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“For all its imperfections, America is still the beacon to the world,

 an ideal to be realized, a promise to be kept.” President Joseph Biden

Democratic Party of Torrance County Newsletter 

February 10, 2025

Good Morning, Democrats!

As some of you know our monthly meeting yesterday had to be cancelled due to an illness at the venue we were scheduled to meet. We are going to make up for it with a Zoom meeting tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. Millie is attaching the link below.

I thought I’d move away from the craziness at the national level this morning and talk about the Governor’s agenda for this legislative session. As you know, public safety issues are front and center again this year. Governor Lujan Grisham acknowledged the same during the State of the State address saying outright that crime in the state is “out of control” and that we are in a “state of crisis”. According to at least one data source violent crime in New Mexico is twice the national average and has increased by 21% over the past decade. While acknowledging that we need stricter enforcement of laws already on the books, the Governor has prioritized toughening penalties for people with felony convictions who possess firearms; increasing sentencing for trafficking deadly drugs (fentanyl included); tax rebates for businesses to relieve the strain of security needs; and increased civil commitment for those who need mental health treatment.



Democrats must address the public’s demand that our crime issues are out of control. There have been bills introduced to increase charges for possession of stolen firearms; to address human trafficking; to detain violent offenders pending trial; making the selling of fentanyl causing death a capital crime and changing the definition of “dangerousness” in our civil commitment statutes to aid in involuntary commitments.

As always, we must take into consideration the individual’s rights, but honestly folks, WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION. It’s either that or the threat of vigilante justice. Once again Representative Stephanie Lord has introduced a bill making it legal to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. I’ll leave it to each of you to decide whether such legislation makes the situation better or worse, but it’s the direction things are going to move if governments can’t or won’t deal with the problems. 

The Governor is trying. We need to assist her as best we can. I urge you to contact your state representatives and senators and encourage them to support the Governor’s initiatives on crime.

We have one of the best states in the nation in which to live, but our reputation for crime is hurting us economically and politically. In my view focusing on the drug trade, human trafficking, and the number of guns in the community is where we must begin.

Thanks for your time and support.

STAND UP! FIGHT BACK! VOTE!

Dennis  

DPTC News

Yesterday's meeting was cancelled due to the Schaffer Hotel being temporarily closed! So tomorrow, Tuesday February 11th, we will have a zoom meeting. Here is the info:

"Rescheduled Monthly Meeting"

Time

Feb 11, 2025 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Meeting ID

943 4882 7593

Passcode

2M033w

Invite Link

https://zoom.us/j/94348827593?pwd=c5Z6bn28ikD5cjBYzZauaxZo0PAYrF.1 

AGENDA:

Call the meeting to order

OLD BUSINESS

Committee’s Report:

·        Run for Office

·        Engage Youth

·        Other?

Discuss upcoming Ward/Precinct Meetings and County Central Committee Meeting

Need to get people to attend. Ward chairs should be making phone calls.

           Saturday, March 8^th 11AM Ward/Precinct Meetings – Lunch - 1PM CCC Meeting

Still awaiting Comcast to come and install in office.

 NEW BUSINESS

Who is willing to serve as County Chair and Vice Chair?

 GUEST SPEAKER: Katharine Clark, Santa Fe County Clerk

THE CALL

In accordance with DPNM rules, calls are hereby issued for the Democratic Party of Torrance County Ward/Precinct Meetings at 11 AM, and the County Central Committee (CCC) Meeting at 1 PM, on March 8, 2025 at East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District, 701 10th Street, Estancia, NM. Lunch Provided. Purpose of the meetings are to elect Precinct, Ward and County Officers and additional CCC members. More info at www.dptc-nm.org

Community News

Police or ICE are at my home!

How to reduce risk to yourself

Stay calm and keep the door closed. Opening the door does not give them permission to come inside, but it is safer to speak to ICE through the door.

Your rights

· You have the right to remain silent, even if officer has a warrant.

· You do not have to let police or immigration agents into your home unless they have certain kinds of warrants.

If police have an arrest warrant, they are legally allowed to enter the home of the person on the warrant if they believe that person is inside. But a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.

