The Deming Headlight from Deming, New Mexico • 2

PAGE 2, DEMING HEADLIGHT, Thursday, September 1, 1994 Region Former Aguirre properties being sold by government ent By PATRIK JONSSON Headlight staff reporter DEMING Sorry, Gabriel Aguirre, your empire is being sold off. Two years after the federal government seized 51 local properties in connection with a 17-count, 31-page indictment against Aguirre and eight other defendants for running a $70 million pot smuggling ring, the U.S. Marshals Office is starting to sell off the properties even though none of the defendants has been convicted yet. County records keeper Dorinda Chabra said seven of the 51 properties have already sold, and local sources say a slew of others including the seized Allred Ford Dealership are also expected to sell soon. "They're finally starting to move," said Chabra.

That's good news for Margaret Hill, the county assessor, who said the county will lose $4,100 in lost taxes from the properties this year. Technically, the properties are still on the tax rolls, but the U.S. Government is exempt from paying taxes. The large amount of tax ex- Two years after the federal government seized 51 local properties in connection with a 17-count, 31-page indictment against Aguirre and eight other defendants for running a $70 million pot smuggling ring, the U.S. Marshals Office is starting to sell off the properties.

empt properties has frustrated Hill, who recently commented to Sen. Jeff Bingaman about the problem. "It's not that much money, but the point is why should we pay for (the government's Hill said. Francia case appears on TV show (AP) The FBI has released a new composite sketch of a man known only as Jason who is alleged to have participated in the kidnapping of an Albuquerque teen-ager whose remains were believed found in the trunk of a burned car. The Jan.

12 kidnapping of Jonathan Francia is the subject of an NBC-TV "Unsolved Mysteries" segment. A dramatization of the 16-year-old boy's abduction was filmed for the show, scheduled Wednesday night, and the composite sketch of Jason was included. Francia was abducted outside an Albuquerque restaurant by two men, agents have said. The burned wreckage of a car belonging to Francia's mother was found north of Winslow, afterward. The FBI has said the badly charred remains in the trunk could not be positively identified by DNA testing but were believed to be those of Jonathan Francia.

One of the kidnappers, identified as Paul Daniel Head Start By PATRIK JONSSON Headlight staff reporter COLUMBUS Only a month after its grand opening, village residents will meet today to consider expanding the village's new community center. A federal Head Start class will operate out of the building during the week, but the program's license requireRoad- FROM PAGE 1 Planners had hoped to give the major thoroughfare the look of Gold Street, which has wide lanes and sidewalks. The new Cody Road has two lanes and a center turning lane, as well as sidewalks. "I just hope it doesn't turn into a race track," one business owner said. Most business owners agree that the road has ended up looking good but construction didn't go perfectly smooth.

At one point, the project's asphalt supplier broke down and delayed the project deadline by two weeks. And Farmer's Supermarket Manager Kenny Stevens said NEW! NEW! NEW! Now At CALLO, LTD. S4 SUPPLY ROOM S4 Original Military Dog Tags 2 Chains. 2 Tags Typed. Printed 5 Lines.

15 Letters ONLY $599 Tax, A Set O'Yes We Do Tags For Your Pets! 108 S. Gold 544-2015 Under federal Equitable Sharing laws, local law enforcement agencies stand to make substantial amounts of money. When the properties are sold, the U.S. Attorney's office will divide the cash pie and give it to law enforcement agencies involved in the Aguirre investigation. That money, however, can only be used for law enforcement purposes and will not go into the county's general coffer.

Some of the seized properties, such as the Crosswinds Lounge on Columbus High- way 11, have burned down, and fire investigators suspect arson. But most remain standing, and the government is selling. Bustamante said anyone interested in buying old Aguirre-related property should call Murray Crawford at Voris and Associates in Albuquerque 505-275-8955. The first Aguirre trial ended earlier this summer, with three acquittals and six hung juries. Since then, Aguirre and nine others have been on new drugrelated charges and again await trial.

The total value of the 51 properties is about $500,000, Hill said. Tom Bustamante, a supervisor at the U.S. Marshal's Office in Albuquerque, said the county will benefit in some ways from the seizures. El Paso Electric mum about plans The Jan. 12 kidnapping of Jonathan Francia is the subject of an NBC-TV 'Unsolved Mysteries', segment.

A dramatization of the 16-yearold boy's abduction was filmed for the show, scheduled Wednesday night, and the composite sketch of Jason was included. Richardson, 28, was arrested Feb. 2 near Winslow, and committed suicide while in custody, the FBI has said. Richardson's wife, Trena, was indicted in April on charges of murder, conspiracy, petty theft and hindering prosecution. She remains in needs more ments demand that another toilet needs to be added to accommodate the number of children.

Gloria Lopez, the local Head Start Center Coordinator, said that may mean expanding the building. "We may have to expand the classroom" to make room for the second toilet, Lopez said. Village residents, its council and Head Start organizers when crews repaved Cody Road, it put the road higher than his parking lot, causing drainage problems. "We had a lake out here the other day," Stevens said. "The whole parking lot was under water." Stevens said the company aims to correct the problem.

