Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Dozens Want Block's Job

We've all read those depressing stories about job fairs where thousands of people line up in hopes of filling perhaps dozens of positions available.

A similar phenomenon seems to be taking place here at the Roundhouse, where there's one $90,000 job soon to be available. Dozens of applicants are sending their resumes to Gov. Susana Martinez in hopes of being tapped to fill disgraced PRC member Jerome Block's position.

As of late yesterday afternoon the governor's office was saying there were more than 50 resumes submitted. I know of at least a couple of more that have come in today.

Among those seeking the job are at least two Democrats who previously had announced they would run next year -- Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza and former aide to Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, Danny Maki.

Others include former Espanola Mayor Joe Maestas, who lost to Block in the 2008 Democratic primary; Rick Lass, who lost to Block in the 2008 general election; former Santa Fe City Manager Asenath Kepler; former legislators Judy Vanderstar and Barbara Casey-Perea; former Santa Fe City Councilor Molly Whitted and former legislative hopeful Brigette Russell.

Keep in mind, this is only a temporary job -- completing Block's term, which expires at the end of next year. Those wishing to stay on must win election next year.

The deadline for submitting applications is at 5 p.m. today. I hope to run the complete list in tomorrow's New Mexican.

UPDATE 4 pm: Santa Fe County Commissioner Virginia Vigil, who has said she will run in next year's Democratic primary for PRC, also has delivered her resume to the governor's office.