Newscoveragea3 13 by Rory McClannahan

Swearing in

Leading off

Read to me

New municipal leaders are sworn into office

Bears kick off baseball season with optimism

Dogs and books at the Edgewood Library this weekend

NEWS ■ 3

SPORTS ■ 7

NEWS ■ 6

Mountain View

www.mvtelegraph.com

An edition of the

ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL

TELEGRAPH

Volume 11, Number 30

Serving the East Mountain and Estancia Valley areas

March 13, 2014

MESD to resubmit closure plan to PED Initial denial raises questions By Rory McClannahan Mountain View Telegraph

The Moriarty-Edgewood School District Board of Education voted 4-1 in a special meeting last Thursday night to resubmit a reorganization plan to the state Public Education Department that would lead to the district closing two

schools. A vocal crowd of more than 400 people turned out at the Moriarty High School Performing Arts Center to let the school board, and the PED, know that they supported the reorganization that would send sixth-grade students to middle school, and close Mountainview and Edgewood Elementary Schools. “I think we need to move on this and I don’t want to wait a single solitary day to do so,” said Board President Todd

McCarty. Board Member Audrey Jaramillo, who has called for slowing down the closure process since it was introduced in November, was the lone dissenting vote. The board voted at a Dec. 17 meeting to move forward with the reorganization and the district’s application was sent to the PED on Jan. 10. The school district’s enrollment has declined by more than 2,000 students since 1999 and faced a budget deficit of up to

$1.2 million for the 2014-2015 school year, district officials have said. All of the district’s cu r rent f ive elementa r y schools have whole wings of their buildings closed for lack of students. The district received a letter dated Feb. 25 stating the request had been denied due to a lack of community involvement, and questions of whether there was an educational benefit to the plan and whether the MoriartyEdgewood district truly faces

a financial crisis.

The process Superintendent Tom Sullivan opened the meeting Thursday with a narrative of the school district’s dealings with the PED since the Dec. 17 meeting. He stressed that he and his staff had attempted to work with department division heads and administrators to assure that the district’s application was given serious consideration. For instance, Sullivan said

he was told by PED officials that the district should “keep its application as simple as possible.” Despite that, Sullivan said rumors he was hearing from state education officials convinced him that MESD should send more information to supplement the application. Sullivan added that he and MESD administrators were in Santa Fe for the legislative session in early February See MESD on PAGE 2

Hopefuls file for primary

Torrance manager faces trial

June 3 voting sets Nov. ballot

Ansley, Valdez may get 46 years

Telegraph Staff Report

By Elise Kaplan

Tuesday was filing day for state and county elections. The primary election will be held June 3 to determine candidates for the Nov. 4 general election. Here is a list of the candidates who filed to run:

Journal Staff Writer

Torrance County SHERIFF: Incumbent Heath White will face Carlos Joseph Garcia in the Republican primary. PROBATE JUDGE: Incumbent Jim Summers will face Mary Ann C. Anaya and Martin Adan Lucero in the Republican primary. Viola Lueras Chavez is unopposed in the Democratic primary. MAGISTRATE COURT JUDGE: Mateo “Matthew” Page, who was appointed magistrate upon the retirement of Steve Jones, is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Gordon Bennett is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. A S S E S S O R : I ncu mb ent Republican Betty Cabber was the only candidate from either party to file for a run. COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1: Incumbent Lonnie Freyburger does not have an opponent for the Democratic primary. He will face either David Saline or former Commissioner James Frost, who will face each other in the Republican primary. COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2: Julia J.D. Ducharme is challenging incumbent Leanne Tapia in the Republican primary. The winner will face Aaron Ward in the general election. Ward is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

ELISE KAPLAN/TELEGRAPH

Senior Angelica Sanchez examines the dipstick, displaying her new knowledge about changing motor oil.

Expanding RESPECT O

Three new courses added to Estancia empowerment program By Elise Kaplan Mountain View Telegraph

Santa Fe County SHERIFF: Incumbent Sheriff Robert Garcia is running unopposed in the Democratic

Mechanic Troy Coburn shows senior Joshua Silva where to place a jack when changing a flat tire.

ver the past eight years, Janice Barela has adapted the RESPECT program to encompass many of the real world concerns of the high school students it educates. RESPECT, Reallife Education for Self Protection Empowering College-bound Teens, started by Barela, prepares seniors at Estancia High School for life outside of the rural community by teaching self-defense, first aid, defensive dating for girls, media literacy for boys and more. The program also incorporates a mock DWI arrest and hearing presided over by the Seventh Judicial District Court and State Police.

This year, Barela added three new courses to the program — automotive care maintenance, practical college student banking and 911 — what to do in an emergency. Barela said students insisted on the banking course even after she warned them it wouldn’t be fun. The course includes talk of balancing a budget, tips from Estancia alumni and advice on resisting peer pressure to spend more than you have. “Students from last year told me they wished they knew better how to manage their money,” she said. “I told them anytime you talk money it’s going to be boring, but they wanted to learn anyway.” The 911 course came about after Barela’s daughter Sharalynn got two See NEW on PAGE 2

See HOPEFULS on PAGE 6

Inside 5

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

See TORRANCE on PAGE 3

Tijeras Senior Center roiled by scapbook caper

CLASSIFIEDS

9-10

CROSSWORD

By Elise Kaplan

EDITORIALS

Mountain View Telegraph

OBITUARIES

SPORTS

WEATHER Temperatures are trending up, but there is still a chance for rain and snow this weekend.

Three months after their preliminary hearing, Torrance County manager Joy Ansley and contractor Christopher Valdez have an inkling of what their future holds, at least in the short run. On Wednesday, state District Court Judge Kenneth Martinez ruled there was probable cause to bring both defendants to cou r t on 10 felony charges leveled against them. Ansley and Va lde z w i l l be t r ied on fou r cou nt s ANSLEY: of fraud, one Accused of count of con- fraud with s p i r a c y t o contracts commit fraud, and five counts of making or permitting false public voucher. The fraud exceeds $20,000, making the charge a second degree felony. If convicted on all counts, the pair could be facing a maximum 46½ years in prison. Last March, the Attorney General’s Office concluded an investigation into four construction project contracts Valdez completed for the county between July 2007 and November 2008. The projects in question include the Torreon Fire Station, the Torreon playground, the Duran Fire Substation and the voting-machine storage building for Torrance County. The investigation was sparked by county resident Melody Everett’s allegations at a Torrance County Commission meeting in January 2012. Donald Jochem, the special agent in charge of the investigation, found Ansley alleged-

