Democratic Party Pre-Primary State Convention in Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico

Saturday, March 12, 2016

My husband, Doug, and I (Delegates) actually drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday to a hotel because the block of rooms for the convention at the Isleta Resort and Casino was already filled. We then went to the convention area to check-in and verify our credentials at 6:30 PM. We were going to attend the reception held by Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, but the lines were long and the area so crowded, we decided to dine elsewhere.

On Saturday morning we ate breakfast at an IHOP and got to the convention in time to caucus for Hillary Clinton for president before heading to our assigned area (Otero County) for the convention. The Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of the State of New Mexico (DPNM), Debra Haaland served as the facilitator and she did a great job of keeping the meeting moving along. Thank goodness she did because there were numerous speakers and much business to handle as well.

Governor Edward Paul Torres, Sr. of the Isleta Pueblo gave the welcoming speech and offered a prayer in the Isleta Tiwa language which was quite melodious. There were special addresses by Attorney General Hector Balderas, State Auditor Tim Keller, State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla and House Minority Leader Brian Egolf.

Report of the Credentials Committee was given by Martin Suazo, Chair, Judicial Council and Reading of the Call was by Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary DPNM.

Candidate Nominations and Speeches were as follows: Secretary of State: Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Supreme Court: Michael Vigil, New Mexico Court of Appeals: Julie Vargas, US House of Representatives CD l: Michelle Lujan Grisham, CD 2: Merrie Lee Soules, CD 3: Ben R. Lujan.

Introduction to Keynote Speaker Juan Sanchez, Vice Chairman, DPNM, Keynote Speech to Delegates Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut.

Video Address to Delegates given by Secretary Hillary Clinton and a video address given by Senator Bernie Sanders.

Report of the Platform & Resolutions Committee made by Chair John Dyrcz. The voting on this Democratic Party Platform was made by having each delegate vote yes or no on a small ballot and then take it out to the lobby and place it in a yes or no cardboard box. There was much discussion about this Platform as people lined up to give  pros and cons opinions. The results of the voting was NO by three votes.  Sometime during the lengthy counting of the votes Debra Haaland adjourned the convention.

It was an interesting experience and we are glad we took part in this great American tradition.

Otero County New Mexico Delegate Carla Kerr

Merrie Lee Soules Campaign Bus. She is running for U.S. Representative from New Mexico CD 2

Giving some New Mexico flavor to the convention were these excellent Mariachis

Hillary supporters getting ready to make a lot of noise

This lady was selling her Dump the tRUMP buttons

Attorney General Hector Balderas backing Hillary Clinton

Carla managed to get a Hillary poster

Carla visiting with Doc DuBois, a beloved WWII Pearl Harbor survivor and Otero County Delegate

Hope Swanson, first time voter and granddaughter of Donna & Jeff Swanson

Otero County Delegates AJ, Carla and Linda Barker

Otero County Delegates, Donna, Hope and Stephanie DuBois

A shot of the crowd assimilating for the convention. There were over 1300 attendees

Debra Haaland, Chairwoman, DPNM convening the convention

Pam Cordova, President, New Mexico Federation of Democratic Women leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and Zack Quintero, President, Young Democrats of New Mexico leads the Pledge to the New Mexican Flag

Attorney General Hector Balderas addresses Delegates

State Auditor Tim Keller addresses Delegates

State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg addresses Delegates

State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla addresses Delegates

House Minority Leader Brian Egolf addresses Delegates

Martin Suazo, Chair, Judicial Council reports on the Credentials Committee

Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary, DPNM gives the Reading of the Call

Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Candidate for Secretary of State

Michael Vigil, Candidate for New Mexico Supreme Court

Julie Vargas, Candidate for New Mexico Court of Appeals

Michelle Lujan Grisham incumbent for House of Representatives CD 1

Merrie Lee Soules running for U.S.House of Representatives CD 2

Ben R. Lujan incumbent US House of Representatives CD 3

Juan Sanchez, Vice Chairman, DPNM introducing Keynote Speaker

Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut gives Keynote Speech to Delegates

We returned to the hotel and took a well deserved nap. Then we went to our favorite Hibachi Restaurant for dinner and it was delicious.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the pictures and processing them to go in my blog. I do apologize for not taking a shot of him but he is always behind the camera and it just didn't occur to me.

This is all I have to say for now.

NM Roadrunner Chapter of RHS in Ruidoso, President's Day Dinner

February 23, 2013

Whew! February has been one busy month for our household and I struggle to keep up-to-date on this blog.

This past Saturday, two of my chapterettes and I drove to Ruidoso, NM to shop and then dine at Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino and Buffet. Our first stop was the Thrift Shop connected to the medical center. We had a devil of a time finding it and actually drove right past it before we got a doctor to come out of his office and direct us. Anyway, it is a lovely shop and they were happy to see us and we each found items we couldn't live without.

Our next stop was Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause and they definitely stock lovely merchandise. We bought several Red Hat items and I bought the "Alphabet Dice Game" for us to play at our next Games Day get together.

From here, we went by Rosemary's Herb Shop to get my supply of Yucca Root which contributes mightily to keeping arthritis pain down. However, they didn't have it ready so we opted to go dine and return.

Inn of the Mountain Gods in on the Mescalero Indian Reservation and is well appointed. Everyone was happy to see Red Hatters in their midst and we were warmly welcomed. A variety of food is offered on their buffet and we enjoyed our lunch. After which, we traveled back down the mountain to Ruidoso to pick up my Yucca Root. It was a good day with Darla Shelly and our "snowbird member from Colorado" Donna Williams. We have a membership of 16, but too much illness and other life events got in the way. But you know, "wherever two or three Red Hatters gather" there is fun to be had!

Carla aka Queen Ladybird

Doug took these shots of me since I would be behind the camera otherwise. Love my belt buckle I found at a vendor in Las Cruces, NM at the FUNvention

Darla, "Chiricahua Beauty" by Gordon Torres, and Donna

Darla, sculpture, Carla and Donna. We prevailed upon a passerby to take this shot.

February 25, 2013

We attended the President's Day Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) fund raising dinner at Stella Vita Restaurant on New York Avenue in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Monday evening, February 25, 2013.

There was a great attendance and we were treated to a reading of a Harry Truman essay by Dr. Suzanne Schmidt. It was quite appropriate and well presented. Guest speaker was New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas who kept our attention with his interesting remarks. DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes ably emceed the event and made the introductions.

Stella Vita is the perfect place for any function, especially if you like to eat delicious food. I rate the food five stars and the acoustics, well, never mind. It was a fun evening and we raised some serious money for our group.

Carla, ready for the evening to begin

"Baby, it's cold outside"

Mayor Susie Galea with Clif McDonald at meet and greet before dinner

Carla greeting Mayor Galea

A very happy Treasurer, Judy Pingel

Background musicians played well for this event

Group intently listening to speaker

Crowd view

Another random shot

Barbara and Clif McDonald

Another crowd view

And yet another just to give you the feel of what a great attendance we had

We were entertained by Richard DeLorca singing in Italian

L to R: Steve Haydu, Karen Hutchison, Joel and Diana Hamilton

Dr. Suzanne Schmidt reading Harry Truman essay

Former Alamogordo Mayor Steve Brockett

Speaker, New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas

Hector making another point

Janessa Maxilom, Hollogram Editor/Staff Writer Alamogordo Daily News

Carla with Hector Balderas

Nadia saying goodnight to Carla after a very successful evening

One last group shot

It was indeed a successful event and everyone involved in the planning and presentation should pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Hope this is the beginning of an annual affair.

Thanks, Doug, for all the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.