No, Belen does not get a new judge.

Without any deliberation, the City of Belen appointed retired Municipal Judge Kathy Savilla back to her post at last night’s city council meeting. Making the motion without reservation, Councilor Rudy Jaramillo and a unanimous council voted to appoint Savilla back to her previously elected position.

Only one day following an editorial in Sunday’s Albuquerque Journal concerned with what’s termed as “double-dipping,” Savilla and the council used a legislative provision to now allow Savilla to receive retirement benefits while also being fully employed by the City of Belen as a judge.

Two citizens voiced concerns about the “double-dipping” process.

“Double-dipping affects everybody — employers, employees, and every citizen,” said Gloria Sanchez, a Belen citizen. She continued by saying that double-dipping resembles a “good ol’ boy” system of politics.

B. Paul Ortega, vice president of the citizen’s group Our Tomorrow: For a Better Belen, asked if the council had any answers to the 23 legal questions the group had presented them in a Jan. 26 meeting with Mayor Ronnie Torres. No answers were given by the mayor, council or city attorney.

City Manager Sally Garley and City Attorney Norm McDonald did not present any info on the legalities of the appointment.

Councilor David Lopez said, “The council has considered it,” suggesting some form of deliberation occurred prior to the appointment.

Savilla is expected to be sworn in today.

This page was published on February 3, 2009 at 11:25am and is filed under Archive.