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There is a massive storm headed for Las Cruces and a tornado was spotted. As of right now, the Las Cruces Public Schools are keeping students at the schools for now. New Mexico State University has sent out an alert but not cancelled classes. Interstate 10 is closed between Deming and Las Cruces. Get updated weather information from CrucesNews.com by clicking here. Continue Reading
Suspended Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza is meeting with an attorney this afternoon as he prepares for a hearing next week before the state Supreme Court. Garza would not name the attorney. “I may not hire an attorney,” Garza said. “I may consult with one only.” He said he has spent the last couple of weeks buried in paperwork as he prepares to argue against sanctions and that the Judicial Standards Commission has not been fair in its dealings with him. However, he said he will accept whatever decision the court makes. Continue Reading
Here are some quotes from the press conference at which Jeff Armijo announced he is quitting his bid to remain the Democrat’s candidate for state auditor: Said Armijo: “Out of my profound respect for Speaker Lujan I have concluded that, in the interest of many wonderful New Mexicans, that I will not seek the office of state auditor. I was elected fair and square by 62 percent of the Democratic Primary voters, and my fight to protect ordinary New Mexicans will never end. Although I still feel that I am the candidate for state auditor, my meager resources cannot match the mighty powers and resources of big government and powerful politicians.” Said Speaker of the House Ben Lujan: “Pride can sometimes get in the way of making important decisions that impact us, our friends and our families. Today, Jeff has shown that he can set aside his pride and put his love and compassion for the people of this state before his self interest.” Said state Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim: “We’ve always felt that our legal disagreements with Jeff Armijo were, ultimately, minor ones between members of the Democratic family. Often, the hardest people with whom to resolve differences are those to whom we are closest. Continue Reading
Jeff Armijo announced this morning that he is dropping his fight to remain the Democratic Party’s candidate for state auditor. State Rep. Hector Balderas of Wagon Mound will replace him on the ballot. Joining Armijo at a news conference in Albuquerque were Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim and Speaker of the House Ben Lujan. The deal was apparently brokered by Lujan. “Out of my profound respect for Speaker Lujan, I have concluded that in the interest of my wonderful fellow New Mexicans that I will not seek the office of state auditor,” Armijo said at the news conference, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. Continue Reading
This is the third in a series of articles running this week that will examine whether the judicial discipline process is fair to judges accused of misconduct. For additional articles and more information, visit the home page for this special report by clicking here. The increase in the Judicial Standards Commission’s funding and activity has led to scrutiny that could result in changes to the system for holding judges accountable to the Code of Judicial Conduct. State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces and co-chair of the Legislative Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, said recent events raise questions about the function and authority of the commission, and he believes it’s time to examine the situation. The committee, which he co-chairs, will discuss the matter at a meeting Thursday afternoon in Las Cruces. Continue Reading
A hearing has been set for Wednesday morning on the matter of whether Jeff Armijo will remain the Democrat’s candidate for state auditor on the General Election ballot. Last week, the Democratic Party and Armijo both filed lawsuits, and hearings on both were held Tuesday. (Read Armijo’s lawsuit by clicking here and the Democratic Party’s by clicking here.) At a hearing held at 9 a.m. in Albuquerque, District Judge Ted Baca ordered the secretary of state’s office to delay printing ballots until the matter is resolved, said Armijo’s attorney, Paul M. Kienzle. “It’s put on hold for now,” he said. Then, at a hearing at 3 p.m. in Santa Fe, District Judge Tim Garcia decided that he, not Baca, will be the judge to hear the matter from now on because the Democratic Party’s lawsuit in his court was filed first. Continue Reading
A media attorney will discuss the laws regarding political advertising at a luncheon tomorrow in Las Cruces. Attorney Hal Simmons, who works with the New Mexico Broadcasters and the New Mexico Press associations, will speak about the rules, regulations and legal requirements for political advertising in newspapers and on television and radio. He will also talk about financial disclosures and the rules regarding what can be said in advertisements. The luncheon is $12 for members and NMSU students and $15 for guests. Members of the public are invited to attend. Continue Reading
