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Garcia Richard played tricks while Trump treated New Mexico to ABQ rally

Adrian Hedden
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Garcia Richard played tricks while Trump treated New Mexico to ABQ rally

By: Michael Perry

In a blatant misuse of power, New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard made the decision to refuse the Trump campaign’s use of a parking lot for their rally held on Halloween in Albuquerque. By denying access to an area that falls within the bounds of the campaign’s legally established lease from Isleta, Garcia Richard appeared to deliberately attempt to disrupt the political process. This brazen maneuver not only disregards the principles of free speech and assembly but also sets a disturbing precedent for how public office can be wielded against those with opposing political views.

The purpose of the rally was to provide a platform for supporters and those interested in learning more about a candidate’s positions. It’s an opportunity for individuals to come together in support of their beliefs and values. For the commissioner to deny the Trump campaign access to the parking lot a seemingly trivial part of the rally setup signals a broader attempt to suppress political expression. Such actions were a stark violation of the American principles that allow citizens to freely express their political affiliations, regardless of partisan lines. The campaign’s lease, which extended to the parking lot, reflects a mutual understanding and right to the space. The lot was held “hostage,” as some have described, Garcia Richard leveraged her power in a way that appeared both petty and antithetical to her duty as a public servant.

Public offices, especially one as influential as the State Land Office, are not meant to be vehicles for personal biases. They are established to serve all citizens fairly and impartially. Yet, Garcia Richard’s refusal to honor the lease agreement demonstrates a troubling trend: the erosion of neutrality in government roles, where officials prioritize partisan agendas over their constitutional oath. Instead of fostering an environment where all New Mexicans can express their political views, the State Land Office is alienating a segment of the population and attempting to dictate which voices get a platform.

This situation also highlights a broader issue in contemporary politics using government influence to silence opposition. No public official should feel emboldened to stifle free speech and expression.Yet, Garcia Richard’s actions here suggest a willingness to do exactly that. This is not merely a local issue; it reflects a growing problem within American governance. When officials refuse to uphold the rights of individuals based on political disagreements, they abandon the foundational principle of representing all citizens fairly.

What New Mexico’s Republican voters and, frankly, all Americans deserve is a government that will respect and protect the rights of all political participants. The State Land Office’s role is to manage public lands responsibly, not to suppress lawful political expression. Commissioner Garcia Richard must be held accountable for her actions in the name of fair governance, and it is crucial for all New Mexicans, regardless of party, to call out this blatant abuse of power.

Michael Perry is a Chaves County Commissioner.

Cool temperatures are not stopping anglers

Michael Smith
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Cool temperatures are not stopping anglers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Fall temperatures did not discourage anglers across southern and southeastern New Mexico this week.

Between Carlsbad and Artesia, fishing for bass at Brantley Lake was fair using plastic worms.

In Lincoln County, fishing for trout at Bonito Lake was fair to good using olive green Pistol Pete spinner flies.

At Grindstone Lake, fishing for trout was good using Rooster Tail spinners, Salmon Peach PowerBait, chartreuse Pautzke Balls O’ Fire and mini marshmallows.

In the Truth or Consequences area, fishing for white bass was good using Flicker Shad lures.

Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbaits and jigs tipped with worms. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good using plastic worms. Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Make an informed decision about judges on the ballot

Michael Smith
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By: David K. Thomson
 

Assessing how state court judges perform on the job is difficult, particularly for New Mexico voters in today’s divisive political environment. But information from the state’s Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) can assist New Mexicans in deciding whether to vote “yes” or “no” to retain judges and justices on the general election ballot.

 

JPEC was established to specifically help voters carry out their role in ensuring competent, professional judges in New Mexico. The commission’s evaluations also provide feedback to judges for improving their performance. The end result is a judicial system that better serves New Mexicans.

 

I am writing not to endorse or advocate the retention of any particular judge on the ballot. Ethical rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibit judges and justices from endorsing or opposing any candidate for elective office.

 

My purpose is to help voters understand a judge’s role in our justice system and the work they do every day in our courts. Judges do not write laws or create policy. Judges do not prosecute criminal cases. They do not advocate for or against legal matters. Judges must decide cases based on the law’s requirements and the evidence presented in court.

 

Why is that?  Our Constitution created the judiciary as an independent branch of government to protect the rights of all the people and impartially deliver justice. To do that, judges must cast aside their personal opinions and remain free of influence from popular sentiment about the issues in a pending case.

