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	Pederson Selected As City Attorney By Zsombor Peter Gallup Independent August 15, 2007 http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/august/081507zp_pdrsnctyatrny.html Gallup — David Pederson can thank his extra years of civil litigation for his new job as city attorney. Minus Bill Nechero, the City Council appointed him to the post Tuesday evening. Mayor Harry Mendoza said Pederson and Steven Seeger, the only two applicants for the job, stood just about even on most counts. But it was Pederson's additional years trying civil cases, the mayor said, that gave him the edge. "I think that was the deciding factor for the council," the mayor said. Mendoza, outgoing city attorney George Kozeliski and a city councilor interviewed both men Friday. The decision makes sense. After more than four years in the post, Kozeliski said civil matters take up roughly 80 percent of his professional time. Mendoza said Pederson would probably start out part time in two to three weeks and transition into the full-time role over the next few months while shedding his private practice. Once fully engaged at City Hall, he'll be earning $91,000 a year, what Kozeliski makes now. Mendoza and Kozeliski both said Pederson should have a relatively light load coming in. The city's settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over employment discrimination has run its course, and its suit against an Albuquerque reporter and the Gallup Catholic Diocese over the possession of police photos of Bishop Donald Pelotte — taken at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital after the bishop sustained suspicious injuries at home — has been handed off to another attorney. "There's nothing too serious that's pending," Mendoza said. There is the city's looming handover of Red Rock Park to the state, though. The deal could save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. But according to Kozeliski, the deal is still pending. Despite his civil experience, Pederson has been spending most of his time lately in the criminal arena as both a state-sponsored public defendant and a guardian ad litem for the county taking on children's cases. He's also served as a state representative and lost out to Louis DePauli in a recent bid to become the county's newest district judge. Kozeliski, who came on board in May of 2003, announced his resignation July 10 to accept a new position for the county as a legal assistant and advisor to the district judges. His last day at City Hall will be Sept. 29. Facing mounting medical complications, Kozeliski also said he was looking for an easier pace. His new job with the county should demand fewer hours, but it will also command fewer dollars. He'll be taking a pay cut of between $30,000 and $40,000. Other business In other business, the council voted unanimously to adopt the state's clean indoor air ordinance, which bans smoking in most public places, including restaurants and bars. Although Gallup has had to abide by the ban, all fees assessed against violators would have gone to the state. By officially adopting the ordinance, and accepting assessment duties, it can keep the fees — from $100 for the first offense to $500 for the third — for itself. The council also voted unanimously Tuesday evening to transfer ownership of a series of panels depicting Medal of Honor recipient and Gallup native Hershey Miyamura and his family to Miyamura High School. Gallup received the panels from the University of New Mexico and stored them at Red Rock Park. But according to city manager Gerald Herrera, a nephew of Miyamura's, they are "probably resident in the closet more than they are out." With the transformation of Gallup Junior High School into Miyamura High School, principal Frank Chiapetti thought they might be more at home on permanent display at the school. The council agreed. "I think that's where they belong," said Mendoza.
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