Saturday, May 3, 2008

Formal grand opening held for new district courthouse

Julia M. Dendinger News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdendinger@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas It was standing room only Friday afternoon as elected officials from around the county, and judges representing the 13th Judicial District, gathered to celebrate the official grand opening of the 13th Judicial District Courthouse in Los Lunas.

As the sun stood high in the sky and the wind blustered, 300 people filled the tent and spilled out into the parking lot. Senator Michael Sanchez began the introduction of dignitaries who spoke at the occasion by calling the first speaker a "leader amongst men and someone who should be in the White House."

Gov. Bill Richardson was greeted with a standing ovation as he took the podium. The governor began his remarks by thanking Rep. Kiki Saavedra, and calling him the key to securing funding for not only Valencia County's new complex, but courthouses around the state.

"There are so many who deserve recognition. It's taken five years to get to this celebration today," Richardson said. "I want to thank the voters of the county who backed the referendum.

"This building is very important as it ushers in a new era in district courts. The old courthouse was much too small for a county that is so dynamic," Richardson said. "Not only are new people and businesses moving here, but there is a solid local foundation of tradition."

The governor lauded the building for containing the latest technology and state of the art evidence presentation equipment.

"This building is critical because this is where the behavior and standards of society will be upheld," Richardson concluded.

Sanchez introduced the next speaker, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, saying she has worked hard to bring dignity and respect to the senate.

"I don't want to offend any other lieutenant governors, but I feel that she is probably the best the state of New Mexico has ever had," Sanchez said, with much applause from the audience.

Denish also thanked the voters for approving the referendum that funded the building of the new courthouse.

"This is a symbol, an important symbol of justice," she said. "To have a place of quality and dignity, it says to the community that justice is important.

"People deserve to have a place like this to conduct the business of the district and the county."

Denish concluded her remarks by calling the new judicial building the "crown jewel" of the community.

When 13th Judicial District Chief Judge Louis McDonald introduced the chairman of the county commission, he said Pedro Rael would not tell him how old he was.

"All he would tell me is that he graduated from the University of Iowa in 1972," McDonald said. "He also said that since he was elected chairman of the commission, he has no friends but some family members do still speak to him."

Rael welcomed everyone to what he called a "joyous occasion" and said he was delighted to see the turnout.

"We don't do this very often," he said with a laugh. "I probably won't see this again in my lifetime."

He thanked district judges William Sanchez, John Pope and Violet Otero for their hard work and dedication to the project.

"Without you in the building, it is a great hall of justice but there is no justice," he said. "We are proud to have the three of you fill the building."

Judge William Sanchez said that despite the challenges, and being told it would be "difficult if not impossible" to get the referendum passed, he pressed on with the project and was very proud of the final product.

As the resident historian of the judicial district, Judge Pope said he came across a quote by a former New Mexico governor on the occasion of the dedication of a Valencia County courthouse in 1913.

"He said he hoped the courthouse would always be a temple of justice worthy to have the Stars and Stripes flown over it," Pope said. "I truly hope that this new courthouse is that temple of justice that will always be worthy of the Stars and Stripes."

Judge Otero remembered fondly when she was a little kid, "a long time ago" and learning to roller skate in front of the old courthouse on Main Street and perfecting the sport in front of the building on Courthouse Road.

"This is the people's building," she said. "It does not belong to those of us privileged enough to occupy it."

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward Chavez rounded out the speakers for the afternoon.

"The virtue of justice is not the bricks and mortar," he said. "It is the people who sit inside. This is a beautiful house of justice, and we need to remember today to also celebrate the system of justice."

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