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LOCAL & REGION
THE NEW MEXICAN Thursday, September 12, 2013
Group with link to governor runs ads Five apply for New Mexico Competes led by former official in Martinez administration Staff and Wire Reports
The nonprofit group running radio ads supporting Gov. Susana Martinez’s handling of the state mental-health system shake-up is run by a former official in Martinez’s administration with a history in New Mexico Republican politics. Sara Lister, executive director of New Mexico Competes, said Wednesday that the radio ads are airing statewide through this week. Lister said New Mexico Competes is a nonprofit public policy organization and not affiliated with any political committees. Jay McCleskey, the governor’s political adviser, said, “Gov. Martinez and her political committee did not form this organization, nor control its activities.” The group’s ads underscore the growing role of certain nonprofits in the political arena because they legally can raise unlimited amounts of money and generally aren’t required to disclose their donors. The radio spots support the administration’s decision to halt payments to mental health providers that the state is investigating for possible overbillings, mismanagement and fraud, and charge that “special interest groups” want Martinez “to look the other way.” Meanwhile, a group of social workers and service providers critical of the administration’s actions have produced a radio ad of their own. The Coalition to Save Behavioral Health started running its spot on KOB radio in Albuquerque on Wednesday. The ads will continue until Saturday.
Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized Martinez, who is running for re-election next year, for shutting off Medicaid payments to more than a dozen providers of mental health and substance abuse services. Susana The state Human Martinez Services Department suspended payments in June after an outside auditor hired by the department flagged $36 million in possible overbillings. The state contends that federal regulations required it to halt the payments and turn over the allegations to the state Attorney General’s Office to investigate. State officials have refused to make the audit report public or share the findings with the de-funded service providers. New Mexico Competes isn’t registered as a political committee or lobbyist with the Secretary of State’s Office. Lister served as deputy Cabinet secretary for the state Department of Workforce Solutions from September 2011 until late March of this year. She previously was a senior adviser for Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, a Republican. She was a longtime fundraiser for Republican former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici and served as campaign manager for former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in his unsuccessful run as a Republican candidate for Congress in 2008. According to an organizational list for the 2004 New Mexico Bush-Cheney campaign, Lister was that campaign’s deputy executive director. She also worked on the 2000 congressional campaign of Republican Heather Wilson and worked in Domenici’s Washington, D.C., office, according to information on the list.
N.M. man sentenced in election fraud case of Help America Vote Act funds. The indictment charged $2.5 million in fraud. ALBUQUERQUE — A New Gutierrez was sentenced last Mexico man recently convicted month to 10 years in federal of conspiring to steal money prison. He must also pay restituintended for voter education tion and forfeit his interest in his efforts was sentenced WednesCorpus Christi home. day to 10 years in federal prison At the time of the indictment, followed by three years of superprosecutors said Kupfer, a former vised release. lobbyist, and Gutierrez were U.S. District Judge William consultants to New Mexico SecJohnson also ordered Joseph Kupfer of Rio Rancho to join his retary of State Rebecca Vigil. She left office in 2006. co-defendants in paying more The charges stemmed from than $1 million in restitution to $6 million in contracts that Vigilthe state and the Internal RevGiron negotiated with Gutierrez enue Service. to produce commercials using “The sentence imposed on federal money from the Help Joseph Kupfer concludes the prosecution of an important case America Vote Act. Kupfer was a consultant to Gutierrez. that sends a powerful message State criminal charges against to those who do business with the government: We will aggres- Vigil were dismissed last year sively investigate and vigorously after a judge ruled delays in the prosecute those who steal federal case had impaired her defense. Kupfer and his wife, Elizabeth funds and dodge their civic obligation to pay their rightful share Kupfer, were also found guilty last year of tax evasion. The couof taxes,” said acting U.S. Attorple were convicted of failing to ney Steven C. Yarbrough. report at least $768,000 in income Kupfer, 50, and Armando C. they received from Joseph KupGutierrez, 65, of Corpus Christi, Texas, were found guilty in Janu- fer’s consulting business. Elizabeth Kupfer, 50, was senary. tenced in May to three years in Prosecutors said the two conprison followed by three years of sultants conspired to get more money than they were due out of supervised release for her conviction. New Mexico’s $19 million share
The Associated Press
Lister likened the ads by New Mexico Competes to the activities of ProgressNow New Mexico, a liberal advocacy group that has been critical of Martinez. “We will not contest that those who support New Mexico Competes share an ideology with Gov. Martinez and the majority of New Mexicans that the state must put forward pro-growth economic policies and improve educational performance in the classroom,” Lister said in an email statement. The anti-Martinez ad — provided to The New Mexican by state Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, a leading critic of the state’s defunding of the mental-health providers — also is a 60-second spot. It’s not clear who is paying for the ad. Like New Mexico Competes, this group isn’t listed with the Secretary of State’s Office. A spokeswoman for the group couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. In the ad, a male narrator says, “The shutdown of the majority of New Mexico’s Behavioral Health providers and transfer of their management to Arizona firms was done without due process and has severely reduced service delivery to many of our citizens who are suffering from mental illness, alcoholism and substance abuse. “It has been costly in many other ways,” the radio spot continues. “With dozens of jobs impacted, reduction of services to families and children, especially in our rural areas, and gifted professionals now leaving the state. “The governor has placed New Mexico’s vulnerable citizens in the hands of outsiders whose CEOs are being paid up to $300 an hour during the transition and who are not familiar with our traditions or our culture. … What’s next? Transfer of the New Mexico Department of Health to Texas?”
