Rodarte quits job
as Cibola probate judge

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Cibola County Probate Judge Fred Rodarte turned in his resignation last week.

Rodarte, who is also City Council representative for District 3 in Grants, submitted a letter dated April 10 and effective immediately, to Cibola County Manager David Ulibarri last Friday. Ulibarri said the county commission will appoint someone to fill the position until voters can elect a new judge in the next county election.

Rodarte said he received a notice from the Judicial Standards Committee that someone had filed a complaint against him for running in the March City Council election and for holding two elected offices simultaneously. He was summoned to a hearing but chose to resign rather than challenge the N.M. Supreme Court on the issue and forfeited the hearing, he said.

Concerns about whether the judge could run for the council position were brought up in February. Rodarte consulted his attorney, City Manager Robert Horacek and a judge on the ethics committee at that time and decided to run for the office in spite of what appeared to be an attempt to discourage him. Rodarte retains his seat on the Grants City Council.

The county commission is seeking résumés from parties interested in taking over the judge’s bench in the interim. Ulibarri said the commission will choose someone, but they would like to know a bit about the people who want the job.

A probate judge works at least eight hours a month administering uncontested wills for county residents. He or she also has the power to perform civil marriages, Rodarte said. The position pays $9,844.00 annually, plus benefits, the county manager said.

Submit résumés to Ulibarri at the county manager’s office, 515 W. High Street, Grants.