What to do when the police or ICE arrive

·   Ask if they are immigration agents and what they are there for.

·   Ask the agent or officer to show you a badge or identification through the window or peephole.

·   Ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge. If they say they do, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can inspect it.

·   Don’t lie or produce any false documents. Don’t sign anything without speaking with a lawyer first.

·   Do not open your door unless ICE shows you a judicial search or arrest warrant naming a person in your residence and/or areas to be searched at your address. If they don’t produce a warrant, keep the door closed. State: “I do not consent to your entry.”

·   If agents force their way in, do not resist. If you wish to exercise your rights, state: “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.”

·   If you are on probation with a search condition, law enforcement is allowed to enter your home.

Resources in New Mexico to help your friends and neighbors

Somos Un Pueblo Unido 505-424-7832

Santa Fe Dreamers 505-490-2789

Catholic Charities Albuquerque 505-539-0274

Although non-citizens do not have a right to an attorney, they may hire one or seek one for free to advise them at the following: 

NMILC NM Immigration Law Center 505-247-1023

UNM School of Law Clinic 505-277-5265   

Job Opportunities

• Torrance County is currently accepting applications for a Compliance Officer, a Facilities Maintenance, a Tax Specialist, a Grants Admin, a Sheriff's Deputy, a CSA, a 911 Operator, an Equipment Operator, and an EMT/Fire Fighter.

Click Here for more information.

• Estancia is accepting applications for an EMT Firefighter.

Click Here for more information.

• Moriarty is accepting applications for a Facilities Service Coordinator.

Click Here for more information

• Mountainair is accepting applications for a Certified Police Officer.

Click Here for more information.

Moriarty

City Council

2nd & 4th Wednesday

Moriarty Civic Center

201 Broadway Street

7:30 PM

Estancia

Board of Trustees

1st & 3rd Monday

Estancia Town Hall

513 Williams Avenue

6:15 PM

Mountainair

City Council

1st & 3rd Tuesday  

Council Meeting Room

107 1/2 N. Roosevelt

5:30 PM

Claunch/Pinto Soil & Water Conservation District

1st Friday, 8 AM

1206 NM 55, Mountainair

ZOOM Meeting ONLY

Click here for more information

East Torrance

Soil & Water Conservation District

3rd Wednesday, 6 PM

715 S 5th St, Estancia

Central Tri-County

Soil & Water Conservation District

1st Thursday, 10 AM

2506 US 66, Moriarty

Estancia Municipal Schoolboard

2nd Monday, 6 PM

300 N 9th St, Estancia

Van Stone Room 02/03

Moriarty-Edgewood Schoolboard

3rd Tuesday, 6 PM

MESD Board Room

2422 E. NM-333 Moriarty

Mountainair Public Schoolboard

4th Tuesday, 6 PM

Central Office

512 North Ross

Vaughn Municipal Schoolboard

3rd Wednesday, 6 PM

District Office

101 East 4th Street

Your Democratic Party of Torrance County Executive Committee

DPTC Chair - Dennis Wallin - wallin@spencelawyers.com

DPTC Vice Chair - Bill Peifer - wpeifer@peifercomputing.net

DPTC Secretary - Millie Peifer - secretary@dptc-nm.org

DPTC Treasurer - Bill Peifer -  wpeifer@peifercomputing.net

Ward Chairs

DPTC Ward A (Pcts 1,2,7,14 & 16) - Augustine Montoya - anm4nm@gmail.com 

DPTC Ward B (Pcts 5,13,17, 20 & 21) - Jonathan Pedersen - jpgencon@hotmail.com

DPTC Ward C (Pcts 3,4,8,9,10,11 & 12) - Jason Quintana - jasoncq2415@gmail.com

DPTC Ward D (Pcts 6,15,18,19 & 22) - Bill Peifer - wpeifer@peifercomputing.net

Don't know your precinct? Click here.

Democratic Party of Torrance County Website: DPTC-NM.org

OR

You can mail a check to:

Democratic Party of Torrance County

PO Box 2206, Moriarty NM 87035

(make check payable to Democratic Party of Torrance County)