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.
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.
