According to the county, the new rule, approved unanimously by resolution, won’t mean Rivera will need to remove his name from the patrol cars.

“It will not apply to people who have already done it,” said David Pato, a county attorney.

The issue came to light during the recent primary election because of an article published by the Valencia County News-Bulletin.

“This resolution sends a clear message,” Commissioner Pedro Rael said.

Barela represents State Representative District 8.

All other incumbents won their races.

Valencia County Sheriff Rene Rivera will face former Peralta Municipal Judge Louis Burkhard in November.

Valencia County Commissioner Pedro Rael beat his fellow Democratic opponents in the hotly contested District 1 race, facing former Commissioner Mary Andersen, a Republican.

In the difficult to predict Valencia County probate judge race, Christian T. Garcia defeated his Democratic opponents, facing Jaime J. Baca in November.

The winners in each party are in bold.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 7

Democratic
56.0% – Andrew J. Barreras
44.0% – Benny L. Hodges

Republican
100% – Timothy J. Lardner

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 8

Democratic
52.5% – Julian R. Luna
47.5% – Elias Barela

Republican
100% – Alonzo Baldonado

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 10

Democratic
100% – Henry “Kiki” Saavedra

Republican
None

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 49

Democratic
None

Republican
100% – Don Tripp

VALENCIA COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1

Democratic
44.5% – Pedro G. Rael
10.8% – James G. Rickey
35.3% – Helen Y. Cole
9.4% – James L. Maag

Republican
100% – Mary J. Andersen

VALENCIA COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 3

Democratic
100% – David R. Medina

Republican
65.8% – Lawrence R. Romero
34.2% – Alberto C. Carrillo

VALENCIA COUNTY SHERIFF

Democratic
13.1% – Exevius J. Seals
12.7% – David M. Nunez
39.7% – Rene R. Rivera
34.6% – Mark Dennis Lujan

Republican
18.8% – Roy C. Lemons
23.2% – Ron B. Chavez
8.2% – Joseph Robert Byers
49.9% – Louis A. Burkhard

VALENCIA COUNTY ASSESSOR

Democratic
41.6% – Beverly Dominguez Gonzales
58.4% – Viola Garcia-Vallejos

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 1

Democratic
63.4% – Tina R. Gallegos
36.6% – Nolbert H. Romero

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 2

Democratic
70.5% – Danny H. Hawkes
29.5% – Elias R. Maez III

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 3

Democratic
100% – Phillip “Shorty” A. Romero

Republican
100% – John W. “Buddy” Sanchez

VALENCIA COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE

Democratic
23.5% – Alicia Aguilar
13.1% – Toby E. Jaramillo
18.9% – Marilyn M. Silva
12.1% – Angela V. Miramontes
32.3% – Christian T. Garcia

Republican
100% – Jaime J. Baca

You can vote between 7:00am and 7:00pm at your precinct.

Other than the state-wide races for governor, lieutenant governor and others, there are a number of exciting local races to watch.

The exciting races

The two state representative races have been respectfully contentious, with Democratic challengers seeking to unseat Democratic incumbents.

By all accounts, the race between Rep. Elias Barela and Belen school board member Julian Luna could be close. Though incumbents always have the edge, each has campaigned hard, not letting up for the past two or three months.

The race between Rep. Andrew Barreras and businessman Benny Hodges wasn’t supposed to be close, by most accounts, but the game changer might have been an article in the Valencia County News-Bulletin over the weekend highlighting Barreras’ financial trouble.

The race for Valencia County sheriff is also hotly contested, with four candidates running from each party.

Some have written off current Democratic Sheriff Rene Rivera as weakened from seemingly high crime (if you listen to TV news) and that dust up from placing his name on patrol cars. Even with a couple of the other Democratic candidates running strong campaigns, it remains to be seen if they’ve built any confidence among the voting public.

On the Republican side of the sheriff’s race, you can’t drive anywhere in the county without seeing a Ron B. Chavez sign, but signs don’t always equal support and votes. Roy Lemons has been waving on street corners, but like Barreras, he could’ve been weaken by the same story noting his own financial troubles.

The county commission’s district 1 race could be close on the Democratic side, with four candidates vying for a small number of votes in that district.

