Jan. 13
U.S. Forest Service officers asked for assistance at 8:10 p.m. on an arrest at mile marker 13 on Highway 169. The Marshal’s office took a male subject into custody on a outstanding warrant from Socorro Municipal Court.
An officer took a report at 11 a.m. of a stolen power washer worth $125. A suspect was found and charged with the Burglary, Larceny, and Disposing Stolen Property.
Jan. 16
An officer took a report at 2:45 p.m. on Cedar Street where a subject reported his prescription pills had been stolen. The case is open and a suspect has been located. Charges are pending.
An officer was traveling on First Street at 6:30 p.m. when a vehicle approached from the other direction. The officer turned around and stopped the vehicle. The Arizona driver was arrested for DWI, and blew a .10 blood alcohol level.
Jan. 21
An officer attempted to stop a vehicle on Forest Road 354 near the cemetery. The vehicle was stopped near the Post Office on a back road. The driver was arrested for driving on a suspended/revoked license.
Jan. 23
An officer stopped a vehicle at 9:40 a.m. at First and Pine, and the driver was arrested for driving on a suspended/revoked license.
An officer stopped a vehicle at 5:05 p.m. at Third and Oak, and the driver was arrested for driving on a suspended/revoked license.
Jan. 25
An officer was called at 9:15 a.m. to mile marker 11 on Highway 169 on a report of an elk stuck on a fence. The officer put the animal down and contacted the New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish. The animal was sold to a willing recipient.
An officer assisted a couple who were having car trouble at mile marker 115 on Highway 60. They were transported to a doctor’s appointment at the Magdalena Medical Clinic. The vehicle was towed to Socorro for repairs after the doctor’s appointment.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Magdalena Marshal's Blotter
Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter
Nov. 11
A woman from Aurora, Colo. reported at 5:15 p.m. that she was driving southbound on Interstate 25 when the left driver’s side window shattered. She thought that the window had been shot out. The officer processed the vehicle and did not find any evidence of a gunshot.
Nov. 20
A man in Veguita reported at 4:20 p.m. that the suspect brandished a hand gun and assaulted him with it. He said that the man placed the gun to his head and threatened him. He further stated that he picked up an ax in self-defense. He said the suspect then left his yard and took the ax with him. The deputy met with the suspect, who said the victim chased him with the ax and he took the ax away from him. The suspect gave the officer the ax and allowed his vehicle to be searched for a weapon. No weapon was located.
Nov. 28
A Veguita man reported at 6 p.m. that an unknown vehicle had struck his fence, damaging a fence post. The man did see dust in the air but did not see the vehicle, which fled the area.
Nov. 30
A man in Veguita reported at 8:10 p.m. that persons unknown entered his property by cutting a hole in his fence. The suspects then entered a storage shed and took two propane tanks.
Dec. 8
A man on Community Road in Polvadera reported that the suspect applied for, and obtained, credit cards using him as a co-signer. The suspect was able to accumulate a large debt and the victim is being called by companies in regards to payment.
Dec. 9
An officer responded at 8:20 p.m. to Pino Road in San Antonio on the report of a death. OMI had pronounced a man deceased, and it was learned that a heart condition was the cause of death.
Dec. 13
A vehicle was northbound on Interstate 25 at mile marker 174 when the driver fell asleep at 3 a.m. The vehicle travelled into the median and rolled, causing extensive damage. The driver was complaining of injuries but refused transport to a hospital.
Dec. 14
A Las Cruces man reported at 2 p.m. that he had rented a motor home to the suspect, who failed to pay rent and left the vehicle parked on private property in the 600 block of Second Street in Socorro. He went to pick up the motor home, but was denied by another man, who stated that the motor home was on his property and the suspect also owes him money. The owner of the motor home noticed damage had occurred to the motor home and he wanted to pursue charges against the suspect.
In Socorro, It’s All About Training
SOCORRO – Fred Hollis has a challenge ahead of him.
