Walking For Veterans

Marine veteran Richard Hunsucker is in the process of walking across the United States, and stopped in Socorro to take a breather this week. He said Tuesday his “Walk Across America’ is to raise awareness for veterans’ contributions to society, and especially to raise money for Disabled American Veterans. The walk – a planned 202 days and 2,650 miles – takes Hunsaker through eight southern tier states. Hunsucker left Jacksonville on Nov. 11, 2009 (Veterans Day), and expects to arrive in San Diego on May 31 (Memorial Day). He accompanied by a vehicle embellished with names of veterans he’s met on his journey. The public is invited to follow his progress on the Internet: www.vetwalking.org.

Photo by John Larson

Walking For Veterans

No April Fool’s Joke: KMXQ Dark

By John Larson

SOCORRO - When listeners of Socorro’s only local radio station, 92.9 KMXQ-FM, turned on their radios Friday afternoon, Mar. 29, all they heard was static.
General Manager Virgil Vigil told the Mountain Mail the station had ceased broadcasting as of 1:38 a.m. Friday afternoon.
Vigil said the owner, Lakeshore Media in Chicago, had sold the KMXQ license to another broadcasting company, Cochise Media Licenses, based in Jackson, Wyoming.
“We were told to shut it down Friday,” Vigil said. “That’s all I can say.”
Vigil said the five other employees of the radio station were told they would no longer have a job as of Thursday, Mar. 31.
Vigil was asked by the new owner to oversee the facilities on Highway 60 until further notice.
When the station will resume broadcasting, and with what music format, is still up in the “air.”
Whether the station will continue broadcasting Warrior sports in the fall remains to be seen, Vigil said. “George Funkhouser and Manny Marquez have done a great job calling the basketball and football games all these years,” he said.
The radio was first assigned the KHBN call sign in 1985, but in 1987 the call sign was changed to KMXQ and had a country music format which continued airing until last Friday.
In addition to acquiring the broadcasting license for $60,000, Cochise Media has also applied for a construction permit. The company has not publicly announced the reason for the permit. Cochise Media is owned by Ted and Jana Tucker.
In a telephone conversation, Tucker told the Mountain Mail that decisions concerning KMXQ’s return to the airwaves, and its format, will be made as soon as negotiations with government and privates entities are finalized. “It will be at least a few weeks,” Tucker said.
Cochise Media owns several radio stations including two in New Mexico, and also in Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Arizona. Formats for the stations vary from classic rock to Spanish.

No April Fool’s Joke: KMXQ Dark

Veguita Woman Arrested After Shooting

By John Larson

VEGUITA – Jessica Granados, 24, of Veguita was arrested Sunday, Mar. 28, after a domestic violence incident ended in a shooting.
According to a press release from New Mexico State Police, officers from the Socorro State Police office were summoned to investigate a domestic violence incident off Highway 304 in Veguita Saturday, Mar. 27, just after 9 p.m.
The victim, Jason Barraza, had reported to State Police that Granados was his girlfriend, and that she had shot him with a .22 caliber revolver. Barraza was taken to be treated at University of New Mexico Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.
According to the criminal complaint filed with Magistrate Court, Socorro County Sheriff Phillip Montoya along with Deputies Larry Smith, Casey Spurgin, William Armijo, and James Nance, were first on the scene.
The report said Montoya cleared the inside of the residence in order to preserve life and ensure safety of the scene. There was no one in the home at that time, but Montoya observed “a chair broken into several pieces on the kitchen floor,” and “what appeared to be drag marks of blood in the hallway going to the rear exit of the residence.”
Officers and Agents with the State Police quickly worked to locate the suspect identified as Jessica Granados, 24, after learning of the domestic dispute she was involved in with several family members. The dispute turned into Granados obtaining a handgun and shooting her boyfriend twice and threatening to shoot Barraza’s mother before fleeing the residence.
In a statement with law enforcement officers, Barraza said he and his girlfriend, Granados, were having a birthday party at their house for one of their children. An argument in the kitchen between Barraza’s mother and Granados escalated into shoving.
Barraza stated in the report that Granados then went into a bedroom and returned brandishing the pistol, and shot him in his left hip. He fell to the kitchen floor and Granados then shot him a second time, hitting his left thigh.
After fleeing the residence with their two children, Granados learned that State Police had compiled enough facts in the case and had entered her as a wanted felon. By 3 a.m., Granados turned herself into the Los Lunas State Police office with the handgun used in the shooting. Granados was transported back to Socorro County, booked into the Socorro County Detention Center, and charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member with Great Bodily Harm and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Socorro County Under Sheriff Les Torres said Wednesday Granados has been released from custody on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.
As of press time Wednesday, Granados’ preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court has not been scheduled.