Council in brief Councilor Rivera calls for tip line City Councilor Chris Rivera has proposed the city of Santa Fe establish a hotline for employees to report fraud, waste or abuse by fellow employees. Rivera said he had recently met with several city employees who said they knew about fraud or waste but were afraid to report their concerns. The tip line would allow callers to remain anonymous unless the complaint resulted in a criminal investigation. The city auditor would review the tips received and decide which ones warrant an internal investigation. A draft ordinance calls for creation of the program a proposed resolution would budget funds to hire an independent contractor to create and implement the hotline system.
Kristina Mihelcic, who said she wasn’t sure about the exact date for the new deadline. She A maker of “transformative also said she didn’t know why documentaries,” a lawyer who the commission had decided to publishes a monthly newspaper, extend its deadline. an owner of a picture frame Contenders so far include: shop, a lawyer who has served u Cynthia Lukas, a film proon local government boards ducer and writer of “transformaand commissions and a retired tive documentaries,” according teacher from Valencia County to her website. Lukas served on are among the applicants so far the Scottsdale, Ariz., City Counfor appointment to the seat in cil from 1998 to 2004. the state House of Representau Richard H. Rogers, a lawyer tives that was held by the late and executive editor of Santa Stephen Easley of Eldorado. Fe Monthly, a free-distribution House District 50 includes paper. parts of Santa Fe, Bernalillo, u Billy Peterson, owner of Torrance and Valencia counties. The county commissions in Frontier Frames on St. Michael’s each county will make nomina- Drive. u Matthew McQueen, a tions for the appointment by lawyer and former member of Gov. Susana Martinez. Democrats control the commissions in the Santa Fe River Commission Santa Fe and Bernalillo counties, and the County Open Land and Trails Planning and Advisory while Republicans control the Committee. Torrance and Valencia County u Pam Cordova, who taught commissions. Martinez is a English for 26 years at Belen and Republican. Santa Fe County officials orig- Los Lunas schools before she inally had set a Monday, Sept. 9, retired in 2006. deadline for applications, but the Easley, a Democrat, was servSanta Fe County Commission ing his first term when he died will extend its deadline until late in August from complications in the month for those wishing after surgery. to be nominated to Easley’s seat, Contact Steve Terrell at a county spokeswoman said sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Wednesday. Read his political blog at “They won’t be be making their choice until October,” said roundhouseroundup.com. By Steve Terrell The New Mexican
Funeral services and memorials BARBARA JEAN CAWLEY
Activists address heroin issue About a half-dozen people urged the City Council on Wednesday night to hold a meeting to address Santa Fe’s continuing heroin problem. Gloria Mendoza said she wants a forum at which people can talk about deaths and other problems associated with heroin. She added that she had people willing and available to serve on a proposed panel. Mendoza was accompanied by three people who said they supported her idea. Monique Lovato, 20, told the council that she personally knew at least 16 people under 20 years old suffering from heroin addiction. City Councilor Patti Bushee said she planned to introduce a resolution at the Sept. 16 city Finance Committee meeting that would call for gathering to address heroin use. Bushee said the meeting would educate the community about the current state of the heroin problem and inform those concerned about what’s being done to address drug abuse. City Councilor Bill Dimas said he also plans to introduce a resolution that would address the city’s drug problem. The New Mexican
Police notes The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: u A backpack containing a pair of reading glasses was stolen from an unlocked 2006 Subaru parked in the 2400 block of Vereda de Encanto, in a neighborhood just north of Rodeo Road, sometime before 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. u Security officers reported finding a 59-year-old man dead in his car parked at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, 455 St. Michael’s Drive, at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday. Police determined the man died of natural causes and found no signs of foul play. u Jose F. Valdez, 5076 Calle Errante, was arrested on a charge of shoplifting. A report said he admitted to taking a pair of gloves, two candy bars and a bag of chips from a store at 915 Richards Ave. around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. u Someone stole five tires from the yard of Southwest Motorsport Resource, 116 Calle la Resolana, sometime between Aug. 31 and Sept. 7. It was reported Tuesday. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the following reports: u Burglars broke a window and took a
Easley’s vacant state House seat
television, a game machine and a laptop computer from a residence off Meadow Hills Drive in Edgewood between 8:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday. u A weed blower, hand tools, battery charger, compressor, freezer, traffic cones and water hose were stolen from a residence in the 5000 block of Agua Fría Street sometime between 10 a.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The front door was forced open to gain entry. u A 56-year-old man was found dead by family members at a residence on Santa Maria Drive in Edgewood on Tuesday.