Floy Watson, 74, doesn’t deny she helped a friend take four scrapbooks and two craft books from the Tijeras Senior Center, or that she visited the center on March 6. But she does deny the acts constitutes larceny and trespassing. Doris Lark, 71, said she began making the scrapbooks in question about three years ago when she joined the senior center. Since then she said she has used her own money to add pictures and decals to the books displaying memories of birthdays, parties and other

events. Although she decided to leave the books at the center to avoid carrying them, she said she never intended to donate them permanently. At the start of the year many items went missing from the center, leading Lark to believe it would be wise to take the books home. When Lark and Watson removed the books they were charged with stealing. “Things had been disappearing from the center,” Lark said. “I thought I would take these home and when they find out who’s stealing I’ll bring them back.” In a letter, Tijeras Mayor

Gloria Chavez requested the pair return the scrapbooks to the Village Hall. When they did not reply, a follow-up letter stated they could not attend the senior center until the matter was resolved. Town Clerk Diane Klaus referred all questions to lawyer Wayne Bingham. Bingham would not comment on why the mayor believes the scrapbooks belong to the town and not to the woman who made them. In the incident report filed by a Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy, the value of the photo albums is listed as zero. “It’s up to the judge to decide now,” Bingham replied in

answer to all questions. The situation escalated when Watson ignored the letter and attended the center on March 6. She also said both she and Lark had visited the center two days earlier without consequence. Watson said she had not expected to be escorted off the premises by deputies. “I was playing Mexican train (a dominoes game) when the police cars parked in front,” Watson said. “Everyone joked ‘ha-ha Floy, they’re here to get you’ but then they came in and the officers said ‘Floy? Come with us please.’” The officers, in response to a

call from Klaus, escorted Watson off the property and told her she was not allowed back. Watson described the incident as humiliating and scary, adding that she feels close to a nervous breakdown. However, Watson said she will not back down. “As far as committing larceny you can’t steal your own property if it has not been given,” Watson said. “It (the senior center) isn’t a fun place anymore. There seems to be an awful lot like harassment and intimidation.” Lark and Watson sa id they have decided to sue the Village.

Mountain View Telegraph

Thursday, March 13, 2014

MESD to resubmit plan to PED from PAGE 1

and took the opportunity to ask the division heads for the PED if there were any problems with the district’s application. “What we heard was that no one had a problem and that recommendations from divisions had to be to Deputy Secretary (Paul) Aguilar by Feb. 21.,” Sullivan said. “We had asked from the beginning of this process that we be notified if there were problems with our application. We never heard a word.” Sullivan pointed out that the denial letter had been circulating around educat ion professiona ls i n the state and community members before anyone with the school district had heard of its existence. “I had started to wonder who had received the letter from PED other than myself and the district board president, whom the letter was addressed to,” Sullivan said. He added that PED officials also have required the Moriarty-Edgewood district to prepare three different “budget scenarios” within four weeks — the last two after the denial letter was sent — using three different funding schemes. Annual district budgets are usually put together after a PED budget conference every March in which school districts learn how much money the state will give them based on student population. With those numbers, district officials will meet with a budget committee comprised of school administration, teachers, parents and community members. The process usually takes at least three months. Each of the scenarios required in February by the PED show the district with a budget deficit for 2014-2015 ranging from about $900,000

RORY MCCLANNAHAN/TELEGRAPH

Olivia Marquez, a seventh-grader in the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, tells school board members about the importance of programs at her school during a special board meeting on March 6. to $1.6 million. “If that’s not a financial crisis, I don’t know what is,” Sullivan said. “I’d certainly like to see where the PED thinks we have this money coming in.” Since the denial letter from the PED, Sullivan said he has contacted Aguilar to set up a meeting to discuss Moriarty’s problems with the department’s division heads. “We have yet to hear back. I understand these people at PED are talking to people within our community but they can’t even find the courtesy to speak with the leadership of this district. I find that offensive,” Sullivan said.

Public comments After Sullivan’s report, the public was given the opportunity to speak, most in support of resubmitting the plan. It was clear as community members spoke that there was support from the crowd for the reorganization and anger at the PED. For the most part, speakers were

concerned about the financial consequences of moving forward without implementing the reorganization plan. Jaramillo said that she felt sorry for the crowd because there has never been talk about cutting programs and that such things are premature. “No one has said we are going to cut athletics or FFA or any other programs,” she said. Sullivan said he agreed that no one had been talking about cuts to extracurricular programs, but that people have rightfully assumed that’s what would happen. “We’ve been cutting programs for years,” he said. “I don’t see where else there would be to cut.” About 20 students from district schools got up to speak about the importance of extracurricular activities, saying that many students would leave the district if their activities are not preserved. There also was frustration among district staff mem-

bers. Moriarty Middle School Principal Rob Adams spoke for many — as evidenced by the loud cheering he received — when he said it was time for the district to stop meeting its budget obligations on the backs of students and staff. He pointed out that, in order for the district to have a balanced budget this year, all staff members were required to take a two-day furlough. In addition, the classroom materials budget was cut in half so many teachers are making up that difference with the help of parents. The reorganization will not only preserve programs, but also will help the district to reinstitute programs that have been cut in the past several years. “We want to achieve our highest potential; not achieving your highest potential unless I don’t agree with you; not achieving your highest potential if bus routes aren’t affected; not achieving your highest potential if portables aren’t used; not achieving your highest potential as long as it fits into our economic development plans; not achieving your highest potential and hopefully next year we will get some money. How many times have we heard that?” Adams said. Despite the overwhelming numbers, there were a few community members who spoke in opposition to closing the schools and resubmitting the reorganization plan. Ira Kusnetz asked the board to wait until hearing the PED’s concerns before making any further decisions. He added that, even if the district closes schools, it will still have a deficit. “I want to see why the state says we don’t have budget problems before moving forward,” Kusnetz said. “We need to know where we really stand.”

New courses expand RESPECT program from PAGE 1

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The Mountain View Telegraph is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving the East Mountains and Estancia Valley through the highest professional business and journalistic standards. The Mountain View Telegraph is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays – and online at mvtelegraph.com. Our office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are politically independent, and welcome community submissions from all points of view. The Mountain View Telegraph is a member of the East Mountain, Edgewood, Moriarty and Mountainair chambers of commerce, the New Mexico Press Association, the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and the National Newspaper Association. Our dedicated professional staff pours an enormous amount of creativity, passion and hard work into the creation of your community newspaper. But ultimately it is our ADVERTISERS who make the Mountain View Telegraph possible. So, please tell them you saw them in the Telegraph!

Telegraph Staff Report

Mountainair voters will go the polls once again on Tuesday to consider allowing the Mountainair School District to issue $3 million in bonds to start the process of building a new high school. The school, built in 1966, needs new plumbing and a new boiler and is terribly inefficient to heat and cool, with utilities costing about $8,000 a month. With repair expenses constantly popping up, the school district decided to hold a special school bond election. If approved, the $3 million bond means a $5.27 tax increase per $1,000 of assessed valuation of taxable property If the bond passes the district would be fully bonded, and the New Mexico Public

School Facilities Authority would most likely supplement local funding. According to a f lyer Mountainair Public Schools sent out, the schools would normally have to pay 65 percent of the cost. However, district officials say that the state would most likely step in to help pay the cost of a new school because the district will be at its bonding capacity. T he Mou nta ina i r H igh School is number 86 on the state list of priority projects, making it very likely to be approved. Typically the PSFA approves the first 100 projects, said Ron Hendrix, the Mountainair Public School District superintendant. If all goes according to plan, the district would have to start looking for an alternate building to house the 89 students currently attending the high school. Hendrix said it’s likely the district would replace the old building with a new building on the same lot.

Meetings Thursday

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MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION will hold a special meeting in the board meeting room, Moriarty High School, 7 p.m. 832-4471; mesd.us. ESTANCIA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION meets at 7 p.m., Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave. Town Clerk, 384-2709; http://townofestancia.com.

Monday EDGEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION meets at 6 p.m., Edgewood Community Center, 27 E. Frontage Rd. 2864518; edgewood-nm.gov. ESTANCIA TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES meets at 6:15 p.m., Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave. Town Clerk, 3842709; http://townofestancia. com. TIJERAS VILLAGE COUNCIL meets at 6 p.m., Tijeras Village Hall, 12 Camino Municipal. Call 281-1220; villageoftijerasnm.

Tuesday TORRANCE COUNTY FAIR BOARD meets at 7 p.m., fair building, Torrance County Fairgrounds, Estancia. 847-2585; torrancecountynm.org. EMW GAS ASSOCIATION board of directors meets at 7:30 p.m., board room, 416 5th St., Estancia. 384-2369; emwgas.com. MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION meets in the board meeting room at Moriarty High School; a work session starts at 6 p.m., followed by the regular session at 7 p.m. 832-4471; mesd.us. MORIARTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION meets at 7 p.m., Moriarty Civic Center. 832-4406; cityofmoriarty.org. MOUNTAINAIR TOWN COUNCIL meets at 6 p.m., Dr. Saul Community Center. 847-2321; mountainairnm.gov.

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ELISE KAPLAN/TELEGRAPH

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flat tires while driving on the interstate and struggled to describe her location to her parents. “She called us and when we asked where she was she said I-40,” Barela said. “We drove up and down where we thought she’d be on I-40 and couldn’t find her. Then she told us actually she was on I-25.” Dorothy Rivera, a 911 director, taught the students how to call for help and how to identify where they are located, and participants listened to real-life emergency calls as examples. RESPECT has now spread to many schools throughout the state, each one differing slightly in skill sets taught to the students. However, Barela said, she insists all programs include a portion on selfdefense for girls since protection originally inspired her to start the program. “Especially coming from a small town, we have to teach the girls how to be aware of their surroundings in other environments,” Barela said. “It keeps them from being vulnerable if you always have that awareness in the back of your mind.” Senior Angelica Sanchez said she plans to move to Albuquerque after graduation and attend Central New Mexico Community College. Although she said she learned a lot from the automotive care

course, she really enjoyed the self-defense training. “They told us to always survive,” she explained. “It’s really empowering for women. The training is a couple days long — longer than it is for boys — since it’s a priority for us.” As the program grows, Barela said she could not have sustained it without the help of all the volunteers. “We have complete buy-in from the community,” she said. “They’re the ones that know the kids and care about them. There’s no way in the world I could have done this all by myself.” Barela said she hopes the c om mu n it y i nvolvement means the program could continue independently of her for all students of the future. She said she has heard from many graduates who teach their skills to new college friends, as well as from current students, like Sanchez, who said they feel more comfortable in many ways. “They’ve definitely taught us a lot,” Sanchez said. “All this will be useful whenever we become adults.”

School bond election set for Mountainair

Bernalillo County Business Summit

Thursday, March 13, 2014 3

Mountain View Telegraph

Torrance manager to be tried on fraud charges from PAGE 1

ly approved multiple change orders for Valdez, adding up to a total of $470,175. In each project, change orders were approved to pay for details that should have been included in the contract bid, according to Everett’s testimony during the preliminary hearing. In one instance, involving the construction of a voting machine storage building for the county, Valdez submitted a change order for dirt work and compaction, adding $30,000 to the $23,000 contract.

In other instances the cost of materials was grossly inflated above the standard price. In addition to questionable change orders, Jochem reported he found Ansley awarded Valdez contracts without following the proper bidding process. For example, work done on the Duran Fire Substation functioned as a piggyback to the Torreon Fire Station, even though the contract added up to $76,749 and occurred in a town 70 miles away from the original site. The Attorney General’s Office maintained Valdez

had preferential access to the contracts and little oversight due to a personal romantic relationship with Ansley. A friend and an employee of Ansley’s supported these claims. Jessica Miller, who previously worked for the Torrance County sheriff, testified Ansley told her she had had a relationship with Valdez but Miller did not know when it occurred. Hannah Brazfield, Ansley’s clerical assistant, testified she saw Valdez visit Ansley two to three times a week for over an hour with the door closed. No other vendor

with the county had the same level of access. Following the testimony heard at the preliminary hearing in November, Torrance County commissioners continued to support Ansley and county operations continued as usual. However, last Monday, Camille Cordova, a lawyer working for the defendant, said Ansley was frustrated with the delay after the preliminary hearing due to a desire to clear her name and put the case behind her. Cordova mentioned Ansley was considering filing a law-

suit against Jochem after he testified he did not find any indisputable evidence of fraud in the investigation. Cordova did not return calls requesting additional comment on the ruling. Jochem recently retired, said Lynn Southard, deputy director of communications for the Attorney General’s Office. Martinez’s secretary, Connie McGarvey, said the judge had been delayed in issuing a ruling after the preliminary hearing due to a heavy work-

load with another trial he was presiding over. “Every day from eight to five for six and a half weeks he was in court,” McGarvey explained. “As soon as he got his wits together he started working on Joy Ansley’s case. When he was hearing the (Ronald) Santiago trial he didn’t have any room for breathing, and he wanted to be able to concentrate fully.” Southard said a trial has not yet been scheduled but she expects an arraignment in the near future.

2 new members join Moriarty council

he municipal election in Moriarty saw voters choose two new members to the Moriarty City Council. Last Friday, those new councilors — plus Mayor Ted Hart, who was unopposed in the election — were sworn into office. Larry Gallant and Kimberly Garcia will each serve four years on the council.

Estancia Trustee Sylvia Chavez takes the oath of office from Judge Steve Jones while Chavez’s parents Nestora and Sam Chavez hold a Bible.

Retired Judge Steve Jones, left, gives the oath of office to new Estancia Mayor Ted Helsley while his wife DaKota Helsley holds a Bible.

RORY MCCLANNAHAN/TELEGRAPH

Moriarty Municipal Judge Dorothy Encinias, left, administers the oath of office to newly elected council member Larry Gallant, while his wife, Misty Gallant, holds a Bible. Estancia Trustee Cory Dryden takes the oath of office from Judge Steve Jones while his wife, Brenda Dryden, holds a Bible.

RORY MCCLANNAHAN/TELEGRAPH

Judge Steve Jones gives the oath of office to new Estancia Trustee Morrow Hall while Judith Tamm holds a Bible.

CAKE, PUNCH & O OATH OF OFFICE

nly in a representative democracy will you have cake and punch after a transition of power. On Monday, Estancia’s new mayor and three town trustees were sworn into office. Ted Helsley takes over as mayor from Sylvia Chavez, who will serve on the Board of Trustee with newly elected members Cory Dryden and Morrow Hall.

Buy it, sell it, give it a w a y.

Newly elected council member Kimberly Garcia, center, takes the oath of office administered by Moriarty Municipal Judge Dorothy Encinias, while her husband, Bobby Garcia, looks on.

News in Brief EMS debaters advance to finals Three members of the East Mountain High School Speech and Debate team — Hallie Brown, Jessi Green and Quinter Nyland — have advanced to the finals in the International Public Policy Forum. The IPPF is an international debate competition sponsored by Brickel & Brewer and NYU in New York City. By making it to the “Elite Eight” round of competition, the East Mountain High School team members have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the IPPF Finals from April 11 to 13. There, East Mountain will compete for $10,000 and the right to be named the World Champion. More than 226 teams from 28 countries and 37 states originally entered the International Public Policy Forum. Through an essaywriting competition, these teams were narrowed down to the Elite Eight, including East Mountain High School. These students now have an opportunity to showcase their advocacy skills during a single-elimination, oral debate competition in New York City to determine who wins one of the most coveted titles in debate — IPPF World Champion. This year, East Mountain is one of five American schools represented in the IPPF Elite Eight. East Mountain will compete against three international schools from Taiwan, Singapore and Slovakia in the finals. The upcoming IPPF Finals focus on oral advocacy as opposed to written debate. The IPPF semifinals and final debate will be broadcast live from New York City at www.bickelbrewer.com/

ippf on Saturday, April 12. The final debate takes place at 8:15 a.m. and viewers can vote for the winning school. Learn more at www. ippfdebate.com/

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Opinion

Mountain View Telegraph

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Editorials

Tax reform bait for some big fish New Mexico is casting a better line into the business fishing hole, and some whoppers are eyeing the bait. The waters for business and industry improved when a comprehensive tax reform package was approved in the final minutes of the 2013 legislative session. Changes that reward rather than penalize New Mexico-based manufacturers, a lower corporate income tax and new rules to lower the effective tax rate on some businesses, when combined with tax credits, have put New Mexico in a strong position of having the lowest effective manufacturing tax rate in the region— 3.3 percent — according to a New Mexico Tax Research Institute study. Now, New Mexico is on the short list for Tesla Motors’ $5 billion battery “gigafactory” that could bring about 6,500 jobs to the state. A California-based equity analyst thinks New Mexico can land this deal if it offers a competitive incentives package. Also last week, rumors were flying nationally about the possibility of Facebook snapping up Titan Aerospace so it can use the solar-powered drones Titan produces in Moriarty to spread the Internet to hard to reach places across the world. The drones reportedly can stay aloft for up to five years over areas that need connectivity, greatly reducing the cost of using satellite service. It’s yet to be seen if this $60 million fish is hooked, but it can’t hurt that a New Mexico company and the social media behemoth are linked in the national conversation. The same goes true for Tesla’s announced interest in New Mexico. In addition to New Mexico’s two national laboratories, the area is becoming a fertile fishing ground for hightech research and entrepreneurship.

Cooperation not on the PED curriculum At the special meeting last Thursday of the MoriartyEdgewood School District Board of Education, the board voted to resubmit a reorganization plan to the state Public Education Department that, if approved, would close two elementary schools and move sixth-grade students into middle school. This is no surprise. Four of the board members have said publicly they feel there is no other way to address the district’s looming financial problems. What was surprising was that an auditorium of more than 400 people applauded that vote. A school board voting to close schools isn’t supposed to get cheers. And yet, that is exactly what happened. Of course, not everyone is cheering the board’s decision. There are some who feel that the board is moving too quickly to shut Edgewood Elementary School and Mountainview Elementary School. Mostly, though, the concern is about Edgewood Elementary. When the MESD board voted on Dec. 17 to close the schools and submit a reorganization plan to the PED, there was confidence that the state department would go along with the district’s duly elected board. That wasn’t the case, though, and finding answers as to why is turning out to be a difficult task. Since Feb. 26, when the PED informed the district that it could not reorganize because, according to the letter from the PED, the district had not got enough public input and had not proved the educational benefit nor the financial crisis sufficiently, the district has been asking the department “why” but has not gotten a response. The school district, the people who pay their taxes to support the district and the children who attend schools in the district all deserve a Public Education Department that works cooperatively not just with the MoriartyEdgewood School District, but every district in the state. The more the PED stonewalls Estancia Valley parents, the more suspicions will be raised about the true nature of this state bureaucracy.

Passing the Oscar gold on ... By Stephan Helgesen For the Telegraph

I saw my last Academy Awards ceremony at the home of a friend and in the form of a party. Forty of us gathered around the big screens to watch a bunch of whippersnappers hijack an event that used to be pretty classy. After enduring a few minutes of a folksy Leprechaunish hostess whose patter left me flat, I mentally tuned out. Believe me, this was difficult as I was sitting between TWO f lat screen TVs with Sonic Boombrand speakers cranked up to Apocalypse Now levels. Somehow I managed it. When I tuned back in, it was in time to experience the socalled interval entertainment (acts that served as segues to the next Oscar presentation). Only one word comes to mind to describe these bizarre offerings which included my absolute all-time favorite, rap music. Unfortunately, I cannot use that word here. Suffice it to say, off-key singing and screaming women climbing the upper range of the fourth octave might have been OK for Yma Sumac, but she stuck to piano and didn’t attempt DOUBLE FORTE! The hostess’s petty bourgeoisie folksiness proved to me that the Academy of

Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ intent was turning a once grand gala into a people’s event — in this case, one where the 1 percent pretended to be the 99 percent. All that was missing was self-flagellation as penance for their wealth, but that would have been difficult because few could manage a head-turn with all that plastic packed into their facial muscles. Dante’s Inferno it wasn’t, but it was bad enough for someone like me who’s already grieving for the loss of quality in other aspects of our lives. I guess the pizza de résistance was when the hostess brought in ... you guessed it, pizza pies. At that point, I was hoping there was NOT a hereafter, fearing that Sir Laurence Olivier, Lionel Barrymore or Oscar-winners of bygone days would hurl thunderbolts down on the glitterati

before they got a chance to sink their pearly whites into the mozzarella. You can probably hear that I have officially crossed over the Rubicon, that invisible line of demarcation that separates the demographically relevant from the terminally codger. I now proudly take my place among the ranks of older American men who don’t have ponytails, wear diamond earrings, sport tattoos, think 70 is the new 50 or only shop at Whole Foods. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but before I go ... I am grateful to have been part of the greatest generation of spectators who watched Hollywood’s most debonair actors and actresses from afar because that’s really where we wanted them all along — at a distance. We wanted them a bit aloof, perennially magical and larger than life. We all knew it was make-believe and fantasy. The attempt at the nouveau Oscars was like watching open-heart surgery on a loved one. Nothing explodes a myth like a magnifying glass, and we’ve now gotten way too close to the sausage-making with the Oscars. It is no longer magical but mundane. Despite that, we should all

feel blessed that we have been touched by hundreds of wonderful films of years past, and while it may sound like I’m sad, I don’t mourn ceding the field (or the Academy Awards ceremony) to the younger generation. Sooner or later they, too, will tire of listening to lyrics and melodies that go nowhere and of applauding enthusiastically at second-rate performers for fear of being ostracized by their peers. They will also grow weary of the constant struggle for coolness AND attending future artificially extravagant evenings where all they will feel is uncomfortable wearing grown-up clothes. Getting older and realizing that one’s values aren’t valued is a bitter pill to swallow, but we shouldn’t be masochistic about it. Putting ourselves into situations where we’re bound to be disappointed is nothing but destructive. That’s why I have bid the Oscars adieu. They’re going to have to get along without this curmudgeon next year.

runs the village of Tijeras. JOSEPH HOLLAND Outraged Member of the Tijeras Senior Center

solvency. It is very clear to us that without this plan to repurpose two schools we face a shortfall so great that next on the ever-growing list of cuts we’ve already made will be to middle and high school sports, extracurricular activities, electives and important supports for our most vulnerable children. Class sizes will be even bigger than they are now, and we will continue to have only one teacher per grade level in several of our elementary schools. If this plan isn’t implemented as proposed, the potential for a low cash balance affecting the district’s ability to pay summer checks in 2015 will be very real. I served on the districtlevel committee tasked with a very tough job. For days I sat with some of the most dedicated educators and staff members from every school in our district. We put in over 650 man-hours poring over documents, reviewing the historical budget, enrollment and capacity data. We had no agendas, we debated, and we spoke passionately for students. We were motivated by one idea: ALL students in the MESD district deserve the gold standard of curriculum, programs, teachers, support staff and facilities. Every discussion or proposal was taken to its furthest conclusion, all the while keeping in mind the greatest good. We ran through EVERY possible scenario before considering the obvious decision. This decision wasn’t made lightly.

Stephan Helgesen is a former U.S. diplomat and regular contributor to the Telegraph. He writes from his mountain retreat in Tijeras. He can be reached at stephanhelgesen@gmail. com.

Letters Critics of mayor may face reprisals WITH ALL THE CONTROVERSY CONCERNING the scrap books and trespassing at the Tijeras Senior Center, I felt it my duty to tell another some more incidents that show Mayor Gloria Chavez’s continuous intimidating treatment of the center’s members. Early last summer Mayor Chavez started semi-regular meetings with the center members. During the first meeting it was brought up that we wanted the money we had raised over the years put into our own bank account. Currently that money was put into the village’s account and we had to go through the village to access our funds. This was complicated and took too long. She said she would look into the matter. The next meeting came about a month or so later. The first item we brought up was the issue of our money. The mayor started saying she talked to a lawyer and he recommended to not do so for various odd reasons. That’s when the meeting got very heated as many people got extremely vocal and accused her of treating us like children who couldn’t even run their own bank account. I personally stood up and told her that Wells Fargo generously agreed to let us use their facilities. The arguing kept on for at least 15 minutes. Finally, a visibly upset mayor almost shouting said, “Fine, you can have your money, the check will

be ready tomorrow.” The following afternoon I received a very strange phone call from Wells Fargo. She told me someone from the mayor’s office called with a very odd conversation. She didn’t tell me the conversation verbatim, but the gist of the call was the mayor did not want them to allow us an account! She questioned me on the money we were planing on depositing and I assured her it was money we had raised and we had every right to control it ourself. We now have our money in a Wells Fargo checking account for easy access and a control group of three manage the account. There were five people at that meeting that were very vocal on this issue of the money. Two of them were Doris and Floy and now they are not allowed in the senior center. The third was Polly. Recently the mayor’s office contacted her and told her she could not have someone living in an RV on their property (some obscure ordinance). This arrangement had been ongoing for quite a while as they wanted someone to watch their property when they traveled. The fourth was Connie, she had been picked up by the center van for over a year to come every day. Suddenly, late last summer she was told her home was too far and they could no longer pick her up. So four out the five people who publicly and vocally opposed the mayor over this money issue have had problems with the mayor since that meeting. Is this just a

coincidence or is it Mayor Chavez getting even. Oh, I almost forgot, that fifth person was myself. Why do I feel that the clock is ticking and I should keep an eye over my shoulder. WILLIAM GOSSAGE Tijeras

