Cloudcroft Leadership Faces Emotional Departures Amid Ongoing Village Turnover

CLOUDCROFT, NM — In a pair of deeply personal letters released by Mayor King, the Village of Cloudcroft has bid farewell to two key figures in its government—Village Clerk Tabitha Foster and Police Chief Rolando J. Hernandez—both of whom resigned within days of each other. Their exits mark the latest in a series of high-profile resignations that have reshaped the village’s leadership over the past year.

Mayor King’s first letter, issued on September 8, reflected on his shared journey with Foster, whom he met during their joint campaign for trustee positions two years ago. “Her voice has been a steady force for positive change,” King wrote. “While I’m heartbroken to see her step down, I respect her decision and wish her nothing but the best.” Foster’s resignation was attributed to the strain of balancing public service with family responsibilities.

Now a week later, this Monday, September 15, 2025, Mayor King sadly announced the resignation of Police Chief Hernandez, who had only been appointed on July 2

Chief Hernandez also citing family concerns stepped down to care for his ailing mother in San Antonio, Texas.

His short tenure was deemed as impactful. “His commitment to our safety was evident from the start,” King noted. “He brought steady leadership to our department in a short time, stepping up during critical moments with honor and resolve.”

Both letters underscore a recurring theme in Cloudcroft’s recent history: the emotional toll of public service, family commitments and the challenges of sustaining leadership amid sweeping reforms.

Since 2024, the village has pursued an ambitious governance overhaul, including weekly staff meetings, expanded transparency, and 24-hour police coverage. While these efforts have earned praise, they’ve also coincided with a wave of resignations, including former Clerk Shaela Hemphill, Deputy Chief David Sanchez, and several other staff members.

In his reflections this month, Mayor King invoked Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Man in the Arena” quote, emphasizing the courage required to serve in public office. “For any government to run successfully there is one key ingredient,” he wrote. “That is a dedicated, committed citizenry that is willing to step up, make the hard choices, and work, work, work.”

As Cloudcroft continues to navigate its transformation and battles holding onto staff, the mayor and village trustees are left to grapple with the human cost of change. The constant turnover has led to a loss of institutional knowledge and continuity which causes significant concerns and a lack of confidence by the village community members.

Sources:

• Cloudcroft Village Clerk Resigns Citing a Need for Time With Family - AlamogordoTownNews.org

• Mayor King’s resignation letters

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