Local recall starts political season in Raton

by Bill Knowles
RATON — With the political season picking up steam, local groups in Raton are still stymied by a court ruling sinking their petitions to recall two school board members in the R-5 district on July 1.
Court documents show three charges against school board members Kathy Honeyfield and Theodore Kamp.  Judge Paternoster remarked in his ruling that there must be a clear violation, a malfeasance in the office or misfeasance in the office or violation of oath of office in order to proceed with a recall election.  He found, when going over the evidence, the accusations did not meet the definition of either malfeasance or misfeasance in office.
Robin Blair, the attorney for the county, was ordered to instruct his client County Clerk Freda Baca, that there was no justification to move forward with a recall election and the case would be dismissed.
Two Raton groups calling themselves Concerned Citizens and the Citizens of Raton attended the hearing in New Mexico District Court 8 on Wednesday, July 1 to determine if recall petitioners had sufficient facts to continue the recall.
Members of the Citizens of Raton represent both the members of the community and teachers of the school district who agreed with the recall. While the Concerned Citizens represented members of the community.  Citizens of Raton petitioned for the recall of Kathy Honeyfield and the Concerned Citizens petitioned for the recall of Theodore Kemp.
Even though speculation about the recent consolidation had been given as a reason for the recall by some in Raton, a post to the KRTN news site by a member of the Citizens of Raton denied that allegation.  Marcia Rubio, who represented the Citizens of Raton in court, noted, “I would just like to reiterate that this recall process, at least for the board member we started it on, has absolutely nothing to do with sore feelings regarding the consolidation. [Neither] the document nor anyone from our group, which is not just a group of teachers, has ever stated reasons regarding the consolidation being why the recall process was started.”
Rubio stated in an interview with the World Journal things were confusing when they approached the County Clerk for instructions concerning how to proceed. “She [Ms Baca] photocopied an old recall to show us how it works,” Ms Rubio said.  “Consequently many of the affidavits needed to prove our case didnʼt make it to the court in the prescribed time. I walked in with five affidavits in my hand. The judge rejected them.”
However the desire for a recall is still evident. “We may continue the recall … wait until the judge retires,” Ms Rubio said.
Leaving the courthouse after the judge made his ruling, Theodore Kamp told KRTN radio he was relieved that due process still works.  “I do respect the people that brought the claims.  We made very difficult decisions this year … and we look for better times ahead.”  Acknowledging he hadnʼt seen the complaints until the proceedings, Kamp said he was glad the court realized the issue in their ruling.
Kathy Honeyfield said she was thankful for the ruling.  When asked by KRTN about how she felt about the fact that many of the people behind the recall were teachers, she said she could understand their anger about change.  “I really do believe…that this is going to be a positive change.”