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TUESDAY, F EB 12, 2013 • w w w . r u i d o s o f r e e p r e s s . c o M • V OL . 5 , N O. 6
Racing bill would secure economic impact for N.M.
What’s
happening February 14
One Billion Rising HEAL Flash Mob
Join the global campaign “One Billion Rising” in a flash dance to acknowledge the fight against domestic violence. Wingfield Park in Midtown, 12:15 p.m. 575-3786378, www.facebook.com/ events/324826700964792. Free.
By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com A senate bill proposed by Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose would add five live racing days to each of New Mexico’s five
February 15
Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone
Grammy-nominated British pop band best known for their hit songs “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Into Something Good.” Inn of the Mountain Gods, 8 p.m. 575-464-7777, www.innofthemountaingods. com. Tickets start at $25.
February 16
Living History at Fort Stanton
Step back in time and see Fort Stanton brought to life with troop classes, artillery ammunition demonstrations and mounted saber exercises. Fort Stanton, 10 a.m. 575-3540341, www.fortstanton.org. Free.
Writer’s workshop at the Capitan Library
Mr. Havill coaches beginner and experienced writers on this craft. Catered lunch. Space is limited. Capitan Library, 101 E. 2nd St., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 575-354-3035. $35
Ski Apache GPS Mileage Challenge
Skiers and boarders of all levels team up to tally their distance, tracked by GPS, to see who has traveled the greatest vertical distance. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call for specifics. 575464-3600. www.skiapache. com. $35 per team of five.
Thomas P. Radcliffe at the Old Mill
Finger-style guitar virtuoso Thomas Radcliffe to perform his multi-instrumental repertoire of contemporary folk compositions with classical influences. The Old Mill, 641 Sudderth Dr., 6 p.m. 575-2571090. Advance tickets at the Chamber $17; at the door $21.
Little River Band
First band to achieve a record for having Top 10 hits for six consecutive years… with singles: “It’s a Long Way There,” “Help Is on Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary,” “Reminiscing,” “Lady,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “We Two” and “The Other Guy.” Inn of the Mountain Gods, 8 p.m. 575-464-7777, www.innofthemountaingods. com. .
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A property of
File photos
Above, 2012 All American Futurity winner One Dashing Eagle took the sport’s most prestigious award, the world champion title, and also was named the champion 2-year-old and champion 2-year-old colt. At right, Ochoa was named the champion 3-year-old and 3-year-old gelding on the strength of his wins in the Grade 1, $903,774 Rainbow Derby and then the Grade 1, $2.2 million All American Derby. His All American Derby win made him the all-time leading money-earning Quarter Horse and he has now earned $2,619,741.
race tracks during the course of a five year period to enhance state and local revenues while encouraging additional employment through increased tourism. Passage of the bill would secure the future impact horse racing has on the state’s economy. With the state of New Mexico reporting a net loss of more than 4,500 jobs in 2012, Griego is seeking to align with Governor Susana Martinez’s job creation initiative by strengthening the racing industry which has been a significant contributor of tax revenues to New Mexico’s economy and job creator for the state since 1938. “This bill would benefit all race tracks throughout New Mexico and would stabilize the nearly see rAciNG BiLL, pg. A8
Local leaders strengthen legislative initiatives in Santa Fe By Sue Hutchison Reporter suehutch@valornet.com
A day at the Roundhouse
Local citizens converged on Santa Fe last Wednesday for Lincoln County day at the Roundhouse. More than a year ago, tactics were changed to bring local concerns to legislators due to the inundation of requests for awareness which are brought to the capitol on a regular basis. Rutalee Todd-Jernigan, Ruidoso’s chamber of commerce president, spoke with several state representatives a couple years ago, asking how the community could be more effective. “They said they just wanted to get to know us and let us visit with them on our day,” she said. To that end late last year, representatives and senators who represent Lincoln County were invited to a casual
