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TUeSDAY, OCT. 30, 2012 • w w w . r u i d o s o f r e e p r e s s . c o M • VOL. 4, NO. 43
What’s
happening Halloween events October 31
Halloween at Smokey Bear Historical Park
Bring a bag for treats, a flashlight for the Haunted Forest, and a camera for a Ghostly Photo-Op. Games and treats inside presented by the Capitan Women’s Club. Smokey Bear Historical Park, 118 West Smokey Bear Blvd. 5:30 p.m. Free.
Midtown Trick or Treat
A tradition of festivals, fun and candy. Trick or treating begins at 3 p.m. at select Midtown shops. Free.
November 1-3 ‘The Tempest’
RHS Red Feather Theater Company presents all five acts of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with the students producing, directing and acting, including musical scores also created by the students. RHS Performing Arts Facility, 125 Warrior Dr. Thurs. 10:30 a.m., Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. 575-630-7945. Advance tickets, $10 at Golden Yarn Flooring, Can’t Stop Smokin’, Zocca Coffee, and Chamber of Commerce. $12 at the door.
November 3
Annual Fall American Photography Competition & Exhibition
The Hubbard Museum of the American West and the Photographic Society of Lincoln County open the much anticipated 21st Annual Fall American Photography Competition and Exhibition displaying until March 17, 2013. www.hubbardmuseum.org, $6. 575-378-4142
Annual Electronic Recycle
Drop off your obsolete, outdated and replaced electronic items to be recycled by Greentree Solid Waste. Volunteers needed. www.greentreeswa. org, Lawrence Bros. IGA, 721 Mechem Dr. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 575-257-5030. Free.
‘Take the Money & Run for President’
Levity helps lighten the load, which is the overall goal of The Capitol Steps, the Washington D.C. musical parody comedy troupe that is mostly comprised of former Republican and Democrat Congressional staffers. This irreverent troupe puts the mock in Democracy. Enjoy a night of laughter at Spencer Theater, 575-336-4800, www. spencertheater.com. Meatloaf buffet, $20, 5 p.m. Performance 7 p.m. $76 and $79.
November 4
Daylight Saving Time ends
Turn your clocks back one hour.
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A property of
Sheriff ’s campaign filled with new tricks, few treats By Todd Fuqua and Sue Hutchison
With a little more than a week left before Election Day, Lincoln County finds itself with no official undersheriff. Undersheriff Robert Shepperd resigned his post Friday in the face of a challenge which invoked the Hatch Act of 1939, which bars state and local government employees from running for public office if that position is supported by federal funds. That’s true even if the position is funded primarily by local or county funds, such as the County Sheriff. Lincoln County attorney Alan Morel said, “Robert Shepperd had two options and he took the high road. With federal legislation currently pending to make the 1939 Hatch Act non-applicable in these cases, Shepperd saved the county by removing them from any liability. Usually those who want to file a violation do so months in advance, but this filing left Shepperd with very little time to respond,” Morel said. The complaint was not filed by supporters of write-in candidate W.R. Seidel or by Seidel himself, as had been previously alleged. “We don’t know who filed because their identity is protected, and no one has admitted to filing that person may never admit he or she filed,” Morel said. Shepperd is not happy with the secrecy involved with the filing. “I’ve filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to find out who filed this complaint but was told that it’s an active investigation. It could be I’ll never be informed of who accused me. In my opinion it violates my Constitutional rights to not be able to face my accusers.” “Less than $100,000 in federal funding assistance was received. The county was federally reimbursed for our assistance in the Little Bear Fire, and federal dollars were received by the sheriff’s office for bullet proof vests,” Morel said. “On Oct. 23, 2012, I received notice from U.S. Office of Special Council that my candidacy for Sheriff may be in violation of the Hatch Act,” said Shepperd in an official press release. “Although there has been no determination that I am subject to or in violation of the Hatch Act, I have decided that it is the best interests of Lincoln County to resign my position.”
