2-7-03 Headliners - New sheriff shaping up his department

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Headline News From Our
Feb. 7, 2003 Issue

New sheriff shaping
up his department

Elected Nov. 5 and sworn into office Dec. 28, David Martinez showed up for work and assumed his duties as Sierra County Sheriff at the stroke of midnight, that is 00:00:00 Jan. 1.

Hill, Tooley regain school board seats

Forest Hill and Paul E. Tooley regained their seats on the Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools Board of Education after Tuesday’s school board election for both incumbents’ positions.

Pittman’s charges dropped with plea

Trafficking and manufacturing charges arising out of the Jan. 23 bust of an alleged methamphetamine laboratory at a Truth or Consequences residence have been dismissed for one of the two defendants with his guilty plea this week to a lesser crime, while additional charges have been leveled against the other defendant.

Events for chocolate lovers to sweeten tooth

Two events for chocolate lovers this month will help raise funds for arts organizations in Truth or Consequences and Silver City.

T or C mayor on the mend

“I’m getting a little better every day, up walking around and doing my exercises. Everything seems to be healing fast,” Truth or Consequences Mayor Jimmy Rainey said Tuesday.

Maquiladora projects due to start soon

Raven Padgett, owner of Elite Manufacturing of New Mexico, will be in town next week to prepare for the construction of the first of four 30,000-square-foot buildings...

The Wildlands Project Comes to Hidalgo County

Some of my readers may have found my last two articles a little overwhelming.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Shadow Advisory

Not everyone who is against aggression by means of preemptive strike (war without provocation or without proof of any intent of an invasion) is funded by socialistic groups...

OBITUARIES

Notices for Howard R. Bartoo Sr., Patricia Anne Furbee, Marvin F. Stevens, Dwayne John Gooding, Fern E. Kucera, Margaret B. Burns, Richard T. Yarbrough, Kenneth Glen Summers & Robert Rockwell.

...Another sad day for America

Old Glory flaps violently half mast on Sierra County’s new flag pole dedicated to the heroes in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America. This time darkness falls on America’s space program with the Colombia Space Shuttle disaster last Saturday morning. President Bush ordered the flag flown half mast through Wednesday to mourn the loss of one Israeli and six American astronauts onboard Columbia when it was destroyed upon re-entry over Texas and just 15 minutes away from its Florida landing destination.
DJ photo by Bill Johnson

New sheriff shaping up department

Sheriff David Martinez

Working together

to serve the public

By Fred Mramor

of the Desert Journal

Elected Nov. 5 and sworn into office Dec. 28, David Martinez showed up for work and assumed his duties as Sierra County Sheriff at the stroke of midnight, that is 00:00:00 Jan. 1.

Martinez, a retired New Mexico State Police officer with 23 and a half years service, this week said he works as much as 16 hours everyday, including Sundays, “sometimes just to patrol and see what’s going on.”

“I’m fulfilling my campaign promise to provide better law enforcement,” Martinez said.

The sheriff said the department is deterring crime, and has received very few criminal complaints since Jan. 1, by having deputies out on patrol all over the county.

“We have officers everywhere,” Martinez said.

Martinez acknowledged the “great bunch of guys” who fill the ranks of the Sheriff’s Department, including supervisors Lt. Chris Oskins, Sgt. Glenn Hamilton and Undersheriff Jerry Acosta.

Martinez said he’s proud of Deputy Jason Oviatt who recently graduated from the academy with honors. Also serving as a Sierra County Sheriff’s deputy since last August is former Truth or Consequences Police Chief David Bryant.

Glenn Hamilton and Rex Beard are the only current deputies who served under Sheriff Ron Brown and throughout the Terry Byers administration of the past four years, Martinez said.

Martinez said he thinks 26 other deputies, some who had worked for Ron Brown and others whom Byers hired, left the department before Byers completed his single term as sheriff.

