Lincoln County Transit

By Eugene [email protected]

Capitan resident Sgt. Virgil Wallace was presented with the Bronze Star Sat-urday. Wallace, the oldest living Bataan Death March survivor from New Mexico, received the distinguished honor for his exemplary service on his 98th birthday during a celebration at the Church of Christ with family, friends and dignitar-ies.

WSMR Garrison Commander, Colo-nel Leo Puller USA, presented Wallace with the Bronze Star, which since his captivity in World War II, for reasons un-known, took nearly 70 years to reach his chest. Congressman Steve Pearce’s Field Representative, Joe Martinez, delivered a compelling speech, refl ecting upon his own family members who survived the Bataan Death March and the passionate project he undertook of having the na-tion’s only federally funded Bataan me-morial constructed in Las Cruces.

A statement from Congressman Pearce reads; “I am honored to recog-nize Sgt. Wallace’s heroic service in the

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2-year-old earns maiden win in Zia Futurity, pg. 13

Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free PressColonel Leo Puller, White Sands Missile Range Garrison Commander, right, pins the Bronze Star to Virgil Wallace in recognition of his service. The 98-year-old Capitan resident is a survivor of the Bataan Death March during World War II.see suRViVoR, pg. 5

see ART, pg. 11

Bataan March survivor awarded Bronze StarWhat’shappeningAugust 1-5Wilderness CampKids bored? how about horseback riding, fi shing, canoeing, hiking, biking, disc golf and much more at the P&R Wilderness Camp? For ages 6-13. Call (575) 257-5030 to register.

August 2-6Lincoln County Fairat Lincoln County Fair-grounds in Capitan. don’t miss indoor exhibits includ-ing the art show and fl ower show, 4-h Auction on Sat-urday and livestock shows during the week.

August 3Chicago

Sing along with one of the most popular rock bands of all time! 8 p.m. at inn of the Mountain Gods (575) 464-7777.

August 4-7Pony Express Trail RideRe-live a piece of history on the Pony express Trail Ride with daily rides throughout Lincoln County. Call Sheriff ’s Posse member Mike at (575) 354-0196 for details and fees.

August 5-7Fort Stanton Liveat Fort Stanton. Candlelight tour on Friday night. Wild West Show with Civil War reenactments, buff alo Sol-diers, and Mountain Men. Fort Stanton Museum (575) 354-0341.

August 5-7Old Lincoln DaysJoin in for the “Last escape of billy the Kid” folk pageant plus street vendors, food, a parade and mountain man camp. (575) 653-4372.

August 6-7Alto Artists Studio TourFree, self-guided tour to explore behind the scenes of the Alto art community. (575) 937-4498.

August 7Sundays Under the StarsFree summertime fun with movies and top-notch en-tertainment on the beauti-ful grounds of the inn of the Mountain Gods. Live music by Larry Michaels, 6 p.m., followed by the movie, Aladdin. bring chairs and blankets. (575) 464-7777.

Downs city budgetapproved, LCT in doubt

Debate continues on Lincoln County Transit

By Todd [email protected]

After years of struggles and sacrifi ce to make Lincoln County Transit a reality, the service may be on the chopping block.

The Ruidoso Downs City Council had to face that possi-bility when it came to approv-ing the city’s budget during its regular meeting Monday.

The budget – which has to be turned in to the state Depart-ment of Finance and Admin-istration by July 31 – showed a shortfall of $53,292.43 for LCT. According to Terri Mose-ly, city fi nance director, the state wouldn’t accept the bud-get with any item in the red.

She mentioned a $25,000 commitment that had been withdrawn by county commis-sioners – Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs have also committed $25,000 each – but even with

that money back in, “the tran-sit system would not be in the positive.”

Councilor Dean Holman – who had expressed concerns over the viability of a transit system and Ruidoso Downs’ obligations to it – again raised doubts about it.

“I know this is a touchy subject, and there are strong opinions on the council both ways,” Holman said. “I know she (transit director Patty Desoto) is looking at other funding sources like Mescale-ro or the university, but that’s extremely shaky. Particularly when you’re dealing with a sovereign nation like Mescale-ro that can drop its obligations with little recourse.”

“It looks like it’s coming down to a diffi cult decision,” he added. “I’m guessing the county dropped out because there weren’t that many pas-

By Todd [email protected]

With the fate of Lincoln County Transit now in doubt, defenders and detractors alike have plenty to say about the beleaguered service.

LCT came under scrutiny during the Ruidoso Downs City Council meeting July 25, in which the city budget – due to the New Mexico Depart-ment of Finance and Admin-istration by July 31 – had a defi cit, something that had to be rectifi ed before it could be approved by the council.

The council agreed to move money from the city’s general fund and the lodger’s tax fund to make up the differ-ence on a temporary basis un-til a further meeting could be called to discuss whether LCT is worth saving.

It’s the latest chapter in the story of a service that has had

a troubled path, and it’s a story that some don’t want to end.

“The service has been critical to our area because it helps so many people,” said former county Commissioner Maury St. John, who took up the crusade to create LCT at the behest of a friend. “I have talked with numerous people who – before – had to depend on individuals to take them to doctor’s visits or to the store to buy groceries. Now they can do it themselves.”

St. John spent several years going before numerous boards and councils, trying to raise funds for the program. Even-tually, she got enough funding from the Ruidoso Downs and Ruidoso councils, as well as the county commission, after she left the commission.

With the funds from those three entities, LCT also had matching funds from the state.

see LCT, pg. 6see BudGeT, pg. 6

‘I was feeling lucky’By Sandi AguilarRuidoso Free [email protected]

On a whim, Glenn Smithee convinced his two children and a friend to buy into one $200 tick-et for a chance to win $50,000. Glenn’s ticket was the fi nal one in an elimination drawing held at the Hubbard Museum Founda-tion Fundraiser July 23, making him $50,000 richer.

“We just came in for the rac-es and saw the tickets for sale. I was feeling lucky,” Smithee explained in a phone interview from Odessa. This wasn’t the fi rst time Glenn has entered a drawing and won. He also re-cently won a car. Smithee says he is defi nitely entering into the raffl e next year.

The drawing is an elimi-nation in which the tickets are

pulled out throughout the eve-ning. The fi nal tickets are then bid on. Calls were made to the last two ticket holders who were not in the audience. The intent was for more bidding.

If Smithee had answered the phone, he could have been of-fered as much as $22,000 for his ticket, but he wasn’t home Satur-day night.

“I wouldn’t have sold it.” Smithee claimed. “It was worth the risk.”

Greg and Kelly Smithee and friend, Ronnie Koonce are prob-ably glad Glenn is a risk taker – and lucky.

The $50,000 raffl e was just one part of the evening bringing in a crowd of more than 250 at the Hubbard Museum. Music by the Graham Brothers, danc-

Photo by David MandellCrystal Springs Farm manager Tom Goncharoff holds a piece of art as part of the live auction during the Hubbard Museum of the American West Fundraiser, July 23.

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6 Ruidoso Free Press August 2, 2011

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sengers from the county, and it makes sense they would drop out. Also, this seems to be benefi tting the village of Ru-idoso more than anyone else.”

Mosley said the funds to at least place the transit system at zero in the budget could be transferred from the general fund on a temporary basis, an idea that Village Clerk Carol Virden agreed with.

“You can’t just remove the transit system without notifying all the parties involved,” Virden said. “We need to meet and discuss this with Patty, and see where she’s fi nding the extra resources. But un-til then, we can to the temporary transfer, because we have to have a budget ap-proved tonight.”

