New Mexico

Riding the rails with New Mexico voters • Source New Mexico

Published

3 weeks ago

June 5, 2024

Riding the rails with New Mexico voters • Source New Mexico

Over the last eight years, I’ve spent many hours outside polling places from Albuquerque to Española begging voters for interviews.

This time I tried something different. The day before New Mexico’s primary election I rode the Rail Runner from end to end, from Santa Fe to Belen to talk with voters along the way.

It was surprising how open people were to talk with a stranger on a moving train about their political views.

The people on the train are from different backgrounds and almost all said the same thing: they are frustrated with their choices for who will lead their government.

‘I wish there were more options’

Lauren Hartzell, a 19-year-old biology and chemistry student at the University of New Mexico, took the Rail Runner down to the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to study rats.

We spoke as the Rail Runner took us through Kewa Pueblo, Sandoval County, and the Town of Bernalillo.

Hartzell said she will be voting in the general election, but she forgot about the primary, and said she didn’t know whether she could vote Tuesday. This year will be her first presidential election; her first time voting was in 2022.

“I remember when I turned 18, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m really glad that I’m finally old enough, but it had kind of fallen off my radar,’” Hartzell said. “American politics are not a very high priority in my life. My car’s broken down, I’m doing a lot of work stuff, and traveling a bunch.”

Asked what would make it easier to vote, Hartzell suggested more education on how to follow the voting process. Without the internet, she said, she wouldn’t know what to do.

Hartzell said she knows what she’s signing up for with Biden and Trump in the presidential election.

“It’s annoying to see the same two people who we were already upset with them being the only two choices in the last election,” Hartzell said. “I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a young person myself, but I’m really annoyed with seeing just old people in office. I wish there were more options out there.”

Hartzell said she wants to prepare a bit more for this election by researching local candidates and issues like cleaner energy.

“I think we need to start really going in a different direction — as a state, as a country, as a people,” she said. “As a biologist, I really care about the planet and I really don’t want to see species dying off.”

She said she thinks nuclear energy seems like a better option than oil and gas.

Hartzell said she thinks there are plenty of people out there who could run for office, but do not have the money to run a campaign.

She said she thinks it’s important for everyone to vote because the U.S. was built on democracy and without doing so, one’s voice on laws and policy won’t be heard.

“I would encourage everyone to vote, not just people I agree with,” she said. “I think it is really important to vote, get out there and voice our opinions.”

The Rail Runner arrives at the Santa Fe Depot. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM)

Political exhaustion

Starla Martinez, a student and a mother, was headed back south to her home in Albuquerque after a job interview in Santa Fe.

We spoke as we were passing through the Village of Los Ranchos and the North Valley, in the last few minutes before she had to depart.

Martinez said she’s voted in-person in every previous presidential election she could, starting in 2008, but didn’t vote in this year’s primary. Martinez said she will vote in the general election, but she doesn’t know who to vote for yet.

“I’m a person of color, I am kind of tired of seeing old white men in office,” Martinez said. “They don’t represent all of us, they don’t really care about what all of us think and say. Lobbying makes things incredibly difficult, because they have a voice over the people who should have a voice.”

Martinez said she feels a sense of political exhaustion she shares with friends and family.

“People who are stark Democrats, and stark Republicans, are like, ‘All the choices are bad,’” Martinez said. “I wish they could require politicians to get certified to be able to run. It seems like nobody’s really in touch with what’s happening with real people.”

She said this feeling applies to the presidential candidates and local elected officials.

“It doesn’t seem like they’re listening to their constituents over what they want to do,” Martinez said.

Martinez said she believes the U.S. needs “to break away from a two-party system.”

Even with the existing third parties, Martinez said, all the money gets pumped into the two major ones, “so we really don’t learn about who else we have to vote for.”

‘I’d probably vote for Trump, which does not make me happy’

On the way back up from Belen headed northbound, I spoke with Lily Rich, a 19-year-old registered independent from Albuquerque and a student researcher in atmospheric physics at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.

This is the first election in which Rich is eligible to vote. She registered shortly after becoming a legal adult. Rich said she probably would not vote in the primary on Tuesday, but said she would feel differently with better candidates.

“I think voting is important, and I plan to do so, but as of now, with all the changes in what’s going on, I don’t feel like I have all the information or time to make a decision about who would be best.”

Rich said information about how the primary works should be more widespread, and there should be a better way to educate and inform young voters.

