4/30/2013 - Hobbs Chamber of Commerce

JAL
Since 1927
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News - S u n
EUNICE
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HOBBS
No. 107
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LOVINGTON
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TATUM
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SEMINOLE
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DENVER CITY
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013
50 cents
JC chief learned value of work
Community News
The BLOOD DRIVE for
HHS will be in the old
commons area today
from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and
Wednesday from 8
a.m.-2 p.m. (Behind
the new library – in
the area of the old
high school
cafeteria/commons
area). Persons who are
17 or older can
donate. Call the HHS
nurse’s office 433-0204
and reserve your time
slot to donate.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a
two part story about Steve and Lynda
McCleery. Steve is the President of New
Mexico Junior College and Lynda is a longtime teacher at Taylor Elementary School
in Hobbs.
BUCK VANDERMEER
FOR THE NEWS-SUN
This year the New Mexico Junior
College graduation will be held on
May 10.
It is a day of celebration filled
with pride of achievement for the
students, their families and friends.
The day holds unique specialness
for University President Steve
McCleery, seen at left, and his wife
Lynda.
“Lynda and I love to watch the students walk across that stage,”
McCleery said. “We know the struggles some of the students went
through getting here and seeing
them up there brings us great happiness.”
“Graduation day is our favorite
day,” he continued. “It is a day when
we collect student success stories.”
Steve and Lynda talked to the
Hobbs Beautiful and
Committee for Hobbs is
reminding everyone to
assist in the FIGHT
AGAINST LITTER and
weeds. Tips include
reuse or recycle plastic
shopping bags, always
bag your trash and be
sure the top of the polycart is closed. Hobbs
homeowners also are
responsible for the alley
behind their property.
Keep weeds cut and
pick up any trash.
Inside Today
Obituaries ...........................2
Lottery.................................2
Mark the date ....................3
Fun & Games ......................5
Weather ..............................6
Sports ..................................7
Classifieds..........................10
TV ......................................12
OIL
PRICES
West Texas intermediate
Price Change
Spot
Posted
Sour
N. Gas
$94.50
$91.00
$87.65
$4.392
+
+
+
+
1.50
1.50
1.50
.169
SEE McCLEERY, Page 4
Tejano singer
among Fiesta
highlights
The HOUSE OF HOPE
THRIFT SHOP has
moved to its new
address at 921 W.
Sanger.
The INDEPENDENCE
DAY PARADE in
Eunice will be on July
6. Call the Chamber
office at 394-2755 if
you or your club or
organization would
like to enter. Also, a
celebration will take
place at Marshall Park.
Booth space is available. Call to reserve
your space.
News-Sun about their lives, their
dedication to the field of education,
and commitment to student success.
Forest Steven McCleery was born
on Dec. 14, 1949, in San Angelo,
Texas. He is the son of Forest and
Rose McCleery.
“My mother Rose was a farm
girl,” he said. “My father Forest
was a ranch and farm hand. They
are both still alive. My father is 91
and my mother is going to be 87.
They have been married for 69
years.
“While I was growing up, my
mother worked for the Ector
GABRIELA MUÑOZ
NEWS-SUN
counterparts two weeks ago and
outlined concerns with Eunice’s
animal control and lack of an animal shelter.
Currently, stray dogs and cats
picked up by the city’s code enforcement officer are taken to the Hobbs
Animal Adoption Center.
Lea County residents will have the
opportunity to eat jalapeños, enjoy folklorico dancing and listen to Grammy
award-winning Tejano musician Sunny
Ozuna this weekend.
“He (Ozuna) was the first Tejano artist
to appear on the Dick Clark’s American
Bandstand,” said Hobbs Cinco de Mayo
master of ceremonies and owner of
KLMA radio, Hermilo Ojeda. “It’s pretty
neat that we have him here. He had a big
hit in English, ‘Talk to Me.’”
Cinco de Mayo celebrations will kick
off in Hobbs with a parade at 10 a.m.
Saturday. But the true celebration – the
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta – is slated for
Sunday. In addition to Ozuna’s performance, the celebration will start with an
opening ceremony by Hobbs Mayor Sam
Cobb at 1 p.m. and features music by different artists including the headliner,
Norteño group, Grupo Yahari.
In addition there will be the presentation of the Cinco de Mayo queen; and a
performance by Folklorico dance group,
Halcones.
According to Ojeda, this is the 42nd
year of the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in
Hobbs.
“It’s free to the public,” Ojeda said. “It’s
a great opportunity for people to come
out and enjoy good Mexican food, music
and other entertainment.”
Meanwhile in Lovington, the Cinco de
Mayo celebration will begin on Friday
with a pageant and Mexican food feast at
St. Thomas Catholic Church. The celebration will continue on Saturday with a
5k run and walk at 8 a.m. and continue
with several sporting tournaments, a car
show and various musical performances.