The Socorro County Fire Marshal is in charge of getting all county and city personnel to take emergency preparedness training courses. The National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) requires this so if there is an emergency, the city and county of Socorro can apply for more money from FEMA.
“There are 260 people who are eligible to take these courses,” Hollis said after the Socorro County Commission meeting Tuesday night at the County Annex. “If we can get 50 percent, we would be well within the guidelines established by NIMS.”
Hollis said Socorro gets $72,000, but if it falls under the NIMS guidelines “we could get a couple hundred thousand.”
Hollis said all the counties in the state are in the same boat, trying to train its city and county employees in emergency preparedness.
“I hope you support us and help get all of us trained,” Hollis told the commissioners.
Hollis was the main attraction at Tuesday’s meeting. He spoke on behalf of the Socorro County Emergency Responders and the new organization wants the county to act as its fiscal agent.
County attorney Adren Nance said there should be a service agreement in place so the commission decided to do just that, passing a motion that an agreement would be drawn up so the county would act as a fiscal agent for the emergency responders when it comes to applying for grants and not petty cash transactions.
“If we are not doing the little things and just be doing grants, that’s great,” county manager Delilah Walsh said.
In other business, the county:
• Approved the TFC Construction contract for the Veguita Fire Station Improvements.
• Approved and appointed Socorro County fire chiefs.
• Approved a mutual assistance agreement with Dona Ana County.
• Directed Walsh to complete membership with CES, which offers discounted prices for the county in its construction dealings.
• Considered new county jail planning and directed Walsh to begin speaking with Gerald Martin, an Albuquerque construction company.
• Wished a speedy recovery to commissioner Rumaldo Griego, who recently underwent knee surgery.
• Approved Studio D and Government Center Project while in executive session.
• Purchased recycling and cleanup supplies for Loretta Chavira, a La Joya girl who started a recycling project in her community. Walsh said the county will apply for another grant in the spring.
Also, Socorro County was awarded $10,000 in funding through the 2009-2010 Wildlife Risk Reduction Grant Program. The funds will be used to continue the Wildland Fire Education, Prevention and Outreach Activities implemented by the Socorro County Fire Marshal’s Office as part of the Socorro County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. All grant activities identified in the grant application must be completed by June.
OBITUARY: Cynthia S. Romero-Naranjo
Nov. 12, 1963 - Jan. 21, 2010
Cynthia S. Romero-Naranjo, 46, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, at her home in Socorro. Cynthia was born on Nov. 2, 1963 in Belen to George L. and Mary (Taylor) Romero.
Cynthia is survived by her husband, Santiago Naranjo Jr. of Socorro; parents, George and Mary Romero of Socorro; sons, Anthony Romero and wife, T.J. of Capitan; Jimmy Naranjo of Albuquerque; David Naranjo of Socorro; brother, Lawrence Romero and wife, Jessica, of Albuquerque; sisters, Emma Romero of Albuquerque; Georgia and husband, Bobby, of Rio Rancho; and Nadine Romero also of Albuquerque; and five grandchildren, Rosie Naranjo; Seve Naranjo; Santana Rose Naranjo; Jessica Naranjo; and Seth Naranjo.
She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Santiago Naranjo Sr.; and sister, Debrah Carabajal.
A Rosary was recited on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church with Father Milan Garcia as Celebrant. Burial took place in the San Miguel Cemetery in Socorro. Pallbearers were David Silva, Chris Romero, Seve Naranjo, Raymond Carabajal Jr., Willie Lucero, and Rick Griego. Honorary Pallbearers were Stevie Griego, and Thomas Henderson.
Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro. 835-1530.
EDITORIAL: Code Of The West Offers Some Answers
Mountain Mail Editor
Editor@ourmountainmail.com
Let’s start by saying that no one out there should be shooting or maiming cows or chasing them with their cars.
Those people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is no justification for any kind of animal cruelty.
Socorro County adheres to the open range law. Ranchers are allowed to let their cattle roam and they are free to go wherever they want.
If neighbors do not want cows on their property, they need to build a fence around it to keep the cows out.
