10-06-11 RDR NEWS

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Roswell Daily Record

State businesses get preference THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

Vol. 120, No. 240 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday

INSIDE NEWS

October 6, 2011

THURSDAY

www.rdrnews.com

SANTA FE (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez signed a measure into law on Wednesday to ensure New Mexico businesses hold an advantage over out-of-state competitors when bidding on state government contracts. Supporters say the contracting preference can help provide jobs in New

The contracting preference previously didn’t apply to bids of more than $5 million, but that cap has been eliminated.

Mexico. “This important law will assist local companies and create a more competitive playing field for New Mexico businesses,” Martinez said

in a statement. “Making it easier for local businesses to succeed is a critical part of getting our economy back on track.” The new law tightens

contracting requirements to prevent out-of-state businesses from qualifying for a preference that’s supposed to go to in-state businesses when bidding on statefinanced construction projects. Under the contracting preference system, a bid by a qualified New Mexico business is considered 5

STEVE JOBS DEAD AT 56

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Steve Jobs, the Apple founder and former CEO who invented and masterfully marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology, from the personal computer to the iPod and iPhone, died Wednesday. He was 56. Apple announced his death without .... - PAGE A8

TOP 5 WEB

For The Past 24 Hours

• Bands and food and rides and all kinds ... • Parade kicks off Eastern NM State Fair • Harvest Ministries works to rid hunger • Roswell wins rainsoaked rivalry, 1-0 • Coyote girls down Rockets

INSIDE SPORTS

Mark Wilson Photo

Blessing of Animals set for Sunday

The Rev. Dale Plummer, of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and friends Scrappy and Sissy. The annual Blessing of the Animals and Memorial Service is set for Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the church.

JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER

GODDARD AT CARLSBAD, FRIDAY

History will be made on Friday night at Ralph Bowyer Stadium in Carlsbad. For the first time in a rivalry that dates back to 1965, both the Goddard and Carlsbad football teams will enter their nearly-annual contest with unbeaten records. However, when the opening kickoff goes in the air, all the records and history will be forgotten by both teams. - PAGE B1

TODAY’S OBITUARIES

• Miguel M. Otero • Gwen Sweatt • Margaret L. Bush - PAGE A6

HIGH ...88˚ LOW ....54˚

TODAY’S FORECAST

CLASSIFIEDS..........B3 COMICS.................B7 ENTERTAINMENT.....B3 FINANCIAL .............B6 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B3 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8

A procession of animals small and large will be seen outside St. Andrew’s

Episcopal Church in Roswell this Sunday. Four weeks after arriving in Roswell from Kansas, the Rev. Dale Plummer will have his

hands full blessing dogs, cats and even horses as part of the Blessing of the Animals and Memorial Service at the church. A tradition of the parish for

20 years, the ceremony, which commences at 2 p.m., will consist of a pet blessing and a memorial

percent lower than the submitted amount — potentially helping the company be selected as the low bidder on a project. The contracting preference previously didn’t apply to bids of more than $5 million, but that cap has been eliminated. The

Block still on payroll

See CONTRACTS, Page A3

SANTA FE (AP) — Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. continues to receive a $90,000-a-year government salary despite pleading guilty to felony charges, and he could stay on the public payroll through much of next week ahead of the deadline for him to resign under a plea agreement with prosecutors. Gov. Susana Martinez objected Wednesday that Block hasn’t stepped down from his elected office a week after he pleaded guilty to felony charges, including the fraudulent use of a state-issued credit card for gasoline purchases. “No more taxpayer money should be squandered waiting for Mr. Block to step down,” said Scott Darnell, a spokesman for the governor. Block had 10 days to resign under his plea agreement. That deadline is Oct. 13 because under state law the 10 days does not count weekends and holidays, according to the attorney general’s office. Block could be subjected to a more severe punishment — including time behind bars — if he fails to resign in time. Block’s attorney did not

Gateway honors Family argument turns violent Bone on Hero Day

Patrolman Rodney Bone was honored at Gateway Christian Elementary School, Wednesday. The recognition came as a part of the ceremony for Hero Day celebrated at Gateway Christian. Jachin Whitehead, a third-grade student at the school, dressed up as his hero Bone. The officer was one of the first responders to a serious traffic accident involv-

ing two semi-tractor trailer trucks. Bone risked his own life in order to rescue two truck drivers from the burning wreckage. As a result of his bravery in the line of duty, Officer Bone was awarded the New Mexico State Police Medal of Valor, the highest award for bravery in New Mexico. The American First Responder Institute of Her-

JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER

A family argument turned into a shoot-out, Wednesday, in the 700 block of South Cedar Avenue. “Around 8:30 this morning, we received a phone call about some kind of an altercation that resulted in shots fired,” said Roswell Police spokesman Officer Travis Holley. At least one person was

See BLESSING, Page A3

injured during the shooting. Johnny Otero, 27, was taken to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center for treatment of gunshot wounds, which Holley called serious. “Otereo had been dropped off at a local emergency room. His condition is unknown at this time.” He referred to the scene as chaotic. “Several vehicles left, but we have detained several witnessSee FAMILY, Page A3

See BLOCK, Page A3

Richard Otero

Great variety in Commercial Building Obama to step up power See HERO, Page A3

INDEX

Mark Wilson Photo

Fairgoers watch a cooking demonstration at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair Business Expo, Wednesday.

JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER

Political parties, craft makers and community organizations have come

together under one roof at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Booths lined the walls around the Commercial Building at the fairgrounds offering fairgoers all means of entertainment, items to purchase, general information and the opportunity to register to vote. The Democratic Party of Chaves County, the Republican Party of Chaves County and the Chaves County Tea Party all had booths in the building. The DPCC and the RPCC were registering voters of all parties. While the Republican’s booth was filled with signs depicting the names of various GOP politicians in Chaves County and throughout the state, Lee Sides, a member of the DPCC said, “We’re showing people there’s Democrats in Roswell.” The CCTP was focused on trying to get See FAIR, Page A3

line projects in 12 states

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Wednesday moved to speed up permitting and construction of seven proposed electric transmission lines in 12 states, saying the projects would create thousands of jobs and help moder nize the nation’s power grid. The projects are intended to serve as pilot demonstrations of streamlined federal permitting and improved cooperation among federal, state and tribal gover nments. The projects will provide more than 3,100 miles of new transmission

lines in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In all, the projects are expected to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, help avoid blackouts, restore power more quickly when outages occur and reduce the need for new power plants, officials said. While the projects are being expedited, officials said it still could take sevSee GRID, Page A3


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