Holman also expressed concern over the possible ramifi cations of the city re-moving all support for the transit system, given that Ruidoso Downs has provided a home for the system’s headquarters and all employees of the system are also city employees.

“I remember Mickey Compton, who started this and was the fi rst director, say-ing we could withdraw from this agree-ment with no penalties,” Holman said. “Is that still the situation?”

Mayor Tom Armstrong confi rmed that was correct but that the city still

needs to give Desoto and the transit em-ployees a chance to discuss it.

In the end, the council voted to move an equal amount from the general fund and a non-promotional line-item from the lodgers tax fund to make up the tran-sit shortfall in the budget. The transfer is only temporary, until a further meeting with transit offi cials can be held to deter-mine LCT’s fate. Regardless of the fi nal decision, that money would be moved back to the original funds following that meeting.

In other business, the council:• Passed a resolution approving the

fi nal budget adjustments for 2010-2011. Mosley stated most of the changes re-fl ected revenues collected during the year.

• Voted to enter into a working agree-ment with the Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District to put together grant requests to bring money into the city coffers. Armstrong said the work that Director Hubert Quintana and his staff do to fi nd money for municipali-ties is well worth the $1,000 fee paid to the SENMEDD annually.

“They have done a great job in the past,” Armstrong said. “Without their work, it would be diffi cult to get a grant anywhere. What we pay is nothing com-

pared to what we get back.”• Waived temporary licensing fees for

organizations wanting to set up booths at the

• Approved the appointment of Rob-ert Gustafson to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

• Heard a report from Mosley on ef-forts to collect on delinquent water bills through a recent amnesty program. Mos-ley said 50 accounts took advantage of the program, and outstanding bills had dropped from $118,000 to $57,000 as of July 22.

But those matching funds disappeared when the county withdrew its $25,000 share of the burden last year.

“I was so disappointed that the county dropped it,” St. John said. “They saw that most of the riders were in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, and not many were county residents. But what did they think residents in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs are?”

For their part, current county Commissioners Kath-ryn Minter and Mark Doth – who both voted to stop the funding – said they didn’t see the system able to pay for itself, and didn’t see the need to subsidize it with public funds in a poor economy.

“Even with the matching federal funds, none of this money was free,” Minter said. “All taxpayers eventually have to pay for that.”

Minter and Doth also questioned those who come to this area with a small population and limited revenue re-sources and expect the same type of public service they would fi nd in larger population areas.

“If you are expecting to depend on that service, don’t live here,” Doth said.

Lest people judge him too harshly for that statement,

Doth pointed out the time they spent shuttling around town his late brother, who was severely handicapped. “It’s a sensitive and complex subject, because there’s a lot of people who want it,” Doth said. “But who’s go-ing to pay for it, and is it being utilized the way it was intended?”

Ruidoso Downs Mayor Tom Armstrong said he hopes the service can continue, and is looking into op-tions to fund it other than with federal funds.

“One of the options is to get Ruidoso to pay a bit more because they use it more, but we’re still just dis-cussing it,” Armstrong said. “I’ve talked to (Ruidoso Mayor Ray Alborn), and he says he’ll support it. But we all live in the real world. I don’t think Ruidoso or Ruidoso Downs can do it by themselves.”

Another option that’s been discussed is Ruidoso tak-ing on responsibility as the fi scal agent. Ruidoso Downs has fi lled that position to this point, much to the concern of Ruidoso Downs Councilor Dean Holman.

“Us being the fi scal agent always concerned me, and that’s why I’ve been adamant about not hiring full-time transit drivers as city employees,” Holman said. “If the transit goes away, we’d have a lot of full-time employ-

ees we’d be obligated to keep employed in the city.”While Ruidoso Downs offi cials have insisted the

money to balance the budget will be returned to the general and lodger’s tax fund as soon as the transit’s fate is decided, Holman still feels uneasy about the situation.

“The money is supposed to go back to the original funds, but it might not happen. I’ve seen that happen many times,” Holman said. “But the budget had to be right, and that’s why I voted for it. I think we’ll get that money back, but it’s that ‘I think’ that concerns me.”

Alborn – who grew up in Houston – knows what it means to need a service like public transportation.

“I know Houston is a much larger city than here, but my mother and I had no car, so that transit was the only way we could get around,” Alborn said. “It’s a very important service here, and it’s my experience that those who haven’t had to depend on it don’t understand the need. I think it’s vital.”

Vital enough for Ruidoso to become the fi scal agent?“If we do that, we’d have to get a letter of commit-

ment from the other parties involved stating exactly how much we’d be expected to pay,” Alborn said.

LCT from pg. 1

budGeT from pg. 1

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4 Ruidoso Free Press August 2, 2011

To the Editor,In the editorial on Tuesday, June 28,

2011, residents of Ruidoso were urged to contact police or crime stoppers if they “spot homeless encampments.” I support this action for the sake of public safety and potential non-adherence to fire restric-tions.

However, nowhere in the editorial were residents informed as to the illegal nature of these “homeless encampments”; furthermore, readers were left to assume that all homeless people are a threat to our community. While the cause of the June 16 Swallow Fire was not released at the time of publication, the tone of the editori-al lead readers to presume guilt to a home-less person. Additionally, other unproved speculations were cited resulting in dehu-manizing language.

If our homeless neighbors are “sea-sonal residents of Ruidoso” as the title of the editorial suggest, then I am of the opinion that we should treat them with hospitality. Certainly we should con-clude that referring any of our residents as “moles” is inappropriate.Our homeless neighbors are people; some choose their transient lifestyle; others are forced into it for a variety of economic and/or mental health reasons.Regardless of why they are homeless, these are human beings.

May Ruidoso be known for its hospi-tality to all its residents and not for its dis-crimination between homeowner, renters, visitors, and transients.

Ryan Arnold,Fellow resident

Thank you to generous neighborsTo the Editor:

We would like to thank all who made our 2011 Friend Raiser at Cree Meadows Country Club a success. Our sponsors were Home Health Unlimited, Therapy Associates, Inc. and Advanced Hearing Care.

Generous people in the community donated to our Silent Auction: Alto Café, Brewer Oil Co, Candle Power, Dales Fur-niture, Desert Wind, Earth-N-Stone, Ev-ergreen Cleaners, Josie’s Framery, Pinon Pottery, the RAC, Joyce Sanders, Sea-son’s Nursery, Stagner Landscapes, TR’s Market, Village Ace Hardware, Village Buttery, Wild Herb Market, Mim English, Karen Owens, Jennifer Chadwick, Bear Tiews, Ginger Gipson, Barbara Cosentino, Freddie Mabry, Nikki Murphy, Kathleen Engstrom, Glenna Foster, Owen Houston, Betsy Seiler, Renee Hall, Pat Fraser.

Thomas Radcliffe provided us with wonderful music as well as donating to the

auction. Thanks to our great volunteers!Sacramento Mountain Village

Work together, not apartTo the Editor,

I despair, as I’m sure most Americans do, at the lack of across-the-aisle coopera-tion in Congress. If they have taken this much time and media attention to raise the federal debt limit, how can they solve the many issues facing our country today?

Steve Pearce, our local congressman, seems to be mired in the blame game be-ing played in Congress, and is willing to cut programs that are vital to getting us out of this recession. He is concerned about taxes on corporate jet owners and their impact on employment. I don’t think there are many New Mexicans working on building corporate jets.