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has been out to marginalize his challenger in this year’s election by painting him as an extreme liberal. Thus far, his radio advertisements have been effective. Republican Pearce faces Democratic challenger Al Kissling on Nov. 7. Pearce currently has two radio ads playing in the Las Cruces area. Continue Reading
Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign is the new sponsor for the Governor’s Forecast on MyDD (direct democracy), a left-leaning Web site that analyzes national politics. What does that mean? According to a posting on the site, Richardson’s campaign will “have weekly front-page posts (on the site) to discuss governor’s races around the nation. As head of the Democratic Governor’s Association, this is something that Governor Richardson is particularly well-suited to do.” This means the Democratic Party is looking to Richardson’s campaign to keep Democrats updated on what’s happening with gubernatorial races across the nation. The Governor’s Forecast on the site details the governor positions that are up for grabs, which are likely to go blue and which will likely go red. Continue Reading
I ran into former Magistrate Judge Reuben Galvan last night at the Democratic Party’s meeting. He wanted to address a couple of recent issues. First, Galvan said he wanted to make clear that he does not live with suspended Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza. New Mexico State Police Capt. Richard Williams wrote in a police report that, when he attempted to deliver an order last month that Garza submit to a drug test, the door to Garza’s home was answered by Galvan, who said “that Judge Garza does live at that residence with him.” “I do not live there,” Galvan told me. “I was just there to feed his dog because he was going out of town.” In addition, a woman who accused Galvan of rape and bribery in 2004 filed a lawsuit against him last month. Continue Reading
This is the second in a series of articles running this week that will examine whether the judicial discipline process is fair to judges accused of misconduct. For additional articles and more information, visit the home page for this special report by clicking here. Some in Doña Ana County say the Judicial Standards Commission has gone too far in its attempt to protect the public and preserve the integrity of the judiciary, and is not being fair to judges accused of misconduct. Five of 15 elected municipal, magistrate, probate and district judges in Las Cruces have been disciplined or resigned amid scandal since 2004. The most outspoken critic of the commission has been Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza. Continue Reading
The Democratic Party has selected longtime attorney Lisa Schultz to run for District Judge in November. Schultz, 48, will face Republican Janetta Hicks on Nov. 7. Local members of the party’s state central committee voted at a meeting Monday to place Schultz on the ballot. The position is vacant because of the death last week of District Judge Silvia Cano-Garcia. Continue Reading
On this fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that changed America forever, it’s important to consider whether we are closer to solving the problem of terrorism. We’re an even more polarized nation than we were on Sept. 10, 2001. The terrorist attacks were horrible acts committed by men willing to die for their cause. How to respond to such hatred has divided us. Continue Reading
There were a couple of interesting polls released by the Albuquerque Journal this weekend. Nearly 60 percent of New Mexicans were on board with the idea of a $400 million commuter rail from Santa Fe to Belen. Meanwhile, only 35 percent supported the plan to build a spaceport at Upham, while 56 percent were opposed and eight percent were undecided. Support for the spaceport project was higher in Albuquerque and Southern New Mexico, the Journal reported, while support for the commuter rail was lower in Southern New Mexico. The biggest drag on the approval rating for the spaceport came from Northwestern New Mexico. Continue Reading
This is the first in a series of articles running this week that will examine whether the judicial discipline process is fair to judges accused of misconduct. For additional articles and more information, visit the home page for this special report by clicking here. John Brennan couldn’t have known when he tried to evade a DWI checkpoint in Albuquerque that his actions would not only change his life, but also lead to a reshaping of New Mexico’s judiciary. As a result of the May 2004 incident, the former chief judge of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque was charged with drunken driving and, along with his female passenger, cocaine possession. He later pleaded guilty to the charges. Continue Reading