 

At times, the public may question why a judge ruled a certain way. But what one learns about the ruling from the internet or news reports may be incomplete or even misleading.

 

JPEC assesses a judge’s impartiality and integrity, knowledge and understanding of the law, management of cases to efficiently decide them, and skills in communicating their rulings. The commission’s evaluation of a judge’s performance is free from partisan bias and not influenced by any particular viewpoint in favor or against a specific issue.

 

Ultimately, it falls to voters to decide whether to keep a judge on the job. That is how our system works. More than 30 years ago, voters adopted a requirement for periodic retention election of judges by establishing a merit selection system for appellate, district and metropolitan court judges. It is a rigorous selection process that screens people who wish to become judges and ensures qualified individuals are recommended to the governor for appointment to the bench.

 

Serving as a judge is a demanding job. I trust that voters, in carrying out their responsibility, will review information from JPEC to make an informed decision when they reach the judicial selection portion of their ballots.

 

We all benefit from what our Constitution requires of judges: Fair and impartial justice, free of bias and prejudice.

 

David K. Thomson is the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court

Groundbreaking held for Artesia Rec Center

Michael Smith
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Groundbreaking held for Artesia Rec Center

By:  Dave Shabaz, Publisher
 

     Tuesday was a special day, not only for the Artesia community but also for the local youth. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Artesia Recreation Center, which should be completed in 15 months.

 

     Sandra Borges welcomed the crowd to what became more of a ground-blowing than a groundbreaking. The wind was blowing hard, but the swirling dust couldn’t dampen the high spirits of those who attended. Borges is president of the Artesia Recreation Center Foundation and executive director of the PY Foundation.

 

     Borges reminded everyone that it has been a year and a half since community meetings were held to discuss plans for the project.

 

“The kids at the current rec center had a long wish list,” she said – a list that included a Chick-fil-A, a Sea World and the hope they could get soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to come to Artesia.

 

“But what they really wanted,” she said, “was a place they could really enjoy, with basketball courts, a rec center with windows and somewhere to hang out with friends, which they are going to get.”

 

    Donors for the Rec Center project are: PY Foundation, Chase Foundation, TLC Foundation, Frank Yates Jr. Family Foundation, Western Bank, Royal Services, First American Bank, and Devon Energy.

 

“One exciting part of this project is our partnership with healthcare organizations like Artesia General Hospital, UMC Medical Center in Lubbock and the Burrell School of Osteopathic Medicine, which enables us to go beyond recreation and into wellness,” Borges said. “These partnerships will allow us to offer preventive health workshops, free screenings, and educational resources to empower our community to lead healthier lives.”

 

     Speakers at the event included Mayor Jon Henry, Hayley Klein of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Huitt-Zollars architect Jose Zelaya, Shad James and Peyton Yates.

 

Yates began by welcoming the 3rd grade students who attended the event. They came from the Yeso, Yucca, Hermosa, Central and Roselawn Elementary schools.

 

“We appreciate you and I want you to not forget this day because it is very special to have you all here,” he said. He finished by welcoming Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, who attended the event with her husband Pat.

 

“Nella’s dad Pete served as a U.S. senator for 36 years, making him the longest tenured U.S. senator in New Mexico’s history,” Yates said.

 

     Look for a March 2026 completion of the Artesia Recreation Center.

Thoughts on Halloween

Michael Smith
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Thoughts on Halloween

By: Pastor Rick Smith

With Halloween taking place this week, I think I need to speak about a Christian’s participation in it.  Let us acknowledge that Halloween can in no way be considered a Christian holiday.  It is Celtic and pagan at its roots.  The Catholic church tried to sanitize it by moving All Saints Day and All Souls Day to the season of what we now call the Halloween celebration.  Just by happenstance Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church in Germany on October 31, 1517 which the reformed churches now celebrate as Reformation Day.  Though I’m not reformed, there is justification for celebrating Reformation Day instead of the pagan day of Halloween.  Moses warned the children of Israel not to participate in the wicked practices of the people occupying the Promised Land. You can find this in Deuteronomy 18:9-13.  I believe it is a warning that we as Christians should heed.  We can take Moses’ instructions to them as guidelines for us today.  