Is Mr. Pearce aware of the New Deal program which created funding for art-ists from 1934 to 1943? These federally funded programs put 3,600 New Mexico artists to work painting murals on selected public buildings throughout the state. This was a visionary way to employ people and enhance New Mexico’s cultural heritage and artistic reputation that still lives on today.

Is there any way that these types of programs can be created today in a parti-san Congress that seems primarily focused on getting re-elected so they can keep their health benefits, life-long pensions, and pay raises while so many Americans make do with so much less?

Was FDR given a “blank check?” No, I think not. He and many other patriotic Americans worked together to fund and implement real programs that put people to work.

Our president, Barak Obama, has strived for the same goal with his stimulus package with little effort and support from any in Congress whose only goal is to see him fail. Why hasn’t anyone in the house or senate come up with constructive alter-natives to help the people of this country? Why is it more important for some mem-bers of Congress to extend tax loopholes to Exxon Mobile with their reported 45 million dollar profit increase and to the 1 percent of Americans who might buy cor-porate jets?

As a citizen of New Mexico and an American, I sincerely ask my elected rep-resentatives to come up with policies that truly are effective for working class peo-ple. Let’s stop the “hell no” attitude and start working on real solutions.

Linda ZieglerRuidoso, NM

Opinion

Solution on pg. 15

letters to the editor

The title of that song was meant to represent lack of mobility caused by a broken heart – the pain of rejection being so powerful that the owner can’t leave their own house.

The immobility we’re concerned with comes in much different forms and is much more real, but it’s not one that’s easily remedied.

That’s been made obvious by the recent funding problems with Lincoln County Transit.

It’s plainly clear such an endeavor can’t survive without some sort of gov-ernment subsidy – much like the Rail Runner or Amtrak. The real question is whether all Lincoln County taxpayers should help pay for something that rela-tively few residents have been using.

It’s our opinion that we should.Lincoln County Transit was created

for those who can’t afford a vehicle of

their own or are handicapped from driv-ing in some way – either temporarily or permanently.

Some might feel it’s asking a lot from county residents – many of whom are fairly well-off – to help foot the bill for LCT. The problem is, anyone, at any time, can find themselves in need of public transportation at some point.

A collision can suddenly deprive you of your car, an injury can keep you from being able to drive. Suddenly, the prospect of a transit system that can help you remain independent doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

It’s our hope that our elected of-ficials in Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Lincoln County – as well as some very generous private interests – can band together to save this important service to the community. Any one of us might need it someday.

Don’t get around much anymoreeditorial board

A property of

The Ruidoso Free Press is published every Tuesday by the Ruidoso Free Press, 1086 Mechem, Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345. The circulation of the Ruidoso Free Press exceeds 9,000 printed copies weekly, with almost 8,000 papers delivered via direct mail to homes and post office boxes located exclusively within Lincoln County. Over 1,000 papers are available for purchase at newsstands, stores and hotels throughout Lincoln County. First class subscriptions to the Ruidoso Free Press are available for $80 by calling 575-258-9922. Classifieds,

legals, obituaries, wedding announcements, birth announcements and thank-you ads are available by calling the classified department at 575-258-9922. For all advertisingopportunities, call 575-258-9922. For submission of all editorial copy, press releases or letters to the editor, please email [email protected], or call 575-258-9922.

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All advertising copy and artwork, news stories and photographs appearing in the Ruidoso Free Press are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or reprinted without permission of the general manager or editor. Management reserves the right to reject advertising or news copy considered objectionable. Liability for any error in

advertising is limited to the value of the actual space in which the error occurs and will be satisfied by correction in the next issue. Errors of fact or erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any individual, firm or corporation appearing in this newspaper will be corrected upon being brought to the attention

of the general manager or editor.

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Pearce votes against debt limit increaseAs time wound down on the deadline

for the nation’s debt, New Mexico con-gressman Steve Pearce voted against a defeated debt limit increase Saturday.

“Americans have been clear: no more budget tricks, no more accounting gim-micks, no more empty promises,” Pearce said. “Now is the time to change our course and get our debt under control.

“(This) legislation simply does not show that Washington is listening. It con-tains accounting gimmicks to exaggerate its savings, and it does not provide the last-ing, structural reform we need,” he added. “The House has passed two bills for long-term debt solutions. Now is the time for the Senate and President to set aside party politics and join the House in finding a so-lution to our crushing debt crisis.”

Pearce stated he hoped an agreement could be reached before today’s deadline, but would not support a debt limit in-crease that does not include fundamental, lasting solutions to America’s debt crisis.

Last week, he joined colleagues in the House to pass the “Cut, Cap, and Bal-ance Act of 2011,” and voted in favor of another plan, the “Budget Control Act of 2011,” on Friday.

“Job creation, not temporary cuts, will be the key to truly solving our na-tional debt problem,” Pearce explained. “We need to reform the burdensome taxes and unnecessary regulations that are pre-venting small businesses across America from creating the jobs we need. Only by putting Americans back to work can we hope to truly solve our debt crisis.”

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What’shappeningAugust 18-21All American trials at the Ruidoso Downs Race TrackOneofthemostanticipatedracingweeksoftheseasonwithracesforachancetobeinoneoftherichestracesintheworld—theAllAmericanFuturity.FuturitytrialsThursday,posttime9a.m.andAllAmericanderbytrialsFriday,posttime12noon.Sat.andSun.posttime1p.m.PlustheRRCAArtShowunderthegrandstand.Free.(575)378-4431.

August 16-18The Pecos Leaguechampionship at RoswellTheRuidosoOsosareinthePecosLeaguechampion-shipseries,whichbeginstodayinRoswellat7p.m.Allgamesofthebest-of-3serieswillbeplayedatRo-swell’sJoebaumannField.

August 19-21USSSA Baseball at Eagle Creek Sports ComplexGreatgamestocheeron--bothcompetitiveandrecre-ational.Mountaindouble-upSlowPitchTournament.Freeadmissiontowatch.Concessionsavailable.Offhwy48onSkiRunRoad.

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Riders, drivers value transit serviceBy Todd [email protected]

Emma Martinez knows a little something about Lin-coln County Transit and what it can mean to some.

Martinez, one of three full-time drivers for LCT, has seen the difference the ser-vice has made in the lives of local residents needing safe transportation to work, the store or the doctor’s offi ce. But before she was a driver, she was a resident in need of a ride.

“When I fi rst moved here I didn’t have a car and was walking to and from work. It was dangerous,” Martinez

said. “Now that I’m driving, I don’t just look at this as a job, I look at this as a way of serving the community.”

Martinez said she’s seen a lot of riders in her time as an LCT driver, and the rid-ers have grown to know each other as well as they know her.

“They’ve become more than just people to trans-port for me,” Martinez said. “When someone that usually rides doesn’t get on the bus, I start to wonder where they are.”

Among those who use the service is Sharon Monk, who lives about four miles

see TRANsiT, pg. 5

This story and more now translated into Spanish, see page 16 and online at

www.ruidosofreepress.com

Capitan village council debates developers plans

Code Enforcement crashes mid-town celebration

By Patrick Jason [email protected]

A group of Capitan residents last week reiterated their disdain for a planned devel-opment site on land within the village.

They say plans by Conquest Invest-ments, a developer based out of Santa Bar-bara, Calif., to build a nearly 16-acre com-mercial development along Highway 380

could cause a severe strain on the village’s natural resources.

Residents took turns voicing their con-cerns about the proposed development site during a village council meeting on Tuesday, saying that there isn’t enough water to sus-tain the idea. Further irking some residents is a plan by Conquest to include an additional 1,300-acre residential development adjacent to the proposed commercial site.

Both plans by Conquest call for the de-veloper to receive annexed land in the vil-lage for the projects, which some locals have been fi ghting against for some time.

Ever since Conquest fi rst introduced the idea for developing in the area, residents have stressed that construction sites as large as the ones proposed would hurt the village’s main water supply for future generations,


On Aug. 5, Michelle O’Brien, owner of Michelle’s, an established Mid-town fashion boutique, celebrated the store’s 20th anni-versary, with catering, prizes and an appear-ance from Miss New Mexico.

But just one hour and 15 minutes into the three-hour celebration planned from, 4-7 p.m.,village building offi cial Shawn Fort, accompanied by a Code Enforcement/Ani-mal Control offi cer, ordered O’Brien to im-mediately shut down the event.

“I was wondering, what on earth is go-ing on here?” O’Brien recalled. “To our best knowledge, we did all the right things to pre-pare for the celebration.”

O’Brien hired Lynn Crawford, a licensed food service operator and caterer to manage the food service, and Debbie Haines-Nix

of the Sanctuary on the River to assist with event planning.

“When Debbie asked Shawn (Fort) to allow us to fi nish the celebration, which would be over in just an hour and one-half, Fort denied the request citing Michelle’s was in criminal violation and to shut the party down immediately or face possible arrest,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien contends Ford would not pro-duce the list of criminal violations she was accused of, and said Mayor Alborn and Ford came to her business a couple of days later to apologize, yet still hasn’t produced the list of alleged criminal violations. According to O’Brien, a list of violations will be produced by village offi cials early this week.

“This could have been handled much differently without the heavy handed ap-proach,” O’Brien said. “They went right after Lynn (Crawford) when they arrived for serv-

ing food without a license but all of his food servers are licensed. They were looking for anything to shut us down. I believe we were totally within our rights to have this event.”

During a village council meeting on Aug. 9, Councilor Angel Shaw questioned Ford regarding the incident. “I would like to know how an event at Michelle’s can be en-tirely shut down in just over one hour, but an improperly permitted hot dog cart in front of the IGA grocery store can continue operat-ing for several days,” Shaw said.

Mayor Alborn interjected, saying,” We have been in contact with Michelle and are working on smoothing things out.”

Big D’s Hot Dogs was issued a permit by acting Planning Director Bob Decker in error and given an alleged verbal deadline of Aug. 20 to either stop vending or fulfi ll certain conditions required of the proper per-mit.

Osos in the championship

Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free PressRuidoso starter Chris Welborn celebrates after he struck out White Sands’ Ruben Sanchez to fi nish a complete game shutout of the Pupfi sh in the Pecos League playoff s Saturday at Alamogordo. Ruidoso advanced to the championship series with the vic-tory. For the full story on the Osos, turn to sports.

Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free PressRuidoso Downs resident Sharon Monk, right, gets her card punched by driver Emma Martinez as a regular rider of Lincoln County Transit Friday morning.

It’s back to school time!

Photo by Ty WyantRuidoso Downs Racetrack Chaplain Darrell Winter distributed donat-ed school supplies and back packs to local students at the track cha-pel on Saturday, Aug. 6. The annual drive for donations helps young students prepare for the new school year with school supplies they otherwise would not be able to aff ord.

see CAPiTAN, pg. 5

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August16,2011 Ruidoso Free Press 5

from where she works and also enjoys the community-center-on-wheels feeling that some of the vehicles have.

“There are lots of people I’ve met, and seen some parts of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs I wouldn’t normally visit.”

Maria Figueroa’s husband drives but is usually at work many hours before she has to leave the house, so the transit system al-lows her the freedom she needs to commute to work each day.

“Without this, I had friends or my daughter that would give me a ride,” Figueroa said. “But my daughter is now in college in Las Cruces, and my friends

might not be available when I need them.”Even without a regular route, Martinez

said all the drivers have regular passengers with their own regular schedules that keep the buses running for 12 hours each day – showing the value of the transit system to several residents.

As for the funding problems faced by LCT, Monk said she wouldn’t mind paying a little bit more for the service – she’s cur-rently charged $1 per ride as a senior citi-zen – if it means the service could stay in business.

“Without this service, I would not be able to keep a job,” Monk said.

TRANSiTfrompg.1

CAPiTANfrompg.1

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Hubbard Museum receives grantThe Hubbard Museum of the Amer-

ican West announced Aug. 8 that it re-ceived a federal grant in the amount of $79,355 from the Institute of Mu-seum and Library Services/Museums of America 2011 grant program. Funds from the grant are to be used to upgrade all of the technology in the Johnny and Marty Cope Learning Center, which opened in fall 2009. The newer technol-ogy will enhance the Center’s ability to connect to a variety of Smithsonian In-stitution museums in real-time, as well as other museums around the world that share similar technology.

“We are very pleased and a little surprised to receive the award,” com-mented Jim Kofakis, director of the Museum of the American West, “We received a call from the New Mexico offi ce of United States Senator Jeff Bingaman giving us a heads up that we would be receiving offi cial notifi cation on July 29. With all that is going on in Washington, it is truly an honor to re-ceive the grant award.”

The Hubbard Museum was one of three museums in New Mexico to re-ceive funding through the 2011 phase of the Museums of America grant block, administered by the Institute of Mu-seum and Library Services. The Los Alamos Historical Society and the Mu-seum of Indian Arts and Culture were

also awarded funding. Nationwide, 160 museums received project funding.

The Johnny and Marty Cope Learn-ing Center was offi cially opened in Oc-tober 2009 with the fi nancial assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Cope, the R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, and many donations from museum members and patrons. The center provides multifac-eted functionality, including real-time live video connections to most of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and many other high-tech options.

The equipment in the Cope Learn-ing Center is being completely updated to the most current technology avail-able and will additionally allow the museum to broadcast tours and educa-tional programming to people all over the world.

The Hubbard Museum of the Amer-ican West is located at 26301 Highway 70, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the museum is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is avail-able for senior citizens, military person-nel and children.

Visit www.hubbardmuseum.org, or call 378.4142 for more information about other events, exhibits and activi-ties at the museum.

The Hubbard Museum of the Amer-ican West is owned and operated by the city of Ruidoso Downs.

Changes to plastic recycling in Lincoln County, Ruidoso

Major changes have come to plastic recycling in Lincoln County, according to Greentree Solid Waste offi cials.

Lincoln County will now join other New Mexico counties in accepting only Grade 1 and Grade 2 plastic for recycling. All other grades of plastic (3–7) will not be accepted by material manufacturers to whom the recycled plastic is sold, and may be discarded in the regular trash.

Identifi cation of these items is easy. Turn the container over and look for the recycling tri-angle with a 1 or 2 molded or imprinted on the bottom. Any other numbered plastic items should be discarded in the trash.

Grade 1 PETE plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) is any plastic container with a neck, primarily beverage containers such as water bottles, soft drinks, clear vegetable and fruit packaging. Grade 2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in colored plant nursery containers, milk jugs and oth-er consumer products. The plastics indus-try trade association introduced the Resin Identifi cation Code (RIC) system in 1988 at the urging of recyclers across the country. The code was developed to meet recy-clers’ needs while providing manufacturers a consistent, uniform system that could be appled nationwide.

Availability of plastic recycling is driven by manu-facturers who need raw ma-terials and are willing to pick up and pay for recycled plas-tic bales. Soft drink bottlers

remain the biggest user of PET resin. Custom bottles are used for other products, such as salad dressing, peanut butter and jellies. PET is also used for fi lm, oven trays, sheeting for cups and food trays, oven trays and other uses. Half of all polyester carpet made in the county is from recycled PET bottles.

