Alamogordo NM
12-09-2025 5:27am

Alamogordo Town News Hosted Inaugural Community Forum Salon: Leaders Share Vision for City’s Future

Alamogordo Town News launched its first-ever community forum salon Monday night at Otero Arts. While the event was lightly attended in person with about 20 attendees over stats show over 389 individuals tuned in live via Facebook streaming to hear the words of city leadership. Two videos with transcripts of the event are hosted on KALHRadio.org’s You Tube Channel and can be seen at 

https://youtu.be/c2Rq7T5kpcc
and 
https://youtu.be/XJX0WFNijfk

The event brought together City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, Mayor Susan Payne, and Mayor-elect Sharon McDonald for a candid discussion on civic priorities, challenges, and the future of local leadership.

A New Civic Tradition

The event, hosted by Alamogordo Town News, marked the beginning of what organizers hope will become a regular salon-style forum where residents can hear directly from city leaders and community movers and shakers in a conversational setting. The evening’s dialogue emphasized transparency, collaboration, and community engagement as cornerstones of Alamogordo’s civic life.

Key Highlights from the Forum

City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez outlined her accomplishments of strengthening city operations, emphasizing efficiency and responsiveness. She spoke about ongoing infrastructure projects, fiscal responsibility, and the importance of aligning city services with community needs and commission priorities. 

Mayor Susan Payne, reflecting on her tenure, highlighted accomplishments in economic development. She spoke with passion of how heartbreaking certain things can be as mayor such as managing the community through the death of officer Ferguson, a city employee and a child murdered in a park early in her tenure. She showed anger and passion with community agitators that interfere with progress such as her desire to have Dr Stephanie Hernandez appointed permanent city manager. She said she at this point is not sure what it would take, as “forces are at play that don’t support those that follow the rules. She said “some like the old days of insider politics.” She stressed the importance of continuity in leadership and praised the collaborative spirit between city staff and elected officials. She said she loved the interactions with Holloman and believes she is leaving Alamogordo City Government stronger and better than when she took office. Her passion shined through in her comments and her leadership was on display as one that can be feisty but genuinely cares for her community. 

Mayor-elect Sharon McDonald shared her priorities as she prepares to take office, focusing on community inclusion, long-term planning, and building trust. She emphasized listening to residents, getting them more involved and ensuring that diverse voices are represented in decision-making.

Themes of Collaboration

Throughout the discussion, all three leaders underscored the value of partnership between city government and the public. The salon format allowed for a more intimate exchange, with leaders responding to questions and reflecting on both successes and challenges.

 Civic accountability was a recurring theme, with Hernandez noting the importance of clear communication between departments and citizens.

Payne emphasized legacy and stewardship, encouraging residents to stay engaged beyond election cycles.

McDonald framed her upcoming term as an opportunity for renewal and inclusivity, pledging to carry forward the momentum of her predecessors while introducing fresh perspectives.

Looking Ahead

The forum closed with a call to action: residents were encouraged to continue participating in civic life, whether through public meetings, volunteerism, or future salon gatherings. Organizers noted that this first event is part of a broader effort to combat civic disengagement and strengthen local democracy by creating spaces for dialogue and accountability.

In summary: Alamogordo Town News’ inaugural community forum salon successfully brought together current and future city leadership in a spirit of openness and collaboration. With Dr. Hernandez, Payne, and McDonald sharing their visions, the event set a strong precedent for ongoing civic conversations that aim to keep Alamogordo residents informed, engaged, and empowered.

The next event will be held in February stay tuned for more details…

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