 

First, we are not to follow the abominable practices of idolatry and paganism.  “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations (Deuteronomy 18:9).”.  We all have a tendency to adopt cultural practices of those we come into contact with.  Not all of this is wrong, but we have to be careful, as children of God, to avoid that which is evil in the sight of God. When Halloween was brought to this country by immigrants from the British Isles it was the “trick or treat” that appealed to young men.  They would harass people for food and drink for their wild parties.  Thankfully, Christians were able to make it a children’s holiday where “trick or treat” came to mean nothing really, but candy for kids.   

Also, in Deuteronomy 18:10-11 the children of Israel, and we as Christians, were warned of those things we should avoid.  They were warned, “There shall not be found among you any one…”.  As a nation they weren’t to have anyone that practiced or participated in the following practices.  No one was to make their children “pass through the fire”, which meant human sacrifice.  We are not innocent of that, because we sacrifice our children on the altar of “my body, my choice” and make the murder of the innocent legal and acceptable.  Or a diviner, someone who tells fortunes.  You can find them in our cities, in the newspapers, call them up on the phone, and search for them on the internet.  Neither one who is an observer of times – astrologer.  No enchanters – one who discovers hidden things.  No witches, or sorcerers.  No charmers or those that have familiar spirits – demons.  No wizards – those that possess secret knowledge.  No necromancer – those that communicate with the dead – Ouija boards, seances.  The primary principle that we have here is that anything that draws you from dependence on God to the abomination of idolatry and paganism has to be resisted and rooted out.  We need to remember that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places(Ephesians 6:12).”.  We destroy our enemies with the gospel and truth.

 

Why do we need to flee from these practices?  “For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD… (Deuteronomy 18:12).”  These are things that God hates and he brings judgment on the nations that practice them.  Because of these abominations, God determined their destruction and commanded Israel to do it.  Just as God hated the sin and abominations of the Canaanites and pronounced judgment on them, He pronounces judgment on our personal sins.  As a result we should put to death sin in our own lives and seek the salvation of others.  Jesus Christ came and died on the cross for vile sinners like you and me.  And Christians should seek the salvation of others.  But we should seek their salvation “…with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:23).”

 

Finally, Moses says to us, “Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 18:13).”. We must take care as we look to the needs of others and we fail to guard our own soul.  It is easy for any of us to be ensnared in temptation.  Therefore, put on the whole armor of God.  Fight the good fight of faith, but be aware that “…your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).”  And watch over them that are the most vulnerable – our children.  Most of the littlest of these cannot distinguish between play, fantasy, and reality.  They can be easily influenced by media and peer pressure to get involved in things that will turn them from God and the truth.  For some it may be for a time, but for others it may be forever.  Be an example and a witness to them even as we take them out “Trick or Treating”.   

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.  Check our sermon videos on Youtube @ricksmith2541.  Send comments and prayer requests to prayerlinecmbc@gmail.com.

Rick Smith is the Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Artesia.

A Vision for 2030

Michael Smith
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By:  Kevin Beardmore, Ed.D

A new front lot, solar covered parking spaces, and a HVAC system replacement have been major improvements at Southeast New Mexico College in 2024.  In 2025, we will begin working on the Trades x Technologies Building and renovations to the Main Building.  This will allow us to add programs in Oil & Gas, Electrical, and Radiation Control, as well as create a new entrance and improve accessibility.  It is an exciting time to be at SENMC!

 

This is, however, only the beginning.  Over the next six months, we are creating a strategic plan for 2025-2030.  We need your input.  Please accept this invitation to a Community Forum on Thursday, November 7, in Room 252 of our Instructional Building from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Our strategic planning partners from the Southern Regional Education Board will assist with gathering your ideas for the future, including the strengths we need to build on, opportunities to improve, and new directions we can take together.

 

Knowing that this date will not work for everyone, there is a faster and easier way to share your vision for SENMC in 2030.  You can visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SENMC and complete a five-minute survey.  A key element of the survey is learning what you see as our priorities.  Below is a listing of 15 items that you can rank when you respond, including a little more information about each so you can make an informed decision. 

 

·       Dining Hall:  Our Early College students have breakfast and lunch provided on campus by Carlsbad Municipal Schools.  The food is prepared in their facilities and transported to SENMC to be served in our gym.  A Dining Hall would be a space designed specifically for serving meals, ones that could be available to our students and employees.

·       Residence Hall:  Housing for students and individuals taking advantage of our expanding workforce and industry programming.