Examples of plastic containers that are no longer recyclable include:

• Medicine bottles (grade 5) • Yogurt, butter and other food con-

tainers • Other food packaging (Grades 5-7)• Other types of plastic that cannot be

recycled because there is no market for the material includes:

• Polystyrene of any kind• Plastic wrap of any kind• Plastic shopping bags (can be re-

cycled at the Smokey’s Country Market in Capitan and at local thrift shops

• Plastic containers with oil, grease or food products

• Restaurant cooking oil plastic con-tainers

For more information, contact the Sol-id Waste Authority offi ce at 378-4697, ext. 13, toll free at (877) 548-8772, or email at [email protected].

Butterfl ies released, wishes to be granted

Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free PressThe annual butterfl y release was held Saturday Aug. 13 at the White Mountain Meadows Pavilion. More than one hundred people gathered for the event benefi ting Ruidoso Hospice and Home Care. Hundreds of Monarch butterfl ies were released into the air with the spirit of well-wish-ing and celebration of life and the beauty of the summer day. The butter-fl ies came frozen in small cardboard boxes. Participants then warmed the containers in their hands until fl utter-ing from in-side could be heard. When the butterfl ies awoke from their frozen sleep, the participant would gently open the box and set the butterfl y free while making a wish which is said will one day come true.

and interfere with the local environment.Mayor Sam Hammons, however, at-

tempted to assuage some of the residents’ concerns at the meeting last week.

He said that because the village’s water was drawn from an aquifer under-ground, it was better to sell the water to the developer directly, rather than have them drill their own wells, adding that less water is used when it’s metered.

Conquest has yet to produce a com-pleted plan for the proposed development sites, causing the projects to be on hold indefi nitely.

In other business:The council adopted a memorandum

of understanding between Capitan and the nearby town of Carrizozo, allowing

the two municipalities to easily share equipment for projects. Carrizozo had already approved the measure during a town council meeting last month.

Councilors approved membership with Southeast New Mexico Economic Development District, a nonprofi t orga-nization that assists local governments with lobbying, grant writing and with economic planning. The village will pay $765 annually for the membership, and has already received about $490,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds in 2011 due to the efforts of the or-ganization. Some CDBG projects include the funding of a wastewater treatment plant, water system improvements and road work.

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4 Ruidoso Free Press August16,2011

To the Editor:Many thanks to all the campers, volun-

teers and staff that made this eighth annual Peace Village-Ruidoso a great success. At the top of the list for a big thank you is Bar-bara Mader for allowing the Peace Village to be held at the High Mesa Healing Center.

Special thanks to the teachers: Kathy Golightly, Angie Fernandez, Andrea Reed, Lou Ann Ellison, Linda Hand, Melissa Gebhart and Klaus Zoller.

Thanks to our guest teachers: Lois Whitmire and Laurie Welty from Essential Training Components, and their wonderful dogs; Taryn McCain from Laughing Eyes Kennels and her wonderful dogs; Lesah Silva, reading; Carolee Jones, Zumba; Mike Mauldin, storytelling; Michele Cas-key, Laughter Yoga; Tony Chambless, Sur-vival Skills; and Eric Gile, Frisbee Golf.

Special thanks to Klaus Zoller for lead-ing the bicycle ride for rites of passage, and to Rev. Ryan Arnold of First Christian Church and Rev. Tony Chambless of First Presbyterian Church for leading the learn-ing portion of rites of passage.

Thanks to volunteer Chuck Maly for bringing out and preparing all the healthy snacks for the kids. Thanks to Walmart and Lawrence Brothers IGA for providing the healthy snacks. Thanks to Victor Montes and the Community Youth Center Ware-house for providing our campers’ lunches. Special thanks to Linda Schreiber, a vol-unteer who is present every year and takes care of everything from traffic control in the parking lot to beautifying grounds and directing recycling. Thanks to volunteers Louann Fernald and Teresa Montez for be-ing present and helping wherever needed.

A huge thank you to David Tremblay for taking photographs and to Boyd Sibley for providing the sound system.

Thanks to Paso Monte Grill, Can’t Stop Smokin’, Cafe Rio, Schlotzsky’s, the Jockey Club and Domino’s for providing lunches for age group leaders. Thanks to K-Bob’s for a fantastic celebration dinner. Special thanks to Ace Hardware for donat-ing a gazebo.

Peace Village would not be possible without the donations of many individuals. Thanks to all of them as well as the Ruidoso Noon Lions Club, Ruidoso Valley Greeters, Ruidoso Woman’s Club, Capitan Woman’s Club and Sacramento Mountains Unitarian Universalists congregation.

Thanks to our age group leaders: Aaron Shalley, Ben Zoller, Kaylee Aguilar, Lea Zoller, Audreana Sanchez, Hannah Mader, Collin Parks, Chris Estrada, Lauren Baca, Taryn McAlister and Hannah Perry.

Both Kaylah Glasgow and I are ex-tremely grateful for all who make Peace Village such a great experience for both children and adults.

Susan FinchCo-Director, Peace Village, Ruidoso

Operation ‘Gun Runner’To the Editor:

It’s time to present facts about the

Obama administration, instead of breath-less, glowing endorsements. So, let’s start with “Operation Gun Runner.” I thought that was a pretty cool name with lots of flare and bravado, until I studied the de-tails. [Source: Multiple testimonies before the U.S. House of Representatives Commit-tee on Oversight and Government Reform, July 2011.]

In 2009, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geit-ner and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano approved a hair-brain scheme cooked up by their staff members designed to have federal agents buy up to 2,500 semi-automatic weapons and transport them into Mexico (an overtly illegal act). Ideally, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) working for Geitner inside Mexico were to “trace” the weapons as they worked their way through channels into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. If the feds got a discount, it means the total bill was roughly $2,500,000 plus opera-tional costs — a pittance in today’s num-bers game, eh? Obama funded the money for Holder by his own admission (speech of April 2, 2009).

The problem is “Gun Runner” back-fired. Of the 2,500 guns (most purchased at gun stores in Phoenix) only 1,300 have been retrieved by law enforcement two years later. One thousand two hundred guns, enough to arm a small army, still remain on the streets of Mexico. Roughly half of the weapons purchased by the feds were semi-automatic assault rifles, which anyone with gun sense knows are eas-ily converted to fully automatic weapons. Darren Gil, a former ATF agent consulting with the Mexican government told House committee members how dangerous things became in 2010 and how overwhelmed he felt when he learned about the existence of “Gun Runner” and Operation Fast-and Fu-rious: “Never in my wildest dreams ever would I have thought of it as an (investi-gative) technique. Never. Ever. It was just inconceivable to me.”

As Murphy’s Law would have it for these nincompoops, the weapon used to kill U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was one of the weapons transported to Mexico months earlier by our own federal agents. Of course when “Gun Runner” backfired, both Napolitano and Holder were quick to denounce private gun purchases in border states and cities, principally Phoenix, extol the virtues of gun control laws against the Second Amendment of the U.S. Consti-tution, then falsely say it was a “guns for drugs” problem “caused by lax Arizona gun laws,” despite very detailed BATF statistics to the contrary.

So, one might ask what is the cost of one federal agent’s life? The answer direct-ly attributable to President Obama’s admin-istration is $2.5 million, give or take a few bucks.

