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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 60
April 25, 2008
April 25, 2008
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Special weather information
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
| THE WEATHER BOX www.eddycountyskywarn.blogspot.com Today: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 10 mph. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. |
| The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow. The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines. |
Inciweb - The place to go for information on active wildfires
Inciweb is the new interagency national website that has really "caught fire"!
Inciweb is the best place to search for information on active wildfires, such
as the Trigo Fire.
Follow the link to see where wildfires are already burning throughout the
nation and consider bookmarking the site for information on New Mexico's
2008 fire season.
AHS students win Los Alamos Labs Scholarships
ARTESIA - Four Seniors at Artesia High School received scholarships
totaling $ 13,000 from the Los Alamos National Labs for their projects
entered in the 2008 New Mexico Super Computer Challenge. All four
students are seniors.
Tracey Franklin, who will be attending Rice University or Dartmouth, in the
Fall was awarded $ 4500 for her participation in a computational science
project dealing with how ideas move through a society. At the beginning of
the year Tracey said she did not like computers, but after a year in the
Challenge she has changed her mind.
Jessica MacKinnon, a three year participant in the Challenge, also received
$ 4500 to attend NMSU to study Anthropology. As the leader of her team,
which also included Junior Kandese Spikes, Jessica wrote a java based
program, called NET LOGO, to model group behavior.
Seniors Alex Sifuentes and Philip de la Rosa each won $ 2,000
scholarships to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where
they plan to study computer science and theater arts. Both students got
involved in the Challenge as sophomores, but their team was unable to
complete the year long Challenge. Their project looked at the role of
Chaos Theory in the evolution of traffic laws.
Other students participating in the Challenge included Juniors Casey
Haldeman, Shane Wilson, and Alec Kukharsky, and Sophomores Jake
Green, JP Rivera, and Michael Van Slyke.
For information about the 2008-2009 Challenge, contact sponsors Randall
Gaylor at Artesia High, or Jose Quiroz at the Junior High or the Intermediate
School. Additional information may be found at the Challenge Web Site:
www.challenge.nm.org.
Class schedules for ENMU-R available
ROSWELL - Class schedules for the upcoming summer and fall semesters
at ENMU-Roswell are available at the following locations: ENMU-Roswell,
Chaves County Career Center in the Bank of America building (ninth floor),
Hastings Books, Music and Video, NMMI (Toles Learning Center), NM
Department of Labor, NM Income Support Division, Roswell Public Library,
K-Mart, Target, Roswell Racquet Club, Blockbuster Video, Counseling
Associates, Roswell Visitors’ Center, Roswell Chamber of Commerce,
Roswell Adult Center, Office Max, Yucca Center, Roswell Mall (food court
area), Galaxy 8 Theater, Roswell Regional Hospital, Eastern New Mexico
Medical Center, Alton’s Power Block Gym, Elite Fitness, Artesia Education
Center, Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Artesia High School, Dexter High
School, Lake Arthur High School, Hagerman High School, Roswell High
School, Goddard High School, University High School, and Christmas By
Krebs.
Online registration is now open at www.roswell.enmu.edu.
Students can also register any time on campus during regular business
hours. The campus is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday through
Thursday and from 8:00am until noon on Friday. Summer classes begin
June 2. Fall classes begin August 20. For registration information, call 624-
7149.
ENMU Receives $20,000 from Intel for New Science Building
PORTALES—The Intel Corporation recently presented a check for $20,000
to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to purchase computer-related
technology in support of the Science Building remodeling and expansion
project currently underway on the ENMU campus.
Equipment purchased will include classroom presentation systems and
laboratory computers. The Science Building will open for classes this fall.
The grant is part of Intel’s mission to support education.
“We wish to thank Elizabeth Shipley at the Intel branch office in Rio Rancho,
New Mexico, and Dr. Robert D. Long, associate professor of chemistry at
ENMU, who have been instrumental in securing this donation,” said Noelle
Bartl, director of the ENMU Foundation.
WSMR Facility Could be Mothballed with FY09 Budget Plan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday suggested that the
Defense Department consider shifting administration of an important high
energy laser facility at White Sands Missile Range that has faced
mothballed status under successive Army budgets.
Domenici serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that
today conducted a hearing on the FY2009 budget requests for the DOD
Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Witnesses included Air Force Lt. Gen.
Henry Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Army Lt.
Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commander of the Army Space and Missile
Defense Command.
Based on past and current Army budget requests and the MDA’s needs,
Domenici suggested that the Missile Defense Agency assume responsibility
for the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at the White Sands
Missile Range facility.
“I understand that the Army’s budget concerns are driving the force to
mothball HELSTF, but at the same time I am repeatedly told by the MDA
that HELSTF’s capabilities are critical to development of the Airborne Laser
program and other laser weapons systems,” Domenici said. “I think it is
worthwhile for everyone to seriously consider transferring HELSTF to the
Missile Defense Agency, which has a vested interest in this program.”
