Roswell Daily Record
State’s redistricting tab: $8M
Vol. 121, No. 185 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico taxpayers shelled out nearly $8 million for the politically divisive, once-a-decade task of drawing new district boundaries for the Legislature, Congress and other elected offices, according to state records.
NOT SO WIMPY
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Maybe it has to do with the lowered expectations surrounding something with “Dog Days” in its title being released during a traditionally less stellar time in the movie-going season, but the third installment in the “Wimpy Kid” franchise turns out to be not so wimpy after all. - PAGE A8
The expenses exceeded the nearly $7 million in total adjusted for inflation costs for redistricting after the 2000 census. Actual costs were $5.2 million at
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
August 3, 2012
FRIDAY
www.rdrnews.com
the time.
And given that political standoffs accounted for the bulk of the price tag each time around, the numbers are providing fresh ammunition for those who say an appointed bipartisan commission should handle the job of revamping district boundaries — not lawmakers and the governor. Much like what happened a decade ago, a court ended up resolving the latest redistricting dis-
Redistricting is necessary to adjust the boundaries of political districts for population changes.
pute between a Democratic-controlled Legislature and a Republican governor. “I just thought it was appalling the way this whole thing was done,” Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino said Thursday. The Albuquerque Democrat blames the Legislature and Gov. Susana Martinez for failing
to resolve their differences and avoid an expensive court battle. Republican Sen. Rod Adair of Roswell also favors having a bipartisan commission handle redistricting, saying it will eliminate the “over -the-top greediness that members in both parties have for their dis-
WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Noon Optimist team heads to tourney • SKorea TV crew films ‘UFO town’ • Hopeful hostel hostess to hold open house ... • Impact bidding closes today • Jessica Burson’s lamb Game Changer ...
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
Young ladies and their furry friends ready for the Wool Lead & Fashion Extravaganza Show during the 2012 Chaves County 4-H & FFA Fair, Thursday afternoon.
Pignitary, messy; Wool Lead, super clean NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER
GOLDEN, JUST GOLDEN
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Dolores Salcido • Earlene Lee • Eva Eula Hendricks - PAGE A7
HIGH .105˚ LOW ....72˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
“If you had a commission, you could have demographers focusing on ethnic groups, racial categories, economics, municipalities and all the things that make up the state. But all of this is subordinated to the goals of parties when you have the current system,” said Adair, who didn’t seek re-election after he was lumped into the same
City needs $2M for projects
See TAB, Page A3
JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
TOP 5
LONDON (AP) — Might be time to get Gabby Douglas a new nickname. Olympic champ might work. Known as “The Flying Squirrel,” Douglas won the women’s all-around title Thursday night, becoming the third straight American to win gymnastics’ biggest prize. It’s her second gold medal of the London Games, coming two nights after she and her “Fierce Five” teammates gave the United States its first Olympic title since 1996. - PAGE B1
tricts.”
Mark Wilson Photo
Brennan Vaz dives into a wet and muddy mess during Pignitary at the 2012 Chaves County 4-H & FFA Fair, Thursday afternoon.
After a long week of hard work and tense moments, the Chaves County 4-H & FFA Fair was transfor med Thursday into a lively atmosphere of good ol’ fashioned family fun. The 13th annual Pignitary Pig Show capped off serious competitions with 14 participants vying for the ever-elusive Travelin’ Trophy, an honor that can only be claimed by the Big Bacon. Larry Hobson, president of the Chaves County 4-H & FFA Fair board, returned to the event as Super Shower, and reclaimed his Big Bacon title with grit, determination and loads of
See FAIR, Page A3
An infrastructure capital improvement plan containing more than 100 projects that the city is requesting capital outlay funding for was presented during a City Council workshop Thursday evening. The ICIP lists projects that are in need of funding from 2014 through 2018. Four council members and six area legislators were present. The top five projects listed in the plan for 2014 are, in no particular ranking: downtown public restrooms; renovation of Fire Station No. 1, 200 S. Richardson Ave.; replacement of playground equipment from public parks Phase I; a sewer line for MYSTIC; and street paving for South Park Cemetery. In total these top five projects are in need of funding of more than $2 million. The ICIP will go to the full council for approval at its September regular business meeting. The list will then be submitted to the state. Rep. Nora Espinoza, RRoswell, cautioned city officials to stay on top of any money awarded. “I think it needs to be very clear that we all work together but to follow through that when the funds are allocated for a project and there is no report, not reporting to the city council of where the
McFadden interim chief Who bought Impact Confections?
Deputy Chief Brad McFadden will take over the reigns of the Roswell Police Department from Roswell Police Chief Alfonso Solis who was transported to Easter n New Mexico Medical Center around 11:30 a.m. Monday after the Roswell Fire Department and Emergency Services were called to the chief’s offices. City Administrator Larry
Fry said on Thursday that Brad McFadden will act as interim chief during Solis’ absence. There are no updates on Solis’ condition since he was listed as being in serious but stable condition. “We are respecting the family’s request for privacy. We will release information when the family is willing
JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Bidding closed at 5 p.m., Thursday, on Roswell’s Impact Confections candy manufacturing plant, once among the city’s largest employers, providing around 100 jobs at its peak. Online auctioneer fre.com has
Auto wreck leaves 1,000 without power
INDEX
Angela Stotts
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
More than 1,000 people were left without power fol-
See RPD, Page A3
lowing an accident in the 3800 block of South Main Street at about 10 p.m., Wednesday. Angela Stotts drove over a median strip, struck an electrical guide line, which caused her vehicle to flip. Stott’s 9-year-old son was injured during the crash and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The initial impact resulted in momentary loss of power to 1,118 homes in the area around Roswell International Air Center. Michael McLeod, public information officer for Xcel
Energy said that the downed wires caused a fire. Xcel Energy repairmen had to tur n off power to 500 homes in the western portion of RIAC to the Kerr Water Field and areas of West Brasher Road and South Main Street for about an hour to make repairs, although power outages were reported also along South Lea Avenue. Stotts refused medical treatment for herself. Field sobriety tests revealed that she was intoxicated. The See AUTO, Page A3
listed the plant, originally built in 1973, for sale. The minimum bid on the nearly 104,000square-foot property, at 3701 S. Main St., is $899,000. The demise of the plant began when founder and president of Impact Confections Brad Baker sold his interests to another
See CITY, Page A3
group of individuals, located outside of New Mexico.
“It is our understanding that the company received a really encouraging incentive from their original location, which is out of state, and in doing so caused them to think See IMPACT, Page A3
‘I’m cute, huh?’
Mark Wilson Photo
Boer goats await their turn to show during the 2012 Chaves County 4-H & FFA Fair, Thursday morning.