ONE AND A HALF OUT OF TWO, ISN’T BAD
by Chuck Ring
Readers will recall, that this article http://nm-central.com/blog/?p=93 suggested that the public would be notified that the wastewater treatment plant for Edgewood would be online sometime in 2010. As luck, but not a lot of it would have it, the mayor and town staff have informed that it will be around mid-2009 before the town toilet can be flushed. This, after many heard the mayor during his last campaign and since being elected promise a 2008 completion date. But, this was before the interest savings scheme was brought forward and discussed. Count on a mid-2009 or beyond date for utilization of the town’s facility. And, although there has been some effort to assist the town with Wal-Mart’s wastewater system; apparently heavy capacity modifications or adjustments may have to be made for the Town of Edgewood to make decent use of the Wal-Mart unit. In any case, if the town wants to take advantage of the Wal-Mart opportunity (if it isn’t already lost due to inaction) it (the town) can’t sleep on their lack of laurels vis-a-vis the long delay of its facility.
We predicted in the same article referenced above that the mayor, during last Wednesday’s meeting, would try to make a case not to hire an administrator. As forecast, the mayor stated that no other small town the size of Edgewood in the State of New Mexico has an administrator. While technically accurate, the mayor’s statement omits the fact that one of the most “with it” towns in New Mexico is the Village of Los Lunas. Los Lunas has an administrator and has since approximately 1982. The mayor also informed the public and the council, that he thought “things” were going fine without an administrator and he wanted to see the council’s power to hire and fire maintained and it would not be if an administrator were to be hired. Whether Edgewood is doing fine without an administrator is in the eye of the beholder … many think not. But, the statement about hiring and firing is patently false, because Edgewood’s ordinance reserves for the council the final approval for hiring and firing. At least two members of the council, Councilors Hill and Simmons appeared to look favorably toward an administrator or manager. At least two citizens spoke in favor of an administrator while pointing out that the town does not appear to be moving forward to the degree possible or desired by community members. It was also pointed out that the mayor was ready to hire an administrator and did so almost immediately upon taking office in March of this year. I and others spoke against that hiring and stated that it was a conflict of interest to have a mayor of another town serve as the administrator for Edgewood. The council agreed and failed to confirm the appointment.
We believe there has been more than enough delay and manipulation during this Stearley administration; we therefore call on the mayor and the rest of the governing body to unite and show that micro-management by the mayor or any member or members of the governing body is both out of fashion and undesirable for the efficient governance of Edgewood. Further we ask that they move quickly, but responsibly in crafting a new ordinance and in advertising for and choosing an administrator for the Town of Edgewood.
One Response “ONE AND A HALF OUT OF TWO, ISN’T BAD”
Mr. Ring is perceptive, as usual.
Wake up Edgewood!