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EEOC says school district violated Ogas’ rights

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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that former Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Louis Martinez violated the rights of former Mayfield High School Principal Robert Ogas by chasing him out in 2005. In a ruling issued Wednesday, the commission found that Martinez and the school district discriminated against Ogas based on his age – he was 64 at the time of his departure – and his ethnicity. The controversy over Ogas’ departure led to deep divisions in the school district that have resurfaced in the present controversy over current Superintendent Sonia Diaz. The protests that resulted from Ogas’ departure led to a successful, public push for the school board to oust Martinez. Ogas was a longtime principal at Mayfield and a legend in that community, but there was division within the community and school board over his tenure. Continue Reading

Others’ thoughts on LCPS situation

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I asked last week for constructive, insightful thoughts on how the Las Cruces Public Schools board and community should proceed from here. Here are the best responses I received. Many others contained good points but also rumor or nasty personal attacks, so I could not publish them. A couple of notes: Board Member Leonel Briseño will be on The Morning Show With Michael Swickard on KSNM-AM 570 from 9-10 a.m. today to discuss the situation. I’ll be at the board meeting, which starts at 4:45 p.m., and will stay until the end. Continue Reading

Poll: Most say superintendent not doing a good job

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Most who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Diaz isn’t doing a good job. Of 317 voters, 197, or 62 percent, said she isn’t doing a good job, while 54, or 17 percent, said she is doing a good job, and 66, or 21 percent, said it’s too early to say. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Former Judge Duran returns to Las Cruces

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Former District Judge Grace Duran has returned to Las Cruces. Duran, the first woman elected to the Third Judicial District Court bench in Doña Ana County, left that job in May 2005 to head the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s Customs Enforcement Law Division in Puerto Rico. According to an advertisement in today’s Las Cruces Bulletin, she’s back in town and has opened a law office. Duran’s practice is general but will focus on domestic relations issues. Duran was first elected in November 1996. Continue Reading

Pearce unsuccessful in leadership bid

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U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., was unsuccessful in his bid to become the fourth most powerful Republican in the House. Pearce was seeking the position of vice-chair of the Republican Conference. During a vote of Republican House members today he received 63 votes, but Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, received 134. “During the last week, I have urged my Republican colleagues to take a hard, critical look at our vision and our message,” Pearce said in a news release. “While I was not elected Republican Conference vice-chair, I believe I succeeded in achieving this more important goal.” Pearce said Republicans, in the next two years, “must function as a vital, vigorous and effective minority – working in a bipartisan spirit to achieve the goals which reflect the values of our constituents while continuing to stand firm in our principals.” He also said he was “honored and humbled” by the support he received. Continue Reading

Check out this site’s comments policy

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I’ve received many e-mails, phone calls and submitted comments lately questioning why some comments are published and others are not on this site. Unlike some bloggers, I do moderate comments. In general, comments must be constructive, not degrading, and they must not be libelous or spread rumor. Public discussion is an essential element of democracy, and allowing people to comment on what’s happening is an important part of this site. But, I’m learning, if the discussion isn’t moderated, it would quickly degrade into something that is completely counterproductive. Continue Reading

No word on whether Martinez will challenge Lujan

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Many have been wondering for months whether there would be a serious challenge to Ben Lujan’s position as speaker of the House. The answer: There isn’t yet an answer. In addition to the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party that might support current Majority Floor Leader Ken Martinez or another candidate over Lujan, there are the Democrats who want reform. Should Martinez opt to challenge Lujan, several sources tell me, the vote would be about 50-50. Martinez is not yet saying whether he’ll challenge Lujan. Continue Reading

Congressional race results expected today

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The final results in the 1st Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Heather Wilson and Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid are expected later today. Officially, Wilson has a 1,182-vote lead with about 1,500 ballots left to count. Unofficially, the Republican Party claims its tally of what’s left has Wilson ahead by more votes than there are outstanding ballots, making her lead insurmountable. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Republicans claim their count has Wilson up by 896 votes with no more than 500 ballots remaining to be tallied. Bernalillo County Elections Administrator Jaime Diaz told the Journal that an estimated 200 of those have been disqualified. Continue Reading

Share your view on the LCPS controversy

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I want to invite readers to write in with their thoughts on what should come of the situation in the Las Cruces Public Schools. But I want to caution you – my e-mail inbox and comments submitted on my blog have been full of profanities and libel all week. If that’s your intention, don’t bother. I’m looking for insightful pieces that convey thoughts on how the school district should proceed from here, with the goal of healing and improving our schools. Length isn’t an issue. Continue Reading

Richardson asks Bush to intervene in case that highlights complexities of immigration problem

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Gov. Bill Richardson is asking President Bush to allow a Mexican woman in the United States illegally to stay because her 7-year-old son is an American citizen. The situation is a perfect example of the complexities of the immigration debate. Richardson, according to the Associated Press, sent a letter to Bush urging him to consider allowing Elvira Arellano to stay because of her son. The boy successfully lobbied Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies earlier this week to approve a resolution calling for the United States to suspend the deportation of his mother and other illegal immigrant parents of U.S. citizens. The family has been staying at a Chicago church since August in an attempt to prevent deportation, the news service reported. Continue Reading

Probe into Diaz includes dozens of interviews

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The investigation of Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Diaz is more widespread than originally indicated by the school board. Board Member Leonel Briseño said on Nov. 8 that the board had charged its attorney with investigating specific allegations brought forth by staff members. He said at the time he expected the investigation to wrap up by Tuesday’s meeting. But it didn’t, and that’s part of why the board on Tuesday rescheduled its meeting for this coming Monday. Continue Reading

School board announces Feb. 6 election

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The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education has released its proclamation of the Feb. 6, 2007 election. District 4 board Member John Schwebke and District 5 Member Sharon Wooden are both up for re-election. With all the controversy and turmoil swirling around the school district, this should be an interesting one. Click here to read the election proclamation. Continue Reading

State government Web sites, networks are down

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The entire New Mexico state government network of Web sites has been offline since Wednesday afternoon because a construction worker in accidentally cut a fiber optic cable. All sites, including the state home page and sites for the governor’s office, secretary of state and the attorney general have been offline since then. Public information officers with several agencies confirmed for me the cause. In addition to the Web sites, internal networks and Internet and e-mail have been affected in state government offices, and many employees are having difficulties working. Workers are repairing the line as we speak. Continue Reading