Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 124, No. 127 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
May 28, 2015
Thursday
www.rdrnews.com
Child dead after being found in swimming pool
By Jared Tucker Multimedia Journalist A Roswell family is grieving the loss of a two-year-old girl after she was found unresponsive in a backyard swimming pool Wednesday morning. According to Roswell Police Public Information Officer Todd Wildermuth, the child’s father found her unresponsive in the above ground pool in the 100 block of West Matthews Street and called 911 around 10:50 a.m. The girl was rushed to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center by ambulance where she was pronounced dead at 1:37 p.m, Wildermuth said. Wildermuth said the initial investigation revealed the girl
was left unattended for some period of time before her father found her. It’s an unfortunate reminder that summer is here, he said, and safety should be at the forefront of residents’ minds. “Most importantly, the biggest safety feature is that parents need to be watching their children,” Wildermuth said. The 911 call audio indicates the girl’s father works the night shift at his job, and was taking a nap just before the girl was discovered. The girl’s lips were blue and her fingers “pruned,” according to the 911 tape. There is no indication from the call as to where the mother was located. Neighbor Kathy Drissen said the family moved into the
home about four months ago, and were good parents to their daughter. She didn’t know anything was going on until emergency responders pulled up. “We all try to watch out for one another,” Drissen said. “I’m just praying for the family.” Wildermuth said the girl’s father was taken into custody for an unrelated warrant. Police gathered evidence and recorded information from the scene throughout the afternoon and will continue the investigation to determine if criminal charges will be pursued, Wildermuth said. Multimedia journalist Jared Tucker can be contacted at 575-622-7710, ext. 301, or mmnews@rdrnews.com.
Jared Tucker Photo
A Superior Ambulance paramedic vehicle blocks westbound traffic on Alameda so an ambulance carrying a 2-year-old girl can pass and transport her to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center Wednesday afternoon. The girl was pronounced dead at 1:37 p.m., police said.
Council approves $89M budget
Carousel up and running
By Jeff Tucker Record Staff Writer The Roswell City Council on Tuesday approved a nearly $89 million preliminary budget, which is on pace to be significant reduction from the city’s first-ever $100 million-plus budget that is in effect. The 2015-16 preliminary budget of $88,898,235 is more than $21 million less than the 2014-15 final budget of $110,544,316. “Discrepancies between numbers can best be accounted for by the carry-forward of funds for encumbered capital projects, the receipt of grant funding and personnel expenses including salaries, FICA, retirement and group insurance,” states a summary of the 2015-16 preliminary budget. The city council voted 9-0 at the special meeting Tuesday night in favor of the annual spending plan, which must be submitted to the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration by Monday. The city’s final budget is due with DFA by July 31. The city’s 2015-16 fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2016. The preliminary 2015-16 budget approved by the city council Tuesday contains no tax-rate increase and no new program expenditures, with 1.5 percent cost-ofliving pay raises for all city personnel and a potential
Katy Ross Photo
The carousel and train at the Spring River Park and Zoo are now up and running Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will continue to be open until the end of September. Starting June 1, the cost of both rides will increase from 25 to 50 cents.
ENMU-R names Maguire as VP for Academic Affairs Staff Report The President’s Office at ENMU-Roswell announced Wednesday that Dr. Ken Maguire has been named vice president for Academic Affairs. The position is currently held on an interim basis by Chad Smith. Maguire will begin his position on July 1. Maguire currently serves as the Dean of Career Technical Education at ENMU-Roswell. Prior to joining ENMU-Roswell, Maguire was the Director of the Upper Midwest Region for
Project Lead the Way. PLTW is a national, non-profit organization providing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. Maguire has more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership including teaching, management, program development, information systems and a deep background in career and technical education. His Ph.D. is in Community College Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University where he focused his dissertation on the post col-
lege earnings of community college students in STEM related career fields. He holds a Master of Education in Vocational and Adult Education and a Bachelor of Science in Industry Technology Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. On campus, Dr. Maguire will direct Academic Affairs. His See ENMU-R, Page A2
The domino effect Bill Moffitt Photo
Pizza and pasta lovers take note. Ram Studio of Farmington is putting up new signs for a Domino’s dine-in restaurant at the location of the former KFC at North Main Street and Country Club Road. A worker for GNS Construction of Albuquerque said the new restaurant is scheduled to open next week. Today’s Forecast
Today’s Obituaries Page A6
HIGH 87 LOW 58
• Ruth Nell (Neill) Adair • Ronald Lee Hallsten • James Robert Kisselburg
Maguire
See BUDGET, Page A3
RDR reporter helps catch alleged car thief Staff Report A Roswell woman is in jail after being accused of stealing a vehicle from a 50-year-old man Tuesday night then attempting to strong-arm rob a truck stop. She was spotted in a neighborhood east of Roswell by a Daily Record reporter. According to police docSee STORIE, Page A2
Storie
Index Classifieds...........B6 Comics..................B5 Entertainment. ....A8 Financial..............B4
General...............A2 Horoscopes.........A8 Lotteries. ............A2 Nation..................A6
Opinion.................A4 Sports. ................B1 Weather...............A8 World..................B8