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Business
Ruidoso Free Press
April 24, 2012
COPE cashes in with inaugural Casino Gala By Ingrid Fowler
The Center of Protective Environment, Inc. (COPE) hosted its 1st Annual Casino Gala on the evening of Friday, April 13 at the Swiss Bar and Grill of the Swiss Chalet Inn. Those in attendance played blackjack and roulette, bid on silent and live auction items, and enjoyed good food, good music and good company. COPE’s Lincoln County Advisory Board spearheaded this event to support the nonresidential services provided by COPE for survivors of domestic violence and their children at its office at 1204 Mechem, Suite 12. “This is the first time we have done anything like this event,” said Kay Gomolak, COPE’s Executive Director, “and our figures are still preliminary but we believe we netted $9,000.” Twenty-five live auction items included outstanding artwork from local artists, gift certificates for lodging, golf lessons, rounds of golf, “a day at the races,” Spencer Theater tickets, and a beautiful basket of wine and food items that was donated by the Spencer Theater ushers. In all, $3,000 was raised from the live auction which was conducted by Perry Champion with able assistance from COPE’s Advisory Board members. The silent auction featured more than 100 items, including artwork, jewelry, gift certificates and unique items donated by local businesses and individual artisans.
The silent auction was held on the top floor of the Swiss Bar and Grill, and those who went up to bid on the silent auction items also enjoyed a magnificent view of the mountains. On the main floor, more than 150 people enjoyed the music of Susan Kolb, hors d’oeuvres, and played Blackjack and roulette throughout the evening. “We want to thank everyone who donated items and volunteered their time to help with this event,” said Mike Mauldin, chairman of COPE’s Advisory Council in Lincoln County. “Our efforts will help to keep a vital service in our community alive for those who need it.” Since Courtesy photo 2002 COPE has provided domestic Casino Gala attendees try their luck at the roulette table during the violence services to survivors of COPE (Center of Protective Environment) fundraiser held April 13 at domestic violence and their children, the Swiss Chalet. reaching more than 200 people each year. In addition to counseling, advocacy and legal services for domestic violence survivors fied 52-week program for domestic violence offenders in and their children, COPE operates the only state certiLincoln County.
County commissioners get down to business By Sue Hutchison Reporter suehutch@valornet.com
Detention center bond refinancing public hearing
After significant discussion and with a unanimous vote, commissioners proceeded with the next step in refinancing bonds for the detention center which originated in 2002. Step one was initiated at the February commission meeting, adopting a refunding option for the Lincoln County Detention Center that would reduce interest rates from 5.06 percent to 3.02 percent, saving the County nearly $1 million over the life of the debt. The maturity of the debt would be reduced from 2030 to 2026. Step two, the adoption of an Intent Resolution Allowing Publication of the Notice of Meeting and Intent to Adopt Ordinance for the Refunding Option for the detention center was accomplished at the March Commission meeting. Step three took place at this meeting at a public hearing, the official adoption of Ordinance 2012-02 which defines param-
eters for the Bond Ordinance. The county treasurer and manager have the authority to enter into agreements with Modrall Firm as bond counsel, and First American Financial Advisors, Inc., and RBC Dain Rauscher as underwriters. A “special limited obligation bond” is typical in cases like Lincoln County’s according to Chris Muirhead of the Modrall Firm. He states it allows refinancing to occur. Interest rates and county rating will be presented in May with a target of June 1 for refunding/refinancing.
County to change towers
Nita Taylor, country manager reported from the Smokey Bear Ranger District Report a rejection of the county’s request to add another radio tower to Buck Mountain for the county’s use. Citing the fact that Holloman Air Force Base is requesting installation of a taller tower, Lincoln County can choose to share their space. “Once Holloman’s tower is erected, we’ll move our equipment to their tower and will link us into their system without delay,” stated Travis Atwell, Emergency Services Director. Taylor asked if our current contract noted fines that would be levied should
the county move tenancy before the end of the contract. Atwell indicated the county most likely needed to give 30 days’ notice. Commissioner Kathryn Minter asked about current ordinances which indicated mandatory inspections, and Atwell responded the ordinances related to safety issues.
