It's Past Time to Let Cubans Live!

Sending your kids back to school this season is a great moment to keep in mind how that would feel in Cuba, where the Trump administration’s oil blockade means you’re sending them off to school hungry, while you, they, and the educators navigate blackouts, food shortages and a transportation system starved of fuel.

Trump has turned Cuba’s already severe economic crisis into the extraordinarily acute electricity, transportation and basic-services crisis Cuba is experiencing today.

Many students and teachers now must walk long distances to attend their classes. The schools, once committed to a properly balanced diet with adequate protein intake, struggle even to procure and transport something. At home, you’ve likely been unable to feed them adequately. You’ve also worked out getting their school clothes cleaned and ironed at the home of a friend who has electricity, and locating rechargeable lamps so they can study after dark.

One mother bought a pair of sneakers for 15,600 pesos. The average state salary in Cuba is roughly 3,000 to 4,000 pesos per month. Put that 15,600 pesos in that context – then add books, a bigger jacket, and school supplies. Both supplies and sometimes meals, formerly supplied by the schools, are becoming parents’ responsibilities this fall.

While a central accomplishment of Cuba’s revolution was universal education system, this year merely opening and operating Cuba’s 10,000 schools for 1.4 million students is a major accomplishment – before struggling to approximate something like the conditions necessary for effective schooling. For school,s no water means problems with drinking, toilets, cooking, washing and basic hygiene.

This crisis results partially from longstanding U.S. sanctions, a collapse of tourism during the pandemic, inflation, and other problems. But Mr. Trump has substantially worsened the misery.

Reuters reports that many ordinary Cubans have only a few hours of electricity a day and suffer disrupted health services and shortages of water and food. Fuel prices have skyrocketed far beyond the average Cuban’s means. Reuters found gasoline selling on the black market for as much as $38 a gallon, three times the average government monthly salary. The blockade has also disrupted public transportation. Collapse of fuel imports also worsens refrigeration, water pumping, and farming.

The U.S. has had a comprehensive embargo dating to the 1960s, when it might have had some justification. (Unquestionably, letting the USSR place missile launchers in Cuba in 1962 was a stupid mistake, although it triggered a U.S. promise not to invade again.)

I remember the Cuban Revolution. The U.S. could have merely accepted it. Fidel Castro was a strongly nationalist leader – and a strong character. It’s a slight oversimplification to say the U.S. pushed him into Soviet arms; but a 1964 U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that Castro had turned toward the Soviet Union in 1959–60 “more out of necessity than conviction.” It noted that Castro's relationship with Moscow wasn't entirely comfortable. Castro was dependent upon the USSR in ways he disliked. He wasn't simply Moscow's puppet.

That is why we have made life unnecessarily difficult for Cubans for more than a half-century. For many decades the U.N. General Assembly has warned that our actions – even pre-Trump – violated international law. If one of those Cuban mothers could somehow ask me, I sure couldn’t explain why it’s in our national interest now to starve her and her kids. Nor could Donald Trump, of course. Could you?

We should remove our muddy boots from Cuba’s neck. Should have, long ago.

                                                    – 30 --

 

[The above column appeared on the 13th of September, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper’s website, and will be up presently on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM ]

Not Seeing Why to Hate the Democratic Socialists

Let’s put this anti-Democratic Socialist nonsense in some perspective.

The predominant fact about the U.S. is that after banishing the robber barons and somewhat equalizing things, we’ve gone from a dangerous inegalitatian society to an insanely unequal one in decades.

That kind of inequality isn’t good, even for the wealthy.

In the U.S., we’ve seen not only leftist groups complaining of the inequality, but groups like the Tea Party and MAGA complaining that our system is no longer working for them. Strip away the social policy issues like women’s health, gender, and racism, and their complaint has been that there’s an elite making out like bandits off us. That’s what I see, too! (But, no, I don’t believe that elite buggers children in a pizza joint.) They just get bamboozled into thinking it’s the welfare cheats or the immigrants stealing from them, not corporations – or that putting a wealthy con man in the White House will somehow improve things.