The situation in northern Socorro County (Veguita, Rio Grande Estates and Tierra Grande Estates), though, is getting ugly.
And there is no solution in sight.
Residents, though, seem to be taking matters into their own hands in their dealings with cattle and that is not right.
It might be wise for those people to take a look at the Code of the West.
In 2005, the Socorro County Commission adopted a resolution for its version of the code.
Here is a sample.
“The Code of the West was first chronicled by the famous western writer, Zane Grey. The men and women who came to this part of the country during the northward expansion of Spain and Mexico and the westward expansion of the United States were bound by an unwritten code of conduct. The values of integrity and self reliance guided their decisions, actions and interactions. In keeping with that spirit, we offer this information to help the citizens of Socorro County who wish to follow in the footsteps of those rugged individualists by living outside city limits.
“Life in the country is rich and rewarding, treasured by both Socorro County residents who have been here for generations, and those who have recently moved here. It is important for new residents to know that life in the country is different from life in the city. County governments are not able to provide the same level of service that city governments provide.”
Here are some other highlights from the Code of the West.
3.15.- You are responsible for keeping your dog on your own property. New Mexico law allows the shooting of dogs when they kill, injure or chase livestock or wildlife. It is the right of any owner of livestock so killed, injured or bothered by the actions of any dog to kill the dog while it is upon property controlled by the owner of the livestock. Avoid the potential for tragedy and do the neighborly thing at the same time: keep your best friend in his own yard.
5.11- Livestock may cause odors and noise that are objectionable to some people. If you find them annoying, you may want to find a parcel in another area of the county.
5.12- Livestock are occasionally moved on public roads. When you encounter a livestock drive, please pull over to the side of the road and allow the drive to pass. Or, if a rider directs you to move forward, do so slowly. The delay will cost you only a few minutes. Enjoy the scene; this is that “real west,” and is a critical part of your neighbors’ ability to make a living.
Correction
In the Sam Way story on page 3 of last week’s Mountain Mail, Lisa Way emailed the newspaper to say Sam didn't want to "save" me, he wanted me to get saved. Only Jesus saves. Also, when asked what happened with the medical team, he said "Sam Harris gave me my bill."
OPINION: Explore, Listen, Speak Up
By Margaret Wiltshire
First you have freedom of speech. Lucky? You live in a culture that doesn’t want to listen. We don’t want to hear different ideas. Understandably, we don’t want someone else telling us what to think. However, listening is learning.
Often in our United States culture, we listen long enough to know if we are on the “same page” and that often means the same team. If not, we just don’t want to hear it.
One of the few things that can put us all on the same page is our compassion and empathy. I’m not surprised that the people of the United States will or have matched what our government has pledged to Haiti. It’s nothing however in terms of what we spend on war and big business.
Our culture, our nation is built on love of the individual and a love of teams. We love competition. We respect and value the power of teamwork. Yet we are most famous for our generosity and compassion. We are a complex people.
Don and I are pleased when people tell us they enjoy our column.
We don’t write to tell people what to think. We always hope our expression of thought will be a take off point for the reader’s own thoughts.
We’re not a “should be” kind of couple. We even have trouble with “should do”! We do have one “should” we share. We would like to see more exploration of concepts and traditions.
Don has been so frustrated in theater. After University he explored big time theater and that meant unions. Unions were not for him. Staying with non-union stage work, he found himself doing “comfortable” and “acceptable” plays. He loves theater that wakes you up, rips with truth and emotion and challenges the brain. Friends and mentors who would do courageous theater left the country to work elsewhere. He did not.
Right now he would like to give Magdalena “Mother Courage”. Theater is a team effort. Finding courageous players and doers is as difficult as finding a courageous audience.
I’m the 11th generation of U.S. politics and New England mores (culture). Maybe it is because I am a Gemini, or the family fifth wheel but I found playing “devil’s advocate” came easily.
I fully intended to be a member of the family team and started early to study what that meant.
What I found everywhere were contradictions. Often I felt like a ping pong ball bouncing back and forth when ideas and actions invalidated each other.