“I was warned about problems within the department and don’t want to create hard feelings when we’re doing so well and the guys are working so hard,” Martinez said.

One way to improve department morale the sheriff hit upon was to give his deputies a choice of uniforms. Martinez said the deputies voted unanimously for the old brown and tan uniforms as worn during the Ron Brown administration over the much-hated black and gray uniforms imposed by Sheriff Byers.

Martinez and his deputies are wearing the black Byers shirts and blue jeans until they acquire their new old uniforms.

Deputies are submitting their suggestions for a new patch, and their Smokey the Bear hats will probably be replaced by baseball-style caps and cowboy hats, the sheriff said, adding that he has already had his Smokey reshaped into a sort-of Stetson.

Also to boost morale and improve the department’s performance, Martinez said he asks his deputies everyday what they would do differently and what problems they feel need to be addressed.

Martinez said his deputies were apprehensive at first about answering honestly but that he has been able to convey to them how important the information they can provide is in order for them to work as a team and do things right.

In the interests of officer safety, and that of the public, Martinez said he has suspended high-speed pursuits until he reviews a recently completed and very stringent pursuit policy by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

Martinez said he doesn’t want to endanger anyone or expose the department to liability unnecessarily.

One of the greatest job challenges Martinez said he faces is meeting certain legal requirements that are placed on the Sheriff’s Department: serving subpoenas and writs and, especially, transporting prisoners, which Martinez said is very hard on the department’s budget and vehicles.

“We’re getting pounded,” the sheriff said.

Martinez said he’s seeking relief from the courts and the District Attorney’s office in getting other agencies to transport their own prisoners rather than laying their burdens on the Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff said he is searching for used vehicles, in good condition and well equipped, for as little as $15,000 from agencies all over the country to augment the department’s fleet.

Martinez said possible funding sources for vehicles include the New Mexico Law Enforcement Protection Fund, the federal Homeland Security Department and a government acquisitions program.

The Sheriff’s Department’s current fleet includes two patrol cars leased from the Village of Williamsburg for the token amount of $2 a year.

The village formerly loaned the department five vehicles as part of a law enforcement agreement that was terminated last summer by then-sheriff Terry Byers.

Martinez said he is enjoying a very good relationship with the Village of Williamsburg and Greg Spain, chief of the village’s one-man police force, who Martinez said is doing a great job.

The sheriff said that while he would like to have the use of the village’s other cars and miscellaneous police equipment, he will be just as happy if the village continues to maintain its own police department with Greg Spain as its chief.

Martinez said the Sheriff’s Department is working well with other agencies including Truth or Consequences Police, State Police, Border Patrol and State Parks Rangers.

“It’s a two-way street, they’re helping us and we’re helping them,” the sheriff said.

…A few words from

T or C’s police chief

TCPD Chief and Sierra County Commissioner Russ Peterson stopped by the sheriff’s office on business during the interview with Sheriff Martinez.

Invited by the sheriff to offer a few of his thoughts, Peterson said the city police and sheriff’s departments are working closely together on certain criminal issues, some of which he said are top secret.

Peterson said the gathering of intelligence by both departments regarding incidents in the city and the county, apparently with the same method of operation, has been very beneficial to each agency.

Peterson observed that today all crimes of theft come back to drugs. The chief mused that in the old days, people stole to make their living and even took pride in how they did it and how they could get away with it, but now steal only to support their drug habits and no longer do a professional job.

Peterson said the city police and sheriff’s departments are sharing the burden of transporting prisoners, usually using one police officer and one sheriff’s deputy and alternating between using city police and sheriff’s cars.

This arrangement, Peterson said, provides the additional benefit of developing teamwork and cooperation between the two agencies.

Peterson said he is trying to work with the District Attorney’s office to streamline the process of acquiring transport orders, which is often a three to four hour procedure.

Peterson said he would like to have a system in which there will be pre-arranged, standing transport orders ready for a judge’s signature.

