Roswell Daily Record
Kintigh’s repeal bill dies
Vol. 120, No. 60 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
NM HAS HISTORY IN ESPIONAGE
SANTA FE (AP) — When retired KGB agents visit Santa Fe, they pose for a picture next to the Archbishop Lamy statue at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. “Santa Fe is considered sacred ground by the KGB,” said E.B. Held, author of the recently published book, A Spyʼs Guide to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. - PAGE A8
Attempts made by a Roswell lawmaker to repeal the repeal of the state’s death penalty were thwarted Tuesday evening, after two of the representative’s proposals were tabled during a House committee meeting. Rep. Dennis Kintigh’s, RRoswell, legislation that would have reinstated the death penalty in certain
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
March 10, 2011
THURSDAY
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instances and his House joint resolution, which sought to amend the state’s constitution and would have allowed voters to decide on whether to bring back the death penalty, were tabled following a 3-2 party line vote. The action was taken during the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. “This is a huge issue ... (and) I believe the way you resolve these public policies
is you let the voters decide,” Kintigh said. “The majority party would not even allow the voters the opportunity to have a say in this.” Kintigh’s proposals came after calls from Gov. Susana Martinez for lawmakers to reinstate the death penalty. The governor told lawmakers during a joint session State of the State address that she is See KINTIGH, Page A3
Downtown art
ADAIR SEEKS ISLAMIC LAW BAN IN NM MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
A Roswell Senate lawmaker is seeking a constiamendment tutional aimed at banning the use of Islamic law in New Mexico courts. Sen. Rod Adair’s, RRoswell, Senate joint resolution would prohibit state judges from considering or
Senate nixes license end
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For The Past 24 Hours
• NMMI cadet’s condItion improves • Info sought on camera thefts • Denning takes Gold Award at Character ... • SWAT team trains hard • Group gathers to protest bill
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
Jessie Scott hangs panels by Eric Martinez at the entrance to Extraordinary Cuts Bella Bel, located in the 300 block of West Second Street, Tuesday evening.
ROCKETS UPSET GALLUP
ALBUQUERQUE — Talk about coming out parties. In a class dominated by crosstown rival Roswell the past two years, Goddard let New Mexico basketball fans know there are two teams that can ball in the Alien City. The Rocket boys basketball team never trailed in a 72-54 win over No. 1 Gallup in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A State Tournament on Wednesday at The Pit. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Marilyn Vogel • Nelson B. Alpers • Angie Locknane Fitt • Orlidia Fresquez • W.P. McIntosh V - PAGE A6
HIGH ...76˚ LOW ....36˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
Wildfire 50% contained
SILVER CITY (AP) — Fire crews in New Mexico are mopping up a wildfire that investigators say was started by a vehicle’s hot catalytic converter. The Quail Ridge fire remains 50 percent contained Wednesday after racing across nearly 1,800 acres and bur ning 13 houses and 47 other buildings. About 100 people forced out by the wind-driven flames were escorted into their neighborhoods Tuesday evening to survey damage left from the fire that started Monday afternoon south of Silver City. Gov. Susana Martinez toured the burn area Wednesday and met with some residents who lost their homes in the fire. Officials say up to 100 structures within the burn area and another 100 buildings within a quarter-mile of the fire perimeter are still considered threatened.
applying Sharia or international laws of other nations or cultures in their decisions. The resolution, which would go before New Mexicans for a vote if it were to clear the Roundhouse, was slated for discussion during the Senate Rules Committee, Wednesday. See ADAIR, Page A3
SANTA FE (AP) — In a political setback for Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, the Senate rejected a politically charged proposal Wednesday night to stop New Mexico from issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. The Senate voted 24-17 against a proposal by Sen. John R yan, R-Albuquerque, that would have ended the practice of granting licenses to foreign nationals without a Social Security number. Two Democrats — John Arthur Smith, of Deming, and Tim Eichenberg, of Albuquerque — broke party ranks and joined Republicans in backing the proposal. The governor, who took office in January, vowed during her gubernatorial campaign to end the state’s licensing policy enacted during former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration. Awaiting a final vote in the Senate was a bill to keep the licensing system but establish tougher penalties for fraudulently trying to obtain a driver’s license. Immigrants also will have to renew their licenses every two years. Ryan said it’s a public safety risk to issue licenses to those living in this country illegally and he contended New Mexico is becoming a magnet for immigrants outside of the state looking for a government-issued form of identification. “It is our responsibility, in my opinion, that we ... protect our citizens from these people that have no other business other See LICENSE, Page A3
Ingredients right for harsh fire season JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
The charred prairie from recent grass fires stretches some 40 miles from the edge of Chaves County to the Texas state line. A wet summer followed by dry winter provides all the right ingredients for a harsh fire season. The onset of high winds adds to the lethal mix. Firefighters view the 65,000acre grass fire as a sign of things to come. Georgianna Hunt, fire services administrator for Chaves County war ned that statewide fire restrictions may be coming shortly. “Our windy season has started now. This is why we try get people to start early. Fields need to be mowed. Get all the weeds clear, particularly around build-
AP Photo
An aerial view of the burned prairie in southeastern New Mexico.
ings and structures,” she said. Hunt recommends hauling weeds to the dump, rather than burning off excess vegetation. For now, burns are legal in
the county as long as the winds are 5 mph or less. “If you do decide to burn, you have to be See HARSH, Page A3
Space heater tips, causes 3-alarm fire; residence total loss JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
Mark Wilson Photo
Firefighters focus on a hot spot at 413 S. Hemlock Ave., Wednesday morning.
The Roswell Fire Department was called to 413 S. Hemlock Ave. around 8:30 a.m., Wednesday. Three fire stations and six units responded to the threealarm fire. “We received a call saying a space heater had turned over,” said Deputy Fire Chief Chad Hamill. The house belonged to William Schwartz, 21-year employee of the Roswell Daily Record. “I had just fallen asleep, and my son woke me up,” Schwartz said. “My son tried to put out
the fire. We had a fire extinguisher. I don’t know what happened, but the fire extinguisher didn’t work,” said Schwartz. “There’s a lot of fire and smoke damage, but there were no injuries,” Hamill said. Schwartz said the house was occupied by four children and four adults. “The boys were in school and the girls were just getting ready for school. I thought my daughter was taking the kids to school. I found out they were still here. Then I just made sure everybody was out,” he said. Schwartz owns the home.
The family has lived there for 10 years. Of ficers from Roswell Animal Services were called in to try and rescue the pets, two dogs and a cat. The officers managed to get one of the dogs out. As the firefighters investigated, the family waited to get inside to see what remained. The investigation confirmed that the cause of the fire was a space heater. He was saddened by the loss of his “little puppy,” but Schwartz said he was grateful that his family was all right. j.palmer@roswell-record.com