While Shepperd may have resigned, he’s not too concerned about the outcome of the election. If he wins, he would still be sheriff. “This really isn’t that big a deal,” Shepperd said. “I think the campaign has been going well, and now it’s up to the voters. It’s unfortunate the games people play to gain an advantage during an election, and my only comment is to go vote.” “I appreciate all the support Lincoln County has given me and want to get back to work as soon as I can. I’ve been asked if I resigned for health reasons, but that’s not the case at all. I’m fully ready to serve our county.” Because of damage done in the line of duty to his right arm, Shepperd has trained and is proficient with his left arm, having recently qualified on the shooting range.
Early voting
Shepperd’s resignation is the latest in an election that has been marked by colorful events. Seidel’s supporters have been very vocal and have been outside the Ruidoso Senior Center – site for early voting – where concerns had been raised about their conduct. I’ve had a number of complaints where
people feel intimidated to vote at the senior center in Ruidoso. Robert Shepperd Dr. Seidel’s supporters are approaching voters rather aggressively, and some feel harassed before they can get to the polling place,” Morel said. “We received some concerns from voters, but the law has changed,” said Lincoln County Clerk Rhonda Burrows. “The law no longer states campaigning cannot occur 100 feet from the building, but 100 feet from the entrance. That was the cause of some confusion.” Another concern was the effect of that electioneering on traffic at the site, which sometimes got backed up into the street in the first days of early voting. Burrows said Seidel supports have since changed their tactics at the entrance of the parking lot, and things seem to be running smoothly. She also emphasized that at no time were members of the Seidel campaign breaking any election laws. “They were always within the statutory requirements, and all these concerns have been addressed,” Burrows said.
Digging Pink
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press
Fans at Thursday’s Ruidoso-Roswell volleyball match were treated to a pink light show before the match as part of the Lady Warriors’ Dig Pink night honoring cancer survivors and raising funds and awareness for cancer research.
Free Press earns top spot with news awards
Kathy Kiefer earned In just its third year first place for “Going to in business and second STATE 2011 Volleyball year of eligibility for Tournament.” Kiefer New Mexico Press Asearned second place in sociation award recognithe classified ad section tion, the Ruidoso Free category and second Press claimed more place in supplements and awards than any newsspecial editions with the paper in Lincoln County 2011 Lincoln County during the 104th annual Cowboy Symposium. NMPA awards banquet The judges commended with first-place finishes Kiefer’s work with in four categories and “obviously a lot of hard second place finishes in Eugene Heathman Todd Fuqua Kathy Kiefer work and dedication five other categories as Editor Sports Editor Graphic Artist to this project.” The part of the 2012 Better Ruidoso Free Press staff also Newspaper Contest. headline on a serious topic, Heathman took first place in the shared the second place award Newspapers from around easy choice for first place.” The investigative reporting category for design and typography. the state were judged as part of for his writing on the White Fire. editorial writing category found an exchange with the Kentucky Complimenting his staff, Free Heathman with a second place The judges commended HeathPress Association, which awardman with “Excellent detail. Story award for his editorial “Commis- Press Editor Eugene Heathman ed the Ruidoso Free Press first said, “The multitude of awards sioners disdain for low income was arranged well and easy to place in its division for investiga- follow.” Heathman also swept earned this year is testimony residents is unacceptable.” The tive reporting, business writing, to the hard work, ambition and judges commended Heathman the business writing category in headline writing and shared sigdedication of the Ruidoso Free all the weekly classes with “grant with “Excellent job utilizing nature page followed by second Press staff. Being able to accomcommissioners who put foot in to help local company flow” place in design and typography, plish the prestigious milestone of mouth to sign a simple letter in regarding the opportunities and classified advertising, sports writ- success of a new start up busibecoming the number one award support of a good charity.” ing and editorials. The Ruidoso winning newspaper in Lincoln Sports Editor Todd Fuqua ness. Heathman earned first place Free Press was competing in the County in a competitive environearned a second place award for in the headline writing category Weekly Class 2, with circulation ment, with a small staff in such a with “Extension funding extend- his story, “Inspired Osos roar of less than 10,000. short period of time, speaks voled, for a price.” The judges com- to 7-0 win.” Free Press producume to the talent we have here.” Free Press editor Eugene tion specialist and graphic artist mended this award with “Clever GOLF ALTO
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