Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 124, No. 146 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
June 19, 2015
Friday
www.rdrnews.com
Gov rejects one Chaves County project
By Jeff Tucker Record Staff Writer
Gov. Susana Martinez has approved multiple projects for Chaves County, while vetoing one capital outlay for a new tanker for the Sierra Volunteer Fire Department. The governor on Wednesday approved capital outlay funding for 18 of 19 projects approved by the New Mexico Legislature during a special one-day session on June 8. The governor exercised her line-item veto authority on a legislative proposal to allocate $30,000 to the Sierra Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a tanker truck. A spokesman for the governor said Thursday the proposal was vetoed by the governor because it provided only partial funding for the truck that is estimated to cost $230,000. “That provision only provided $30,000 to purchase, fur-
nish and equip the tanker,� said spokesman Mike Lonergan. “The initial capital request was for $230,000. This is an appropriation that was woefully underfunded.� State Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell said she was disappointed with the governor’s line-item veto. “Well, I’m a little bit shocked, to be quite honest,� Ezzell, R-Roswell, said Thursday. “I understand the necessity of funding our volunteer fire departments.� Ezzell said state government should assist volunteer fire departments with equipment needs. “Thank goodness for the recent amount of rain that we’ve gotten,� she said. “I’m real thankful for that, but that also means we’re growing some grass. With that grass growing, that means we stand a better chance of having wildfires hit. It’s troublesome to me that
there’s a need for our local fire departments that we’re not getting the job done on helping them do their job.� The Chaves County capital outlay projects approved by the governor Wednesday were: • $1.5 million to construct and equip the science lab at New Mexico Military Institute. • $1.1 million to construct and equip the District 2 office of the New Mexico Department of Transportation in Roswell. • $1 million to renovate and equip the New Mexico State Police district office in Roswell, including temporary relocation. • $512,000 for improvements to Hobson Road in Chaves County. • $300,000 to construct and equip a new water storage tank north of Hagerman. • $238,000 to demolish and construct a new military parade review stand at Stapp Field on the New Mexico Military Institute campus.
• $145,000 to purchase and install water splash pads in public parks in Roswell. • $140,000 to install handicap ramps at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. • $135,000 for crossings over the Pecos River and Hagerman Canal. • $100,000 for water tower improvements in Dexter. • $90,000 for water system improvements at Lake Arthur, including a water tank. • $90,000 to purchase and install a commercial driver license simulation system at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. • $85,000 to purchase a tractor-mower in Dexter. • $79,190 to purchase and equip vehicles for the Special Services Department at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. • $50,000 for improvements to the roads within South Park
State of New Mexico
Capital Outlay Projects Approved by Governor Gov. Susana Martinez has approved funding for 18 of 19 of the following Capital Outlay Projects in Chaves County: $1,500,000  –  NMMI  science  lab  renovation
$100,000  –  Water  tower  improvements  in  Dexter
$1,100,000  -  Renovate  and Â
in  Roswell
$90,000  –  Water  system  improvements  for  Lake  Arthur
$1,000,000  -  Renovate  State Â
$90,000  –  ENMU-ÂR  commercial  driver  simulation  systems
including  temporary  relocation
$85,000  –  Purchase  a  tractor-Â
$512,000  –  Hobson  Road  Roswell
mower  for  Dexter
$79,190  –  ENMU-ÂR  Special Â
Services  Department
$300,000  –  Water  storage  tank  in  Hagerman
$50,000  –  Road  improvements  within  Roswell  cemetery
$238,000  –  NMMI  Stapp  Field Â
$30,000  –  Trash  compactors Â
improvements  and  construction
for  Roswell
$145,000  –  Install  water Â
splash  pads  in  Roswell  public  parks
$30,000  –  Tanker  Fire Â
$140,000  –  ENMU-ÂR  improved Â
$25,000  –  New  security Â
apparatus  for  Sierra  VFD
Courthouse
handicap  accessibility
$135,000 Â -Â Â Crossing Â
$25,000  –  Water  line  crossing  under  a  railroad  in  Hagerman
improvements  over  the  Pecos  River  and  Hagerman  Canal  in  Roswell
Graphic  by  Steve  Stone Roswell Daily Record
See OUTLAY, Page A2
Telling a hero’s story Katy Ross Record Intern Story and Photo Left: Tweens are personalizing their wooden plaques at the tween craft workshop at the Roswell Public Library Thursday. The workshop is a part of the Summer Reading Adventure Program that provides activities for all ages. The summer program started June 1 and will end on July 31. The theme of the summer program is “Every Hero Has A Story.� Children’s Librarian Deanne Dekle gave the kids the option of choosing two plaques and provided materials for decoration, such as ribbons, markers and stickers. The next tween craft workshop will take place Thursday, June 25 and is titled “Shrinky Dinks.� Space is limited so make sure to arrive early to reserve a spot!
