Humor drove Fidel farewell bash

By Jim Maniaci
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A number of funny things happened Saturday night on the way to honoring Joseph Fidel, known as "Gentleman Joe," for his 34 years in the New Mexico Legislature.

The former state senator from Grants received accolade after accolade, with honorarium emcee Representative George Hanosh interspersing five questions from mythical students at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School in Grants and Fidel's son Mark, an attorney, "conferring" with his client-father to provide the humorous replies.

Almost 300 people jammed the banquet room of the Best Western Inn Suites in Grants to honor Fidel as "Citizen of the Era," rather than the annual "Citizen of the Year," reflecting his years of service with Walter K. Martinez, then his son, W. Kenny Martinez as well as Hanosh before he retired late last year.

At the end, Fidel spoke only briefly, remaining calm but visibly impressed, thanking everyone "for being great to me and my family."

"I'm delighted ... (and) ... extremely happy you all are here this evening. Sometimes you overrate me. But let me tell you one thing. My successor (Cibola County Manager David Ulibarri) will do good for District 30," he predicted.

Fidel received two standing ovations, when he walked from the table of honor in the center of the hall to the stage and when he finished.

Ongoing festivities
However, the evening wasn't over.

Chamber manager Star Gonzales read a letter from Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., faxed from Washington, D.C., pointing out both men were first elected to their respective legislative branch offices in 1972.

She also presented him with a money clip. Fidel's son Mark presented his "Citizen of the Era" plaque. Chris Simms of Acoma Pueblo presented a Pendleton blanket and draped it over his shoulders an Acoma sign of respect and honor.

Paul Milan of the Literacy Volunteers of Cibola County his bank provides the office-classroom space at the branch on Roosevelt Avenue in Grants explained how his life, from high school to present, has been entwined with Fidel's.

Milan commented, "His footprint is everywhere. He left quite a legacy in this town," naming the Literacy Volunteer program (more than one-third of the adults in Cibola County are functionally illiterate) and Roberta's Place (the local battered women's shelter).

"They all would not exist without Joe Fidel's efforts," he concluded.

Early influence
W. Ken Martinez said his earliest memory of public service was when he was four years old or so and it was of Fidel and his father Walter K. Martinez. "He and my dad were partners in almost everything they did. They were inseparable."

His contribution to the humor-filled night was a story about he and one of Fidel's daughters having been sent on the campaign road with their dads who left them at an unnamed bar where he enjoyed his first of many Shirley Temple's, a mix of lemon-lime soda with cherry juice and a cherry.

The Democratic Party Majority Leader was one of many to cite Fidel's reputation of never saying an unkind word "about anybody, anytime. It's incredible. I learned from the master."

Hanosh related how adept Fidel was in the Roundhouse. Hanosh said he sponsored a bill, which was before Fidel's Appropriation Committee that was split 5-5. Fidel told him to keep on testifying and it seemed as if it was forever. When one of the five who was against the bill got up to go to the bathroom, Fidel called for the vote and the bill passed the committee 5-4.

Fidel's successor, Ulibarri said he would try to be as good as Fidel since "he has touched all our hearts."

'A gentleman'
Democratic Party Majority Floor Leader Sen. Michael Sanchez of Belen said Fidel, "is truly a gentleman, is truly wise and truly cares for New Mexico and Cibola County. David Ulibarri, too, wants to do what's best for the community."

He added that the people of Valencia County were upset at Fidel when the senator was among those who maneuvered the succession of Cibola County 26 years ago because western Valencia County, which extended all the way to the Arizona border, was where all the Democratic Party voters cast their ballots.

"You came to the mountain (Mt. Taylor) to get your Democratic votes. That's still true today," he concluded.

Ben D. Altimirano of Silver City began his New Mexico Legislature career two years before Fidel and presented an appreciation certificate signed by 41 senators.

It cited his gentle manner and calm demeanor, calling him "a true statesman."

Altimirano commented that if President George W. Bush "really want to solve his Iraq problems he should come to Grants and get Joe. He's a great person, a great mover who has lots of words of wisdom."