In his prepared testimony, Campbell said HELSTF “is serving as a key
lethality test bed for MDA’s Airborne Laser Program,” and asked the
subcommittee for continued support for it and other testing ranges.
Campbell called HELSTF an “important national facility.” But he told
Domenici the Army, while still looking to shut down HELSTF for budget
reasons, wanted to retain the facility’s capabilities for future use.
The FY2009 budget recommends $2.83 million for HELSTF, which is well
below the $8.8 million Domenici helped secure to operate the facility in
FY2008. The Army budget suggested a similar $2.8 budget level last year
and the outlook for FY2010 is similar.
Rather than embracing Domenici’s suggestion, Obering stated the ongoing
need for HELSTF capabilities. He also indicated that the MDA has, and will
continue, to try to shift funding to HELSTF to support ongoing work at
WSMR for the Airborne Laser, Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser
(MIRACL) and other projects.
As the debate over FY2009 HELSTF funding progresses, Domenici noted
his defense authorization and appropriations request for an additional $15
million in FY2009 for the facility. The Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee is expected to begin crafting its 2009 spending bill later this
spring.
“The Army’s FY2009 budget proposes reducing funding and mothballing
the MIRACL laser system despite the Missile Defense Agency’s assertions
that that system might be needed through at least FY2010. I have
requested the additional $15.0 million to continue this program and retain
its current capabilities,” Domenici said.
HELSTF, a Defense Department Major Range and Test Base Facility, is
used by all branches of the armed services, including the Air Force and
Navy. It is the nation’s center of excellence for developing and
demonstrating high energy laser weapon programs.
Not too late to file for economic stimulus payment
WASHINGTON — Even though April 15 has passed, the Internal Revenue
Service Thursday reminded retirees, disabled veterans and others who
normally do not file a tax return that there is still time to submit a 2007 form
to receive an economic stimulus payment.
People who have no tax filing requirement but have at least $3,000 in
qualifying income should file a simple Form 1040A. Qualifying income
includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay as well
as certain payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad
Retirement.
“Don’t worry if you did not file a return by April 15. If you meet the criteria,
you are still eligible for a stimulus payment. The quicker you file, the quicker
you’ll get your payment,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner. People
must file a return by October 15 to receive an economic stimulus payment
this year.
Shulman urged friends and family members to reach out to acquaintances
or relatives who may either be unaware of the Economic Stimulus Payment
or unable to file the tax return themselves. “We need everyone’s help to
make sure all eligible people get the economic stimulus payments,” he
added.
For taxpayers who are required to file an income tax return, the IRS will use
the 2007 tax return to determine eligibility for economic stimulus payments
of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples). There also is a payment of
$300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.
Those not required to file a return because their income is too low or
nontaxable must file a tax return to obtain their economic stimulus
payment. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides a minimum payment
of $300 ($600 for married couples) plus the $300 payment per eligible
child, if the person (or married couple) has at least $3,000 in qualifying
income.
The types of Social Security benefits that are considered qualifying income
include retirement, disability and survivor payments. Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) is not qualifying income. The types of Veterans Affairs
benefits that are considered qualifying income include disability
compensation, disability pension and survivor payments. Qualifying
Railroad Retirement payments include the social security equivalent portion
of Tier 1 benefits.
People not otherwise required to file an income tax return must file a simple
Form 1040A with basic information to ensure that they receive the
economic stimulus payment. This information includes their name; address;
dependents, if any; amount of their qualifying income (which must be
$3,000 or more); direct deposit information and their signatures. Forms
1040A and instructions are available at www.irs.gov.
Eligible people, including their qualifying children, must have Social Security
numbers. Also, people cannot be claimed or be eligible to be claimed as a
dependent on another’s tax return. People with Individual Taxpayer
Identification Numbers are not eligible.
There are IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers open during the week to
provide assistance. To find an IRS office near you, go to IRS.gov and click
on “Contact IRS,” then “Contact Your Local IRS Office.” These sites offer
free tax preparation and filing for individuals and families whose income is
$40,000 or less. A select number of volunteer tax assistance sites in local
communities may also remain open. People can call 1-800-906-9887 to find
the volunteer tax assistance site closest to them.
If people want to file their own return electronically, they can still use Free
File – Economic Stimulus Payment, also available at www.irs.gov. This
program provides free software and free electronic filing of Form 1040A,
and it remains open after April 15.
Council hears from several visitors
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled Artesia City Council meeting was
conducted Tuesday evening at city hall with several visitors in attendance.
In the portion of the meeting dedicated to visitors who did not request to be
on the agenda, Evolyn Terpening explained to the council that she was
circulating a petition to be delivered to Governor Bill Richardson and the
New Mexico Transportation Department. The petition reads, "We, the
citizens of Artesia and surrounding area, hereby petition New Mexico
Governor Richardson and the New Mexico Department of Transportation to
construct a four-lane highway between Artesia and Lovington. This is
desperately needed due to the heavy oil field traffic. The oil field industry
contributes greatly to the taxes for the State of New Mexico. We feel that
some of these funds should be returned to this area to provide for this
need. The highway should be dedicated to Mary Louise Stuart whose car
was crushed between two oil field trucks on March 26, 2008 taking her life.
Five vehicles were involved in this accident."
Terpening noted that other highway projects in the state had been funded
through bonds that were paid in three years, and she feels the Artesia area
project could also be funded and paid in three years or less. Mayor Phil
Burch assured Mrs. Terpening that, speaking on behalf of the entire
council, a letter of support would be issued to accompany her petition. To
date, Terpening has collected more than 400 signatures.
If you have not yet signed and wish to do so, petitions should be available
at several locations in the Artesia area, including the Artesia Credit Union,
all of the banks, the Artesia Senior Center, Artesia City Hall, the Paddock
Cafe in Riverside, Halliburton, Marbob, Yates and TLC at First Baptist
Church. Anyone with any questions regarding the petition, or anyone
interested in picking up a copy to pass around or post in their place of
business, are invited to contact Terpening at 746-3409.
Visitors scheduled to present to the council included Stephanie Bretz
representing Artesia MainStreet. Bretz requested permission to hold the
Vaquero unveiling on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Second & Main Streets.
The Vaquero is the second of a three-piece tableau. The Trail Boss is
located at First and Main Streets and The Rustler will be placed in the
roundabout at Second Street and Texas Avenue.
Sally Delgado and Robert Martinez representing the Artesia Hispanic
Heritage Committee requested permission to hold the Cinco de Mayo
Festival in conjunction with the unveiling on May 10th.
Robert Bell with the Eddy County DWI Program requested approval of a
Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Artesia and the county for
the Community DWI Prevention Program.
All three requests were approved. Council also approved a request from
the Lion's Club to accept the donation and planting of a tree at JayCee
Park for Arbor Day.
Richard Hefler of Yates Petroleum was present and spoke on behalf of
Hotel Artesia during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The request
was for approval of a transfer of a liquor license from Taos Lodging
Associates, LP doing busing as The Fechin Inn to Mount Difficulty, LLC dba
Hotel Artesia located at 203 N. 2nd Street. Council approved the transfer,
with Councilor Raye Miller abstaining to avoid any perceived conflict of
interest.
Two employees received recognition before the council: Ronnie Doporto of
the Artesia Fire Department was recognized for 15 years of service and
Laurence Willard of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized for
achieving his Wastewater II certification from the New Mexico Environment
Department. Mayor Burch commended the pair, noting that employees who
achieve longevity and employees who seek to improve themselves in their
positions with the city deserve congratulations.
Human Resources Director Bill Thalman brought six names before council
for approval, three of whom were internal promotions. Mary Esquibel was
promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Infrastructure Department;
Celestino Gonzales was promoted to Streets Department Foreman and
Glenn Hinkle was promoted to Foreman in the Water Department.
Three new hires included Jarrod Zuniga as Certified Police Officer, Alfredo
Garcia as Firefighter Trainee and Donald Thurman as Part-time Airport
Attendant.
Following an executive session, the council voted to suspend an Artesia
Police Department employee without pay. A press release from Thalman
explained, "Effective April 8, 2008 Deputy Chief Wil Hoggard has been
placed on suspension without pay following an internal affairs investigation.
Section 1-6-8 of the City of Artesia Personnel Ordinance addresses the
process for disciplinary action of regular City employees. Since this is a
personnel matter no additional information is available at this time."
Inciweb is the new interagency national website that has really "caught fire"!
Inciweb is the best place to search for information on active wildfires, such
as the Trigo Fire.
Follow the link to see where wildfires are already burning throughout the
nation and consider bookmarking the site for information on New Mexico's
2008 fire season.
AHS students win Los Alamos Labs Scholarships
ARTESIA - Four Seniors at Artesia High School received scholarships
totaling $ 13,000 from the Los Alamos National Labs for their projects
entered in the 2008 New Mexico Super Computer Challenge. All four
students are seniors.
Tracey Franklin, who will be attending Rice University or Dartmouth, in the
Fall was awarded $ 4500 for her participation in a computational science
project dealing with how ideas move through a society. At the beginning of
the year Tracey said she did not like computers, but after a year in the
Challenge she has changed her mind.
Jessica MacKinnon, a three year participant in the Challenge, also received
$ 4500 to attend NMSU to study Anthropology. As the leader of her team,
which also included Junior Kandese Spikes, Jessica wrote a java based
program, called NET LOGO, to model group behavior.
Seniors Alex Sifuentes and Philip de la Rosa each won $ 2,000
scholarships to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where
they plan to study computer science and theater arts. Both students got
involved in the Challenge as sophomores, but their team was unable to
complete the year long Challenge. Their project looked at the role of
Chaos Theory in the evolution of traffic laws.
Other students participating in the Challenge included Juniors Casey
Haldeman, Shane Wilson, and Alec Kukharsky, and Sophomores Jake
Green, JP Rivera, and Michael Van Slyke.