SEE EUNICE, Page 4
SEE FIESTA, Page 4
KIMBERLY RYAN/NEWS-SUN
Sanger Elementary Sanger students duct tape principal Alfredo Turrubiates as a reward for reaching
their goal of raising $1,500 for the Pennies for Patients campaign.
Students reach Pennies for Patients goal
GABRIELA MUÑOZ
NEWS-SUN
Sanger Elementary principal
Alfredo Turrubiates stood while
students duct taped his legs and
arms to the cafeteria wall on
Friday.
“You know you really don’t have
to do this,” Turrubiates said to the
students before they began.
But the students were not swayed.
“This is awesome,” fourth-grader
Lauren Pallanes as she waited for
her turn.
Pallanes and her fellow schoolmates were rewarded with an
assembly for exceeding their goal
of raising $1,500 for Pennies for
Patients campaign. If they reached
their goal, the students were awarded the chance to duct tape their
principal to the wall. Each student
received a piece of duct tape to
begin with and each additional
piece of tape was $1.
Pennies for Patients is a campaign where students collect pennies and loose change to benefit the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The students, encouraged by
Turrubiates, collected change from
their parents, scoured underneath
sofa cushions and the cup holders
in their parent’s vehicles. With a
student body of 396, Turrubiates
was confident they would reach
SEE PENNIES, Page 4
Eunice to revisit plans for animal shelter
BETH HAHN
NEWS-SUN
EUNICE — City officials are keeping a promise made to the Youth
Council two weeks ago.
City council members unanimously approved contacting an
architect to revisit plans for an animal shelter.
Mayor Matt White said previous
plans for an animal shelter projected the building to cost about
$500,000.
“Maybe we can get (architects) to
look at the design again and scale
things back,” he said during a
council meeting last week.
Several high school students,
members of the city’s Youth
Council, approached their adult
REBECCA
LONG
226 W. Vega
Hobbs, NM
88240
575-393-2661
[email protected]
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HOBBS SCHOOLS PHOTO
Houston choir
The Houston Middle School choir recently returned from the Southeastern New Mexico Music Educators Association district group festival in Portales
with a sweepstakes award. The group earned the designation after being rated superior in performance and sight reading.
FROM
HOBBS NEWS-SUN • TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013
McCleery
from PAGE 1
‘I saw her from across
County Library as a Bookmobile librarian,”
Steve said. “She delivered books to the rural
schools. She loved her job and passed on her love
of books to me and my two sisters.
“My father owned a machine shop,” he added.
“He was a self motivated hard working man and
he made certain that I learned the meaning of
work. I will always thank him for that. He taught
me how to weld and how to work on cars. He
taught me a lot about life and taught me the
value of having skills and a willingness to
work.”
Steve attended Odessa High School where he
was active in school events including choir,
sports and student government. He distinguished himself in track and field and was
awarded an athletic scholarship to Lubbock
Christian University where he met his wife
Lynda.
“The first time I saw her was at a university
social event,” he said. “I saw her from across the
room, and when I did I immediately told my
roommate that I was going to marry that girl. I
had a lot harder time getting her to believe that
than I did my roommate.”
It took Steve two years to convince the girl to
marry him. A major breaking through came
when he got a job mentoring her in mathematics.
“He mentored me in math and then we started
dating,” Lynda said. “It has been a wonderful
marriage. We have been married for 43 years.”
“And, we’re still in love,” Steve added. “You can
tell that just by looking at us.”
Steve graduated from LCU in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in education with specialization in
English and physical education. He was hired
immediately upon graduation as a professor of
physical education. He served as an assistant
coach in football and track. He was the director
of the university’s intermural program and
worked as a recruiter.
“That was during the Vietnam war,” he said. “I
was drafted into the Army Reserves in 1973. I did
my basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., and was
trained as a construction engineer at Fort
Belvoir, Va. I served as an active reservist for six
years.”
McCleery also created his own construction
company, McCleery and Rhodes. The company
grew and expanded as he constantly adapted the
business to the opportunities available in an oil
town.
“There was a housing boom in Lubbock,” he
said, “I went into home construction. We poured
concrete foundations and floors for new homes.
Sometimes we would pour seven of them a week.
“I also got into installing sprinklers and landscaping which is something I still enjoy to this
day.”
“In 1979 my father suffered a heat stroke so I
took a leave of absence and moved to Odessa to
help my father run his machine shop.” Steve
said. “That was a great experience. I honed my
skills as a machinist and I gained a renewed
respect of how hard my dad had worked and how
many sacrifices he had made to raise his family.
the room, and when I did I immediately
Fiesta
from PAGE 1
“The purpose of the Cinco de Mayo celebration is for the community to come together,”
said Father Manuel Ibarra at St. Thomas
Catholic Church. “There is going to be a little
bit of everything for everyone.”
Both events are free of charge.
FRIDAY
• St. Thomas Catholic Church Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta kicks off with Miss Baby, Miss Little,
Miss Chiquitita and Miss Chiquita pageant at 4
p.m. at 1301 N. 9th Street in Lovington. Mexican
food will be served from 3-9 p.m.
SATURDAY
I St Thomas Catholic Church Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta will host the 5k Run and Mile Walk at 8
a.m.; a volleyball tournament, a basketball tournament and frisbee golf at 9 a.m.; a car show
and Cinco de Mayo parade (starting on Main
Street) are slated for 11 a.m.; a soccer tournament at 12 p.m.; basketball shots and folklorico
dancers at 1 p.m.; Waters contest and Herradura
contest at 2 p.m.; Norteño Band performance at
4 p.m.; bingo from 3-5 p.m.; a jalapeño-eating
contest at 7 p.m.; pageant winner coronations at
8 p.m.; Miss and Mr. Cinco de Mayo and Señor
and Señora Cinco De Mayo presentation at 9
Eunice
from PAGE 1
“We do have an issue about collecting dogs
and taking them to Hobbs,” White said. “It’s
hard to figure out who the dog (belongs to) and
how to get it back.”
City ordinance requires code enforcement
officers to post photos of impounded pets on the
City Hall doors.
Youth Council members said policy is not
always followed and many area residents are
not notified that their pet was impounded.
City manager Marty Moore said the previous
animal shelter, which was a cramped cinder
block building, was demolished several years
ago.
The city owns swaths of land near the new
Pennies
from PAGE 1
their goal by the end of the campaign. The
reached their goal after the first day
The final total after ten days of collecting
money was $5,879.21.
Fourth-grader Luis Peña said the campaign
was particularly personal for him since one of
his family members has leukemia.
“It helps a lot of people and I’m glad,” Peña
said of the campaign.
THE FRONT PAGE
4
told my roommate that I was going to
marry that girl. I had a lot harder time
getting her to believe that than I did my
roommate.’
Steve McCleery, on first seeing his
future wife
NMJC president
“I also learned a renewed appreciation for
working men and women,” he added. “I realized
that with a trade and willingness to work they
were able to put together the things they wanted
in life.
“During this time I decided to earn a doctorate
degree so I applied at the University of New
Mexico,” he said. “I knew Bruce Evans, the president of the College of the Southwest in Hobbs. I
called him to see if he would write a recommendation for me for my application. He said he
would but that he wanted me to stop in Hobbs
and talk to him.”
“Dr. Evans, was a wonderful man,” Steve said.
“He offered me a job getting the athletic programs at the college up and running. I took the
job and worked there for five years helping to put
together the physical education and athletic
departments.”
In addition to this he established two public
marathons: the Golden Yucca Marathon and the
Hobbs News-Sun Stomp.
On Sept. 17, 1984, Steve accepted a position at
New Mexico Junior College as a professor of
physical education. In 1991 he became the Dean
of Arts and Sciences.
“That was a great experience,” Steve said. “It
allowed me to work more directly with students
and I learned great respect for the professors.”
“As a requirement of the job I had to complete
my doctorate,” he continued. “I attended the
University of New Mexico on the weekends and
earned a Ph.D in Education Administration and
Supervision.”
In 1998 Charles Hayes announced his retirement as the president of NMJC. Steve applied for
the position and became president on May 1,
1998.
“I am still learning,” Steve said. “This job has
been an absolute blessing.
“It is said that it takes a village to raise a child,”
he said. “I believe it takes an entire community
to raise a college president.
“I have had great support from the taxpayers,
the board and the community,” he continued.
“The people of Lea County have been very gracious in the trying times and in the good times.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Next week, Steve will discuss his years
as president of NMJC.
p.m.; and Reina Cinco de Mayo presentation at
10 p.m. The events will be at 1301 N. 9th Street in
Lovington.
I Hobbs Cinco de Mayo parade at 10 a.m. The
parade route starts on Broadway and Grimes,
by the railroad tracks, and will end at the old
Thriftway parking lot, next to Hobbs City Park.
SUNDAY
I Hobbs Cinco de Mayo opening prayer and
ceremony at 1 p.m.; Norteño music performance by Los Supremos at 1:05 p.m.; performance
by Grupo Prospect at 1:30 p.m.; Tejano music
performance by Sunny Ozuna at 2 p.m.;
Folklorico dance performance by Halcones at 3
p.m.; performance by hip hop artist Kashis
Klayfield at 3:40 p.m.; Folklorico dance performance by Aguilas de Oro at 4:15 p.m.;
Outstanding Hispanic presentation at 5 p.m.;
music performance by Proximo Norte at 5:10
p.m; jalapeño-eating contest and musical performance by Grupo Bengala at 6 p.m.; La
Sombra de Tony Guerrero at 6:30 p.m.; and
musical performance by Grupo Yahari at 7:15
p.m. All events will be at Hobbs City Park.