Mayor of Tijeras mistreats seniors VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AT THE TIJERAS SENIOR CENTER showed two members (Doris and Floy) taking scrap books out of the building. They did so because recently many items have gone missing and she didn’t want her scrap books to be stolen. These scrap books were paid for by Doris and all photos and items in the scrap books were paid for by her as well. She did this because she wanted to show the history of the center to new members and the good times that have been had there. She never donated these scrap books to the center, but left them there rather then bring them in every visit as her health problems make it difficult to carry heavy loads. Both women received letters in the mail from a village lawyer accusing them of removing village property from the center. It further went on to state the property must be returned within 10 days. After that 10 days both women had letters taped to the gates of their homes. These letters were from Mayor Chavez and stated that since they had not returned said property

their participation privileges are revoked and they are no longer allowed on the center property. Floy and Doris both came into the center last Tuesday to work on crafts. Nothing was said to them and they were left alone. On Thursday, Floy came in to play dominoes at 10 a.m. Once lunch was over and most of the attendees had left is when they struck. Two sheriff’s deputies approached Floy and told her if she did not leave they would arrest her for trespassing! The humiliation and tears in her eyes while being escorted off property was the one of the worst things I have ever witnessed. Question, why weren’t they removed on Tuesday? I think it’s because that was council election day! The treatment of these women by Mayor Chavez is OUTRAGEOUS! Why is it that it seems Mayor Chavez treats the center as her personal kingdom. Why was she even involved? Why wasn’t the center’s director the person looking into “supposedly” stolen items? On a final note, when Floy told the sheriffs the scrap books and contents belonged to Doris their reply was a judge will be determining ownership. They assume now that they will be receiving a subpoena to appear before a judge even though they were never arrested or formally accused of a crime. So until then, they are not allowed at the center or they will be arrested for trespassing! Guilty until proven innocent is how Mayor Chavez

Closing 2 schools was right decision I LEARNED A VERY IMPORTANT LESSON THIS WEEK about using my voice. Most of us in this community thought the request to repurpose two of our schools would be approved. Never in my wildest dreams, after all the hard work, documentation and factual evidence did I think a minority of voices would be able to shut down a tough but necessary step in strengthening our district. They were smart. A small group used their voices, and the majority didn’t. Those of us who agreed with the necessity of closing two schools remained silent in our assumption that the facts would speak for themselves and that any reasonable person would see the inevitable, but we were wrong. That’s over. Those in agreement with the district’s approved plan will be speaking out now. We spoke out loudly and clearly at Thursday night’s school board meeting. We have a Facebook group, MoriartyEdgewood Students First, made up of parents, teachers, and stellar former and present students that in less than a week gained 453 members. And that’s only a fraction of the support for the MESD superintendent’s and school board’s application for

See LETTERS on PAGE 5

Thursday, March 13, 2014 5

Mountain View Telegraph

Letters from PAGE 4

There were tears, there were strong opinions, but in the end it was a decision made by professionals, community members, educators, staff and parents who only want the best for the future of MESD. So now we speak. We support locally-controlled districts that benefit the entire community. We support fiscal responsibility. We support our superintendent, Tom Sullivan, who finally had the guts to tell us the truth and stand up to a vocal minority. We support decisions made based on facts and not back-door political agendas. We support democracy. We support all our families and students, not enclaves. We support, without reservation, our school district’s plan to repurpose two schools for the educational and economic future of our community. We demand that our legislators, governor and NM PED listen to the majority and approve our proposal. A proud 20-year veteran educator, parent and community member of the MoriartyEdgewood School District, DR. LISA HARRIS Moriarty Students from South Mountain Elementary sent letters to the Telegraph about the financial issues at the MoriartyEdgewood School District.

Save money by closing schools MOST EVERYONE IS WONDERING about the closing of the schools. Are we closing Edgewood Elementary and Mountainview or not? I’m Jocelyn Jones, I am in sixth grade. I think they should close the schools because if they don’t we will have less teachers which means more kids in a classroom, which will lead to worse learning, kids not getting what they need to understand! Which will lead to lower testing grades! Also, I am going to middle school next year and I am very concerned. If they don’t close the schools they will cut athletics and other activities out of school! If they do close the schools it could help pay for uniforms!! Those two schools have lost about half of the students they once had! Which means they are paying for not that many kids in a HUGE school! I mean they have a whole building for a library, THEY DONT EVEN USE!! Which is wasting a BUNCH of money! If you were going to close

the schools then why didn’t you close them before? And you will have sad/mad students… you don’t want that do you? Those are the reasons that I think they should close the schools. Thank you for giving me your time. JOCELYN J.

Around the Community Compiled from Telegraph staff reports

THIS WEEKEND

Closure benefits 9588. outweigh the cons Tijeras to host arts and crafts fair Book sale to help I AM WRITING TO TALK ABOUT THE An arts and crafts fair will RECENT NEWS being given literacy program be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 to our school district. Recent news has been given that two schools (Mountainview and Edgewood) are being shut down. There are pros and cons to this decision made by the school board. The main reason I am writing this is because I want this motion to be carried. Here are the Pros: Even though I will not be here for the seven and up grades, I still think that these schools will have excellent behavior improvements because of more students. I also think a pro is that we have more kids for organized groups and electives (such as drama club and sports.) These schools closing means more budget money, which will lead us to uniforms for sports, instruments for band, and such things that school electives and groups need that our budget will not cover. Here are some Cons: Some of you may have heard of many kids in the middle schools, which all of us will be going to soon. I fear that because of the many kids, there will be serious problems in the schools. Another problem is that since two schools are closing, that means it is less room for students, and more grades that teachers have to fill. So I think the things charted above will happen. HAIDEN PEDERSON

Community center should be priority I AM A SIXTH GRADER AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY. I think closing Edgewood Elementary and Mountainview and moving the sixth graders to middle school is a good idea because we would have more buildings for more community activities. We could have a community athletic center for more kids to get active and exercise. We could have a community center to earn more money for our town and See LETTERS on PAGE 11

p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Jo’s Chameleon Cafe, 5 Kuhn Drive in Tijeras. The cafe will serve a breakfast buffet during the fair. Booth space is available for all artists and crafters. For more information, call Brandy Cunningham at 286-

A book sale to benefit Read “Write” Adult Literacy Program will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Read “Write” location just north of the Moriarty Civic Center. Books can be had for $2 per bag.

