Local news in brief
1/26/2008
Former governor backs Clinton
ALBUQUERQUE — Former Gov. Bruce King and his wife, Alice, have endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, praising her experience and long public service.
The three-time New Mexico governor said he has known the former first lady since the late '70s. "She was always very interested in uplifting everyone," the 84-year-old King said in a telephone conference call Saturday.
Alice King said Clinton has worked for many years to better the lives of children, seniors and disabled people, and has a "great deal" of experience.
Clinton has also picked up endorsements from John Wertheim, former chairman of New Mexico Democratic Party, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has been endorsed by state Treasurer James Lewis, former Democratic National Committee chairman Fred Harris, former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca and state House Majority Leader Ken Martinez of Grants.
Union chief enters commission race
Elizabeth "Dolly" Lujan, district president for the 1199 Hospital Employees and Nurses Union in New Mexico, announced Saturday that she is running for the District 4 Santa Fe County Commission seat being vacated by Paul Campos.
Lujan, a Santa Fe native and lifelong Democrat, has been a registered nurse at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for 41 years. Her No. 1 concern, she said in her announcement, is the drilling proposed in the Galisteo Basin.
"I feel the environmental impact the drilling will have on the area overshadows the economic impact the drilling will bring," she said. Lujan is also in favor of higher salaries for sheriff's deputies and more affordable housing throughout the county, not just on the south side.
Lujan and her husband Tobias, or "Toby," have lived for 30 years of their 39-year marriage on Galisteo Street, where they raised their three children, Thea, Eric and Tara.
Unitarians to pray at the Roundhouse
"Love makes a family," is the theme of the Rev. Stephen Furrer's sermon this morning. But instead of preaching at the Unitarian church on Barcelona Road, Furrer will be delivering his remarks from the steps of the Roundhouse at an 11:30 a.m. service. He will stress, as a welcoming congregation, the church should do all it can to support the governor's domestic partnership legislation that extends spousal benefits to domestic partners.
Richardson makes appointments
Gary Bland has been reappointed as New Mexico's state investment officer.
Gov. Bill Richardson said in announcing the appointment last week that under Bland's leadership, the state's permanent funds have grown at a rate once thought unimaginable.
The investment officer, working with the state Investment Council, has seen state permanent funds increase from $9.4 billion to $15.3 million since 2003. With legislative approval, the council has modernized the permanent fund portfolio and diversified investments.
Richardson also reappointed a University of New Mexico vice president, David Harris, and a Santa Fe-based portfolio manager, Andrew Davis, to the council.