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FALL NEWS 2005 - Posted 3.11.06

Lawsuit Challenges City Symbol

Las Cruces has found itself in the midst of the culture wars as a result of a lawsuit over the three crosses on the city symbol.  The symbol has been in place since the ‘70's.  The lawsuit alleges that the symbol violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.  In response, local radio stations have begun a “Keep the Crosses” campaign with bumper stickers that show the city symbol.  The plaintiff, who is representing himself, originally filed the case against numerous individuals in state and local government.  He also attempted to have locally based federal judge Robert Brack removed from the case.  Judge Brack remains on the case and has appointed a local historian at NMSU to research whether the symbol is historically-based or promotes religion in an improper way.  Read more here.

Superintendent Martinez Ousted in the Wake of Ogas Scandal

The Las Cruces Public School Board forced Superintendent Louis Martinez to resign.  The decision came after a review of Martinez that was put into place after the controversy related to the firing of long-time Mayfield principal Robert Ogas.  Ogas’ departure led to a large outcry from the community.  In response, Martinez was placed under a form of probation of sorts.  The Board determined that Martinez had not complied with the terms of the program and asked him to resign.   An interim superintendent has been appointed while a search committee finds Martinez ’ successor.  Recall efforts of school board members who purportedly supported Martinez continue.  A court case asking for a recall vote was dismissed, however, for procedural irregularities.

Fourth Public High School Proposed for Las Cruces

Governor Richardson has proposed a fourth high school for Las Cruces as part of an education initiative to be considered by the Legislature in 2006.  There are no tentative plans for the size or location of the school.  A new middle school, a number of elementary schools, and teacher pay raises are also part of the plan.  The well-publicized price increases in oil and natural gas this year have actually been of great benefit to the New Mexico state government because of the natural resources on state land.  The realization of Governor Richardson’s plan may depend on whether oil and gas revenues will continue to fill state coffers. 

OHS Football Advances to State Semi-Finals

The Knight Football team lost no ground when Onate rose to AAAAA in sports this year.  In fact, OHS arguably fielded its best team ever.  The Knights’ only loss in the regular season was to eventual state champion Mayfield.  Onate recorded wins over Las Cruces , eventual AAAA state champion Silver, and Alamogordo (both during the regular season and the play-offs).  OHS was consistently ranked in the top five of the state throughout the season.  The results were all the more impressive given that OHS lost two key running backs to injury before the season.  Because the Knights run a triple option, these injuries could have been potentially devastating.  Star receiver C.J. Oakley moved to running back, however, and had an excellent year.  The season ended when the Knights lost to Clovis in the state semi-finals, denying OHS a re-match with Mayfield in that state finals.

SUMMER NEWS 2005 - Posted 9.14.05

Superintendent Announces New Mayfield Principal - Former Vista Principal Selected

Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Louis Martinez appointed Chris Cook principal at Mayfield High School in the wake of the bitter departure of former principal Bob Ogas.  Cook served as principal or assistant principal at Vista Middle School for 12 years prior to his appointment.  He most recently served as district director of secondary education.  Cook taught science at Mayfield for four years earlier in his career.  The other finalist for the position was Jennifer Amis, assistant principal and interim principal at Mayfield High School.

Emotions remain high regarding Ogas.  A recall effort of school board members who support Superintendent Martinez continues.  Questions remain as to whether Ogas resigned or was discharged (constructively or otherwise).  Irrespective of the resolution of these questions, the school year will begin with a new principal at Mayfield for the first time since we were in high school.

Onate Coaches Step Down - Longtime LCPS Athletic Director also steps aside

This summer saw changes for many athletic positions at OHS and LCPS.  Coach Winter stepped down as Athletics Coordinator at OHS.  The Athletics Coordinator oversees athletics from an administrative standpoint.  Coach Winter was an assistant football coach while we were at OHS and taught social studies.  He will be replaced by Jeff Brilliant, former golf coach at Mayfield and OHS.

Successful baseball coach Art Green also stepped down.  Coach Green resigned to spend more time with his family.  He guided the Knights to a 110-83 record in his 7 years as head coach.  This year’s team reached the state semi-finals.  Girls soccer coach Nor Benzoni also stepped down.

Finally, Bump Elliott resigned as LCPS Athletics Director.  Elliott had served in the role since we were at OHS.  Upon leaving, Elliott cited the construction of the Field of Dreams stadium and sports complex as one of his achievements.  He also helped organize the annual golf tournament to support area high school athletics.  In its roughly five years of existence, the fund will soon be in a position to finance entirely all three area high school football programs.

