Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
More of the Weird, Funny Calls I Get
Ever since we started the Got Questions, Get Answers campaign at my station, we’ve received a phenomenal amount of phone calls and emails. Some of those questions can be quite amusing:
Here are some of the eyebrow-raising remarks/questions people have left me in the recent past, and others that I remember:
-A man left a message saying he’s tired of another man calling him “Bonito” and claims that man is pedophile who is mistaking him for a boy because he’s “short.” Bonito means pretty-boy in Spanish.
-A man claiming to be a registered sex offender wants to know why he keeps getting discriminated because he’s a felon and can’t find a good job.
-Another man claims the interest on his late child support payments is too high and that he “never got a loan” so there shouldn’t be interest.
-One caller said my neck has grown “fat” over the years and hopes my family has set me a side to warn me about my weight problem. He says there’s no difference between my neck and chin and that “it’s all one piece.”
-One man wrote us saying the weather alert “beeping” sound that comes on during weather alerts on our channel causes his mother to repeatedly get up out of her seat to check the microwave and stove.
-One caller said she hears a “hum” in the Albuquerque foothills, similar to the Taos Hum.
-One caller wanted me to expose a company for not giving him a refund for a VCR repair. The amount in question was two dollars.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Here are some of the eyebrow-raising remarks/questions people have left me in the recent past, and others that I remember:
-A man left a message saying he’s tired of another man calling him “Bonito” and claims that man is pedophile who is mistaking him for a boy because he’s “short.” Bonito means pretty-boy in Spanish.
-A man claiming to be a registered sex offender wants to know why he keeps getting discriminated because he’s a felon and can’t find a good job.
-Another man claims the interest on his late child support payments is too high and that he “never got a loan” so there shouldn’t be interest.
-One caller said my neck has grown “fat” over the years and hopes my family has set me a side to warn me about my weight problem. He says there’s no difference between my neck and chin and that “it’s all one piece.”
-One man wrote us saying the weather alert “beeping” sound that comes on during weather alerts on our channel causes his mother to repeatedly get up out of her seat to check the microwave and stove.
-One caller said she hears a “hum” in the Albuquerque foothills, similar to the Taos Hum.
-One caller wanted me to expose a company for not giving him a refund for a VCR repair. The amount in question was two dollars.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Free to Roam, Free to $pend
Once again, I covered the fact Kathy Borrego remains free despite being accused of stealing more than three million dollars from the Jemez Mountain School District. See story below:
The Albuquerque Journal (subscription) has also been wondering about the lack of charges against Borrego and slams the District Attorney in a Monday editorial:
I've talked to numerous people in the small communities surrounding the school district. They are getting quite frustrated with the District Attorney's office. They see Borrego roaming around town and wonder if she has spent all the money she allegedly stole...from them.
The District Attorney says there is still a phenomenal amount of evidence to be gathered.
Sometimes justice isn't swift, but sadly, when it takes a while for it to move, people grow suspicious and wonder about the competency of the authorities responsible for prosecuting.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
The Albuquerque Journal (subscription) has also been wondering about the lack of charges against Borrego and slams the District Attorney in a Monday editorial:
"Kudos for being thorough and trying to ensure this one doesn't slip through the cracks. But this is the same crack prosecutorial team that missed the 60-day deadline to go forward with either a grand jury indictment or preliminary hearing in the high-profile vehicular homicide case against Carlos William Fierro. The same DA's office that failed to object to a defense-proposed jury instruction that almost resulted in a mistrial for Fierro. The same official who said releasing the blood-alcohol concentration of DWI suspect Scott Owens in a high-profile, quadruple fatality would "jeopardize the integrity of the case." - Albuquerque Journal Editorial
I've talked to numerous people in the small communities surrounding the school district. They are getting quite frustrated with the District Attorney's office. They see Borrego roaming around town and wonder if she has spent all the money she allegedly stole...from them.
The District Attorney says there is still a phenomenal amount of evidence to be gathered.
Sometimes justice isn't swift, but sadly, when it takes a while for it to move, people grow suspicious and wonder about the competency of the authorities responsible for prosecuting.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thank you Whistleblowers
I can't do my job and expose problems within the government without the brave people who put their trust in me as a journalist. This follow-up story is a classic example of why this country needs more whistleblowers and shield laws to protect them. I'd like to thank former solid waste employee Frank Ortega for having the courage to call out the City ON CAMERA regarding its recycling facility problem. Without him, there would have been no story, no action taken by the state, and no public awareness.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Governor's Office: It's None of Your Business
Update: NMpolitics.net has also picked up this story. Check it out here.
You paid more than eight million dollars for their salaries. Their average income is 140-thousand dollars a year (far more than the per capita income of the typical taxpayer in New Mexico). They got their jobs because the Governor hired them. But who are they and what jobs did they do on YOUR dime? The Governor's Office DOES NOT want you to know:
While the Governor's office is not being transparent about the 59 highly-paid appointees it's letting go, I figured I'd use my website here to give you some transparency into the thought process of the Governor's Office. Below is an email exchange between me and Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos (who says I have a "bias") regarding my initial inquiry into this matter.
