Gateway National Recreation Area
Four Arrested For Drug Possession
On July 9, 2006, two rangers on bike patrol in the Sandy Hook Unit observed four people sitting in a car in a parking lot. Next to the car were two glassine bags and cigar tobacco shavings littering the ground. The rangers were aware that it's a common practice to remove tobacco from cigars and use the outside wrappers to make marijuana cigarettes (a.k.a. "blunts"). They contacted the four regarding the littering violation and saw an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Other rangers arrived, including a field training ranger and a trainee. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of marijuana and paraphernalia. The trainee conducted a thorough search of the vehicle and found a hidden compartment in the front passenger door. Hidden in this compartment were 31 glassine bags of marijuana, individually packaged for sale. The vehicle was impounded and the four people placed under arrest. Investigation revealed that the main member of the foursome had recently been released from federal prison and was out on probation. On April 4th, he appeared in federal court and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. He's currently awaiting sentencing for the violation of probation and for contempt of court. [Submitted by Rob Louden, Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
73
Winners Announced In 2006 Fire Photo Contest
There was a tie for both first and second place in the 2006 NPS Fire Photo Contest. The two winning first place entries came from Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. The Dinosaur NM photo, taken by seasonal river ranger Doug Ross, featured rafters floating past the Wild Mountain WFU Fire. It was submitted to the contest by fire management officer Mark Rosenthal. Gary Hartley, chief ranger at New River Gorge National River, submitted the other first place entry, which features a prescribed fire at New River Gorge's Sandstone Visitor Center in March 2006.
The second place entry was also a tie between two photographs. Ecologist Gretchen Baker submitted one of the two winning photos, featuring interesting snags from the Border Fire at Great Basin National Park in Nevada. Tom Farrell, chief of interpretation at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, was the photographer of the other photograph that won second place. The Wind Cave photo featured firefighter Bill Wartenbee from Custer State Park using a driptorch during the Tower Burn on October 25, 2005.
Third place went to Dave Crary of Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. His photo of 2006 prescribed burn research plots featured two firefighters using driptorches to light strips in a wooded area.
Look for the winning photos as well as other contest entries at http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=777&id=4310&lv=3&pgid=1688.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2006 NPS Fire Photo Contest and thank you to all who submitted entries — 114 qualifying entries in all! We look forward to seeing your entries for the 2007 contest — look for the announcement in early 2008.
[Submitted by Tina Boehle, tina_boehle@nps.gov, 208-387-5875]
More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Intermountain Region
Kathy Billings Named Superintendent Of Pecos
Kathy Billings, a 23-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico. Billings is expected to begin her new assignment on April 9th.
"Kathy shows great ability to develop partnerships and foster cooperation with other agencies and interest groups," said regional director Mike Snyder. "She will be an asset to our partners in northern New Mexico, using skills she honed in Arizona working with a variety of groups with many different ideas."
"I am looking forward to the opportunities this new position has to offer and to working with the park staff and communities of Northern New Mexico," said Billings.
Since 2004, Billings has served as the superintendent at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
She began her employment with the National Park Service in 1979, working as a seasonal park ranger at Kings Canyon National Park in California. Billings has worked in leadership positions at a number of park units throughout the service including Great Basin, Petrified Forest, Big Bend, Sequoia, Zion, and Joshua Tree National Parks, as well as Chiricahua National Monument and the USS Arizona Memorial.
Billings, a native of Huntington Beach, California, graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Billings and her husband, Dick Capps, reside in Ajo, Arizona. They are looking for a home near her new assignment.
[Submitted by Susan Garland, susan_garland@nps.gov, 303-969-2839]
Intermountain Region
Lee Baiza Selected As Superintendent Of Organ Pipe Cactus
Elias (Lee) Baiza has been named superintendent of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Baiza will assume his new responsibilities on May 13th.
"I am excited for the opportunity to join the staff at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as we continue to address operational issues and resource threats," said Baiza. "I'm looking forward to working with partners, congressional delegation and local constituents on border security issues and the continued conservation and preservation of this unique International Biosphere Preserve."
Baiza is currently serving as the superintendent at Petrified Forest National Park. A native of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Baiza began his career with the NPS in 1976 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where he worked in maintenance operations for 10 years. Other positions held by Baiza during his tenure with the NPS include roads and trails foreman at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and facility manager at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
"Lee's prior experience as superintendent of Petrified Forest National Park and Tonto National Monument make him uniquely qualified for this position," said regional director Mike Snyder. "His knowledge and perspective of ongoing issues at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument will enable him to take a leadership role and work with NPS management in providing solutions to border security and other NPS interests at the local, state, regional and international levels."
Prior to his employment with the NPS, Baiza served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. He holds an associate's degree in criminal justice from New Mexico State University. Lee and his wife, Teri, have three children - Monica Fe, Sergio and Gabriel. All three currently reside in Tempe, Arizona.
As superintendent at Organ Pipe Cactus, Baiza will manage 330,688 acres, a staff of approximately 40, and an annual operating budget of more than $3,371,000.
[Submitted by Patricia Turley, patricia_turley@nps.gov, 303-969-2701]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type;=Announcements&id;=3363
All reports should be submitted via email to Lane Baker in the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services in the Washington Office and to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with copies to your regional office.