Las Cruces Sun-News from Las Cruces, New Mexico • Page 1

City To Scrutinize By niCIIAKD DEURIARTB Sun-News Stiff Writer The Las Cruces City Commission has served notice to all residential developers that it will be carefully scrutinizing future development plans outside the city limits. At its regular meeting Wednesday, the commissioners debated the wisdom of taking irrigable land now used for agriculture and putting it inlo commercial or residential development. Commissioner Robert Munson led the forces eager "to shape progress, not to stagnate It." The debate began as the commission considered a replat tor a portion of the Mountain View Addition residential subdivision, which is a quarter mile west of Dona Ana. The developers plan to develop the area for further residential use. This portion of land lies within a five-mile radius from the city limits, thus placing its deposition in the hands of the city commission.

Munson said he opposed the plan because, "We are taking valley land, readily irrigable, and turning it into asphalt and concrete," He said the commission should not permit the loss of such a natural resource by allowing an irreversible change to it. Munson was supported in his claim by Dr. John Hernandez, a New Mexico State University engineering professor. Hernandez tried to persuade the commission against the measure on the grounds that the plans for wells and septic tanks on the properties would be in violation of environmental standards. Hernandez also used economic arguments against the subdivision.

He said thai cities will have to provide these distant areas with utilities and other public services. "It will cost you more money to service them with utilities than you could ever gel in taxes," he told the commission. Commissioner M.C. Tomson, however, cautioned Hernandez Developments and Munson, and Commissioner Albert Johnson against "envir- onmenling ourselves lo death." He asked Munson if the commission was not stagnating city growth by opposing development. He told Hernandez a many persons don'l want to live in (he city, preferring "someplace where they can breathe." Hernandez replied that this is perfectly a i bul the city taxpayers should nol to have to subsidize Ihese persons' preferences for open space.

Tomson asked Munuon, "If a developer can'l develop on agri- cultural land where is he going to develop?" Munson suggested that developers could start at the has Cruces Municipal Building and look east or west. i a and Social Services Director R.L. Smith then told the commission that in his opinion the replat was not a new subdivision but actually an improvement of an existing one which could lead to more harmonious development of the area. With (he explanation, the commission approved the re- plat by a vote of four-to-one, with Munson casting the dissenting vote. Commissioner George Miller, chairman of the regional planning group, the Southern Rio Grande Council of Governments, said that his group did look at the plans and gave it their approval.

He said he supports the general notion of maintaining agricultural land in production, which is one of the county-wide objectives endorsed by the COG. Explaining his feelings. Johnson said, "This land is parl of your economic base. They should fill the existing vacant land in the city before destroying your productive land. This is important to your future." Munson summarized his argument by saying.

"The slate legislature gave us Ihe power of zoning within a five-mile radius so thai we can protect the whole environment for the citizens. And we should exercise a power lo shape progress." Our Home Town We hope the city commission will get as enthusiastic over the proposed "Frontier City: "76" as those persons working through the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce have. Weather MESILLA VALLEY-Widely scattered a and evening showers accompanied by briefly strong winds Friday. LASCRUCES--Low tonight, 62: high Friday, 96. Sunset Sunrise Vol.

92-No. 80 THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 1972, LAS CHUCKS, NEW MEXICO 20 i BUENAS TARDES Quick Look At the News The Almanac By United Preti International Today is Thursday, July 6, the 188th day of 1972, with 178 to follow. The moon is between its last quarter and new phase. The morning stars are Venus and Saturn. The evening stars are Mercury, Mars and Jupiter.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. On this day in history: In 1699 Ihe notorious pirate Captain William Kidd was seized in Boston and deported to England. In 1885 bacteriologist Louis Pasteur in Paris performed the first inoculation on a human being. In 1933 the American League defeated the National League, 4-2, at Chicago, in the first All-Star baseball game. In 1971 jass trumpeter Louis Satchmo Armstrong died.

