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What is an act of servanthood? Pastor David Grousnick has the answer

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What is an act of servanthood? Pastor David Grousnick has the answer

 David Grousnick

First Christian Church Artesia

Eric Clapton, arguably one of the greatest living rock guitarists, wrote a heart wrenching song about the death of his four-year-old son. He fell from a 53rd-story window. Clapton took nine months off and when he returned, his music had changed. The hardship had made his music softer, more powerful, and more reflective.

You have perhaps heard the song he wrote about his son’s death. It is a song of hope:

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven? I must be strong and carry on,’Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven? Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven? I’ll find my way through night and day, ’Cause I know I just can’t stay here in heaven.

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please. Beyond the door there’s peace I’m sure, And I know there’ll be no more tears in heaven.

In John 14:1-14, Jesus has just had the Passover meal with his disciples. He has washed their feet in an act of servanthood. He has foretold his betrayal which Judas will soon perform. He predicted Peter’s denial. He told them he is leaving.

But he adds this word of hope: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you and will come again and take you to myself. So that where I am, you may be also.

Hardship has a way of getting our attention, doesn’t it? Pain slows us down. Few us, after facing a trial, come out the same way we entered in. Jesus understood this and attempted to prepare his disciples for the road ahead.

 He wanted them to know:

If you have faith in Him, you will overcome your worry<n>If you have faith in Him, you will have direction in life.

If you have faith in Him, you will have help along the way.

The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met?

Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president’s assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, “President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge.” To which Rogers leaned forward and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch the name.”

With that, President Coolidge cracked up and started laughing.

Don’t you wish you were as quick on your feet as he was? Quick with a comeback, quick with just the right thing to say.

Well, of all the things that Jesus said, some of the most significant are in John 14, when Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” There is an absolute nature to those words, isn’t there? There is completeness to that saying. Perhaps that’s why they are so powerful and so controversial as well.

For among all the words that Jesus spoke, these are also some of the most debated.

Notice – Jesus did not say, “I am one of the ways.”

He did not say, “I am one of the truths among others.”

He did not say, “I am a life among many others.”

No, he said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

The great Catholic theologian, Thomas à Kempis, caught the meaning of Jesus’ words and said this about them, “Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; and without the life, there is no living. For Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.’ “

This passage from chapter 14 of John is part of a great discourse, a body of teaching material that Jesus spoke to the disciples in the upper room.

The end of his earthly ministry approaching, the cross looming before him, Jesus gathered his disciples around him and to help them understand his life and work, his approaching death and resurrection, he spoke to them these words, which include him saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

I invite you to pause in your busy lives to give these words some thought. Pull them apart and examine them more closely for in them there is a great blessing.

In them there is eternal meaning and truth.

Sherry Robinson: How do we reform CYFD and care for unwanted children being shuffled from place to place?

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Sherry Robinson: How do we reform CYFD and care for unwanted children being shuffled from place to place?

Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote

What bothers Melissa Beery is that in all of the investigations, lawsuits and reporting on CYFD, nobody captures the day-to-day experience of children in state custody. Too many of these kids are shuffled from place to place – CYFD offices, shelters, the streets – without food, medicine or school. Or the notice of a single caring adult.

Beery is a peer support worker – someone who raised a child with mental or behavioral health issues or development delays and is trained and certified by the state to work with families in the case load of the state Children Youth and Families Department.

“We’ve walked the path,” Beery says. She’s employed by a CYFD contractor.

A recent report from the state Department of Justice may not describe day-to-day life, but the interviews with kids paint a tragic picture.

Jacob, age 12, had eight placements in his first two months in custody and more than 30 in less than six years. In congregate care and group homes, the sporadic meals were unhealthy, he received no therapy for his health issues, and nobody was taking him to school.