New Mexico Military Jobs Saved at the Last Minute - Commission Overturns Pentagon Recommendations

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted to spare jobs at White Sands and Cannon Air Force Base during the latest round of military cutbacks.  The Pentagon’s proposal recommended that Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis be closed entirely.  Additionally, the Department of Defense recommended that approximately 100 research positions at White Sands be relocated to Maryland.

During recent Commission hearings, the Commission first voted almost unanimously to keep the research positions at White Sands intact.  The Commission relied heavily upon data that showed the cost savings for moving the positions were less than previously thought.  With the loss of New Mexico State University projects associated with the White Sands jobs, some area groups had estimated a $20 million dollar effect on Las Cruces’ economy.  Instead, the area emerged as a huge winner in the process.  Fort Bliss in El Paso stands to gain more jobs through consolidation than almost any other military installation in the country.  Only Holloman Air Force Base suffered loss with 19 positions being moved to Maryland.

The decisions to keep Cannon Air Force Base open amounted to compromise.  The Base will remain until at least 2009, but its F-16 squadrons were transferred.  As a result, the decision to keep it open for now may eventually become Pyrrhic.  The BRAC Commission’s report will now go to President Bush. The President will have until September 23, 2005 to accept or reject the report in its entirety.  After that, Congress will have 45 days to reject the report in its entirety or it will become binding upon the Department of Defense.  It is expected that the Commission will be accepted by the President and Congress.

Border Problems Garner National Attention - Governor Richardson Declares State of Emergency

New Mexico’s ongoing problems with crime and illegal immigration near the border received national attention when Governor (and possible Presidential Hopeful) Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency.  Richardson cited problems with drug smuggling, the exploitation of and recent deaths of illegal immigrants in the area, and other criminal activity in support of his decision.  The practical effect of the executive order was to free up 1.8 million dollars in state funds for security purposes.

New Mexico’s border problems have become more acute in recent years.  The Clinton Administration increased funding during the ‘90's for Border Patrol activities in the major immigration centers of San Diego and El Paso.  As opportunities lessened in traditional areas for border crossings, illegal immigrants moved to more remote areas of Arizona to cross the border.  They also resorted to different means of passage, such as within the beds of commercial trucks.  A set of highly publicized deaths from exposure led to increased oversight in these areas.  However, until recently, New Mexico has received little attention and has consequently seen increased activity.  Roughly half a dozen immigrants have perished in the Deming area this year in attempted border crossings.

Some on both the left and the right have threatened to turn the border issue into a comic sideshow.  A group formed early this summer to serve as the New Mexico Minutemen – a purported branch of the Arizona group that reports illegal immigrant activity to the Border Patrol.  The American Civil Liberties Union denounced the group swiftly, only to discover that the leader of the group was the secretary/treasurer of its local chapter.  The ACLU shut down its Dona Ana County chapter entirely until its secretary/treasurer could be excommunicated.  In the meantime, the original Minutemen from Arizona also distanced themselves, claiming that they planned to form their own New Mexico chapter.  The original group now calls themselves New Mexico Border Watch.  Area politicians have distanced themselves from the fray, voicing concern that attention is being diverted from the real issues.  Senator Domenici recently remarked that an additional 150 Border Patrol Agents will begin patrolling New Mexico within the next two years along with over 2 million in additional funding.

Former OHS Choir Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement - Restitution of Funds Part of Plea Bargain

SPRING NEWS 2005 - Posted 6.23.05

Longtime Mayfield Principal Ousted, Then Reinstated ...  Future Uncertain for Ogas

Mayfield principal Robert Ogas was placed on administrative leave in April by Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Louis Martinez.  Then, after an overwhelming public outcry over the decision, Ogas was reinstated a few weeks later to close out the school year.  Martinez has indicated that a final decision will be made regarding Ogas’ future at the end of June 2005.   Martinez informed Ogas of his initial suspension during his annual review at Mayfield.  Ogas gave an emotional speech to faculty and staff and was then escorted from the premises.  Ogas’ supporters in the community immediately sprang to action.  Hundreds marched from the Downtown Mall to the LCPS offices in support of Ogas.  A movement began to recall school board members over the decision to remove Ogas (as well as a previous decision to extend Martinez’ contract).  A contentious series of school board meetings followed with numerous supporters of Ogas in attendance.  The details surrounding Ogas’ removal have never been made clear to date, although there is speculation that it derives from a power struggle over Martinez’ movement to centralize authority, particularly on curriculum issues, with the superintendent.  With pressure mounting, Martinez announced that Ogas could finish out the school year at Mayfield.  Martinez claimed that the reversal stemmed from the completion of his “investigation” of his own decision.  Shortly thereafter, Martinez narrowly survived a school board vote to suspend him.  Instead, he will be subject to some kind of administrative oversight program that will teach him to play well with others.  Martinez has indicated that a final decision as to whether Ogas will be at the helm at Mayfield next year will be made in late June.

