New Blog Torches New Mexico Politicians.

I was perusing facebook when I noticed numerous politicians including Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, Albuquerque City Councilor Ken Sanchez, State Representative Ken Martinez, and Lieutenant Governor Candidate Lawrence Rael as well as several news media personalities had become friends with defamation suit. I never friend anyone who's name, photo, or other info looks suspicious without checking them out so I clicked on the facebook page and learned it was basically a facebook page to promote a new blog called nmdefamationsuit.com. Always one to investigate further I went to the blog where I found a blog like no other in New Mexico.

Now before you go looking let me warn you. The writer fancies his or herself a comedian, but not a Sinbad type comedian known for his lack of profanity but much more like Richard Pryor known for his harsh profanity laden humor. All politicians are fair game to this blog and partisanship is no shield. Although I have not seen the writer make fun of independents or green party candidates,.... Yet.

The writer is also not above making fun of our Lieutenant Governors female body parts or beyond lambasting the accent in Lt. Governor candidates Brian Colón's name, or whether or not he is Hispanic (had to google to figure out how to add the accent). The writer is also good with photoshop and animations as he or she has shown in the numerous photos accompanying the blog posts.




















(photoshop photo from nmdefamationsuit.com)

One photoshop art work shows a scene from a cocaine overdosed Al Pacino in Scarface with the head of Pete Dominici Jr. superimposed. The writer is anonymous and the only disclaimer on the web site is this: "This site makes humorous statements about public figures. Please keep your cease-and-desist e-mails to yourself." Now my writing about this persons blog probably puts a target on my back but heed this warning "I know what you drive!" LOL, see I can make a funny too.

The media is also not above lambasting as the writer makes fun of a story by Dan Mayfield an Albuquerque Journal reporter. The writer so far is careful to only comment on items already in the public and to comment on public figures thus avoiding an actual defamation suit but watch out, even the National Enquirer has lost a suit or two.

Continuing in my investigative ways I checked to see who the domain name was registered too and found the writer uses a service called Domainsbyproxy.com . The service allows individuals to register domain names through the service and for an extra fee of $9.00 a year they will be the named registered owner for you. The service does not protect your name in a civil or criminal matter when a subpoena or search warrant has been issued.

Anyhow, needless to say I will not be facebook friends with this site but I think many will be reading the blog if only just to see what is being said about us politicians next. The one thing this site is good for is showing anyone considering running for office why you need a thick skin and a loving family who can put up with all that will be said or written about you.

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Santa Fe County Democratic Convention

Antoinette (my wife) and I had a great time yesterday at the Santa Fe County Democratic Convention. The Convention was held to name delegates to the State Pre Primary Convention coming up in March at the Buffalo Thunder Resort. I am a State Central Committee Delegate so automatically I am a delegate to the pre primary however Antoinette was also elected a delegate from our ward as well.

State Chair Javier Gonzales addresses the crowd

In the morning there was registration and delegate elections and it was organized chaos. Actually registration was really smooth and then Antoinette and I joined 10 or 12 others working the crowd to enlist support and thank those who are already supporters of Robert Garcia my Undersheriff who is running for my job, the Sheriff of Santa Fe County. I was in campaign mode shaking hands, kissing baby's, and working hard for Robert.

Our next Sheriff Robert Garcia and I.

The response was overwhelming and I can't even count the number of my fellow Santa Fe County Dems who still wanted to vote for me in the Lieutenant Governor race. (I dropped out of the race a few months ago). Almost anyone running for anything statewide or local was there working the crowd as well.

In the afternoon we had to elect new State Central Committee Delegates to replace Eli Senna who's untimely death left a huge void in Santa Fe Politics as well as another seat which was vacated. Running for the two open seats were Michael Segura, Daniel Roybal, Estevan Gonzales, and John Thorpe. They all gave great speeches and then an election was held, Daniel Roybal and Estevan Gonzales won the seats in some close races.

Next we heard from all our state wide officials and candidates as well as candidates from all the local races. All my former Lieutenant Governor Candidates were present and I spent a moment and took pictures with all of them.

Lt. Gov. Candidate Jose Campos and I

Lt. Gov. Candidate Jerry Ortiz y Pino and I.

Lt. Gov. Candidate Lawrence Rael and I.

Lt. Gov. Candidate Brian Colon and I.

Lt. Gov. Candidate Linda Lopez and I.