Times are subject to change.
For more information on the Hobbs Cinco de
Mayo Fiesta, call 391-9650. For more information
on the 9th Annual St. Thomas Catholic Church
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Lovington, call 396-4206.
wastewater treatment plant on the east side of
Eunice and on the Carlsbad Highway south of
the Eunice Police Department and Eunice
Senior Citizens Center complex.
White said he received complaints from senior
citizens about possibly building a new animal
shelter there.
“They said it would stink and they don’t want
to have it over there,” he said.
White pointed out Tuesday’s vote is only to
request an architect revisit the plans, not to
build a new animal shelter.
“I want to do the Youth Council a favor,” he
said. “I want to at least look at it again.”
Beth Hahn can be reached at 391-5436 or
[email protected].
Turrubiates said though this was the first
year Sanger participated in the campaign, he
was proud but not surprised to see the staff and
students step up to the challenge.
“They did awesome,” Turrubiates said.
The class that collected the most money was
awarded a pizza party. Mrs. Astorga’s first
grade class took the prize raising more than
$400.
Gabriela Munoz can be reached at 391-5437 or
[email protected].
GABRIELA MUÑOZ/NEWS-SUN
Exercising for a good cause
Relay for Life team Phitbuddies, led by team captain Lorna Jackson, exercised to raise
money in front of Taco Bell Saturday morning. Twenty percent of the proceeds from sales
at Taco Bell from 8-10 a.m. went to the team. In addition, the team members sold push-ups
for a $1.
Man tries to escape from HPD
ALMA OLIVAS-POSADAS
NEWS-SUN
A Hobbs man did not make it very far after
running during an arrest. He still landed
behind bars.
According to reports from the Hobbs Police
Department, at about 3:10 a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a fight on the 400 block
of East Marland. Upon officer’s arrival, Jawan
Mackey, 25, was found walking eastbound on
the sidewalk.
According to police reports, the 25-year-old
was allegedly involved in the fight and after
checking his information police determined he
had an outstanding warrant from the Hobbs
Magistrate Court for an auto burglary that
occurred in March.
He allegedly told police he had been jumped by
five people.
“Jawan stated he was jumped by five other
people but was uncooperative and would not
advise any further details,” stated the police
report.
With only his right wrist in cuffs and while
the arresting officer was placing the other hand
in cuffs, Mackey allegedly
attempted to sprint away
from police.
“Jawan traveled approximately three to four feet away
before being taken to the
ground by officers,” stated
the police report.
Three police officers were
then able to handcuff Mackey
and take him into custody. He
Mackey
reportedly told officers he
ran away from them because
he was upset about the fight and just wanted to
go home.
The 25-year-old was arrested and charged with
escape from custody of peace officer, a fourth
degree felony and resisting, evading or
obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor. The suspect was also arrested for an auto burglary warrant from March.
He is in custody at the Lea County Detention
Center in Lovington on a $11,000 bond.
Alma Olivas-Posadas can be reached at [email protected] or call her at 391-5446.
Prayer vigil held in support of immigration reform
ALMA OLIVAS-POSADAS
NEWS-SUN
Local area residents gathered Sunday evening
in Lovington to pray for a comprehensive immigration reform.
Elsa Lopez, a community organizer from Somos
Un Pueblo Unido, an activist group in support of
worker and racial justice based in Santa Fe, said
the prayer vigil was organized after a bipartision
legislation on immigration reform was introduced to the U.S. Senate earlier this month.
Father Manuel Ibarra from Saint Thomas
Catholic Church in Lovington said although the
church continuously prays for a comprehensive
immigration reform, this was the first time to
have a formal prayer vigil.
“It was to ask for an immigration reform,”
Ibarra said in Spanish. “It was an invitation for
people to give their testimony and provide information because we see it necessary for immigration reform.”
According to Ibarra, about 70 people attended
the prayer vigil and about 150 attended the mass
following it.
He said also during the event the five points on
supporting immigration reform from the New
Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops were presented. The five points include:
I Preservation of family unity
I Providing legal steps for immigrant workers
to work in the United States
I Restoring due process protections to immigation enforcement policies
I Addressing the root caues of migratio, such
as persecution and economic
I Providing a pathway to citizenship
“For us prayer is essential,” Ibarra said in
Spanish. “ ... the voice of the Catholic church is
necessary and always expressed right, without
violence.”
Marina Piña, a community organizer with
Somos Un Pueblo Unido, said additional events
in support of immigration reform could be
scheduled in the future, depending on what happens with the proposed senate immigration bill.
“It is just the beginning of the process right
now ,” Piña said. “There is still a long way to go.”