Mostly I found that exploration takes courage. It’s been well worth the effort.
I have “authority figure” problems. We are “taught” that this means anger problems, in other words, someone society needs to discipline or at least “watch out” for.
Once upon a time we had enough of these people to start a nation. The bigotry or assumption is that people with “authority problems” come from the bottom of the pile. Our history proves that is not always true.
Anger, frustration, disappointment may be the beginning but it does not have to be the end. I doubt one can cure their “authority figure problems” once they’ve seen it’s truth. Courageous exploration does allow a person to find other truths as well.
I still have authority figure problems but I have found care, love, good company and many people to respect and cooperate with. Continuing to check out authorities is zesty fun.
What do you think of this?
Chaos takes organized effort, it is not natural. Life tends to fall into workable systems. It’s the nature of nature, it’s human nature too. People without good government find the best way for them to live on their own. It tends to be orderly. I’ve seen it in Central America, in Haiti and in rural and the historic United States.
Good leadership offers the “means” of team effort. Setting team against team (outside of sports) gets in the way of getting good things done.
We are respecting your courage for exploration, thinking and speaking your mind.
Write Wshireoldadobe @ yahoo.com. Wilshire’s views do not necessarily represent those of the Mountain Mail.
OPINION: What Persuades The Governor To Support Domestic Partnership Legislation?
By Doug May
Some think it strange that Domestic Partnership Legislation should be on the agenda for a 30-day session of the Legislature. Usually only financial matters are considered. With more than a $500 million deficit facing the state, the Legislature has sufficient money problems to address.
The Governor in his last year in office has made this issue a “priority.” Governor Bill Richardson told a news conference last week, “I’ve heard every excuse why we shouldn’t do it, and I’m not persuaded by that.” There are different ways of persuading a professional politician. After all, these good people that are promoting this legislation have been faithful supporters of this administration. They have spent a great deal of time and money in promoting their cause.
Why is so much money and effort being expended when so few people, possibly less than 2 percent of the population of the state, would ever use it? The truth is that the real issue is legitimizing homosexual behavior.
The homosexual movement claims that homosexuality is an inherited trait that makes them different from heterosexuals. They are saying that there are two distinct kinds of human beings and it is not fair that the laws of the land do not recognize that. If that were true we could expect the homosexuals would have fewer children than the heterosexuals and eventually become extinct.
But the truth is that homosexual behavior has to be promoted and taught. Is it not surprising that we are seeing an increase in the number children being molested? The increase in pornography in the last 40 years parallels the rise of homosexual behavior.
If domestic partnership legislation is passed it is a small step toward recognizing homosexual behavior as something legitimate. Children in school could be taught that two homosexuals can live together and have most of the same rights of heterosexuals who marry. If the government passes a law that gives rights for homosexuals it is legitimizing the behavior. No such law protects mistresses or prostitutes.
Christians base their understanding of homosexual behavior and marriage on the Holy Bible. God established marriage shortly after the creation of man. The Bible says that there was no suitable helper for man among all the animals so God created woman from man.
God specified the nature of the relationship that should exist between and man and woman when he said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh,”
God further specified that sex is appropriate for man and woman united in this relationship, but not outside of marriage. “Since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife ,and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Sexual misbehavior is not tolerated by the Bible. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders … will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Doug May is a retired Lutheran pastor and his views do not represent the Mountain Mail.
OPINION: Thawing Out The Cold Hard Truth
By Paul Krza
It’s been cold this winter in Socorro, colder than ... well, to coin a term, colder than a right-winger’s heart to the reality that Barack Obama is really the 44th president of the United States.
So cold that the cold water coming out of the faucet is, actually, cold! So snowy that Magdalena Ridge looks like a Santa Fe ski resort (well, its elevation is a few hundred feet higher than the Duke City’s Sandia Crest, you know).
How cold? Local weather observer Bob Schwiegerath, who’s been keeping track for a decade, says December was the coldest in the last 10 years in Socorro.