The crowd was enthusiastic and I think this will be a great year for democrats in New Mexico! I took about 150 pictures with my cell phone camera and although the lighting in the gym made the pictures not come out so well they are still fun to look at. You can see them all here on my facebook page. It was a long day and Thank god for Bernie Loque y Perea who's great food booth and coffee kept my energy up. To all the 186 newly elected delegates congratulations and we will see you at the state pre primary convention at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino on March 13!

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Sheriff Reacts to Domenici Jr.'s Cocaine Use.

New Mexico Law Enforcement Officials React to Domenici Jr.'s Drug Admission

February 18, 2010

ALBUQUERQUE - Two prominent New Mexico law enforcement officials, District Attorney Lemuel Martinez and Sheriff Greg Solano, reacted today to news that Domenici Jr. used illegal drugs and classified cocaine as a recreational drug in recent radio interview.

A copy of the letter is attached and the text of the letter is pasted below. A short audio clip of the Domenici Jr. interview is also attached. (attachment below)

February 18, 2010

Dear Citizens of New Mexico:

Last night, a candidate for Governor said something on the radio that deeply disturbed us – and probably many other listeners as well. During an interview on KKOB, Pete Domenici Jr. admitted that he had used cocaine, but what troubled us more was the fact that he called it a “recreational drug.”

Cocaine is not a recreational drug, plain and simple. It’s extremely unfortunate that a candidate for Governor would downplay the harmful nature of such an addictive and deadly drug.

As law enforcement officials on the front lines trying to get drugs like cocaine off our streets, we’re outraged by Pete Domenici Jr.’s careless characterization. Today we call on him to do the right thing and apologize for giving New Mexico children the impression that experimenting with cocaine is acceptable. Needless to say, it’s not.

Furthermore, as law enforcement officials and as concerned citizens, we sincerely hope Mr. Domenici Jr. will be honest with the people of New Mexico and say when he last used cocaine.

Mistakes can be forgiven, and many New Mexico families are facing similar problems, but the people of New Mexico deserve to know the facts.

Sincerely,

Lemuel Martinez, District Attorney, New Mexico's 13th District
Greg Solano, Santa Fe County Sheriff

Drug Use 2-17-10 Short-C 1.mp3

He Deserves to Make a Living, or Enough is Enough?

I read with mixed feelings about the return to the ring of boxer/recovering drug addict and five time world champion Johnny Tapia. On March 6, Tapia 56-5-2 is scheduled to make his return to the ring to fight Jorge Alberto Reyes 21-27-3. I know fellow New Mexican and Albuquerque native Johnny Tapia. No I have never met him personally and besides watching him fight Danny Romero on TV in 1997, a fight no one in New Mexico did not watch, I have only seen him in news clips over the years. So why am I so pretentious as to say I know him? Because I grew up with kids just like him as a young child growing up on Hopewell Street In Santa Fe. Hopewell Street was just down the road from 1801 Espinocitas in Santa Fe. 1801 is better known in Santa Fe as Sangre De Christo Apartments. The Projects as we called them growing up.

All us kids in the area went to Salazar Elementary and De Vargas Junior high back then and even though gang life did not proliferate our generation at that time, there was pretty much stoners, smokers, jocks, good kids and then there were always those who just didn't quite fit in. Drugs never did anything for me but they were all around me. The kids I hung out with all at least did pot, all got in trouble, whether it was stealing, ditching school or fighting and most did it all. I grew up the oldest kid in a family of four, and my single mother always worked two or three jobs and I had to stay home, be in charge and be responsible. By the time I was 15, I stopped doing any of that and began running away from home, hanging with the friends and getting into trouble. All those friends I hung out with are in prison or dead now. This brings me to Johnny Tapia.

Like any convicted felon or drug addict, he has a story to tell. At eight years old as he watched from the barrio he lived in, his mother Virginia was kidnapped, raped, hung, stabbed 22 times with scissors and a screwdriver, and left for dead by her assailant. Because no one believed him family members never called police and the body was found a few days later. Like me Johnny grew up around drugs but unlike me he partakes as well. The term "roller coaster ride" describes Johnny's life to a tee. His boxing nickname is also "mi vida loca" which translated means my crazy life. My mother once told me that there are always people whose life is worse than ours so we should be happy for what we have. I guess Johnny is one of those people.