·       Childcare on campus:  Care and early childhood education for children from birth to age two.  Open to the public with spots reserved for dependents of SENMC students and employees.

·       Preschool on campus:  For students aged three and four.  Open to the public with spots reserved for dependents of students/employees and siblings of those receiving childcare at SENMC.

·       Early College Building:  More classrooms and space for a growing Early College.

·       Additional Workforce Development/Industry Training:  More opportunities for students looking for non-credit training not tied to a traditional semester schedule and for those currently employed in industry who want to upskill.

·       Additional Community Education:  More classes for kids and adults who want to learn more.

·       ESL (English as a Second Language) for children and adults:  More instruction for students of all ages seeking to improve their English.

·       Family Programming:  Programs to support parents in learning together with their children.

·       New Transfer Partnerships with Universities:  More partnerships in addition to those with New Mexico universities and current out-of-state partners such as Arizona State, Texas Tech, and Western Governors University.

·       New Transfer Pathways with Universities:  More pathways for baccalaureate programs (for example, Computer Science Education, and Social Work).

·       New Career-focused Degree Programs:  More two-year degrees for employment in Eddy County, such as Waste Handling, HVAC, and Environmental Safety.

·       Paved Campus Exercise Trail:  A paved trail on campus to complement the gravel Ocotillo Trail.

·       Stoplight at University Drive and Pierce:  Ensuring the safety of traffic arriving and departing campus, particularly left turns.

·       Other:  A suggestion of your choice!

 

We look forward to hearing from you.  A few minutes of your time will help us to be all you want to see at SENMC!

 

Kevin Beardmore, Ed.D., is the President of Southeast New Mexico College.  He may be reached at kbeardmore@senmc.edu or 575.234.9211.

Are copper nails digging into your conscience?

Michael Smith
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Are copper nails digging into your conscience?

By: Pastor David Grousnick

There is nothing that so takes the joy out of life like unconfessed sin on the conscience.

The late Dr. F.E. Marsh tells that on one occasion he was preaching on this question and urging upon his hearers the importance of confession of sin and wherever possible of restitution for wrong done to others.

At the close, a young man, a member of the church, came up to him with a troubled countenance. “Pastor,” he explained, “you have put me in a sad fix. I have wronged another, and I am ashamed to confess it or to try to put it right.”

“You see, I am a boat builder and the man I work for is an infidel. I have talked to him often about his need of Christ and urged him to come and hear you preach, but he scoffs and ridicules it all. Now, I have been guilty of something that, if I should acknowledge it to him, will ruin my testimony forever.”

He then went on to say that sometime ago he started to build a boat for himself in his own yard. In this work copper nails are used because they do not rust in the water. These nails are quite expensive, and the young man had been carrying home quantities of them to use on own boat.

He knew it was stealing, but he tried to salve his conscience be telling himself that the master had so many he would never miss them and besides he was not being paid all that he thought he deserved.

But this sermon had brought him to face the fact that he was just a common thief, for whose dishonest actions there was no excuse.

“But,” he said, “I cannot go to my boss and tell him what I have done or offer to pay for those I have used and return the rest. If I do, he will think I am just a hypocrite. And yet those copper nails are digging into my conscience, and I know I will not have peace until I put this matter right.”

For weeks the struggle went on. Then one night he came to Dr. Marsh and exclaimed, “Pastor, I’ve settled for the copper nails and my conscience is relieved at last.”

“What happened when you confessed to your employer what you had done?” asked the pastor.

“Oh,” he answered, “he looked queerly at me, then exclaimed, ‘George, I always did think you were just a hypocrite, but now I begin to feel there’s something in this Christianity after all. Any religion that would make a dishonest workman come back and confess that he had been stealing copper nails and offer to settle for them, must be worth having.'”

Dr. Marsh asked if he might use the story and was granted permission.

Sometime afterwards, he told it in another city. The next day a lady came up and said, “Doctor, I have had ‘copper nails’ on my conscience too.”

“Surely, you’re not a boat builder!”

“No, but I am a book lover, and I have stolen a number of books from a friend of mine who has far more books that I could ever afford. I decided last night I must get rid of the ‘copper nails,’ so I took them all back to her today and confessed my sin. I can’t tell you how relieved I am. She forgave me, and God has forgiven me. I am so thankful the ‘copper nails’ are not digging into my conscience anymore.”

