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.
Brian Schmidly, son of University of New Mexico President David Schmidly, has backed out of a $94,000 job offer to be “associate director of sustainability” –a position created by his dad last June with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus. Early voting began across the state this weekend, with thousands turning out. Profiles of New Mexico’s congressional candidates in districts 1 and 3 were published over the weekend.
A review of the applications
Brian Schmidly was one of eight finalists out of 33 applicants for the UNM sustainability position, and his selection caused a stir given that his father is head honcho at the school. The Albuquerque Journal reviewed the 33 applications and found that Schmidly won the position over “…engineers, award-winning environmentalists and state and UNM employees who have been working in sustainability fields for years” while Schmidly’s own credentials related to sustainability were obtained the same month in which he applied for the position. Both Schmidlys as well as the person who made the decision, UNM physical plant director Mary Vosevich, said there was no nepotism or impropriety involved, but after the outcry he withdrew saying that “…my wife has convinced me that my integrity and reputation are too valuable to continue in an environment where they will be questioned indefinitely.”
Early voting starts
Early voting began at 15 sites around Bernalillo County on Saturday, and they were quite busy. County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver told the Albuquerque Journal that about 8,700 people voted, with the shortest wait being 20 minutes.
Candidate profiles
Profiles of New Mexico’s congressional candidates in district 1 and 3 were published over the weekend. The Santa Fe New Mexican had profiles of Carol Miller, Ben Ray Lujan and Dan East. The Albuquerque Journal had profiles of Martin Heinrich and Darren White. Down south, Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin spoke at a rally in Roswell, backed up by Hank Williams Jr. The rally was reported by Heath Haussamen, with great photos.