As I read Geoff Grammer's story of Johnny's release from prison and upcoming fight I can't help wonder why the story glossed over his tribulations and went straight to his triumphs and upcoming fight. Maybe Geoff was trying to give Johnny a second chance and focus on the positive. The only problem is this is not Johnny's second chance, it is his fourth or fifth and maybe even more than that. Johnny has taken his family and fans on a wild ride from boxing to jails, to hospitals, to death and back again. The most amazing thing is the fact that his body has not only stayed living but has managed to stay somewhat fit through all it has been through. Boxing is probably one of the last sports you can do drugs time and time again and still go back for another shot in the arena.

I have long been a proponent of keeping drugs, even pot illegal. I was one of the few sheriff's in all of New Mexico to support medical marijuana but you can read about that in one of my past blog posts. And my stance on drug legalization is based on the fact that as I grew up just about everyone I knew who started with pot went on to other drugs and are in prison or dead today. The few who kicked the habit did so because they were arrested and forced into treatment. I have no doubt what so ever that they would not have stopped otherwise. It is my true belief that treatment rather than incarceration is the answer, but without law enforcement making those arrests most would never see any treatment at all. To those who turned their lives around I give kudos and my prayers of continued success. But when is enough, enough? At what point do you say to Johnny that you cannot do the things you do and still be licensed to fight in New Mexico or any other state for that matter? Tapia tested positive for cocaine three times between 1990 and 1991which lead to a three year suspension from boxing. During the three years he served his suspension it was reported he nearly died three times from drug overdoses. Is he really physically fit to fight? And if he were to die in the ring how many lawsuits will incur and how many people or insurance companies will pay because no one had the foresight to say this man should not be fighting?

If he does not fight how does this man who knows no other career make a living? I understand his wife is an saint for putting up with him, sticking with him in good times and bad and trying to save his life and his career as his manager. As a husband and father he needs to provide for his family and if Johnny really is going to turn his life around and make a new start maybe a complete new start away from his "vida loca" life style that got him here is the way to do it. It always seems that every time he gets out of jail he fights again, makes some money and then returns to the drug scene. I hope that is not the case this time, and while the loosely regulated New Mexico Boxing scene has allowed him back, I do think the sport needs to rethink its rules on drug use and boxing both on and off the canvass.

I don't know if Johnny Tapia will ever read this blog but if you do "demuestre que estoy equivocado".

Op-Ed on Political Scare Tactics

Following the below posted Press Release by Mayoral Candidate and Republican Asenath Kepler is an Op-Ed piece I wrote and was published in both the Albuquerque Journal North (subscription may be required) and the Santa Fe New Mexican (interesting comments). While my support and endorsement of Mayor Coss has been announced, I still feel that the true premise of my Op-Ed is about the poor use of scare tactics and not just the fact I am supporting Mayor Coss. These scare tactics are also being used by Kepler and her supporters on other issues as well, including Annexation.


KEPLER PRESS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Ann Crenshaw & Associates

505-982-8008

MAYORAL CANDIDATE ASENATH KEPLER TARGETS CRIME AS TOP PRIORITY and outlines her plan for reducing staggering statistics

Two well-known jewelry stores robbed in mid-afternoon in the heart of Santa Fe’s Plaza. A child’s purse snatched in her own Don Gaspar driveway, her grandfather beaten as he tried to intervene. An elderly man walking his dog in the Guadalupe Historic District pistol-whipped because he had no cash. A prominent downtown business owner murdered at 8 pm on the first night of Fiestas. A man robbed and shot on a popular recreation trail. A late afternoon armed push-in on one of Santa Fe’s busiest thoroughfares. These are just a few of the many recent incidents that make crime Asenath Kepler’s top priority.

“This isn’t the Santa Fe I’ve known for over than fifty years,” says Mayoral Candidate Asenath Kepler,”and this frightening rise in crime is completely unacceptable! We’re not only going to lose the downtown merchants but visitors and residents as well”

Kepler points to a staggering rise in statistics: robberies, auto burglaries and thefts and residential burglaries all up from the 2008 figures. “People -- particularly the elderly and those who live alone -- are afraid to leave their houses after dark, even in the most central neighborhoods,” she says. “I hear the concerns every day as I campaign.”

