Page A3