New mayor and councilors discuss cooperation

March 07, 2010

Mayor-elect Rudy Jaramillo hosted a meeting on Friday afternoon with Councilor Wayne Gallegos and councilors-elect Mary T. Aragon and Jerah R. Cordova to discuss Tuesday’s election and how to make cooperation happen.

During the private meeting at Pete’s Cafe in Belen, the four officials conversed about the need for cooperation during the first major transition in city government in 12 years.

According to state law, the city government has 21 days from Election Day to organize itself, appointing a city manager, police chief, fire chief, and airport manager.

During that 21-day period, a city councilor also will be appointed to Jaramillo’s seat, which will be vacated tomorrow night when Jaramillo is sworn in as mayor.

Gallegos called for a prudent and smooth transition, a sentiment shared by all.

Friday’s meeting is the only time the four can meet privately and unannounced because they don’t make up a quorum until the two new councilors are sworn in tomorrow night.

After the swearing in, all meetings of a quorum of elected city officials will need to be open to the public or announced as a closed executive session.

Cordova sought to have a Valencia County News-Bulletin reporter present for Friday’s meeting. The idea was nixed.

Posted in: Politics