For information about the 2008-2009 Challenge, contact sponsors Randall
Gaylor at Artesia High, or Jose Quiroz at the Junior High or the Intermediate
School. Additional information may be found at the Challenge Web Site:
www.challenge.nm.org.
Class schedules for ENMU-R available
ROSWELL - Class schedules for the upcoming summer and fall semesters
at ENMU-Roswell are available at the following locations: ENMU-Roswell,
Chaves County Career Center in the Bank of America building (ninth floor),
Hastings Books, Music and Video, NMMI (Toles Learning Center), NM
Department of Labor, NM Income Support Division, Roswell Public Library,
K-Mart, Target, Roswell Racquet Club, Blockbuster Video, Counseling
Associates, Roswell Visitors’ Center, Roswell Chamber of Commerce,
Roswell Adult Center, Office Max, Yucca Center, Roswell Mall (food court
area), Galaxy 8 Theater, Roswell Regional Hospital, Eastern New Mexico
Medical Center, Alton’s Power Block Gym, Elite Fitness, Artesia Education
Center, Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Artesia High School, Dexter High
School, Lake Arthur High School, Hagerman High School, Roswell High
School, Goddard High School, University High School, and Christmas By
Krebs.
Online registration is now open at www.roswell.enmu.edu.
Students can also register any time on campus during regular business
hours. The campus is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday through
Thursday and from 8:00am until noon on Friday. Summer classes begin
June 2. Fall classes begin August 20. For registration information, call 624-
7149.
ENMU Receives $20,000 from Intel for New Science Building
PORTALES—The Intel Corporation recently presented a check for $20,000
to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to purchase computer-related
technology in support of the Science Building remodeling and expansion
project currently underway on the ENMU campus.
Equipment purchased will include classroom presentation systems and
laboratory computers. The Science Building will open for classes this fall.
The grant is part of Intel’s mission to support education.
“We wish to thank Elizabeth Shipley at the Intel branch office in Rio Rancho,
New Mexico, and Dr. Robert D. Long, associate professor of chemistry at
ENMU, who have been instrumental in securing this donation,” said Noelle
Bartl, director of the ENMU Foundation.
WSMR Facility Could be Mothballed with FY09 Budget Plan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday suggested that the
Defense Department consider shifting administration of an important high
energy laser facility at White Sands Missile Range that has faced
mothballed status under successive Army budgets.
Domenici serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that
today conducted a hearing on the FY2009 budget requests for the DOD
Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Witnesses included Air Force Lt. Gen.
Henry Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Army Lt.
Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commander of the Army Space and Missile
Defense Command.
Based on past and current Army budget requests and the MDA’s needs,
Domenici suggested that the Missile Defense Agency assume responsibility
for the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at the White Sands
Missile Range facility.
“I understand that the Army’s budget concerns are driving the force to
mothball HELSTF, but at the same time I am repeatedly told by the MDA
that HELSTF’s capabilities are critical to development of the Airborne Laser
program and other laser weapons systems,” Domenici said. “I think it is
worthwhile for everyone to seriously consider transferring HELSTF to the
Missile Defense Agency, which has a vested interest in this program.”
In his prepared testimony, Campbell said HELSTF “is serving as a key
lethality test bed for MDA’s Airborne Laser Program,” and asked the
subcommittee for continued support for it and other testing ranges.
Campbell called HELSTF an “important national facility.” But he told
Domenici the Army, while still looking to shut down HELSTF for budget
reasons, wanted to retain the facility’s capabilities for future use.
The FY2009 budget recommends $2.83 million for HELSTF, which is well
below the $8.8 million Domenici helped secure to operate the facility in
FY2008. The Army budget suggested a similar $2.8 budget level last year
and the outlook for FY2010 is similar.
Rather than embracing Domenici’s suggestion, Obering stated the ongoing
need for HELSTF capabilities. He also indicated that the MDA has, and will
continue, to try to shift funding to HELSTF to support ongoing work at
WSMR for the Airborne Laser, Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser
(MIRACL) and other projects.
As the debate over FY2009 HELSTF funding progresses, Domenici noted
his defense authorization and appropriations request for an additional $15
million in FY2009 for the facility. The Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee is expected to begin crafting its 2009 spending bill later this
spring.
“The Army’s FY2009 budget proposes reducing funding and mothballing
the MIRACL laser system despite the Missile Defense Agency’s assertions
that that system might be needed through at least FY2010. I have
requested the additional $15.0 million to continue this program and retain
its current capabilities,” Domenici said.
HELSTF, a Defense Department Major Range and Test Base Facility, is
used by all branches of the armed services, including the Air Force and
Navy. It is the nation’s center of excellence for developing and
demonstrating high energy laser weapon programs.
Not too late to file for economic stimulus payment
WASHINGTON — Even though April 15 has passed, the Internal Revenue
Service Thursday reminded retirees, disabled veterans and others who
normally do not file a tax return that there is still time to submit a 2007 form
to receive an economic stimulus payment.