In one facility he was placed with teenagers who jumped him five times on his first day, sustaining a concussion; the program director didn’t intervene. Another facility was filthy and the staff abusive. He rotated through shelters in Taos, Roswell and Hobbs. At Albuquerque’s CYFD’s office, he slept in a storage closet; “meals” were goldfish crackers and bottled water, and the case worker sometimes told Jacob to find his own place to sleep and come back in the morning. The boy’s case worker at CYFD failed to check on him even monthly, the required minimum.

There are lots of Jacobs.

Beery has her own horror stories of kids with too many placements, bounced from CYFD offices around the state to shelters, where they’re not only unsafe but can just walk out.

“We play whack-a-mole with kids,” she says.

Nobody wants to talk about the kids who are older and harder to place. “Foster parents want kids 0 to 5,” she says. “Kids with behavioral health issues, nobody wants to take them. Residential treatment is almost impossible to find.”

AMIkids is a reputable national program, but New Mexico has just two facilities, in Farmington and Albuquerque, and they only take boys. “It’s hard to find therapy, hard to get an evaluation, hard to get medications.”

To Beery, one solution is helping families and keeping the kid at home. “My perspective is to keep families together. It also lines up with what the feds want to spend money on.”

“Too many times kids are taken for small things, like the house is too dirty and bug infested,” she says. Instead, the state should ask, what can we do for you? Solutions can be relatively simple. “One family had an autistic kid who wanders. Why not get a GPS tracker in his shoe? It’s better than taking him into state custody.”

An emphasis on removing kids doesn’t consider “the long-term consequences of losing the only family they’re connected to. Being untethered is a hard way to go through life.”

CYFD has a Family Services division that’s supposed to do everything Beery mentions. It’s as dysfunctional as the rest of the agency.

“It’s disheartening how bad it is,” she says.

I should mention here that Beery differs somewhat from reformers like Maralyn Beck, founder of the watchdog New Mexico Child First Network, who believes in foster care and whose organization provides support to foster parents. The two do agree on how poorly CYFD is living up to its responsibilities. Considering the time needed for drug and alcohol treatment (that may not succeed), I’d say we need an all-of-the-above approach.

When Beery first wrote to me three years ago, she wanted to see CYFD dismantled and replaced by new and responsive entities. Today she proposes a cultural transformation.

“A culture shift at a massive, entrenched agency like CYFD isn’t just about hiring a new cabinet secretary, it’s about a fundamental rewiring of how the department views its mission, its staff, and the families it serves,” she writes.

Whether we dismantle or transform CYFD, whatever happens is not just on the governor, it’s on all of us.

Sherry Robinson is a longtime New Mexico reporter and editor. She has worked in Grants, Gallup, the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico Business Weekly and Albuquerque Tribune. She is the author of four books. Her columns won first place in 2024 from New Mexico Press Women.

Special Olympians from Artesia participate in the Area IV Summer Olympics games in Carlsbad. Here are some pictures.

Michael Smith
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Special Olympians from Artesia participate in the Area IV Summer Olympics games in Carlsbad. Here are some pictures.

Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

Cool weather greeted Special Olympians from Carlsbad, Artesia, Clovis, Lea County and Roswell Saturday at Carlsbad High School.

Special Olympians from Artesia during the parade of champions.

Athletes participated in a number of events ranging from track and field to flag football.

Joseph Italiano finishes a relay race for Artesia’s Special Olympics Pecos Valley.

Around Town takes a look at community activities for everyone

News Staff
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Around Town takes a look at community activities for everyone

RPEC (Republican Party, Eddy County)

The monthly meeting is Thursday, May 14th at the Artesia Country Club at 2701 W. Richey Ave. Come at 5:30p to enjoy a wonderful meal (TBA). Our speakers will begin at 6:00p.

Join us for food and community sharing. Everyone is welcome!

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Toddler Time

April  30 @ 10:30am

For toddlers ages 1-3 and their families. Music, creative movement, group activities, play with age-appropriate toys, and social time.

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STEM/STEAM

After School April  30 @ 4:00pm

For students in grades K-6th and their families. Each week we offer a different fun activity to put STEAM techniques and ideas to work, from LEGO building to paper circuits, slime lab, and more.

