Southwest roundup - Oct. 24

Candidate says his arrests are a plus

EDGEWOOD — Candidate for Santa Fe County Commission in the southern District 3 area Rudy Nelson Garcia said that despite two DWI convictions and several arrests, he is staying in the race — and he contends the experiences make him a more qualified candidate.

“There are some irresponsible things I’ve done in the past and my youth that no other elected official has that experience. I’ve been in jail. How many politicians have been in jail?” Garcia said.

“It makes me a lot more accountable, a lot more reliable to move forward for individuals with the same situation. I can tell you what policymakers need to address with jail and substance abuse problems.”

— The Edgewood Independent

O.K. Clothiers, in business since 1935, to close

SANTA ROSA — O.K. Clothiers, in business downtown since 1935, has announced plans to close after selling off its inventory.

Proprietor Arthur Gallegos said his “condition” — namely, knee problems that have put him into a wheelchair — is the main reason he decided to close the store.

Originally a general mercantile business started by his father, Evaristo Gallegos Sr., the business started a little more than a block away on South Fourth Street — then Route 66 as it ran through town — and moved up a block to its current location in 1983.

— Guadalupe County Communicator

Luna College picks new president

LAS VEGAS — The Luna Community College Board of Trustees has selected Bruce Moses as president of Luna Community College. The decision brings an end to a months-long process that involved faculty, staff, students and community members.

The board has authorized contract negotiations to begin, expecting to take action on the contract details at its regular meeting in November.

Moses is an assistant vice chancellor at Pima County Community College District in Tucson, Arizona.

— Guadalupe County Communicator

School purchasing teacher housing

LOVINGTON — The municipal school district has entered into a lease/purchase agreement with the owner of a 10-unit apartment complex, which the district plans to use to house new teachers looking for housing.

The complex consists of five two-bedroom duplexes.

The teacherage will be used as a recruitment and retention tool for teachers. Housing cost in Lovington has been a major hurdle for new teachers, officials said.

— Lovington Leader

School board OKs security upgrades

FORT SUMNER — The school board on Oct. 11 approved a $190,061 contract with IT Connect of Santa Fe to provide additional security cameras, district-wide intercom services and bells.

The purchase, with the use of funds provided through a 2017 bond issue, is the first of a series of measures aimed at improving security within the school district.

Additional projects planned for the near future include automated door locks for all rooms as well as perimeter fencing.

— De Baca County News

Roswell instructor teacher of year

ROSWELL — A Berrendo Middle School teacher was presented the 2019 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Award at the school Oct. 17.

Jessica Sanders, BMS science department head and sixth- and seventh-grade teacher, was surprised in her classroom by Christopher Ruszkowski, state secretary of education, and others.

Sanders said she felt “empowered, excited, totally awestruck.”

She will represent New Mexico in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

— Roswell Daily Record