Comments on: Dems accuse Martinez of ‘hiding’ public records

By: Thinker

Thinker — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:20:03 +0000

Like always, Susana approaches EVERYTHING in prosecuting attorney mode. She probably has pretty darn good records, given the crappy administrative support funded for the office. There will be minor mistakes, but no substantive violations or controversial expenditures–she has had to meet the demand of too many federal and state funding auditors for over a decade for that. But to allow her office to go defensive and adversarial in something that she should expect and even support as an “open” candidate is foolish, is is one reason why she would NOT make a good governor.

Having worked professionally with her office in the past, I can vouch that she is a decent person. But unfortunately she has spent so much time in her role as DA that she doesn’t have the breadth of world view needed to lead a large organization with such diverse tasks as the Administrative Branch and guide our state forward smoothly. Especially now, New Mexico can’t afford to have a governor with such a steep learning curve to navigate.

By: SWCorazon

SWCorazon — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:15:54 +0000

Isn’t it ironic that a Santa Fe Observer has the best point … focus on the goal, regardless of what that is. Macquigg seems to be a ‘light of day’ kind of guy – bless him … jeffnm is part of the Martinez campaign … others seem to have issues with DA Martinez. Would appear the Dem Party is doing some oppostion research, getting DA Martinez office to provide the data – pretty clever and legal. The Lt Gov might want to consider that as well- I read where Mr. Weh did similar things to her office … Martinez crew isn’t doing her many favors by being recalcitrant and less than open with the request (not that the DA employees are part of her campagin team). Remember that one of the planks for her campaign is openness,although others seem to have better credibility there. Now that DA Martinez is the lead dog after the convention – her campaign needs to be less sensitive to attack – it is a form of flattery … unless, of course, the smoke reveals fire. The comments in the Sun News provide plenty of fodder to examine, but I’d wager that DA Martinez hasn’t endured the purging fire of well financed opposition before – those things her fellow Rs don’t reveal with certainly be found, or created, by the Lt Gov machine … which is VERY good at what they do. I also have do doubt that the campaign staff for DA Martinez is capable in handling those things. As Mae West said … well, I’ve forgotten exactly what she said, but buckle up for safety!

By: SantaFeObserver

SantaFeObserver — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:56:35 +0000

Again, many folks here are way off base. Let’s focus on getting the IPRA statutes up to date rather than attacking people for their reading of a law that clearly has not kept up with the technological times.

And jeffnm is right on here: Martinez has run in a county heavily dominated by Democrats and corruption for years and has continued to win. There’s been loads of sunshine poured onto her work as a DA and on her campaigns for DA. This serves as nothing more than a smokescreen for the the ethically challenged Democrats and their incompetent running of this state for so many years.

By: jeffnm

jeffnm — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:52:17 +0000

What those of you not familiar with Dona Ana politics don’t understand is that the Democrats have gone after Martinez relentlessly — and always lost. Martinez has had a lot of light shined on her over the years and she is extremely ethical and honest.

It’s the other GOP candidates that have not been tested, or thoroughly examined.

Case in point, I can’t wait to hear Janice Arnold-Jones start defending her vote to repeal the death penalty, her fighting AGAINST the original repeal of the food tax, her multiple votes in favor of the Richardson budgets she now complains about, and her explanation for why she took $25,000 from a payday loan company while the legislature was in session and considering payday loan reforms. Lady Sunshine needs a little sunlight….

By: sugar

sugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:51:54 +0000

I would like to see if there are records accounting for the amount of time Susana Martinez is away from her job as she runs for Governor. It may be that we are paying for a full time D.A. and only getting a part time one. If that is the case and only the records will prove it, then it may not be ethical for her to continue as D.A.

By: ched macquigg

ched macquigg — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:28:46 +0000

Do you really want a Governor who thinks you’re getting a deal, when you pay 50 cents rather than a buck to make you a copy of a public record that you could make copies of yourself, for free?,

Do you really want a Governor who looks for something besides the opinion of the Attorney General who wrote the NMIPRA, to guide her to so obvious a conclusion? Do you really want a Governor wasting money on litigation and lawyers rather than just letting people scan their own copies?

I don’t get it, that’s what we have now. Why elect more of the same?

By: rooseveltrepublican

rooseveltrepublican — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:19:46 +0000

I think there is plenty of merit to these requests. Susana’s campaign is solely based on her time as a DA. So, let’s see how she managed the place the past 12 years. Were there criminals that received plea bargains and re-offended? What’s her record on enforcing the law in Dona Ana County? That doesn’t even break the surface of possible cases she never took on for fear of losing the case. The DA has discretion in which cases to take on. Unsafe streets for a safe re-elect prosecutorial resume? Just asking!

Whether the DEMs or the GOPers requested the information does not matter. Let’s shine a little light on Ms. Martinez.

By: SantaFeObserver

SantaFeObserver — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:17 +0000

Some folks leaving comments here are off base. The blame does not lie with Susana Martinez – she is doing what she thought was within the bounds of the law. Really we need to look back to Santa Fe and the Roundhouse, where the ethically challenged Democrats reside, and fix the many holes in IPRA there. It is truly laughable that the Dems are trying to pin something on Martinez, that really is a non-issue, when they’ve got the likes of Mary Herrera, and have had years of corruption under Richardson/Denish. Maybe it’s time they look inside their own party, rather than pointing fingers outside the party, for corruption, incompetence, and “hiding” facts from the public.

By: Ramirez

Ramirez — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:39:00 +0000

I’m really excited to see just how well Susana is doing, let the fear mongering begin among New Mexico Democrats. Susana is probably one of the most honest, hard working public servant in New Mexico.

So why are these records being sought now that Susana is running for office? The Democrats are wasting time and resources that should be dedicated to the prosecution of criminals in Dona Ana county. Perhaps the party should set up shop at the Secretary of State’s office or the PRC. I’m sure they can find plenty of damning evidence there.

By: ched macquigg

ched macquigg — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:28:18 +0000

“nothing substantial” ?

Martinez will not allow “free” copies made by the requester on a scanner, instead insisting upon charging thousands of dollars for copies.

Ignoring an opinion from the NMAG, who wrote the law, and insisting instead upon some yet non-existent “court decision” before allowing scanners and/or cameras.

These are substantial efforts to undermine the NMIPRA, and are not only worthy of reporting, but worthy of our attention.