Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Shutdown/debt talks but no resolution yet
Vol. 122, No. 244 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s economy on the line, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans groped inconclusively Thursday for a compromise to avert an unprecedented U.S. default as early as next week and end the 10-day-old partial government shutdown. “We expect further conversations tonight,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said cryptically at nightfall, after he, Speaker John
www.rdrnews.com
Boehner and a delegation of other Republicans met for more than an hour with Obama at the White House. The White House issued a statement describing the session as a good one, but adding, “no specific determination was made.” Yet it seemed the endgame was at hand in the crises that have bedeviled the divided government for weeks, rattled markets in the U.S. and overseas and locked 350,000 fur-
loughed federal workers out of their jobs. Both sides expressed fresh hopes for a resolution soon. The up-and-down day also featured a dour warning from Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, who told lawmakers that the prospect of default had already caused interest rates to rise — and that worse lay ahead. Appearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Lew said the T reasury
must pay Social Security and veterans benefits as well as salaries to active duty military troops during the second half of this month. He said failure to raise the $16.7 trillion debt limit by Oct. 17 “could put timely payment of all of these at risk.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid advanced legislation to simply raise the debt limit and stave off the threat of an unprecedented federal financial default —
Mark Wilson Photo
Jazz fans enjoy intimate performance
Richard Simon introduces a few of his All Stars, among them Ricky Malachi on drums and Eddie Erickson on guitar, during opening night of the 2013 Roswell Jazz Festival at Pecos Flavors Winery, Thursday evening.
AMY VOGELSANG RECORD STAFF WRITER
A wine cellar is a unique place. Although dimly lit and often chilly, it is not the opening scene to a horror film. In much the
October 11, 2013
same way that a wine cellar is comforting with its ancient lights and smells of oak finished wine, Pecos Flavors Winery held the same ef fect. The dif ference: Pecos Flavors added the enchanting sounds of jazz Thursday night at a
pre-opening for the annual Roswell Jazz Festival. The small space didn’t have a single open seat as the melodic sounds of a vibraphone, played by Chuck Redd, wafted over the classy crowd. “Jazz is supposed to be
intimate,” commented Jamie Boling, a member of the Roswell Jazz Committee. “If it gets too big it doesn’t feel the same.” Applause broke out as See JAZZ, Page A3
FRIDAY
a measure that Republicans are likely to block unless he agrees to change it. Across the Capitol, Boehner left open the possibility of launching a rival measure in the House on Friday. As he described it for his rank and file in a closeddoor morning session in the Capitol, it would leave the shutdown in place while raising the nation’s $16.7 trillion debt limit and
setting up negotiations between the GOP and the president over spending cuts and other issues. At the White House, spokesman Jay Carney told reporters the president would “likely sign” a shortterm extension in the debt ceiling, and did not rule out his doing so even if it left the shutdown intact. Reid wasn’t nearly as amenable. “Ain’t gonna happen,” he said brusquely.
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
are on patrol. Vehicle thefts and property crime continue to be a problem within the city, but it mirrors a national trend, Smith told councilors. “It’s not just Roswell, it’s a nationwide issue we’re dealing with,” Smith said. “We’re addressing it, but it does take time.” Burglaries have increased 30 percent, larceny is up 17 percent and motor-vehicle theft is on the rise by 55 percent. “A lot of these crimes are from the economy,” Smith said. Motor vehicle enforcement and citations have decreased, with a drop in driving while intoxicated arrests of 44 percent and a dip in citations of 16 percent. The increase in property and financial crimes occupies officer time, allowing less time to address enforcement activities, Smith said. The police department has launched a new web site, at www.roswellpolice.com. Jessica Palmer, a news reporter who spoke as a citizen, voiced her concern about the police depart-
Police, fire dept. take action in community Roswell Police and Fire departments recently have increased proactive actions lately in dealing with arrests and responding to emergencies, officers reported to city councilors Thursday. Arrests for the month of September were 309 and self-initiated activities totaled 2,076. Proactive activities totaled 24 percent of all actions taken by officers, according to Deputy Chief Phil Smith. Arrests have increased 18 percent in 2013. “Our guys and women are out there doing what they’re supposed to do,” Smith said. The department has also hired three officers and are waiting for them to graduate from training in December. Two more candidates are awaiting background checks and four additional possible hires are awaiting clearance to be assigned to patrol with field training officers. RPD is down 10 officers, Smith said. The department will be able to cut its officer shortage in half once its new officers— one woman and three men—
RISD ACT scores higher, but RISD expects budget increase college preparedness still lags based on enrollment numbers TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Results of the 2012-13 ACT college preparedness test for test takers in the Roswell Independent School District show that the average score of district test takers rose in the 2012-13 school year. However, district test takers on average lagged behind students statewide in college preparedness. Only scores of district students who identified themselves as part of the 2013
graduating class were analyzed by ACT. The curriculum-based test tests students on English Composition, Algebra, Social Science and Biology. It is voluntary in the district and students or their families must pay to take it. Colleges may use the test as a factor in admitting students to programs. Deputy Secretary of the state Department of Education Leighann Lenti said, “For us, it’s really focusing on making sure students are graduating college ready.”
ACT’s analysis of results became available to districts in August. Results for RISD test takers were presented at the district Board of Education meeting Tuesday.
Zamora
Lucero
The average composite score of district students was 19.9, the same as the state averages in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The district average in 2011-12 was 19.6. The highest composite score possible on the ACT is 36. Compared to students
3 arrests made in area burglaries
See SCORES, Page A3
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office arrested three in connection with area burglaries. The subjects, Serena M. Escamilla, Jorge Umberto Zamora and Danielle Lucero were taken to the Chaves County Detention Center, Wednesday. Escamilla, 28, and Zamora, 31, were charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute and receiving stolen property. Lt. Britt Snyder said the arrests occurred after the CCSO served three search warrants on an apartment.
The deputies discovered a number of items reported stolen in six separate burglaries, including copper, ammunition and several sets of identification papers. During the first search, officials found a quantity of drugs and obtained a second warrant, after which See BURGLARIES, Page A2
HIGH 82 LOW 47
TODAY’S FORECAST
TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell Independent School District Superintendent Tom Burris expects a modest boost in state funding for the 201415 school year based on preliminary 40th day enrollment numbers for this school year. The 40th day enrollment benchmark is not factored into state funding calculations, but can predict enrollment numbers later
Rope work
in the school year. The New Mexico Public Education Department averages enrollments at the 80th and 120th day marks to help determine the operating costs of instruction in districts. Burris said that operating costs make up the “lion’s share” of the district’s total budget. Burris said enrollment numbers also help to ensure teacher to student ratios are manageable. The enrollment numbers
See COUNCIL, Page A3
were released to district administrators at the end of the day Wednesday and are based on enrollment data from Tuesday. The data show an increase of 91 students since the 40th day mark last year, from 10,197 students in the 2012-13 school year to 10,288 in 2013-14. If the district shows a growth in student population of more than one percent, it will receive addiSee INCREASE, Page A3
Mark Wilson Photo
Escamilla
• KENNETH E. MILLER
Roswell Fire Department recruits perform high angle rope training at the Louis Jones Training Facility, Wednesday morning.
TODAY’S OBITUARY PAGE A2
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B5
COMICS .................B3
FINANCIAL ..............B4
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .........B5 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ..............A8 WORLD ..................A7