Man cited after two-car accident Two killed in By Jared Tucker Multimedia Journalist
 A Roswell man was cited for careless driving following a two-car accident Thursday morning in North Roswell. According to Roswell Police Public Information Officer Todd Wildermuth, Robert Johnson was driving south on Kentucky around 9:30 a.m. and was talking on his cell phone when he drove across College Boulevard into the path of a Ford F-350 pickup. Neither the driver nor the passenger of the Ford was injured, Wildermuth said, but Johnson was treated at the scene for a cut near his left eye and later drove himself to the hospital. Johnson was cited for careless driving and no proof of insurance, Wildermuth said.
Driver in fatal accident unable to speak
Bateman said Victor Tor-
rez, who allegedly collided with teacher Lori Johnson in a fatal April car accident on US 380 east of Roswell, is unable to speak to investigators due to his injuries. Because alcohol appears to be a factor, Bateman said previously that police have served search warrants on the hospital for Torrez’s blood samples that were taken during his emergency treatment after the accident. The case will also be presented to the district attorney’s office for prosecution in the coming weeks, Bateman said.  Â
Dexter Police chief case to go to the D.A.
New Mexico State Police investigators will be presenting evidence against Dexter Police Chief Mario Contreras to the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office within two weeks, according to NMSP Capt. Lance
Today’s Forecast
HIGH 94 LOW 66
Hobbs shooting
Staff Report
Jared Tucker Photo
Robert Johnson, who is accused of careless driving after a two-car accident Thursday morning, speaks with fire department staff after signing a refusal of further treatment and getting his head bandaged. Bateman. Bateman has not released what allegations Contreras is facing, but according to an email the Daily Record received from Robert Stark, Contreras has harassed women, asked them for photos of themselves and threatened and intimidated the women if they didn’t comply. Contreras was placed on
administrative leave by Dexter Mayor Mitch Daubert. Bateman said the lead investigator has been out of town for several days, but the case is close to being wrapped up and presented for prosecution. Multimedia journalist Jared Tucker can be contacted at 575-622-7710, ext. 301, or breakingnews@ rdrnews.com.
HOBBS — A Hobbs man and a woman were killed in a police-involved shooting Wednesday in Hobbs. State police said the incident began at about 5 p.m. when officers of the Hobbs Police Department responded to a suicidal call at a residence on Clearfork Street in Hobbs. While on scene, the responding police officers encountered a man, identified as Kenneth Lanphier. During the course of the officers’ interaction with Lanphier, state police said Lanphier brandished a firearm and shot at the Hobbs officers. One Hobbs Police Department officer returned fire, striking Lanphier, 48, who later died at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas. A woman outside the res-
Index
Today’s Obituaries Page B4
• Martin Thomas Brodour
idence, Lanphier’s roommate, was also struck by gunfire. State police said the initial evidence leads investigators to believe the woman was struck by bullets fired by Lanphier’s gun. The woman, who was not identified by state police, was transported to an area hospital and later died from her injuries. State police said the names and details of the officers involved will not be released until subsequent interviews are conducted. The Hobbs police officers involved in the incident are currently on standard administrative leave. The incident is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. State police said further details will be released upon completion of the investigation.
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