Veguita Woman Arrested After Shooting

515th Battalion May Be Back In A Month’s Time

By John Larson

SOCORRO – The 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, formerly headquartered at the National Guard Armory in Socorro may be returning home after its year’s deployment in Iraq.
This is according to an e-mail communication from commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ken Nava at Task Force 515, Camp Bucca, Iraq.
“Our redeployment timeline still is not totally locked in stone, but we continue preparing to go home,” Nava stated.
The battalion was deployed to Iraq June 10, 2009. The City of Socorro and DAV held a Patriotic Picnic on the plaza for members of the battalion, their families, and community supporters. About 600 people crowded the plaza to give the soldiers a warm send-off.
The National Guard unit, which includes nine soldiers from Socorro, was to be overseas for one year.
Captain Jason Peete, Commander of the 919th MP Company in Belen, said in an email the battalion should be back in New Mexico in the next few weeks.
“Right now we are anticipating their return at the end of April or beginning of May timeframe,” he said. “We tentatively have a Welcome Home/Freedom Salute ceremony scheduled for May 8 at the Calvary Chapel here in Belen.”
Socorro’s DAV Commander Peter Romero said he hopes there will be an opportunity to honor the Guardsmen from Socorro, “or possibly the entire unit when they are all here for training at the armory.”
The history of the 515th CSSB had its beginnings during World War II as the 515th Coast Artillery regiment, made up of New Mexicans to defend the Philippines from Japanese aggression. Its members comprised most the Americans involved in the Bataan Death March.
To honor its heritage, Task Force 515 sponsored a Memorial Death March on Mar. 15 in Iraq. Unlike the annual event at White Sands Missile Range, which is 26.2 miles, the Camp Bucca Memorial Death March was 13 miles.

515th Battalion May Be Back In A Month’s Time

Lopez: Haiti Devastation Overwhelming

Mountain Mail Reports

When the 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti in January, Richard Lopez, the engineering and operations manager for the Socorro Electric Cooperative, knew he probably was going to be on an airplane soon.
For the past 20 years, Lopez has been on multiple trips for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International Foundation, working in various areas that have been devastated by natural disasters.
In Haiti, Lopez worked with NRECA Haiti project manager Myk Manon and Lopez was told “to bring my hardhat, gloves, boots, safety glasses and expect just about anything. So that’s what I did.”
Lopez, though, was surprised about he felt when his plane landed in Port-Au-Prince back in late February.
“I just felt numb,” Lopez said. “The devastation was overwhelming.”
And so what did Lopez do while he was in Haiti?
“The scope of work included anything and everything from working with the Dominican Republic line crew in a bucket truck to working with the Haitian crews to being an adviser and also to coordinate the energizing of these facilities.”
Lopez was scheduled to be in Haiti for two weeks and he set some lofty goals.
“When I got there, there were about 25 percent of the distribution system that had been energized partially, and I thought, well, if we can get to 50 percent, I would be happy.
“When I left, we had partially energized 24 of the 33 circuits or about 65 percent of what could be served.”
Lopez helped the factory complex, the textile export and the industrial load get back online.
“It wasn’t me that did it,” Lopez said. “It was the actual Haitian crews.”
On one of the last days, Lopez was in Haiti. It was then that Lopez realized why he was there.
“We had just reenergized the last circuit and they had just finished trimming some trees to get the line off and they called for the power to come on.
“The power came on and I heard this girl scream and I looked over and she is singing and dancing on her patio. She was really happy. She had been without power for 52 days.”
With his work done in Haiti, Lopez headed back to Socorro on March 9 and resumed his usual routine.
Lopez, though, would like nothing better than to go on another adventure.
“If NRECA feels the need for someone with my abilities, I would love to provide it,” Lopez said.

Picture: A Haitian worker restores power to one of the lines.

