Roswell Daily Record
INSIDE NEWS
FOREIGN LEADERS’ CONCERN OF US POT VOTE MEXICO CITY (AP) — A group of Latin American leaders declared Monday that votes by two U.S. states to legalize marijuana have important implications for efforts to quash drug smuggling ... - PAGE A2
TOP 5 WEB
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
NM Legislature underwent face lift
Vol. 121, No. 272 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
SANTA FE (AP) — Nearly a third of the 112 members of Legislature will be new to the House and Senate when lawmakers convene in January, and that could end up helping Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and her push to end driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. There will be at least 15 new senators and 20 or 21 new House members — depending on a recount in one race— when lawmakers meet for next year’s 60day session. In the Senate, the election appears to have added more supporters of the license proposal that has been a centerpiece of the governor’s legislative agenda. Democratic leaders and the governor say they can put aside their election year dif ferences, but others aren’t so certain. Some of the harshest campaign
Timber!
November 13, 2012
TUESDAY
www.rdrnews.com
attacks against Democrats came from a political committee run by the governor’s political adviser. “The legislative races were hard fought and nasty, and as a result of that there are inevitably some hard feelings on both sides,” said Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff. “That’s one thing right off the top that both the Legislature and executive branch are going to have to deal with ... as to whether they want to come together to get some things done or whether we’re just going to continue to see the polarization between the two branches of government.” Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, a Belen Democrat, said, “What I have always believed is that you do what’s best for the people of New Mexico regardless of other people and the way they try to af fect outcomes of elec-
tions. We’re going to try to move forward.” Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said the governor “will work diligently with legislators on both sides of the aisle to seize this opportunity to find common ground” on issues. One of the looming legislative battles next year is over the governor’s proposal to stop driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. Her measure has passed the House but stalled in the Senate in the past. Martinez hoped voters would elect more Republicans to improve chances for her initiatives. Although the GOP lost seats in the House, the gover nor likely will find enough support for her license proposal in the legislative chamber that earlier this year approved it 4525 with the backing of 11 Democrats. At least two newly elected
Democrats might be allied with the governor on the license issue. Emily Kane, of Albuquerque, and Stephanie Garcia Richard, of White Rock, told the Albuquerque Jour nal in candidate questionnaires that they favor repealing the law allowing driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. The Senate rejected the governor’s measure in 2011 on a 24-17 vote. Only two Democrats joined Republicans in voting to scrap the current license policy. One Democratic senator didn’t vote but likely would have opposed the governor’s proposal. In contrast to last year, Martinez could gain four votes in the Senate because of newly elected members. If there were a 21-21 tie vote in the Senate, Republican Lt. Gov. John Sanchez could cast the deciding vote.
For The Past 24 Hours
• Veterans Day Parade Saturday at 10 a.m. ... • Roswell salutes our nation’s veterans • ENMMC class action suit notices • Panthers reach title ... • Rockets capture district title
INSIDE SPORTS
Jessica Palmer Photo
DISSECTING WEEK 11 To borrow from Porky Pig, that’s all folks. The 2012 high school football regular season is officially over. Now the real fun begins — it’s playoff time. And, as much as I hate it, I have to admit that ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES • Michael Determan • Sonia Franco • Charlotte Gabbert • Elizabeth Knowles • Anne Marie Pope • Joe Starkey • Voy Turpen • Steven Vasquez - PAGE A7
HIGH ...62˚ LOW ....29˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B5 COMICS.................B3 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B4 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A2 LOTTERIES ............A2 NATION .................A7 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
Winds in excess of 50 miles per hour Saturday tore up this Siberian elm, located in the 300 block of West Eighth Street, causing damages to the fence, the roof and a vehicle in the adjacent home. Someone was in the room where the tree landed, much of which had been cut away by Monday. No one was injured during the incident.
Learning the true price of freedom ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
Valley View Elementary honored veterans of the past and present Monday with a celebration at the school that featured artwork commemorating U.S. wars and a skit about the price of freedom. The school decided to create the event after a suggestion from a student’s grandparent, said Margaret Bohlin, gifted teacher for the school. The man, who also is a veteran, helped Bohlin, Principal Mona Kirk and teacher Irma Nevarez organize the short program, which coincided with the school’s annual Reading Night. Students displayed posters they’d created to represent different branches of the Armed Forces. Others commemorated U.S. wars from World War I to
See VETERANS, Page A3
Roswell Republican Cliff Pirtle and Lee Cotter, of Las Cruces, each defeated Democratic Senate leaders who opposed the governor’s license proposal.
Democrat Joseph Cervantes voted to scrap the license system this year as a member of the House. Grants Democrat Clemente Sanchez said in the Journal’s candidate survey that he favored repealing the license law. Both of the newly elected senators will replace Democrats who opposed the governor on the issue.
Even with potentially more supporters, Martinez still must navigate the legislative maze. Bills can be bottled up in committees and never reach the full House or Senate for a vote. Lawmakers also can change their positions on an issue.
Emails shock Petraeus
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CIA Director David Petraeus was shocked to learn last summer that his mistress was suspected of sending threatening emails warning another woman to stay away from him, former staff members and friends told The Associated Press Monday. Petraeus told these associates his relationship with the second woman, Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, was platonic, though his biographer -turned-lover Paula Broadwell apparently saw her as a romantic rival. Retired Gen. Petraeus also denied to these associates that he had given Broadwell any of the sensitive military information alleged to have been found on her
Annual Operation Christmas Child collection calls for help
See PETRAEUS, Page A3
CHAUNTE’L POWELL RECORD STAFF WRITER
This holiday season, as the city is digging in various storage places to retrieve Christmas decorations, Grace Community Church is encouraging everyone to find it in their hearts to donate to those less fortunate as well. Operation Christmas Child is project of Samaritan’s Purse and is in full swing for the 19th year in a row. The worldwide organization collects shoe boxes filled with school supplies, toys, hygiene See OCC, Page A3
Chaunte’l Powell Photo
Students from All Saints Catholic School brought boxes to Grace Community Church Monday.
CYFD marks National Adoption Awareness Month JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
INDEX
Jessica Palmer Photo
The Montoyas, the Peñas and Judge Ralph D. Shamas join the celebration to commemorate National Adoption Day, which is the kick off for National Adoption Awareness Month.
November marks National Adoption Awareness Month. The Children Youth and Family Department had a reason to celebrate, Friday, because Rita and Ernie Montoya adopted 2year-old Isaiah on Nov. 2, National Adoption Day. Foster parents often adopt the children that come into their care. Trina Brown, placement social worker with CYFD, said, “The Montoyas are foster parents. The foster family falls in love with their children.” This is the 17th successful adoption for CYFD this year. The Montoya family dressed in their finest clothes See ADOPTION, Page A3
Israel reports ‘direct hits’ on Syrian target
TEL HAZEKA, Golan Heights (AP) — Israeli tanks struck a Syrian artillery launcher Monday after a stray mortar shell flew into Israel-held territory, the first direct clash between the neighbors since the Syrian uprising began nearly two years ago.
The confrontation fueled new fears that the Syrian civil war could drag Israel into the violence, a scenario with grave consequences for the region. The fighting See SYRIA, Page A3