Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 273 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
November 14, 2013
IPANM sues Mora County for oil, gas ban JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Local oil and gas representatives and officials say a lawsuit filed against Mora County for its allegedly “unconstitutional” ban on oil and gas production is worth the fight. “My biggest concern is the unconstitutional nature of the ordinance itself,” said Richard Gilliland, of Hunt Cimarron in Roswell and president of Independent Petroleum Association
of New Mexico. “Our main goal is to just enforce the constitutional principles that are being violated by this ordinance.” IPANM filed the suit Tuesday, representing several lessees, and joined by Mary Vermillion, Jay Land Ltd., and Yates Ranch Property Ltd., represented by Mountain States Legal Foundation. IPANM seeks to overturn the ordinance, Gilliland said. Mora became the first
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county in the country to ban oil and gas development when commissioners voted 2-1 to adopt an ordinance outlawing the extraction of the natural resources in April. A small group in the county pushed through a grassroots plan that began before 2009 to fight against oil and gas development in eastern Mora County. No active oil or gas wells existed at the time. “These state resources in Mora County, they don’t
belong to the commissioners in Mora County, they belong to the citizens of New Mexico,” Gilliland said. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. “It’s a dangerous precedent to set,” Gilliland said. “The principals are important enough that it’s worth the fight.” Chaves County Commissioner Greg Nibert said he approves of IPANM’s lawsuit against Mora County. “I am delighted that
Fighting fire
Roswell firefighters perform liquid propane drills Tuesday evening at the Louis Jones Training Facility.
Mark Wilson Photo
THURSDAY
IPANM and others are taking Mora County to court,” Nibert said Wednesday. Nibert and Lea County Commissioner Greg Fulfer have discussed with legislative delegates the issue of unfairness that more than 40 percent of the state budget is funded by a handful of counties that support oil and gas industry, only to see that money go to counties that oppose oil and gas extraction. “It really irks me to see Mora County pass an ordi-
nance that prohibits oil and gas production, yet beg the governor to allocate severance tax money (from our counties) to fund their mismanagement, such as the Mora County Courthouse,” Nibert said. “I wish IPANM well in its suit against Mora County and look forward to the federal court ruling in IPANM’s favor.”
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
check is month’s $2,416,541. Last year’s monthly check was $2,398,219. In fiscal year 2012, the city collected $27,741,121, compared to fiscal year 2013, when the city received $27,861,130. The council will also consider another extension of a four-year lease for the Boys & Girls Club at $1 a year. The current lease on the building on South Garden Avenue expires Nov. 30. Councilors will also consider advertising for a public hearing on the proposed adoption to amend a zoning ordinance with changes that include locations of mobile homes, travel trailers, recreation and oversized vehicles outside of approved districts. Other changes include the removal of a special-use per mit requirement for medical marijuana distribution centers in certain commercial districts and would ultimately prohibit the centers.
The sparse county of 4,700 residents received $2.1 million in severance
City Council to hear updates on revenue City councilors will be updated on several activities today at their regular meeting, including increases in Lodger’s Tax revenue and city gross receipt taxes. Several city departments are expected to deliver reports. According to a Lodger’s Tax report, the city collected 15.4 percent more revenue to date this year than last. This month’s check was $93,330, compared to last year’s monthly check of $78,633. Lodger’s Tax totals have increased steadily. In fiscal year 2011, the city collected $855,150. In fiscal year 2012, revenues were In 2013, $899,147. $973,173 was received. Annual gross receipt tax received has also inched up slightly from year to year, according to staff reports. The increase this year to date is .72 percent. This
See BAN, Page A3
United Way affiliates Sabin inducted into Roehl Circle of Honor provide vital services This article is one in a series of stories focusing on local agencies that receive support from the United Way of Chaves County, which is currently conducting its annual fundraising campaign.
TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
The 2013 United Way campaign benefits five affiliate agencies providing
legal aid, mentoring for youth, support with groceries and other services. Af filiates dif fer from member agencies in that they have been involved with United Way for shorter periods of time. They receive only United Way funds specifically designated for them by donors. This year, affiliate organizations include New Mexico Legal Aid, Down Syndrome Foundation of Southeastern New Mexico, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The First Tee of the Pecos Valley and See AFFILIATES, Page A3
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell attorney Robert E. Sabin, was inducted into University of New Mexico Law School Roehl Circle of Honor, which pays tribute to outstanding trial lawyers in the state. The Roehl Circle was established in 1995 by Jerrald J. Roehl in memory of his father, Joseph. The elder Roehl was a prominent trial lawyer in New Mexico and longtime managing partner of the Modrall Sperling firm. Roehl Circle honorees are chosen by the Circle committee and previous
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TODAY’S FORECAST
See SABIN, Page A3
Courtesy Photo
Robert E. Sabin of Atwood, Malone, Turner and Sabin was inducted into Roehl Circle of Honor for Trial Lawyers.
Operation Christmas Child embraces spirit of giving AMY VOGELSANG RECORD STAFF WRITER
Amy Vogelsang Photo Kindergarteners at All Saints Catholic School, Cecilia Vandenburg and Elijah Tarin, show their shoeboxes Wednesday. The boxes are filled with gifts for children in other countries as part of the Operation Christmas Child project.
inductees. Sabin, born in 1941, in La Junta, Colo., has provided his services as an attorney in New Mexico for 47 years. Starting in 1966, he worked as a courtappointed criminal lawyer for four or five years, long before the Public Defender Department existed. He joined the law firm of Atwood and Malone, currently known as Atwood, Malone, Turner and Sabin, founded by a single lawyer, Col. Jefferson D. Atwood in 1911. A partnership was formed in 1937 with Ross L. Malone. Sabin switched to civil
As the Christmas season starts to inhabit stores and minds, it’s easy to get caught up in sweater buying, gift-wrapping and bargain-scoping. But amid the planning and chaos, it’s important to remember those who can’t afford to scurry around for discounts or don’t have gifts to wrap. Operation Christmas Child has changed the focus. Instead of shopping for themselves, Operation
• Norma Jean Gonzales • James Groseclose • Mary Wilson
Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that focuses on sending shoeboxes to children in need around the world.
These shoeboxes usually contain hygiene products, school supplies, a toy and often, a letter. For many kids, this is the first Christmas present they ever receive, and those who write notes will sometimes get a thank-you note in return. Since 1993, more than 100 million children in more than 130 countries have received these shoeboxes, and although col-
• Henry Barton
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6
lecting items is a yearlong effort, the week of Nov. 1825 is a big collection week. To kick of f this mass collection, students at All Saints Catholic School put together and brought in their boxes Wednesday. “It’s for the kids from the poor who don’t have moms or dads,” explained kindergartener Cecilia Vandenburg, gripping between her small hands a “Vans off the wall” shoebox. All Saints has chipped in with the project for the past five years, and every year there is more and
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 GENERAL ...............A2
more participation. “It’s definitely a family project, something the children enjoy doing that comes from the heart,” said volunteer and All Saints Operation Christmas Child director Vivi Kreitz. These kids are encouraged to write letters for their boxes, and many also include photos of themselves or their families. Before sending the boxes off to the primary collection, the kids all raised their hands and See GIVING, Page A3
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2
OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1 STOCKS .................B4 WEATHER ..............A8 WORLD ..................A6