meet-and-greet at the Ruidoso Convention Center where legislative priorities were presented. “That’s why we had this meetand-greet before the legislative session started, so they could meet us and hear from us without the distraction of the session,” said Todd-Jernigan. Lincoln County day at the capitol occurs annually in February with the focus now changed from one of setting up booths and extensive gift giving to one of simply thanking legislators for their service to Lincoln County and reminding them of local current issues. Among other representatives of county governing bodies, the staff of Help End Abuse for Life travelled to Santa Fe last Wednesday to learn about the legislative process and represent domestic violence survivors. Coleen
Sue Hutchison/Ruidoso Free Press
Lt. Governor John Sanchez meets with Coleen Widell and the HEAL (Help End Abuse For Life) team during Lincoln County Day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Pictured left to right are Coleen Widell, Lynn Myers, Dora Cofer, Corina Montoya, Lt. Gov. Sanchez, Britta Magnusson and Suzie Owensby. Widell, HEAL’s director, camps on the doorsteps of legislators during the Jan-Feb session to bring awareness and lobby issues which affect
her clients. She met her staff to give direction about lobbying and a quick Roundhouse tour. see rouNdHouse, pg. A3
Griego partners with village for Grindstone rehabilitation By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com State senate redistricting from 2012 is already paying dividends due to the legislative and rural development efforts of Sen. Phil Griego who lives near and whose district encompasses Las Vegas, N.M. and northern parts of Lincoln County. Las Vegas shares a common problem with Ruidoso, a leaky dam that needs millions of dollars to repair. During the Lincoln Day Feb. 6 legislative reception in Santa Fe, Village Councilor Lynn Crawford and Mayor Ray Alborn discussed
how Griego was tackling the leaking dam in Las Vegas, the main supplier of the city’s water. Village officials have been scrambling to capitalize on drought conditions, meaning an empty Grindstone reservoir to raise approximately $4.5 million to apply a sealer for the dam which at full capacity can store 30 percent of the village water supply. As of late January, the village is primarily relying on well water due to low water levels in Grindstone reservoir and the redirection of water flows as a result of contaminated stream flows from the Little Bear Fire. Griego is working with USDA Rural Development Director Terry Brunner in Albu-
querque to secure $16 million of $60 million in rural utility infrastructure funding to care for the aging and leaking dam in Las Vegas which left the city with less than three days of water last summer, forcing residents into emergency water restrictions and rationing. During the trip to Santa Fe, Griego offered his assistance to the village with the application process in addition to enlisting Senators Martin Heinrich, Tom Udall and Congressman Steve Pearce to expedite the sense of urgency of the two projects. The USDA, Pearce and Udall were key players in the development of the new wastewater see GriNdstoNe, pg. A3
Getting thrown into a blue ribbon By Sandi Aguilar
“Sometimes they get thrown into it and decide this is not what they want to do,” says Kala Scarafiotti, Ruidoso High School science teacher, of the regional Science Olympiad in Roswell on Saturday. Fortunately this was not the case of brother science team, Raul (junior) and Orlando (sophomore) Orona. The neophyte team won a blue ribbon at the Science Olympiad regional competition in Roswell. Flexibility and overall knowledge are definite advantages in the contest. Raul studied specifically for the anatomy and water quality tests,
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but due to team eliminations had to take the remote sensing test. A high altitude picture of a land formation was provided and the team had to definitively describe what caused the formation. The Orona brothers described the act of the melting of a giant glacier with massive pieces breaking off and floating away into the ocean, which looks considerably different taken from several miles in the air. This was the first Science Olympiad for the pair and Raul enjoyed the learning. He says, “It prepares you for the math and science that you will take in colsee scieNce oLYMpiAd, pg. A3 OWS
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REAL ESTATE TEAM
(575) 258-5008 SDC, REALTORS®
(575) 257-5111 ext. 117 307 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM
Photo courtesy of Sandi Aguilar
Orlando and Raul Orona placed first for Ruidoso High School in Remote Sensing at the regional Science Olympiad.
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