The problem, she maintains, is the lack of police presence, a direct result of fiscal irresponsibility at the city level. “We’re down by 40 police offers,” she says, “and if we don’t act now,” she says, “I fear a major downtown incident that may set us back by years. Our city’s residential and commercial burglary rate is fourth per capita in the nation. We don’t want to wait until we’re number-one before the mayor takes action!”

Her solution: Re-allocate resources to provide increased police protection for residents and visitors alike. Kepler plans to do that with:

• Increased and highly visible police presence in our neighborhoods and downtown Santa Fe. Kepler would work with downtown merchants to create substations in the Plaza and other downtown neighborhoods, to be manned by both police officers and public safety assistants.

• An immediate and complete audit of all city functions, seeking adjustments of programs and services as well as staff reassignments that would provide enough savings for this increased police protection.

• Public safety vacancy allocations. Under the current system, city employees who retire with accrued sick and vacation days are left on the books until their sick and vacation leave is paid out, a process that can take up to two years. Consequently, the vacancy is not filled until that time. Under Kepler’s plan, fiscal reorganization will provide a budgetary fund that would apportion departmental projects that would allow the police department to fill vacancies immediately.

• Community roundtables and neighborhood forums that would allow residents to vent their frustrations, express their concerns and participate in the solutions. Kepler would work with schools to develop neighborhood centers and increase neighborhood watch groups, with PSAs assigned to assist each group.

“Crime affects the entire community,” Kepler maintains. “Without a stop to this out-of-control crime spree we cannot hope to attract more business, more tourists or more residents. We need to make Santa Fe once again the safe, secure and neighborly city that has been its image for the past 400 years.”

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My Op-Ed Response.

Inflated Crime Stats Serve Candidate's Scare Tactics.

Crime is often used as a political weapon during elections. I found mayoral candidate Asenath Kepler's "crime plan" press release disturbing in that it picks out certain incidents over the last year and attempts to scare residents into voting for her.

Many of her ideas were tried and failed during the times when Debbie Jaramillo was mayor and Chief Donald Grady was running the police department.

Substations sound good to residents because they think that an officer will be sitting in a substation waiting for a phone to ring and then they will rush out to a crime just blocks away. Manned substations take officers who could be out on the streets doing preventative patrolling, catching speeders, looking for burglars and being a presence in the community and put them behind a desk.

It was tried in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and was a complete failure. You can see remnants of the old substations at Frenchy's Park, the downtown Public Library and on Alameda Street. The city police and the county sheriff's office along with state police and other agencies have a successful joint burglary task force which is working to bring down burglaries and property crimes with success.

Property crimes are on the rise throughout the nation, and New Mexico and Santa Fe is not immune. However, by creating a false reputation of Santa Fe as a high-crime city, this candidate's political scare tactics are hurting all of us. This could further damage our already lower tourist and travel industry, which is reeling from the economic downturn as a whole.

I have been impressed by Mayor Coss' ability to increase police officers in the city police force from 124 to 154 officers over the last four years. This increase in the number of police officers on the streets is greater than under any other mayor in Santa Fe's history. When you pull out the mostly economy-driven property crimes in Santa Fe, you will find that violent crime, sex crimes, and overall crime are at their lowest levels in eight years.

There is always more that we in law enforcement can do, but we must be very suspicious of candidates who try and scare up votes rather than earn them.

Greg Solano is the sheriff of Santa Fe County.


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Sheriff Solano Endorses Mayor Coss Re-election

I just announced my endorsement for Mayor David Coss. You can read the press release below. At the end of the day, I just think he's the right leader for Santa Fe and has the ability to bring people together to solve pressing issues and reduce crime.

Last summer there was a peak in residential burglaries. Working with the Mayor and the City Police we were able to bring down the burglary rate 57% in the last six months.

David has an impressive record and his administration has a long record of working with the Sheriff's Office to ensure that the citizens are protected inside or outside the city or County. Keep in mind criminals don't care whether they are in the city or county and the same burglars victimize families in both jurisdictions.

The joint City and County Burglary and Narcotics Task Forces have made huge strides in keeping crime down even during our tough economic times where many cities are experiencing even higher property crime rates than we have experienced. Most notable is the dozens of arrests and thousands of dollars of property recovery's the task forces have made in the past year. I hope you will join me in supporting the Re-election of Mayor Coss in the City of Santa Fe.

Below is the official press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: Friday, February 5, 2010

SHERIFF GREG SOLANO ENDORSES MAYOR DAVID COSS

Santa Fe, NM -- Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano announced his endorsement of Mayor David Coss today, citing his ability to bring people together to solve pressing issues in Santa Fe and reduce crime.

