Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 120, No. 24 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
McLEAN, Va. (AP) — Spinning tires, skidding cars and nightmare commutes lasting more than eight hours have garnered the Washington area’s 300,000 federal workforce an apology of sorts from their personnel chief after he released the workers two hours early on Wednesday afternoon. - PAGE B5
TOP 5 WEB
For The Last 24 Hours
• Grajeda and Pruett • Grass that glitters • Drug testing • Espinoza marriage vote • Helen Langenegger
January 28, 2011
Martinez visits elementary school MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
APOLOGY FOR WINTER COMMUTE
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
A group of Roswell kindergarten students took a break from their regular coursework Thursday to hear a story read by a special guest. Sitting on the classroom floor and encircled by young smiling faces, Gov. Susana Martinez read to the class from a children’s book during a visit to East Grand Plains Elementary School. The state’s chief executive said she decided to make the visit after the students sent a class picture, accompanied by a congratulatory letter, when she took office in November. “They started following the election (and) they were very involved,” she said. “It’s exciting to be here.” Debbie Anaya, the class’ teacher, said her students started following the election as part of a project. The activity quickly
FRIDAY
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became one of the students’ favorite, especially considering the class of 19 girls and two boys witnessed the state’s first female governor elected to office. “(She’s) a role model for the girls,” Anaya said. “They all want to be governor, now, or the president.” The news of the special guest was delivered just a few days ago and Anaya said her students immediately began cheering and clapping. “We just expected (to receive) a picture with a signature or something,” she said. “They couldn’t believe it, they were so excited.” Mark Wilson Photo The gover nor’s visit Gov. Susana Martinez is greeted by the entire student body at East Grand Plains Elementary comes at a time when School, Thursday morning during a brief visit to Roswell. Roswell Independent School District adminisMartinez repeated com“We’re not wanting to what we’re dedicating to trators are worried the ments made during her trim, at all, in the class- the classroom, from teachcurrent 60-day session State of the State address room,” said Martinez dur- ers and teachers’ aides, so will force the district to in which she said funds ing Thursday’s visit. the kids continue to get a absorb further budget should be pulled from “What’s important is to good education.” cuts to help fill the state’s administrations, not the make sure that the class- m a t t a r c o @ r o s w e l l classrooms. room stays the same and record.com deficit.
Kintigh’s film bill stalls in committee
Connecting the world
MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
TENNESSEE CANS FISHER NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have parted ways with Jeff Fisher, who just completed his 16th full season as the NFL’s longest-tenured coach. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Debra Louise Hebert • Mary Jo Parham • Dean Purcella • Teddy Van Winkle - PAGE B5
HIGH ...63˚ LOW ....22˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........C1 COMICS.................B3 ENTERTAINMENT.....B6 FINANCIAL .............B4 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B6 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A6 NATION .................B5
INDEX
Antonio Tavizon of the Fishel Company rolls out fiber optic cable for cell phone towers at the corner of South Main Street and Ryan Road, Tuesday morning.
A Roswell lawmaker’s third attempt to introduce legislation that would end the state’s film subsidies used to lure film production to New Mexico was blocked from advancing forward on Thursday. Rep. Dennis Kintigh’s, R-Roswell, bill was tabled in its first committee following a 5-4 vote. Lawmakers voted along party lines to stop the bill’s advance following the more than two-hour meeting. “(It’s) a little bit disappointing but not terribly surprising,” Kintigh said. “I’m disappointed that this bill didn’t get an opportunity to go to Taxation and Revenue because that is where this issue really needs to be examined in ... detail.” Kintigh has argued the incentives cost the state too much money and don’t yield a return on investment. His claims were dismissed by opponents who said the incentives help local businesses and are positive for New Mexico. About 175 individuals attended the House Labor and Human Resources Committee meeting and many argued
Gov disappointed with spending SANTA FE (AP) — Republican Gov. Susana Martinez spared the Legislature the sting of a veto, but she chided lawmakers on Thursday for their spending habits. The governor signed a bill providing nearly $25 million for operations of the Legislature, but said she was disappointed with increases in the measure. “I would have liked to have seen some additional fiscal restraint on the part of the Legislature,” Martinez said in an “executive message” delivered to lawmakers. Martinez said she signed the spending measure to “demon-
strate my administration’s desire to work in a cooperative fashion with the Legislature.” However, she pointed out that legislative agencies were not cut while the governor’s office has reduced its budget by 10 percent and spending for the governor’s residence has been trimmed by 55 percent since she took office earlier this month. Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, dismissed the governor’s criticism as “political rhetoric.” “We’ve done our best to maintain our expenditures as low as we can and still get the job done,” said Jennings.
The Legislature’s total budget accounts for less than one-half of 1 percent of state government spending. He said the Legislature hadn’t “porked up” its budget over the years and permanent legislative staff typically are paid less than top administrators in the executive branch. Martinez has capped her cabinet secretary salaries at $125,000. The budget for the legislative session is up less than 1 percent from what was allocated two years ago for the last 60-day session, but it’s 20 percent more
See SPENDING, Page A3
Espinoza’s father passes
See BILL, Page A3
The father of a local lawmaker and business owner died Thursday of health complications following a battle with cancer. Roland Basmeson, 80, was father to Nora Espinoza, a Roswell Republican serving in the state House of Representatives. “He was just a great man — very giving and very kind,” Espinoza said. “I know he’s in a better place ... (but) it’s just one of those things in your life you do not want.” The lawmaker said she spent a week with her father at his home in Orlando prior to the start of the legislative session. Basmeson was a Korean War veteran.
Will remodeled school be ready by the next school year? EMILY RUSSO MILLER RECORD STAFF WRITER
School officials say they hope construction on Sunset Elementary School will be completed this fall, though opinions differ on whether it will be ready by the start of the next school year. Construction manager for the school district Kevin Dillon says the scheduled completion date is August. “That’s what we’re shooting for at this time,” Dillon said. “At this point, we don’t really see any large amount of delays that will extend into the new school year.” The school district’s project sponsor, Joe Baca, says he expects construction to be finished earlier than that, by July 5. “They are a little behind schedule, but I suspect that they will fin-
ish on time,” Baca said. Meanwhile, Roswell Independent School District Superintendent Michael Gottlieb provided a later date because of the numerous state inspection tests the school has to pass once construction is finished. “I imagine it will be more like October or November,” Gottlieb said. Construction Project Superintendent Byron Holloway, of Holloway Construction Company, said they have completed most of the interior installation of the east hall, which consists of four classrooms, a library, nursing room and special education offices. Holloway said they have already installed new metal framing, flooring, electrical, plumbing and pipSee SCHOOL, Page A3
Mark Wilson Photo
Construction crews work on building a new addition to Sunset Elementary School, Thursday.