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Teen Tuesdays

April 30 @ 3:30pm

Looking for a place to read, study, or just do homework and hang out? Join us Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm. Ages 12-17

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Dungeons & Dragons

April  30 @ 2:00pm

Our weekly Dungeons & Dragons program meets on Tuesday afternoons. Come join the fun.

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Literary Lounge

April 30 @ noon

The Literary Lounge book discussion group reads books on all topics pertaining to books, literature, libraries, bookshops, librarians, authors, and more. This month’s selection is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by May Ann Shaffer. Books are available at the library and on Libby. Age 18+

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Cuddles & Comfort

Please support Eddy County First Responders by donating stuffed animals and blankets to Bennie’s Western Wear or to The Legislature Offices in the Petroleum Building both in Downtown Artesia throughout the year.

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President Trump’s Prayer Initiative:

President Trump has asked that the American People come together and pray for our Nation weekly until July 4th, 2026.

Artesia will be holding its prayer gathering every Thursday at Lucky Duck Restaurant, 2209 W. Main St, Artesia NM at 10-11am.

Come and go during the hour. Everyone is welcome Come join and pray for our Nation.

We’ll begin again on January 8th, 2026.

Come & go during the hour.  Everyone is welcome.

Shared prayers or silent prayers- whatever you feel comfortable with

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 Final Phase 26th Reconstruction

26th St. will be closed to traffic in both directions from W. Mann/W. Remington ST. to just north of W. Hermosa Dr. for the final phase of the 26th St. reconstruction project. For more information contact Todd Carroll 575-626-6013 or Scott Hicks 575-626-5042.

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PHLEBOTOMIST PROGRAM

Applications are now open for Artesia General Hospital’s certified phlebotomist program. To learn how to apply and for more information on this career opportunity, call 575-736-8178 or email foundation@artesiageneral.com.

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GRIEF SUPPORT

A Grief Group meets at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday in the Saint Damien Center at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1111 N. Roselawn Ave. Free support is offered in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact Nora at 575-308-3248.

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P.A.L.S.

People about losing safely meets at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Senior Center. For more information, call the Center at 575-746-4113.

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ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP

Every other Tuesday  from 6:30pm-7:30pm at Artesia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center -1402 Gilchrist Ave. RSVP to Helen at 575-746-6006.

A look at Artesia golfers in action on Monday

JT Keith
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A look at Artesia golfers in action on Monday
JT Keith| Artesia Day Press
Artesia golfers eye up a shot during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer eyes up a putt
Ashton Craft lines up a putt during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer after making a putt.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during Monday’s action at the Artesia Country Club.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer marks her ball during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer hits a putt during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer looks to the course before teeing off.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during action on Monday’s golf tournament.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits a shot during Monday’s action.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his shot on Monday.
Artesia golfers look at an opponent hit a tee shot.
An Artesia golfer gets ready to hit a tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during Monday’s tournament.
An Artesia golfer follows through during Monday action.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits her tee shot on Monday.
Ashton Craft watches her putt during action on Monday.

Eddy County under flash flood watch. Here are some details.

Michael Smith
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Eddy County under flash flood watch. Here are some details.

An upper-level weather disturbance along with plenty of moisture are creating favorable amounts for rainfall today in Eddy County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Midland, Texas.

A flash flood watch has been posted until 3 p.m. today as heavy rainfall could produce one to two inches of rain.

Rain chances in Artesia today are 90 percent, read an NWS forecast.

(Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press) Heavy rain produced minor flooding near the corner of West Washington Avenue and Roselawn Avenue in Artesia.

Here is a look at the latest crimes and arrests reported by the Artesia Police Department

News Staff
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Here is a look at the latest crimes and arrests reported by the Artesia Police Department

April 14

Arrest

Lino L. Aguirre arrested for municipal failure to pay.