Dr. Marsh told this story many times and almost invariably people came to him afterwards telling of “copper nails” in one form or another that they had to get rid of.

On one occasion, he told it at a High School chapel service. The next day the principal saw him and said, “As a result of that ‘copper nails’ story, ever so many stolen fountain pens and other things have been returned to their rightful owners.”

Reformation and restitution do not save. But where someone is truly repentant and has come to God in sincere confession, that person will want, to the best of their ability, to put things right with others.

Lesson: There are always two sides to every pancake.

“Two sides to every pancake” thinking challenges what we think MAY be happening in a certain situation. Or what MIGHT BE happening in a certain situation.

Can I justify my actions in life? Or am I just fooling myself with self-centered thinking?

It can be a quite a challenge to look at something from another point of view. And too often in life, people tend to go with their first impressions.

Have a great weekend!

David Grousnick, is the Pastor at the First Christian Church in Artesia

Altrusa Holds Yearly All Civic Luncheon 

Michael Smith
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Altrusa Holds Yearly All Civic Luncheon 

From Staff Reports:

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, Altrusa Club of Artesia hosted the third ALL CIVIC LUNCHEON at the 1st Christian Church Fellowship Hall.  All Civic groups, of Artesia and Carlsbad were invited. 

     In attendance were The Desk and Derrick, Artesia Downtown Lions, Carlsbad Downtown Lions and Artesia Altrusa International.

Danny Parker was MC and Mayor Pro tem Jeff Youtesy, from District 3 was in attendance to represent the city and proclaim October 26, 2024, ALL CIVICS DAY in Artesia.  Lunch was catered by Ashley Mason and Alison Starrett.  Dave Shabaz, the new Editor & Publisher of the Artesia Daily Press, was the keynote speaker with a platform on Volunteerism/Giving. 

Altrusa plans this event to coincide with Make a Difference Day, which is celebrated every fourth Saturday of October, to recognize community service in some small or large way.  “This was a way we could give back to the community and recognize our fellow civic groups that make a difference everyday in our City of Champions and surrounding community”, stated Alison Starrett, this year’s 2024/25 Altrusa president.

Here are the recipients of this year’s ALL CIVIC VOLUNTEER awards, voted on by their peers in their specific Civic Organizations.

*Reginia Garner-The Desk and Derrick

*Connie Connor-Artesia Downtown Lions

*Bob Stockwell-Carlsbad Downtown Lions (2x winner)

*Sue Pemberton-Artesia Altrusa

If you see these individuals around town, please thank them for their continued service within our community and beyond.

Another community faces high costs of disaster recovery 

Michael Smith
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Another community faces high costs of disaster recovery 

By Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote

           

As news spread about a freak storm in Roswell that dumped nearly six inches of rain in as many hours, we worried about people and places. My husband was living in Roswell when I met him, and I’d visited many times.

Safe in a dry house, we were talking about this disaster when it occurred to us: We’re all vulnerable. Before, we could watch the news about fires and hurricanes, but if you don’t live in the mountains or on the coast, it’s a bit removed. The Roswell flood brings climate change to everyone’s front porch.

Roswell City Manager Chad Cole said recently that it would take years for his city to recover, reported the Roswell Daily Record. “We are looking at hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure and facilities. I mean it. I’m not sugar coating it.”

The Record, which is making its online edition available free as the city digs out, also reported that state and federal officials were on hand. The governor has declared an emergency, and that step released $1 million, which is something of a down payment for future projects. A disaster declaration from the president will release more money.

FEMA was going door to door, the city posted on Facebook. I’ve been among the agency’s critics in the past, but with new management in New Mexico it appears Roswell won’t suffer the bureaucratic neglect we saw in Mora and the northern mountains after the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fires.

Even so, people may have to adjust their expectations. For years there’s been a belief that after a disaster the government will make you whole. Nope. They will help, but nobody is going to make you whole. And the help they provide will take longer than suffering residents might wish.

Disaster funding begins with local government, which is the first responder. Large-scale destruction and its higher costs will quickly involve the state, which works with local governments to pay for what it can, often immediate response as well as longer term recovery. When disasters outstrip the resources of local and state governments, the federal government steps in. But as costs have spiraled, feds have asked states to take more responsibility. A FEMA director said in 2019 that federal spending on natural disasters was unsustainable.