Photo courtesy of Richard Lopez

Lopez: Haiti Devastation Overwhelming

Shotguns Stolen From Marshal’s Office

By John Larson

SOCORRO - Marshal Larry Cearley sought, and got, approval from the Magdalena Village Board last week to purchase four 12 gauge shotguns that were stolen from the Marshal’s office on March 8.
According to an incident report from the New Mexico State Police, the Marshal’s office at 106 S. Main Street was broken into between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The front door was damaged with what appeared to be a crowbar.
The report said three Reming-ton 12 gauge shotguns were missing, as well as a Winchester 12 gauge shot gun. Total value of the four firearms was $3,500.
State Police Officer Nathan Barton is in charge of the high priority investigation.
“When any law enforcement office is broken into, it’s always a high priority,” Cearley said.
The Village Board also approved Cearley’s request for two metal outside doors (front and back), and a gun safe.
Cearley was also given authorization to install steel bars on the office’s two front picture windows, and a smaller window on the back of the building, as well as surveillance cameras.
“We’re generally beefing up security,” he said. “[The village] wanted to keep it looking like a traditional western Marshal’s office, but we need to make these changes.”
Cearley said the money for the expenditures will come from the Law Enforcement Protection Grant, and not from the Village’s general fund.
The building also houses Magdalena’s Municipal Court.
The stolen weapons were entered by the State Police into the National Crime Information Center database.

Shotguns Stolen From Marshal’s Office

OBITUARY: Robert Lee Irelan

Robert Lee Irelan
Jan. 23, 1935-March 25, 2010

Robert Lee Irelan, 75, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2010 in Albuquerque. Robert was born on January 23,1935 to Archie and Ann (Pettigrew) Irelan in La Junta, Colo.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Tammy Irelan of Socorro; his son, Monty Irelan of Radium Springs, NM; his daughters, Dana Knight and husband, Larry of Mesilla Park, NM; and Pam Irelan also of Radium Springs; his grandchildren, Stephanie Liesner and husband, Leighton; Kelly Knight; Seth Knight and wife, Rachel; Elizabeth Gerard and husband, Sam; Taylor Irelan; and Mason Williams; his great grandchildren, Cole Liesner; Katelyn Liesner; and Lacey Knight; sisters in law, Susan Miller and husband, Michael; and Debra Treder and husband, Hilliard; brother in law, Rudy Treder; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Ann Irelan; and his brother Carl Irelan.
Robert retired from MIT Lincoln Lab.
He was an Eagle Scout, member of Koshare, and in the first graduating class of Los Alamos High. He attended New Mexico A&M (now NMSU) and ASU. Robert proudly served in Vietnam in the 1st Cav. He traveled the world and had many humorous adventures with his family and friends. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Funeral Services were held Sunday, March 28, 2010 at Steadman-Hall Funeral Home in Socorro, at 2:00PM. Burial took place in the Socorro Cemetery. Pallbearers were Monty Irelan, Larry Knight, Seth Knight, Sam Gerard, Gus Woods, and Johnny Woods.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a local food bank. Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801. (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Robert Lee Irelan

OBITUARY: Sinforosa B. “Rose” Valencia

Sinforosa B. “Rose” Valencia
Aug. 21, 1914-March 24, 2010

Sinforosa B. "Rose" Valencia, 95, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Socorro. Rose was born on August 21,1914 in San Pedro to Amarante and Mariana (Saavedra) Baca.
She is survived by her son, Tony Valencia Jr. and wife, Lorraine of Socorro; Daughters, Isabel Savedra and husband Ruben; Frances Cases and husband Paul; and Maryann Aragon and husband Ray, also all of Socorro; her 11 grandchildren, Charlie Savedra, Cindy Griego, Yvette Cases Brohmer, Darryl Cases, Tanya Pyke, Melissa Adams, Tony Valencia III, Eric Valencia, Raeanne Armijo, Kimberly Aragon, and Ray Aragon Jr., 28 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren.
Rose was an avid bowler. She worked at New Mexico Tech and the State Sanaitarian. Rose was an Avon Representative for years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tony Valencia Sr., her brother, Sam Baca, her three sisters, Elisa Cordova, Viviana Gonzales, and Esther Baca, and her granddaughter, Kimberly Cases. A Rosary was recited on Friday, March 26, 2010 at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro and a Mass of Resurrection followed with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant. Burial took place in the San Miguel Cemetery. Pallbearers are Charlie Savedra, Darryl Cases, Tony Valencia III, Eric Valencia, Ray Aragon Jr, and Alex Cases. Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Sinforosa B. “Rose” Valencia

Village Recognizes Broaddus

By John Larson

MAGDALENA –Village Clerk Rita Broaddus, MMC, was recognized at the Mar. 22 Board of Trustees meeting for being nominated to be Vice President of the New Mexico Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association.
Broaddus said she joined the organization (a subsection of the New Mexico Municipal League) when she became village clerk 16 years ago.
“This is exciting,” Broaddus said. “We have our clerks association meeting April 14th through the 16th. That’s when the slate of officers will be presented for the members to vote on.”
The association includes 102 municipalities across the state, and has 157 members, including clerks, deputy clerks, and finance officers.
Broaddus is more than qualified. She earned her Master Municipal Clerk certification in November, 2009, an accomplishment not attempted by most New Mexico municipal clerks.
“There are only about 20 Master Clerks in the state,” she said. “I started my Master’s training in 2000. It’s a tough course, requiring more training and education.”
She said the association’s policy is to move the Vice-President into the President’s position after serving two years.
“They move you up the slate,” Broaddus said. “I will become president-elect and then become President. I will be proud to represent the people and government of the village.”
She also voiced her appreciation for the support of Mayor Sandy Julian and former mayor, Jim Wolfe.
Magdalena’s Deputy Clerk Carleen Gomez is a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC).

