Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 120, No. 17 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
According to the Chaves County Fire Services office, last year’s rain has an unexpected side effect: an increased risk of grass fires this year ... - PAGE A3
SANTA FE – Just days after Gov. Susana Martinez rolled out her agenda during a joint legislative session, a former Roswell state lawmaker says he’s ready and excited to work alongside the new governor. In a sit-down with the Daily Record, gover nor Chief of Staff Keith Gardner called being tapped to work next door to Martinez an “honor,” and says he’s fully supportive of her agenda and ready to work. “I supported the governor because I thought she was right now New Mexico,” Gardner said. “I believed it
WEB
For The Last 24 Hours
• Martinez delivers first State of the State • New DDA, jack-of-alltrades, trout • Put one foot in front of the other • Future of downtown Roswell takes shape • RCC Redcoats welcome Solis
INSIDE SPORTS
then and I know it now.” The former Republican House Minority Whip has been a Roswell resident for nearly 20 years, before recently packing up to live in Santa Fe and be close to the Roundhouse’s fourth floor. Martinez announced in November that Gardner would be filling the position. “It’s really a fascinating job, (although) there’s no owner’s manual that comes with it,” he joked. “My job is to work with the governor in every area — you name it, if it’s going on, my job is to make sure she is aware of those things.” Gardner said being in line for the position came
as a bit of a surprise, though. He explained how excited he was on Nov. 2 for the changes coming to the state and also knowing that his Republican caucus, at the time, was preparing to pick up eight additional House seats. Following the election, Gardner said he was talking with his House members and preparing to make another run for his leadership role in the Legislature’s lower house. He described being chosen for the job as a bit of a shock and wouldn’t have been able to guess one year ago that he would be
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall met with Roswell aviation leaders at the Roswell International Air Center, Wednesday. “It’s a real pleasure to have him and be able to facilitate businesses meeting directly with him,” Councilwoman Judy Stubbs said. Mayor Del Jurney, Stubbs and RIAC Manager Jennifer Brady led the meeting, where community leaders and aviation experts voiced their concerns and needs, and issued many thanks to the senator for his work with RIAC. The lingering theme of
the meeting was job creation. Many leaders told stories of the growth of their new aviation businesses in Roswell, which have accounted for hundreds of new jobs in the community over the past few years. According to the Economic Development Corporation, aviation is one of the most successful industries in the community and is part of the financial fulcrum of Roswell. Despite their good reports, leaders did not shy away from expressing their worries. Many voiced the need for more job creation and support for educational opportunities for
• Juan C. Ortega • Jean Hale • Earle Mason Uzzell • Neil Pruitt • Wanda Jo Curry • Ashley Rene McCasland • Chlora Mae “Mony” Rich • Raymond Gonzales • Prestinia Grajeda & Loretta Maria Grajeda Pruett - PAGE A6
HIGH ...51˚ LOW ....20˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
INDEX
CLASSIFIEDS..........B5 COMICS.................B3 ENTERTAINMENT.....B5 FINANCIAL .............B4 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B5 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico taxpayers are shelling out nearly $139,600 a day for the Legislature’s 60-day session. A bill providing about $8.4 million for legislative session expenses unanimously passed the House on Wednesday and was sent to the Senate. The measure also allocates about $16 million for the Legislature’s year-round operations in the next budget year and one-time costs such as demographic and legal consultants on redistricting. The Legislature expects to meet in a special session in the fall to draw new boundaries for legislative, conSee COST, Page A3
Mark Wilson Photo
New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall speaks during an aviation round table held Wednesday afternoon at the Roswell International Air Center to discuss its current status and future growth.
With Obama, Hu concedes China’s rights need help See UDALL, Page A3
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jordan Hamilton scored 27 points and No. 10 Texas beat No. 11 Texas A&M 8160 on Wednesday night, snapping the Aggies’ 13game winning streak ... - PAGE B1
OBITUARIES
Legislature to cost $139K a day
See GARDNER, Page A3
TEXAS UPENDS TEXAS A&M
TODAY’S
THURSDAY
www.rdrnews.com
Sen. Udall visits with local aviation leaders JONATHAN ENTZMINGER RECORD STAFF WRITER
TOP 5
January 20, 2011
Gardner excited to work with Martinez MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
TIPS TO AVOID FIRES
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
AP Photo
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Grand Staircase as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, Wednesday.
Rate of pecan theft increases BY JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Pecan theft is up this year due to the increase in prices. John Wilson, owner of The Nut House on 421 E. Second St., says that the incidents of pecan theft has been increasing for the past few years. Prices for farmed nuts are running between $3.75 and $4 per pound this year, said Wilson. For street or yard pecans, prices are $1 to $1.75 per pound. Pecans and the prices are measured by the amount of meat versus shell, or meat point. Farmed pecans have a meat point of 54 percent while the average for street or yard pecans is 48 percent. “It’s still stealing. If it’s someone else’s property, it’s stealing,” said officer
T ravis Holley, spokesman for the Roswell Police Department. Lt. Britt Snyder, of the Chaves County Sheriff’s Of fice, could not give specific figures about the number of thefts since the reports are recorded as larceny. “The most we can charge them with is larceny and possible criminal trespass. There’s no pecan-stealing statute on the books,” he said. Still Chaves County deputies are asked to patrol the pecan orchards each night. Both the RPD and the Chaves County Sheriff’s officers have been to The Nut House looking for stolen pecans, says Wilson. He explained that often thieves will steal See THEFT, Page A2
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare concession on a highly sensitive issue, Chinese President Hu Jintao used his White House visit on Wednesday to acknowledge “a lot still needs to be done” to improve human rights in his nation accused of repressing its people. President Barack Obama pushed China to adopt fundamental freedoms but assured Hu the U.S. considers the communist nation a friend and vital economic partner. Hu’s comments met with immediate skepticism from human rights advocates, who dismissed them as words backed by no real history of action. Hu contended his country has “made enormous progress” but provided no specifics. Still, his remarks seemed to hearten and surprise U.S. officials, coming during an elaborate visit that centered on boosting trade and
Controlled Burn
trust between the world’s two largest economies. More broadly, Hu and Obama sought to show off a more mature and respectful relationship, not the one often defined by disputes over currency, sovereignty and freedoms. Hu said he wanted even closer contact with Obama; Obama sought again to embrace China’s rise, and the two men shared some unexpected laughs. The Chinese president was treated lavishly, granted the honor of the third state dinner of Obama’s presidency. He was welcomed in the morning to the sounds of military bands and the smiles of children on the South Lawn; he was capping the evening at a black-tie White House gala of jazz musicians and all-American food.
Mark Wilson Photo
Aaron Livingston, a firefighter for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, assists in a controlled burn at Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge, Wednesday afternoon, to remove non-native salt cedars in an ongoing restoration project.