Bluestone Named NM Environmental Law Center Board President
SANTA FE, NM - The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC), a nonprofit, public interest, environmental law firm, announces the appointment of Stuart Bluestone as their new Board of Directors president, effective January 1, 2010. Bluestone is the Senior Counsel to the Attorney General of New Mexico and brings more than 35 years of legal experience, primarily in consumer protection and public interest law to this well respected organization. The position of president is for a one-year term. Bluestone replaces outgoing president Dale Pontius.
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“I have complete confidence that with Stuart at the helm of our board, our commitment to serving all New Mexicans, especially Native Americans, Latinos and other under-represented communities, in environmental justice will thrive,” says Doug Meiklejohn, Executive Director. “Stuart brings a wealth of experience to this role, and his devotion to our mission is evidenced by his support of the organization for almost all of our 22 year history.“
“As we approach 2010, New Mexico’s environment continues to be threatened by multiple forms of environmental degradation caused by uranium mining, air and water pollution and climate change,” adds Meiklejohn. “Bluestone is the perfect person to help us maneuver through all of our challenging cases. He is also committed to leading the way as we deal with blows dealt by the economic downturn, which have had a huge impact on an already tight budget. We welcome him to this important position.”
“I look forward to serving as the New Mexico Environmental Law Center Board President in 2010,” says Bluestone. “As we head into our 22nd year, we are clear on the direction of the organization, thanks to a thorough strategic planning process that we’ve just completed and will execute. The Law Center board is a very diverse and dedicated group from around the state, with a sincere passion to protect the environment and people in New Mexico.”
“It’s important for me to recognize the whole staff of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center for their tireless and passionate work protecting our state on issues such as climate change, mining and extraction of natural resources and on water quantity and quality,” says Bluestone. “I feel fortunate to be working with Executive Director Douglas Meiklejohn, our widely respected and leading environmental advocate, our talented attorneys Bruce Frederick, Eric Jantz and Jonathan Block and fundraising, communications, finances and office management gurus Shelbie Knox, Sebia Hawkins, Juana Colon and Yana Merrill. The staff and board will continue to represent communities that cannot afford legal representation, particularly in environmental justice.”
Bluestone started in the Attorney General’s Office in 1984, when he was the Division Director of the Consumer Protection and Economic Crimes Division. He worked for the Legislative Council Service for 9 years and then after that became Chief Deputy Attorney General (1999) and Senior Counsel (2007) in the Attorney General’s Office. Bluestone received the Public Lawyer of the Year Award by the New Mexico State Bar Public Law Section in 2007.
New Mexico Environmental Law Center — Board of Directors
The mission of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is to protect New Mexico’s natural environment and communities through legal and policy advocacy, and public education. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s attorneys have handled over 100 critical cases in low-income and minority communities fighting pollution and environmental degradation. The Law Center charges few, if any, fees to its clients, most of which are from Hispanic and Native American communities. The NMELC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Membership and gifts help New Mexico communities protect their natural environment and their health from toxic pollution, the degrading effects of growth and liabilities created by irresponsible mining. Contact: Shelbie Knox, Development Officer 505-989-9022.
INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Contacts:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
http://www.jmarshallplan.com
Juana Colón,
Communications and Public Education Associate
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
505-989-9022 ext. 21