Pictured: (left) Broaddus takes the oath from Municipal Judge Robert Serna.
(Right) Serna swears in Marshal Larry Cearley and Deputies Ed Sweeney, Manuel Monte, and Terry Flannigan.

Photos by Gary Jaramillo

Village Recognizes Broaddus

OPINION: Greed Is (Not So) Good

Magdalena Potluck
By Don Wiltshire

"The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.”
-Charles Kuralt, American radio and television Corres-pondent and Journalist, 1934-1997.
Way back in ancient times (pre 1980), greed, along with its cousins wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony were considered to be the seven deadly sins. Today, however, they are all featured and glorified on just about every network and cable channel (except perhaps PBS and LINK).
It was Gordon Gekko (not to be confused with Martin Gecko from the Geico ads who wants to save you money), Michael Douglas’ character from the 1987 movie Wall Street, who blatantly spoke the phrase “greed is good.” So popular was this movie that Oliver Stone could not resist making a sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, to be released in September of this year.
So, “just what’s wrong with greed,” you might ask. Is it not one of the major motivating forces behind our Capitalist Economy? Well, in a word, in today’s world, “Yes.” Today, it all seems to boil down to a question of the degree of greed that is inflicted upon us. When does “Maximizing Profits” cross the boundary between good business sense and ruthless “bottom line ism?” When is it OK to shut down US manufacturing plants in favor of cheaper Mexican or overseas facilities? Will all of that water to the west of us in the San Augustin Basin go to any useful purpose other than to enrich the coffers of one Bruno Modena? When will he stop pumping? When ALL the water is gone? When will we stop having to deal with cutbacks in jobs, in schools, in healthcare, in social programs? When ALL of our money and resources are gone?
The rapidly expanding inequity of wealth and power in this country is enough to make our collective heads spin. The richest 1% of Americans now hold more than $2 trillion in wealth more than the bottom 90% of us combined. Meanwhile, we’re all trying to figure out how to keep our schools, our roads and our social programs from tanking.
Here’s a resource that might prove enlightening on this subject: Sam Pizzigati’s book Greed and Good: Understanding and Overcoming the Inequality That Limits Our Lives. It has gone on my “absolutely must read next list.” There simply must be a more equitable and democratic way to restructure the American Workforce. One solution that Pizzigati offers is that of a “maximum wage” cap on an individual’s annual income that would go up if and only if the minimum wage rose first.
Michael Moore also hints at solutions to this problem in Capitalism: A Love Story. He shows us several companies that are operating in a cooperative, democratic framework, where the CEO and the line worker get roughly equal pay and an equal vote in the operation of the business.
In earlier films, Michael freely admits that his viewpoints evolved from his early Catholic teachings encouraging the creation of an economically and socially just democracy. This is not the ugly word “Socialism” that the Tea-party attendees are bantering about, but a sustainable, more humane way to “do business” without degrading the worker or harming the Earth.
Personal greed is also a study with much fruit to bear. We all have our own personal over attachments to material things and pleasures. My personal weaknesses are Pistachios, books, rusty bits, green chili cheese bagels and clutter. How can we find the proper balance of providing what our inner-selves need and avoiding the selfish drive to attain more than is good for us?
Books about these and other questions can be found at the Magdalena Public Library. The Library will be celebrating Library Day on Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come, enjoy food, friends, books, videos and public access computers. If we don’t have the book that you’re looking for, we’ll order it for you. Satisfaction guaranteed! Does it get any better than that?
Yes, it does! The Magdalena Eggsibition opens this Saturday, April 3 from 2 - 4 p.m. The show will run through the month of April at the Bear Mountain Gallery, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Come see ways to decorate an egg that you’ve never dreamed of!

If you have any Comments? Problems? Solutions? Up coming Events? Other Deadly Sins? Contact me at mtn_don@yahoo.com or (575) 854-3370.

OPINION: Greed Is (Not So) Good