COMING UP Moriarty Chamber banquet March 21 The annual Moriarty Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held March 21 at Moriarty Civic Center starting at 6 p.m. The evening will include a steak dinner, a raffle and music. Tickets are $300 for a table of 8, $75 for a couple and $40 for a single. For tickets, call Debbie at 832-4087 or stop by Shorty’s BBQ or US Bank.

Moriarty High choir fundraiser The Moriarty High School Messengers — the school’s show choir — is having a fundraising dinner on March 22 at the Moriarty Civic Center at 7 p.m. There will be live entertainment and the Messengers will perform. In addition, there will be a silent auction of items donated from the community and some of our sponsors. The event is a way to raise money to send the choir on a trip to New York City for the opportunity to perform at the Lincoln Center in May. Tickets are $15 per person and $25 for couples, and are available at the door or from any Messengers member.

Month-long ‘Spirit of the Horse’ show In celebration of the

Chinese Year of the Horse, the New Mexico Art League will host a show entitled “Spirit of the Horse.” The show will run from March 22 to April 25. Proceeds from the sale of selected works will benefit Walkin N Circles Ranch in Edgewood. A reception will be held March 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests of honor will include a couple of the ranch’s horses, which will serve as artist models. The New Mexico Art League gallery is located at 3409 Juan Tabo NE in Albuquerque. For more information, call 293-5034 or go online to newmexicoartleague.org.

March 20 job fair seeks caregivers Heritage Home Healthcare and Hospice and the New Mexico Workforce Connection will hold a job fair on March 20 at the Workforce Connection office in Moriarty. Heritage is looking for caregivers who would help clients with housekeeping, grocery shopping and errands, meal planning and preparation, and assist with grooming and hygiene. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the office located at 777 Old Route 66 in Moriarty. Call 505-366-2180 for more information or to apply for a job before the fair.

MILESTONES Two place in math, spelling events Holy Child Catholic School Students Joseph Grogan and Abby Valdez recently placed in Regional Academic Competitions. Grogan placed 16th, making it onto the stage for the prestigious Countdown Round at the Regional MATHCOUNTS competition on Feb. 15 at Albuquerque Academy. MATHCOUNTS is a 30-year-old nationwide competition aimed at developing not only advanced mathematical skills in middle school students, but also GROGAN promoting powerful problem-solving abilities, and preparing young minds for mathematical, scientific and technical careers. Joseph qualified for the state competition on March 8. Abby Valdez came in fourth place in the Private and Parochial School Scripps Spelling Bee in Albuquerque. VALDEZ The Scripps Spelling Bee is a national competition.

Moriarty High junior heads to D.C. Haley Hamblin of Edgewood has been chosen to participate in the 52nd annual United States Senate Youth Program that will be held March 8-15 in Washington, D.C. Hamblin will be one of two delegates to represent New Mexico at the event. She is one of 104 delegates from across the country. The USSYP was created in 1962, and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. The program was started to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the importance of democratic decisionmaking. Hamblin will participate in an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it.

In addition to the program, The Hearst Foundations provide each of the 104 student delegates with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations. Hamblin attends Moriarty High School and serves as the junior class vice president. She has been and is currently involved in many leadership positions at HAMBLIN Moriarty High. Her leadership roles have included National History Day, freshman and sophomore class president, junior class vice president, and the Moriarty FFA chapter parliamentarian and chapter reporter. She is a National Honor Society member and received the United States Presidential Award in both sixth and eighth grades. Hallie Brown, a resident of Edgewood who attends East Mountain High School, was chosen as an alternate in the program. The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals.

Los Lunas High grad completes training Army National Guard Pvt. Matthew R. Minge has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. Minge is the son of Dolores Sanchez of Los Lunas and Stan Minge of Moriarty. He is a 2009 graduate of Los Lunas High School.

Crossword

The Middletons

ACROSS 1 Pizza Quick sauce brand 5 Boxer’s weapon 9 Frankly declare 13 Parade instrument 14 “The Andy Griffith Show” tyke 15 Olin of “The Reader” 16 Cheers for a torero 17 Like a blue moon 18 Overcast, in London 19 Animation pioneer 22 Too scrupulous for 24 Peasant dress

Sudoku

27 Warren Harding’s successor 32 Jacuzzi effect 33 50+ group 34 Score after deuce 35 Line on a map 37 1999, 2000 and 2001 Best Actor nominee (he won once) 43 Japanese fish dish 44 Battery post 46 “Dear” one? 47 __ qua non 51 Duds 52 Cry of pain 53 Eat too much of, briefly 54 Poems of praise

Last week’s solution

Mountain View telegraph MVtelegraph.coM

55 Company’s main activity, and a hint to a different three-letter abbreviation hidden in 19-, 27- and 37-Across

Mountain View telegraph cedar crest tijeras Mountainair

38 Places to plug in mice

6 High-tech release of 2010

39 More reserved

49 Like much metered parking

40 En pointe

50 Head-scratcher

7 Voice-activated app for 6-Down

41 Place to store cords

56 Columnist Bombeck

42 Beats by a whisker

57 Country singer McCoy

8 Football supporters

43 For instance

58 SFO overseer

9 African country that was a French colony

45 Slalom curve

61 Hesitant sounds

10 “Well, that’s weird”

48 Words accompanying a shrug

11 With 12-Down, sign with an arrow 20 Island ring 21 Patriots’ org.

59 Bridge player’s blunder

22 Serving success

60 Work on a garden row

23 Horrible

62 Garden pest

25 Modern film effects, briefly

63 Low points on graphs

26 Understanding

65 Billboard fillers

28 __ the Great: boy detective

66 Lacking a musical key 67 Souse’s woe

29 Rob Reiner’s dad

DOWN 1 Frat letter 2 Longtime ISP 3 Got tiresome 4 Not in the know

47 “Fine”