UNATTENDED

4:43 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to an unattended death.

DOMESTIC

5:29 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

7:15 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

GRAFFITI

8:08 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 13th St. in reference to graffiti.

LARCENY

8:31 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 4th St. in reference to larceny.

WANTED

9:19 am- Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

WELFARE

2:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SHOTS FIRED

3:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

3:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

SUSPICIOUS

3:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 16th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

9:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to neighborly disturbance.

RECKLESS

9:41 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SHOTS FIRED

11:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

April 15

Arrest

Natasha Maria Atkinson arrested for Battery and criminal damage to property.

SUSPICIOUS

1:43 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

2:06 am -Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Kemp Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

ALARM

7:56 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

8:08 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HARASSMENT

9:42 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to harassment.

WELFARE

9:55 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BURGLARY

12:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an auto burglary.

ACCIDENT

3:28 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

4:20 pm – Officer dispatched to Benelli Ave. and Springfield St. in reference to indecent exposure.

DISTURBANCE

9:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to disturbance.

April 16

Arrest

Natasha Maria Atkinson arrested for battery, criminal damage to property.

Jeremy M.  Bravo arrested for Violation of Conditions of release.

Jonthan A. Bravo arrested for municipal failure to appear.

Vicente H. Ontiveros arrested for driving on a revoked license, possession, delivery, manufacture of drug paraphernalia.

WANTED

12:24 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

2:49 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 11th St. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

3:21 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

4:30 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

4:58 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to domestic.

VANDAL

8:04 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Main St. in reference to structure vandal.

WELFARE

9:07 am – Officer dispatched to 5100 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

GRAFFITI

9:13 am -Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WANTED

10:33 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 5th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

11:08 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Gage Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

GRAFFITI

2:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to graffiti.

SUSPICIOUS

3:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

4:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

WANTED

6:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

6:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

INCORRIGIBLE

8:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to an incorrigible child.

DISTURBANCE

10:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Ave. in reference to disturbance.

April 17

Arrest

Jorge A. Molina arrested for municipal failure to pay, municipal failure to comply. Careless driving, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer, revoked suspended with arrest.

Jose Giovanni Vazquez Diaz arrested for negligent use of a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct.

LARCENY

8:09 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to larceny.

GRAFFITI

9:32 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to graffiti.

11:39 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to graffiti.

HARASSMENT

1:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to harassment.

GRAFFITI

3:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to graffiti.

OVERDOSE

5:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to an overdose.

 SUSPICIOUS

6:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

SHOTS FIRED

10:17 pm -Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to shots fired in the area.

April 20

Arrest

Javier Delgado arrested for criminal damage to property.

Horacio Quezada arrested for failure to appear.

Joshua Campa Correa arrested for DWI.

BATTERY

8:22 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

GRAFFITI

9:27 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

9:36 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

9:37 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

12:51 pm –Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

ACCIDENT

9:59 am – Officer dispatched to Bowman Dr. W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

1:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

2:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

4:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

LOUD

7:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to loud music.

DOMESTIC

8:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. Osborn Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

8:15 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 7th St.  in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

BATTERY

11:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to battery.

April 21

Arrest

Edward Martinez DeLaCruz arrested for extreme cruelty to animals.

ACCIDENT

12:21 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 7th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

2:38 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Mahone Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

1:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFITI

3:20 pm- Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Main St. in reference t o graffiti.

WELFARE

5:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of S. 18th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

5:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Gage Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BURGLARY

7:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 4th St. in reference to an auto burglary.

DISTRUBANCE

4:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

4:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

6:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

Tom Wright: Can New Mexico make a comeback from governor to Congress?

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Tom Wright: Can New Mexico make a comeback from governor to Congress?

Tom Wright

I really liked state Sen. David Gallegos’ opinion piece titled: If Someone Wanted to Hold New Mexico Back. It went straight to the point on why we are at the bottom of most lists, from education to economic opportunity. There is one category where we lead – welfare dependency. Sen. Gallegos rightly placed the blame on progressive Democrats, who are all about power and not the people. They promote government dependency for those who struggle economically and over-regulate those who achieve.

