Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 123, No. 33 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
February 7, 2014
www.rdrnews.com
FRIDAY
NM budget splits House committee along party lines
SANTA FE (AP) — State spending on public education and gover nment programs would increase by 4.8 percent next year under a proposed budget heading to the New Mexico House with strong opposition from Republicans. The Appropriations and Finance Committee split along party lines Thursday in approving the $6.2 billion budget on a 10-7 vote. Republicans opposed the measure, saying it shortchanged GOP Gov. Susana Martinez’s education initiatives and didn’t leave much revenue available to offset possible economic development
tax cuts. “I don’t see this budget as fiscally responsible,” said Rep. Paul Bandy, an Aztec Republican. But Democrats vigorously disagreed. “We worked hard to compromise,” said Rep. Christine Trujillo, an Albuquerque Democrat. “I think we came up with a very, very good budget.” The measure would increase spending by about $280 million in the fiscal year starting in July for programs ranging from courts and prisons to health care for the needy. The committee debate foreshadows a likely partisan split
over the budget in the House, where Democrats hold a narrow majority but are missing two members because of health problems. Democrats will need to unify their ranks to muster the votes needed to approve the spending plan and send it to the Senate. It’s possible a House vote could happen as soon as Friday. Spending proposals for education and compensation for public employees could end up as two of the main areas of disagreement between Democrats and the Republican governor. The largest share of the budget goes to public schools, about $2.7 billion. That’s a $150 million
or 5.8 percent increase. However, the gover nor and Republicans object that the vast majority of the money flows to the state’s 89 school districts through a formula that’s meant to help equalize educational opportunities across the state. School districts largely control how the money will be spent. Martinez wants to allocate more money outside of the formula for programs that she maintains will improve schools and student performance. Taking that approach gives her administration greater control over what schools receive the aid. The administration proposed
$124 million for the Public Education Department and targeted education initiatives. The committee provided nearly $92 million, which is substantially more than the House Education Committee had recommended. One of the big differences is for a merit pay proposal. Martinez sought nearly $12 million for stipends to high-per for ming teachers and principals. The committee didn’t fund the proposal, but Democrats contend that school districts have the flexibility to reward their best teachers with compensation money flowing through the school funding formula.
Job Corps grads encouraged to ‘follow dreams’ JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell Job Corps students prepare for graduation ceremonies at the Civic Center, Thursday.
Mark Wilson Photo
Roswell Job Corps Center graduates were encouraged to follow their dreams at a special ceremony at the Civic Center Thursday. “You have to look deep inside yourselves. What do you really want in your lives, and be happy,” said business owner and program graduate Blanca Rios. “I encourage you all to follow your dream and don’t let nobody or nothing steal your dreams.” Rios, who was born in Mexico and graduated from the Roswell program in 1984, later opened her own bridal and floral shop in Clovis. She delivered an inspiring message to the 64 graduates. “I am not per fect. We lear n every day and we lear n by our mistakes,” Rios told them. “Never be
ashamed of where you came from.” After overcoming a personal struggle to lear n English and realizing she was unable to have children, she opened a successful floral business. At first, she was not able to accept or understand the challenges in her life, she said. “But I am older now. I understand how this happened,” Rios said. “Thank God for Job Corps. I love what I do.” Success does not come overnight, she said. “In this 18 years in business, it has taken a lot of work,” Rios said. “The thing is, never give up. I’ve always told myself, I’m not a quitter. I’m a winner.” The Job Corps program offers bi-lingual students See GRADS, Page A3
Fun Run a success Winter storm delays, closes NM schools JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
The Sgt. Steven Meredith 5K Fun Run held on Jan. 11 was deemed a success by all participants. According to planner Amanda Mason, about 300 people were expected, but so many people arrived on Saturday morning that the event ran out of runners tags and had to use envelope labels to make up the lack. She estimated around 330 people attended. “We had Border Patrol come by the busload the night before,” Mason said. Meredith was injured in the line of duty on Oct. 21, 2013 when he was helping with traffic control on Hwy.
285 while New Mexico State Police conducted an investigation. A commercial vehicle plowed into a pickup truck that was legally stopped at the road block, killing the driver. The truck then careened into the median strip, hitting the Roswell Police Department sergeant. Some people found the event so much fun that they suggested it become an annual event. “We hope that Steve will be better next year, but the RPD spouses have discussed setting up an injured of ficers fund,” Mason said. For those who question See FUN RUN, Page A3
Councilor Barry Foster of Ward 5 is seeking his second term.
northern New Mexico were expected to see between 3 to 6 inches of snow by Friday, the National Weather Service said. Meanwhile, the rest the state from Raton to Ruidoso was expected to see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of snow bringing much needed precipitation in droughtstricken areas. Albuquerque and Santa Fe, two cities hit harder earlier this week, were likely to see an inch or less, forecasters said. Still, officials cautioned that slick and icy spots on roads, bridges and overAP Photo passes remain. Weather caused numer- Susan McKinsey makes her way through the snow as she walks along The Old Santa Fe Trail near the State Capitol on See WINTER, Page A3 Tuesday.
City Councilor Foster strives to find ‘common ground’
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Jill McLaughlin Photo
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Of ficials in New Mexico Thursday closed schools and delayed the opening of some government offices ahead of the third winter storm set to pummel the state this week. Driving conditions remained difficult on some northeastern New Mexico highways and Rio Rancho of ficials opted to close schools while schools in Albuquerque and Clovis delayed their starts. Still, winter advisories remained in ef fect on Thursday and the National Weather Service said more snow is expected in wester n New Mexico, with expanded coverage late into the night. Parts of wester n and
City Councilor and highschool teacher Barry Foster likes to bring people together. “My leadership style is basically … I will attack problems straight on if I need to,” he said. “Some people are more divisive. I’m not. I like to get people to work together. Most people have common ground. People don’t like to com-
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TODAY’S FORECAST
promise, but truly everything we do is a compromise.”
Elected in 2010, Foster is running for his second term against newcomer Tabitha Denny. As mayor pro-tem, chairman of the airport committee and member of the police and parks and recreation committees, he said he often works with others to find common ground on issues facing the community.
• DONALD GENE BROOKS • MANUELA CARRASCO • CORI LYNNE (RAY) HYATT
“We’re a team. There’s 10 of us up there,” Foster said. “Once the majority is found, we go with the majority. I don’t cry about it later and we don’t fight about it. We do what we need to and we move on.”
Foster, though, is passionate about several future prospects in economic development facing the city. And, he often speaks about the accomplishments he has had a hand in during his four
• JOE V. DOMINGUEZ
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A8
years in office. His biggest accomplishment was assuring the funding for the girls softball complex realized. The Charles McVay Softball Complex project was approved and awarded the 2013 ASA National Complex of the Year. “We finally got it,” Foster said. “That’s my biggest accomplishment. I am so happy we have it.” He said he was also proud to have been a
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B8 COMICS .................B7 ENTERTAINMENT .....A9 FINANCIAL ..............B6
member of council during a time when the city’s veteran’s cemetery was finally established. “When finished, our service men, women and veterans will now have a beautiful resting place,” he wrote in a biographical summary. Foster also said he wanted to continue to make sure the city has a full force in the police departSee FOSTER, Page A3
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .......A10 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ............A10
WORLD ..................A7