9-09-2025 10:34pm

Cloudcroft Village Clerk Resigns Citing a Need for Time With Family

Chris Edwards Editor

The Village of Cloudcroft, long celebrated as “New Mexico’s Christmas Capital,” has faced anything but holiday cheer in recent years. The latest chapter in a saga of administrative upheaval came on September 8th, when Village Clerk Tabitha Foster submitted her formal resignation, citing the strain of balancing public service with family responsibilities. Her letter, addressed to Mayor King, requested privacy and a full withdrawal from public affairs.

Foster’s departure marks yet another turning point in a village government beset by resignations, internal conflict, and fiscal instability from past administrations. The Village of Cloudcroft is undergoing a dramatic transformation—one marked by ambitious reform but a cascade of resignations. In the latest development, Village Clerk Tabitha Foster submitted her resignation adding to recent years of drama and transition.

Her departure follows a string of staff exits over the last year that have raised questions about the sustainability of the village’s new governance approach.

Foster, who previously served as a trustee, had resigned her elected position on August 27 and applied for the Village Clerk role. She was confirmed at a special meeting on September 2, with a starting wage of $31.25 per hour. Also confirmed at that meeting was the salary of newly appointed Chief of Police Rolando Hernandez.

A Reform Agenda Meets Resistance

Since 2024, Cloudcroft’s new administration has pursued an aggressive reform agenda. Trustees began holding weekly Monday staff meetings, applied for multiple grants, and completed the annual budget with full transparency. Meetings have been streamed online, and reporters from The Cloudcroft Reader on site and with limited coverage also by AlamogordoTownNews.org to expand public visibility.

Trustee Gail McCoy, spoke to KALHRadio.org in a previous interview earlier this year and acknowledged the wave of resignations at the time but remained optimistic. “The village needs some changes such as 24-hour police protection,” she said. “Change is good," she said at the time of prior charges.

Yet the pace and scope of change have not been universally welcomed. In 2024, the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief, one officer, the Village Clerk, and the Water Operator all resigned. Many cited increased workloads and the implementation of round-the-clock police coverage as contributing factors.

Staff Exodus Continues

The resignations have continued. In previous reports The Cloudcroft Reader reported that Water Clerk Crystal Menezes, MVD Clerk Melissa Yates, Library Director Julie Johnson, and Deputy Clerk and Project Coordinator Vyanca Vega had all stepped down. The departures have left critical gaps in village operations and raised concerns about staff morale but staff and trustees marched forward.

A Village at a Crossroads

Despite the turbulence, village leaders insist that the changes are necessary to modernize operations and improve public services. The administration’s grant applications and budget transparency efforts have been praised by some residents as long overdue.

Still, the loss of institutional knowledge, continued turbulence and loss of experienced personnel poses challenges. As Cloudcroft moves forward, the balance between reform and retention will be key to restoring stability and public trust as 2025 winds towards the Christmas holidays in December.

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