People who have no tax filing requirement but have at least $3,000 in
qualifying income should file a simple Form 1040A. Qualifying income
includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay as well
as certain payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad
Retirement.
“Don’t worry if you did not file a return by April 15. If you meet the criteria,
you are still eligible for a stimulus payment. The quicker you file, the quicker
you’ll get your payment,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner. People
must file a return by October 15 to receive an economic stimulus payment
this year.
Shulman urged friends and family members to reach out to acquaintances
or relatives who may either be unaware of the Economic Stimulus Payment
or unable to file the tax return themselves. “We need everyone’s help to
make sure all eligible people get the economic stimulus payments,” he
added.
For taxpayers who are required to file an income tax return, the IRS will use
the 2007 tax return to determine eligibility for economic stimulus payments
of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples). There also is a payment of
$300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.
Those not required to file a return because their income is too low or
nontaxable must file a tax return to obtain their economic stimulus
payment. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides a minimum payment
of $300 ($600 for married couples) plus the $300 payment per eligible
child, if the person (or married couple) has at least $3,000 in qualifying
income.
The types of Social Security benefits that are considered qualifying income
include retirement, disability and survivor payments. Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) is not qualifying income. The types of Veterans Affairs
benefits that are considered qualifying income include disability
compensation, disability pension and survivor payments. Qualifying
Railroad Retirement payments include the social security equivalent portion
of Tier 1 benefits.
People not otherwise required to file an income tax return must file a simple
Form 1040A with basic information to ensure that they receive the
economic stimulus payment. This information includes their name; address;
dependents, if any; amount of their qualifying income (which must be
$3,000 or more); direct deposit information and their signatures. Forms
1040A and instructions are available at www.irs.gov.
Eligible people, including their qualifying children, must have Social Security
numbers. Also, people cannot be claimed or be eligible to be claimed as a
dependent on another’s tax return. People with Individual Taxpayer
Identification Numbers are not eligible.
There are IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers open during the week to
provide assistance. To find an IRS office near you, go to IRS.gov and click
on “Contact IRS,” then “Contact Your Local IRS Office.” These sites offer
free tax preparation and filing for individuals and families whose income is
$40,000 or less. A select number of volunteer tax assistance sites in local
communities may also remain open. People can call 1-800-906-9887 to find
the volunteer tax assistance site closest to them.
If people want to file their own return electronically, they can still use Free
File – Economic Stimulus Payment, also available at www.irs.gov. This
program provides free software and free electronic filing of Form 1040A,
and it remains open after April 15.
Council hears from several visitors
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled Artesia City Council meeting was
conducted Tuesday evening at city hall with several visitors in attendance.
In the portion of the meeting dedicated to visitors who did not request to be
on the agenda, Evolyn Terpening explained to the council that she was
circulating a petition to be delivered to Governor Bill Richardson and the
New Mexico Transportation Department. The petition reads, "We, the
citizens of Artesia and surrounding area, hereby petition New Mexico
Governor Richardson and the New Mexico Department of Transportation to
construct a four-lane highway between Artesia and Lovington. This is
desperately needed due to the heavy oil field traffic. The oil field industry
contributes greatly to the taxes for the State of New Mexico. We feel that
some of these funds should be returned to this area to provide for this
need. The highway should be dedicated to Mary Louise Stuart whose car
was crushed between two oil field trucks on March 26, 2008 taking her life.
Five vehicles were involved in this accident."
Terpening noted that other highway projects in the state had been funded
through bonds that were paid in three years, and she feels the Artesia area
project could also be funded and paid in three years or less. Mayor Phil
Burch assured Mrs. Terpening that, speaking on behalf of the entire
council, a letter of support would be issued to accompany her petition. To
date, Terpening has collected more than 400 signatures.
If you have not yet signed and wish to do so, petitions should be available
at several locations in the Artesia area, including the Artesia Credit Union,
all of the banks, the Artesia Senior Center, Artesia City Hall, the Paddock
Cafe in Riverside, Halliburton, Marbob, Yates and TLC at First Baptist
Church. Anyone with any questions regarding the petition, or anyone
interested in picking up a copy to pass around or post in their place of
business, are invited to contact Terpening at 746-3409.
Visitors scheduled to present to the council included Stephanie Bretz
representing Artesia MainStreet. Bretz requested permission to hold the
Vaquero unveiling on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Second & Main Streets.
The Vaquero is the second of a three-piece tableau. The Trail Boss is
located at First and Main Streets and The Rustler will be placed in the
roundabout at Second Street and Texas Avenue.
Sally Delgado and Robert Martinez representing the Artesia Hispanic
Heritage Committee requested permission to hold the Cinco de Mayo
Festival in conjunction with the unveiling on May 10th.
Robert Bell with the Eddy County DWI Program requested approval of a
Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Artesia and the county for
the Community DWI Prevention Program.
