Roswell Daily Record
City names Smith as chief of police THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 122, No. 262 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
City Manager Larry Fry named Phil Smith as the new chief of the Roswell Police Department, Thursday. He admitted that it had been a tough choice. “We had many fine candidates. We appreciate the support our police give to the community and how they go selflessly around the city to protect us.” Fry complimented Deputy Chief Brad McFadin and his work as acting chief during the interim period since Chief
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Al Solis retired. Mayor Del Jurney said: “This is a difficult position to fill. ...We had people apply from out of state and we had two men left standing at the end of process and both were from the police department.” “It is a privilege to be taking over an agency that is filled to the roof with talent,” said Smith. He promised to use “the talent we have” and said working at the police department was a collaborative effort. Smith said one of his goals was to have Roswell recognized as the best
police agency in the state. He also wanted to reassure the community that Roswell was a safe place to live. “If you are not involved in crime, you are safe.” He also noted that crime is not unique to Roswell, but is nationwide problem. He linked the increase in crime to the economy. “We have 7.4 to 7.5 percent unemployed and that is not indicative of the number of unemployed. It only counts those who are in the system.” City Councilor Steve Henderson congratulated the new chief for himself
FRIDAY
and other members of the council.
Dorrie Faubus-McCarty of Roswell’s Chamber of Commerce added her congratulations to those of the council and noted that it has been hard to recruit new businesses to Roswell because of the crime rate.
Smith placed attracting new businesses and quality of life for all the citizens as part of his long-term plan. He said that he, as a transplant from the East, was impressed with Roswell and with members of the police department, who exhibit a passion for their jobs.
Courtesy Photo
The city announced Phil Smith, center, as chief of police Thursday. Smith posed with City Manager Larry Fry, left, and Mayor Del Jurney at the press conference.
Officials address city’s recent rash of violent crimes JESSICA PALMER AND JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITERS
Mark Wilson Photo
Youngsters from the Child Development Center at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell go trick-or-treating on campus during a Halloween costume contest, Thursday morning.
P&Z committee to consider relaxed rules for medical marijuana centers JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
The city’s planning and zoning committee will consider removing barriers to make it easier for medical marijuana centers to open on Main Street and in other commercial areas at its next meeting Tuesday, Nov. 5. The zoning change would allow marijuana merchants to apply for a business license like any other business, instead of being required to face city councilors to ask for a special permit.
City Planning Director Michael Vickers said the planning department initiated the change to keep up with other cities and governments in New Mexico. “It’s just something we need to address in the future, as far as zoning,” Vickers said. “Part of our job is to stay in front of things in the zoning world, so we’re not going after the fact to fix things.” The city estimates that at least 200 private distributers are already state licensed to sell marijuana in Roswell. “These are already exist-
ing in our city,” Louis Jaramillo, zoning administrator, told the planning and zoning committee this week. “Maybe we should make it possible for one distribution center (to open) without a special permit. It’s definitely something to think about.” If an official marijuana distribution opened in Roswell, it would be the first in Southeast New Mexico, as far as his research showed, Jaramillo said. In meetings with other cities, Vickers said, zoning restrictions on the marijuana centers create problems.
Vickers questioned if it is legal for the city to have a special use permit placed on the centers. “We have to follow state and federal laws,” Vickers said. “We’re making sure we can allow permits for this. That’s what we get paid to do. The purpose of zoning is not to limit what people can do with your property. We’re always looking at this stuff.” The planning department has not received any applications for medical marijuana centers, but has had See MARIJUANA, Page A2
A group of declared local candidates and of ficials held a press conference Thursday to discuss their concerns about a recent spate of violent crime that has affected Roswell and Chaves County. Deputy District Attorney Michael Murphy, Rep. Bob Wooley and County Commissioner Greg Nibert; and candidates, including Pat Barncastle, Dennis Kintigh, Caleb Grant and Jerry Heck gave statements and took questions from local citizens outside the Roswell Convention and Civic Center. “We need to ask the hard questions,” Kintigh said. “that’s the whole purpose of
this gathering.” Kintigh, who announced his intention to run for mayor in September, retired from the FBI in 2007 and recently served as a detective for the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office. His No. 1 priority as mayor, he said, would be to address public safety. The candidates assembled Thursday had “serious concerns about the wellbeing of our community,” Kintigh said. Kintigh also spoke about his concerns over the drug problem. “Drugs are all through this community,” Kintigh said. “Drugs are a plague that runs rampant. We have an epidemic.” Pat Bar ncastle, lead See CRIMES, Page A2
To trick or to treat?
Mark Wilson Photo
Yvonne Caldera-Olivas creates a haunting mood as she waits for Halloween trick-or-treaters, Thursday evening.
Candy, costumes and creeps highlight Fall Festival Oasis Computers warns of new computer scam, virus AMY VOGELSANG RECORD STAFF WRITER
Mark Wilson Photo
Emani Luna, 4, checks out all of the games and fellow trick-or-treaters during the annual Fall Festival at the Roswell Civic Center on Halloween night, Thursday.
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TODAY’S FORECAST
The undead were walking, witches were flying, a swar m of Spider men made an appearance and princesses danced around. A Cleopatra looked regal in her gown and headdress, while Mario and Luigi clambered around with beards almost as big as their faces. As night fell upon Roswell Thursday, the Halloween spirit came alive at the City of Roswell Recreation Department’s
annual Fall Festival at the Convention and Civic Center. Thanks to some volunteers from Job Corps, New Mexico Military Institute and Roswell High School’s Honors Society, more than 2,000 kids and their parents were able to collect candy, play games and have a safe Halloween outing, said Mary Beardsley, recreation leader one. The whole goal is fun and safety, and after being in charge of the festival for 15 years, BeardsSee FESTIVAL, Page A3
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6 • Dylan Adam Davis • Cristobal Dominguez Dominguez • Esther De La Cruz • Norma Underwood • Joe E. Lott • Beulah Fleming Minner • Dorothy S. Martin • Winona Lois Bowden
There have once again been reports of computer hacking and fraud through telephone calls, according to Oasis Computers office manager September Bosch. There were previous reports of deceiving calls claiming personal computers were at risk to gain information from the call receiver. Hackers are again calling, claiming that computers are infected, but they then gain access to the computer, install a password and lock computer users out of their own devices. Saying the computer is infected is just a scare tactic, and the only way someone CLASSIFIEDS ..........B5 COMICS .................A7 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 GENERAL ...............A2
could actually know about a computer infection is by already having access to that computer, Bosch said. “Please do not continue a conversation with these people,” she said. “Just hang up.” There also is a virus going around that allows a hacker to gain access to documents and photos from a computer, and then hold them for ransom for $300. Bosch wants to remind people to update their antivirus software and be leery of websites visited. For more information, call Oasis Computers at 6259141.
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........A8
SPORTS .................B1
OPINION .................A4
WEATHER ..............A8
LOTTERIES .............A2
STOCKS .................B4