Concluding his remarks, Peterson said he’s very happy with his working relationship with Sheriff Martinez.

“We’re brand new at it and working darn hard at it,” Peterson said.

<<< >>>

Hill, Tooley regain school board seats

Desert Journal Staff Report

Forest Hill and Paul E. Tooley regained their seats on the Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools Board of Education after Tuesday’s school board election for both incumbents’ positions.

Voters decisively reelected Hill who received 595 ballots or 63.8 percent over his only opponent, Dan F. Trujillo, who received 337 votes or 36.2% in the Position 3 race.

However, a minority - only 42% - or a total of 398 voters cast ballots to in favor of incumbent Tooley in a heavily contested race for Position 2. Leading the pack of five candidates, Tooley still wins his seat back. Other candidates in the field were Bobby Dawkins with 219 votes or 23.1%, William E. Robinson with 179 votes or 18.9%, Buddy L. Montoya with 99 votes or 10.4%, and Ronnie A. Huff with 53 votes or 5.6%.

The elections results were official after being canvassed, the Sierra County Clerk’s office said Thursday.

<<< >>>

Pittman’s charges dropped with plea

More charges leveled

against Seager

Desert Journal Staff Report

Jesse L. Pittman II, 26, of 326 Van Patten Ave. in T or C, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia in a plea agreement with the court.

In return Sierra County Magistrate Thomas Pestak dismissed all of the charges in the criminal complaint filed Jan. 24 and which arose out of the meth lab bust on Jan. 23, including trafficking manufacture of methamphetamine, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and abandonment or abuse of a child, according to the judgment and sentence filed Feb. 4.

The court also ordered the suspension of a 364-day jail term except for the 11 days Pittman already served behind bars and also suspended $900 of a $1,000 fine if Pittman successfully completes his probation program.

Pittman additionally was ordered to pay $126 in court fees or, if he opts out of paying a total of $226 including the $100 fine, to serve 44 hours of community service as well as pay $30 per month in probation fees to participate in the Sierra County Misdemeanor Compliance Program.

He also must report to Sierra Vista Hospital Mental Health for an assessment and must comply with their recommendations, Judge Pestak ordered Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pestak on Tuesday also ordered the release of the second defendant, Lisa Seager, 37, of 506 Charles Ave. in T or C, from the Sierra County Detention Center.

In addition to the three charges that she originally shared with Pittman – trafficking, conspiracy to manufacture and abandonment or abuse of a child – another criminal complaint was leveled against her arising from the traffic stop state police made of Seager on the night of Jan. 23. Charges included two counts of third-degree forgery and concealing identity, a petty misdemeanor.

Seager allegedly signed an alias, “Hannah Cavender,” on two traffic citations with intent to defraud the state after State Police Patrolman Justin Fedric issued her tickets for driver to be licensed and failure to yield at a yield sign at Second and Cedar streets in T or C.

Despite all of the felonies Seager allegedly committed, Judge Pestak released her on her own recognizance and ordered her to contact her attorney weekly but to stay away from Pittman.

Seager waived her preliminary hearing in magistrate court so her case will be automatically bound over to district court for trial.

The meth lab charges, which Seager now faces alone, arise from allegations that Seager was stowing away chemicals known to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine behind the skirting of her mobile home on Charles Avenue.

State police agents said in the complaint they saw her move two containers of chemicals from her car to the side of her residence, where the alleged chemicals were later seized during the execution of a search warrant.

Pittman was arrested after police found him inside Seager’s home along with Seager’s nine-year-old daughter.

The complaint was vague as to what involvement Pittman may have had, if any at all, in the meth lab operation, and may explain the reason why the court was hasty in striking a deal with Pittman.

<<< >>>

Events for chocolate lovers to sweeten tooth

Two events for chocolate lovers this February will help raise funds for arts organizations in Truth or Consequences and Silver City.

The second annual Chocolate Lover's Event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the T or C Senior Recreation Center, 301 Foch St.

