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Friday, May 16, 2014
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May 16, 2014
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3 ELECTIONS 2014
First District judge faces 2 challengers First District Court
Court handles civil, criminal, domestic cases for 3 counties
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Downtown hotels worried about large, unruly crowds due to burning’s move to Friday before Labor Day. PAge B-1
The New Mexican
tant district courts in the state. It handles criminal, civil and domestic cases for Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties and, because it is located in the state capital, is considered the proper venue for all cases filed against state government agencies. About 10,000 cases a year are adjudicated here. As a result of the heavy caseload, the state Legislature earlier this year voted to create a ninth judgeship for this district. A Judicial Nominating Committee will convene in June to consider candidates for that post and will make recommendations to the governor as to whom should be appointed. District Judge Slyvia Lamar, the Division 4 judge, who also hears family court cases, and District Judge Francis Mathew, who handles civil cases as the Division 1 judge, are running unopposed to retain their posts. Like Wilson, both Lamar and Mathew were appointed to the bench and must run for election at least once, after which they will be subject to a retention vote every six years, in which voters
Three of the eight judges on the First Judicial District bench are running for election this year, and the other judges all face a retention vote in November. But only one — Judge Matthew J. Wilson — faces opposition in the June 3 primary. Wilson, a Democrat, was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez last year to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Stephen Pfeffer. He presides over the Division 6 docket, which consists primarily of family court cases, involving issues such as domestic violence, divorce and parenting matters. He’s being challenged for the $111,500-a-year position by David Thomson, who in 2010 was appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson to the state District Court bench in Santa Fe, where he presided over a family court docket for about eight months before losing an election bid to Glenn Ellington. Wilson’s other challenger is Española-based attorney Yvonne Quintana, who has had a family law practice for 18 years. The First Judicial District is arguably one of the most impor-
NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COLLEGE
School’s cuts stir opposition
NEW MEXICAN FILE PHOTO
The New Mexican
members let go this week claim they were fired in retaliation for speaking out against the school’s administraundreds of people have tion. But college officials say those signed a petition urging teachers’ contracts were not renewed, the state Higher Educaeither because of disciplinary issues or tion Department to reject because their programs are being cut Northern New Mexico College’s as part of a budget-tightening process. budget for 2014-15 in protest of the At least five other school employees school’s decision to cut several popualso are being let go, according to a lar programs, faculty members and a college spokesman. Officials blame child care center. previous administrations for the It is the latest sign of unrest at the school’s current financial woes. troubled Española college, which has Critics asking the state Higher Edufaced accusations of financial misman- cation Department to step in say the agement and poor leadership during college has mishandled federal grant the past few months as it wrangled funds and has raised tuition and cut with budget constraints. programs, moves that have led to a The petition comes as four of five Please see CUTs, Page A-5 Northern New Mexico College faculty By Robert Nott The New Mexican
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job in tough times, tough economic times,” said Lucas Fresquez, a Democrat and an Española school board president. Fresquez recently listened to Martinez speak to students about a summer meals program and said he’s inclined to support her in November. He won’t be sure until after his party selects a challenger in a five-way June 3 primary. This uncertainty underscores the Democrats’ challenge. The party relies on sweeping wins among Northern New Mexico Hispanics for statewide success, but Martinez
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Today Partly sunny; breezy later. High 79, low 45.
Viola Fisher, May 8 Ricardo Patricio, 65, Santa Fe, April 28 Frank Michael Vigil, 50, Budaghers, May 11 Melvin L. Brooks, 96, Los Alamos, May 12 PAge B-2, B-3
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ALBUQUERQUE — A federal judge on Thursday chided the New Mexico Human Services Department, saying it was failing in its obligation to provide food and health care to the poor in a timely way, Kenneth and ordered the Gonzales department to immediately process thousands of backlogged applications for benefits. The ruling potentially paves the way for thousands of people to qualify for benefits that some have been waiting months to receive. “The facts demonstrated that something drastic had to happen,” said Santa Fe lawyer Daniel Yohalem, part of the legal team that prevailed. The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty brought the legal action, accusing Human Services of practices that delayed the application process and incorrectly denied or terminated families’ benefits. The center said the delays violate a 15-year-old consent decree with the federal government, in which the state department agreed to timely processing of requests for benefits. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Gonzales ruled from the bench after about 10 minutes of deliberation. “The spirit of this decree, I think, has just been forgotten,”
Gloria H. (C De Baca) Gonzales, La Cienega, May 8 Jose O. Padilla, 81, Tesuque, May 13 Commander Christopher Stafford Gobey, May 7
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Democratic Northern N.M. will be tough for Martinez opponent
Judge blasts HSD for delays By Patrick Malone
Five teachers claim retaliation in firings; hundreds sign petition against budget
ESPAÑOLA — For Democrats, the road to victory over New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez leads through predominantly Hispanic communities across the north of the state. The incumbent Republican, however, has become a rising national star and favorite to win re-election because of her crossover appeal, especially in places such as Española, where Democrats typically win big. “Overall, I think she’s done a good
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Ruling could help thousands qualify for food, health benefits
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Susana Martinez is greeted by supporters during a rally in 2010.
By Barry Massey
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie and former VP Dick Cheney will campaign for Martinez.
Jose Gutierrez said he was acting in self-defense when he shot his brother-in-law in the face. PAge B-1
From left, Northern New Mexico College staff members James Biggs, Patricia Perea, Annette Rodriguez, Crestina Quintana and Gilbert Sena, shown Thursday at the Española school’s Joseph M. Montoya Adminstration Building, say their contracts were not renewed for the 2014-15 school year. CLYDE MUELLER/THE NEW MEXICAN
The Associated Press
GOP stars to help governor
u Two vie for seat on S.F. County Magistrate Court bench PAge A-4
By Phaedra Haywood
Index
Man acquitted in fatal shooting
Zozobra plans spark concern
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