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Headline News From March 15, 2002 Issue

Gary Whitehead
CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Whitehead eyes opportunity 

to nab state rep seat for county 

  Gary Whitehead, former Sierra County manager and commission chairman, sees opportunity for Sierra County to have one of its own representing it in the State of New Mexico House of Representatives.

Ben Archer Health Center awarded $2.3 M to continue service 

  U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday reported that the Ben Archer Health Center has been awarded $2.32 million in federal funding to continue providing health care services at its centers in Alamogordo, Columbus, Hatch and Truth or Consequences.

Chamber rounding up the clean-up posse

  The Truth or Consequences/Sierra County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a spring clean-up and has formed a posse to round up volunteers.

Winston Spring Fiesta is set April 20^th 

  The 19^th annual Winston Spring Fiesta is planning an entire day of fun, games and food for the entire family on Saturday, April 20, in Winston, NM.

Andrea Freeman of Century 21 achieves Master Program Status 

  Century 21 Real estate Corporation, franchiser of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, has recognized the achievement of Andrea Freeman of Century 21/Howell Associates in Truth or Consequences for attaining ruby level status.

Cuchillo Pecan Festival largest, most successful

  The 11^th annual Cuchillo Pecan Festival, held Feb. 23 at Ritch's Pecan Farm in Cuchillo, was the largest and most successful ever.

…Announcing bid

for candidacy

Truth or Consequences businessman Gary Whitehead announced his bid in the Democratic Party’s primary race for state representative in newly reapportioned House District 38.

Photo by Bill Johnson

Whitehead eyes opportunity to nab
state representative seat for county

By Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

Gary Whitehead, former Sierra County manager and commission chairman, sees opportunity for Sierra County to have one of its own representing it in the State of New Mexico House of Representatives.

For a decade or so, Sierra County had been split into three House districts until last year when it was made whole and lumped in with portions of Grant and Hidalgo counties.

As such, Sierra County’s voting block in newly redistricted House District 38 now exceeds the number of voters in the remaining portion of the district in northern Grant and Hidalgo counties, said Sierra County Manager Adam Polley who was present for Whitehead’s announcement of his candidacy for the seat Monday afternoon at K-Bob’s restaurant in Truth or Consequences.

“I need everyone – Democratic, Republican and Independent voters – in Sierra County to work together and put aside their differences of party affiliation,” said Whitehead before a crowd of some 100 supporters, including family, friends, community leaders and public officials.

“I can work hard for the people of Grant and Hidalgo Counties, too,” he said.

Whitehead, a Truth or Consequences businessman, said he wants to address the issue of Sierra County not getting what it deserves from state legislature because of the lack of true representation in past years.

“Schools elsewhere got capital outlay funding, but Sierra County got nothing. We need to get money from the state to support education,” he said.

Whitehead also cited other local needs, stating that he will continue to support measures that help the local hospital to continue operating, as well as making it more or totally accessible to the people or under-served population.

He then addressed the crowd personally, saying, “We’re friends trying to do the best we can for our children, our families and our community. I will do the best job I can if elected state representative.”

Before Sierra County was split into three house districts in the early-to-mid 1990s, it was represented by local residents Paul Harrington of Elephant Butte and earlier by Charlie Sedillo.

All of the three current state representatives live outside of Sierra County: Dianne Hamilton of Silver City (Grant County, District 38), Dona Irwin of Deming (Luna County, District 32) and Don Tripp of Socorro (Socorro County, District 49).

Polley said he didn’t know whether Hamilton lives in the newly realigned District 38, which encompasses the north heights of Silver City and all of northern Grant County, or whether her residence has shifted into District 39.

Whitehead said he has named his sister, Sandy Whitehead, the Sierra County Assessor and a member of the Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools Board of Education, as treasurer of his campaign.

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…Fire destroys mobile home

Thick smoke pours out a mobile home early Sunday evening at 1410 Iron St. in Truth or Consequences (above photo). The fire, caused by an overload on the home’s electrical system, destroyed the home owned and occupied by Shannon Crowder with damage estimated at $15,000, according to fire officials. Firefighters from the T or C and Williamsburg volunteer fire departments swarm the home (below) from which Crowder escaped safely. He had been taking a nap until a neighbor, pounding on his door, woke him up to tell him about the mobile home’s end being engulfed in flames and heavy black smoke.
Photos by Bill Johnson

Ben Archer Health Center awarded

$2.32 million to continue its service

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday reported that the Ben Archer Health Center has been awarded $2.32 million in federal funding to continue providing health care services at its centers in Alamogordo, Columbus, Hatch and Truth or Consequences.