Local candy makers, including Bernice Ritch of Ritch's Pecans and Candy Shoppe in nearby Cuchillo, will sell their homemade treats. Finger painting with chocolate pudding and valentine bingo with chocolate pieces will be featured.

Tickets to taste the chocolate treats will be only 25 cents each. Also, a buck will buy a chance for great items such as a certificate for two desserts at the Sierra Grande Lodge, a Valentine gift basket or a large chocolate scented candle.

The event benefits the Sierra County Arts Council by helping it to bring arts programs and events to Sierra County. Call Aspen at (505) 894-0615 for more information.

Anyone donating a chocolate dessert for this event will be considered a sponsor. Chocolate desserts need to be brought to the Senior Recreation Center between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

The annual Chocolate Fantasia is set from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in downtown Silver City. A total of 29 locations in the historic downtown area will participate. Participants will sample exclusive creations of local “chocolatiers at these locations.

Only 200 tickets will be sold for the event at $15 each. Proceeds benefit the Mimbres Region Arts Council's schools program. For more information, call the Mimbres Region Arts Council at (505) 538-2505 or Liz Stewart at (505) 388-5371.

“Chocolate lovers have two taste-tempting events on successive weekends in February in southwest New Mexico to enjoy some wonderful sweets and benefit some outstanding organizations in T or C and Silver City," said Mike Cook, director of the Rural Economic Development Through Tourism (REDTT) Project.

REDTT, a program of New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service, provides education, training and technical assistance to 16 New Mexico counties.

REDTT also provides hospitality training and festival and special events promotion statewide.

For more information on REDTT, call (505) 646-8009. Check out REDTT's web site at www.nmquest.org.

<<< >>>

T or C mayor on the mend

By Fred Mramor

of the Desert Journal

“I’m getting a little better every day, up walking around and doing my exercises. Everything seems to be healing fast,” Truth or Consequences Mayor Jimmy Rainey said Tuesday.

Rainey underwent triple by-pass heart surgery Jan. 13 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces and has since been recuperating following a regimen of rest and mild exercise.

Rainey said his condition was discovered during routine tests that resulted in an abnormal electrocardiogram reading. He learned also that he had had previous mild heart attacks that were masked by his diabetes condition.

“You can have a heart attack and not know it. It may seem like indigestion,” Rainey said.

Rainey said many people who have experienced the same thing have called and that he has been able to help them become better informed about their own conditions.

Rainey said he also received many calls and cards from people wishing him a speedy recovery and telling him he’s in their prayers.

“It’s just beautiful. It helps me keep a positive attitude and that helps the healing process,” Rainey said.

While City Manager Richard Ramsey has been visiting often to keep him apprised of city business, the mayor had to skip the last two city commission meetings, as well as other meetings he would normally attend.

Pending his doctor’s approval, Rainey said he intends to preside over the city commission’s next meeting.

“I’m looking forward to getting this behind me and getting back to my duties as mayor,” Rainey said.

<<< >>>

Maquiladora projects due to start soon

By Fred Mramor

of the Desert Journal

Raven Padgett, owner of Elite Manufacturing of New Mexico, will be in town next week to meet with construction coordinator Jack Baker and other Truth or Consequences city officials to prepare for the construction of the first of four 30,000-square-foot buildings on city-owned property across from Williamsburg’s Village Hall on Broadway, Sierra County Economic Development Organization Administrator Lane Pack said this week.

The New Mexico manufacturing concern is an offshoot of Arizona’s Elite Shutters Inc., a Phoenix-based producer of shutters, furniture and other wood products for the home.

Pack said the city hopes to be awarded a federal economic development grant of $1.2 million to provide a home in T or C for Elite Manufacturing.

Failing that, Pack said Elite could sell industrial revenue bonds backed by the city or could procure funding from the New Mexico Finance Authority.

