Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 123, No. 40 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
February 14, 2014
Pastor pushes to elect chosen candidates JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Church on the Move pastor Troy Smothermon introduced two City Council candidates to the congregation last month during a sermon, telling his congregation it was time to change Roswell. Smothermon announced to the church, and its several thousands of members, that members Joe Green, of Ward 3, and James MacCornack were running for office.
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“God built his throne on righteousness and justice,” Smothermon said during the service Jan. 12. “It’s time that the people of Roswell, not a handful of the people, but the majority of Roswell, stand up and say we’ve had enough of that same ol’, same ol’, same people running our government. “We’re the majority and we’re large. And we need to get in charge,” Smothermon said. “And we’re going to vote people in, and we’re going to vote people in that will help that happen.”
Smother mon said the sermon recognized Green and MacCornack as running for office, who they were and what they did for the community. But the church did not fund the campaigns or publicly endorse the candidates. “T roy Smother mon endorses MacCornack and Joe Green,” Smothermon said. “I don’t speak for everybody in the church. “The people that attend our church, they make their own decisions on how they are going to vote.” During the lengthy and
politically charged address, Smothermon took shots at local leadership and struck blows against candidates running against the church’s members. The city should have a sign at its entrance that read, “Welcome to Roswell: This has how it’s always been,” Smothermon told members. He called it the “mantra” of the city. Smother mon talked about how neighborhood division, crime, killings and racism needed to end. “Somewhere along the line, we need to change it.
Roses are red, violets are blue...
Mark Wilson Photo
Happy Valentine's Day roses on display in front of the Home Decor store in the Roswell Mall beckon lovers young and old.
School shows support for Berrendo through hearts JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
The shooting on Jan. 14 at Berrendo Middle School has touched the hearts of people across the nation. One school, La Tierra Montessori School for the Arts and Science in Española, is reaching out quite literally with hearts in their hands through their newly formed Parent Teacher Association. Said PTA President Ben Sandoval: “…the group has collaborated with the teachers and students of the Lower EL, Middle EL and Upper EL classrooms [after] the New Mexico PTA put a call out to any PTA’s throughout the state to unify by supporting the ‘Hearts for Berrendo Middle School
Project,’ in response to the recent tragedy at their school.” Sandoval explained the school has three classes of students that range in age from 7 to 14. Each group reacted differently. The middle school students expressed sorrow and disappointment that such at thing could happen, while the fourth- and fifthgrade class were excited to be get to know students from other schools. “We did not provide detail to the younger students. We did not want to traumatize them. ... They may have seen news reports, but we felt it was up to the parents to discuss it with them,” Sandoval said. About 100 hearts were created by the three
classrooms at La Tierra Montessori School. The hearts all had special messages of encouragement, compassion, friendship, and love for students they have never met. Sandoval said that each heart had a special touch and was signed by the students who created them. The hearts were mailed to Berrendo Middle School on Feb. 7, in hopes that the students, parents and faculty will be able to move forward in their healing process. The school also sent, a letter which has been reproduced in its entirety below. Dear Berrendo Middle School Staff, Students and
See HEARTS, Page A3
RPD officers involved in shooting
An investigation is ongoing regarding an incident where Roswell Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance early Thursday morning and a 34-year-old man was shot. Officers arrived at a residence on the 500 block of Redwood in regards to the disturbance around 1 a.m., according to a police department news release.
Details of the incident are still being investigated. The man, whose identity is not being released by police, was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. His condition is unknown.
The names of the officers involved are also not being released. The officers are on administrative leave, according to the news release.
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… God is doing a new thing in Roswell, America,” Smothermon said. And he said God wasn’t at the church just then but MacCor nack was. He then introduced him. “He’s brilliant and smart and running in Ward 2, against a 21-year -old young man and a guy who is on the wrong side of every issue,” Smothermon said. MacCornack is running against businessman Caleb Grant, who is older than 21, and U.S. Army veteran Jerry Heck.
Grant, a third-generation native of Roswell, responded to the comments Thursday. “I believe in the freedom of speech, but I’m a strong Christian man as well, and the citizens of Roswell are aware of who will best serve the needs of our community,” Grant said. Heck questioned the church’s tax-exempt status after hearing the comments. “Are they a church or a
SANTA FE (AP) — Faced with a possible subpoena, the state fair manager appeared Thursday before a Senate committee to tell members that Expo New Mexico is financially solvent and most management problems are in the past. Dan Mourning testified before the state Senate Rules Committee, which after two contentious hearings this week had threatened to force his appearance. “We are better today than when I took over,” Mourning, who was appointed manager in 2011, told lawmakers. He said an audit citing management problems — brought up repeatedly by the committee’s Democratic members — was two years old, and the fair’s operations are now financially sound. Mourning also said he
had not been avoiding the committee, but he was taking care of a family matter and had testified before other panels. State fair commission nominees have been facing questions from Democrats about allegations of mismanagement and a muchdebated lease that allowed Downs of Albuquerque to build a larger casino on the fairgrounds. The committee heard earlier from current and former appointees of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez who criticized her administration for rushing through the 25-year lease in 2011. Critics have questioned whether political contributions influenced the deal. Republican committee members said concer ns over the lease were politically motivated.
Manager of state fair goes before Senate committee
See PASTOR, Page A3
See FAIR, Page A3
City, county units respond to brush fire
Mark Wilson Photos
City and County fire units fought a brush fire Thursday, pictured above, that burned dangerously close to homes off Calumet Road. After the fire was brought under control, Chaves County Sheriff's deputies put up crime scene tape, seen at right. No further information was available at press time.
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A10 • CHERYL ELIZABETH (MIHAS) KAUTZ • JAMES DICK WITCHER • CASSIDY WAGES • CLENNIE VELMA GADBERRY • SALLY SUE BASS • MICHAEL LA BELLA • BASIL DEAN ROBINSON • GLEN MILLER
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS................A11 ENTERTAINMENT .....B6 FINANCIAL ..............B4
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .......A12 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ............A12
WORLD ..................A9