DWI arrest u Zion Archuleta, 29, of Taos was arrested on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, careless driving and driving without a proper driver’s license after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Bonanza Creek Road off N.M. 14 on Tuesday. Deputies say he measured .24 and .22 on breath-alcohol tests.
Speed SUVs u The Santa Fe Police Department listed
the following locations for mobile speedenforcement vehicles: SUV No. 1 at E.J. Martinez Elementary School from 7:25 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., and on Galisteo Road at West Alicante at other times. SUV No. 2 at Nava Elementary School from 7:25 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., and on Siringo Road at Calle de Sueños at other times; SUV No. 3 on Rodeo Road between Richards Avenue and Paseo de los Pueblos.
Help lines Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families hotline: 800-473-5220 St. Elizabeth Shelter for men, women and children: 982-6611 Interfaith Community Shelter: 795-7494 New Mexico suicide prevention hotline: 866-435-7166 Solace Crisis Treatment Center: 9869111, 800-721-7273 or TTY 471-1624 Youth Emergency Shelter/Youth Shelters: 438-0502 Police and fire emergency: 911 Graffiti hotline: 955-CALL (2255)
Barbara Jean Cawley, 81, long-time resident of Santa Fe, NM passed away Friday, September 6th surrounded by love. She is survived by her husband of 60 years Bernard; five children: Bernard Jr., Pamela, Alicia, Walter and Michael; their spouses; 6 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A Rosary will be held at 10 am on Friday, September 13th at San Isidro Catholic Church, followed by Mass at 11 am. Interment will follow at Rosario Cemetery. Mom, please rest in peace; you will be missed but not forgotten.
MICHAEL E. NEVARES Passed away peacefully August 18th at his home in San Diego, California surrounded by loved ones. He was born July 8th, 1926 to Miguel and Patrocina Nevares. He was preceded in death by both parents; a son, Richard; and sisters, Patsy Perea and Trinnie Martin. He is survived by his children: Vickie Baars (Jerry) Hawthorne, CA, Debbie Murphy, Olympia, WA, Michael Nevares (Emma) Reno, NV, Thomas Nevares, Alpine, CA, and Roberta Thurston (Michael) Austin, TX.; sisters: Beatrice Nevares, Rio Rancho and Anna Romero, Santa Fe; ex-wife, Ramona Nevares, mother of five of his children, and ex-wife, Feli, mother of Richard. He had nine grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren, goddaughter, Sharon Martin, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Cremation has taken place. His remains will be buried at Rosario Cemetery at the family plot on Saturday, September 14th. Mass will be held at Saint Anne’s Church at 11 a.m. September 14th. EARL "MIKE" CLEMMER
Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505)989-7032 Fax: (505)820-0435 santafefuneraloption.com
RANDY DEAGUERO
NOVEMBER 22, 1963 ~ SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY In loving memory We miss you so much. There is a void that will never be replaced.
Your friends and loved ones,
We will miss you forever.
A Memorial Celebration will be held for Mike Clemmer on Saturday, September 14th, 2 PM, at Anthony’s on the Delta. All family and friends are invited to attend. DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory Kimberly Sandin, Espanola, 09/06/2013
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