What is this socialist stuff, anyway? It got a bad rap in the 20^th Century: the Russian Revolution scared businessfolk; and Russia under Stalin turned very, very ugly.

But in the 19^th Century it was a Christian concept, mostly! Many groups in the U.S. and the U.K. tried cooperatives and Christian communities. There were a surprisingly wide variety of Christian Socialist groups who saw socialism as an actively Christian concept. Many argued that the economic relationships created by industrial capitalism were themselves morally defective because they violated the Christian conception of community.

Why not? Jesus lived that way. Jesus celebrated the poor and understood the debilitating effect on a man’s heart of having vast wealth, or He wouldn’t have so picturesquely described the difficulty a rich man would have reaching the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus told us to welcome the poorest among us – not to poison and cheat each other to make outlandish profits.

Yeah, then socialism got preached (but not practiced) by hostile nations. It got mixed in with Russia’s national interests. Russians wanted to bury us and talked a communist game, so communism – socialism – seemed traitorous.

Contemporary Democratic Socialists are not evil, as our Vice-President Vance says. They’re tapping into a long Christian-based ethical tradition. They’re also not dangerous to “Democrats.” They’re speaking the terrible secret both political parties don’t want us hearing: that both, despite definite differences, have participated in the disequalization of our once nation. With them alternating or sharing control of out nation during the past century, this debilitating inequality grow on their watch?

They all make or acquiesce in the many governmental decisions that pave the way: tax cuts for the rich; freeing corporations from restrictions that protect our health or pocketbooks; the absolute certainty that universal health care, as practiced happily in every other nation, is simply unthinkable. Yo! That’s because vast money can be made by insurers and middle men (and middle women) that wouldn’t be available in a government run health service devoted to treating people, not profit.

Democratic Socialists are speaking some truths that vast corporate behemoths wish we wouldn’t notice. Donald Trump is personally an unfortunate president, undermining our military, our government, and our relations with other countries; but he’s part of the same circus we’ve watched for decades.

Some folks like to ask themselves what Jesus would do. Well, it’s easier to see him as a Democratic Socialist questioning genocide than wearing a MAGA hat.

                                   – 30 – 

 

[The above column appeared on the 6th of September, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper’s website, and will be up presently on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM ]

Two Vacancies and Two Appointments for the County Commission's Agenda

I called Doña Ana County Tuesday and asked a trick question: “Who is the County Treasurer?” Someone politely gave me the same information as the county website: Marisol Richardson. I asked to speak to Deputy Tresurer Eric Rodriguez.

To her credit, the county employee came back on the line and volunteered that she’d given me incorrect information “because I just didn’t know what to say.” She was extremely apologetic and highly professional, a credit to the county. I apologized too.

The question was tricky because Ms. Richardson, weeks ago, took a different job, also with the county. There has been no public announcement. As time kept passing, I figured the public should know that our County Treasurer isn’t our County Treasurer. I was calling hours after the County Commission’s regular meeting, during which none of this was mentioned. That looks bad, in a county that’s under extra scrutiny just now.

When I called Ms. Richardson, she was candid and apologetic. She confirmed the facts, took ownership of the failure to have said anything public, and said she was in the process --- that she’d written an announcement and was working with the County. She hadn’t realized she should do anything more public until other elected officials suggested she do so. She had informed the Commission. She said she had not been receiving two salaries.

Oddly, I don’t think the county is being harmed. Rodriguez was Deputy Treasurer years ago, then served two full terms as Treasurer. Term-limited, he did not run in 2024. But no one could be more capable of running this office, even as Deputy, or Acting. We talked. He wanted to assure the public that the office is functioning normally and the unusual facts I related above have not interrupted that.

The County Commission should invite folks interested in serving out Richardson’s term to apply, give those applications due consideration, perhaps interviewing the candidates at a meeting, as was done when Amanda Lopez Askin was appointed County Clerk. That’ll take time. But there’s no urgency.