…Electronics firm

to set up at airport

Pack also reported Peppin and York Electronics’ pre-fabricated, metal building will soon be delivered to the T or C Municipal Airport.

Construction of the Texas-based aviation electronics installation and repair business’s building is expected to get underway soon, Pack said.

Finally, Pack said he’s waiting to hear back from Stream International who may open a call center in T or C and employ 125 persons.

Stream operates 18 “customer interaction centers” in the U.S., Canada, Europe and India, providing technical support for computer-related and electronics products companies, according to its website.

Stream’s nearest call center is in Silver City where it has grown into a much larger operation than was originally planned, according to T or C Mayor Jimmy Rainey.

<<< >>>

The Wildlands Project Comes

to Hidalgo County (Part 14)

A Country Girl's Musin'

By Judy Keeler

Some of my readers may have found my last two articles a little overwhelming.

Initially, I found the claims of the United Nation's involvement in the environmental movement more than a little questionable.

I continued my research anyway. It was by attending the Arizona and New Mexico Jaguar Conservation Team meetings that I learned of the ties to the United Nations.

Let's look at the history of this species in the Southwest. Wildlife biologists have known for years that jaguars range in and out of our states.

According to the historical records, Arizona has experienced 16 confirmed sightings the last 150 years, and in New Mexico, only seven.

A jaguar was photographed by Warner Glenn in 1996. It created quite a stir.

When another sighting occurred in the Baboquivari Mountains south of Tucson the excitement grew. Articles on the sightings began to appear in both Arizona and New Mexico newspapers.

After Warner Glenn published his book, "Eyes of Fire," reporters began calling local residents to get their comments.

Articles were published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and at least one Japanese newspaper.

Much to the chagrin of the ranchers and hunters, they were often portrayed as the villains.

We learned later The Nature Conservancy orchestrated much of the national media blitz. These sighting, however, became more than just newsworthy when federal and state wildlife agencies and various environmental organizations jumped on the bandwagon!

Debate soon began as to whether the species should be listed as endangered in the United States, or whether a conservation agreement (CA) between the states should be developed to conserve the species.

During the frenzy it became obvious pressure was being applied to the ranching community to support the CA. Ultimately, however, we ended up with both the federal listing of the species as endangered and the CA.

Eleven federal and state agencies signed on to The Memorandum of Agreement for the Conservation Assessment and Strategy.

The Conservation Team did, however, enlist a group of scientists to be a part of their Scientific Advisory Group. The leading SAG scientist, Alan Rabinowitz, is a world-renowned jaguar specialist and he is the director of Science for the Wildlife Conservation Society's International Programs at the Bronx Zoo in New York City.

Dr. Rabinowitz helped establish the first-ever jaguar reserve in Belize's Cockscomb Basin. Working with the Belize government, Dr. Rabinowitz relocated an entire community from within the boundaries of the reserve in order to conserve the species.

In a report to the Malpai Borderlands Group, Dr. Rabinowitz wrote, "The fact that the southwestern United States is the northern limit of the modern jaguar's range is not by chance. The more open, dry habitats of the southwest are marginal for the jaguar in terms of water, cover and prey densities. The nature of this landscape, ranging from open grassland/shrub communities to mountain woodlands, is a product of both past climatic influences dating back to the Pleistocene, and to the relatively recent human activities and settlement patterns in the area."

Rabinowitz was unequivocal that jaguar habitat no longer existed in the United States. Although he applauded the Fish and Wildlife Service for listing the jaguar as endangered, he agreed with the agency that protecting "critical habitat for the jaguar was not necessary, since there is no area in the U.S. critical to the jaguar's survival."

Most of the Conservation Team agreed with his findings and suggested scientific research should begin in Mexico where several breeding pairs of jaguars were thought to exist.

It was during our discussions on where to begin research activities that Terry Johnson, Chief of the Non-Game Branch of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, suggested the Team focus on Mexico by inviting ranchers and wildlife biologists to participate in the Conservation Assessment.