A thought for the day: Greek historian Herodotus said "Envy is natural to man from the beginning." State And Locally THE NEW MEXICO Civil Liberties Union says it will appeal in district court an Alamogordo City CommU- sion decision upholding the firing of police officer James Doran. Doran was Tired June 21 for writing a letter which criticized the operation and funding of the city Department of Public Safety. City Manager J.W. Harrison said he fired Doran because he "ignored the chain of command" in writing directly to the City Com- ARTIST PETER KURD will head a citizens group supporting passage of a $10 million bond issue in the general election for library improvement at slate colleges and universities Gov. Bruce King said Wednesday.

"I am certainly delighted that Peter Kurd, one of New Mexico's most distinguished sons, is taking the lead in this most worthwhile and necessary project," King said. A CARGO DOOR on a twin-engine airplane which crashed in Albuquerque May 19 came open shortly after takeoff, sending loose cargo into one of the propellers, the National Transportation Safety board said today. The NTSB said the crash, which killed nine employes of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, occurred shortly after Ihe nose cargo door on the chartered aircraft came open. THE GARBAGE in the state's capital city was mounting today with no end in sight in the stalemate between striking sanitation workers and city officials. The Santa Fe City Council met with representatives of Ihe strikers Wednesday night bul failed to resolve the main issue which is money.

The strike is 17 days old. In The Nation SEN. MIKE GRAVEL of Alaska declared his candidacy for the Democratic vice presidential nomination, claiming the delegates to next week's convention are not about to make a rubber stamp choice for the No. 2 spot on Ihe ticket. Gravel, who won national notice when he released the secret Pentagon Papers, said he could run comfortably with any of the presidential candidates.

DEFENSE SECRETARY Melvin Laird Thursday accused presidential hopeful George S. Me Govern of advocating a "give away now, beg later" national security philosophy that would leave future Presidents with only a spasmodic nuclear war policy. "EIGHT YEARS ago," said the Rev. Jesse C. Jackson, blacks were "picking cotton in Louisiana.

Next week we'll be picking a president in Minmi." That, the Rev. Jackson told the cheering delegates to the annual NAACI' convention Wednesday, was the definition of revolution, change within a short time. Before the speech, the resolutions committee of the NAACP met behind closed doors to consider a plan for the defeat of Richard Nixon. Around The World AMERICAN CHESS challenger Bobby Fischer apologized in writing to Russian Boris Spassky today for delaying the start of their scheduled 24-game world championship match and suggested Ihey get on with the twice-postponed tournament without delay. SOUTH VIETNAMESE paratroopers took control of Quan Tri city's shellshocked airstrip and its badly damaged power station today in the government's slow drive to recapture the Communist-held provincial capital.

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL envoy John B. Connally met for 90 minutes today with President Zuliikar All Bhutto to discuss military and economic assistance to Pakistan. Bhullo briefed the formur U.S. Treasury secretary on his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

City Commission Hears Bicentennial Briefing PAUL RADER, chairman of the Las Cruces Chamberc- of Commerce 10-25 Task Force, explained plans for the Bicentennial Celebration in Las Cruces to the city commissioners Wednesday at the municipal building. He said I.as Cruces has a good chance to be the site of a regional bicentennial park, (de Uriarte) Las Cruces cily commissioners heard a detailed report Wednesday of plans to make Las Cruces a national center for the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. The report came from Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce official Paul Rader, chairman of the chamber's 10-25 Task Force, which designed the plans. According lo Rader, Las Cruces is in the running for one of the eight or nine national bicentennial parks, which will feature the "big ideas" of the region. Rader said the big idea for the Las Cruces project is Ihe "confluence of cultures" here, with Spanish, American Indian and the frontier spirit.

