Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 255 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
October 24, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
THURSDAY
Chaves Co. clerk awaits gay marriage ruling JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Chaves County’s clerk would be bound by law to begin issuing licenses to same-sex marriages within the next few weeks if New Mexico’s Supreme Court determines gay marriage is legal across the state. “Since I’m an elected official, and sworn to uphold the constitution, we would have to sell them,” said Clerk Dave Kunko. “I’m sworn to do that, if they
deter mine that’s what I have to do.“ Kunko was one of 31 New Mexico county clerks to intervene in the petition to the high court, asking for it to consider issuing a clarification of state law. The Supreme Court heard Wednesday from lawyers representing the county clerks, the state attorney general and gay rights advocates. The five justices will issue a decision in the next few weeks. If justices rule that state
law allows gay marriage, Kunko said he is obligated to follow that decision. “It is actual state constitution and state laws we’re talking about,” Kunko said. The action to begin selling licenses from the county complex would be significant. “Should they determine we have to sell them, it would be the first time for anything like this,” Kunko said. The clerk’s office hasn’t received many calls from
local residents interested in purchasing gay marriage licenses in the past few weeks, Kunko said.
But after Doña Ana County Clerk L ynn Ellins suddenly began issuing the licenses to same-sex couples Aug. 21, thus setting of f a chain reaction of events that led up to Wednesday’s high court action, Kunko’s office had several harassing calls from northern New Mexico. The clerks’ lawyer, Daniel Ivey-Soto, told the justices
Family reunion
a uniform rule was needed. “Mainly what the clerks wanted to do by filing this action, we mainly wanted to get on the same page,” Kunko said. The clerks asked the New Mexico Association of Counties to file the action in early September after a number of judges and counties began to blaze their own trails in interpreting the state marriage licensing law. After Ellins began issuing gay marriage licenses, a
Bill Marley attaches a replacement baby alien to the mural along US 285 south of Roswell while Robert Corn keeps the artwork steady, Wednesday morning. The baby alien is a replacement for the one that was stolen in July.
Character Counts recognizes lawmen JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Character Counts celebrated its 20th anniversary this week. During the Honoring the Badge ceremony, Wednesday evening, members of law enforcement took time to consider the job done by of ficials throughout Chaves County. Tim Fuller of the Character Counts selection committee said in his opening statements: “With everything that has happened this week, brings it close to home. It’s important to honor our law enforcement of ficers who we so often take for granted. Judge Alvin F. Jones reminded people of the sac-
rifices officers and their families make every day. “Modern policing is a minefield. Our officers go out of their way to provide exceptional service to their community. Everyone wants someone to call on and… then ask why they haven’t solved their cases yet.” He praised the nominees and wanted to remind the community that it is law enforcement officers who clean things up when things go wrong. President of Pioneer Bank Jon Hitchcock and sponsor of the event told the group he was honored to participate and offered his thanks to all first
On Aug. 23, an order was issued, directing the Taos county clerk to issue gay marriage licenses. The next day, clerks in Valencia and San Miguel counties started selling gay marriage licenses on their own initiative. Those clerks were later ordered by the court to continue the practice. See RULING, Page A3
Locals show support for Valley Meat as hearing concludes JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Mark Wilson Photo
judge ordered the Santa Fe county clerk to provide licenses to same-sex couples two days later.