All three requests were approved. Council also approved a request from
the Lion's Club to accept the donation and planting of a tree at JayCee
Park for Arbor Day.
Richard Hefler of Yates Petroleum was present and spoke on behalf of
Hotel Artesia during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The request
was for approval of a transfer of a liquor license from Taos Lodging
Associates, LP doing busing as The Fechin Inn to Mount Difficulty, LLC dba
Hotel Artesia located at 203 N. 2nd Street. Council approved the transfer,
with Councilor Raye Miller abstaining to avoid any perceived conflict of
interest.
Two employees received recognition before the council: Ronnie Doporto of
the Artesia Fire Department was recognized for 15 years of service and
Laurence Willard of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized for
achieving his Wastewater II certification from the New Mexico Environment
Department. Mayor Burch commended the pair, noting that employees who
achieve longevity and employees who seek to improve themselves in their
positions with the city deserve congratulations.
Human Resources Director Bill Thalman brought six names before council
for approval, three of whom were internal promotions. Mary Esquibel was
promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Infrastructure Department;
Celestino Gonzales was promoted to Streets Department Foreman and
Glenn Hinkle was promoted to Foreman in the Water Department.
Three new hires included Jarrod Zuniga as Certified Police Officer, Alfredo
Garcia as Firefighter Trainee and Donald Thurman as Part-time Airport
Attendant.
Following an executive session, the council voted to suspend an Artesia
Police Department employee without pay. A press release from Thalman
explained, "Effective April 8, 2008 Deputy Chief Wil Hoggard has been
placed on suspension without pay following an internal affairs investigation.
Section 1-6-8 of the City of Artesia Personnel Ordinance addresses the
process for disciplinary action of regular City employees. Since this is a
personnel matter no additional information is available at this time."
National Day of Prayer proclaimed
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
Mathematics Awareness Month at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness
Month and the department of Mathematical
Sciences at New Mexico State University is
recognizing the occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and
Voting and speakers will use mathematics and
statistics to attempt to answer the question,
“What makes your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion
on the topic at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in
Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator.
The panel will include representatives from the
departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and
Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for
counting votes can influence the outcome and
how polling and predictions in the media
influence voter psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer
science at the University of Rochester, will be
guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday,
April 16, and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in
Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss
how computational complexity, already used to
protect commercial Internet transactions, can be
used as a shield to prevent bribery and control
of elections. He will show that an election system
developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland
election system are both resistant to all
standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will
discuss a voting system created in 1876 by
mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” under the
name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists
and the algorithm used in the system never
incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the
winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each
year in April. Its goal is to increase public
understanding of and appreciation for
mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They
are sponsored by the departments of
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science,
Psychology, Government, Communication
Studies and History and the office of the dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences. For more
information call (575) 646-2030.
GUN NEWS APRIL 16
by KATHY KOLT
BOB ELLIOTT, of SEYMOUR, TEXAS, was
riding his HARLEY and decided to stop in at a
bar. That was unusual because BOB doesn't
drink. SCOTT, a local cattle rancher decided to
stop into the same bar. SCOTT doesn't drink
either. The two men struck up a conversation,
the end result being that SCOTT let BOB use
his ranch for guided hunts; thus forming North
Texas Waterfowl & Wildlife.
This ranch is 3,000 acres within half a million
acres; it's been in SCOTT's family since 1864. It
hasn't been hunted since 1865. They have
dove, turkey, duck, pig and white tail deer. The
pig have overrun the land so bad that the
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT came in with a
helicopter and shot 1,600 of them and then
tested them to see if they carried any diseases.
That didn't even make a dent. You can hunt
these feral hogs 365 days of the year. I was on
this ranch for 15 minutes bouncing around in a
pickup and I saw turkeys and white tail deer. On
the way back to town, I saw a sow with babies on
the side of the road. I'd been warned, don't let
cute fool you. Hogs are nothing this woman
wants to mess with. While on the ranch, we saw
a number of hog traps. The hogs are trapped
and sent to FORT WORTH, cured and then the
meat is sent to GERMANY; goes good with dark
beer. BOB ELLIOTT is shipping hog urine (in
heat) from IOWA to draw the hogs into the area
he wants.
While in SEYMOUR, I was able to interview a
couple of camera crews that were hunting and
filming for future T.V. shows and DVD's. Both
crews were there to get footage of turkey
hunting with bows.
The first crew drove from PEORIA, ILLINOIS.
This crew consisted of CHRIS BRACKETT,
DANNY BORLAND, CHAD McSIMOV, and
special guest, JODI BARNES. They came to do
a film on turkeys, but after seeing this ranch,
they will also be doing a show on hog hunts. I
saw them after they came in from their first day
of hunting on this ranch and even though
CHRIS and JODI had not arrived till 1 A.M. and
they were up and hunting at 4 A.M., they were
all pumped and excited with the rush of the
day's hunt. As a matter of fact, they were so
enthusiastic, I was thinking, "And you get paid
for having this much fun?" CHRIS has done the
turkey grand slam previously in 2 years time.