"The confluence of cultures in America is personified in this part of the country as it is no- whereclsein the nation and Las Cruces is in the middle of this heritage, Ihe seat of the Gadsden Purchase," Rader said. The Gadsden Purchase in 1854 completed the territorial borders of the continental United States. According to the Las Cruces plan, which Rader said is the only plan already in existence in UR Director Says Mall Park Not Reality Yet Las Cruces Urban Renewal Agency Director Rudy Armstrong said today that local residents are getting their hopes up high "prematurely" over the proposed park in the Policemen Investigate City Death Police continue investigating the death of a local man found Wednesday at his home at 2105 S. Espina. Police were called to the residence shortly after 10 a.m.

Wednesday by the owner of the apartment. The man, Thomas Sipe, 29, was found lying face down on the side of the bed in the apartment. He had been dead for several days according to police officials. Police said today Ihey believe Ihe death was a result of natural causes. The case is being investigated by District Attorney E.A.

Williams and Del. Mike Bratton. downtown urban renewal dis- tricl. A said lhat the agency has already received many phone calls from residents who have suggestions for the naming of the park and the placement of memorials on the land. The agency's board of commissioners voted on June 22 to place a 67,609 square foot tract of land west of the Las Cruces Municipal Building into acquisition with the hopes of developing it into a city park.

The land was made available for development of a park when the Farmers and Merchants Bank, owners of Ihe property, informed the agency that it did not plan to expand their facilities on Ihe site, as had been previously planned. But Armstrong said today that the placement of the land in acquisition by Ihe agency's board musl meel approval of the Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD, before plans can be initiated on the development of the park. "People calling our office feel like this park is an absolute rea- ll.y already." Armstrong said, "It is not. We still have to get HUD approval." Armstrong hand-delivered the board's request last week to HUD officials in Dallas, where he conferred with governmental represent a lives on the proposal. He said that the agency may receive a decision from HUD within the next two weeks but it could be longer if the proposal had to go through Washington, D.C.

"We are dealing with governmental bureaucrats in this," Armslrong said. "They could comerighl back and tell us they don't approve of the expenditure." Although Armstrong is not totally pessimistic about the possibilities of the park being approved, he said, "I don'l wanl the community lo feel that this has been already approved and finalized when it isn't because if it is turned down, there will be a lot of disappointment." New Mexico, the various historical sites will be restored or recreated. Rader especially emphasized that the plan involves all of the Mesilla Valley and not merely Las Cruces or one segment of Las Cruces. The plans call for the restoration of Fort Filmore, Fort Seldon, improving the Mesilla Plaza, recreating the Indian Village in Tortugas and the construction of new cultural facilities. The new developments would be an Indian Tribal Cultural Center, similar to the Pronaf Center in Juarez; a frontier city concept and a Mexican heritage center with a museum.

Rader suggested that stagecoach rides could be staged along the Butter field Trail. He also said a municipal auditorium and civic center would be appropriate for the project. In answer to a question of Commissioner Albert Johnson, Rader said Denver, would be the stiffesl competition for Las Cruces. Bul he said the very location of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Denver does add strength to the Las Cruces proposal. He said a city like Albuquerque would be considered too close to Denver for Location of a bicentennial park.

Rader said he was seeking an endorsement of the plan by the city commission but lhat at this time he was not seeking funds. He said Ihe task force is hoping for additional state and federal funding to enter inlo feasibility studies on the project. The commission did not take any action on the proposal at Wednesday's meeting. Mayor T.J. Graham said the commis- sion would take the proposal under consideration.

In other action, the commission granted a special use permit to Mrs. Nancy Shaffer, of Little Aggies, Inc. to use the Holy Trinily Lutheran Church. 2000 S. Solano as an infant day care center.

The commissioners voted lo change the name of Highway 28 to Avenida de Mesilla. The change was recommended by the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce in order to promote tourism to Mesilla. The commission also approved changing the name of Wesl Mcsquite, between Main and Alameda, to Three Crosses Avenue. The commission approved a final budget revision on the overall five year water imp a i $911,000. In doing so, the commission also approved Ihe water transmission lines contract to Pandandle Construction Company of El Paso for its base bid of $209.828.