Some members questioned by what authority the Team could expand the Assessment and Strategy into Mexico. Johnson suggested by treaties signed between the two nations.

When pressed for which treaties, he supplied the Team with a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the Canada/Mexico/United States Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management."

The committee consists of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its counterparts in Mexico and Canada.

According to the MOU, it was the Committee's desire to "facilitate the conservation of species and the ecosystems on which they depend."

The three nations entered as "Parties" to the various Treaties and Conventions providing cooperation in the spring of 1996. Seven treaties were specifically mentioned in the MOU, including the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, which has never been ratified by the U.S. Congress, and the 1993 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a side agreement to NAFTA.

It should be noted that Terry Johnson started his career with Arizona Game and Fish when The Nature Conservancy transferred the Heritage Data Base to the states. Prior to the transfer, he was employed by the Conservancy.

Working his way up through the state agency, Johnson has been instrumental in the reintroduction of the Mexican Wolf into the U.S. and the Conservation Agreement to preserve Prairie Dogs.

About three years after its formation, representatives from various environmental groups started attending the Team meetings.

Did Dr. Rabinowitz's reports and the consensus of the Team to begin research in Mexico "enlighten" some of these representatives? No!

Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, wrote an opinion piece in the Albuquerque Journal, entitled "Near-Decimated Jaguar Deserves a NM Home." Why? Because he wants to see jaguars romping in his backyard of the Gila National Forest near his home in Pinos Altos, NM.

Among other things he claimed, "Too many jaguars have already died and its range also is shrinking in Mexico. It is time to listen to the scientists, protect jaguar habitat, stop the poisoning and plan for a reintroduction into our still-wild canyons and forests that were the traditional home to big-spotted cats."

Although another photograph of a jaguar was taken by a trip camera in southern Arizona in December 2001, one can hardly claim we have an abundance of sightings.

In fact, most sighting reports turn out to be large, black house cats.

Every six months the Team meets to review the "sightings reports," "kill verifications" and "legal protection," which have changed very little since the conception of the Team.

The "education" portion of the Conservation Assessment has degenerated into a curriculum that teaches students what a jaguar looks like, his characteristics as well as his prey base, but does little to teach critical thinking skills, or expose students to some of the controversy surrounding the Endangered Species Act, or its ramifications, to the dismay of some of the Team members.

The Team has developed, as a part of its "educational program," a cute little brochure that asks, "Have You Seen This Animal?" with a picture of a jaguar on its front cover and numbers to call if sighted.

With assistance from The Nature Conservancy, mapping potential habitat in the two states has evolved into a new map that closely resembles the Sky Island's map of the 70,000 square mile preserve it covets in New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico.

The new jaguar map stretches to the Rio Grande near Las Cruces, and north to the Gila National Forest, although there is little scientific evidence to justify the reach.

With the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife a new term has been coined for "critical habitat." The Service calls it "occupied range," which currently includes all of Hidalgo County, and "occupied habitat," which includes the backbone of the New Mexico portion of the Peloncillo Mountains into Arizona.

They've yet to delineate these areas in Arizona and Mexico, but give them time, they're working on it.

No doubt the map also includes a huge tract of land already planned as part of a U.N. Biosphere Reserve in the Sierra San Luis Mountains south of Agua Prieta, Mexico.

In an article entitled, "The Great Green Con-Trick," Dr. Patrick Moore, renowned ecologist and founder of Greenpeace, is quoted extensively. He condemns his fellow ecologists for "abandoning science" to follow "agendas that have little to do with saving the earth, or its species."

Dr. Moore sadly reflects in the commentary, "What has been lost are the principles of the early environmental movement: that all campaigns should be based on valid research. We won public support because our protests were founded on logical, scientific arguments."

He said these campaigns have been "replaced by a policy of sensationalism, misinformation and never-ending conflict."

I believe they've been replaced by the Wildlands Project.

