Roswell Daily Record
City census: It ain’t over, yet
Vol. 120, No. 68 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell of ficials and business leaders drew a line in the sand Friday, announcing they plan to take whatever actions necessary to dispute U.S. Census Bureau’s data that show the city’s population is below 50,000. Mayor Del Jurney said
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
March 19, 2011
SATURDAY
www.rdrnews.com
during a press conference that officials plan to “very aggressively take some steps to see what we can” do to get the official data over the critical point of 50,000 residents. He was joined by other city officials and a representative of the local business community, who said they, too, will not go down without a fight. “We’re going to establish
“I’m bound and determined to convince the world that Roswell has more than 50,000 people.” Michael Vickers, Roswell city planner
a real push ... to see what we can do,” Jurney said. “The business community has indicated that they’re interested in this as well and there’s a need to pur-
sue it.” The news came just days after census data were released for New Mexico that put Roswell’s population at 48,366. Many hoped
STUDENTS BUILD RAMP
Eight students in Tracy Hardt’s construction class at University High School completed a handicap ramp project Friday, at 1206 W. College Blvd., for Robert and Verna Chavez. The project was sponsored by CHOICES Center for Independent Living and Roswell Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. - PAGE A2
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Stevens’ New Paintings exhibit open • RPD seeks camera theft suspect • Burglars hit 4, early Thursday • City population up 6.8% • RFD suspects arson in 200-acre blaze
INSIDE SPORTS
Matthew Arco Photo
Ernie Burgos, a disabled veteran who is preparing to move into a brand new home built by a community of volunteers, shakes hands with Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., on Friday. Pearce was one of the many individuals who helped to support the project.
‘Overwhelmed’ vet gets new home MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
A disabled veteran who said he had previously all but given up, was nothing but in high spirits Friday
GEORGE MASON WINS THRILLER
CLEVELAND (AP) — George Mason has another fantastic March story to tell. Luke Hancock hit a 3pointer with 21 seconds left, capping the Patriots’ comeback and keeping the onetime NCAA tournament darlings playing with a 61-57 win over Villanova on Friday. Villanova missed its last shot and Mike Morrison slammed home one final basket for the Patriots (276), who will play Ohio State or Texas-San Antonio on Sunday in the East region. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Lovena Ethel Clark • Christian Knudsen • Billy Wayne Dinwiddie - PAGE A3
HIGH ...86˚ LOW ....43˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B3 ENTERTAINMENT.....A7 FINANCIAL .............A6 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 STATE ...................A3 WEATHER ..............A8
as a community of volunteers who helped build him a new home were there to present him the keys to the front door. Ernie Burgos described being “overwhelmed”
about being able to move into his brand new house, after he spent years sleeping on a recliner in the far corner of his living room. It was the only spot in the 1,500-square-foot home
not damaged by water and was habitable. “I was giving up and I realize now that’s not the thing to do,” he said. “I’ve
to break the 50,000 mark that would make more federal funding available to the city and make it more enticing for attracting national retailers. Officials say coming up 1,634 residents short will be detrimental to Roswell’s growth and prosperity, adding that it is everyone’s
Session ends today
See CENSUS, Page A3
SANTA FE (AP) — Having finished work on a critical budget package, the New Mexico Legislature approached the finish line of the session with several of Gov. Susana Martinez’s initiatives still unresolved. With adjournment looming today, lawmakers hurried to deal with long lists of bills awaiting final votes in the House and Senate. The two chambers were expected to meet late into the night Friday to debate measures. Still undecided were the gover nor’s educational reform and crime-fighting proposals to: •Expand DNA testing to anyone arrested for a felony. •Assign grades A to F to public schools based on student performance. •Stop third-graders from advancing to the next class if they can’t read adequately, ending a practice called “social promotion.” •Evaluate teachers based
Redistricting Cops serve warrant, find gators panel gets Senate nod See HOME, Page A3
See SESSION, Page A2
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
SANTA FE (AP) — Lawmakers are getting ready for a politically thor ny assignment after the 60-day Legislature ends. The Senate unanimously approved a proposal on Thursday to create an interim committee on redistricting. The committee of 18 House and Senate members will hold hearings this summer and make recommendations for redrawing the boundaries of districts for the Legislature, Congress, Public Regulation Commission and Public Education Committee. The Legislature is expected to hold a special session later this year to change district boundaries using population figures from the 2010 census. The legislation heads to the House for consideration.
The Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force received a surprise, Friday, when officials served a search warrant and found two alligators inside the home. Animal Control officer Orlando Padilla said Animal Services received a call around 10:30 a.m., for an agency assist in the 900 block of West Lusk Street after officers discovered the two alligators inside a 30gallon aquarium. “We believe they are two juvenile American alligators which are illegal to have,” said Padilla. He explained that Federal See GATORS, Page A3
Jessica Palmer Photo
The larger of the two American alligators taken when the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force was executing a search warrant.
Robert Schulz: Economist, veteran, NMMI commandant JONATHAN ENTZMINGER RECORD STAFF WRITER
INDEX
Jonathan Entzminger Photo
Ret. Col. Robert H. Schulz reads Carlo D’Este’s Patton: A Genius For War. Schulz served with Gen. George S. Patton in World War II.
Col. Robert H. Schulz, 95, is no stranger to military service. He served in the Army with the Allied Forces during World War II and is a former commandant of New Mexico Military Institute. Schulz grew up in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, on a corn farm owned by his family for several generations. “It was a traditional family farm. It was very easy,” Schulz said. “We didn’t have any problems that you couldn’t resolve yourself. I had to feed the animals, clean out the stalls and make sure the cor n was
growing in the right direction ... so it would grow big ears.” At 20, he left the farm to
“It was a good experience,” he said. “We were all lieutenants. We had reserve status and they sent us
attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics. Later, he taught economics at the university, until he joined the Army in 1939. After entering the Army, Schulz completed infantry training in California, Oklahoma and Texas.
down there to get detailed infantry training. We met a lot of infantry generals. It was worthwhile.” Schulz also remembers meeting Gens. Omar Bradley and Dwight D. Eisenhower during his training. See SPOTLIGHT, Page A2