Orio Fire report
Eddie Tudor and Atwell reported on the Orio Fire (named in memory of Jack Orio, volunteer firefighter), which burned approximately 830 acres east of Capitan on April 1. Several fire crews were dispatched. The Incident Status Summary provided by State Forestry reported the fire began around 4 p.m. and was fully contained April 4 at approximately 6 p.m. Cost of fighting the Orio fire is estimated to be $60,000. An air tanker, previously ordered for Mescalero was in the area and assisted in containment. Atwell reported there are only 11 air tanker planes nationwide in use currently, and are sourced from Boise, Idaho. Commissioner Jackie Powell remarked about the endangered species status claims which may impede firefighters by limiting access; however no structure threat was present.
The final incident report lists equipment use as the general cause of the Orio Fire.
Lodger’s tax activities and applications
Commissioner Kathryn Minter opposes giving any money to events at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, stating events held there should apply for Otero County assistance. She was outvoted by three to one and commissioners voted to fund $5,000 for advertising at the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, stating the event brings in millions of tourist dollars to Lincoln County. Minter also opposed funding $1,000 for the annual Christmas Jubilee, and opposed the request for $2,500 for advertising in New Mexico and Texas for Tour de Ruidoso Bike Race. Both passed with Battin, Doth, and Powell voting for and Minter voting against. Other Lodger’s Tax applications funded were: $3,500 for Ski Apache’s Disabled Skier Program; $1,000 for Ruidoso Sprint Kids’s Triathalon; $800 for Alto Artist Studio Tour; $1,500 for Porto Potties Advertising; $4,000 for Aspencash Motorcycle Rally and $1,575 for Zia Rides.
Leadership Lincoln Leaders of the Week Eugene Heathman
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ers had to change their name to La Fave from their birth name, Martinez. Originally from Las Cruces, “While living in Germany on the outHeathman lived between Colorado skirts of Mannheim, I learned to swim and New Mexico all of his life. He lived in the Rhine River. We returned to several years in Steamboat Springs, Carrizozo where I graduated from CarColo., home of Champagne powder rizozo High School in 1967. I worked skiing. He played for a nationally topfor the local newspaper for eight years ten ranked rugby from 1990-2000. and learned how to set type, work In 1992, Heathman began a in the dark-room and operate the career in Resort Property Manageprinting presses,” La Fave said. La Fave ment. The next five years in Steamthen moved to Albuquerque where he boat Springs furthered his passion to worked for a printing company for six become a Realty Investment Broker. Eugene Heathman David La Fave years. La Fave returned to Carrizozo Heathman became a full - time Realty and was employed in the Assessor’s Investment Broker in 2002. His areas offi ce for eight years, then left there to work for of expertise range from residential to multigraduate in the fall of 2012. Jete and Pat Voss at Lincoln County Abstract family and commercial investment realty His hobbies/activities include: photogCompany doing title searches and abstracts. transactions. Heathman has consistently led raphy, southwest and general history, hiking, After five years La Fave returned to the Ashis organizations in volume and gross comlarge animal, small game and waterfowl mission production. hunting, boating, fresh water fishing (he’d love sessor’s Office and where he pursued a career as a GIS mapper for Lincoln County, retiring afIn October 2010, Heathman plunged into to try salt water/ocean angling) and he loves ter twenty years of service. La Fave is currently a local multi-media and news reporting posifresh seafood. employed part-time at Superior Title Company tion with MTD Media, The Ruidoso Free Press. performing title searches and examination. In August of 2011, Heathman became the David La Fave La Fave served as Carrizozo Town Trustee managing editor for the Ruidoso Free Press. La Fave was born in Carrizozo in the old for six plus years and have been a member Heathman is a member of The Ruidoso/ hospital run by Dr. Paul Turner and Dr. A.N. of the Carrizozo Volunteer Fire Department Lincoln County Association of Realtors, RuSpencer. “My birthday was November 24 as for twenty years. La Fave also served as the idoso Gun Club, and President of the Ruidoso was Dr. Turner’s so he was asking my mother department secretary earning twenty years Valley Economic Development Corporation. to hurry through the delivery because he was of service. La Fave continues to serve the comHeathman is a full time student at Eastmissing his birthday party,” La Fave said. His munity in that capacity and is honored to be a ern New Mexico University pursuing a Business stepfather was in the armed services and was part of this year’s Leadership Lincoln program. Administration degree and is expected to transferred to Germany so he and his broth-
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