I find it quite concerning the Governor's Office is essentially telling me it really doesn't matter what's public record....if the Governor's Office doesn't find it "appropriate," it won't release it despite obligations under the Inspection of Public Record Act(START FROM BOTTOM AND THEN READ UP):
> From: "Jojola, Jeremy"
> Date: December 11, 2009 5:38:23 PM MST
> To: "Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV"
> Subject: RE:
>
> I acknowledge the terrible loss of their jobs, but I also hope you acknowledge the taxpayers of this state who paid those salaries. Many of those tax payers (who are people too) lost their jobs as well and they deserve an answer from their government. Add me to the list of people who are filing IPRA requests on this matter. Again, I'll be sending it on Monday.
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:28 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> I think you’re confused about IPRA, which refers to records we may or may not have in our possession. In any case, your reference to “protecting the interest of these political appointees” tells me quite a bit about your bias going into this. These are people you’re talking about – people who have lost their jobs. We announced that the Governor was eliminating these positions to save about $8.3 million. I’m quite sure that will be reflected in due time in terms of savings in the budget.
>
>
>
> Still, you are free to file a records request, as have a half-dozen other people.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:57 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> I would think the IPRA. Do you want me to send you the statute number for reference? I would think in the interest of open government, your office would release these names and salaries even if you interpret the IPRA as not requiring you to do so. This would be good policy, don't you think? If not, it seems to me the Governor's Office is protecting the interest of these political appointees rather than the interests of the public. If these folks were being paid by state funds, without a doubt it must be public record. I'll be filing a written records request for these names and positions and salaries under the IPRA. I'll send it Monday.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:02 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> What statute says we have to identify them?
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:00 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> And based on what state statute can you guys do that?
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:59 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> We are not identifying any person or position that was eliminated.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:21 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject:
>
>
>
> Gilbert:
>
>
>
> What's the possibility of getting the list of 59 political appointees that have been laid-off.
>
>
>
> Jeremy
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
You paid more than eight million dollars for their salaries. Their average income is 140-thousand dollars a year (far more than the per capita income of the typical taxpayer in New Mexico). They got their jobs because the Governor hired them. But who are they and what jobs did they do on YOUR dime? The Governor's Office DOES NOT want you to know:
While the Governor's office is not being transparent about the 59 highly-paid appointees it's letting go, I figured I'd use my website here to give you some transparency into the thought process of the Governor's Office. Below is an email exchange between me and Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos (who says I have a "bias") regarding my initial inquiry into this matter.
I find it quite concerning the Governor's Office is essentially telling me it really doesn't matter what's public record....if the Governor's Office doesn't find it "appropriate," it won't release it despite obligations under the Inspection of Public Record Act(START FROM BOTTOM AND THEN READ UP):
> From: "Jojola, Jeremy"
> Date: December 11, 2009 5:38:23 PM MST
> To: "Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV"
> Subject: RE:
>
> I acknowledge the terrible loss of their jobs, but I also hope you acknowledge the taxpayers of this state who paid those salaries. Many of those tax payers (who are people too) lost their jobs as well and they deserve an answer from their government. Add me to the list of people who are filing IPRA requests on this matter. Again, I'll be sending it on Monday.
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:28 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> I think you’re confused about IPRA, which refers to records we may or may not have in our possession. In any case, your reference to “protecting the interest of these political appointees” tells me quite a bit about your bias going into this. These are people you’re talking about – people who have lost their jobs. We announced that the Governor was eliminating these positions to save about $8.3 million. I’m quite sure that will be reflected in due time in terms of savings in the budget.
>
>
>
> Still, you are free to file a records request, as have a half-dozen other people.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:57 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> I would think the IPRA. Do you want me to send you the statute number for reference? I would think in the interest of open government, your office would release these names and salaries even if you interpret the IPRA as not requiring you to do so. This would be good policy, don't you think? If not, it seems to me the Governor's Office is protecting the interest of these political appointees rather than the interests of the public. If these folks were being paid by state funds, without a doubt it must be public record. I'll be filing a written records request for these names and positions and salaries under the IPRA. I'll send it Monday.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:02 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> What statute says we have to identify them?
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:00 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> And based on what state statute can you guys do that?
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:59 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> We are not identifying any person or position that was eliminated.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:21 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject:
>
>
>
> Gilbert:
>
>
>
> What's the possibility of getting the list of 59 political appointees that have been laid-off.
>
>
>
> Jeremy
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Monday, December 7, 2009
Inside Manny's Castle
Excellent get today by New Mexico Watchdog. Their photographer got access to Manny Aragon's house.
Here's the embedded video, thanks to NM Watchdog. I think the most interesting part is the big NM State Seal inside the home. Reminds me of something Tony Montana would have if Scarface took place in New Mexico.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
Here's the embedded video, thanks to NM Watchdog. I think the most interesting part is the big NM State Seal inside the home. Reminds me of something Tony Montana would have if Scarface took place in New Mexico.
-----------------------------
jeremyjojola.com
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