Tri-City Tribune 06282013

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JUNE 28, 2013

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Freedom Days Celebration begins July 2, runs through July 7

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VOL. 3 NO. 39

‘Spice’ crackdown

Local smoke shops closed after drug bust DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune

hammed Asi, allegedly the owner of the shops. The local busts were part of a DEA nationwide crackdown on synthetic drugs, such as “spice,” which is what was allegedly found and removed from the smoke shops. “Spice” is a synthetic form of marijuana and is sold under a variety of different names. “These products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Despite “spice” being marketed as a “safe” legal alternative to marijuana, it is not legal in New Mexico, and the DEA “has designated the five active

An 18-month investigation by the Region II Narcotics Task Force came to a head Wednesday, June 26, when agents from the DEA, U.S. Marshall and local police searched several smoke shops and shut them down. “This investigation started with us and ended with them,” Region II Agent Jeff Browning said. Search warrants were executed shortly after 7 a.m. at the Rollet Smoke Shop, 1010 Highway 516, the Rollet Smoke Shop 2, 4276 Highway 64, UPN Smoke, 5645 Highway 64, and VIP Smokeshop, 4225 Highway 64. The Farmington Police SWAT Team also executed a A DEA agent leaves the Rollet Smoke Shop 2, at 4276 U.S. 64 in Kirtland, with two bags of evidence from a June 26 search warrant at the home of Mo- * drugs A15 search of the building. It is believed the bags contain “spice.” – Photo by Debra Mayeux

Burn restrictions updated

Drought spurs more restrictions prior to July 4th holiday LAUREN DUFF Tri-City Tribune The area is experiencing severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Because of this drought, the San Juan County, Farmington, Bloomfield, state and federal entities have adopted burn and fireworks restrictions to prevent wild fires. The State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Related Story Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division, A9 and the State Forester have placed a Stage 1 no-burn restriction on all non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands in the county. The Bureau of Land Management also has issued a Stage 1

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Campaign finance

Council agrees to follow state, federal guidelines DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune

included limiting contributions, public financing and reporting of campaign contributions. The issue originally was raised by Councilor Jason Sandel who said he would like to see “open, fair and free elections,” where individuals and, more particularly, newcomers would have a chance to get elected. He thought the

A campaign finance ordinance has not been finalized or approved by the Farmington City Council despite it being on the June 25 agenda for adoption. There were a number of questions involving the ordinance, which was drafted by City Attorney Jay Burnham. The questions

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Child found

Inside

Redwine remains recovered

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50¢

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Calendar.......................................A4 Editorial ........................................A6 Freedom Days..............................A9 Pawsitively Pets .........................A10 Pets of the Week ........................A11 PRCA Tracks..............................A12

New animal shelter

Council discusses cost overruns, additions to project budget DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune There really are no apples-toapples comparisons between the money spent to build a new animal shelter and the original project design in 2006, according to Farmington City Councilor Jason Sandel. Sandel said the Council was never given the opportunity to decide on how much money would be spent on the development of a shelter, nor were Councilors allowed to determine how a $500,000 donation would be used in the new facility. Sandel also pointed out that the building is $300,000 over budget. This came during a June 25 shelter presentation given to the Council by City Manager Rob Mayes, “I think we continue to show numbers in very deRelated Story ceptive kinds of ways,” Sandel said. A7 The presentation by Mayes showed the total amount of the building including an upgraded HVAC system and “Cadillac” cages for animals, paid for by The Pet Project, a non-profit organization

that raised money to assist with construction of a new shelter. The costs and payouts, according to Sandel, were manipulated to make it look like the building was on target. “There are a variety of shell games associated with these funds. At the end of the day I want it to be known that I take exception that when we knew this project was overbudget that this Council wasn’t consulted and we, unilaterally, as a city said we want The Pet Project to pay for cages,” he said, pointing out that the city is dipping into the contingency fund to pay for a $300,000 overage on

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Red Cross Real Heroes Sports.........................................A13 Real Estate.................................A17 Business.....................................A19 Classifieds..................................A20 Games........................................A22 Movie Listings ............................A23

Cutler recognized for service to community

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