Los Lunas
The Village of Los Lunas approved an ordinance Thursday night affecting how alternate judges are appointed to the bench.
Although municipal judges have always selected anyone they choose as alternate judges, Art Mondragon, community development director, said the previous ordinance technically required all alternate judges to be qualified attorneys-at-law or county magistrates.
During the meeting, village officials admitted judges had not complied with the ordinance in years past, saying they had never studied the ordinance before.
The new ordinance leaves official selection at the judge’s discretion.
After being elected as Los Lunas Municipal Judge, Jeff Aragon chose former Municipal Judge Richard Luna to take his place during the day shift.
Aragon appointed E.J. Jaramillo to the newly-formed night court bench, to preside when the judge is unable to serve or goes out of town.
“Both men are qualified for the job,” Aragon told the council. “I’d like to keep the two individuals who I have already chosen to take my place when I go out of town.”
In other action, the council recognized Mayor Louis Huning, who was named as one of nine mayors in the regional mayors’ caucus to receive the Regional Leadership Award from the Mid-Region Council of Governments Board of Directors on Aug. 2.
Huning was honored with the award for his “innovative approach in addressing regional issues.”
Mayors Ronnie Torres and Roger Baldwin were also named.
“We see first-hand the outstanding job the mayor does every day,” said Peter Fernández, the village’s financial services planner. “It’s nice to see some external recognition.”
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April 18, 2024
