02 13 14 Roswell Daily Record

Page 1

Roswell Daily Record

Vol. 123, No. 39 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday

THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

February 13, 2014

School Board hears plea for REA support RANDAL SEYLER RECORD STAFF WRITER

For mer Berrendo Elementary School Principal Tamra Gedde asked members of the Roswell Independent School District School Board to work with the Roswell Education Association during Tuesday’s meeting. “I am here today because I committed to myself and fellow teachers that I would continue to speak out regarding the reality of what is happening in our Roswell schools,” said

Gedde, who broke into tears during her presentation.

“I am concerned about the current relationship between our teachers’ professional organization and the district leadership and board. I feel that there are a few things that need to be said. It is a fundamental American idea that we work together. To me this is the foundation of what makes democracy work.” Gedde said the REA is a group of hard working volunteers who help teachers during hard times, includ-

www.rdrnews.com

ing Gedde herself.

“Exactly 53 weeks ago today, I received an innocent phone call from my superintendent,” Gedde said. “I met with him in his of fice where I was told I was being removed from my position as principal of Berrendo Elementary School.

“That same day, my job was given to someone else. I was sent to a classroom and advised not to fight and someday I would be a principal again. One year and four administrative openings later, I have not

Feeding time

even been interviewed.” Gedde said it was the assistance of the REA, especially REA members Eva Gomez and Greg Maxie, who helped her continue to be an educator during stressful times. “They rescued me from giving up on a promising in education career because I am an amazing educator and I make whatever school I am in a better place for children, teachers and RISD,” Gedde said. “This is what the REA is all See RISD, Page A3

THURSDAY

Burris to speak at state school boards conference RANDAL SEYLER RECORD STAFF WRITER

School officials spend countless hours preparing for worse case scenarios, but what happens in the days following a crisis was uncharted territory for Roswell Independent School District Superintendent

Fests will seek funding at City Council meeting JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Sandhill cranes feed in a farm field in Roswell, Wednesday afternoon.

First day of early voting for city election draws a good turnout JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Voters turned out in good numbers during the first day of early voting Wednesday for the municipal elections. City Clerk Sharon Coll reported at least 120 ballots were cast by 4:30 p.m. “I think it’s going really well,” Coll said. City Hall is the only site open for voters to cast ballots in the election to decide the next mayor and five council members. The city is using a new Voting Convenience Center system, which Coll said worked today. “It’s going really well. I had a bunch of people come in today three to four times, with 10 people here at a time,” Coll said. “I had

Courtesy Photo

Mark Wilson Photo

Tom Burris. “I’ve been in school administration for more than 20 years, and I have been involved in developing and implementing emergency plans, but we never really talked about what happens after an event.”

City councilors will be asked to fund this year’s UFO and Fiddle and Griddle festivals again this year using Lodgers Tax revenue at their regular meeting tonight. UFO Festival planners are asking for $75,000 in Lodger’s taxes. This year’s festival is tentatively scheduled for July 5 and 6. Organizers are asking for $56,250 to fund the third Fiddle and Griddle Festival, expected to be held in June. The city’s Finance Committee recommended funding both events on a reimbursement basis. The

See BURRIS, Page A3

money would be used for advertising and promotion. Councilor Dusty Huckabee, also director of MainStreet Roswell and organizer of both events, did not return calls for comment Wednesday about the events. Another event, the Roswell Road Race Series, is asking for $2,000 in Lodgers Tax funds. The staff report did not give a description of this event. In other expected action, councilors are expected to consider plans to pay for a New Mexico Department of Transportation project to put solar power lighting on See COUNCIL, Page A3

Preparing for Valentine’s Party

Early voting at City Hall will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28. City Hall will be closed for President’s Day, Feb. 17.

them out of here in 5 to 7 minutes. It has gone really fast.” Early voting at City Hall will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28. City Hall will be closed for President’s Day, Feb. 17. On election day, March 4, the city will have eight sites in the city using the new system. Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the locations. Candidates running for office include Mayor Del Jurney and former state

Rep. Dennis Kintigh.

In Ward 1, incumbent Dusty Huckabee is running against challenger Natasha N. Mackey. Ward 2 candidates are James MacCornack, Caleb Grant and Jerry Heck.

Incumbent Councilor Art Sandoval is running against Joe Green in Ward 3, incumbent Barry Foster is being challenged by Tabitha Denny in Ward 5 and Councilor Jason Perry is running unchallenged for Ward 4.

Mark Wilson Photo

Consuelo Salcido and Briana White, along with other Roswell Job Corps Home Builders Institute electrical students under the tutelage of instructor Josh Torres, help the Community Volunteer Program prepare for a Valentine’s party by arranging stuffed animals, Wednesday. The Community Volunteer Program will visit the Southeastern New Mexico Kidney Center Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., delivering Valentine goodies to dialysis patients.

Roswell Refuge receives deluge of calls regarding raffle

Sometimes mistakes happen for a reason says Cindy Wilson, executive director of Roswell Refuge. In this case, the error appeared in Wednesday’s Record, where bears costing $50 were advertised as $2. The blooper has resulted in numerous calls to the Refuge, which Wilson prefers to view as an opportunity to explain the organization’s purpose. The services the Roswell Refuge provides to the community include a shelter for battered adults. The

HIGH 80 LOW 40

TODAY’S FORECAST

need for shelter is great, and the shelter has been operating at capacity since July 2013. The facility is set up to take in women who are victims of domestic violence and their children. Wilson explained that domestic violence cuts a swathe across cultures and socio-economic groups. It is not limited by race or age or gender. “We sometimes get requests from men. We hope to have a men’s shelter eventually, but right

• PAUL STEPHEN BODOCSI • LARRY MICHAEL PAYNE • BASIL DEAN ROBINSON

now, we only have room for women and children,” Wilson said. The Roswell Refuge also provides counseling for the victims. They have a 52week Offenders Program, with group sessions that are facilitator led, and it changes lives. The Refuge gives referrals to the appropriate agencies for any family in need. In addition, they have a full-time victims’ advocate on staff to assist in writing temporary restraining orders.

• CHERYL ELIZABETH (MIHAS) KAUTZ • JAMES DICK WITCHER

TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A7

Their Thrift Store supplies clothing for those who come to the shelter with nothing more than the shirts on their backs. Last year, the Refuge held two garage sales at its thrift store to raise funds. This year, Wilson hopes to open the doors to the thrift shop, located at 1215 N. Garden Ave., at least twice a month, starting in April to see how well it will be received by the community. “The people of Roswell have been just great,” said Wilson.

CLASSIFIEDS ..........B5 COMICS .................A9 ENTERTAINMENT ...A10 FINANCIAL ..............B4

The bears cost $50, and only 200 teddies are available. Each person who purchases a teddy bear will become part of a prize drawing, offering a one-in200 chance to win a diamond necklace worth $1,500 courtesy of Bullock’s Jewelry.

The drawing will be held on Friday. The winner will be notified and will have their picture taken. For more information, call 575624-3222.

INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .......A10

LOTTERIES .............A2

OPINION .................A4

SPORTS .................B1

WEATHER ............A10


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.