Vic CurrierAlto, New Mexico

12 August 2011

Opinion

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letters to the editor

We want your letters Ruidoso Free Press welcomes your Letters to the Editor on topics of concern to you and

the community. Details: Letters, which should be no longer than 300 words, must include the name, ad-

dress and telephone number of the author for verification. Deadline: The deadline is 3 p.m. the Thursday before publication, but letters may be

held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. Disclaimer: The editorial board or editor of Ruidoso Free Press reserves the right to

edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of Ruidoso Free Press. Letters reflect the opinion of the

author, not necessarily that of Ruidoso Free Press or its staff.Email your letters to: [email protected], or write: Letter to the Editor, Ru-

idoso Free Press, 1086 Mechem, Ruidoso, NM 88345

Rural public transportation systems are nothing new. They are a way of estab-lishing a reliable link between outlying municipalities in rural regions by provid-ing the opportunity for people to accept a job, attend classes, and take care of court business or doctor’s appointments.

Examples of rural transit success stories exist and I for one benefitted from such a service when I resided in Northwest Colorado, where geographic separations between municipalities are actually quite similar to Lincoln County.

Steamboat Springs, a world class year-round ski and summer resort destination has a shortage of affordable housing for workers. Hayden and Craig are approximately fifteen and thirty five miles, respectively, from Steamboat Springs. Oak Creek is approximately twenty miles in the opposite direction. Capitan, Carrizozo and the Hondo area are local examples.

In the early 1990’s a solution to link the communities was deployed. The shuttle leaves from a designated point,

typically the local convenience store, at the same time every morning, Monday through Friday. With just two or three stops, the shuttle delivers workers to a central location with enough time for them to be at work, school or other desti-nations by eight o’clock , either walking a couple of blocks or utilizing dedicated local transit routes.

At the end of the day, the shuttle would be at the central location for the return trip. Riders would pay daily or monthly fees. The key to the shuttle’s success is reliability and once reliability is established, the system works.

Although the current transit opera-tion has struggled to create scheduled route service, the time is now to develop a plan and execute it, with the cohesive support and progressive foresight of local businesses, municipal and county entities. The time is now for leaders in the community to implement solutions for rather than turning their backs on an effective rural public transportation system.

Value of rural public transit should be recognized

editorial board

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TheRuidoso Free PressispublishedeveryTuesdaybytheRuidosoFreePress,1086Mechem,Ruidoso,NewMexico88345.ThecirculationoftheRuidoso Free Pressexceeds9,000printedcopiesweekly,withalmost8,000papersdeliveredviadirectmailtohomesandpostofficeboxeslocatedexclusivelywithinLincolnCounty.Over1,000papersareavailableforpurchaseatnewsstands,storesandhotelsthroughoutLincolnCounty.FirstclasssubscriptionstotheRuidoso Free Pressareavailablefor$80bycalling575-258-9922.Classifieds,

legals,obituaries,weddingannouncements,birthannouncementsandthank-youadsareavailablebycallingtheclassifieddepartmentat575-258-9922.Foralladvertisingopportunities,call575-258-9922.Forsubmissionofalleditorialcopy,pressreleasesorletterstotheeditor,[email protected],orcall575-258-9922.

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All advertising copy and artwork, news stories and photographs appearing in the Ruidoso Free Press are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or reprinted without permission of the general manager or editor. Management reserves the right to reject advertising or news copy considered objectionable. Liability for any error in

advertising is limited to the value of the actual space in which the error occurs and will be satisfied by correction in the next issue. Errors of fact or erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any individual, firm or corporation appearing in this newspaper will be corrected upon being brought to the attention

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Invasive tree removal improves watershed; creates jobsBy Eugene [email protected]

The landscape of Lincoln County has changed signifi cantly since the fi rst Euro-pean settlers are believed to have appeared in the 1790’s. Early settlers introduced non-indigenous juniper and cedar tree species which have since proliferated and in many cases, overwhelmed the landscape.

Hollis Fuchs presented the Leader-ship Lincoln Class 10 a compelling photo essay supplemented with scientifi c studies regarding the negatives effect on the water-shed, wildlife, native vegetation and erosion caused during the class’s session on natural resource and range management in Corona Oct. 13. Fuchs is a Lincoln County native recently retired from the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, Southeast Team, New Mexico and Carrizozo Soil and Water Conservation District. Fuchs is also the author of Historic Increases in Woody

Vegetation in Lincoln County New Mexico.Fuchs presented photos taken of the

same areas dating back to the late 1800’s, early 1900’s and present day to demonstrate the visual impact of the invasive prolifera-tion of nonindigenous vegetation followed by what it meant in regards to the overall environmental impact. “While open mead-ows and grasslands in many areas through-out Lincoln County have disappeared, the mixed conifer tree cover has dramatically increased. As a result, water yields have decreased, as much as an estimated two inches per acre annually,” Fuchs said.

Fuchs also cites the lack of natural and human produced wildfi res as another rea-son for the proliferation. “The forest and rangeland ecosystems that make up the watersheds of Lincoln County are con-sidered by many to be in a deteriorated or unhealthy state that is not sustainable. The kinds and amounts of vegetation growing on watersheds are important in sustaining

water yields, minimizing erosion and maxi-mizing water quality” Fuchs said.

A coalition of landowners in north Lin-coln County have been exploring strategic solutions to eradicate the invasive wooded species, regenerate vegetation and reclaim lost watershed through biomass production. Contractors from the Midwest are interest-ed in Lincoln County forest fuels because of the high heat produced when it burns and the initial low moisture content. “The Mid-west is quite abundant with timber. Howev-er the moisture content holds at 75 percent, even after cutting which makes kiln drying a very expensive endeavor. The non-native trees here that we don’t like or need have a moisture content of approximately 15 per-cent, which is ideal biomass production,” Fuchs said.

Carrizozo and Corona are well po-sitioned with their railroad access and abundance of invasive timber to deliver the required one million tons of biomass

per year.” The companies are looking at this area very seriously and exploring ef-fi cient ways to harvest the material with new developments in machinery. Local jobs would be created with the harvesting and transporting of biomass from work ar-eas to the rail hubs,” Fuchs said. Accord-ing to Fuchs, the out of state companies would pay approximately one dollar per ton for the biomass. “That may not sound like much but when you’re shipping out one million tons per year, that’s a mil-lion dollars in revenue supporting jobs and the local economy every year,” Fuchs said. Fuchs also pointed out that these nonindigenous trees regenerate after har-vest and where a juniper or cedar was cut down, in just a few years, several more, have already grown to a height of four or fi ve feet. “The process of the harvesting and shipments would be a long term cycle for possibly decades of sustainable bio-mass production” Fuchs said.

Lincoln County Transit System undergoes comprehensive assessmentOn Monday, Sept. 19 through

Wednesday Sept. 21, Dan G. Dirks, Ambassador Region 6 FTA United We Ride Commu-nity Transportation Association of America, conducted a site visit of the Lincoln County Transit system with three purposes: 1) To briefl y review existing op-

erations and outline options for maximizing ridership with available resources;

2) To suggest ways that Lincoln County Transit can work with the community in monitoring existing and designing servic-es that are needed; and

3) To outline strategies for the Transit Manager, the City of Ruidoso Downs and the Vil-lage of Ruidoso to develop a relationship that will maxi-mize the opportunity for all to succeed.

Background andoperational review

Lincoln County Transit has been operational for approxi-mately three years. Initially ser-vice was designed for residents of the entire county but in the last year, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners decided to with-draw from the system. This meant a reduction in service for all areas but Ruidoso Downs and the Vil-lage of Ruidoso.