Local leaders and farmers rallied in support of Valley Meat Co. Wednesday during the last day of a state environmental hearing to determine if the proposed horse meat processor will be allowed to renew its groundwater permit. “These are the real people that live in this community,” said owner Rick De Los Santos. “It was good for me to hear all the support. It was a good ending to it. We’ll see what happens now that the cabinet secretary has to rule on it and we’ll go from there, see what happens with it.” County Commissioners Kim Chesser and James Duffey, an official with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, a representa-
tive with the New Mexico Livestock Bureau and state Rep. Candy Ezzell, of Roswell, spoke in favor of the plant’s opening for a variety of reasons. “I am compassionate … but I am also a realist.” Ezzell said, explaining her background as a farmer, rancher and experienced horse owner. Ezzell expressed her opinion that some owners can be irresponsible, allowing their horses to starve or wander onto other property when they can no longer care for them. “If this is the same permit, like I’m told it is, I don’t see why we’re having the controversy we’re having today,” Ezzell said. All comments were added
Police name Baca a person of interest in explosives case JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Continued activity and additional search warrants have resulted after the shooting that took place around midnight, Tuesday. The Roswell Police Department said the victim was shot four times and remains in the hospital. The police executed a search warrant upon the house of a person of interest, starting around 3:30 p.m. when they found explosive devices at the location in the 3000 block of Encanto
Drive.
The RPD investigator obtained an amended warrant and brought in Alcohol Tobacco and Firear ms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Explosive Ordinance Detail, the New Mexico State Police and the Roswell Fire Department. The adjacent houses to either side, across the street and behind the alley were evacuated. Around 9 p.m. the combined team started to detonate several bombs; however, RPD spokeswoman Sabrina Morales
See HEARING, Page A3
could not say how many devices. The nearest neighbors were allowed to return to their homes. As a result of the investigation, a detective discovered a potential link between the residence on Encanto Drive with a house located in the 1000 block of South Pennsylvania Avenue where officials executed a further search warrant around 8 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities remained at the first residence and the search continues at the See EXPLOSIVES, Page A3
Baca
singles from it reached #1 on Texas Radio. The Nov. 1 show is part of an eight-day tour throughout the southwest. The band started touring in August to promote their new album, Long Night Moon. Neil Gallagher, the band’s business manager, said the band has hit the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Northeast and Southeast, in addition to performing in the band’s “key markets” in it’s home base of Texas. Reckless Kelly’s five members have resided in Austin for the bulk of their
time as an ensemble. Lead singer Willy Braun and his brother, Cody, started the band in Bend, Ore., with drummer Jay Nazz. The band is known for high energy shows. Willy told the Daily Record he isn’t sure what to expect, though, when the band plays in Roswell. “It kind of depends on what the crowd and the venue look like when we get there, but it will be fun,” he said. He said the song lineup will include songs from the band’s new studio album, the eighth that it has pro-
duced, as well as old favorites. He said the band might throw some acoustic songs in the middle of the set. The Braun brothers grew up in Idaho and were raised on Texas musical artists like Steve Earl and Guy Clark. That country rock influence can be heard in music by Reckless Kelly. When Willy was 5 and Cody was 6, the two started playing in a family band with their father and two younger brothers. The band was named Muzzie Braun
• ROSEMARY CASTRO BECERRA
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B4 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 GENERAL ...............A2
Americana band Reckless Kelly ready to rock Roswell Nov. 1 See LAWMEN, Page A2
TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Photo credit Cassandra Weyandt
Front: Willy Braun (lead vocals, rhythm guitar). From left: Cody Braun (fiddle, mandolin, tenor guitar, harmony vocals), David Abeyta (lead guitar), Joe Miller (bass guitar), and Jay Nazz (drums, percussion).
HIGH 76 LOW 49
TODAY’S FORECAST
“It’s basically a rock band with a fiddle. That’s what we tell people.” That’s how lead singer Willy Braun describes Reckless Kelly. The 17years-strong band plays its first-ever Roswell gig Nov. 1 at the Liberty. Reckless Kelly has recently been a magnate for accolades. Its last studio album, Good Luck & True Love, was nominated for a Grammy Award. The album sacked four Lone Star Music Awards and three
• LUCY COBOS WYATT • HELEN MAE OSBOURN • VICTORIA SEDILLO JAFFE
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6
See RECKLESS, Page A3
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4 NATION ..................A6
SPORTS .................B1 STOCKS .................B5
WEATHER ..............A8