9-21-2023 4:48am

Commentary: The Adult in the Room Rep Jim Townsend Offers Solutions Versus Block Lord Theatrics.

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo Representative District 51, John Block, a less then effective legislator who only moved 2 bills out of 18 out committee during his tenure thus far; is effective at one thing, garnering publicity. Block the amateur wants to follow the heels of former County Commissioner Couy Griffin at garnering headlines; Block is at it again. The real adult in the room appears to be Republican Jim Townsend.

Block, this time in partnership with Stefani Lord of Sandia Park should be a theater major rather than an elected government leader. The duo, Block and Lord, who have been seen in odd ways recognized an opening for more political theater and a big stage performance. However, the citizens of New Mexico see that Block and Lord just seek publicity versus a solutions based approach of Representative Jim Townsend.

Block and Lord say they want to instigate impeachment proceedings against Lujan Grisham, the numbers are against them.

The Block and Lord talk of overturning the result of a statewide election that occurred only 10 months ago is going nowhere except to generate a bit of national press. Lord and Block advocating for impeachment for a governor who made a poor decision, is in itself a poor decision.

The Republicans’ punitive approach is unreasonable in that it is impossible. Even if it were sensible, Lujan Grisham would be safe. The Republican leadership should have put a stop to this theatrical performance and instead called for a special session and in that session provide a platform of action and crime reform bills. Crime reform is an important opportunity for the Republican Party to seize which could bring about positive results and improve their chances of gaining seats in next years election due to effective reforms and results.

Instead they are carrying forward with theatrics that make good sound bites but have a zero chance of success. Democrats control the state House of Representatives 45-25, and they have a 27-14 advantage in the Senate. One vacant seat in the Senate will go to a Republican appointee, but that won’t matter in an attempt to impeach Lujan Grisham. The Democratic Party May have a few deserters but will absolutely not support impeachment.

“It is mathematically and politically impossible,” Rep. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia a candidate to replace the position presently held by Alamogordo State Senator Jeff Griggs.

While Block and Lord secure their 15 minutes of fame on Fox News and major news networks the real leader in the dialog is Representative Jim Townsend.

Townsend is absolutely NOT fan of Lujan Grisham. However he is a professional and mature in his approach in wanting to have a special legislative session aimed at reducing crime. He says hiring more cops and rebuilding the state’s treatment system for mental illness would be two effective steps lawmakers could take.

He is bipartisan in his criticism of state executives relating to deterrence of crime.

Representative Townsend also blames former Republican Governor Susana Martinez for dismantling the state’s network of behavioral health centers. He criticizes Lujan Grisham for not doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs flowing through the southern border.

The law in New Mexico is very clear; ”the sole power of impeachment shall be vested in the house of representatives, and a concurrence of a majority of all the members elected shall be necessary to the proper exercise thereof. All impeachments shall be tried by the senate. When sitting for that purpose the senators shall be under oath or affirmation to do justice according to the law and the evidence. When the governor or lieutenant governor is on trial, the chief justice of the supreme court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators elected.”

Democrats control the New Mexico state House of Representatives 45-25, and they have a 27-14 advantage in the Senate. The numbers don’t add up no matter how much propaganda Block and Lord spin in their theatrical production.

The smart approach would be for the Republican Party of New Mexico to rally around Representative Townsend and let the adults in the room caucus for real adult solutions to real adult problems.

Crime is not a problem to play political theater with, lives are lost, in this case an 11 year old murdered sparked theater. Instead let’s rally around the efforts of Jim Townsend and let’s work toward solutions in an adult manner.