I guess this all means that global warming is a great big myth, right? Whoa, all those scientists at New Mexico Tech would probably say, not so fast. A string of warmer years and then one cold one does not really mean anything.
Well, that’s science. In the 21st century, climate change talk is mostly politics, not science. Take Rust, that guy on talk radio, for example. (Yeah, I know, that’s not his name, but I’d like to call him that, because of his corrosive effect on rational political discussion.) Not long ago, I heard Rust chuckling that all this warming talk was a bunch of B.S., because just as Al Gore was out talking on the East Coast, folks there were buried under a blizzard.
“It’s just that simple,” using this rusted-right logic, to explain things. Simple enough to say, in 2010 politics, that the election of just one Republican in Massachusetts means a profound shift in the political weather. There’s been a tsunami of comment in its wake, predicting the end of Obama and progressive change.
It’s the same logic applied to the rising national debt, which if you believe the rusted folks, only happened last year, also under Obama. None other than ex-Sen. Pete Domenici surfaced last week to lament the debt situation, in his new position as co-chair of something called the “Debt Reduction Task Force.”
Cold weather. Cold day in hell in Boston freezes Democrats. St. Pete comes in from the cold to get hot about debt. Holy cow! Sounds like a bad dream, or at least a bad movie.
But wait. Let’s apply a dash or two of longer-term logic here. Let’s start with Domenici, and his born-again deficit rage. A glowing account in Sunday’s Albuquerque Journal about the senator’s new “fitting role” suggests he was “instrumental 12 years ago in passing the first balanced budget amendment in more than 30 years.” Perhaps, but conveniently omitted was the president at the time: Democrat Bill Clinton, under whose presidency national debt turned into surplus!
And then there’s Pete’s own sordid public debt record. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Domenici sponsored or co-sponsored 103 earmarks totaling more than $197 million in fiscal year 2009 ranking him 31st out of 100 senators. They didn’t call him St. Pete for nothing -- he got the name for wheeling pork to the state, all part of “our avaricious appetite for borrowed money” that he and other Republicans, including that new guy from Massachusetts, now decry!
Oh -- let’s not forget that Pete and pal George Bush rang up bigger government debts with the ill-advised Iraq war, which was slyly kept off-budget.
Which brings us to that supposed earthquake election on the East Coast. Do you think that if the Republicans lost there they would have declared utter defeat, folded their teabag tent and surrendered to Obama and company? Not likely.
But to the greater question: Does the unexpected win by the Brown-baggers portend a tectonic shift in politics? Maybe, but maybe not. Let’s not count Obama out, yet. And let’s recall who helped get us into this economic predicament.
Here’s something else to remember, about that “government” spending. It is not necessarily all bad, you know. There are, as I’m sure even Pete and other Republicans would admit, many worthy “public” projects that we fund collectively as citizens, such as highways you drive on every day. In fact, on that list of Pete’s 2009 pork earmarks is some $10 million to Socorro, for the telescope on Magdalena Ridge, and over to Tech for first-responder training.
Just as with the weather, politics are a bit more complicated than just a cold winter.
Oh -- maybe it really hasn’t been as cold this year as you think. Some data I found on the Internet suggests 1971 was a real chiller: In January, the temp hit minus 12 in Socorro, and in June of the same year, it slipped to 35.
Now, if we could just get the right to recognize that Obama is really the president awry in paradise.
Paul Krza’s views do not necessairly represent those of the Mountain Mail.
What Are Your Memories Of The Loma Theater?
There was a time when a small theater in the middle of the state was a place of dreams and great fun - The “Disneyland” in the desert if you will. Every Sunday beginning at 10 a.m., kids from every corner of Socorro County began lining up on the sidewalk in front of the Loma Theatre. The Loma was the epicenter of Socorro County every Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Parents brought their children from Magdalena, San Antonio, Polvadera and Lemitar and from Ranches and Farms all across the land.