It’s a bit more urgent to appoint someone to replace Joanna Ferrary as District 37 State Representative. One reason her recent resignation made sense is that, throughout the year, legislators attend meetings and hearings, gathering information for use in the next formal session. Why have Ferrary do that when she’ll not be our representative next session? Ideally, we’d appoint for these months whoever will succeed her in January; but we’ll decide that 3November. It’d make some sense to appoint Lori Martinez, the Democratic candidate. In a heavily Democratic district, she’s likely to win. But Republicans can reasonably argue that her opponent, Isabella Solis, could win. Two reasonable alternatives: (1) schedule a special meeting for 5 November to appoint as interim representative the person elected, or, (2) recognizing political realities, place three marbles in a hat. Write “Lori” on two, since she’s more likely to win, and write “Isabella” on the third, and appoint whomever chance dictates, at the next commission meeting. Appointing someone not on the ballot would be stupid.

Meanwhile, the County also should also stop letting Derrick Pacheco outsmart it. We keep trying to punish him unconstitutionally. Latest was filing misdemeanor charges for saying, “You’re treating us like a bunch of pendejos.” Courts say you can’t constitutionally punish him for that. Even the commissioners looked startled. Some attorney could get Pacheco a bunch of our county money for these stupidities.

                                                                    – 30 –

 

[The above column appeared on the 30th of August, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper's website, and will be up soon on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM / ]

[ Further developments and further reflection have caused me to refine my opinion regarding appointing an interim District 37 Representative to serve out the remaining months of Joanne Ferrary’s term. Democrat Lori Martinez and Republican Isabella Solis are campaigning, and, on 3November, the voters will choose one to serve from January 2027 until January 2029.

If not for politics, the most sensible course would be to appoint Lori Martinez, more likely winner in November. Democrat Ferrary has held the seat for a decade. Democrats tend to prevail in Dona Ana County legislative elections. However, Republicans reasonably object that Solis could win. I initially suggested either leaving it partly to chance or waiting until after the 3November election decides who’ll take the position in 2027.

What’s changed? I continue to believe that an appointment by the County Commission of Martinez will hurt her campaign for the two-year position. A quite negarive audit, Oracle, and the county-manager situation, plus citizens getting knocked down or improperly arrested, have made the County Commission highly unpopular; and Solis is already making the possible appointment a campaign issue, although an interim appointment would follow the law and is what both parties have consistently done elsewhere. I’d bet that the bad smell of commission involvement could help Solis and hurt Martinez politically, and outweighs the ephemeral “incumbent” status Martinez would technically have.

Considering this requires considering why Ferrary’s resignation made sense: during this season plenty is getting done in preparation for the legislative session in early 2027. Hearings, information-gathering, and consultations with constituents, ideally, should continue, as it would in a non-election year; but having Ferrary do those makes little sense. Appointing some non-candidate for a month or two makes even less sense.

When I warned Martinez of the political danger, she didn’t argue, but jumped right to discussion of the specific activities she would get a quick start on. Stuff you and I wouldn’t even be very aware of. Meanwhile, Solis has disclaimed any great interest in the interim appointment, saying that little of importance is going on right now and suggesting, I think, appointment of a non-candidate. Given those two candidate responses to the situation, I cannot see (from constituents’ perspective) a better solution than appointing Martinez as expeditiously as if lawful and feasible. She’s the likely victor. She wants to do the work, even if the appointment harms her. So, go for it! Since Solis says it ain’t important, why appoint her? It should be agreed by all, however, that if Solis prevails in the election, Martinez would immediately resign the interim post and the Commission would immediately appoint Solis. (I do not know enough to know how important the couple of months’ work will be.) ]

[ That’s the fairest and most efficient course to best serve all the constituents. It follows the law. It’s what county commissions in New Mexico have consistently done. ]

Should We Appprove a Moratorium on New Data Centers in New Mexico?

Should New Mexico enact a statewide moratorium on construction of new data centers?

Two local state representatives, Micaela Lara Cadeña and Angelika Rubio, have urged fellow legislators to do so.

