A-10
LOCAL & REGION
THE NEW MEXICAN Thursday, November 21, 2013
Police notes State police pay overhaul could cost $11 million The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: u A man reported at 8 p.m. Monday that someone stole 360 CDs, 182 DVDs, a mountain bike and an air compressor from his home in the 4200 block of Monte Azul Loop. u A burglar carried off an LCD television set from a home in the 200 block of Monte Vista Street between 8 and 8:42 p.m. Tuesday. u Someone kicked open a front door in the 4700 block of Highlands Court between 6 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. u A man reported that someone stabbed him for no reason in the 700 block of St. Michael’s Drive at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday. u A mountain bike disappeared from a shed in the 120 block of Placita Circle between 10:15 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. u Two firearms and assorted jewelry were stolen from a home in the 6800 block of Sunset Circle between 1:45 and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. u Neil Vangese, 27, Dos Osos Lane, was arrested on a charge of battery on a health care worker after he was brought into the Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center due to intoxication at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday. Vangese reportedly attacked a security guard. u A wallet was reported stolen Tuesday from a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Calle Ojo Feliz. u Several firearms and a couple of DeWalt tools were stolen from a home in the 800 block of West Manhattan Avenue between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday. u A truck that had been parked at the Dakota Canyon apartments, 501 W. Zia Road, was reported stolen at 6 a.m. Tuesday. u A man in the 100 block of La Paloma Street reported that someone got access to his iTunes account and managed to buy $590 worth of goods from the Apple Store sometime Sunday. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the following reports: u Following a traffic stop on Tuesday, Ricardo JimenezArana, 41, 1824 Mann St., was arrested on a charge of driving with a revoked license. u Two chain saws and a welder were stolen from a Santa Cruz Dam Road home between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Nov. 7. u A photo album and various pieces of jewelry were taken from a home on Feather Road between 8 a.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
DWI arrests u Sheena Wells, 28, 2905 Camino del Bosque, was arrested on a charge of aggravated DWI at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday at N.M. 14 and Blue Corn Road. u Jesus Alvarez-Franco, 24, 1201 Calle Corazzi No. 32, was arrested on charges of aggravated DWI and driving without a license or insurance following a traffic stop at Jaguar Drive and South Meadows Road. Jail records show he also was booked on charges of speeding, failure to stop and a windshield obstruction violation.
Speed SUVs u The Santa Fe Police Department listed the following locations for mobile speed-enforcement vehicles: SUV No. 1 at Ramirez Thomas Elementary School from 7:25 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., and on Rufina Street between Senda del Valle and Lois Lane at other times; SUV No. 2 at Piñon Elementary School from 7:25 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., and on Paseo de los Pueblos and La Avenida de san Marc at other times; SUV No. 3 on Camino del Monte Sol between Camino Santander and Garcia Street.
Help lines Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families hotline: 800-473-5220 St. Elizabeth Shelter for men, women and children: 982-6611
By Barry Massey The Associated Press
Increasing pay for New Mexico State Police officers to make their salaries competitive with other law enforcement agencies could cost nearly $10.8 million, lawmakers were told Wednesday. A private consultant’s study for the Department of Public Safety found 10 other law enforcement agencies — including in San Juan County, Hobbs, Farmington, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Carlsbad and Santa Fe — pay higher starting salaries than the $18.21 hourly rate for a State Police patrolman. A starting police officer in Hobbs is paid more than $22 an hour, and there is a $25,000 signing bonus after five years, according to the study outlined to the Legislative Finance Committee. The panel will make spending recommendations to next year’s Legislature. Public Safety Secretary Gor-
As proposed, the starting hourly pay for a patrolman would increase to $20.50. Starting pay for a sergeant would go up to $30.51 an hour. A captain would receive $38.12 an hour. den Eden said pay differences make it difficult to recruit and retain State Police officers. “The hurdle that we can’t overcome is pay,” Eden said. Sen. John Smith, a Deming Democrat and committee vice chairman, said it’s unlikely a significant pay plan overhaul could be implemented in a single year. But he suggested it could be phased in over several years if there was an agreement with the administration to take that approach. Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration hasn’t decided on a specific pay increase proposal to recommend to law-
makers. But Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said in a statement after the hearing that the governor hopes to address pay problems next year for state police and other hard-tofill jobs, such as correctional officers. Consultant Neville Kenning, who prepared the study, recommended a pay revision providing for larger increases in the first few years an officer works for the state solice. Kenning also suggested meaningful raises when someone is promoted up the ranks from patrolman to sergeant and then to lieutenant, captain and
higher positions. As proposed, the starting hourly pay for a patrolman would increase 18 percent to $20.50 in the next fiscal year if fully funded and could reach $27.74 after eight years of service. Starting pay for a sergeant would go up almost 14 percent to $30.51 an hour, and there would be a 20 percent increase for a captain — who no longer receives overtime pay — to $38.12 an hour. If those changes were made, the study said, a patrolman’s starting pay would rank fifth among the state’s largest law enforcement agencies. Kenning said the proposed $10.8 million salary overhaul is the equivalent of 3 percent annual increases over six years. The debate over state police pay comes as the agency is under scrutiny for recent officer-involved shootings. An officer in Taos last month fired shots at the tire of a minivan carrying children after the driver twice fled following a routine traffic stop.
