I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
A federal judge has granted a motion for Eclipse Aviation to liquidate its assets, ending a decade-long run for the aircraft maker, the Associated Press reports.
Also, the sole airline at the Farmington airport will add a flight to southern California, The Farmington Daily Times reports.
Archbishop Michael Sheehan and Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings were among the notable New Mexicans who wrote letters to a federal judge on behalf of a former political powerhouse, former Sen. President Pro Tem Manny Aragon, The Albuquerque Journal reports.
For those of you who don’t have subscriptions to the Journal, here’s an excerpt of the story:
Aragon has pleaded guilty and agreed to serve 67 months in federal prison. However, his attorneys are disputing how much Aragon personally profited from the crime, and Judge William P. “Chip” Johnson has not decided how much to impose in fines and restitution.
The letters generally ask Johnson to take into consideration Aragon’s good work as a longtime legislator and community member.
“In his years in the Senate, Manny often fought especially hard for people who couldn’t always stand up for themselves,” wrote Jennings, D-Roswell, who holds the position Aragon once held.
“He was one of the most compassionate champions of the poor and those without a voice in government.”
Most of the letter writers acknowledged Aragon’s legal transgressions, as did Aragon — who had publicly proclaimed his innocence before pleading guilty.
In lieu of speaking at his sentencing, Aragon wrote to the court.
He describes his legislative accomplishments, apologizes to the public, asks that the court not strip all his resources and explains that his actions resulted from his devastation over being ousted as Senate president pro tem.
“I fell hard and fast from that position of power and influence,” he wrote. “I let myself be drawn into this terrible scheme of an architect, court administrator and engineer that I admired and trusted.”