“I think having a source that’s unbiased where you can find all the information without people’s own opinions being in there would be really helpful, because these topics are really heated,” Rich said. “Especially at my age, where a lot of people are super liberal, it’s really hard to tell what’s going on.”

Rich said she thinks both Trump and Biden are bad candidates.

“I really don’t know, but I’d probably vote for Trump, which does not make me happy to say, but I don’t like how Biden has run this country,” she said.

Rich said a hypothetical candidate who would excite her would be a moderate who isn’t anti-abortion, is not racist, is not sexist, and who would “help America continue to flourish, but not have all these foreign problems right now.”

“I don’t completely agree with the left’s social views because I feel like they’re a little bit radical sometimes, but I don’t agree with the right’s social views either,” she said. “On some policies, it’s just better to be in the middle.”

The Rail Runner arrives at the Santa Fe Depot. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM)

‘The system is pretty much run by white people, for white people’

On the second half of the journey back north, the fourth person I spoke with was Kanji Tanka, who was on his way home to Santa Fe. The setting sun filled the train car with an orange and yellow light.

Tanka (Lakota Oyate) and his partner voted by absentee ballot last week. Tanka said his partner did a lot of research into her choices, while he did what he has done in all previous elections: he voted for all Democratic candidates, because “There’s nothing else to vote for.”

“There’s not much hope for Biden, but it’s better than having no hope at all,” Tanka said. “Basically, the system is pretty much run by white people, for white people. People like me, women and children, we’re at the bottom of the pile.”

Tanka said he has not voted for most of his life, but decided to vote in this election because “everybody keeps telling me, ‘your vote counts.’”

“You know what? For Native Americans, it’s highly doubtful,” he said. “It might help a little, but we have a government system — doesn’t matter who’s running it — they’ve always been anti-Indian.”

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New Mexico

New Mexico United falls short in heated international friendly vs. FC Juarez

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2024

Press Room

New Mexico United falls short in heated international friendly vs. FC Juarez

On the gusty evening of Wednesday, June 19, New Mexico United battled it out with FC Juarez in what became a close and physical match in front of over 10,000 fans.

United fought to keep the score close, but ultimately lost 4-2 when FC Juarez was awarded a late penalty kick from a hand-ball call – which sparked criticism of the referee by both players and fans. Midfielder #17 Manuel Castro scored the penalty kick in the 86th minute.

FC Juarez presumably sealed their victory with three first-half goals, making the score 3-0 at half time. The match grew tense when United closed the score margin to 3-2 in the second half. Multiple players from both teams received yellow cards, and one United player and a team staff member were given red cards.

FC Juarez capitalized on moments when United’s defensive line appeared to leave open gaps in the first half. FC Juarez forward #29 Ángel Zaldívar scored two of the goals in the 13th and 41st minute, and forward #33 Aitor García scored the third goal of the half in minute 45.

United struggled to maintain possession and did not pose a major threat to FC Juarez until early in the second half, when #10 midfielder substitute Marco Micaletto created danger in the box.

Micaletto scored off of a penalty kick from a hand-ball at the 54 minute mark, and five minutes later, #22 defender Kalen Ryden scored a header off of a free-kick also taken by Micaletto.

“(Micaletto) put a perfect ball in the back post that was exactly where it should’ve been, and all I had to do was make good contact on it and that’s what I did … I’m happy I was able to find the back of the net,” Ryden said.

Coach Eric Quill subbed in Micaletto for #10 midfielder Sergio Rivas at half time. Ryden credited Micaletto with getting United back in the game.

“(Micaletto) is full of energy, he’s full of quality, he’s aggressive … he’s a player that makes an instant impact,” Ryden said.

The intensity picked up when the score was 3-2. Just three minutes after Ryden’s goal, United defender #47 Jackson DuBois received his second yellow card of the game, sending him off the field with a red card.

In minute 62, during the heat of the game, United Academy graduate Jace Sais made his professional debut.

“It’s just a wonderful lifetime opportunity to get out here and play with professional people from a different country, and it was just a surreal experience to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world,” Sais said.

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The ball never remained on one side of the field as United aggressively fought for a tie and FC Juarez tried to seal their victory.

United defender #33 Harry Swartz nearly evened the scoreboard in the 77th minute when he headed a long ball that hit the crossbar.

With about 10 minutes left in the game, the intensity made its way off the field, when substitutes and coaching staff from both teams got into an altercation. It led to one of United’s assistant coaches, Nate Walzer, and an FC Juarez substitute to be sent off the pitch with red cards.

