Rick Lass came here 24 years ago, earned a degree from St. John's College — and stayed, fascinated by our region and its politics. He got involved, and stayed involved, working in run-of-the-mill jobs to pay his bills while devoting lots of his free time to the kind of community-organizing efforts that launched Barack Obama into politics.

Lass, as a Green Party candidate, ran against such regional stalwarts as state Rep. "Lucky" Varela. He also worked with community groups in the Española region, and had a hand in getting environmental activists and land-grant heirs together over the volatile mid-1990s issue of firewood-cutting.

He's been involved in any number of reform projects — among them this year's passage of several Santa Fe charter amendments, notably one providing for "instant-runoff" elections. Consumer protection has been a constant aim.

In all, at age 42, he has become a seasoned and effective politician. He has the makings of a good public regulation commissioner.

Not as good as local attorney Bruce Throne, as Lass is quick to agree; nor County Commissioner Paul Campos or Española Mayor Joe Maestas. Those were three of six Democratic primary candidates for the PRC.

But because Northern New Mexico's daily press weren't serving as the watchdogs we should have been — or was it because crucial information was being hidden from us and our competition? — the Democrats nominated a truly awful candidate, while the Republicans didn't even bother fielding one.

When Lass and some fellow progressives saw the results of the June primary, they realized that they might be the only hope for PRC District 3, which includes Santa Fe and most of Northern New Mexico. So Lass jumped in.

About that time, reporters got wise to lies and cover-ups involving Jerome Block Jr.'s behavior. Little by little, he's being exposed as someone unready, unqualified, dishonest and potentially disastrous for the citizens who count on the PRC to oversee our state's public utilities and its transportation and insurance industries.

From misinformation/mendacity about his education — which, despite his claims, is next to none — through an out-and-out lie about public campaign funds being spent on a band run by his pal, the San Miguel County clerk, and onto an unconvincing claim of burglary and an ethnic slur scribbled on his wall — supposedly by the "burglar" this person has no business in public office.

His campaign strategy? Hide out from the voters — especially the concerned kind who hold debates; perhaps show up for one nondebate community forum, but mostly just wait out all the criticism and hope those casting their ballots on Election Day sweep him into office along with Barack Obama, Tom Udall and Ben Ray Luján.

It might work: Unless enough voters turn out for Lass, Block will be on the public payroll at $90,000 — and will be given a public trust he's unworthy to hold.

For Republicans and independents, voting for Rick Lass should be a snap. But it's also easy for straight-ticketing Democrats: They can mark all-Democrat on their ballot, but go down to the Public Regulation Commission part of it and mark Lass — without spoiling their ballots.

This is a clear case of voting against someone — but in the process, Northern New Mexicans would get an honest and competent commissioner.