<<< >>>

The Shadow Advisory

By Bill Johnson

Editor of the Desert Journal

…Strong energy policy

an absolute necessity

Not everyone who is against aggression by means of preemptive strike (war without provocation or without proof of any intent of an invasion) is funded by socialistic groups or environmental organizations. Some of us speak clearly from our own conscience.

I particularly am not eager to send my son or daughter to war and for the most part I don't think most Americans would want to send their loved ones to battle either.

I understand personal sacrifice and the need to protect our interests - but sometimes these interests extend way too far beyond our own country's boundaries, and these interests should be brought home. A strong energy policy will go a long way to secure greater national security.

I believe the problem in the Middle East is compounded by America's never ending hunger for oil - we have had many years to correct this problem, and unfortunately we have done very little to repent from our oil gluttony.

The record will show that throughout the world's petroleum history that conflict increases as supplies fall short of demand. And the oilman usually makes out good because it means higher prices at the pump.

What we need is a strong energy policy that mitigates the energy crisis. Before we create havoc in other countries, depleting their reserves of nonrenewable resources and damaging their environment, we should look at our own reserves, even if that means breaking through the surface of "pristine" Alaskan soil. Or offshore drilling. Or whatever it takes.

Secondly, we need to greatly lessen our dependence on foreign and domestic oil - this means either changing our fast-paced lifestyle or our technology. I prefer to look to technology for answers and with rigorous research I'm sure auto makers will find a way to fuel cars with hydrogen or increase methanol mixtures with gasoline, etc.

And while the auto industry makes its move to save itself from perdition, States also could increase mass transit systems that are fueled by hydroelectric or electro-magnetic energy or other sources of power.

Of course in the Southwest 30 years ago we would have thought that solar power would have been a predominant energy source for us sun dwellers in the 21st century, but it is not. That is not to say solar power doesn’t exist in our region because it does, but it should be more prevalent with all of its photovoltaic and heating applications.

There could have been greater tax incentives for the manufacturing and/or use of alternative energy systems, but oilmen have been running our country for a long time and it is not in their interest.

Wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and even nuclear power should be enhanced. (My uncle, a retired nuclear civil engineer who had worked making nukes safe for handling, guarantees the safety of nuclear energy technology although I'm still skeptical - but there haven't been any Three Mile Islands for some time. I'm sure it could be made safer, and of course there is the longstanding problem of disposal, but that is what our Waste Isolation Pilot Project in Carlsbad, NM, is supposed to alleviate).

So, what we have is economic stagnation from dependence on oil - a crude energy form that contributes to the pollution of earth and to conflict around the globe. It is no secret that the Bush family means big oil, and I personally think the President should step down from any decisions that conflict with his industry's interests.

I'm not disputing allegations Bush has made regarding Iraq's build up of weapons of mass destruction - but look at it this way - what if some superpower from outer space saw America as being a threat to the integrity of the universe because of our buildup of weapons of mass destruction? Where does that put us if they use the same mentality Bush applies to the Iraqi situation?

Disarmament of weapons of mass destruction should be a goal of our entire world, not just for Iraq, Korea, China, Russia, Germany, England, but of the good ol' USA as well.

I've heard the argument that a lot of good - particularly new technology - develops out of the course of war. But look at all of the technological advances we've made during peacetime - especially with computers, communications and space travel and exploration.

It's time to start with an energy policy that makes America strong and less dependent on the world's quickly vanishing non-renewable resources.

OBITUARIES

Howard Reland Bartoo Sr., 81, a resident of Williamsburg the last 46 years, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque.

