Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Legislature focuses on redistricting
Vol. 120, No. 215 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
DRIVER’S LICENSES HOT TOPIC
SANTA FE (AP) — Chanting “Jesus was an immigrant,” advocates greeted state lawmakers Tuesday as they returned for a special session that could consider a proposed repeal of a law that lets those illegally in the country get New Mexico driver’s licenses. - PAGE A2
September 7, 2011
WEDNESDAY
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AP Photo
Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Carlsbad speaks with tea party activist Stu Clark, before the start of a special session on redistricting in Santa Fe, Tuesday.
SANTA FE (AP) — The Legislature convened Tuesday for a special session and immediately focused on the politically charged task of redistricting, which will influence elections and public policy in New Mexico for the next decade. As lawmakers returned to work, House and Senate Democratic leaders said redistricting was their top priority. But Republican Gov. Susana Martinez also wants the Legislature to consider 10 proposals See LEGISLATURE, Page A3
OLSON ASSISTS WITH GUIDELINES JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
A Roswell law firm has a hand in the redistricting process for the fourth time. Richard Olson, a partner at Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin LLP, was one of three lawyers who delivered the guidelines for redistricting at the legislative special session on Tuesday. Olson said the lawyers outlined the principles
Task force studies mental health needs
It helps when the ball doesn’t move
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Stabbing was a random act • Police arrest murder suspect • Pops Concert draws crowd • Drought takes toll on Caverns • The lessons we learned in Week 2
SPORTS Mark Wilson Photo
Hannah Lilley, foreground, and her twin sister Sarah, 7, take turns working on their tennis skills during a private lesson provided by the Paraclete Tennis Clinic, Tuesday morning, at Cahoon Park.
Much like the tortoise’s “slow and steady” approach in the race against the hare, in high school sports, simplicity more often than not, trumps complexity. When the Goddard boys soccer team was playing a more condensed offensive game against Portales on Tuesday, they dominated. For the few minutes where players tried to do too much, the Rams capitalized and, unfortunately for Goddard, those few minutes - PAGE B1
TODAY’S • • • •
OBITUARIES
J.B. Phelps Betty Lou Frost Weldon Ray Jordan Glinda Keeton - PAGE A7
HIGH ...90˚ LOW ....58˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....B6 FINANCIAL .............B3 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B6 LOTTERIES ............A2 NATION .................A7 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
See OLSON, Page A3
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
INSIDE
PORTALES DEFEATS GODDARD
considered in redistricting. The principles can be broken down into three primary issues: those related to ensuring all districts are relatively equal in population for congressional districts; those that are sensitive to minority voting issues as expressed in the federal Voting Rights Act; and those that relate to gerrymandering, a practice that attempts to
In March, the state Legislature passed House Joint Memorial 17, requesting the Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative and member stakeholders to study the needs of people with mental health disorders in crisis. The Memorial Task Force will develop strategies to improve services available to those persons outside of law enforcement or detention settings.
Obama: $300B to Light rainfall makes big jump-start jobs difference for Bitter Lake
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy weak and the public seething, President Barack Obama is expected to propose $300 billion in tax cuts and federal spending Thursday night to get Americans working again. Republicans offered Tuesday to compromise with him on jobs — but also assailed his plans in advance of his prime-time speech. In effect, Obama will be hitting cleanup on a shortened holiday week, with Republican White House contender Mitt Romney releasing his jobs proposals on Tuesday and front-running Texas Gov. Rick Perry hoping to join his presidential rivals this evening on a nationally televised debate stage for the first time. Lawmakers began
returning to the Capitol to tackle legislation on jobs and federal deficits in an unforgiving political season spiced by the 2012 presidential campaign. Adding to the mix: A bipartisan congressional committee is slated to hold its first public meeting on Thursday as it embarks on a quest for deficit cuts of $1.2 trillion or more over a decade. If there is no agreement, automatic spending cuts will take ef fect, a prospect that lawmakers in both parties have said they would like to avoid. According to people familiar with the White House deliberations, two of the biggest measures in the president’s proposals for 2012 are expected to be a
See TASK, Page A3
EMILY RUSSO MILLER RECORD STAFF WRITER
A little rain goes a long way in exceptional drought conditions. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge reported Tuesday that it received nearly three-quarters of an inch of rainfall over the weekend, providing much needed moisture to its wetlands that are at an all-time low capacity. “We’re starting to see signs of relief,” refuge biologist Jeffrey Sanchez said in an interview. “We had a little bit of rain that’s helping out, and the days are getting a litSee RAINFALL, Page A3
Mark Wilson Photo
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge biologist Jeff Sanchez moves water from one wetland to another, Tuesday.
The Roswell Refuge goal: Help victims make it on their own See JOBS, Page A3
VANESSA KAHIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
This article is one in a series of stories focusing on local agencies which receive support from the United Way of Chaves County, which is currently conducting its annual fundraising campaign. Perhaps best known for its shelter, The Roswell Refuge provides resources for victims and abusers alike who are trying to escape domestic violence. The Roswell Refuge is comprised of two buildings. There is the shelter that provides temporary living accommodations for women and children who have fled an abusive envi-
ronment, and administrative of fices where a 52week domestic violence course is offered for those who have been convicted of domestic violence. “What most people know us for, is our shelter,” said Michelle Royer, assistant director of The Roswell Refuge. However, the 52week course, for mally known as the Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Program, is also an important part of what the refuge offers. Doug Southern, executive director of The Roswell Refuge, said that in July
there were 130 cases in the domestic violence offender treatment program. He said treatment involves 90minute classes that focus on subjects such as communication issues, substance abuse issues, and the role men and women have in a relationship, to name a few. Southern cautioned that the treatment is not an anger management course. “(One) can be angry without being violent,” he said. Royer said staff at the actual shelter tries to provide everything a woman who has just fled her home may need. This includes clothes, a fully stocked kitchen, cleaning supplies, bedding, and a washer and dryer. Assistance is also
given in the for m of two vans that provide transportation. The shelter even has a play area and toys for children. Most important, the shelter is secure. Royer said the shelter has cameras inside and out, secured parking, and is concealed enough that no one can look to see who is inside. “No one can drive by and look at who’s parked inside,” Royer said. This is crucial, she said, because “the probability of a woman being murdered is greater after she’s left her abuser, so security is a must.” Victims of domestic violence can stay at the shelter for up to 90 days. Victims need not stay at the shelter to receive assis-
tance. Royer mentioned the case of a woman who had just left her abuser and needed help leaving Roswell. The woman was on her way to another city where she had family. When she escaped her abuser the woman and her children had nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Roswell Refuge staff helped the woman make it to her destination by providing her with gasoline, car seats for her children, diapers for her baby, clothes, and food. Royer said The Roswell Refuge offers a variety of assistance, such as help with filling out a restraining order, creating See REFUGE, Page A3