Why would we? Creation of permanent jobs and the betterment of area economies was the huge carrot that mesmerized our county commission. However, as was pretty clear even then, while data centers can produce substantial capital investment and tax-base growth, they create few permanent jobs. They can help economic development through capital spending, construction expenses, property/equipment taxes, utility demand, and perhaps a few high-wage technical jobs. (“Utility demand,” is not an unalloyed blessing in the desert.”)

For example, Meta's Los Lunas data center is a substantial economic asset. It employs more than 300 full-time workers. Meta has invested more than $2.5 billion in New Mexico since 2016, with another $800 million construction phase announced. However, 300 jobs is minimal, given the cost: not only someone’s capital, and local governments’ tax breaks, but the strain on our limited natural resources.

New York has enacted a moratorium on hyperscale data centers. New Yorkers seem to approve, so far. People want the state to slow down, figure out who pays for the infrastructure, and impose appropriate conditions before allowing another wave of enormous AI facilities.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has announced new stringent regulations on data centers, reversing some of his past policies and embracing more rigorous reviews of the projects. Any new data center project must meet new guidelines limiting electricity and water usage.  Meeting those will not be easy. Developers must also be approved by local authorities.

Environmentally, Jupiter alone makes a mockery of our commitment to cleaner air.

Another reason for a temporary moratorium is Jupiter proponents’ extensive campaign of lies and misstatements. A corporation’s legal duty is to maximize profits. If lying (short of perjury, perhaps, and actionable fraud) works, the corporation’s duty is to lie. However, the extent of these lies undermines everything the proponents say, which might include occasional truths.

The lies are legion: claiming that fuel-cells are guaranteed; using people’s email addresses to falsely tell government agencies those people passionately support Jupiter misleading statements about “potable water.” Another example: fuel cells theoretically cut the power plant’s bad impact on our environment by 30%. Saying that “solves” the problem just ain’t accurate. Given that prevaricative flood, how can government agencies accept proponents’ statements without time-consuming verification?

Why NOT delay, to consider the evidence?

Some Republican legislators think we should do a study BEFORE any moratorium. If you thought I was driving us off a cliff, and wanted to pause to check the terrain, would you be happy studying it from the speeding car?

In ChatGPT’s words, we could "Stop approving enormous facilities until the state knows exactly what they're going to cost the public, what they're going to contribute, and who bears the risks." It adds, “Even AI agrees “there’s a strong case” for a moratorium. “A pause of a year or so . . . lets the state learn enough to negotiate intelligently, rather than making billion-dollar infrastructure commitments under rules written for an [earlier] world.” Chat adds that a moratorium is particularly desirable in New Mexico, with our “combination of scarce water, electricity infrastructure, and the possibility that enormous AI facilities could receive preferential treatment.”

Yeah, we should have a statewide moratorium. And thanks, once more, to Representatives Rubio and Lara Cadeña.

                                                             – 30 --

 [The above column appeared on the 23rd of August, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper's website, and will be up soon on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM / ]

[Moratoriums are indeed fashionable, for some good reasons. Both progressive Chicago Mayor and right-wing Texas Governor Greg Abbott have noticed, with each calling for a pause on construction of data centers. Both cited some of the same concerns we’ve all raised in southern New Mexico: water usage, noise pollution, and possible rising energy costs – and I hope they’re also naming my other key concern, the outsized and outlandish contribution such centers make to our atmospheric deterioration, unless fueled renewably. Add the concern that the hunger for energy will renew U.S. oligarchs’ interest in nuclear energy.

[As the rage grows, what started as unrelated local efforts to stop specific developments has grown into a more coordinated national movement and has begun not merely to make the obvious and urgent points about environmental impacts of individual centers but also to include fundamental opposition to AI and big tech companies in general. Me, I’m pretty sure we can’t stop AI, and uncertain that we should if we could; but I know we urgently need (a) to begin regulating it, because dangerous things are already happening and (b) to use token taxes and other methods to give all citizens some stake in the boom. If it vastly enriches a few at the expense of the multitudes, it will finish (or complete the destruction of) U.S. society and politics.

I think that’s a two-column subject I’ll try to address very soon.]

City Officials Can't Duck Questions Forever

To City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau:

I hope we can play pickleball soon, and maybe even get Brad out from behind his desk.

