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See Rep. Pearce column, pg. 7 TuesdAY, MAY 3, 2011 • w w w . r u i d o s o f r e e p r e s s . c o m • VOL. 3, NO. 18
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MAW 2011: Mission Complete Budget cuts hit ’11 MAW Fox: Vets gave ‘priceless gift’ By Eddie Farrell Editor
From essay winners to decorated generals to the ordinary GIs that make the whole system operate, Military Appreciation Week 2011 culminated April 30 at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport with a glimpse of America’s war power housed at several military bases in the southeast New Mexico area. Participants included assets from Holloman Air Force Base, Cannon Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss, Texas as well as representatives from the New Mexico
National Guard. The spirit of MAW 2011 was evident early as the Ruidoso High School Ensemble teamed up with musicians from the 44th Army Band Ensemble to provide the patriotism-filled backdrop for the festivities. Ruidoso Mayor Ray Alborn presented a “Key to the Village” to U.S. Army Col. Randy Lane, chief of staff for Joint Task Force North at Fort Bliss and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Doug Murray, dean of New Mexico Military Institute, congratulated winners of the MAW essay con-
See BUDGET CUTS, pg. 4
By Eugene Heathman Reporter
Civilians and veterans of all ages and all walks of life gathered at Ruidoso Middle School April 30 for the Military Appreciation Weekend 2011 awards banquet to honor all veterans, past and present. The awards banquet activities reflected the deep bond between the military, their families, local governments and the citizens of Lincoln County. The evening began with the setting of the POW-MIA table which is a solemn military trib-
See VETS, pg. 4
Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free Press
MAW 2011 awards banquet keynote speaker, Brigadier General Jack Fox, NM National Guard, Ret. delivered a compelling speech to civilian and military attendees.
Ruidoso flies a kite
Eddie Farrell/Ruidoso Free Press
US Army Specialist Joseph Chrisman gives Isaiah Soto, 13, a hands-on lesson on how to operate a PSS-14 ground penetrating radar detector, commonly used in combat zones to find hidden explosives, April 30 at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport as part of Military Appreciation Weekend 2011.
Udall hosts round table discussion By Eugene Heathman Reporter
U.S Sen. Tom Udall toured the White Fire area and the remodeled Ruidoso Convention Center before hosting an economic round table with local business leaders at the Hotel Ruidoso April 26. The small business and economic development tour stop in Ruidoso provided an opportunity for business leaders to present to the senator key issues which impede small business development in Lincoln County.
Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce President-Elect Anne Reveley moderated the round table discussion, and opened with a proclamation of the Chamber of Commerce’s importance to foster growth of the business community fueled with a renewed spirit of cooperation for the common good. Paul Van Gulick, of Benchmark Engineering and Survey emphasized the importance of water management as an impediment sustaining a growing economy. “A regionalization of watershed management although
geographically separated, such as Capitan and Corona, should be interconnected on a civic level so everyone is on the same page with its importance,” Van Gulick said. In his response, Udall referenced John Wesley Powell, a noted U.S explorer and scientist, who proposed policies for developing an arid West during the latter portion of the 19th Century. “The development of this region is far from what Powell warned about in his recommend-
See UDALL, pg. 6
Pearce talks budget, birds in Ruidoso By Patrick Jason Rodriguez Reporter
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce on April 26 at a Ruidoso Rotary Club meeting discussed recent battles with the federal budget and his idea to boost local job growth, consisting of a plan to allow the timber industry into national forest areas currently populated by the Mexican spotted owl, much to the chagrin of environmentalists. Pearce, a Republican from Hobbs who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, including all of Lincoln County, began his talk by explaining why he voted for a 2012 budget plan introduced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), which contains about $6 trillion in cuts to government spending, including the implementation
Index
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . 2 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
of voucher programs for Medicare and Medicaid, reform to Social Security, and lowering the highest individual and corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 25 percent. Pearce said that “lowering the tax burden for the wealthiest Americans would stimulate job growth,” while Rep. Ryan’s plan would leave entitlement programs for seniors intact. The bill passed in the House of Representatives, 235-193, on April 15, but is not expected to make it through the Democratic-controlled Senate. “The stakes are very high,” said Pearce of the budget, adding that he would break down the budget crisis in simpler terms for those in attendance.
See PEARCE, pg. 9
Police Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 On the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free Press
A colorful blowfish kite kept kids entertained at the kite festival April 30 at White Mountain Sports Complex.
Downs proposal to modify water, sewer fees hits procedural snag By Eddie Farrell Editor
A proposal to enact a number of changes in how the city of Ruidoso Downs bills water and sewer customers died in a 2-2 tie at the April 25 City Council meeting, but City Clerk Carol Virden said April 26 there was a procedural error with the vote and that matter could be revisited at the
council’s May 9 meeting. Following the conclusion of the April 25 meeting, Virden and Mayor Tom Armstrong, who did not cast a tie-breaking vote on Public Works Director Cleatus Richards’ proposal, explained that state law requires a super majority of three-quarters of the voting body to approve such an
See DOWNS, pg. 6
The Raiders are coming... May 7 at the Spencer pg. 15
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