Other people have complained of lost parking spaces and awkward exits and entrances, but project manager Mike Sick wasn't available for comment on those issues Wednesday. Ray said her business drop- custody in Flagstaff, Ariz. Arizona court documents say Trena Richardson told an investigator she was present when Francia was stabbed to death and set afire. She said she poured gasoline into the boy's body, which had been cut open, according to documents quoted by the Albuquerque Journal. Defense attorney Conrad Baran has filed a motion to have Mrs.

Richardson's alleged statement thrown out as evidence. The man believed to be named Jason has never been located or fully identified. Based on a variety of sources, the FBI has said he also has been known as Jeffrey, Jerry, David or Roger. He is white, in his 20s, about 5-foot-10, of slender build with sandy brown shoulder-length hair, the FBI says. Jason wears Western clothing, including a cowboy hat and boots, a horsehair belt with Western buckle.

He was last seen with a blue backpack with attached sleeping bag. leg room will meet today at 4 p.m. to discuss the problem. Head Start began in 1964 as a federally-funded program for -income families with pre-school children. The Columbus Head Start program, which will share the facility with the Columbus Public Health Clinic during weekdays, will provide education and nutrition for 17 Columbus 3- and 4-year-olds.

ped dramatically enough for her to move, but other Cody Road business owners hope that the new road will encourage customers to use businesses along the road. "I think it'll help in the end," Sawhill said. Stevens wasn't so sure. "I don't have a crystal ball," Stevens said, "so I can't tell you if it's going to help or not." Ray doesn't need a crystal ball. She knows where she's going, and it's as far away from Cody Road as she can get.

Block Offers Income Tax Course Learn a NEW SKILL! Increase your tax KNOWLEDGE! CONVENIENT times locations! CLASSES START SEPT. 12TH! For more information, call: 546-7512 548-2251 10 am-2 pm By EDUARDO MONTES of the Associated Press EL PASO, Texas (AP) El Paso Electric Co. and its would-be buyer kept mostly mum Wednesday as the dust settled from a contentious New Mexico political battle that ended with a vote to oust the El Paso company. The utility and Dallas-based Central and South West Corp. both were disappointed with the outcome of Tuesday's referendum in Las Cruces, N.M., which authorized that city to attempt to form a municipal utility as a way of escaping El Paso Electric's rates.

But the companies largely declined to comment on the potential impact the threat of losing El Paso Electric's estimated 30,300 Las Cruces customers will have on the companies' pending merger. Observers say the effect of the vote will probably be minimal, although some acknowledged it may yet cause some complications for the $2.2 billion deal that would allow El Paso Electric to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. "I don't think that Central and South West is the kind of corporation that is going to bow down to this municipalization thrust," said Gary Hovis, a New York-based utility analyst. Bill Kersting, the director of the electric utility management program at New Mexico State University, shared a similar view. "I don't think there's any thought of Central and South West backing out of the merger deal at this time," he said.

Sheriff- FROM PAGE 1 able cars and that he was not calling anyone at that time of the night," said Munoz. "He said it was against policy for me to use their phone, and he could not call, so I would have to walk down to the pay phone at the liquor store." Munoz said he then began walking to the hospital. "I stopped at the pay phone to call 911, but I did not know you could call 911 without a quarter," he said. He claims he continued walking and fell down in front of the junior high school and managed to walk to his sister's home for a ride to the hospital. Many also noted the polls does not ipal utility is in The city still of the utility's purchasing it poses or through ings expected to sive court battle.

The city has ruptcy Court in begin the on that request ber. El Paso Electric that it will use continue challenging Las Cruces. Both the utility that, meantime, with the merger, now by several the deal. "We will continue tion that serves shareholders of and the customers Glenn Files, tive. City officials nicipalization "The voters for lower rates Cruces Mayor Electric will work with us to our plan to create admitted to the treated for his Munoz comthe incident to initiated the cur- Clay said the investigation confidential bepersonnel issue.

want to cover said. "I don't money; I just want he did it." he wants to the Sheriff's would tell his had died that he is conductinvestigation and will the decision the dispatcher's HO HOMESTYLE BURGERS FOR A LIMITED TIME! Corner of Pine Granite McDonald's that the city's victory at necessarily mean: a municLas Cruces' future. has to pursue the acquisition distribution system either by a sale El Paso Electric opcondemnation proceedinvolve a lengthy, expen- already asked the U.S. BankAustin for permission to condemnation process. A hearing is scheduled for late Septem- said in a news release "all appropriate forums" to efforts to oust it from and Central indicated they will continue apace which is being considered agencies that must approve to work toward a soluthe best interests of the Central and South West of El Paso Electric," said Central's chief transition execu- say they are taking the muattempts seriously, however.

have expressed their desire and local control," said Las Ruben Smith. "I hope El Paso honor the voters' wishes and quickly move forward with a citizen-owned utility." Munoz was hospital and symptoms. Subsequently, plained about Clay, who rent investigation. On Thursday, results of the will remain cause it is a "I think they this up," Munoz want their to know why Munoz said know what Department family if he night. Clay said that ing the have to make based on story and the citizen's story.

"We do have the responsibility to render help to citizens in the county, whether it for medical reasons or criminal reasons," Clay said. "If were in violation, we take the responsibility." ULTRA SMALL The Secret Ear FREE BATTERIES! for one year when you purchase a Secret Ear. Southwest Hearing Aid Center 850 W. Florida Deming Call us today to arrange for a 30-day trial. 1-800-427-2231 Offer expires Sept.

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