However, I write concerning the City’s incredibly embarrassing response to our invitation to discuss serious allegations concerning the Utilities Department’s handling of issues regarding water contaminants. Lynn Moorer and Liz Rodriguez-Johnson have raised issues regarding the City’s level of performance with regard to a federal law on lead water pipes, as well as on the accuracy of some city reporting on water contaminants.

Your Communications Director, Mandy Leatherwood, emailed me that. “I was informed that you requested our Utilities Director Adrienne Widmer be on the show next week. I will coordinate with her on scheduling. Can you share with me what topics you’d like for her to cover so she can collect relevant information to discuss with you?” I thanked her and answered, “Basically, LC Utilities' level of compliance with federal regulations, such as monitoring issue we spoke about today.  The sorts of things I suspect Lynn Moorer has discussed with LC Utilities.”

When she asked whether we would have other guests, I replied that we’d have Ms. Moorer and possibly Ms. Rodrigues-Johnson. She responded, “I am not comfortable sending my Utilities Director to your show when you are giving Ms. Moorer an equal platform. Ms. Moorer does not have the experience, expertise, and has willfully been spreading misinformation for over a year. . . . Hosting her on your show at the same level as our Utilities Director gives her credibility that is undeserved.”

Of course I advised her that we choose our guests. Cities and counties don’t. Nor does Donald Trump. I suggested that an effective way to deal with folks spreading misinformation is to confront them and provide the facts. (You know that, having contacted me the previous Tuesday evening to ask if a Utilities Department person could join us Wednesday morning to discuss an issue we expected to mention. Naturally we complied.)

The City is required to complete a study of where we may still have lead water pipes. There’s a deadline for an inventory, then a deadline for eliminating lead. I’m hearing that the City has not been doing all that it should. These are technical matters I’m not familiar with. It made sense to seek to arrange a discussion between Ms. Widmer and Ms. Moorer, who is or was an environmental attorney and has investigated. Ms. Rodrigues-Johnson adds that the City has been particularly deficient in sharing information with citizens who speak only or primarily Spanish – some of whom are likely most in need of full information. At our show, Ms. Moorer also showed me an email from the New Mexico Environmental Department thanking her for pointing out that a local report on contaminants stated the wrong results.

If I were you, I strongly desire both to know the full facts, so as to determine actions, and that the public learn the facts, for citizen’s own protection. I fear that Ms. Leatherwood ran up against an unwillingness by Ms. Widmer to appear publicly in a situation she does not completely control. Such chores are sometimes a necessary part of public employment.

I invite a redo. I cannot subpoena the City. You could suggest that Ms. Widmer talk with us or designate someone knowledgeable to do so. If the City wants to inform the public, we are surely one method of doing so.

– 30 –

 

 

[The above column appeared on the 16th of August, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper's website, and will be up soon on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM / ]

[ I like a lot of the City’s upper management; but this and similar evasions of candid discussion should embarrass those folks, and seem a little frightening to this citizen. ]

Old Guy Rant #697

I’m confused and troubled – of course.

Can you imagine Dwight Eisenhower or Barack Obama abusing underlings for following the facts and the law regarding damage to the reflecting pools? (Of course, neither would have interfered to choose a contractor himself. ) The facts show that shoddy work, maybe because of the rush or the low budget, caused damage, as often happens. Mr. Trump was mortified, because anything that reflects badly on our Grand Poobah must be denied or destroyed. His obedient appointee, D.C.’s chief prosecutor, duly charged folks criminally for doing damage there’s no evidence they did. Recently that office concluded that, yeah, shoddy work was the problem, and dismissed the criminal cases. GP is angry, insulting his pal and may fire her. (If I held that job, and he accused me of “folding like an umbrella” because I reluctantly did what the facts and law warranted, I’d have resigned. Clearly, GP’s appointed minion has no self-respect, which, I suppose, is not the greatest surprise we’ve seen this week.