“I continue to be impressed by Mayor Coss. The fact that he increased police officers on the city police force from 124 to 154 officers over the last 4 years is credit to his strong stance on public safety,” said Sheriff Solano. These increases in police on the streets are more than any Mayor in Santa Fe’s history. I have complete faith in his ability to lead Santa Fe during these trying times.”

Mayor Coss said, “I’m very honored to have the support of Sheriff Solano. I have great respect for his work in the County and look forward to our continued collaborative efforts to keep Santa Feans safe.”

Mayor Coss has worked with local law enforcement, community advocates, and neighborhood watches in Santa Fe to reduce crime. As a result, the number of police officers on the streets has increased by 24%, there are over 120 neighborhood watch groups, violent crime is at the lowest level in eight years, and burglaries have decreased by 57% over the last six months.

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For more information on the campaign to re-elect Mayor David Coss, contact Sandra Wechsler @ (505) 231-5866 or campaign@reelectmayorcoss.com www.reelectmayorcoss.com

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Santa Fe District 1 County Commission Forum

Tonight Undersheriff Robert Garcia and I hit the Democratic Party forum for the District 1 County Commission seat currently held by Commissioner Harry Montoya. Our Santa Fe County Democratic Chair Richard Ellenberg played moderator and read questions to the candidates who each had a chance to introduce themselves and give opening comments before answering questions. The current candidates for District 1 are Jon Paul Romero, Lenny Roybal, Paul White, and Daniel "Danny" Mayfield.

Water was on the audiences mind as the first question solicited the candidates opinions on the Aamodt settlement while the second question was on water rights and the writer of the question framed it in a way to convey the feelings that too many projects are being funded on the pueblo lands in Northern New Mexico. The Aamodt settlement which has not really yet been fully settled has been a huge bone of contention to non pueblo residents in Northern Santa Fe County. After news of the settlement came out following court ordered secret negotiations a county poll showed resident dissatisfaction which prompted County Commissioner Harry Montoya to write op-ed pieces defending the settlement. Residents are still unhappy and this settlement was an issue in the 2006 district 1 elections and looks to be an issue in 2010 as well. I was still shaking hands and drinking coffee so I did not take good notes on the water issues but I did sit down and take notes on the economic and crime questions.

On the Economy Jon Paul Romero wants to open regional small business incubators through out Santa Fe County. Lenny Roybal wants to teach people to grow their own food, open more co-ops and encourage landlords to lower rents in order to foster small business growth and he wants to encourage more students to become teachers. Paul White claimed the county has tripled its spending in the last three years. (I am sure this is not true, at least the Santa Fe Sheriff's budget is no where near tripled and has actually been cut by 8 percent in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and further cuts are expected. ) Mr. White also wants to promote a green economy, affordable housing and diversification of the economy. Danny Mayfield says we need to look closely at how we are spending county money but employment and jobs provided by the county is important to economic development however we need to ensure county employees are doing a good job and earning their pay.

Crime and youth crime was the next question and Paul White says in Chupadero where he lives there is a large drug related crime problem. He stated he has worked with the Sheriff's Office on developing a neighborhood watch program. He also advocated for programs for kids in jail to turn their lives around. Danny Mayfield stated we need to lead by example and be role models for children. He advocated supporting law enforcement and promote deputies spending more time in local neighborhoods. Jon Paul Romero says the solutions start at home and school. He advocated more activities and places for teens and stated we needed to be role models for our children. Lenny Roybal says we need to properly fund law enforcement and hire more deputies. He also advocated properly funding fire and 911 dispatch operators. He also stated we need to educate our youth and felt we needed programs in the jails for youth. Lenny also referred to the movie "Blind Side" and said "its easy to hurt a child but its hard to help them". He also said he cringes when schools look at dropping sports programs as they teach kids about life.

Each candidate had their supporters in the audience who were joined by several other candidates and elected officials including the man the candidates on the hot seat were seeking to replace, Commissioner Harry Montoya. Also in the audience was County Commission Candidate Robert Anaya who was probably getting warmed up for forums in his district 3 race to replace his brother Mike Anaya. The man seeking to take my job Undersheriff Robert Garcia was also in the audience shaking hands and passing out bumper stickers and business cards.

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