Padilla: ‘I am sick and tired of hearing about the corruption in the state treasurer’s office’

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A guest column was solicited from both candidates for state treasurer. To read Democrat James B. Lewis’ column, click here. By Demesia PadillaRepublican candidate for state treasurer In a free market, big isn’t the same as corrupt or inefficient. Bigness is the reward of market success. If you give the consumers a good product or service at a price better than the competition, your business tends to grow. Continue Reading

Lewis: ‘I have restored trust in the treasurer’s office before, and I pledge to do it again’

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A guest column was solicited from both candidates for state treasurer. Republican Demesia Padilla’s column will run Friday. By James B. LewisDemocratic candidate for state treasurer Introduction It is my pleasure to introduce myself to the readers of this column and respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 7. I am a native New Mexican (born in Roswell) and attended public schools in Roswell, Albuquerque and Gallup. Continue Reading

Remembering ‘mi guapa,’ Silvia Cano-Garcia

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This is a guest column written by a close friend of Judge Silvia Cano-Garcia, who died this week after a long battle with cancer. By Susana Chaparro “Mi guapa” was my nickname for her. In Spanish it means elegant, beautiful. I’ve known mi querida amiga since junior high. There are so many wonderful memories I have of my dear and beloved friend, Silvia Cano-Garcia. Continue Reading

Jim Bibb’s view: GPS tracking for sex offenders is, ‘in some cases … simply not enough’

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Note: This is a guest column about how to deal with sex offenders that was solicited from both candidates in the attorney general race. Bibb was allowed up to 800 words, but chose this concise response. Democrat Gary King’s column ran Wednesday. By Jim BibbRepublican candidate for attorney general I prosecuted sexual predators as an assistant district attorney in Las Vegas, N.M., and as an assistant United States attorney for the District of New Mexico. As an FBI special agent I assisted in the execution of arrest and search warrants involving sexual predators seeking to entice young children over the Internet. Continue Reading

Gary King’s view: We need to monitor paroled child sex offenders with GPS devices

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Note: This is a guest column about how to deal with sex offenders that was solicited from both candidates in the attorney general race. Republican Jim Bibb’s column will run Thursday. By Gary KingDemocratic candidate for attorney general One of the key proposals of my campaign for New Mexico attorney general has been the improved protection of New Mexico families. This proposal includes strengthening our laws to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual predators. Two important recommendations I would make to the Legislature in my first year as attorney general are real-time tracking of paroled child sexual offenders by global positioning device (GPS) units and removal of the statute of limitations for prosecution of rape. Continue Reading

Pat Lyons’ view: ‘We must find a balance’ between preservation and development of Otero Mesa

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Note: This is a guest column that was solicited from both candidates in the land commissioner race. By Pat LyonsRepublican candidate for commissioner of public lands, and the incumbent Most of the visitors to the area have been sportsmen like me who go to the area to hunt. The few full time occupants are families that have lived in the area for generations and are primarily engaged in cattle ranching. If you scan through the official New Mexico Vacation Guide put out by the New Mexico Tourism Department you will find scant reference to Otero Mesa as a destination for any activity. It is important to digest some history to comprehend the present battle over oil and gas development. Continue Reading

Jim Baca’s view: ‘We must protect this spectacular natural treasure,’ the Otero Mesa

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Note: This is a guest column that was solicited from both candidates in the land commissioner race. By Jim BacaDemocratic candidate for commissioner of public lands, and a former holder of that officeHow valuable is the Otero Mesa to New Mexico’s heritage?Otero Mesa is extremely valuable not only to New Mexico’s natural heritage but also to America’s. Otero Mesa represents the largest and wildest Chihuahuan desert grassland left on public lands in the United States. At 1.2 million acres in size, this vast landscape sustains the life of over 1,000 native wildlife species. Thousands of ancient archeological sites can also be found throughout the volcanic Cornudas Mountains in Otero Mesa as well as across the rolling hills and grasslands.We must protect this spectacular natural treasure for future generations and to enhance our quality of life in New Mexico.For families, hunting, hiking and camping is part of our quality of life in New Mexico. Continue Reading