Santa Fe New Mexican, May 21, 2013

Page 1

Bike, scooter rental businesses gain traction downtown Local business, A-9

Locally owned and independent

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

www.santafenewmexican.com 75¢

Massive Oklahoma tornado levels school, neighborhoods A major search and rescue operation is underway to locate survivors from a mile-wide twister that ripped through an Oklahoma City suburb Monday afternoon, killing at least 51 people and injuring many others. The tornado destroyed an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. NATION, A-3

ST. MICHAEL’S HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2013

‘Excited for what’s to come’

Logan Victor, 6, aboard his family’s pony, Henry, before the pony was fatally attacked by a neighbor’s dogs Saturday. COURTESY JESSICA VICTOR

Dogs blamed in death of pony Neighbors shoot one pit bull terrier after second fatal attack on pets; county confiscates other animals By Robert Nott The New Mexican

Friends and family members take photos of the St. Michael’s Class of 2013 during the processional at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Monday. Approximately 100 graduating seniors received their high school diplomas during the ceremony. View more photos of the ceremony at http://tinyurl.com/kt3jou3. CLYDE MUELLER/THE NEW MEXICAN

Archbishop addresses senior class eager for future after graduation By Chris Quintana The New Mexican

W

ith four years of high school behind her, Gabrielle Gallegos said she was happy to be done and finally be in control of her life. “I want to buy my own groceries and get good snacks,” said Gallegos, who was dressed in her St. Michael’s High School graduation cap and gown. Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan presided over the two-hour Mass and graduation ceremony for the private Catholic school at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Monday morning. Nearly 100 graduating seniors and

Sheehan spoke about the parable of the seed sower, who scattered some seeds by the roadside, some in thorns and some in fertile soil. The seeds that fell on fertile soil sprouted and thrived, and Sheehan said the St. Michael’s graduates are like those seeds. The archbishop then praised the group’s scholastic and athletic achievements over the last year — St. Michael’s football team went undefeated and claimed the state title — but he warned many challenges still await them. “You will encounter ridicule, opposition and even hatred in following the church,” Sheehan said.

their families and friends attended the event, which made for tight seating in the 126-year-old cathedral. Children in pressed slacks and dresses fidgeted, parents fiddled with smartphones and digital cameras, and church attendants turned away tourists as everyone awaited the class of 2013. They arrived in pairs from the cathedral’s east side. The young men wore blue gowns while the women were in white. Audience members laughed, smiled and cried as the graduating seniors made their way around the church and then sat in front of the altar. Church volunteers, clergy members and gown-clad seniors sang hymns, read passages from the Bible and administered the Eucharist.

Please see GRADUATION, Page A-4

A Santa Fe County couple said their neighbor’s pit bull terriers attacked and killed their goat on Mother’s Day, and then returned several days later to attack and kill their pet pony. Some of the same dogs may have been involved in an attack on a smaller dog in the city of Santa Fe last week as well. Jessica Victor, who lives west of N.M. 599 on Penny Lane with her husband, John Victor, and their three children, said the dogs belong to Dominic Vigil, who has been mostly unresponsive to their complaints. However, according to Jessica Victor, Vigil told the couple they could shoot any of his dogs they felt

Please see DOGS, Page A-4

Annexation plans raise questions about vote By Julie Ann Grimm The New Mexican

New Mexico to change tack for health exchange By Barry Massey

The Associated Press

New Mexico is switching gears on its plan for a health insurance exchange and initially will partner with the federal government for computer services needed for an online insurance marketplace. The state intends to have a New Mexico-run insurance exchange ready for small businesses to shop for coverage for their employees this fall and will use a federally operated exchange to offer insurance plans to individuals for the next year, Dr. J.R. Damron, chairman of the exchange’s governing board, said Monday. A law was enacted earlier this year to create a staterun exchange for individuals and small businesses.

Please see HEALTH, Page A-5

Index

Calendar A-2

Classifieds B-5

Comics B-12

Pasapick www.pasatiempomagazine.com

Moment of sharing Santa Feans record life-changing stories as part of Mutual of Omaha cross-country tour. LOcAL, A-6

Rivers Run Through Us Littleglobe’s series of free events along the Santa Fe River concludes with Water Matters: What is the Role of Art and Artists in Protecting and Restoring Our Rivers?, performances by artist Bobbe Besold, poet Valerie Martínez and performance artist Dominique Mazeaud, 5:30 p.m., Santa Fe Community Foundation, 501 Halona St., presented by Amigos Bravos, amigosbravos.com. More events in Calendar, A-2 and Fridays in Pasatiempo

Lotteries A-2

Opinions A-10

Obituaries Kathleen McGary, 66, Santa Fe, May 17 Andrew S. Ortiz, 44, Cuyamungue, May 18 PAGE A-8

Police notes A-8

Editor: Rob Dean, 986-3033, rdean@sfnewmexican.com Design and headlines: Kristina Dunham, kdunham@sfnewmexican.com

Today Partly sunny and nice. High 75, low 45.

Thousands of new voters could become eligible to cast ballots in Santa Fe’s municipal election next year if city officials stick to the current timeline for annexing areas of Santa Fe County. Just what kind of impact these potential voters would have on the citywide mayoral race or on the smaller, district council races remains to be seen, but already some observers are questioning whether city leaders are making the right decision about timing. For about six years, the city and county governments have had a settlement agreement in place that calls for Santa Fe to expand its territory around its urban fringe so it can maintain roads, make trash and recycling collections, and provide city-level police and fire services while also collecting the appropriate taxes to help pay for it all. The timing of the annexation, however, has been a moving target. Earlier this month, governing bodies from both jurisdictions signed off a plan for the city to annex about 4,100 acres on the southern and western edges by January 2014. Since the municipal election is scheduled for March 14, that means new city residents would be added to voter rolls within 12 weeks of the election and therefore eligible to cast ballots. The territory marked for annexation is home to at least 13,250 people, according to the 2010 census.

Please see ANNEXATION, Page A-4

PAGE A-12

Sports B-1

Time Out B-11

Local Business A-9

Main office: 983-3303 Late paper: 986-3010

Two sections, 24 pages 164th year, No. 141 Publication No. 596-440


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