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SPORTS Local news and entertainment since 1969 El Prospero LAS CRUCES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 Regional Tourism & Opportunities to Grow in 2020 available by Belia Alvarez undoubtedly drive more tourism to Southern New New Mexico continues to Mexico benefiting many of benefit from increased tour- the businesses of Alamogor- ism in both the number of do, Las Cruces and the sur- visitors and their spending. rounding areas. Our state’s remarkably unique We are grateful for the tourism assets combined with leadership who ushered in inside our award-winning “New this exciting new opportunity Mexico True” campaign have for us. A big congratula- created a successful industry tions to the members of the and an economic engine for New Mexico congressional the state. Adventures steeped delegation, especially Sen. in authenticity are becoming Martin Heinrich and Rep. a hallmark for New Mexico’s Xochitl Torres Small for tourism reputation. It is truly their hard work to make this an exciting time for tour- happen. ism and its economic impact Tourism Secretary Jen especially for Southern New Paul Schroer commented, Mexico. “Last year, over 600,000 I have the distinct pleasure people visited White Sands, in my day to day responsibili- making it one of our most ties with Heritage Hotels & popular attractions here in Resorts and as a state tourism New Mexico. In 2018, New commissioner, to see the Lujan Grisham’s commitment born for his leadership on ful tourism growth. enthusiasm. The elevation of Mexico outperformed the amazing developments that was best demonstrated by her a local level for recognizing On August 28, 2019, a national monument into a national average for visits are positioning our state and signing into law and creating the significance of outdoor Las Cruces hosted the first national park creates an even to state and national parks, our region for continuing the new Department of Out- recreation and the economic Regional Listening Tour more valuable tourism asset demonstrating how our growth as a result of tourism. door Recreation. impact of maximizing those which is the first phase of for the state, but in particular, National Parks inspire travel. Rep. Rubio is 2020 will be an exciting time This new department resources. the Destination Develop- for Southern New Mexico. With the new designation of with all of the opportunities championed by many local And finally, acknowledging ment Roadmap. This new The National Defense Au- White Sands as a National that are in front of us. legislative leaders will work and applauding our Cabinet program implemented by thorization Act (NDAA) cre- Park, New Mexico will be There are several reasons hand in hand with the tour- Secretary of Tourism Jen Paul Cabinet Secretary Schroer ated the 62nd national park. able to take the marketing to be excited about tourism ism department to enhance Schroer. Her leadership and and conducted by the Corag- White Sands National Park is and promotion of our out- and its opportunities for us in its opportunities throughout creativity will continue to en- gio Group will inventory all now the second national park door adventure experiences 2020. Initially, I am encour- the state. Once created, the hance the previous efforts of of the state’s tourism assets in New Mexico joining Carls- to new heights.” biking to aged about the leadership governor brought on the former tourism cabinet secre- and opportunities will result bad Caverns National Park. And finally, we all remain that we have on the state and talented and experienced, taries. She served previously in a comprehensive tourism With this facility already enthusiastic about the up- local level for tourism. It be- Axie Navas, as its first direc- as the Executive Director of improvement plan. being one of the top tour- coming and history-making gins with Governor Michelle tor. She brings tremendous the New Mexico Hospitality Secondly, the recent ist destinations in the state, first launch from Virgin Lujan Grisham who has experience through her ef- Association which gives her announcement about the we can expect even more Galactic. This long and FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 shown considerable commit- forts with Outdoor Magazine. a unique perspective on the re-designation of our White visitors who will value the dedicated journey should Volume 52, Number 2 ment to the growth of tour- I would also like to acknowl- needs of communities and Sands National Park has cre- national park designation. Santa Fe I lascrucesbulletin.com ism for our state. Governor edge State Senator Jeff Stein- business leaders for success- ated a lot of excitement and The increased attention will GROW, PAGE 2 I m FROM THE PRESIDENT .................................... 3 NEW YEARS’ RESOLUTIONS ............................. 