Now he's trying to do it in 45 days with a
MATHEWS BOW and no blind. That means
getting an OSCEOLA turkey from FLORIDA, an
EASTERN turkey from the Midwest, a
MERRIAMS turkey, and of course, the RIO
GRANDE turkey from TEXAS and NEW MEXICO.
He is using a CARBON EXPRESS MAXIMA
HUNTER 350 tipped with a RAGE BROADHEAD.
While watching the T.V. footage for the days
hunt, CHRIS BRACKETT remarked that the wind
was the worst he'd ever hunted in. They got
terrific footage and they showed me some of the
equipment they were using. The GUILLOTINE
head is four razor blades at the tip. Really not
used for anything past 20 yards and it literally is
made for taking the heads off turkeys. The
fellas were most excited about the RAGE
BROADHEAD. They said it was the most
devastating, cleanest killing broadhead on the
market. CHRIS has used it on a 7 foot BLACK
BEAR, and shot through the protective plate on
a wild boar.
OK, LADIES, NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF!
Remember I mentioned JODI BARNES, special
guest on this camera crew? She got a turkey
with a bow, her first ever. What's remarkable is
that JODI is this gorgeous, tiny little thing. If she
can do it, why can't we? I can't wait to see the
program that features her. You'll want to look for
BRACKETT OUTDOORS and LIVING LIFE WITH
FULL DRAW with CHRIS BRACKETT and also,
THE MAN, an outdoor mans adventure
channel.
Well, the next day, in rolls the HERITAGE
OUTDOORS camera crew. Again, I was
impressed with the enthusiasm of this crew.
They also impressed upon me the camaraderie
among hunters. CHRIS HENRY, founder of
HERITAGE OUTDOORS, told me of the heritage
of hunting in their families and that they believe
in using primitive weapons such as the shotgun
muzzle loader and archery. He had on his team,
GREG GRIFFITH, senior Pro Staff, JON
MEADOWS, editor, and HEATH MILES. HEATH
is a biologist, getting his degree, and they all
agreed he's the smart one in the bunch. They're
sponsored by PEARSON, the oldest bow
manufacturer. They all do a trade out as to who
hunts and who films. They're finishing up their
SLAM with primitive weapons on camera. They
do footage for 3 different T.V. shows. DUAL
SHOT OUTDOORS and ROGER RAGLAN
OUTDOORS. He has the largest collection of
whitetail deer and is known as "MR.
WHITETAIL". Seven states in eight weeks is
their goal to do the SLAM. I saw the
muzzleloader they had with them. It was a
KNIGHT TK 2000. They called it a one shot
challenge. If you miss, it's the big OOOPS. It
comes in black or camouflage.
Now back to the ranch.
BOB ELLIOTT tells me that SEYMOUR is the
best in TEXAS for Dove. September 1 begins
Dove season. Ducks are December and
January, and they're located on the central
flyway. They've also got Quail and of course,
Turkeys. As for Whitetail Deer, BOB tells me
there's a very good possibility that a world
record typical whitetail can come off this ranch.
Bob's seen over 200 class deer. Typical deer
are 150 class. Remember, this land hasn't been
hunted for over 100 years. The game here has
never seen a decoy and never been called.
This is the first year of operation. If you want to
see pictures of the game give us a shout @ http:
//360.yahoo.com/ntxww.
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
Mathematics Awareness Month at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness
Month and the department of Mathematical
Sciences at New Mexico State University is
recognizing the occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and
Voting and speakers will use mathematics and
statistics to attempt to answer the question,
“What makes your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion
on the topic at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in
Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator.
The panel will include representatives from the
departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and
Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for
counting votes can influence the outcome and
how polling and predictions in the media
influence voter psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer
science at the University of Rochester, will be
guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday,
April 16, and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in
Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss
how computational complexity, already used to
protect commercial Internet transactions, can be
used as a shield to prevent bribery and control
of elections. He will show that an election system
developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland
election system are both resistant to all
standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will
discuss a voting system created in 1876 by
mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” under the
name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists
and the algorithm used in the system never
incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the
winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each
year in April. Its goal is to increase public
understanding of and appreciation for
mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They
are sponsored by the departments of
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science,
Psychology, Government, Communication
Studies and History and the office of the dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences. For more
information call (575) 646-2030.
GUN NEWS APRIL 16
by KATHY KOLT
BOB ELLIOTT, of SEYMOUR, TEXAS, was
riding his HARLEY and decided to stop in at a
bar. That was unusual because BOB doesn't
drink. SCOTT, a local cattle rancher decided to
stop into the same bar. SCOTT doesn't drink
either. The two men struck up a conversation,
the end result being that SCOTT let BOB use
his ranch for guided hunts; thus forming North
Texas Waterfowl & Wildlife.
