Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 122, No. 266 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
November 6, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
WEDNESDAY
P&Z Committee recommends ban on pot shops JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
The Planning and Zoning Committee decided Tuesday to recommend prohibiting medical marijuana distribution centers within city limits. But the public will have several opportunities in the next month to voice their opinions about the issue before City Council makes a final decision. The ordinance change
would alter rules in commercial districts by changing restrictions that allow the centers by special use permits. “The committee felt like there was a conflict between federal and state law with regards to medical marijuana,” said Planning Director Michael Vickers. “They did not believe it was up to the city to regulate that with regards to the zoning criteria.” Instead of removing the
special-use designation, the committee recommended a change that would result in a prohibition of any statelicensed medical marijuana distributor from setting up shop in Roswell.
The recommendation will now be sent to City Council Nov. 14 to schedule an official publication, it then returns to the Planning and Zoning commission and committee. Then, City Council is expected to consider the change at its
December meeting to consider an ordinance. All meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed change. City Councilors Jimmy Craig, Jason Perry and Savino Sanchez sit on the Planning and Zoning committee. The recommendation to remove medical marijuana from a zoning ordinance could undergo changes as it makes it way through the
Flyboy
Mark Wilson Photo
Washington Avenue Elementary fifth-grader Aaron Trujillo is outfitted in a bird suit during a visit by Dana Vackar Strang of Audubon New Mexico, Tuesday morning. Strang visited various classes, presenting Audubon's Bird of a Feather Explore Together program, focusing on all things avian.
Parent upset with NM mental health shake-up
SANTA FE (AP) — A Santa Fe father appealed to lawmakers on Tuesday for help in obtaining behavioral health services that he said have been disrupted because the state froze Medicaid payments to mental health providers. Hashem Faidi, a state Department of Transportation engineer, told a legislative panel that his two autistic sons no longer receive behavioral management services after school and during holidays. “Hopefully with your help, we can get back these services. It’s really essential for kids,” Faidi said. TeamBuilders Counseling Services provided that help to his sons until August. However, the company was among 15 nonprofit providers that were suspended by the state in
late June from receiving Medicaid reimbursements because of allegations of fraud, mismanagement and billing problems. The attorney general’s office is investigating the allegations. Two companies have agreed to repay the state $4.2 million for overbillings and their Medicaid reimbursements will be restored. The Human Services Department contracted with Arizona companies to replace some of the New Mexico providers. Agave Health Inc. took over for TeamBuilders in Santa Fe and several other communities. Agave CEO Heath Kilgore said in a telephone interview that he couldn’t address the Santa Fe man’s case, but the company hasn’t eliminated programs previously pro-
vided by TeamBuilders. “The services have continued and we’re trying to build up employment to meet the needs of clients and schools,” Kilgore said. Faidi praised TeamBuilders, and said in an interview after the hearing that his teenage sons are more agitated and hyperactive without the services they previously received. He said he continues to negotiate with Agave to get more help for his children. “TeamBuilders was like a second home for them,” Faidi told reporters. Since the state suspended the providers, lawmakers repeatedly have expressed concerns about a disruption of mental health and substance abuse services for needy New Mexicans. “We’ve created an incred-
Leanita Langford gives a demonstration as she transforms ordinary containers into snowmen during ’Tis the Season, a seminar on Christmas gift and decor ideas, at the Roswell Convention Center, Tuesday.
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with the NMDOH. Of those, 170 live in Chaves County. The department reported that 23 licensed nonprofit producers are registered with the NMDOH as of Aug. 30. There are 17 qualifying conditions eligible for the program, but at a hearing today, the NMDOH will consider adding more qualifying medical conditions to the list. The private producers are kept confidential by the department.
AMY VOGELSANG RECORD STAFF WRITER
that they want to leave as a donation. Those items are then sold at the Humane Society’s thrift store to help bring in money to take care of the animals. The thrift store is its biggest fundraiser and source of income, Olivas explained. Without that income, “it’s causing hardship for us in providing for the animals.” They use the thrift store money and donations to help buy food, veterinarian attention and general care for the animals they shelter. “What’s supposed to happen is we’re supposed to get it,” Olivas said. But now with the camera up, they have begun investigating further. She said they have sent footage to the police to identify the suspects in the videos.
Humane Society experiences rash of donation thefts The Humane Society has recently witnessed hundreds of donations being stolen right off its doorstep. Although it has always had a problem with theft, after installing video cameras in July, the Society has been able to see some of the night thievery. Just in the first month alone, it caught 55 people on tape, said kennel worker Sheila Olivas. She explained that they do have some repeaters, such as one man who fills up a trailer and then returns whatever he can’t sell, but that there are always new faces. “And they bring (and involve) their kids,” she said. Normally, people drop off clothes, bikes and whatever they have in their houses
See THEFTS, Page A2
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However, the department contends that the Arizona companies have hired most of the staff who worked for the New Mexico providers and there’s been no reduction in services based on the tracking of Medicaid claims.
Human Services spokesman Matt Kennicott said in an interview the department “remains very confident that consumers are still receiving the behavioral health services they need.” Two former therapists in Valenica County told lawmakers they were laid off last month by Valle del Sol, one of the Arizona companies hired by the state.
Hilario Valentine Nayola Jr., 34, is wanted for possession of methamphetamine. He is described as 6-feet, 1-inch tall, 260 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about Nayola or his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 888-594-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
’Tis the Season event draws crafty crowd
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Mark Wilson Photo
ible mess here,” said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, an Albuquerque Democrat and subcommittee member.
public hearing process. “It may change several times, and that’s not uncommon,” Vickers said. “Many times an ordinance may change before it gets through the public hearing. It may change, it may not. It may stay the very same.” The New Mexico Department of Health administers and ensures enforcement of any criminal laws of the Medical Cannabis Program. As of Oct. 31, 10,289 active patients are licensed
Crafters and several attendees looking for Christmas ideas filled the seats Tuesday at the Convention and Civic Center for this year’s Chaves County Extension Club’s ’Tis the Season event. Four stations were decorated with wreaths, or naments, quilts and handmade bags, and delicious treats. Green, red
and white lights and decorations created a festive mood. “I love coming to these,” said Debbie Langley. “It gives me ideas for gifts and home stuf f. I come every year.” Organizer Shannon Wooton said the attendance was great. Each attendee was given a book of recipes and gift ideas to follow as they visited each station for 20 minutes. “The seats are filled and the books are gone,”
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• Kevin August “Gus” Barron * Henry Vargas
Wooton said. The extension of fice presented two events Tuesday. Some money raised at by the program funds scholarships for local students. The four stations included: Christmas décor, entertaining, easy gift making and simple sewing. For those who are interested in getting information about the program or a book, visit the Chaves
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 GENERAL ...............A2
County Extension Office, 200 E. Chisum, or call 622-3210.
Proceeds from a quilt raffle during the day will help fund three scholarships for local students. One scholarship is awarded to a freshman who attends any university in New Mexico. One is given to an upper-classman in the state, and another is given to a student who is returning to school.
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........B6 LOTTERIES .............A2 NATION..................A3 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1 STOCKS.................B3
WEATHER ..............A8