I’ve got personal reasons to loathe our GP this week. Someone we love, who devotes his life these days to taking care of his helpless, unwell daughter, had to evacuate their home because of wildfires. Even his daughter would likely see that uncontrollable storms and wildfires around the world, which folks warned could happen if we didn’t combat global climate craziness, might have something to do with global climate craziness. But GP, holding great power, says all that is a hoax. People I love could have died this week because of what he’s calling a hoax, because oil companies pay him well to say it.

I also don’t like James Carville, who usually says perspicacious things in funny ways. He’s joined the rush to warn us against “democratic socialists” getting nominated for office. He’s afraid enemies will shout “Reds!" Or “Commies” as if it were the 1950s. Or 1920. And people will obediently grow fearful. I see things different. Both our huge political parties, which often seem to exist solely to gather or retain as much power as possible, rather than to do anything much for you or me, are way too beholden to the huge corporations and the very wealthy. They both talk some great stuff. But in the past 70 years we’ve stopped equalizing our society and let economic inequality grow like Topsy, failed to institute a national health system like every other serious nation, and failed to recognize that health and education are human rights that benefit a society. We’ve made decisions that are just plain stupid if you’re thinking about the welfare of human citizens, but brilliant for maximizing short-term corporate profits. And although Republicans have publicly pushed those decisions more fervently than Democrats, both parties have held power.

It is so bad, that large numbers elected GP [DJT] as a monkey wrench to toss into the works, ‘cause they felt the works weren’t working for them.

Meanwhile, I thank Manny Sanchez for spending a tough hour with us on radio; but I’m troubled. Not that Project Jupiter folks keep lying to us. A corporation’s job is maximizing shareholder profits. Lies are just another tool. But our commission sometimes seems to listen to Oracle with as little critical thinking as Trumpists listening to GP. I’d urge not messing with public comment. It’s time-consuming, if you’ve made that many people that angry, maybe you owe ‘em. 

                  – 30 – 

 

[The above column appeared on the 9th of August, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper's website, and will be up soon on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM / ]

[I was pleased that I will be able to vote, after all. Mr. Trump and I agree on perhaps just one thing: that the Republicans best chance to avoid electoral disaster three months from now is the Save the Republicans Act. Theoretically aimed at the almost non-existent problem of non-citizens voting, it would prevent people from voting without a federally blessed picture ID. That would eliminate more folks who see the Trump horror pretty clearly than folks who think he’s just fine. It would eliminate a lot of poor and minority folks: getting your passport renewed or a copy of your birth certificate, easy for folks with time and resources, can be harder if you don’t have a passport, aren’t sure which hospital you were born in, or are just too damned busy. The law would disenfranchise more women than men (because many gave up their birth last names in marriage), and, perhaps not coincidentally, Trump is loathed by fewer men than women. Folks with less leisure and less cash are less likely to pursue the hassle of getting the right credentials simply so they can vote.

We opposed “Communism” because it was the professed ideology of nations determined to obliterate us. Pure socialism has rarely, if eveer, worked well for any nation. (The USSR and most all its allies never tried it.) Many of the states that now have longer average life spans, and better “happiness” ratings, are Social Democratic states, including several in Scandanavia. One tried socialism a while back, but it didn’t work. “Democratric Socialist” sounds a lot like “Social Democrat,” not just in the titles but in the advocated programs.

Just watched a video of Mr. El-Sayed explaining that to oppose genocide by Israel is not anti-Semitism. He further says, as I have written, that to confuse anti-Semitism with opposition to bad actions of a nation is dangerous, and undermines the importance of rooting out anti-Semitism. He notes that while he opposes Israeli abuse of our assistance, he also opposes Egyptian abuse of our assistance. Also that as an Egyptian-American he should not be punished for Egypt’s actions. He also related an incident in which a man said he didn’t like the candidate, but would vote for him because the candidate sought healtgh care for all. The man didn’t like him because the candidate is Muslim.

I look forward to hearing from Democrats opposing “Democratic socialists” the specific policies or proposed programs that offend them. Opposing genocide and advocating universal health care won’t persuade me. ]

 

County Commission Chaos

Despite commissioners’ good intentions, stupidity and confusion seem to dominate mid-level county management.

