By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley had a regular meeting March 11, 2025. Mayor Ed Stevens (online), Mayor Pro Tem Reynaldo Maynes and Pete Ordonez attended. Two council positions had been vacated previously.

The council started with statements of interest for the two open council positions. The town of Hurley had received four letters of interest. Each had been given time to speak to their qualifications.

Adam Polley said he had the most experience having nine years working as a county manager in the state of New Mexico in two different counties. This has given him extensive knowledge in personnel management in both hiring and firing of government positions. He has also had budget experience putting together budgets for both of the counties he worked in. The counties worked in had been Sierra and Catron Counties. Polley had been involved in the building of the brand new community center in Glenwood. Due to his relationship with both federal and state agencies he had some useful connections and had extensive knowledge on how Santa Fe works with budgets and capital outlay funds. He wanted to represent the people of Hurley.

Aaron Phillips said he had been born and raised in Hurley and been in business his whole life. He had to deal with county government and contracts. Recently he has had to deal with a number of municipalities in the surrounding area. He wants to stay involved with the community and help the best way he can. Phillips has a top beauty school and has been a coach for the last ten years. "I want to help the community grow." His wife works in the water field as a civil engineer, and he thought that could help.

Robert Candelaria said he had been born and raised in Hurley and had deep roots. His grandfather David Diaz served as mayor for a long time. It had been some of his motivation. He has kids in the elementary school as well as middle school. "I just want to be involved in helping with the community and see what I can do." Currently he works as director of information systems at Gila Regional Medical Center and has been in information systems for eighteen years. His duties included involvement in strategic planning with large budgets and has maintained a lot of budgets and contracts.

Salem Sager commented it was good to hear the mayor's voice. "We can't wait to see you again." Sager owns the Gateway Travel Plaza in Hurley and had come here eight years ago. At the time it had been closed when he bought the business but had felt he had made it a successful business. He has a master's degree in science and had been the general manager of a country club in Hondo. While he had lived there, he served on the Hondo Valley School Board. "I think I can bring a lot of experience business wise. I have a lot of interest in the town." He felt the town had a lot of opportunities and they could be proactive and improve a lot. They need more businesses.

Stevens asked if anyone had any public input on the council candidates. No one had any public input currently.

Stevens said all candidates had been qualified, residents and ability to assist the community. He would be using the list of candidates in alphabetical order by first name. He made his first recommendation.

His first recommendation would be Polley. Ordonez made a motion to appoint Polley but didn't receive a second. The motion died

Stevens second recommendation had been Phillips. Ordonez made a motion to appoint and Maynes seconded. Phillips would fill one of the council positions.

Stevens recommended Candelaria. Maynes made a motion to appoint, and Ordonez seconded. Candelaria would fill the second council position.

Stevens congratulated Phillips and Candelaria. Maynes swore both in. At that time Stevens asked if Maynes would take over the meeting due to the mayor not being present. Maynes took over the meeting and Phillips and Candelaria joined the council.

The council approved the consent agenda with the exception of the animal control report and code enforcement.

Police Chief Kevin Vigil had a letter of commendation he wanted to present. He asked Patrolman Jacob Romo to come forward. Vigil read the letter that formally commended Romo for remarkable bravery and swift action during a structure fire on February 3, 2025. It had taken place at 12 Romero Avenue in Hurley. His response to the emergency exemplifies the highest standards of courage and selflessness that the department strives to uphold. Upon arriving at the scene of the fire Romo quickly assessed the situation and without a moment's hesitation ran towards the burning building. His immediate concern had been for the potential presence of occupants inside. Romo's disregard for his own personal safety in the face of such danger had been truly commendable and reflects the core values of the department. His quick thinking and heroic action undoubtedly made a significant difference that day. His bravery deserved recognition and serves as an inspiration to all.

Romo's parents had attended to pin the medal of courage on him for his actions.

The town had received one letter of interest for the library board.

Krista Orosco had submitted a letter and said her family had moved to Hurley about seven years ago. "I feel it is important to have a community library especially in our little town." It provides something for the children to do and free for the public to access resources. It will be a good way to help the community grow. She thought having the library across from the school would be great. She appreciated the consideration for the position. The council asked if she had any experience. She responded not with a library but has experience as a parent and this would be important for the kids in the area. She added also that many residents would be considered low income, and the kids don't often have resources at home. "This is how it is close to me. It is important work."

Maynes recommended Orosco for the appointment and the council all approved.

New Mexico Barc had not attended to make their presentation.

The council approved the purchase order to Sandbar Construction Corporation through Mountain States Contractors for $8,730 to purchase a second welcome sign to Hurley along highway 180. Ordonez has been working closely with Mountain States Contractors. They had committed to putting up one welcome sign for the town at no charge but had also helped in receiving a discounted price for a second one. They will match and be metal. The town will be saving $15,000

The council approved the attendance of the new municipal judge to attend the 2025 Municipal and Probate Judges Conference in Albuquerque. Darlene McBride, city clerk, said George Moreno would receive required credits for attending and it also gives him the opportunity to network.

The council approved the attendance of McBride to the New Mexico Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers certification workshop. McBride said the workshop goes over a lot of what happened at the legislature and how it pertains to the municipalities. She also still needs credit for her certification and this will offer credits. She added it has been a great place for networking and having the support and guidance of other clerks so it's informative.

Mayor and council reports.

Maynes said he had attended the PNM meeting the last week due to Stevens not being able to attend. The meeting concerned the public safety power shut off. PNM had gone over what would cause them to shut the power off. Due to wildfire danger, high winds, low humidity, etc. they might need to take action. Maynes urged everyone to go the PNM website and become familiar with it and if need be, sign up for notifications. This would all be done to prevent wildfires being the cause due to downed power lines. "It is my understanding it's going to become the new normal." The shut offs could be six to twenty-four hours but they don't know until it happens.

Phillips asked about the people that needed oxygen and if any assistance would be made. McBride said they would need to provide the information to those people. She said Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, will be looking for funding backup support. Maynes said they had also talked about having a facility for Bayard, Hurley and Santa Clara where they could have a generator for power to help those on oxygen. In the future they will be having more meetings to talk about the actions that can be taken. The reason for it taking so long to turn on the electricity again would be having to physically inspect all the lines.

Ordonez said they have started the paving on the north side of the highway project. After that they will move the traffic to the new side. Then old pavement will be torn out completely in some places and where deep enough they will take out the top three or four inches.

Ordonez said the mayor had asked him to oversee the fire department. He had met with the fire chief and some of the firefighters. He addressed them being volunteer and a lot of them having full-time jobs. They have different shifts, and it makes it hard for them to answer calls. The fire chief told him they have a good working relationship with Bayard, Santa Clara, Whiskey Creek and Fort Bayard fire departments. The Hurley Fire Department will be the safe spot for Hurley Elementary in the case of an emergency.

The next regular meeting will be April 15, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned.