Alamogordo Commission Meeting, City Manager to Work Until October 18th Transitioning Out

The Alamogordo City Commission meeting was fairly uneventful on this Tuesday's session with few in attendance.

The city of Alamogordo formally acknowledged the news that City Manager Rick Holden, (the 7th city manger to serve Alamogordo in the last decade) announced his resignation on Thursday.

AlamogordoTownNews.org broke the story that Rick Holden had resigned after several city employees tipped off our news department. One tip suggested we pull an IPRA to include the City Managers calendar and emails between various city commissioners and Mr. Holden to better understand the pressure he was under and the tone of issues for which he was feeling a lack of support and pressure. We have requested multiple documents via a public records request for review.

Several staff members spoke to and sent texts to AlamogordoTownNews.org staff members, on a condition of anonymity, out of fear of retaining and asserted that the final straw for Mr Holden was an email exchange that occurred on Thursday

AlamogordoTownNews.org reported of the alleged version of Mr. Holden's departure, and at the time of the story, explained that an IPRA request was submitted and a request for official public comment. 

(Note in a prior story AlamogordoTownNews.org alleged that Commissioner Rardin was involved in the meeting that resulted in the resignation from of Holden, the correct commissioner was Mark Tapley. We regret the error)

Absent of an official statement, a story was run based upon the information available at the time.

On Monday, the city confirmed a departure but would not make an official statement. Information leaked to ATN that the mayor would make  a statement and a letter would be released allegedly penned by Mr. Holden explaining his decision at the Tuesday city commission meeting.

The City commission meeting began Tuesday. The now acting city manager Stephanie Hernandez read a statement from Mr. Holden explaining he "would be staying in the area", that "it was a pleasure to work with each commissioner" and that he was at a point that he needed to step back from his position. His letter was brief. 

The position per the city of Alamogordo pay structure pays a minimum of $105,665 per year. 

Stephanie Hernandez went on to explain that she is on the phone multiple times a day with Mr Holden as he transitions out with his last day being October 18th, 2024. 

Then each commissioner was allowed to make comments...

Mayor Susan Payne then went on a 13 minute rant condemning our media coverage for releasing the story of Holdens departure. 

Payne then continued with an over 10 minute indictment against the citizens of Alamogordo, as critics that "bring down progress" and because of them, "many of which don't pay taxes," per Payne, "we don't have nice things."

The mayor claimed other social "keyboard warriors" have accused her of "getting free water" and that commissioners benefit for money in their role as commissioner.

The mayor then went on a personal attack against this journalist, asserting that our reporting instills division and is filled with lies and are destructive.

She then blamed the constitution for protecting free speech and "not protecting political leaders". Mayor Payne condemned social media, journalism and large cross section of Alamogordo voters with scripted outrage. Payne claimed she noticed Holden lose his enthusiasm for the role and blamed social media, the citizens and journalists for his departure decision.

There will be a Special Meeting, Tuesday Oct 1st about the city manager situation (closed session).

Fact: since October of 2022 when 2nd Life Media began, we have produced 2099 news stories to our 16,642 daily readers and followers. Of the 2099 stories created by our team of contributors to include streaming KALHRadio.org radio news director Anthony Lucero, of the written stories a majority are not political, yet to hear the mayor tell it, only stories that are detrimental to Alamogordo are published

The facts are 314 witten stories have been related to politics, 533 were related to high school sports and student achievements,  249 related to business and culture, 386 related to the arts, 321 related to Holloman and military news, and the remaining several hundred to include public contributions, obituaries, the "Alamogordo Proud Series" highlight what is right about Alamogordo and spotlighting those that make a positive impact on our community.
Our onair stories and Podcasts include the weekly fishing report, the Ag report, human interest stories, content created in support of mutiple nonprofits we support such as Honor Flight, Alamogordo Main Street, Thrive, Kitty City, Animal Village, and more.

Further to the commission meeting, Mayor Payne then allowed other commissioners to speak. Mayor Pro Tem, Sharon McDonald spoke on the great rememberance event this weekend of Sgt Willie Estrada and his war accomplishments, she also spoke of the importance of the American Armed Forces Museum in Alamogordo and encouraged the  public to support its efforts. She thanked the volunteers of the Day of Caring event mostly from Holloman, who participated.

Commissioner Warren Robinson spoke of his support for city staff members and their professionalism and commitment to service. He mentioned he was saddened to see Holden resign and hopes the commission can find someone equally talented.

Commissioner Burnett asked for a followup on a constituent question and no other commissioner spoke.

While Mayor Paynes speech and dramatics was the focus of many people watching the streaming, two important votes were conducted one a zoning update. 1701 Cuba Ave rezone from R1-single family to R3-two family was tabled until legal clarification can be determined as to putting a contingency on the rezoning to ensure the property meets code.

The second and probably most important action was a recommendation by zoning to condemn the trailer park located at 1620 North White Sands. 1620 N White Sands Blvd is the Tinsley Trailer Park) consisting 25-30 occupied trailers and significant police activity and complaints from the nearby property owners. The condemnation passed 7 to 0. The owners, the Sewells have two years to bring to property up to code or the property will be condemned and taken over by the city for demolition.

The commission adjourned into closed executive sessions to discuss the situation with the bowling alley known as the Fun Center and the litigation around it via Downtown Ventures. 

To watch the commission meeting visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLZ10oq5sVI

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