6 REAL ESTATE FIRM ......................................... 9 FROM THE CHAIRMAN .................................... 3 JEFFREY SILVA................................................ 7 POLITICAL .................................................... 10 RIBBON CUTTINGS.......................................... 4 LOS AMIGO’S CHAIR....................................... 8 NEW MEXICO’S PREMIER TRAVEL COMPANY.. 11 page 3 AMANDA MORALES......................................... 5 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Debra Vance: From cattle to watercolors page 27 BUSINESS SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED! Mesilla Park Postmaster Robert Bejerano receives retirement paperwork and Rachel Schneider: a gift from his wife, Minerva, during his retirement ceremony/party event at Hot stuff cooking BULLETIN PHOTO the Mesilla Park Post Office Friday, Jan. 3. Bejerano worked for the United at Ol’ Gringo BY ELVA K. States Postal Service for 57 years in southern New Mexico, spending most of his time at the Deming and Las Cruces facilities. page 38 ÖSTERREICH New Year. Learn about healthy nutrition optionsto keep New Me. youontrackwithyourNewYear’sResolution MMyy Healt h. Thursday, January 16, 2020 5:30 - 7:00 PM Memorial Medical Center West Annex Conference Rooms A & B Refreshments will be served. Space is Limited. John Tucker, DO, MBA Please RVSPto our 24-hour reservation line800-424-DOCS (3627) 2 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 NEWS LAS CRUCES BULLETIN Content brought to you by: Doña Ana County ‘Your Partner in Progress’ Doña Ana County envisions a strong 2020 Throughout 2019, Doña Ana County laid the foundation to seed a stronger busi- funding from federal grants along with a $10 million county investment for roads ness environment and better quality of life. to significantly improve our infrastructure, including the completion of the Baylor The multimillion-dollar upgrades to the Doña Ana County International Jetport, Canyon and Dripping Springs projects. A subsequent project for Soledad Canyon along with the first purpose-built commercial facility in Spaceport America contin- is underway. ue to shape the future of business development in the aviation and aerospace indus- Fire and Emergency Services consolidated 16 fire stations into four districts and tries for the region. improved Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings to a class 5 rating, thus potential- Financially, the ly lowering home insurance rates. The department also began 24/7 operations in county strengthened the Doña Ana and Anthony stations, serving thousands of people in the region. internal controls leading And a concerted effort almost doubled the firefighter force to 350 volunteers. Standard & Poor’s This momentum will continue into 2020, as projects slated for completion in- Global Ratings (S&P) clude the Doña Ana County International Jetport main runway reconstruction and to upgrade the county’s the East Mesa Flood Control Project, comprised of three detention ponds. revenue bonds rating to Several community centers will get upgrades this year. The Betty McKnight, ‘AA,’ a designation just Doña Ana and Radium Springs Community Centers will receive a new heating, below the highest possi- ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, a new roof, new exterior stucco, ble issuer credit rating ADA upgrades and a security camera system installed. assigned. After we de- The Doña Ana Baseball Park will get two new play structures to replace exist- livered seven consecu- ing ones. The infield will be completely resurfaced. Meanwhile, Berino Park will tive clean audits, Doña get a new play structure installed while Casas Lindas will get a new barrier in- Ana County garnered stalled around the park. And Doña Ana’s fire station will get a addition to the ex- the New Mexico Asso- isting structure. These roadside swales along Longhorn Road, on the ciation of Counties Together, the Doña Ana County staff, elected officials, community partners and East Mesa were designed by Engineering to help with (NMAC) Audit and Ac- flooding. PHOTO: LUCE RUBIO, Doña Ana County. countability award. We successfully adminis- tered the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security Asylum Seeker Grant for $250,000, addressing the needs of thousands of refugees. The Health and Human Services (HHS) department leads the way in supporting our community to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse. In response to the opioid epidemic, we instituted an overdose pre- vention program that has reduced the number of prescription opioid overdose- related deaths. The team hosted more than 4,100 classes and activities while track- ing more than 48,899 resident encounters at the community centers, an estimated increase of 10,000 compared to 2018. Additionally,