Doña Ana County swears in new elected officials

LAS CRUCES – When Muriel Bowles of Vado stood up to take her oath of office Monday morning, she carried Baller, a Chihuahua, who rested one paw on the Bible next to his companion’s hand.

Baller seemed to have taken to heart something Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin said repeatedly Monday morning: “Your entire family serves, so it is very appropriate that they come and support your oath.”

Bowles was among 13 officials elected in the county on Nov. 4 who participated in a swearing-in ceremony and celebration at the county government building Monday. One mayor, three municipal judges, seven city or town councilors and two water board directors participated, some flanked by family members as López Askin led them in reciting their vows to uphold the law and the Constitution as they perform their offices.

“This is something we love to do,” López Askin said. “We get to be part of something that’s really important, that serves our community; and swearing-in is one of the fun things that we do.”

While municipalities may perform their own swearing-in ceremonies, the county offered refreshments, words of encouragement from the county’s top elections administrator and professional headshots. John Muñoz, elected to the Las Cruces City Council last month and a first-time office-holder, said the moment of taking the oath in front of the public and cameras live-streaming the event was “surreal.” He agreed that something about the commitment he had made sunk in at that moment: “This is not student body president.”

“There’s the solemnity of it, that should sober anyone,” López Askin told the Journal. “The fanfare, the fun, the running, the ‘I won’ – that is over, and the service starts. And it is often thankless. You carry a large load when you know you’re responsible to the public. It’s a higher level of accountability.”

Hatch Mayor Dennis Torres was joined by Trustee-elects Sanjuana Olvera, Robert Martinez and Perla Chairez. Municipal judges Henry DiMatteo, of Mesilla; Lizette Salinas, of Sunland Park; and James DeRossit, of Las Cruces, all took their oaths.

Incoming Sunland Park Councilors Bertha Salmon and Raul Tellez Jr. also took part, with their new colleague, City Councilor Alberto Jaramillo, wielding two mobile phones to capture pictures. Biviana Maese Cadena affirmed her vow as a returning Mesilla Trustee.

And Bowles joined Juan Perez Sr. in swearing in as directors of the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority.

The officers had their choice of resting one hand on a Bible, the U.S. Constitution, the New Mexico Constitution, or a combination of the three. Nearly all of them selected the Bible, while Cadena swore on the state Constitution.

A reference to God in the oath is optional, as well, López Askin said, and occasionally officials ask to affirm their oath rather than swear to a deity. The U.S. Constitution does not require the use of a Bible and it explicitly precludes religious tests as a qualification for public office, though swearing on a Bible follows a historical tradition.

Several of the officers lined up to be photographed in a room that regularly serves as a polling location during elections, while a few socialized and enjoyed snacks. The county clerk said the point was to celebrate their commitment while reminding them of their responsibility.

“It is a job,” López Askin said, “and you are hired by the most important people, which is your community.”