This ranch is 3,000 acres within half a million
acres; it's been in SCOTT's family since 1864. It
hasn't been hunted since 1865. They have
dove, turkey, duck, pig and white tail deer. The
pig have overrun the land so bad that the
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT came in with a
helicopter and shot 1,600 of them and then
tested them to see if they carried any diseases.
That didn't even make a dent. You can hunt
these feral hogs 365 days of the year. I was on
this ranch for 15 minutes bouncing around in a
pickup and I saw turkeys and white tail deer. On
the way back to town, I saw a sow with babies on
the side of the road. I'd been warned, don't let
cute fool you. Hogs are nothing this woman
wants to mess with. While on the ranch, we saw
a number of hog traps. The hogs are trapped
and sent to FORT WORTH, cured and then the
meat is sent to GERMANY; goes good with dark
beer. BOB ELLIOTT is shipping hog urine (in
heat) from IOWA to draw the hogs into the area
he wants.
While in SEYMOUR, I was able to interview a
couple of camera crews that were hunting and
filming for future T.V. shows and DVD's. Both
crews were there to get footage of turkey
hunting with bows.
The first crew drove from PEORIA, ILLINOIS.
This crew consisted of CHRIS BRACKETT,
DANNY BORLAND, CHAD McSIMOV, and
special guest, JODI BARNES. They came to do
a film on turkeys, but after seeing this ranch,
they will also be doing a show on hog hunts. I
saw them after they came in from their first day
of hunting on this ranch and even though
CHRIS and JODI had not arrived till 1 A.M. and
they were up and hunting at 4 A.M., they were
all pumped and excited with the rush of the
day's hunt. As a matter of fact, they were so
enthusiastic, I was thinking, "And you get paid
for having this much fun?" CHRIS has done the
turkey grand slam previously in 2 years time.
Now he's trying to do it in 45 days with a
MATHEWS BOW and no blind. That means
getting an OSCEOLA turkey from FLORIDA, an
EASTERN turkey from the Midwest, a
MERRIAMS turkey, and of course, the RIO
GRANDE turkey from TEXAS and NEW MEXICO.
He is using a CARBON EXPRESS MAXIMA
HUNTER 350 tipped with a RAGE BROADHEAD.
While watching the T.V. footage for the days
hunt, CHRIS BRACKETT remarked that the wind
was the worst he'd ever hunted in. They got
terrific footage and they showed me some of the
equipment they were using. The GUILLOTINE
head is four razor blades at the tip. Really not
used for anything past 20 yards and it literally is
made for taking the heads off turkeys. The
fellas were most excited about the RAGE
BROADHEAD. They said it was the most
devastating, cleanest killing broadhead on the
market. CHRIS has used it on a 7 foot BLACK
BEAR, and shot through the protective plate on
a wild boar.
OK, LADIES, NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF!
Remember I mentioned JODI BARNES, special
guest on this camera crew? She got a turkey
with a bow, her first ever. What's remarkable is
that JODI is this gorgeous, tiny little thing. If she
can do it, why can't we? I can't wait to see the
program that features her. You'll want to look for
BRACKETT OUTDOORS and LIVING LIFE WITH
FULL DRAW with CHRIS BRACKETT and also,
THE MAN, an outdoor mans adventure
channel.
Well, the next day, in rolls the HERITAGE
OUTDOORS camera crew. Again, I was
impressed with the enthusiasm of this crew.
They also impressed upon me the camaraderie
among hunters. CHRIS HENRY, founder of
HERITAGE OUTDOORS, told me of the heritage
of hunting in their families and that they believe
in using primitive weapons such as the shotgun
muzzle loader and archery. He had on his team,
GREG GRIFFITH, senior Pro Staff, JON
MEADOWS, editor, and HEATH MILES. HEATH
is a biologist, getting his degree, and they all
agreed he's the smart one in the bunch. They're
sponsored by PEARSON, the oldest bow
manufacturer. They all do a trade out as to who
hunts and who films. They're finishing up their
SLAM with primitive weapons on camera. They
do footage for 3 different T.V. shows. DUAL
SHOT OUTDOORS and ROGER RAGLAN
OUTDOORS. He has the largest collection of
whitetail deer and is known as "MR.
WHITETAIL". Seven states in eight weeks is
their goal to do the SLAM. I saw the
muzzleloader they had with them. It was a
KNIGHT TK 2000. They called it a one shot
challenge. If you miss, it's the big OOOPS. It
comes in black or camouflage.
Now back to the ranch.
BOB ELLIOTT tells me that SEYMOUR is the
best in TEXAS for Dove. September 1 begins
Dove season. Ducks are December and
January, and they're located on the central
flyway. They've also got Quail and of course,
Turkeys. As for Whitetail Deer, BOB tells me
there's a very good possibility that a world
record typical whitetail can come off this ranch.
Bob's seen over 200 class deer. Typical deer
are 150 class. Remember, this land hasn't been
hunted for over 100 years. The game here has
never seen a decoy and never been called.
This is the first year of operation. If you want to
see pictures of the game give us a shout @ http:
//360.yahoo.com/ntxww.