12 See 11-Down

58 Coyote’s coat

64 Benelux locale: Abbr.

Moriarty edgewood estancia sandia park

5 Old West defense

30 Hershiser of ESPN 31 Oil bloc 35 FICA benefit 36 La-la lead-in 37 Ruddy, as a complexion

Last week’s solution

Mountain View Telegraph

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Dogs make great listeners

TROTTING IN FOR A TREAT

Program lets kids practice reading without shame

■■

By Elise Kaplan Mountain View Telegraph

Sometimes all that is needed is a helping paw. The Edgewood Community Library will hold its Pawsitively Love Reading Program this Saturday to encourage confidence in children learning to read. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The library debuted the program last month as a collaborative effort with Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers, a nonprofit organization composed of volunteers and therapy dogs. “The research is basically saying that children are more at ease being able to read to therapy dogs because they’re not a judgemental audience and not reminding them or correcting the words,” said librarian Andrea Corvin. “They’re learning to hone their literacy skills, and social and communication skills by feeling the love coming from the dogs.” The dogs, which Corvin describes as “furry dogooders,” attend the library along with their handlers and each child gets a turn to read privately. Libraries throughout the country have adopted the idea after a study conducted by Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found “students who read to the dogs experienced a slight gain in their reading ability and improvement in their attitudes toward reading ...

COURTESY OF ANDREA CORVIN

A young reader poses with Drake, a therapy dog, after reading aloud to him during the Pawsitively Love Reading event at the Edgewood library in February. while those who read to people experienced a decrease on both measures.” The study also found that of the two groups, students reading to people were significantly more likely to drop out of the program than those reading to dogs. Corvin said she heard about the program a while ago but this is the first time she has been successful in bringing it to Edgewood. “We’ve heard really good things about the different programs that libraries offer throughout the nation,” she said. “It was a big hit with Albuquerque Bernalillo County libraries.” Nine children, ranging from toddlers to elementary age children, attended last month’s event, which Corvin said was warmly received. Although the event is typically attended by children,

Corvin added, it is open to and could benefit anyone. “We did get some positive feedback,” she added. “There has been a lot of interest in having a read to the dogs program here. We’re happy to have this program so close to home. Some of the parents said they were kind of surprised there weren’t as many children, but we’re hoping once word gets out there it’ll grow.” If hanging out with a dog isn’t enough of an incentive, the library offers a reward to children who complete multiple reading sessions. “We give out bookmarks so the kids can keep track of how many times they read to the dog,” Corvin explained. “Once they fill up the bookmark with stickers they get to go pick up a book that had been donated by a very generous and thoughtful person.”

Lisa Westfall and Loeta Calhoun took advantage of the nice weather last week and rode their horses to Sonic Drive-In in Edgewood. Many businesses in Edgewood are horsefriendly, providing hitching posts for patrons to “park.”

Mountain View telegraph Moriarty edgewood estancia sandia park cedar crest tijeras Mountainair

Hopefuls file for primary from PAGE 1

primary. ASSESSOR: Gus Martinez, Sef I. Valdez and Phillip M. Pacheco will square off in the Democratic primary to serve as assessor. Current Assessor Domingo P. Martinez is finishing out his second term and is not allowed to run. No Republicans filed to run. PROBATE JUDGE: Shannon Broderick Bulman and Frank A. Fischer will face each other in the Democratic primary in order to replace current Judge Mark A. Basham. No Republican filed to run. MAGISTRATE, DIVISION 1: Democrat David A Segura is running unopposed. MAGISTRATE, DIVISION 2: Democrat George Anaya is running unopposed. MAGISTRATE, DIVISION 3: Donna M. Bevacqua-Young and Donita O. Sena will face each other in the Democratic primary. No Republicans filed to run. MAGISTRATE, DIVISION 4: Democrat Marcus M. Romero is running unopposed. COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3: Incumbent Robert Anaya faces Camilla M. Bustamante in the Democratic primary.

mary, but will face John M. Wallace, the only Democrat to file, in the general election. DISTRICT 50: Vickie Perea, who was appointed to the position upon the death of Rep. Stephen Easley last year, has no opponent in the Republican

primary. Matthew McQueen is the only Democratic candidate for the position. DISTRICT 70 : Incumbent Tomas E. Salazar will face Richard D. Vigil in the Democratic primary. No Republican filed to run.

THE CURE FOR THE COMMON QUESTION. HEALTH CARE GUIDES AND INSURANCE AGENTS ARE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. The world of health insurance can be confusing. Good thing hundreds of knowledgeable Insurance Agents and specially trained and certified Health Care Guides are here to help. Located throughout the state, these Agents and Guides are available to answer your questions, determine what tax credits you can get, help you fill out paperwork and get you enrolled. To schedule a free and confidential meeting near you, call 1-855-996-6449 or visit BeWellNM.com.

Bernalillo County SHERIFF: Incumbent Sheriff Dan Houston will face James Scott Baird and Jason K. Nufer in the Republican primary. Democrats Sylvester Stanley and Manuel Gonzales will face each other in the June primary. A S S E S S O R : D e m o c r at incumbent Tanya R. Giddings will face Jerry Larranaga and Francisco A. Apodaca in the primary. The winner will face George E. Torres, the only Republican to file, in the general election. PROBATE JUDGE : Willow Misty Parks faces Dominic Levi Lafayette in the Democratic primary. No Republican candidate filed. COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5: Incumbent Wayne Johnson will face John N. Madrid in the Republican primary. Michael Malloy is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

State Representative DISTRICT 22 : Incumbent James Smith faces no opposition in the Republican pri-

ad-visor 8 2 3 - 7 1 0 0

BeWellNM.com | 1-855-99-NMHIX

Church Service First Baptist Church Tijeras 11820 Hwy. 337 Rod Compton, Pastor

Sunday

Bible Study – 9:30 AM Worship – 10:50 AM

Wednesday

Worship – 6:30 PM

First Steps Child Care 6:30 AM – 6 PM

Directory prince of peace lutheran church

and school pre-school - 8th grades Sunday Worship 9:00 am Adult Bible Study & Children’s Sunday School 10:30 am 281-2430

Mountainside United Methodist Church 4 Penny Lane, Cedar Crest

Sunday Services

9:00am Worship 10:15am Sunday School 11:00am Contemporary Service

281-5117 • www.mountainsidemethodist.org

Estancia Valley Catholic Parish Saints Peter and Paul

San Antonio

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

101and S. Joseph, Ninth, Estancia 9th Estancia

85 Hwy. 344, Edgewood

8566 Hwy. 55, Tajique

215 Girard, Moriarty

Please call the Parish Ofﬁce at 832-6655 for the Mass schedule and the time of Reconciliation.

Do you have a church event coming up? Call 823-7108 or 823-7109