CAPITAN VILLAGE HALL NEWS

"Honesty is the best policy - if there's money in it." - Mark Twain

I think it's time to drag the rotting carcass of corruption, that's been hidden in the darkness of the basement and throw it in the light of the front yard for all to see. You might think this report is harsh, because it is harsh. But it needs to come to light, and you can do with it what you wish.

This past week I drank my morning coffee and mused to myself while reading The Lincoln County News. I found both, my coffee and the paper, lacking grounds. I'm sure you read the "R" rated headline of us nearly stacking furniture in what more closely resembled a bar fight than a LCSWA board meeting. You're also aware of the war that has been waged from this office against, what the Municipal League attorney, Randy Vangleck, labeled the illegal hiring of Ms. Ingle as the Operational Supervisor for LCSWA.

Tiring of this I called Don Coleman. Angelo Vega and I were willing to step down from the board provided he and Leo Martinez would do the same. They declined the offer. Mr. Coleman told me he would work with us on any issue with the exception of the matter of Ingle's hiring. I don't understand why it is such a problem to do things in the light of day?

However, I should point out that putting yourself on boards and then going after the money is not the exception to the rule but is apparently the rule itself. I've learned from sitting in this chair and reading old files that money can be had if you're so inclined. One of the methods is becoming a member of a board and getting a white-knuckled death grip on the checkbook.

Let me give you an example. When I first took office I noticed a gap in the records of the Eagle Creek Inter-Community Water Supply Association, Inc., records that should have been in the office at Village Hall. As I searched, I learned that the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer for Eagle Creek, Robert O. Goddard, had the records in his office. On Monday, September 30, 2002 at 10:25 a.m. I phoned Mr. Goddard and asked for the records. That phone call triggered a reaction I didn't anticipate.

As Mr. Goddard and I talked he said he needed to get off the phone and make some other calls. At 11:05 a.m. Don Dutton, our Village Attorney, called me to say he had received a call from Mr. Goddard. Mr. Dutton said I was "making a lot of people very nervous". He also stated that the Mayor of Ruidoso had called Mr. Goddard that morning and wanted those records and that Mr. Goddard was going to turn them over to him. This made me wonder why today, of all days, would it be important to send the records to Ruidoso after all these years?

After looking at just a few of the records, it appears to be about money. I have to admit, I'm not the first mayor to feel this way. I found a letter dated December 12, 1990, to the District Attorney Bert Atkins that was signed by the Ruidoso Mayor Victor Alonso and Mayor Frank Warth of Capitan. The letter speaks of three people putting themselves on boards and then chasing the money. Copies of this letter can be found at Village Hall if you choose to read it. Here are a few lines from that letter, you be the judge.

"At a special meeting in May, 1989, the Board of Directors awarded a management contract to Mr. Benny Coker, who was, at that time, both a member of the board of Directors and Mayor of the Village of Capitan. Mr. Coker received $2,644. 00 and $32,606 00 in fiscal years 1989 and 1990 respectively. Mr. Coker had not previously engaged in the business of water system management..."

The minutes of the Eagle Creek Board show that they voted to give each other jobs. The minutes show the board hired Leon Eggleston to read meters and keep books for $400.00 per month. The minutes show that board member Larry Simons had a contract for part time work at a rate of $22.50 per hour. I don't know anyone, in this area that is making that kind of money today, much less 14 years ago. The two Mayors write, "During the fiscal year ending in June, 1990 the board of directors authorized a contract for maintenance service to Mr. Larry Simon who was both a member of the Board and a member of the Village of Ruidoso City Council. " The letter also points out that, "During fiscal years 1989 and 1990, R. L. Van Norman, a member of the Board of Directors, was paid commissions on three water rights purchases made by the Association. Mr. Van Norman was acting as buyer's agent for the Association and was paid commission by the seller and/or his agent.

As far back as June 23, 1987, I saw things that made me question what was going on with Eagle Creek. In the minutes of that meeting President Thompson informed the Board that a Federal Marshall had been trying to contact someone with Eagle Creek. After discussion, Leon Eggleston, the Comptroller, was instructed to assist him with the information requested. On August 13, 1987, Eggleston was absent and unable to report regarding the inquires of the Federal Marshall. Members requested this be discussed at the next meeting. During the December 1, 1987, meeting President Van Norman informed the members of the resignations of Leon Eggleston and George White. There is no other mention of the Federal Marshall in the minutes. (I have not one clue what this is about.)

Later on when new members came onto the board new member Swearingen complained that over the last fiscal year the Association paid Jack Atkins in excess of $56,000 for a survey that was not completed. On August 14, 1990 Atkins stated it would cost another $7,500 to finish the survey. On December 11, 1990 Swearingen questioned the amount of $16,736.35 for computer programs. In the April 9, 1991 meeting Swearingen questioned how money was being spent when he said, "Eagle Creek was in the water business, not the entertainment business." He referred to board meetings being held at Cree Meadows Country Club, The Bull Ring, Ma Maison, and what looked to be the popular spot The Inn Credible where one bill was over $1,300. Keep in mind this is your money they are dancing on and before you start to feel sorry for these boys you need to know they did get paid for attending the meetings. You would think you would read this in the Lincoln County News, rather then the Mayor's Report, but it does require some digging.

To put your mind at ease, we presently do not have any board member representing Capitan on any of these extra boards receiving any pay. Any and all money a Capitan representative receives is sent directly to the Capitan Library or the School for the baseball field.

Since I took office I have been told Eagle Creek has been dissolved. However, on February 3, 2003 I personally called the State of New Mexico Corporation Commission. They tell me Eagle Creek has not been dissolved and is still a Corporation on their state list. Why? Is it my personality, as the LCSWA touts, as Leo Martinez spews to the media or as the Lincoln County News writes behind their "R" rated headlines or does your radar start flashing when I tell you the State of New Mexico have Benny Coker listed as the Secretary/Treasure of Eagle Creek and the President is Debra Ingle?