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Third Judicial District Court Judge Jerald A. Valentine, right, administers the oath of office for Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, left, Thursday at the Do a Ana County Government Center. The County Commission chambers was filled with people attending the ceremony where 18 public officials were sworn into their offices.
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LAS CRUCES - Some are bracing against it, some are preparing to embrace it, but all 18 of the Doña Ana County officials sworn in to new or subsequent terms Thursday morning expect change in the new year.

New Las Cruces Magistrate Court Judge Jose "Joel" Cano, 53, who retired from the Las Cruces Police Department in 2002, said he was ready to get to work in the people's court.

"What I'm hearing is that people need fairness and equality for all, and they expect professionalism at the highest level at all times, and I promise to not disappoint," Cano said. "You demonstrate it by always, of course, being available - you are required to work a minimum of 40 hours a week - and I'll take my fair share of cases."

Cano said his last five weeks shadowing other judges has gotten him up to speed and ready to do just that.

"Above all, transparency is going to be very important, to have things done out in the open in court," he said.

Former Las Cruces school board member Gene Gant, who ran uncontested as the Public Education Commission District 7 representative, was less optimistic about the challenges he expected in the new year, under a new governor - outgoing Do-a Ana County district attorney Susana Martinez and education secretary.

"The big thing is going to be how, under new leadership, education's going to change for the southern part

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of New Mexico," Gant said. "That's my big question. I'm going to try and go into it with an open mind."

Even more budget cuts - which have already dried up many areas of funding in the county's three school districts - are inevitable, he said.

"Oh, there'll be bigger budget cuts, no doubt about that," Gant said. "But we'll work with the Legislature to make sure the money we do get goes in the correct place. Education is the highest priority in the state of New Mexico. Now, (state leadership) has got to put the action to it and implement it."

Retiring 3rd Judicial District Court Judge Jerald A. Valentine, in his last official act, swore in 18 of the 20 elected officials (state representatives Antonio Lujan and Terry McMillan were absent). He described those assembled as "the fruit of our democracy."

"They will make decisions that will affect our lives - thousands of lives," said outgoing County Commissioner Oscar Vásquez-Butler, detailing the group's tasks of legislation, enforcement, policy-creation and decision-making in matters of marriage, death and property. "The responsibility placed on each of them is enormous."

Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462.

Sworn in Friday

•Do-a Ana County Commissioner, District 1, Billy Garrett (D)

•Do-a Ana County Commissioner, District 3, Karen G. Perez (D)

•Do-a Ana County Sheriff Todd Garrison (R)

•Do-a Ana County Assessor Andy Segovia (D)

•Do-a Ana County Probate Judge Alice Salcido (D)

•State Representative, District 33, Joni Marie Gutierrez (D)

•State Representative, District 34, Mary Helen Garcia (D)

•State Representative, District 36, Andrew Nu-ez (D)

•State Representative, District 52, Joseph Cervantes (D)

•State Representative, District 53, Ricky L. Little (R)

•Public Education Commission, District 7, Eugene E. Gant (D)

•3rd Judicial District Judge Manuel I. Arrieta (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 1 Oscar C. Frietze (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 2 Conrad F. Perea (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 3 Olivia N. Garcia (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 4 Richard L. Silva (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 5 Kent L. Wingenroth (D)

•Magistrate Judge, Division 6 Jose L. "Joel" Cano (D)

Yet to be sworn in

•State Representative, District 35, Antonio Lujan (D)

•State Representative, District 37, Dr. Terry McMillan (R)