According to Utilities Director Henry Gaines, the officials of Ihc Department of Housing aitd Urban Development have approved funding of this project. He also said because of added cost, the city's request for installationof 18-inch ductile iron pipe was rejecled by HUD The total project includes two wells, two pumping stations and Ihe water transmission lines project. LC Utility Trial Opens Today The stipulation of facts in the lawsuit between El Paso Eteclric Company, the Las Cruces Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Las Cruces was pre sented today to Disl. Judge E. Forrest Sanders at the Dona Ana County Courthouse.

Present at the session were John Armstrong, vice president of El Paso Electric; Cily Manager A.J. Vasilakis, Urban Renewal Executive Director Kudy Armstrong; T.K. Campbell, attorney for the city; Jess Weir, representing El Paso Electric; and R.C. Garland, representing the Urban Renewal Agency. According to the stipulation of facts, the legal issue in question is the constitutionality of a 23 percent contribution in funding by the city in paying Kl Paso Electric for installing underground utility lines within (he downtown Urban Renewal District.

In addition, the court will rule on whether the contract agree men I between the City of Cruces, the involuntary plaintiff, and the El Paso Electric Company, is invalid or not. Finally, if the agreement is ruled invalid, the stipulation of facts asks whether El Paso Electric Company should proceed with the underground utility work and bear the 25 per cent city contribution itself. In any event, 75 per cent of the Sec I A Paige 2 Art Center Donors Listed A current list of donors to the Community Art Center Fund has been announced by Arts and Crafts Association. The group is asking public support in the purchase of a cultural center at 1212 Barker Road, the old Hanger home. Contributors will be listed by the association in three uniu-- angels who donate $1,000 or more; patrons who give $200 or more; donors who give up to $200.

"Each contributor is important in the effort of providing a Community Art Center for this area," Mrs. Alice Peters, association president, said. Patrons include Nicky Cunningham, First National Bank, Mr. and Mrs. M.C.

(Tommy) Tomson and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Tombaugh. Donors include Joyce Culpepper, Rayma Claessen. Elizabeth Elder, Judy George, Martha Jameson, Elsie and Margaret Miller, Florence Martin, Helen Waddell, Alice Peters, H.O.

Jo Otl, Sidney and Mildred Sanders, Judy Sullenberger, Ruth Shaw; Also, Bertha Raab. Dorothy Wilson. Cecil Post. John Hoagland, Harold B. Hill.

Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Hungate and Mr. and Mrs.

D.L. Nusbaum. Association members making pledges are Cliff Donaldson, Mayoma Keely. Jesse Morgan, Felix Serna and Marjorie Tietjens. Contributions may be mailed to Las Cruces Arts and Crafts Association, in care of Mrs.

Bessie Gepharl, 2140 Rosedale Drive, Las Cruces. All donations are lax deductible, since the association is a non-profit corporation. In Guarded Condition City Car Accident Injures Resident A 33-year-old Las Cruces man was reported in guarded condition at Memorial General Hospital loday suffering from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car Wednesday night. Andres R. Lucero, of 1260 Second Street, is suffering from multiple fractures, according to a hospital spokesman.

He was struck by a car driven by Leonard L. Rawson, 17, of 3233 Fairway Drive, at approximately 9:55 p.m. on Missouri Avenue, according to police reports. Reports on the accident indicated that Lucero was walking west on Missouri in the middle of Ihe road when the accident occurred. The Rawson vehicle was also (raveling west on Missouri.

Police reports slated that the Rawson vehicle skidded 52 feet before il came to the possible point of impact. The truck then slid another 147 feet before coming to rest. Police said the evidence indicates that Lucero was carried approximately 125 feet before being thrown from the vehicle on the road. Police reported today that citations are pending further investigation of Ihe accident but said that contributing factors to Ihe accident were that the Rawson vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and Lucero was under Ihe influence of alcohol al Ihe lime of the accident. IN MANY PLACES on (he urban renewal project, final touches arc all that remain to he completed.

Above, xvorkmcn touch up a brick outer covering on one of the planters on the south end of the project..