This is all according to a 2020 report by The Pew Charitable Trusts, which studied how states pay for disaster recovery. New Mexico and many other states have disaster accounts, as well as rainy day or reserve funds, said the report. States can also appropriate money or budget for disaster needs.

Notice they mention “rainy day” funds. We don’t like that term in New Mexico. We’re rightfully proud of our permanent funds, and policy makers don’t want us to think the permanent funds are easily accessible. Early childhood education advocates moved heaven and earth to tap some of that money. We may have to think about something similar if the federal government becomes hard-nosed about its disaster spending.

Our candidates didn’t want to talk about this as they campaigned, but we’re overdue for a frank discussion. Michael Coleman, a spokesman for the governor (who is not running for office) hinted at it when he told Source New Mexico that natural disasters stemming from climate change are increasing in number and intensity.

“The more of these events we experience as a state, and as a nation, the more our collective resources for responding will be stretched thin,” he said. “We must fortify our infrastructure and make it more resilient against damaging and sometimes catastrophic weather events.”

 At times like these, it may seem cold to talk about recovery costs, but some realistic planning will assure that governments can respond to disasters down the road.

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.

 

We welcome your stories 

Michael Smith
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By: Dave Shabaz, Publisher
 

Well, it’s been four months since I had the honor of becoming the Editor & Publisher of both The Carlsbad Current-Argus and The Artesia Daily Press.  I’ve learned so much about both communities, especially about the “rivalry” between the two cities, which I’ve worked very hard to respect.  Being a die-hard Chicago sports fan, no one understands rivalries like I do. Being a Cubs and Bears fan, I don’t even know if I could date a woman who was a Cardinals or Packers fan.  Of course, I say that in jest, but you get my point. Rivalries are real and they are serious to many people.

 

Both towns have the most amazing people I’ve met in my 35+ years in the newspaper industry. Last week, I had the privilege to speak at events in both cities.  First, I spoke at the Carlsbad Rotary Club. I have been a Rotarian for over 20 years, so it was a pleasure for me to not only speak there, but to become a member of the club.  I want to also make a visit to the Artesia Rotary Club very soon.  I also spoke at the 3rd Annual All Civic Luncheon, put on by the Altrusa International Club of Artesia. Both events were well attended, and I loved getting to meet many of our current, former and future subscribers.

 

I took questions at both events and there was one common question that I had in both cities, “can we still submit stories and photos to the paper?” I want to let everyone know that we not only accept photos and stories that are sent to us, but we encourage it.

 

Our main goal at both newspapers is to bring back “local journalism” to Carlsbad and Artesia. With the small staff that we currently have at both newspapers, community involvement is vital. Please let us know when you have an upcoming event and if you’ve already had an event, please send us photos and information about it, so we can share it with the community. Engagements, weddings, reunions, you name it. We would love to publish it in our papers.

 

Another common thread with both communities has been their love for their local newspaper. It warms my heart to hear people tell me how much they love reading the paper or how much they’ve missed it. 

 

In Artesia, I’ve started something new in conjunction with Artesia High School called, Voices of a New Generation.  We have some students from the high school writing news and feature stories about events around Artesia. It’s interesting to read about something from the perspective of a local youth writer. They may not see something the same as I would, with my 62-year old eyes. They have a unique perspective and it’s can be a wonderful read.

 

In Carlsbad, we were asked to take the newspapers to the school library, where the students have access to read the local paper. At a recent football game, I took a photo of a student and when I asked him his name and told him I was going to put him in the newspaper, he yelled out to his friends, “hey everybody, I’m gonna be in the newspaper!!”  As an old newspaper guy, that made me feel great.

 

Look, the Internet is great. I have social media pages of my own, but nothing is sweeter than getting your name or photo in the newspaper for something good. Parents and grandparents save those, frame those and keep them forever in scrapbooks.

 

And the one thing I’ve been telling people for decades when I used to be out selling advertising and they would say to me, “hey, no one reads the newspaper anymore,” I’d say in a joking manner, “well, get arrested in a small town and then tell me no one reads the paper.”  They would laugh and then immediately buy an ad….:)    

 

And I would love to come and visit with your group or club and talk about the newspaper, myself, the City, you name it. Just let me know and I’ll be there! And start sending in those story ideas and photos of your events! 

 

Dave Shabaz can be reached at: dshabaz@elritomedia.com and on his cell at: (903) 470-0557.

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