Alamogordo Candidates Face Packed House at LULAC 8105 Forum: Homelessness, Safety, and Wages Take Center Stage

Almost every seat was filled at Otero Artspace Tuesday evening for a nonpartisan community forum hosted by LULAC Council 8105, spotlighting candidates in Alamogordo’s upcoming municipal election. The event, designed to elevate civic clarity and voter education, featured moderated segments for both city commission and mayoral candidates, with audience-submitted questions driving the dialogue.

Opening Remarks and Format

The evening began with introductions by Joann Vullo, President of LULAC Council 8105, who welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of civic engagement and respectful discourse. Each candidate segment was scheduled for 45 minutes but extended to nearly an hour due to the volume and depth of public questions.

Moderators included Chris Edwards of AlamogordoTownNews.org for the city commission segment and Claudia Powell, former president of the Otero County chapter of the League of Women Voters, for the mayoral portion.

 City Commission Segment: District 2 in Focus

The forum opened with the City Commission District 2 candidates, Stephen Burnett and Evan Ross, the only commission candidates to attend. Candidates from Districts 1 and 4—Robert Pattillo and Joshua Rardin—did not participate, despite being invited.

Burnett and Ross offered sharply contrasting views on poverty and homelessness:

Burnett emphasized the limits of local government, cautioning against overreach and suggesting that homelessness solutions must be realistic and fiscally constrained.

Ross advocated for stronger partnerships and a government-supported safety net, calling for collaboration between city departments, nonprofits, and regional agencies to address systemic poverty.

The two also addressed roads, business development, and livable wage jobs:

 Both agreed that road infrastructure needs improvement, but Burnett stressed that a plan is already in place, citing recent commission efforts to prioritize repairs and upgrades.

On economic development, Burnett emphasized the complexity of wage issues, stating that “there are no easy solutions” and that wages are ultimately determined by the private sector.

 Ross countered with a critique of systemic economic pressures, pointing to the “Walmart effect”—where large retailers suppress local wages—and the impact of absentee landlords and high rents, which he said are “draining the local economy and squeezing working families.”

 Mayoral Segment: 4 of 5 Candidates Present

Four of the five candidates for Alamogordo mayor participated:

• Latanya Boyce

• Richard R. Cota

• Sharon McDonald (Mayor Pro Tem)

• Ted Morgan

Jason R. Baldwin did not attend the forum.

Each candidate gave opening and closing remarks and responded to audience questions curated by moderators. A controversial question regarding a potential increase to the city’s minimum wage prompted evasive responses from most candidates. However, Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald addressed the issue directly, citing a city-commissioned wage study and the commission’s commitment to increasing staff salaries to improve retention and service quality.

“We’ve seen measurable improvements in staffing levels, especially in the police department, code enforcement, and public safety,” McDonald said. “Competitive wages are helping us recruit and retain the professionals our city needs.”

McDonald clarified that her focus on wages was what government can do for its own employees, using city staff compensation as an example of responsible wage policy. She then pivoted to emphasize the importance of supporting small businesses, stressing that the city must collaborate—not interfere—with entrepreneurs to drive growth. “We need to ensure our policies help businesses thrive, not create barriers,” she said.

Latanya Boyce spoke powerfully of her upbringing, describing how she overcame barriers and consistently outperformed expectations. She highlighted her respected career in title company management and her success in the judiciary as a probate judge. Boyce leaned heavily on her faith as the guiding force behind her career and her decision to run for mayor, framing her candidacy as a continuation of service rooted in values and perseverance.

Ted Morgan raised concerns about the city’s governance structure, asserting that the Alamogordo city charter is outdated and ignored. McDonald gently corrected the record, noting that the charter had undergone a significant update two years ago, with robust citizen input and public hearings.

Morgan also criticized the absence of a permanent city manager, suggesting that the city was not functioning properly. McDonald responded by affirming the leadership of Acting City Manager Stephanie Hernandez (who was in the audience), who has served for over 20 months. McDonald credited Hernandez with stabilizing the city budget and laying the groundwork for sustainable infrastructure and water investment, calling her tenure “the most effective and consistent leadership the city has seen in years in laying a foundation process work and establishing a long term plan for fiscal stability.”

Richard R. Cota, a teacher by profession, surprised some attendees by focusing more on faith than education, despite raising concerns about the cost of secondary education. His message, while passionate, was at times confusing, as he framed himself as an outsider willing to learn through on-the-job training. His sincerity and emotional appeal resonated with some in the audience, even as his platform remained loosely defined.

 Civic Engagement on Display

Organizers from LULAC 8105 praised the turnout and the respectful tone of the evening. All questions were submitted by the public and vetted by moderators. The event will be made available via podcast and streaming platforms for those unable to attend.

The forum underscored Alamogordo’s growing appetite for civic dialogue and accountability, with homelessness, infrastructure, policing, wages, and economic development emerging as top voter concerns.  Last night’s forum at LULAC Council 8105 was more than a campaign stop—it was a reflection of Alamogordo’s civic heartbeat. With homelessness, public safety, and wages taking center stage, candidates faced a packed house and tough questions from a community that’s paying attention.

As election season intensifies, forums like this remind us that democracy thrives when citizens engage, listen, and hold their leaders accountable. The energy in the room was proof: Alamogordo is ready to shape its future, one vote at a time.

Let’s keep the conversation going—and let’s make it count at the ballot box.

Sources:

2nd Life Media – Community Voices Forum Coverage

Mobilize – Candidate Forum Event Listing

2nd Life Media – Forum Announcement

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