Anti-abortion groups to fight on after N.M. defeat ALBUQUERQUE — Abortion rights groups say Albuquerque’s decisive defeat of a ban on late-term abortions should send a strong message to policymakers around the country to stop meddling in personal medical decisions. But those who succeeded in putting the proposal to a historic vote vowed their fight is not over. Activists on both sides say it was the first municipal election on the issue. And despite the defeat, it likely won’t be the last. The Rev. Frank Pavone, head of the national Catholic antiabortion group Priests for Life, called it a brilliant strategy that he will push to replicate in other cities. Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff credited the win to smart campaigning and fundraising by opponents, as well as an emerging base of progressive voters in New Mexico’s largest city. The Associated Press
Funeral services and memorials TALEA SCHEFFLER Mrs. Talea Scheffler, 87, died peacefully at her home on Monday, November 4, 2013, after a lengthy illness. She is survived by Gisela Brons, her brother Edzard’s widow, her nephews Edzard Brons and Sicco Brons, their families and other numerous relatives throughout Germany. Talea was born on June 27, 1926, in Ihlpohl/Bremen Germany. She spent her childhood and youth at her father’s tree nursery and studied to become a Professional Housekeeper. After the terrible World War II and the early death of her mother, she took care of and supported her father for many years until she moved to the United States in 1961 where she took a position as Housekeeper to a family in San Francisco. On April 15, 1962, she married Ernst Christoph Scheffler in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Her husband was a professional landscape architect from Berlin and continued his work in Denver. Together they travelled to and worked in many U.S. National Parks, which included Yellowstone. In 1973, Talea and Christoph retired to Santa Fe, built their new house and spent many wonderful years in their beloved southwest landscape deeply admiring the culture and native inhabitants of New Mexico. Mrs. Scheffler was cremated and a memorial service with family and friends will be held at a later date in Emden Germany. In memory of Talea Scheffler, if you would like to make a donation in her name to Kitchen Angels, 122 Siler Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico or a charity of your choice.
LEON ARON MELLOW Leon Aron Mellow was born on Oct. 12, 1941, and died unexpectedly on Nov. 14, 2013. While spending the first part of his life in Dallas, Texas, it was the second part of his life spent in New Mexico that brought him the most joy. When not engaged in real estate projects, Leon was the most happy at home, on his property, being one with nature and riding and taking care of his horses. Leon is preceded in death by his father Harry Mellow and his mother Fannie Mae Mellow. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Mellow, son Jeff Mellow (Mary Kate), grandson Sam Mellow and granddaughter Ana Mellow. He is also survived by his long-time companion Lael Weyenberg and her son Connar Walik, his brother Roger Mellow (Harriet) and his sister Sandra Wolf, and many nieces and nephews. Leon will be forever remembered as a strong, smart and loving man with an amazingly quick and funny sense of humor. He brought smiles to our faces and he will be greatly missed. Donations in memory of Leon may be made to the The Horse Shelter in Santa Fe, New Mexico. www.thehorseshelter.org/.
