Mixed reactions to State of the City

State of the City

Mayor Alan Webber gave his first State of the City address last night to a comparatively small crowd at the Southside Library; he opted to hold the event in a smaller venue than his predecessors, and his office only formally announced the event five hours before he spoke. SFR's Katherine Lewin touched base with two attendees with differing opinions of his address. The New Mexican also gave an overview and talked to some folks ($). The Journal points out that the Mayor crowed about filling 1,000 potholes. (Not, like, personally. He had crews do it.)

We’re getting to it

Convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein will not be indicted in New Mexico … for now. The attorney general is gathering information, however, and a senior counsel for the office says the AG isn't working on an indictment here, but noted "nothing is off the table in terms of possible state-level charges." The state is also looking at possible lease violations that can be tied to Zorro Ranch, and the cache of documents shows a clear connection between Epstein and the holding company named on the property's deed.

Pinto nominated to replace Pinto

When Sen. John Pinto (D-Gallup) died in May, it rocked a state that has known the man as a lawmaker since 1977, when legend has it he hitchhiked to his very first legislative session. Now, his granddaughter has been nominated to take his seat. The San Juan County Commission has put forward Shannon Pinto's name; McKinley County has nominated Carol Bowman-Muskett. The choice is ultimately up to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Whoever is appointed to the position will serve through one legislative session and will have to run for election in 2020.

Nope, not gonna talk about it

There was some drama cookin' in last night's Las Vegas (New Mexico, of course) City Council meeting. The council wants to vote to remove Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron from office, but the mayor keeps removing the item from the agenda. This comes after the state attorney general raided Gurule-Giron's house in search of evidence that she was kicking city-funded jobs to a company helmed by her boyfriend. City councilors walked out of the meeting after the mayor's actions.

Abuse in the club

Lawsuits claim that a former mayor and city councilor, who was also the former director of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe (formerly the Boys Club), sexually abused children in his care in the 1970s and '80s ($ TNM). One lawsuit states that Louis Montaño, who died in 2008, would demand sexual favors from the kids "in exchange for necessities like food, shoes, or money for their families." Attorney Levi Monagle of Albuquerque-based Hall & Monagle LLC says there are likely more victims out there.

Weedy wordplay

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez is taking the New Mexico Department of Health to task on language in laws governing New Mexico's medical cannabis program, saying it could be interpreted that non-residents can get cards here. The DOH says it ain't so. He still says it is. Read more about the he-said they-said from New Mexico Political Report.

Keep your eyes open

Residents are asked to be on the lookout for a white Dodge Challenger ($ TNM) that witnesses say was present during shootings on the Southside on Monday and Tuesday. No one was injured when shots were fired at the Country Club Gardens mobile home park, but bullets did hit houses and residents are rattled.

Thursday night’s all right

It's been a while since we suggested something for you to do for fun, hasn't it? We recommend Stop Kiss, presented by New Mexico Actors Lab over at Teatro Paraguas. It's a show that deals with homophobia and violence, yes, but is also witty, realistic, well-acted and fun to watch. And make sure to read this review past the first two paragraphs.

Thanks for reading! The Word invites anyone who likes brunch and fun to check out SFR's next Secret Brunches (one is coming up quick, on July 28!) and use the code SFRFOODIES to get 15% off the cost of admission. Support our local journalism mission! Now we really want a mimosa … dang.