Tuesday, May 22, 2012

EGWC MEETING MINUTES 4/19/2012

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 2012 MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Roger Mickelson.  Mr. Mickelson then introduced APD Lt. Laine Sanchez who told the audience that since warm weather had begun, they were fighting increased graffiti vandalism, bottle breakings, door to door solicitors.  He warned against  garage doors being left open, windows left open for cooling allowing thieves to enter homes easily.  He informed the attendees of a workshop to be held on April 26 which would cover identity theft, fraud, and scams to be aware of. 
APD Detective Lt. Liz Thompson then spoke on property crime, noting that auto burglary has been the number one crime in the district.  She noted that the department produces a map on a weekly basis listing crimes in the area, thus aiding them to predict where and what kinds of crimes might occur in the area.  She stated that different crimes occur in different areas of the city.  She noted that the reports show that crime was down in this area from 2011.  It was noted again that any time a person sees a crime occurring to please call “242-cops”.
Misty Salaz was then introduced.  She presented a “Community Report Card” on UNM Hospital.  She noted that in addition to UNM hospitals, there are 28 offsite clinics available to the public.  UNM employs approximately 5,912 people.  In 2011 UNM Care and UNM Care Initiative (which provide medical assistance to Bernalillo County and New Mexico residents,respectivly) served about 40,000 people in 2011.  The mil levy (which supports the hospital) was voted in in 1954, and is voted on every 8 years.  The present Bernalillo mil levy is 6.4 mils, providing close to $89 million per year in funding for services and equipment for the hospitals.
President Mickelson then introduced Judge Brett Lovless and David Standridge.  The following is President’s Mickelson’s summary of “New Mexico Judicial Branch of Government”:
Metro criminal court handles misdemeanors, minor offenses.
District criminal court handles felonies.
Appeals court reviews disputed judgments.
Supreme Court is the final appellate authority in the state.
There are a total of 118 judges and justices in New Mexico.
District courts – 13 in all.  In our district (Bernalillo County), there are 26 judges; 9 of whom handle criminal cases.  There are “special” courts(e.g.children).  On the civil side, there are divorce courts, claims court, and some others.
Federal criminal courts are parallel organizations handling alleged violation of Federal law.
How do judges get “on the bench”?  NOTE:  Federal judges serve for life, so some of this doesn’t apply to them.
ELECTION.  A qualified candidate (licensed attorney in the state) can run for election.  Judicical candidates’ names appear on the ballot” following political races, bond issues, and other initiatives.  More about this later.                                 
·         APPOINTMENT.  In the case of a vacancy (e.g., retirement, resignation, removal) qualified candidates nominated (by then reviewed and vetted by a non-partisan committee (UNM Dean of the Law School chair, one Supreme court justice, lawyers, appointees Speaker = 1; Senate = 1) with public input, and citizens – 15 people in all) to vote candidates “qualified”, interviewed, and appointed by ???. 
Each appointed judge must subsequently stand for election after being appointed and serving on the bench – th?? decide.
·         RETENTION.  Periodically, judges must be re-approved by voters (57% of the voters in favor of retention) on the general election ballot ? judges up for retention have been approved by voters.

Judicial candidates are constrained in their campaigns.  Can’t ask for campaign money; can’t know from whom donations come; can’t state per?? Issues (e.g. abortion, gun right); can’t address hypothetical cases.  They can state their judicial “philosophy” concerning the Constitution (stati????
       
The President introduced Bernadette Meira (?)who is with the County Manager’s office.  She informed the attendees of a new website: “bernco.gov” which is available for anything you want to know about the county. 
County Commissioner Wayne Johnson spoke briefly on the review of the jail, which he noted is heavily over-populated.  He noted that former Commissioner Michael Brasher is chairing a committee to study the MDC jail which cost more than $7 million a year to support.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

New Mexico Judicial Branch of Government


New Mexico Judicial Branch of Government

Summary of Presentations by Judge Brett Loveless and David Standridge at the East Gateway Coalition meeting April 19, 2012.

 Metro criminal court handles misdemeanors, minor offenses.

District criminal court handles felonies.

Appeals court reviews disputed judgments.

Supreme Court is the final appellate authority in the state.

            There are a total of 118 Judges and Justices in New Mexico.

District courts—13 in all. In our district (Bernalillo county), there are 26 judges; 9 of whom handle criminal cases. There are “special” courts (e.g., Veterans, children). On the civil side, there are divorce courts, claims court, and some others.

Federal criminal courts are parallel organizations handling alleged violations of Federal law.

How do judges get “on the bench”? NOTE: Federal judges serve for life, so some of this doesn’t apply to them.

·         ELECTION.       A qualified candidate (licensed attorney in the state) can run for election. Judicial candidates’ names appear at the “bottom of the ballot” following political races, bond issues, and other ballot initiatives. More about this later.

·         APPOINTMENT.          In the case of a vacancy (e.g., retirement, resignation, removal), qualified candidates are nominated (by themselves or others), reviewed and vetted by a non-partisan committee (UNM Dean of the Law School chair, one Supreme court justice, lawyers, appointees [Gov + 1; Speaker = 1; Senate = 1] with public input, and citizens—15 people in all) to vote candidates “qualified,” interviewed, and appointed by the Governor. Each appointed judge must subsequently stand for election in a contested election after being appointed and serving on the bench—the public gets to decide.

·         RETENTION.    Periodically, judges must be re-approved by voters (57% of the votes in favor of retention) on the general election ballot. All but 3 judges up for retention have been approved by voters.

Judicial candidates are constrained in their campaigns. Can’t ask for campaign money; can’t know from whom donations come; can’t state personal views on issues (e.g., abortion, gun rights); can’t address hypothetical cases. They can state their judicial “philosophy” concerning the Constitution (static or “living” document). They can address groups within the constraints of the Judicial Code of Conduct to educate voters on the process.

So how can voters learn about judicial candidates? The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (http://www.nmjpec.org/) provides some statistics. The League of Women Voters provides additional insights. Voters can also directly contact judicial candidates prior to the election and ask about their judicial philosophy, groups they belong to, view on separation of powers (judicial activism), views on the Constitution, how they view “the law” (public service, rule of law)—ASK your questions before being faced with choices at the voting site. Too many voters “pick” judges based on name, appearance (if pictured in the news or elsewhere), or whim.

EGWC Draft Meeting Agenda for 7/19/2012


East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for July 19, 2012
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

                                                                                              

6:30  Call to Order                                                               Roger Mickelson
         
6:35  APD Foothills Area Command Update                            

7:00  New General Election Procedures                          Maggie Toulouse-Oliver
                                                                                                Vic Facio
          Early Voting, Voting Convenience Centers, Election Day

7:45  Scams, ID Theft, White Collar Crime                    Det. Michael Sandoval


8:30  Adjourn                                                                        Roger Mickelson


 Next Scheduled Meeting: October 18, 2012