He was born June 21, 1921, in Henrietta, TX, to Charlie and Eula M. (Bowden) Bartoo. He married the former Dorothy Harkey on Oct. 25, 1946, in Texas. He was a retired truck driver with Santa Fe Trails Transportation for many years. He and his wife Dorothy started Bartoo Sand & Gravel Company. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans and was an active member of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Truth or Consequences.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy H. Bartoo of Williamsburg; his son, Howard R. Bartoo Jr. & wife Vanessa of T or C; four grandchildren, Cary & wife Janet Bartoo of Anna, TX, Stacy Trent & fiance Cody of Big Springs, TX, Jason Bartoo of T or C and Jared Bartoo of Anna Texas; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration service was held Monday, Feb. 3, at the Full Gospel Tabernacle with Rev. Mike Skidmore officiating. Interment was in Las Palomas Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Mr. Bartoo's memory to the Powerhouse Youth Group, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. Arrangements were by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.; 505-894-2574.

Patricia Anne Furbee, 77, a resident of Elephant Butte since 1964, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at the Sierra Health Care Center in Truth or Consequences.

She was born March 15, 1925, in Merkel, TX, to James Lee DeWitt and Ethel Ruth (Sapp) DeWitt. She was the first private kindergarten teacher in T or C. She was a former member of the Daughters of the Nile and Order of Eastern Star. She retired as an Avon sales representative after many years.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond H. Furbee of Elephant Butte; her son, Jef f& wife Debbie Walker of Las Cruces; her daughters, Fran & husband Glen Ridens of Elephant Butte, Billie Kay Day of Carlsbad, CA, and Sandi Chatfield (who was as close as a daughter); her sister, Wilma & husband Robert Vandore of San Angelo, TX; six grandchildren, Saundra; Jeffrey, Trent, Brian, Darren & Tarra; and her step-son, Raymond & wife Toni Furbee of Los Angeles, CA. She was preceded in death by two step-daughters, Joyce Peppard and Frances Furbee.

At her request, there will be no local services. Arrangements are by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.; 505-894-2574.

Marvin F. Stevens, 97, a resident of Hillsboro since 1975, died Jan. 29, 2003, at the Sierra Health Care Center in Truth or Consequences. He was Oct. 29, 1905, in Ohio. The retired meat cutter was a member of the Kingston Masonic Lodge No. 16 AF&AM and attended the Hillsboro Union Church.

Survivors include his son, Wayne Stevens of Loveland, OH; his daughter, Gayle Wilson of Maineville, OH; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Wendall Stevens.

Services were held Monday, Feb. 3, at the Hillsboro Union Church with Mr. Russ Bowen officiating and pianist Donna Baldwin. Interment was in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Arrangements were by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.; 505-894-2574.

Dwayne John Gooding, 41, of Truth or Consequences, died Feb. 1, 2003, at Sierra Vista Hospital. He was born Sept. 13, 1961, at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and watching sports on television with his father.

Survivors include his parents, Ralph and Joan Gooding of T or C; his brother, Ralph Gooding Jr. and wife Jodi, and their daughters, Rose Marie and Holly, and step-daughter, Heather McGaughey; his nephew, Daniel Gooding; and his niece, Danica Gooding. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Proctor Gooding of New Castle, IN, and Bernice Hartman of Elkhart, IN, his maternal grandparents, Edward and Aldora LeDuc of South Pittsfield, NH, and his brother, Darryl Gooding of El Cajon, CA, who died Nov. 7, 2002.

Graveside services and interment will be at the Singing Hills Memorial Park in El Cajon, CA, where he will be laid to rest beside his brother, Darryl. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local Alcohol Anonymous program. Arrangements are by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.; 505-894-2574.

Fern E. Kucera, 85, a resident of Truth or Consequences since 1983, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, at Sierra Vista Hospital.

She was born Aug. 31, 1917, in Ripley, OK, to George M. and Martha (Taylor) Norton. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include her two sons, George M. Norton of Williamsburg and Dale Kucera; two daughters, Janet Wood of Rapid City, SD, and Jean Shertzer of California; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in the Chapel of French Mortuary in T or C. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Vista Memory Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Jack Cain officiating. Arrangements are by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.; 505-894-2574.