03 20 14 Roswell Daily Record

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Roswell Daily Record

Vol. 123, No. 69 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday

THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

March 20, 2014

WIPP officials report second radiation leak RANDAL SEYLER RECORD STAFF WRITER

New air sampling data from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant indicates there has been another small radiation release. Department of Energy officials say a monitoring station picked up elevated radiation readings around the plant near Carlsbad on March 11, nearly a month after a Valentine’s Day leak contaminated 17 workers and shut down the only repository for toxic waste from the nation’s nuclear bomb-building program. Engineers say they believe the

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contamination is from previous deposits on the inner surface of exhaust ductwork. The latest radiation release has no expected health impacts to workers, the public or the environment, according to a news release from the Department of Energy. Samples collected at the same monitoring station, both prior to and for 72 hours after this release, have indicated background levels. Data received recently show a single air sample from the ventilation exhaust recorded 61 disintegrations per minute of americium on a sample collected the evening of March 11, according to

Spring has sprung

the DOE report. This is expected, given the amount of contamination captured by the WIPP ventilation system during the Feb. 14 radiation release event. The independent Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center is reporting similar environmental sampling results, according to the report. According to the Center’s recent news release, CEMRC’s analysis continues to reflect that the air around the WIPP site is safe and poses no harm to the environment or the public. Officials say occasional lowlevel releases are anticipated, but

THURSDAY

they should be well within safe limits. The DOE release also reported that another set of 20 urine sample results for WIPP employees has come back negative. To date, 135 employees have been entered into the WIPP bioassay program, including many who requested testing. At present, more than 100 urine samples have been analyzed and all results have been negative, the release states. Bioassay tests deter mine the presence of radioactive material in the human body by measuring radiation within the body through lung counting (looking for

Medical marijuana distributor awaits state’s green light JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Mark Wilson Photo

A flower bed at the Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico Archives building is in full bloom as spring officially begins today.

radioactive material in the lungs), or analyzing radioactive material in urine or fecal samples. DOE officials say additional results will be posted as they become available. All results to date indicate risk levels to workers are well below occupational and health standards. WIPP officials will hold another town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in Carlsbad and the WIPP officials will meet with the Artesia City Council at 7 p.m. on Monday to update city officials on the recovery activities, according to the DOE release. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A medical marijuana distributor could legally open its doors at an undisclosed location in Roswell by next week, following a state inspection. Compassionate Distributors of Ruidoso has moved into a building, installed extensive security systems and is ready for a final inspection by the state Department of Health. The DOH has scheduled the inspection for next week, said co-owner Mandy Denson. “I’m excited. As soon as they come down and inspect us, and give us the green light, we’re ready to go,” Denson said. The distributor was granted a city business license by applying as a professional medical office of alternative health care, Denson said. In December, City Coun-

cilors debated whether to remove a special-use designation in certain business and commercial districts that would have required extra approvals for medical marijuana distributors. “The way they resolved it, in the end, was they voted to remove language for the special use condition for medical marijuana,” Denson said. “It means I can apply in any general-use categories.” The move paved the way for Compassionate Distributors to proceed with plans to open the satellite location. Last month, the DOH also announced a plan to add 12 more distributors in the state to meet an increasing demand. The state has 23 licensed nonprofit distributors, mostly in the northern region. Under a new proposal, producers would be able to

Investigators seek Hatch Act violation filed against Snyder help in arson cases

Eleven vehicles have been set ablaze within the past several months in Roswell. Both the Roswell Police Department detectives and the Roswell Fire Department fire investigators are soliciting the public’s assistance in locating the person or persons responsible for the vehicle fires.

The most recent vehicle fire occurred on the 1000 block of West Summit on Tuesday.

Both the police and fire departments urge fellow community members to call the Roswell Police Department if they see anything suspicious.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for a tip that leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible.

Call Crime Stoppers at 888-594-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Chaves County sheriff candidate Britt Snyder is facing a federal Hatch Act inquiry, instigated by an anonymous complainant who has charged that he has violated the federal elections rule. The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of employees who work with programs financed in whole or part by the federal government. Sheriff’s office candidates have been targeted frequently by opposing candidates in recent years. Though it has existed since 1939, the rule was revised in 2012, in a bi-partisan effort to cut down on

Republican Women host magistrate, district judge candidates at luncheon JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Hundreds attended the Chaves County Republican Women luncheon Wednesday to hear from 5th Judicial District and magistrate judge candidates. Though sitting judges were limited in what they could discuss, the speakers shared their backgrounds and talked about their personal thoughts about serving on the bench. Attendees also included several newly elected city

councilors, Mayor Dennis Kintigh and former Mayor Del Jur ney, and many state and county elected officials. Candidates for other county offices also visited with the luncheon guests. Fifth Judicial Judges Jim Hudson and Ray Romero, both unopposed, spoke about their experiences. Hudson was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2013. Hudson spent 28 years, mainly dealing in litigation, with the Hinkle Law Firm. He is a single parent with two daugh-

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TODAY’S FORECAST

ters, he said. He shared two impressions he’s formed as a new judge. “The first is that the 5th Judicial District is comprised of people who are incredibly hard-working,” Hudson said. “Although I did litigation for many years, I never really had a true appreciation for how hard the people work.” In the fiscal year of 2013, Chaves County had 4,400 new and reopened cases. The district had See CANDIDATES, Page A3

• TED CARROLL • DELLA (ADELA) BAKER

unfair claims of violations. Snyder was contacted by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Friday, less than a week after filing for office. “I am not paid, in any way, shape or for m, by the federal gover nment,” Snyder said Wednesday. “The complaint filed against me, as far as I’m concerned, is a waste of time. They’ll investigate it and clear me. It’s a non-issue.” The county policy and the Hatch Act policy of campaigning while on duty is the same, Snyder said. He has not, and cannot, use county resources or equipment, he said. Snyder is one of four candidates for sherif f. Opponents include Patrick Barncastle, lead investiga-

See MARIJUANA, Page A3

tor for the district attorney’s office, Art Fleming, a New Mexico Gas Company employee, and Gary Graves, a former Chaves County Sheriff’s Office deputy and past sheriff of De Baca County who was recalled from office.

Revisions to the Hatch Act, passed by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, commended senators for the common sense reform in 2012.

Before the reform, the act too frequently caused the Office of Special Counsel to interfere with the rights of well-qualified candidates to run for local of fice, accor ding to spokeswoman Ann O’Hanlon.

Courtesy Photo

From left: Chaves County Magistrate Judges John Halvorson, K.C. Rogers, magistrate judge candidate Bobby Arnett, and 5th Judicial District Court Judges Ray Romero and James Hudson spoke Wednesday at the Chaves County Republican Women's luncheon.

TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6

CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 FINANCIAL ..............B4

INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4

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

WEATHER ..............A8

WORLD..................A6


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