I support the firing of County Manager Scott Andrews, partly for reasons commissioners may not share. I’m glad they’ll make a longer search this time. I hope we make a better choice. I hope they involve a citizens. That sounds cumbersome, but since they’ll take longer, because of the turnover of two commission seats, there’s time.

I dislike recent restrictions on public input. I dislike citizens interrupting other speakers. It’s sorely tempting, but let’s be strong and resist.

I worried about having no interim county manager. Ships need captains. They now plan, temporarily, to name three – and seek a highly-experienced consultant to assist.

The Commission’s closed session Tuesday lasted hours. Commissioners are working hard. I sense some unity, or that they’re listening better to each other. The recent state audit gave them a clearer picture of the problems they must solve. However: the Audit warned that unauthorized folks shouldn’t make County decisions, such as Andrews’s lawsuit against the sheriff. Well, we now have a non-employee security guard making County mistakes. Earlier, Cari Neill and Andrews wrongly “trespassed” Derrick Pacheco, complying with NONE of the familiar requirements of due process: a clear written statement of conduct warranting the “trespass,” a hearing before someone neutral, and a route to appeal. I publicly pointed those out. Then they did it again. When Derrick tried to attend a meeting, the security guard threw him out. Deputies went to Derrick’s house. Someone at DASO recognized the error, and the deputies apologized.

Derrick attended Tuesday’s meeting. The same security guard, with no legal excuse, put hands on him to eject him; but when the Sheriff was called, she apparently recognized that there was no crime, and no basis for her to act. This is wrong. Later, that security guard knocked down a woman who probably weighed 80 pounds. I hear private security was also violating law by carrying weapons while in plain clothes. None of this is good. Someone needs to gain control.

The Audit warned to follow the Inspection of Public Records Act. You are still breaking it, risking costly lawsuits and damages. I’d bet on Yoli Diaz to win her lawsuit. I requested former Interim County Attorney Cari Neill’s resignation letter, in which she reportedly criticizes how the manager managed. That’s a public document. Putting it in Andrews’s personnel file can’t change that. There’s abundant case-law to that effect, although not specifically with a resignation letter. The County objected that it was immune as “matters of opinion in a personnel file” – an exemption meant to encourage supervisors’ candor in evaluations. Therefore, when I hire a lawyer and sue, we all will (a) pay a lawyer to defend the county, and (b) after county loses, pay my lawyer some multiple of his hourly fees. If anyone appeals, that’ll also create a precedent requiring better conduct by the county next time.

The Audit also warned county management against unnecessarily picking fights with the Sheriff. I think the county is improperly handling an obviously bogus complaint against her now. It appears not made in good faith, but, well, it attacks our enemy, the sheriff.

The audit led the State to force the County to hire someone to make sure the County handles money more prudently. I wish I could do the same with IPRA, basic civil rights, crowd management, and civil relations with DASO.

                                                        – 30 –

 

[The above column appeared on the 2^nd of August, 2026, in the Las Cruces Sun-News and on the newspaper's website, and will be up soon on KRWG’s website. A shortened and sharpened radio commentary version of this Sunday column will air during the week on KRWG (90.1 FM) and on KTAL-LP (101.5 FM / ]

[Because I couldn’t be at the County Commission meeting last Tuesday, I didn’t witness some of what I otherwise would have. (I also didn’t get arrested, as I might have chosen to do.) Or battered illegally by a security guard, as others wore.]

[Bottom line: I agree with the County Commission chair that people shouldn’t interrupt each other during public input. Some of those folks we think are lying believe the truth of their words as fervently as we do ours. We should resist interrupting and do our cheers or jeers right afterward.

BUT the County shouldn’t bait people. Knowing vast numbers of citizens strongly oppose Project Jupiter for some good reasons, how do you (especially on a day when Oracle executives will be speaking) sharply condense the amount of public input and somehow have a majority of the speakers workers in identical vests bussed in by Jupiter proponents? How do you let a security guard continue to run amok? I still hope to delve toward some truth in this overall situation. ]