During the last few minutes of the game, FC Juarez was awarded a penalty kick resulting from an apparent hand-ball in the box. The referee who made the call was met with extreme dissatisfaction from both United players and fans.

FC Juarez scored the penalty kick, clinching their 4-2 win over United.

Quill believed the game was a good opportunity for United to compete, but said the team could have done some things differently to prevent the early conceded goals.

“We kind of stepped on our own toes and changed the game a little bit,” Quill said.

The intensity and physicality of the game was warranted despite it being considered a “friendly,” Quill said.

“It’s a second division side versus a first division side, so they want to prove themselves. When teams want to prove themselves, there’s gonna be a little bit more bite in the tackle … when that bite is there, they’re gonna bite back,” Quill said.

In their next USL Championship match on Saturday, June 22, United defeated the Colorado Springs Switchbacks 1-0 to cement their spot on top of the Western conference.

After the international friendly, Quill commented on how the stadium was packed with not only United fans, but fans in bright green FC Juarez jerseys to cheer for their team.

“The support of football is here and it’s real … I’m blessed to be a part of it,” Quill said.

Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88

Paloma Chapa

Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88

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New Mexico

Arvada firefighter robbed while fighting New Mexico blaze

Published

10 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Press Room

Arvada firefighter robbed while fighting New Mexico blaze

DENVER (KDVR) — An Arvada firefighter was robbed while fighting deadly wildfires blazing in New Mexico.

Matthew Ramos was part of a Colorado crew that traveled to help battle the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, which have burned thousands of acres near Ruidoso, New Mexico, about eight hours south of Denver.

While helping out the community, Ramos’ car was parked outside of a fire station near the burn zone. When he got back, a duffle bag full of gear and some money had been stolen.

“It looks like they broke my car door handle somehow and got in. It’s an older vehicle so it’s not hard to break into,” Ramos told FOX31. “You know, maybe they were in a bad spot and needed it more than I did. But it’s just unfortunate to see really.”

Ramos has returned to Arvada, and said fighting the fire was “traumatizing” and said the full impact of the massive blaze has not set in.

Houses destroyed by the South Fork Fire are pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. . (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
The remains of the Wild West Ski Shop, destroyed by the South Fork Fire, are pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Smoke rises off the remains of a house destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
The flattened remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are shown after it was destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
A tree that split in half due to the South Fork Fire is pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Despite the robbery and traumatizing experience, Ramos said he hopes to return and help fight the fire if his help is needed again.

The Associated Press reports that the blaze killed two people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the past week.

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New Mexico

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings

Published

17 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Press Room

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings

A charred car and the remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are pictured after being destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M. on Saturday. Andres Leighton/Associated Press

RUIDOSO, N.M. — Full-time residents of Ruidoso will be allowed to return to their village Monday morning as federal authorities seek to prosecute whoever started a pair of New Mexico wildfires that killed two people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,400 structures.

The FBI said it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire in southern New Mexico, which forced thousands to flee.

The federal agency also said it was seeking public assistance in identifying the cause of the fires discovered on June 17 near the village of Ruidoso.

But the notice also pointedly suggested human hands were to blame, saying the reward was for information leading to the arrest and conviction of “the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.

Lincoln County Manager Randall Camp said at a news conference Saturday that “we are approaching a thousand homes lost” in the fires.

President Biden issued a disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico on Thursday. The move freed up funding and more resources to help with recovery efforts including temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on lands belonging to the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

The National Interagency Fire Center said the South Fork Fire, which reached 26 square miles, was 31% contained Sunday. It said the Salt Fire that has spread over 12 square miles was now 7% contained.

Both fires had been at zero containment Friday. Full containment isn’t expected until July 15, according to fire officials.

More than 1,100 firefighters continued to fight the flames in steep and rocky terrain Sunday.

The South Fork and Salt fires are still burning on both sides of Ruidoso and a threat of flash floods still looms over the village.

Authorities said downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines plus flooding in burn scars continued to pose risks to firefighters and the public.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham toured some of the disaster areas Saturday with Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell.

Even with federal and state assistance on the table, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford estimates it could take at least five years for the area to fully recover.

Ruidoso officials said those wanting to return home Monday must bring drinking water and at least a week’s worth of food. They warned residents that homes may be without gas, electricity or water.

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