Lincoln County Transit oper-ates with six vehicles (four cutaway buses and two high top vans). Staff-ing includes a transit manager (who also will dispatch, drive and answer phones), one full time dispatch-driver (duties based on need), one full time driver and four part time drivers. Service is available from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, is entirely demand-response and is door-to-door. Maintenance of the buses is performed by the City of Ruidoso Downs. Technology is limited to radio and phone communication between dispatch and drivers.

Fares for the system are $5.00 for general public without calling in advance. Lincoln County Tran-sit does allow customers to call twenty-four hours in advance to schedule a trip and this will reduc-es the fare to $1.00 for senior citi-zens and people with disabilities and $2.00 for the general public.

System designThe Lincoln County Transit

system has reached a critical time in its development. It has a loyal and growing customer base and is recognized by elected offi cials and many of its citizens for its value. There is however a frustra-tion among many that the existing

system “has to grow” or will not survive, and that is probably true. At a meeting on Sept. 20, repre-sentatives from transit systems in Roswell and Alamogordo pointed out to representatives of the City and Village how their communi-ties were in similar situations early in their development. They talked about substantially changing the format of their service from de-mand-response to fi xed route and minimizing paratransit service to people that were incapable of us-ing the fi xed route bus. Choice riders and current customers that live close to the route often like the fi xed route service better be-cause it is more frequent and does not require customers to call into the system. Paratransit service is

still required in a fi xed route sys-tem by the Americans With Dis-abilities Act for people who do not have the capacity to use the fi xed route service.

A hybrid to the fi xed route and the demand-responsive service is a “fl ex route” or “Point-to-Point De-viation” system, i.e., deviated-fi xed route. In this scenario, there are a limited number of formal bus stops with scheduled timepoints. In be-tween the timepoints, the bus may leave the main route and pick a cus-tomer up at their home. No special ADA demand-responsive service is required for this service. Therefore, costs to run the most effi cient ser-vice possible can be controlled.

The Transit Manager for the Lincoln County Transit system

has identifi ed possible deviated-fi xed or fi xed routes and is making a number of presentations in the community. If the City and Village commit to fi xed route or a deviat-ed-fi xed route, I suggest that:

Even if the City and Village decide to leave Lincoln County Transit in the current design of de-mand-responsive only, consider-ation should be given to organize demand to key attraction points. For an example, Lincoln County Transit buses and vans travel to Wal-Mart on many trips during the day. Developing a couple daily many-to-one trips could organize demand and open up times for new riders to other locations.

Based on the FY-2010 New Mexico

Transit and Rail Division’s report on Transit System’s performances , Lincoln County Transit is far from being at the low end of the mea-sures. Overall they are 14th out of 21 which is right in the middle of the pack. Although they have a higher than average cost per trip (moving to a deviated fi xed route could solve this) cost per vehicle mile is way below average. Also, although Lincoln County Transit’s share of the funding pie is a bit higher than the share of ridership it delivers, a modest increase in rid-ership can solve this.

Your opinion is important, please complete and return the survey insert in today’s Ruidoso Free Press

Ruidoso Valley Greeters ribbon cuttingsCourtesy photos

At right,the Ruidoso

Valley Greeters celebrate the

ribbon cutting for Ruidoso

Federal Credit Union located at

211 HWY 70 in Ruidoso Downs. Below, the Ruid-

oso Valley Greet-ers celebrate the

ribbon cutting for Alpine As-

sisted Living at 1206 Mechem

Drive, and at bot-tom, the Ruidoso

Valley Greeters celebrate the rib-

bon cutting for Sacred Grounds

Coff ee and Tea house located

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Retailers ring in the holiday shopping season

see CoMMissioNeRs, pg. 5


The national tsunami of Black Friday holiday shopping sales swept through Lin-coln County, carrying thousands of fervent shoppers into the Ruidoso Downs Walmart Thanksgiving night. The sales on several items began at 10 p.m. and electronics went on sale at midnight. Pat Waggoner described the scene as total chaos. “I never dreamed so many people would converge on this store, I thought of this as our little secret up here and that we wouldn’t have the craziness of the big city. Boy was I wrong,” she said. Waggoner and others loaded up their shopping carts and braved hour long checkout lines. “There were even people fi ghting in the aisles, it was ‘full contact’ shopping in there,” Waggoner said. The ‘shopping tsunami’ fl ooded the rest of Ruidoso over the weekend as local retailers yearned for a boost in seasonal sales to jump start the holiday season. Darien Ross of the local Salvation Army is hoping people are in the giving mood as well. “This is also a big weekend for us, and I encourage shoppers to take a moment to help out those who are less fortunate. The economy has really put a strain on our funds and we want to be able

to continue helping those who need it,” Ross said. With the successful holiday weekend opening of Ski Apache and some wintery weather, local retailers are hoping this season will be better than last. On Sunday, the holi-day weekend concluded with the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Inn of the Mountain Gods. Hundreds of

people enjoyed complimentary holiday treats, the incredible display of gingerbread houses and children lined up through the halls to have their photos taken with Santa Claus. The Ruidoso Middle School and Ruidoso High School choirs entertained the crowd, singing a variety of Christmas carols until the fi nal countdown before lighting the tree.

Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free PressThrongs of holiday revelers converged upon Ski Apache during the Thanksgiving holiday opening weekend. Skiers and snowboarders were treated to a base depth of 18 – 24 inches of manmade and natural snow.

Commissioners oppose driver’s licenses for illegalsBy Patrick [email protected]

In supporting a list of priorities by the New Mexico Association of Counties to fo-cus on changing legislation, Lincoln County commissioners said the organization should have included a topic seeking to do away a state law that allows foreign nationals regard-less of legal status to apply for a driver’s license.

Former governor Bill Richardson signed the law in 2003, saying that it would make it easier for foreign nationals to acquire auto in-surance and reduce traffi c fatalities across the state. Getting rid of the law was a major topic during Governor Susana Martinez’s campaign in 2010, and her opponent, Diane Denish, likewise said the law should be repealed.

During the 2011 regular session in the state Legislature, the House of Representa-tives voted 42-28 to pass a bill allowing foreign nationals living in the United States legally to obtain a driver’s license but would seemingly take away the same right for undocumented immigrants; however, the measure was rejected in the Senate. Similar legislation failed to make it to the fl oor for debate in either chamber during the special session in September, which focused primar-ily on redistricting.

The state contends it isn’t sure how many of the licenses have gone to undocu-mented immigrants because it does not ask the immigration status of license applicants.

Nonetheless, “I think it’s a big problem,

and continues to be a big problem,” said Commissioner Mark Doth, who brought up the issue of undocumented immigrants hav-ing a state-issued driver’s license, during a commission meeting Nov. 15 while discuss-ing a list of six legislative topics the NMAC would lobby on behalf of the state’s counties. “The governor has asked for it to be ad-

dressed (in the Legislature) and it continues to be ignored.”

Of the issue, Commission Chairwoman Eileen Sedillo said: “I don’t know the reason-ing behind that is, except that our governor is still pushing for it, so maybe that’s one the NMAC can put on their list of priorities.”

Public voices opinions on public transportationBy Sandi AguilarFor the Ruidoso Free Press

The Ruidoso Free Press performed a sur-vey regarding public transportation to deter-mine the opinions and thoughts of the people of Lincoln County. Given the recent report-ing and fi nancial considerations, the Ruidoso Free Press felt providing the public with an opportunity to express their opinions would be benefi cial. A handful of respondents felt the survey was biased toward public trans-portation; however, many more showed ap-preciation for the system. The survey offered many open-ended comment sections to elicit impartial thoughts.