Some have suggested over recent months that current Commissioner Pedro Rael is weak because of what they see as missteps in his first four years, but the battle between James Rickey and James Maag has been particularly brutal, with allegations of a physical attack and police reports.

Both Rael and Helen Cole stayed relatively quiet, other than the typical campaigning, which means one of the two could be quietly coasting to victory.

The last race to watch is probate judge, with five Democrats hoping to get onto November’s ballot.

All of the candidates, with the exception of Toby Jaramillo, have been actively seeking votes, spotted around the county at events and knocking on doors. Good luck predicting this one, if you’re trying.

The candidates (by ballot position)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 7

Democratic
Andrew J. Barreras
Benny L. Hodges

Republican
Timothy J. Lardner

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 8

Democratic
Julian R. Luna
Elias Barela

Republican
Alonzo Baldonado

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 10

Democratic
Henry “Kiki” Saavedra

Republican
None

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 49

Democratic
None

Republican
Don Tripp

VALENCIA COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1

Democratic
Pedro G. Rael
James G. Rickey
Helen Y. Cole
James L. Maag

Republican
Mary J. Andersen

VALENCIA COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 3

Democratic
David R. Medina

Republican
Lawrence R. Romero
Alberto C. Carrillo

VALENCIA COUNTY SHERIFF

Democratic
Exevius J. Seals
David M. Nunez
Rene R. Rivera
Mark Dennis Lujan

Republican
Roy C. Lemons
Ron B. Chavez
Joseph Robert Byers
Louis A. Burkhard

VALENCIA COUNTY ASSESSOR

Democratic
Beverly Dominguez Gonzales
Viola Garcia-Vallejos

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 1

Democratic
Tina R. Gallegos
Nolbert H. Romero

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 2

Democratic
Danny H. Hawkes
Elias R. Maez III

Republican
None

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DIVISION 3

Democratic
Phillip “Shorty” A. Romero

Republican
John W. “Buddy” Sanchez

VALENCIA COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE

Democratic
Alicia Aguilar
Toby E. Jaramillo
Marilyn M. Silva
Angela V. Miramontes
Christian T. Garcia

Republican
Jaime J. Baca

The seat was vacated when Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, a former councilor, was sworn in as mayor one week ago.

Carrillo, calling himself a “fiscal conservative” who’s dedicated to growth, was sworn in immediately at the beginning of the council meeting.

Jaramillo nominated Carrillo for the seat. Councilor Jerah R. Cordova moved to confirm him, and Councilor Wayne Gallegos seconded.

The final vote was 2-1, with Councilor Mary T. Aragon voting against the confirmation.

The counterclaim filed by Cordova against then-City Manager Sally Garley also has been dismissed.

The case began on January 6 when an advertisement for Cordova’s campaign was placed on a Clear Channel Outdoor billboard at the intersection of Main Street and Reinken Avenue. That same day, Cordova received an emailed order to remove the advertisement from the city.

The city argued the billboard was in violation of an ordinance that says no political signs could be placed until 30 days prior to the election, arguing such signs could be legally placed starting on January 31.

Cordova countered that voting began on January 26 by absentee ballots, so the sign could be legally placed 30 days prior to that date. He also argued that the political signs ordinance was unconstitutional because it restricts political speech.

The City of Belen eventually opted to file for injunctive relief in district court to force the advertisement’s removal. By the time the court process began, and after delays because of the excusal of three judges from the case, Election Day had come and gone without a court hearing on the matter.

The dismissal was initiated by Cordova. The dismissal order was approved by the Torres administration last Monday and later in the week by a district court judge.

The former city council, which included councilors David Lopez and Terese Ulivarri, met first tonight to conclude its business and adjourn for the last time. Then the new city council met.

After the newly elected mayor and councilors were sworn in, Councilor Mary T. Aragon moved to have Gallegos elected as mayor pro temp. Councilor Jerah R. Cordova seconded. The vote was 3-0.

While the city council has four seats, one seat was vacated prior to the vote when Mayor Rudy Jaramillo was sworn in.

Jaramillo will likely nominate someone to replace him on the council during next Monday’s regular meeting, and the three city councilors will vote to approve or disapprove the nomination.