UPDATE:  In early June, Ogas submitted his resignation.  His attorney indicated that the resignation was “not voluntary” and submitted to protect his ability to receive health benefits should his contract not be renewed.  A Las Cruces Public Schools spokesperson has hinted that the search process will soon begin for a new principal.  Although a formal announcement from Martinez has not been made, it appears almost certain at this point that Ogas will not return as Mayfield principal next school year.

Chaos Reigns at Southern New Mexico School Boards - Gadsden , Hatch, and Lordsburg All Face Problems

Other school boards appear to have made the conscious decision not to let themselves be outdone in the controversy department by Las Cruces.  At Gadsden, the superintendent was placed on administrative leave.  News reports indicate that the decision to do so derived from the superintendent’s refusal to fire employees at the board’s request.  Some have alleged that Gadsden’s school board violated New Mexico’s Open Meeting Act.  A local district judge has upheld a recall initiative against the Gadsden School Board.  The number of votes to recall for each member depends upon the voter turnout in the last election for that member’s district.  In a ringing endorsement of voter interest, one board member only requires 5 votes for a recall election.  At Hatch, the fallout from the Billy Henson era continues.  Henson “retired” early in the school year after numerous questions over his leadership.  Some questioned the apparent singular focus on football success during his tenure.  Employment decisions led to numerous lawsuits, as some teachers and staff were let go over financial concerns that never materialized.  In the meantime, coaches never seemed to have trouble finding work.  The latest black eye has come over allegations that an assistant football coach had improper sexual relations with a female student.  He has pled not guilty to the charges.   Finally, at Lordsburg, the superintendent was released when soft-core porn was found on his office computer. 

OHS Choir Sings the Blues - Club Treasurer Charged with Felony Embezzlement

Students from the OHS Choir met at school to leave for a San Diego performance only to receive some bad news.  The trip had been canceled because checks used to make travel reservations had bounced.  The treasurer of the choir booster club was subsequently arrested and charged with stealing the money.  She has pled not guilty to the charges, and the investigation is ongoing.  The choir gave a special performance at First Presbyterian Church in lieu of San Diego.

Las Cruces Medical Landscape Changes - Opening of First Step Center Among New Options for County Residents

OHS Hosts Student-Run Cancer Fundraiser - All-Night Event Draws 600 Students

OHS hosted a student-organized walk to raise money for cancer research.  While their elders were involved in high-profile tomfoolery (see above), MHS student body president Isaac Polanco and OHS student body president Mia Mauer were involved in something more productive, spearheading the all-night event.  The event lasted throughout the night.  The walk took place at the OHS track while the interior of the track contained informational materials on cancer awareness and research along with other games and events.  More than 600 people braved the ridiculously huge speed bumps in the OHS parking lot to attend the event and raise money for a worthy cause.

OHS Teachers Win Awards - Mrs. Kirby Among Those Recognized

Downtown Area Prepares for Change - Downtown Mall Arches to be Dismantled

Area Politicians Avoid Conviction - Magistrate Judge Faces a Possible Second Trial

Two area politicians avoided conviction in recent legal proceedings.  Former Magistrate Judge Reuben Galvan’s trial on rape and bribery charges ended in a hung jury.  The jurors had deadlocked 9-3 in favor of acquittal on the rape charges and 10-2 in favor of acquittal on the bribery charges.  A special prosecutor assigned to the case has indicated that Galvan will be tried again.  The allegations stemmed from a sexual encounter between former Judge Galvan, 43, and a 21-year old woman he met at Hurricane Alley.   Public Regulation Commission Representative E. Shirley Baca avoided trial in a case for possession of marijuana.  Marijuana had been found in her suitcase at Albuquerque International Sunport.  She admitted to airport officials that she had smoked marijuana in the past but that the marijuana was not hers.  The Judge suppressed her statements because she had not been read her Miranda rights by airport security officials.  The marijuana evidence was not suppressed.  Nevertheless, the case was dropped shortly after the Judge’s ruling.  Baca quickly told newspapers that she had been framed and would provide more details later.

WINTER NEWS 2004 - Posted 3.14.05