11 27 14 Roswell Daily Record

Page 1

Roswell Daily Record

Vol. 123, No. 285 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday

THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

November 27, 2014

Kintigh talks about judgeship and annexation STAFF REPORT

Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh sat down with Daily Record editorial staff Monday for the mayor’s monthly forum with the newspaper. Those with a question for the mayor may send queries to Editor Timothy Howsare at editor@rdrnews.com or to City Editor Randal Seyler at reporter02@rdrnews.com. Why is the licensing procedure for businesses so difficult in the city? “That’s a good question,”

Kintigh said. “I didn’t know it was. I’ll have to look into that.”

The reader said a group had planned on opening two Chinese restaurants in Roswell, but dropped plans for the second restaurant because of City Hall bureaucracy. What are your thoughts? “That shouldn’t be the case and I need to find out if it really was,” Kintigh said. “If it was the case, we need to change.” How many jobs will Buf-

Caught orange-handed

THURSDAY

www.rdrnews.com

falo Wild Wings and Carl’s Jr. bring to the city? “I have heard like 25 to 40 or something like that,” Kintigh said. “I don’t know if that’s accurate though.”

Why isn’t there a plan to keep flower pots on Main Street attractive? “We’re actually working on that,” Kintigh said. “I had a meeting with the Garden Club on (Nov. 20). The idea is we’d have the Garden Club take over responsibility for planting and caring for those. Those people know what

they’re doing. Now we’ve got to make sure we understand that the pots and the watering system belong to the city. We make sure that they’re functioning right and that they’re all on the right timer. We need to work out the details. But let people who know how to make stuff beautiful make it more beautiful. One person raised the idea of hanging pots from the light poles. I like the idea, but I don’t want to try and do too much too soon. Let’s see if See FORUM, Page A2

Timothy Howsare Photo

Graham appointed interim fire chief Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh meets with Daily Record staff writer Jeff Tucker Monday during the mayor’s monthly forum.

SUBMITTED

Bill Moffitt Photo

Some of the 151 sixth graders at Mesa Middle School, 1601 E. Bland St., perform a dance from India for the student body and visiting parents Tuesday afternoon in the school’s multi-purpose room. The students are part of a new pilot program called “Arts Connect” which started at the school this year through the Roswell Independent School District’s Elementary Arts Program. Tuesday’s event showcased the music, dance and theater skills that the students have learned so far this school year.

Albuquerque activists hold Ferguson protest

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Chanting “indict killer cops” and waving signs attacking police excessive force, around 200 protesters in Albuquerque joined orchestrated demonstrations nationwide Tuesday after a grand jury’s decision not to indict a white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager in Missouri. Demonstrators blocked an intersection and forced Albuquerque police to momentarily closed traffic in the city’s International District during what remained a peaceful gathering. Protesters then marched toward the University of New Mexico while tactical police quietly watched. Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9 during a scuffle in a Ferguson, Missouri, street. A grand juror’s decision not to indict Wilson — a decision announced Monday evening — drew angry protests from Los Angeles to New York.

While Albuquerque protesters expressed anger about the Ferguson shooting, they also used the demonstration as a call for indictments against Albuquerque officers linked to a number of high profile police shootings in the city. Albuquerque has seen its own string of angry demonstrations following the March police shooting of James Boyd, a 38-yearold homeless camper, and more than 40 police shootings since 2010. A violent protest after the Boyd shooting forced authorities to fire tear gas canisters at demonstrators and another protest shutdown a city council meeting resulting in a number of reforms at city meetings. The FBI is investigating the Boyd shooting but federal authorities have not said if officers in the case will face charges. City of ficials recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Depart-

HIGH 62 LOW 28

TODAY’S FORECAST

Roswell Fire Department veteran Devin Graham was appointed interim fire chief on Wednesday, according to a news release. City Manager Steve Polasek made the appointment. Graham, a Roswell native, is in his 16th year with the city’s fire department, and he has served as deputy chief for the past three years. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve as interim fire chief,” Graham said. “I am humbled to lead an organization full of public servants that come to work each day dedicated to protecting and serving the citizens of this city.” Graham said he looks forward to applying for the position on a permanent basis. He steps into the interim role at the department of 90-plus personnel following the recent retirement of Chief Chad Hamill. “This is a good opportunity for Devin and we are excited about the role he will play moving forward,” Polasek said. The city manager said

Albuquerque isn’t the only town protesting. In this photo taken on Tuesday, Grand Valley State junior Jacob Johnston holds a sign that reads "No Justice No Peace" during a rally at the Grand Valley State University clock tower in Allendale, Mich.

ment to revamp its police agency after a harsh report over excessive force. Under the agreement, Albu-

querque police must provide better training for officers and dismantle trouble units.

• GREGORY JOSEPH HIDALGO • JOE MARION PEEPLES II • JAMES "JOE" R. EVARTS • JOSEPH PAUL CORRIE

• KALEB ANDRES AGUIRRE • JASON BYRD • LINDA SUE WINKLER

TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6

the city will conduct a full search for candidates for the permanent position as fire chief. A timeframe for when applications will be sought and interviews conducted has yet to be set. Polasek added he anticipates Graham will be a strong candidate during that process. “I have full faith and confidence that Devin will lead the department in a professional manner that will make the city proud,” Polasek said.

Masterson to be honored in Roswell STAFF REPORT

AP Photo

Graham

ny in Albuquerque.

Mayor Dennis Kintigh will join New Mexico Tourism Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobsonfor a community celebration of teacher John Masterson’s heroic efforts to stop a school shooting at Berrendo Middle School in January. The Roswell community is invited to attend this celebration at 4 p.m. Tuesday on the west side of the Chaves County Courthouse, 400 N. Virginia Ave. Recently, Gov. Susana Martinez honored Masterson and three other citizens as New Mexico True Heroes at a ceremo-

Through a partnership with the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the New Mexico True Heroes program honors four New Mexicans who contribute to making their communities a better place to live, work, and raise a family. In addition, the four New Mexico True Heroes will be honored at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 20 and will receive overnight accommodations in Albuquerque and a $500 gift card from Advanced Presentation Systems.

CLASSIFIEDS ..........B7

INDEX GENERAL ...............A2

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

FINANCIAL ..............A7

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

NATION ..................A7

COMICS .................B6

HOROSCOPES .......A10

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.