Roswell Daily Record
INSIDE NEWS
HOUSTON (AP) — Unflinching before a skeptical NAACP crowd, Mitt Romney declared Wednesday he’d do more for African-Americans than Obama, the Barack nation’s first black president. He drew jeers when he lambasted the Democrat’s policies.
NM WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Rethinking water supply and demand along one of the West’s most important river systems is among the recommendations being considered by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other officials in a report released Wednesday on conservation efforts along the ... - PAGE B3
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
NAACP boos Mitt on ‘Obamacare’
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“If you want a president who will make things better in the African-American community, you are looking at him,” Romney told the group’s annual conven-
July 12, 2012
THURSDAY
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tion. Pausing as some in the crowd heckled, he added, “You take a look!”
The reception was occasionally rocky though generally polite as the Republican presidential candidate sought to woo a Democratic bloc that voted heavily for Obama four years ago and is certain to do so again. Romney was booed when he vowed to repeal “Obamacare,” the Democrat’s signature health care measure, and the crowd interrupted him when he
accused Obama of failing to spark a more robust economic recovery. “I know the president has said he will do those things. But he has not. He cannot. He will not,” Romney said as the crowd’s murmurs turned to groans. At other points, Romney earned scattered clapping for his promises to create jobs and improve education. In an interview with Fox News after the speech, See ROMNEY, Page A3
AP Photo
‘The sun’s nice, but rain washes off the ants’
JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Mayor honors Roswellite’s 99th ... • Troubadour Cory Branan to perform ... • Murder on Friday has no leads • Plateau brings fiber optics to Roswell • Invaders drop 2nd straight to Alpine
INSIDE SPORTS Mark Wilson Photo
Healthy sunflowers soak in the sunshine Wednesday morning after a good watering from Tuesday’s rainfall.
Look down a local high school’s tennis lineup and more often than not the doubles portion of the scorecard is in the same order as the singles side. In theory putting the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players on a team together would result in a strong doubles team, and it very well could. What is often lost in doubles play, however, is that the best doubles teams have a lot of experience together. Doubles play is about more than ground strokes, it requires teamwork, communication and trust ... - PAGE B1
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Linda Sue Drum Carl Frank Klima Stella Ruth Sanders Jackanette Smallwood - PAGE B3
HIGH ...93˚ LOW ....68˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 STATE ...................B3 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
With the state’s initiative to evaluate the performance of New Mexico schools better, came a new rating system and the first report card revealing passing grades for the majority of public schools, including in Roswell, where just one school failed. “These results are not only important to inform parents and students today about where their school stands, but they are helpful for teachers, school leaders, and community stakeholders who want to take action to reform education in New Mexico and improve
RPD names person ME: Harney’s death accidental of interest in June 15 double homicide JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
TWO FOR TENNIS
Report cards are in
Participants listen to Mitt Romney deliver a speech during the NAACP annual convention in Houston, Wednesday.
The Roswell Police Department arrested Gregory Hobbs on July 7 on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation following an arrest for aggravated battery. The original charge stems from an incident that occurred on March 19, when Hobbs allegedly shot a man at a party. Hobbs is also a person of interest in the slaying of two men in the 300 block of East Bonney Street, on June 15. Ruben Archuleta Sr., 49, died at the scene. His son, Ruben Archuleta Jr., 21, was transported to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center where
he later died. Officer Erica O’Bryon, RPD spokeswoman, stated that the arrest and the bench warrant were for totally unrelated charges. She also noted that Hobbs has not been charged with the June 15 murders, but police hope to talk to him about the incident. The police said at the time of the homicide that they believed the shootings resulted from an ongoing argument with another member of the family. Hobbs is being held at the Chaves County Detention Center without bond.
According to autopsy results, the cause of death for a man who died in police custody was “positional asphyxia,” which suggests he suffocated in the police unit. The medical examiner ruled the death as accidental. Robin Daniel Harney, 57, died on Jan. 9 after the Roswell Police Department responded to a call from Albertson’s, 1110 S. Main St., where Har ney was arrested on charges of criminal trespass. He had been advised of criminal trespass previously and was asked not to return to the store. When he returned to the store, employees called the police. The autopsy report specifically states under “How injury occurred” that he was “placed face down
Rode charges political deals in Downs at Albuquerque lease JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
New Mexico State Fair Commissioner Charlotte Rode, a Republican, has long criticised the awarding of a 25-year lease to the Downs at Albuquerque to operate a racino and construct a casino at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds as being a product of backdoor deals between Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration and members of the Downs management. But she is also questioning the Downs as a qualified bidder for the lease. Rode, who was appointed to the State Fair Commis-
sion by Martinez last August, voted against awarding the lease to the Downs. Rode says the original lease, awarded to Santa Fe racing in 1985, was slanted toward benefitting the State Fair. Now through political connections and the like, she said the lease has evolved to one that benefits the Downs and is a detriment to the State Fair. She cited a 2011 audit of the State Fair conducted by the Legislative Finance Committe as proof of this contention. A paragraph of the executive summary from the LFC audit reads, “The New Mexico State Fair failed to properly manage
in rear of vehicle while intoxicated.” The report further notes numerous blunt force injuries, several broken ribs and the breast bone was broken. The medical examiner stated the broken ribs and breastbone were “consistent with injuries from chest compressions done for resuscitative efforts.” The autopsy listed a number of small abrasions on the middle region and left area of his forehead, and on the scalp. The report also listed abrasions and bruises on the upper extremities, including a “red-purple abrasion encircling the left wrist.” On the legs, the autopsy noted other abrasions and contusions, the largest of which was 2 inches by 2 inches. The medical examiner, Dr. Ross Zumwalt, concluded: “The 57-year -old male, Robin Daniel Harney
‘Surf’s up!’
See SCHOOLS, Page A3
died of positional asphyxia. Mixed drug and ethanol toxicity, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, obesity and pulmonary emphysema were significant contributing factors.” Zumwalt repeated the information provided in the official RPD documentation of the incident. “He was reportedly alert and uncooperative when he was handcuffed and placed in the back of the police car. ... Upon arrival at the Detention Center, Mr. Harney was face down in the backseat and unresponsive…. “Mr. Harney was handcuf fed with his hands behind his back and when he became positioned face down, he may have been unable to reposition himself ...” Sgt. Monica Martinez of NMSP Criminal InvestigaSee DEATH, Page A3
two contracts: the lease with the Downs at Albuquerque and the carnival concessions contract. It appears that decisions have been made to benefit the contractors to the financial detriment of the New Mexico State Fair and a lack of strategic planning has led to a rushed request for proposal for a renewed racing lease.”
When Rode first came on as a commissioner, she asked for a fiscal impact report for the lease. She said the request went to the manager and lawyer of the Downs and to MarSee LEASE, Page A3
Mark Wilson Photo
Ethan Wolf works on his skateboarding techniques at Cielo Grande, Wednesday morning.