Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Extending Partisanship

Few people would have noticed this little tidbit.  Governor Martinez has appointed Albuquerque Public Safety Chief Darren White to the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission.  It is the first time that I know of that such a partisan political figure is being foisted on this independent group that works to keep the Judicial branch of government professional and ethical.  Not only is White partisan, he is from the extreme right wing of the republican party.  He served as bush/cheney campaign head in Bernalillo county.  He was recently handed a no confidence vote by law enforcement officers he oversees.  And this is the same Darren White who was found ethically challenged in his actions as Sheriff of Bernalillo County for taking large amounts of cash from people who were arrested and then never giving it back. He and the county now have to cough up millions for repayments and punitive damages.  How can he possibly judge the ethics of a Judge?

In the meantime New Mexico loses some great talent from the Cultural Affairs Department.  Hollis Gillespie was told to hit the road by Governor Martinez.  Gillespie is the head of the Natural History Museum.  I guess this professional wasn't in line with republican political dinosaur policy. (See Darren White).  And the head of the Hispanic Cultural Center is waving goodbye to take a post in Washington, DC.  Estevan Rael-Galvez will work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1 comment:

Abq Dude said...

I agree with you about Darren White, and Gov. Martinez' decision to place him on the commission shows her cronyism leanings.

As for loosing talented appointees from the Richardson realm, there are many still hanging on with little or none to speak of. Look at all of them still at UNM.