Issue date: 1/23/07 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Harrison Brooks Bobby Shelton sells newspapers outside the Bookstore on Monday. Shelton moved here from Roswell, N.M., in 1977. [Click to enlarge]

by Marcella Ortega

Daily Lobo



Come rain or shine, Bobby Shelton will sell his newspapers.

Shelton, a Roswell, N.M., native who moved to Albuquerque in 1977, has sold newspapers outside the UNM Bookstore for the past 10 years.

"It's to support my lifestyle - to just keep a roof over my head," he said.

Shelton lives at the Tewa Lodge at 5715 Central Ave. N.E. He said he pays his rent - $20 per day - by selling newspapers he gets for free. He said they cost as much as the customer is willing to donate - usually $1. Shelton said he makes about $50 a day.

"I used to sell Street News, but it went out of business," he said. "So, I started selling El Hispano (News), Health City Sun and World News."

Shelton graduated from Goddard High School in Roswell in 1972. He attended New Mexico Highlands University on a basketball scholarship where he studied physical education for two years.

In 1977, Shelton moved with his parents to Albuquerque when they were offered jobs here.

"I used to work at Burger King - just little odd jobs, minimum wage jobs," he said. "I didn't finish college, and when I had a car, I used to work security."

Shelton said he worked steady jobs until 1993.

"I just started selling papers when I ran across Street News," he said. "For a while, I was homeless for about six months."

Though he is not passionate about any social issues, Shelton said he distributes fliers for the anti-war organization Stop The War Machine.

"It's because they pay me about $20 to $40," he said.

Shelton said he works other jobs as well.

"I pull weeds and stuff like that for El Hispano News," he said. "I'm like their handyman."

In his free time, Shelton likes to ride his bicycle and watch football.

"I'm a big sports fan," he said. "Right now, I think it looks good for Indianapolis to win the Super Bowl. I pretty much like all the teams. I just like watching the game."

Shelton said there are several things he likes about selling newspapers.

"The money - when it's rolling," he said. "I like the college atmosphere as opposed to just out there in Albuquerque somewhere. Students are my main customers - a lot of faculty, too."

Shelton said he will continue to sell newspapers until something better comes along.

"After my hotel expenses, it comes out not to be that much, but I'm getting by," he said. "It keeps me off the streets. Overall, it has been a really good experience. It's a day-to-day thing. I just take it one day at a time."

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