Tonight’s meeting agenda included a reorganization of city government — the appointment of an interim city manager, as well as a police chief, fire chief and airport director. Jaramillo, while still a councilor during the former council’s meeting, moved to strike the reorganization from the agenda.

Right now, the city manager’s position is vacant because former City Manager Sally Garley’s resignation took effect today. The other appointed positions remain filled by the Torres administration’s appointees.

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.

Rudy Jaramillo was elected mayor, edging out Tibo Chavez Jr. by just seven votes. Mary T. Aragon and Jerah R. Cordova took the two council seats by comfortable margins.

Kathy Savilla retained her seat as municipal judge, winning absentee voting, early voting and all four Election Day precincts.

MAYOR
558 – Rudy Jaramillo
551 – Tibo Chavez Jr.
321 – Wayne Gallegos
096 – Arturo Sais

COUNCIL
717 – Mary T. Aragon
687 – Jerah R. Cordova
626 – David A. Lopez
434 – A. Terese “Tinky” Ulivarri
005 – Randy J. Garley

JUDGE
678 – Kathy Savilla
505 – Gilbert Garcia
337 – Eleuterio Roy Gonzales

The results will be certified by the Belen City Council tomorrow night during a special meeting that will include the adjournment of the present city council and swearing in of the four newly elected officials.

“We recognize Mayor Ronnie Torres for his vision for our city and for his efforts, dedication and hard work in fulfilling that vision,” Councilor Wayne Gallegos said, reading from a proclamation declaring today as “Mayor Ronnie Torres Day.”

Last summer, Torres decided not to seek reelection to a fourth term as Belen’s mayor.

Gallegos, when reading the proclamation, said Torres would be remembered most for the annual Miracle on Main Street Christmas festival and electric light parade.

Torres was also responsible for major projects like constructing the Belen Community Center and Multipurpose Park, building the fire substation near the Reinken Avenue overpass, and expanding the Belen Public Library.

“He’s done many good things for the community,” said Councilor Rudy Jaramillo.

He also began reconstructing Becker Avenue as the “Heart of Belen,” intended as a redeveloped city center. During his tenure, the city began major improvements to Camino del Llano and annexed 6,000 acres for the development of Rancho Cielo west of Los Chavez.

“The man is fantastic and has just a kind heart,” said Councilor Terese Ulivarri.

Torres, who spent two years on the Belen City Council prior to serving 12 years as mayor, said he couldn’t have done all he did without a council that backed him and a staff that supported him.

“If you want a good team, you have to surround yourself with people much more educated than yourself,” Torres said.

Even though he won’t be mayor next week when a new mayor is sworn in, Torres said he won’t be too far away.

“I wish you guys the best. Continue doing what we’ve been doing. I’m a phone call away,” he said.

“That’s the number one thing,” he said.

He said the “buzzword is the economy” and he thinks the other candidates are unnecessarily latching onto it as an issue.

“My heart’s still on the emergency response and flooding,” he said.

He said plans addressing flood control can’t be dropped or left behind by a new administration, and it needs to remain as a priority.

For the economy, Gallegos wants businesspeople to meet, discuss the economy, and try different ideas for fixing Belen’s economy.

“If it works or it doesn’t work, at least they were a part of it,” he said.

He said the city shouldn’t be fully responsible for the success or failure of the local economy. He said he doesn’t have “any big answers” and boosting Belen’s economy will be a “team effort.”

He said solar industry is very important in Belen, and there’s still federal and state funding for solar projects.

“Everybody’s just casting their rod out there and offering whatever they can to get these guys into their area,” Gallegos said. “I don’t think we should put all of our eggs in one basket, so to speak, just on solar or whatever.”

Other than flood control, Gallegos said the city’s water system needs improvement. He said the system has too many leaks and too much consumption.

“It’s important for good quality water to get to our people,” he said.

Gallegos said he has a different leadership style, and he wants to ensure stability in transitioning from the Torres administration to his own.

“In these small cities, we have no smooth transitions. That’s where we lose a lot,” he said.

When questioned if he’ll ask City Manager Sally Garley to remain as city manager, Gallegos said “no.”

He will ask Garley to stay around for a period of time to help transition to a new city manager.

“There will be a little bit of overlap and transition, and then we’ll get a new city manager and take off,” he said.