The Ben Archer Health Center provides much needed medical and dental services to the under-served population in northern Dona Ana, Luna, Otero, and Sierra counties.

The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Primary Health Care.

“For small, rural communities, these community health centers are often the first and only direct access to medical care for many people,” Domenici said.

“There is a tremendous need to provide these types of basic medical and dental services to the under-served who would otherwise not receive care because of inability to pay.”

In 2000, Domenici secured $2.3 million for facility improvements at a dozen rural health care facilities throughout New Mexico, including clinics in Abiquiu, Albuquerque, Carrizozo, Chaparral, Hobbs, Logan, Mora, Ruidoso, San Miguel, Tatum, Truth or Consequences, and Tucumcari.

The funding was provided through the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration.

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Patsy Barnett is sworn into her new post as Elephant Butte City Councilor with Municipal Judge Marcel LaFrance officiating. The ceremony was held Monday at the Municipal Building. Other elected municipal officers taking recent oaths included: Truth or Consequences City Commissioners Lois Reaver-Black (incumbent) and Glen “Bud” Stevenson (new) with the newly organized five-member commission appointing Jim Rainey as mayor Monday night; Williamsburg Village Mayor Carol Sue Jackson, Village Trustees Gorden J. Mishler and Carol Woods, and Village Judge Michael Gurnsey.
Photo by Bill Johnson

Jack Grimm is the first Elephant Butte City Councilor to be elected to a second term. In photo, Grimm is shown being sworn into office by EB Municipal Judge Marcel LaFrance during a ceremony Monday morning at the Municipal Building.
Photo by Bill Johnson  

Chamber rounding up the clean-up posse

The Truth or Consequences/Sierra County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a spring clean-up and has formed a posse to round up volunteers.

Tim Mitchell of Raveyn Ink is chairman of this committee and Heidi LeTourneau of T or C /Sierra County Chamber of Commerce is co-chair.

The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Visitors Center. One more meeting prior to the clean up will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the Visitors Center.

The clean-up sessions will be on Saturdays, April 6, 13 & 20. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. coffee and donuts will be served, trash bags will be passed out and zones will be assigned to volunteers. Clean-up will kick off at 8 a.m. and shouldn’t go beyond noon each Saturday.

Staging and meeting area will be the parking lot at the corner of Third and Date streets in T or C. The Stoplight Café has given us permission to use a good portion of that parking lot for this purpose.

The goal is to pick up the trash and get rid of the overgrown brush on the major roads in the county.

The committee will have the help of trustees from the Sierra County Detention facility. Elephant Butte will be scheduling either the 13th or the 20th as their clean-up day.

The Highway Department will supply trash bags and possibly T-shirts as well as put out two message boards on the highway that we will be able to run whatever message we want those passing by to read.

T or C Rotary has already pledged $250 to the cause. Those monies that are donated and not used for supplies will be put toward beautification, such as planting and painting on the 20th.

The volunteers are going to see how big the mountain of trash collected can get. Bartoo Sand & Gravel has offered a dump truck or two if needed for the event.

This is a super opportunity for everyone, despite differences, to work together for the common goal of a cleaner, healthier and happier Sierra County.

For more information, call Heidi LeTourneau, administrator  of the Truth or Consequences/Sierra County Chamber of Commerce at 894-3536.

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Winston Spring Fiesta set April 20^th

The 19^th annual Winston Spring Fiesta is planning an entire day of fun, games and food for the entire family on Saturday, April 20, in Winston, NM.

Winston is 40 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences on New Mexico Highway 52, which is paved the entire way. All events will be held at the Winston Community Center.

The concession stand will open at 9 a.m. and run all day. A flea market and crafts fair also will be held throughout the day. A 15-by-10-foot space for vendors will cost $10. For information on the vendor spaces, call Linda Arnett at 505-743-2514.

Cow Chip Poker also begins at 9 a.m. Here's how it works: A 50-foot arena is fenced off, then divided into five-foot squares. Each square is sold to a player. When the squares are all sold, a well-fed cow is released into the arena to do whatever cows do on their own.

Eventually, nature will have its way. When the chips fall, the winner of the lucky square will be awarded $220. Squares will be sold for $5 each.

A bake sale will feature favorite recipes from local kitchens beginning at 10 a.m.

The parade will form at the Winston Store at 10:30 a.m. and will begin at 11 a.m., traveling south from the store to Diamond Bar, then going around the block at the south end of town and returning to the store.

The parade is open to everyone and there is no entry fee. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: best float, best mounted group and most original entry. For more information, call Dale Henderson at 505-743-0157.