Approximately 10,000 surveys were dis-tributed through the Ruidoso Free Press with 824 usable surveys returned. Statistically, 8.24 percent represents a signifi cant sampling of the populace of Lincoln County.

The survey concluded a great majority

of the respondents felt public transportation is not only benefi cial for the elderly, disabled and workforce, but a necessary service for a resort town. Ideas regarding funding were overwhelming for the county and municipali-ties to help support the system, but that rates and businesses should also contribute.

The statistics alone show the opinion of the respondents; however, the comments made are the telling factor and show the pas-sion of all respondents and many have been included.

Eighty percent of the respondents found Lincoln County Transit/public transportation benefi cial because the user does not have a vehicle (26 percent), needs transportation to work (18 percent), was a senior who doesn’t drive (18 percent), or was disabled and does not drive (15 percent).

• I think the public transportation is a great option for us who really count on it. I

don’t know what I’d do without it. Thank you so much!”

• “I am a student at ENMU and use it to go to school.”

• “Having no vehicle and no close neigh-bors, I depend on the city transit for doctors and other means of shopping and doctors and business appointments. Thank you for the help and courteous drivers.”

• “I am a single parent. I don’t have a lot of money to move around with my girls.”

Twenty percent did not fi nd public trans-portation benefi cial either because they felt too few people used the transit or too much public funding was used.

• “Very few use the service and it’s not self-supporting. The cost is too much to tax payer.”

• “I do not feel tax dollars should be used for this, especially since this is a larger

see suRVeY, pg. 5

Wrestling on the rise

Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free PressMatthew Carr, left, grapples with Warrior teammate Kaylen Chavez during the Ruidoso wrestling team’s scrimmage Nov. 21 at RHS. The team opens the season Dec. 10 at the Las Cruces tournament. Full story on Page 13.

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November29,2011 Ruidoso Free Press 5

suRVeYfrompg.1

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city benefit.”• “Why is it the government’s job to

solve everyone’s problems? If you don’t like Ruidoso/LC — move if you are un-happy.”

• “Against having it unless it pays for itself and not subsidized by tax payers.”

• “Increase the rates and get busi-nesses and charities to pony up.”

Having a fixed route was the big-gest determining factor for residents to potentially use public transportation (42 percent), and 40 percent would use the service if coverage was extended to oth-ers parts of the county. 33 percent felt it would be a good resource for evening/restaurant/bar transportation with 28 percent wanting to include special events in the route, such as Spencer, Lincoln and Ft. Stanton. Almost 30 percent wanted the transit to run longer hours and only 15 percent wished it less expensive to use. Most believed a combination of para-tran-sit and fixed route would be beneficial for all needs and to include routes between hotels and attractions.

• “You need more drivers to provide people to work. Also night transit would be helpful for those who work nights and for those who want to go out.

• “With as many retirees here, help is needed. Many of us are elderly. Also with as many tourists and little parking in many places, it would solve a big problem.”

• “Good for teens with no driver’s license.”

• “I wish public transportation would come down as far as the Hondo Valley. We need their service.”

• “I am 85 and in a wheelchair. LCT helped me several times to get to a doc-tor’s appointment, and pedicurists, etc.”

• “I had a friend who used and appre-ciated the service before she died. I saw that is helped her not to become a total recluse.”

• “A route between hotels and attrac-tions should be paid for by the hotels and attractions.”

Sixty-nine percent felt funding for public transportation should be done by both the municipalities and county; how-

ever these funding sources were the only options provided in the survey.

• “Maybe limited service on Sundays and holidays, all-day flat fee, on fixed route, with no reservation. I decided to live here because it has public transportation.”

• “Demand must determine how much service is feasible. All would be nice, but maybe not be cost effective.”

• “Choosing to live in remote areas means those making that choice should be responsible for all transportation costs; not the rest of society.”

• “Funded by the NM State Lottery.”• “I personally don’t need it right

now, but I feel there is a definite need for it. I wouldn’t mind helping pay for it to help those in need.”

Lincoln County residents felt public transportation would be most beneficial for the elderly and/or disabled (82 per-cent) and for those without vehicles (79 percent), as well as a good resource for the workforce at 68 percent and use by visitors was also strong at 61 percent.

• “I am a business owner in Ruidoso.

Several of my employees use this service daily. Some have no other transportation.”

• “LCT is a real benefit to the county and the municipalities. It is short-sighted to cut funding and threaten LCT with extinction.”

• “This is a valuable “quality of life” issue for the Lincoln County locals and it should be continued. I don’t need it but it is a real need for our community.”

• “No public transportation would mean some people would not be able to work and be less self-sufficient and this would be much more costly to us all.”

• “A transit system really serves smaller communities by getting people to the doctors, work place and stores they need. It is progressive and shows we care about ALL citizens. I do not use it yet, but I may in the future.”

• “‘Build it and they will come’ – this also applies to bike lanes and a village path system, for bikes and pedestrians.”

The complete results will be provided to Lincoln County Transit for their consid-eration.

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In a letter from NMAC executive director Paul Guti-errez to the organization’s board of directors, he wrote that it would be helpful for county commissions to pass a resolution in support of the legislative priorities. In 2012, those priorities read:

• Support a mechanism to correct property tax ineq-uities and resolve the current constitutionality problem;

• Allow Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) retirees to serve as poll workers without risking loss of retirement benefits;

• Decriminalize traffic violations in New Mexico;• Increase the portion of the state Liquor Excise Tax

allocated to the Local Government DWI Grant Fund and dedicate a portion of that increase to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the state drug courts;

• Create a system to ensure that local option gross receipts taxes are remitted directly to the state with the proper location code, to ensure payment of revenues to local government;

• Permit county commissions to ban fireworks during extreme drought.

Although Doth said that he didn’t have any prob-lems agreeing with the above list from the NMAC, “the only thing I see that’s missing – and I wish NMAC had done something with it – is the driver’s licenses for il-legals.”

Neither Doth nor any other member of the county commission gave a specific reason why the law should

be overturned. Regardless, a survey by Public Opinion Strategies in September shows that more than 70 percent of the state’s residents oppose allowing undocumented immigrants to have a driver’s license.

“I agree very much with Commissioner Doth,” said Commissioner Tom Battin, adding: “It probably would be more effective if we approve what (NMAC) has asked for, but then we entertain a separate resolution in sup-port of the governor’s recommendation as it relates to licenses for illegal aliens. By doing that it would bring more attention to it than if we incorporated a fruit basket of recommendations.”

Sedillo asked that County Manager Nita Taylor draft a resolution for the next commission meeting stating that the county does not support allowing undocumented im-migrants to apply for driver’s licenses.

Along with New Mexico, Washington and Utah are the only other states that allow foreign nationals to obtain a driver’s license. In Utah, the driver’s license may not be used as a form of government identification.

Fireworks banOn the issue of allowing county commission to ban

fireworks during conditions of extreme drought, Minter said that it doesn’t explain whether it’s the sale of the fireworks or rather their use that would be prohibited.

“The problem we had in the whole state last year was sale of fireworks,” said Minter. “They couldn’t ban the

sale; they could just ban the use. So I don’t know if the NMAC is trying to get us the authority to ban the sale, too.”

County Attorney Alan Morel told commissioners that the current law doesn’t allow for county commissions to ban all types of fireworks. What the NMAC is proposing, he said, would be to allow county commission to ban the use and the sale of all types of fireworks limited to during high fire season, “which would be a major change in the current law.”

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