Catron County Sheriff Keeping His Anti-Wolf Bumper Sticker On Vehicle
	Compliments of March 2000

By Janis Marston
For The Daily Press

A Silver City woman has started a one-woman campaign to recall Catron County sheriff Cliff Snyder after he recently slapped a "No Wolves" bumper sticker on his official sheriff's car.

Sally Acevedo lodged a complaint with the Catron County Commission office last week after reading about the sheriff's bumper sticker. In the newspaper article, Snyder said he was merely exercising his First Amendment rights.

"I'm not trying to deny him his freedom of speech," Acevedo said Monday. But he's using public money and a public vehicle to expound his beliefs, she said. "I'm a big believer in the Bill of Rights, but this kind of thing is uncalled for. "

Aceveto moved to Silver City a year and a half ago from Northern California. As far as her thoughts about releasing Mexican gray wolves into the Gila Wilderness, she said she would be supported "at some time down the road, say 20 years from now. " She thinks the land needs to be restored through natural processes, like fires, so it can support a prey base for the predatory animal.

As far as they're wanting the sheriff recalled, she said she talked to a receptionist at the Catron County Commission office who "didn't seem very receptive." She said she has not heard from anyone in Catron County's government, but that has not stopped her from complaining to the governor's office, State Game and Fish officials and at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Responding to Acededo's complaints, Snyder said he has not broken any laws and that a recall would be her only recourse.

There is no law prohibiting public officials from placing political or politically sensitive bumper stickers on their official vehicles according to the Legal Affairs Division of the New Mexico State Police. A representative there said enforcement is left to municipal ordinances or departmental regulations.

Snyder said Monday he has heard more support than opposition from his Catron County constituency about his anti-wolf bumper sticker, which remains on his car.

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