How do we reverse these trends? Vote differently. Perhaps I should say: educate yourself on the candidates and get out and vote. I know good people who stay at home election day, saying, “What’s the use? Things never change.” The Democrats have control and, true enough, they are one vote away from a super majority in our Legislature. I sat at a dinner party with well-to-do confessed Republicans who had no idea of the Republican candidates running in the June 2 primary. Not good for change.

Statewide, the percentage of registered Democrats is declining while Republicans and Did Not State (DNS) independents are increasing. In 2020, according to the secretary of state’s office, voter registration totals by party were: 580,999 Democrats; 386,872 Republicans; 11,326 Libertarians; 286,771 DNS; and 12,985 other. As of January 2026, the registration totals were: 574,129 Democrats; 443,233 Republicans; 358,848 DNS; and 27,751 other.

Over the last six years, the Democrat majority is diminishing. The number of Republican, DNS and other voters is increasing and the combined totals outnumber registered Democrats by almost double. So, how did Democrats get one vote away from a super majority? Voter apathy is the logical answer.

However, the mayoral special election in Rio Rancho seems to set a new trend. Republican Paul Wymer won against his Democrat opponent by a 26% margin – 63% to 37%. That exceeds the political party makeup of Sandoval County where registration numbers show 45,164 Democrats; 38,583 Republicans; and 32,205 DNS. This is not a new voting trend in Rio Rancho where Republican Gregg Hull has been mayor for the past 12 years, guiding that city to rank as the state’s third largest with thriving businesses, jobs and employment. Hull is running in the Republican primary for governor.

National news organizations are noting that President Donald Trump won Rio Rancho by a margin of 3%, meaning Paul Wymer outperformed the president by 23%. Could this be a trend in New Mexico? We will see. What I do know is Trump just endorsed Greg Cunningham in the 2nd Congressional District. Democrats’ gerrymandering has perhaps backfired in District 2 and in District 3, which is mostly composed of northern New Mexico and now includes conservative Clovis. Clovis’ own Martin Zamora, who was elected to state House District 63 in 2018 and is running for Congress in District 3, is truly one of the people. He is a farmer and rancher, not a lawyer or professional politician, and has campaigned among the communities in the northern part of the state where his opponent seldom goes. While Santa Fe County is a Democratic stronghold, I met Zamora there this past week. He has the sincere personal appeal that attracts people. This is something I have found lacking in our current representative.

Can New Mexico make a comeback? I believe it can, from governor to Congress. This will take defeating progressive Democrats. We the people of New Mexico deserve better representation, but we must get out and vote. The Democratic Party may tell you it is big and tough and has a mean, loud machine, but it is now in the minority.

Tom Wright is a Santa Fe columnist and El Rito Media investor.

Scenes from Artesia boys baseball district championship win over Goddard on Thursday

JT Keith
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Scenes from Artesia boys baseball district championship win over Goddard on Thursday
Provided | Shawn Naranjo

Artesia pitcher Charlie Campbell IV throws a pitch to a Goddard batter during the district championship game at the Launch Pad on Thursday.

Artesia first baseman Daelon Pacheco waits on the ball while trying to tag a Goddard baserunner out.
Artesia outfielder Jett Whitmire tracks down a ball off the bat of a Goddard hitter.
Artesia catcher Brant Usherwood frames a pitch for a strike as a Goddard batter looks on.
An Artesia baserunner slides back into first base safely during Thursday night’s championship game.

Artesia softball team repeats as District champs

JT Keith
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Artesia softball team repeats as District champs
JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press,

The Artesia Lady ‘Dogs have captured their second consecutive District title and remain unbeaten in district play. Artesia is 22-4 on the season and ranked No. 1 in the state. The Lady ‘Dogs will play a doubleheader against Portales at the Mack at 11 a.m. Saturday.

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