Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 122, No. 279 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
November 21, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
THURSDAY
County to award bid for detention centers work JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
County commissioners will consider awarding a $15.2 million contract for general construction services today for the remodel and addition project planned at the adult and juvenile detention centers. Bradbury Staff Construction of Albuquerque is expected to be selected as the contractor for the project, beating out three other companies for the job. The county conducted a solicitation process through
a qualification-based selection process, choosing the best qualified firm for the project, according to the staf f report. The county was not retracted to accepting the lowest bid and ranked companies on a scoring system.
The Adult Detention Center, at 3701 S. Atkinson Ave., will see new building additions, renovations and site improvements. The juvenile detention center, at 119 E. Fourth St., will receive renovations to the existing building, including replacement and improve-
ment to the electronic security system. A Texas-based architect who specializes in jail facilities assisted the county in planning for the projects, said County Manager Stan Riggs. In the juvenile detention facility, the security controls are antiquated, said Public Services Director Sonny Chancey. “This will bring it up to state-of-the art,” Chancey said. The adult detention center will undergo several major changes, additions
and modern renovations to existing areas. Several repairs will be made, space will be added and new programs started to accommodate more inmates and create an improved program. “I want the public to be proud of this building,” said Chaves County Detention Center Administrator Clay Corn. The showers will be refinished, the central control room will be modified and more visibility will be creatSee WORK, Page A3
Jill McLaughlin Photo
The medical ward at the Chaves County Detention Center will be reconstructed to include up-to-date facilities for mental health and medical care.
RISD staff rally to oppose new teacher evaluation system TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Students and educators rally in front of the Chaves County Courthouse, Wednesday afternoon.
Mark Wilson Photo
Roswell Independent School District parents, students, teachers and other classroom staff rallied Wednesday in opposition to a teacher evaluation system that the New Mexico Public Education Department is rolling out this year. The “Take It Back Day” rallies organized by the New Mexico chapters of educational staff unions National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers took place in 80 of the state’s 89
public school districts, according to Greg Maxie, UniServ director for Southeastern New Mexico. UniServ assists in advocacy and training for NEA, which represents classroom staff in Roswell. The rally, held in front of the Chaves County Courthouse, focused on what the 30 participants said was an excessive emphasis on standardized testing results in the new evaluation system. Cynthia Gustamantes, who teaches fifth grade at Monterrey Elementary See SYSTEM, Page A3
RPD investigating Anti-abortion groups to fight on after defeat church break-ins
The Roswell Police Department is investigating a break-in at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 111 E. Deming St., that occurred sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning. The subjects entered the Religious Education Building by smashing a window and ransacked 35 classrooms. According to RPD Public Infor mation Liaison Sabrina Morales, officials believe it may have been homeless people looking for food. No electronical items were taken. Only two coin jars, containing an undisclosed amount of cash,
were stolen. Damages to the building were reported at $50.
This is the third incident where burglars have gained access to a local church in the past three weeks.
On Nov. 3, officers were called to St John’s Catholic Church, 506 S. Lincoln Ave., after subjects pried open a door and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The following day, police responded to the Light of the World Church, 211 N. Garden Ave., where subjects pried a door and removed a laptop computer.
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Albuquerque’s decisive defeat of a ban on late-term abortions should send a strong message to policymakers around the country to stop meddling in personal medical decisions, abortion rights groups said Wednesday.
But those who succeeded in putting the proposal to a historic vote vowed their fight is not over. “We poured our heart and soul into this, and we believe even though we lost the election we were able to win lots of hearts to our side,” T ara Shaver said. Shaver and her husband, Bud, moved to Albuquerque three years ago with the sole focus of shuttering Southwester n Women’s Options, one of a
The Roswell Veterans Honor Guard presents the flag at the Republican Woman Luncheon, Wednesday, to honor area veterans. A total of 116 people attended the event.
HIGH 76 LOW 38
TODAY’S FORECAST
AP Photo
Albuquerque abortion ban supporters check ballot results at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque Hotel, Tuesday.
effort grow.
“It is a brilliant strategy, and we will see to it that this effort is introduced in other cities and states,” the Rev. Frank Pavone said. “The fact is, of
course, that children have in fact been saved through this effort, simply because we have raised the issue of fetal pain, which does not even cross the minds of many abortionists.”
Chaves County FRW honors area veterans JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Jessica Palmer Photo
handful of clinics in the country that still do lateterm abortions. Activists on both sides say it was the first municipal election on the issue. And despite the defeat, it likely won’t be the last. “We are going to capitalize on this momentum, and we are going to keep coming back,” Shaver said. “This is literally a battle between life and death.” Shaver said she has gotten a number of inquiries from around the country since her group secured the necessary signatures to put the proposed ban to city voters. And the head of a national Catholic antiabortion group, New Yorkbased Priests for Life, vowed to push to see the
The Federated Republican Women of Chaves County held a lunch to honor area veterans, Wednesday. President Joan Boué circulated a request, asking for any member who is a veteran or had a family member who is a veteran to put forward a name. “We received 26 responses and honored every person named.” A total of 116 people attended to see 26 veterans receive certificates of honor for their service to their country. The veterans honored
• JOHN CARL FISHER • ROETTA OVERSTREET
were Bar ney Mays, San Ingram, State Rep. Bob Wooley (R-66), Greg Neal, Jack Swickard, Chuck Coll, Ken Zacher, Kevin Roe, Grandon West, Dennis Kintigh, Tom Slape, Gene De Los Santos, Dan Girand, Donal C. Ar mstrong, Jim Manatt, Jerry Heck, Christopher Sanders, Billy Nelson, Larry Newsom, Dick Floyd, Odis Word, Brian Davis, John A. Mihm, Kennith Hittle, Anthony Bloife and Bill Newman. Wooley presented the awards and then addressed the crowd. “I was a veteran of the Vietnam War. At that time, I would not say I was a
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6
vet. Now, I am proud to say it.” He read the explanation of the folds of the flag written by an unnamed, unknown poet. “The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. “The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. ... “The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans. ... “The fourth fold represents our weaker nature. ... “The fifth fold is a tribute to our country. ... “The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. ... “The seventh fold is a tribute to our Ar med
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....B4 GENERAL ...............A2
Forces. ... “The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death. ... “The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. ... “The 10th fold is a tribute to the father. ... “The 11th fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of See VETERANS, Page A3
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2
NATION ..................A6
OPINION .................A4 SPORTS .................B1 STOCKS .................B4 WEATHER ..............A8