Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 121, No. 217 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
To those familiar with the game, its sounds mean childhood, fun, and good times; and like the gunshot before a race, the sounds also mean to hurry before the treats are all gone. The significance of these sounds may have something to do with the fact that many are blindfolded when they happen. - PAGE C1
September 9, 2012
SUNDAY
www.rdrnews.com
Powell recording about more than email JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
PIÑATAFEST’S COMING
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
A recorded conversation between two apparent friends has reignited controversy surrounding members of Gov. Susana Martinez’s adminstration allegedly using their private emails to conduct state business. On Oct. 14, 2011, Brian Powell, of Roswell, recorded a conversation between himself and Martinez’s Chief of Staff Keith Gard-
ner, also from Roswell. Powell did not tell Gardner he was recording him. New Mexico law requires that only one party must consent to the recording of an in-person conversation. In a written statement, Powell reasons, “I recorded this conversation because I had reason to believe Mr. Gardner might be motivated to prevent crucial testimony by a witness at an upcoming preliminary hearing,” in reference to a sexual assault case heard in 5th Judicial Court
“I recorded this conversation because I had reason to believe Mr. Gardner might be motivated to prevent crucial testimony by a witness at an upcoming preliminary hearing,” — Brian Powell
involving Powell’s daughter. Powell writes that a critical witness in the case had suddenly expressed reluctance to testify. “I believed this witness and the testimony at issue might be what Mr. Gardner wanted to discuss with me, and I
felt it necessary to preserve the conversation, verbatim, just in case.” Yet Powell did not release the recording because of the case involving his daughter, but because of a statement Gardner made nearly 33 minutes into the
one-hour -and-13-minute recording.
“That’s why I never email on my state email ... anything that can come back to bite my (expletive). It’s all done offline,” Gardner said on the recording. “I never use my state email, ’cause it’s all done on different stuff, ’cause I don’t want to go to court or jail.”
Powell writes, “Suddenly this statement was relevant to an on-going investigation
Bitter Lake Dragonfly Fest continues today
See EMAIL, Page A3
NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER
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INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
Young archers take aim at their targets during the 11th annual Dragonfly Festival at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Saturday.
Cool, cloudy weather and a little rain couldn’t keep nature enthusiasts from enjoying the 11th annual Dragonfly Festival, Saturday, where a wide range of family activities brightened things up at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The festival brought tourists and locals alike outside to enjoy nature tours and presentations, free hot dogs, arts and crafts, exhibits and vendors. It continues today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roswell resident Marsha Lard, who attended Saturday with her husband and grandchildren, said she made it out to the refuge for the very first time. “This is just awesome, I never expected this,” Lard said. “I wish we had come sooner. All the nice displays they have, the animals, this is a really good experience, especially for
It’s a dog’s life at Rio Pecos KC’s annual show RHS BOYS TAKE 4TH
Striking first is generally a good thing in any sport, whether it is football or MMA, athletes and teams want to get a leg up as early as possible. The Roswell boys soccer team scored about as quickly as possible in soccer, taking a 1-0 lead ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Joe Anthony Trujillo • J. Gary Cathey, D.D.S. • Benita Martinez • Antonio B. Lucero • Anna Torres Aguirre • Floyd Romero Jr. • Damona Boling • Louise C. Guss - PAGE B5, B6
RAINFALL
As of 9 p.m., Saturday, there was 0.12 inches of rain in the gauge at the Daily Record.
HIGH ...83˚ LOW ....59˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........D1 COMICS.................C4 GENERAL ..............C4 HOROSCOPES ........D2 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
CHAUNTE’L POWELL RECORD STAFF WRITER
Despite the slight dip in temperature, the Dog Days are in Roswell. The Rio Pecos Kennel Club’s annual AKC All Breed Dog Show started on Saturday and featured primped pooches from all over the Southwest. The show featured an estimated 300 canines of about 84 breeds. From Tiffany Roberts’ toy poodle, to Valerie Metcalf’s massive brindle great dane, dogs of all shapes and sizes were represented. Kimberlie Steele-Gamero’s boxer Danny was crowned Best in Show overall after winning top honors in the working group earlier. SteeleGamero came to the show with plenty of reasons to be confident. The 28-year-old Riverside, Calif., resident said she has been showing dogs since she was five. Danny, she said, has 43 more Best in Show ribbons under his collar, and is the No. 1 boxer in the country. Still, her expectations were pretty simple. “I just wanted him to show well, that’s all,” she said. “I think he did
very well today.” Beki Vale, of Mesa, Ariz., saw her Sheltie, Eddy, named Reserve Best in Show after being named the best in the herding group. Denny Mounce, one of the show’s judges said the overall appearance of the dogs was stunning and won them top honors. “The way (Danny) carried himself and the way he was shown, and he’s in really good firm condition, like he should be,” she said. “He has a beautiful head and face. And the Sheltie, same thing beautiful face ... his gait from the side was wonderful.” Vale entered the competition with 20 years of showing experience, but she was still surprised that Eddy did so well. “Yeah, I was surprised,” she said laughing. “Especially winning Reserve Best in Show. I thought we had a chance to do something in the group, but not that. That was very special; it was a lot of good dogs in there.” There are seven general categories of dogs: sporting, hound, working, terrier, non-sporting, herding and toys. The dogs are divided into the groups based on
Mark Wilson Photo
Karen Thomas, foreground, grooms her collie Harley, while Jan Coak works on Ty during the Annual Rio Pecos Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show held at RIAC Park, Saturday. Thomas and Coak were part of a group that traveled to Roswell from Arizona.
the functionality of their breeds. For example, dogs such as retrievers and cocker spaniels that help with bird hunting and retrieving are sporting dogs. Working dogs are ordinarily guard dogs and see-
ing-eye dogs; herding dogs usually assist ranchers; toys are typically lap dogs; and hounds help catch foxes and small rodents.
United Way also helps affiliates: BBBS, First Tee, Loaves and Fishes, Wings for L.I.F.E. This article is one in a series of stories focusing on local agencies that receive support from the United Way of Chaves County, which is currently conducting its annual fundraising campaign. NOAH VERNAU RECORD STAFF WRITER As the United Way of Chaves County helps its affiliates, the favor is returned every day in the services they provide to the community. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern New Mexico, The First Tee of the Pecos Valley, Loaves and Fishes Com-
See DRAGONFLY, Page A3
munity Development Corp. and Wings for L.I.F.E. are all in either their first or second years as affiliates of the United Way, working hard to create a brighter future in Chaves County.
Unlike the 12 member agencies that receive both designated and undesignated funds generated from UWCC’s fundraising campaigns, affiliate agencies will receive funds only when designated to the agency. Sherry Mumford, UWCC executive director, said agencies must be affiliates for at least two years before being eligible to apply for membership. She said UWCC helps affiliates through the exposure each receives during
UWCC campaigns, with listings on pledge cards and brochures, and that the funds help affiliates provide more services. “They’re all very, very strong organizations,” Mumford said. “And they provide really much-needed services to our community, so we’re pleased with the relationship with all four of them.” Mumford said members from each affiliate agency attend monthly round table meetings along with all of the member agencies, building cohesion so that each organization is aware of See UNITED, Page A3
See DOG, Page A3