DANIELLE CHRISTINE ATKINSON MAY Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505) 989-7032 Fax: (505) 820-0435 santafefuneraloption.com
THOMAS LABAN YODER 64 years old, passed away suddenly on November 17, 2013. Tom was first & foremost a kind, caring, and generous man who was passionately dedicated to his family and his work. Tom was born in Greencastle, Indiana , and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated from high school in 1967 and was an all-state football player. He attended Indiana University, and graduated with multiple degrees in Creative Writing, Philosophy, & an MBA from the I.U. Business School. Tom and his wife, Stephanie, moved to Santa Fe in 1983, where they raised their two daughters, Lara and Hannah. Tom was a residential contractor and owned and operated Yoder Home Corp. for many years. He took great pride & pleasure in designing & building custom homes in Santa Fe. Tom is survived by his wife, Stephanie; Daughters, Lara Yoder and Hannah Yoder; 4 grandchildren, Adrianna Yoder, Ryan Yoder, Madeline Yoder, and Travis George; as well as brothers Frank Yoder, John Maras, and sister Carol Eads. A Memorial Service will be held at The Light at Mission Viejo Church located at 4601 Mission Bend, Santa Fe, NM on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Tom Yoder. Go to www.heart.org for your donation.
Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505)989-7032 Fax: (505)820-0435 santafefuneraloption.com
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us” -Helen Keller
Our beautiful Danielle went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 14, 2013, in her home under the loving care of her husband Jerry May. She was 46. Danielle was born in Del Mar, California. As an adult she lived in Paris, London, New York and San Francisco. She received degrees in graphic design and photography from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She also studied at the London School of Printing. In 1997 Danielle moved from San Francisco to Santa Fe to work as a graphic designer for Discovery Exhibits. She had a passionate love for all animals, especially bunny rabbits, horses and whales. She is survived by her husband Jerry May, her mother Christie Chilton and husband Tom of Santa Fe, her father Michael Atkinson and wife Barbara of Grass Valley, California, her beloved sister Tregenna and husband Edgardo Garcia and their daughter Sarah Danielle of Campbell, California, and her stepfather Leik Myrabo of Bennington, Vermont. A memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of Danielle will take place on Sunday, December 8th, at 3 pm at Bishop’s Lodge Resort in Santa Fe. Donations in her memory may be made to The Horse Shelter, an organization dedicated to rescuing horses throughout New Mexico (www.thehorseshelter.org).
JAVIER JOSE ORTEGA Javier Jose Ortega, born June 11, 1979, unexpectedly passed away peacefully on November 16, 2013. Javier was preceded in death by his uncles, Leonard and Andres Ortega, and his grandfather Juan J. Ortega Sr. He is survived by his parents Juan and Sara Ortega, his siblings, Omar and Miquela Ortega, his grandmother Carmen Ortega, his aunt Sussana (Navor) Tercero, his aunt Melissa Ortega, and his beloved son Elijah Ryder Thomas Ortega. Javier was a kind-hearted soul who dedicated his life to his love for music (DJ Classico). His charismatic sense of humor and his gentle spirit will be missed by those who knew and loved him. The funeral service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A short prayer reflection will start at 9:00 am followed by the Mass at 10:00 am. Immediately after the ceremony the family invites you to join in celebrating Javier’s life with a reception in the parish hall. A memorial fund in Javier’s name has been established if anyone would like to donate to the family. Please visit www.youcaring.com/djclassic. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home (505) 7532288. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com
JENNIFER LEEANNA MARTINEZ September 5, 1989November 18, 2013
Age 24, beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, and niece passed away unexpectedly. She was a beautiful and free spirit who has been set free. Her loss has deeply affected her family and friends. Jennifer is survived by her mother Angela Baca, sister’s Ariel Martinez and Erica Garcia, grandparents Nabor and Sally Baca, boyfriend Moses Trujillo, her uncles Michael Baca, Martin Baca, and Gilbert (Rosalba) Baca, niece and nephew Nevaeh and Dreden Molina, Mark Martinez and many other numerous relatives and friends. A Rosary will be recited at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church on Friday November 22, 2013 at 7:30 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church on Saturday November 23, 2013 at 10 am.
Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505)989-7032 Fax: (505)820-0435 santafefuneraloption.com
Celebrate the memory of your loved one with a memorial in The Santa Fe New Mexican. Call 986-3000