Everyone came for the huge double features and fantastic cartoons. It was the coolest thing in the world to be there for an Elvis, John Wayne or Beach Blanket double feature along with the super cartoon lineup with Bugs, Donald, Sylvester, Roadrunner, Wile Coyote, Pepe le Pew, Daffy and all the rest of the Warner Bros. characters. But the best part of the day long outing at the Loma was the INTERMISSION!
Man, everything under that huge auditorium ceiling was tried at least once. Basketball, foot races, pie eating contests, dance contests, battle of the bands, singing contests and any other kind of game or competition my father, my brothers and sisters and I could come up with. It was THE best place in the whole wide world to be on Sunday.
The lines outside would grow around the old Fair Store on the corner at California Street and continue to grow down the road all the way to the corner next to the Torres’ Sunset Lounge. We would fill the Loma to capacity each and every Sunday. Moms and dads would drop their children off with a dollar and that would buy a double feature, a coke, candy bar and a bag of popcorn – and – all the fun with your friends that you could possibly stand.
Dad never left the kids outside who couldn’t afford to get in the Loma because they had no money. He’d wave them through the front door and take them to the concession and give each of them a coke, popcorn and candy – then run them up and find them a seat.
No one ever missed a show because they didn’t have the money to get in. Ever!
The Loma was the place where probably 98 percent of the kids had their first peck on the cheek or kiss on the mouth. Every kid fell in love a time or two at the Loma Theatre. Some kids fell in love and never fell out of love with that special someone and they are still together and in love today. Married even.
Do you have a special Loma Theatre memory? Would you like to tell that story here in the Mountain Mail? We’d love to hear your Loma Theatre story. How about the annual Easter Egg Hunt? Have a story about that? How about a story about the Ham and Turkey and Candy family giveaways during the holidays? How about Spanish night or Cougar Country Festivals nights? Tell us your stories. Everyone would love to hear them.
Email your story to mountainmaileditor@yahoo.com or send them regular mail to Mountain Mail - PO Box 62 – Socorro, NM 87801.
February Skies: Jupiter, Venus On Horizon
New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club
As Venus reappears in the evening sky, it will join Jupiter as it gets closer to the horizon. Beginning on the 14th the two planets will be only 2 degrees apart just above the west southwest horizon. By the end of the month, Jupiter will be lost as it reaches conjunction with the sun. This will leave Venus alone as the “evening star” as it begins its climb into the evening sky.
For you die-hard Jupiter fans, the last opportunity for a good view will be at the beginning of the month while the giant planet is still 12 degrees above the horizon. By the end of the month, Venus will have climbed to about 5 degrees above the horizon and should be easy to find about a half hour after sunset.
Mars will continue to dominate the evening sky. On the 4th, it will pass about 3 degrees north of the famous “Beehive” cluster otherwise known as M44. Having been passed by the Earth, in their respective orbits, Mars begins to lag behind. The consequence is that it will begin to fade in apparent magnitude as the Earth begins to pull away losing about ¾ of a magnitude by the end of the month.
Saturn is working its way ever higher into the late evening sky rising by 9:30 at the beginning of the month and by 7:30 at the end of the month. The rings are still getting narrower and will continue to close for a while before opening again.
Mercury will be visible for the first few days of the month just above the southeastern horizon. It will be best viewed about a half hour before sunrise.
The Moon will be last quarter on the 5th, new on the 13th and 1st quarter on the 21st and full on the 28th.
Looking southeast about a half hour before sunrise the waning crescent Moon will help you find tiny Mercury on the mornings of the 10th, 11th and 12th.
Looking west southwest on the 14th, 15th and 16th about 15 minutes after sunset, the crescent Moon will help you locate Jupiter and Venus. On the 25th, a nearly full gibbous Moon will be keeping company with the red planet Mars.
On Feb. 5, the New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club will host a star party at the Etscorn Campus Observatory beginning at 6 p.m. Special guests for this event will be the students and their families from the Cottonwood Valley Charter School. To reach the Observatory, take Canyon Road past the golf course.
At the four-way stop turn right on Buck Wolfe Drive and follow the signs. The public is invited.
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