The barbecue dinner will begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until late afternoon. The beef is cooked the old-fashioned way in the ground by a local expert and garnished with an excellent sauce made by a local resident. The meal also includes potato salad, beans, red or green chile, a roll, and a drink. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Activities for children include a stick-horse race, a fishing booth and an egg toss. These activities, done by age group, will be held throughout the afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m. There will be no entry fees charged.

A western dance will begin at 8 p.m. with Emerald Blue performing the music. The cost will be $5 per person.

All proceeds of the fiesta benefit the Winston, Chloride, Chiz and Dusty Community Association.

For more information on the fiesta, call Tom Pearce at 505-743-3304.

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Andrea Freeman of Century 21/Howell Associates in Truth or Consequences was recognized for her achievement of attaining ruby level status in real estate sales for the Century 21 System. William “Billy” Howell, broker/owner, on Monday presented the awards to Freeman from the Century 21 Real Estate Corp.
Photo by Bill Johnson  

Andrea Freeman of Century 21

achieves Master Program Status

Century 21 Real estate Corporation, franchiser of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, has recognized the achievement of Andrea Freeman of Century 21/Howell Associates in Truth or Consequences for attaining ruby level status.

Ruby level status is awarded to an agent who has met minimum adjusted gross commissions of $90,000 or 30 units. A gold-plated lapel pin with ruby accent is awarded to the agent during the awards ceremony, in addition to a trophy and a personal invitation to a Century 21 Masters Retreat.

Andrea Freeman is a leader and innovator in delivering powerful home choices to her clients because she knows the neighborhoods she serves and leads these communities with real estate expertise," said William Howell, broker/owner, managing broker of Century 21/Howell Associates.

“Andrea's competitive intelligence, professionalism and dedication have made her a valued and trusted real estate partner for the Truth or Consequences community and a major contributor to the overall success of the Century 21 System," Howell said.

Andrea has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and has been with the Century 21 System for 20 years.

Century 21 Real Estate Corp. (www.century21.com) is the franchiser of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, providing comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for the Century 21 System.

The System is comprised of more than 6,600 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in more than 28 countries and territories worldwide.

Century 21 Real Estate Corp. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE:CD).

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…New ‘striped’ habitat for zebras

Striped shadows of fence rails and boarded shelters match the display of zebras at the new zebra exhibit at the Albuquerque Zoo. Guess which shadow belongs to the DJ photographer.
Photo by Bill Johnson

Cuchillo Pecan Festival

largest, most successful

The 11^th annual Cuchillo Pecan Festival, held Feb. 23 at Ritch's Pecan Farm in Cuchillo, was the largest and most successful ever.

Attendance was estimated at 1,500 - about a 50 percent increase over 2001. The Ritches donated the proceeds of the event - $1,532 - to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches. That's an increase of about 20 percent over last year's donation.

This year's event had a total of 30 vendors, nearly double last year's total.

And the total number of pecan pies baked increased from 333 pies in 2001 to 400 pies in 2000. The last pie was sold at about 3:30 p.m., about a half-hour before the festival ended.

"We were absolutely delighted with the 2002 event. The weather was so beautiful and everyone seemed to have a good time. We were very pleased with the turnout and the number of vendors and the wide range of arts and crafts and food products they sold. And we were so grateful to Dennis Riddle and his band for playing during the morning of the festival," said festival co-organizer Bernice Ritch, who puts on the Cuchillo Pecan Festival each year with her husband, Bill.

A survey of 87 people who attended the festival scored it a 4.3 out of a possible 5 rating overall in 2002, the same rating it received in 2001.

The pecan candy made and sold by Ritch's Pecan and Candy Shoppe received the highest rating (4.83 ) of any product or activity at the 2002 Cuchillo Pecan Festival.

The pecan pies (4.63) received the second highest rating. Of those who listed a favorite activity at the festival, a majority said it was the arts and crafts vendors.

The survey, which included both visitors and vendors at the festival, was conducted by the Rural Economic Development Through Tourism (REDTT) Project, a part of the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. A complete copy of the survey report is available from REDTT.

"Thanks to the hard work of Bill and Bernice Ritch and a number of local volunteers, and the support of people living throughout Sierra County and visiting from all over the country, the 2002 Cuchillo Pecan Festival was a huge success," said Mike Cook, REDTT director.

"Media in Truth or Consequences have always been tremendously supportive of the festival, and that continues to be a major reason for its success. And, the interest of media in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, El Paso and elsewhere also is helping to attract visitors. REDTT is very pleased and proud to be a part of the Cuchillo Pecan Festival,” he said.

For more information about the 2002 Cuchillo Pecan Festival, call Bill and Bernice Ritch at (505) 743-3201. The next Cuchillo Pecan Festival will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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